to Favour and seemingly pardon'd but the Lord Henry Beaumont Sr. Thomas Rosselin Sr. William Trussel and Sr. Thomas Withers as not being included in this Pardon or not daring to trust to it were fain to fly the Land till the Death of Mortimer For to these Men he was implacable they being the first Persons who began boldly to challenge him for the Death of the Old King tho some of them had been concern'd in his Deposal for which this new Earl of March would gladly have had a full Revenge upon them But however upon this their flight he got many good parcels of their Lands and Possessions to be siesed on for the King's Use in name but for his own in reality V. Here because the foresaid Henry Lord Beaumont is not only mention'd on these great Accounts already but must challenge much more to be said of him hereafter as also that it may be seen what kind of Men this proud Mortimer levell'd his aim at and that I may at the same time do right to the Posterity of that Noble Personage I shall not here think it amiss briefly to touch at his Original Most of those that mention his Pedigree bring his Descent from Lewis Son to Charles Earl of Anjou t Dugd. Bar. 2 Vol. p 50. 〈◊〉 a younger Son to Lewis the Eighth King of France which Lewis Son of Charles being Lord of Beaumont in France begot of his Lady Agnes de Beaumont this valiant Lord Henry Beaumont and his Sister Isabell who was wife to John Lord Vesci of Alnwick in Northumberland and is called Kinswoman to Queen Eleanor that vertuous Consort of King Edward the First This Lord Henry married the Lady Alice one of the Cozens and Coheirs to John Cumin Earl of Boghan or Bucquain and Constable of Scotland in whose Title he afterwards obtained that Honour But whereas there are some who by mistake bring this Worthy much later into England in the company of Queen Isabella King Edward the Third's Mother this their error arose we presume from those passages of Froisard which make such frequent mention of the Lord Beaumonts assisting that Queen when it is plain that he means there the Lord John of Heinalt who was also called Lord Beaumont from another place of that name in Heinalt and besides this Lord was u Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 51. Claus 20. Ed. 2. m. 12. confin'd in England upon Suspicion at the time of Queen Isabell's Arrival And yet * Dugd. ibid. p. 50. others derive this noble Vicount Beaumont from Lewis de Brenne second Son to John de Brenne or rather Bremen the last King of Jerusalem VI. But now this Noble Lord with othes of Mortimers Enemies was fain to yield to the iniquity of the Times and to retreat into France till the Storm should be blown over Mortimer in the mean while securely basking in the sun-shine of his Prosperity as great as Heart could wish if Ambition knew any Limits to its Desires Soon after the Young King to do him further honour x Monast Angl. 2 Vol. p. 225. takes a progress toward the Marches of Wales where he gives this new Earl a visit He for his part as he was indeed descended of a very ancient and Noble Family from y Catal. Honor. p. 574. Hugh de Mortimer a Norman Baron who came into England with William the Conqueror and received of him in reward of his good Services the Castle and Lands of Wigmore was besides his natural Ambition very glorious and singularly magnificent in all his Publique Appearances But now upon this Visit 't is incredible what sumptuous Entertainments he gave his Royal Master in his Castles of Ludlow and Wigmore what Sports and Diversions in his Parks and Forests what Gallantry and Expence he exhibited in his Tiltings Tournaments and other Military Pastimes much whereof thô it might proceed from an honourable Disposition and a sense of Gratitude and dutifull Respect to his Soveraign yet as was thought not a little was upon the account of the Queen Mothers presence and that all of it in general smelt rank of a Popular Air and a vain-glorious Humour Whether it was really so or that Pride is so loathsom to all who are at a distance from it that it causes even our best Actions to be misrepresented and be view'd from the wrong Prospect CHAPTER the THIRD The CONTENTS I. King Edward summon'd to do Homage to the King of France for his Dukedom of Aquitain and the Lands of Ponthieu and Monstroile II. A solemn Just held in London for three Days together AN. DOM. 1329. An. Regni III. with the Queen's danger by the Falling of a Scaffold III. The Old Queen and Mortimer compass the death of Edmund Earl of Kent the King's Vncle with the Manner and other Circumstances IV. King Edward goes privately into France V. Soon after his Return a Son born unto him called Edward afterwards sirnamed the Black-Prince VI. Mortimer taken and executed a Parliament I. NOW was a Froisâ—c 24. M. S. Ang. C. C. C. ibid. c. 219. Philip of Valois the French King well settled in his new-acquired Throne having received all the Homages and Fealties of his Subjects and Others who held under him as Peers of France or otherwise except only of the Young King of England his Cozen who by right had ow'd him homage for his Dukedom of Aquitain and the Earldom of Ponthieu and Monstroile had not himself been Heir to the Crown of France and so Supream Lord not only of those Parts but of the Whole But King Philip being too much elevated with his good Fortune never consider'd any such thing or at least had no great apprehensions of King Edward's Courage or Conduct and therefore finding himself now in full and quiet Possession of so flourishing a Kingdom by the advice and consent of his whole Council he resolves to summon our King Edward to make his Personal Appearance before him in France there to do Homage unto him as to his Supream Lord for the Lands which he held of that Crown He therefore soon after dispatches into England the Lord of Ancenis and the Lord of Beausalt with Monsieur Peter of Orleans and Monsieur Peter of Massieres two famous Civilians which Four with all their Retinue after provision made departed from Paris directly for Whitsant where they took the Sea and arrived safely at Dover Here having tarried one day as well to refresh themselves as to unship their Horses and Baggage they rode the next day toward the Court which they heard to be as then at Windsor Being at last come thither in respect to their Master that sent them they were soon admitted to the Royal Presence where they gave the King a full account of their Errand His Majesty answer'd with good Deliberation That the Matter required advice that as for his Part very few of the Lords of his Council were then about him but if they would withdraw to London he
Cosin the King of England or any of his so that He or they might come or go armed or unarmed at his or their pleasure That if King Edward would defie the French King he also would do the same and enter the Realm of France with Forces to the number of a thousand Men of Arms so that their Wages might be paid them from England And accordingly on the 13 of July we find that John Duke of Brabant Lorraine and Lomberg i Rot. Aleman 11 Ed. 3. m. 8. 2 Septem ibid. m. 6. ibid. m. 11. was retained for the King and with the assent of the Emperour was the Confederation made with Lewis his eldest Son there stiled Marquis of Brandenburgh Count Palatine of the Rhine Duke of Bavaria and Arch-Chamberlain to the Emperour There passed also between the Emperour himself and the King of England and their Heirs an Union and Confederacy which obliged them to use all their Power particularly against Philip of Valois who bore himself as King of France and his Successors in that Kingdom for the Recovery and Defence of their Honours Inheritances and Possessions Things succeeding thus happily the k Frois ibid. English Lords return to the rest of their Company at Valenciennes whence by Letters and Messengers they so well managed the residue of that Affair that the Lord Reginald Earl of Gueldre and Zuitphen who had married Eleanora the King of Englands Sister and William Marquis of Juliers who had married Joan one of Queen Philippa's Sisters with Walram Archbishop of Cologne and the Lord Valeran his Brother and the Lord Faulquemont came all to Valenciennes to treat with the English Lords about the Premises before the Earl of Heinalt and the Lord John his brother And here at last on Consideration of certain Summs of Florens to be paid to each of them beside such and such Wages for their Men They all undertook to defie the French King and to bring into the Field against him every Man such a number to attend King Edward when and where it should please him Promising moreover on the like Conditions to procure other Lords of the Empire such as were best inclin'd to War and most able from beyond the Rhine After this Covenant thus made the Almaine Lords departed to their several Countries but the English remain'd still with the Earl of Heinalt whence they sent frequent Messengers to Adolph Bishop of Liege being very desirous to bring him over But he was so firmly knit to the French Kings Interest that there were but small hopes of ever prevailing with him As for the Valiant King John of Bohemia thô they wish'd for him he being a Prince of great Wisdom as well as Resolution and of great Power in the Empire which once was govern'd by his Father Henry of Luxemburgh yet they forbore to attempt any thing upon him because they saw plainly that having married his Daughter to King Philips Son John Duke of Normandy he could neither in honour nor interest move another way And indeed both he and the foresaid Bishop of Liege stuck so close to the Crown of France that nothing but Death could separate them from it which they both at last suffer'd in one day at the famous Battle of Cressy wherein the English obtain'd a most signall Victory But however they prevail'd elsewhere and retain'd in the Kings Name for his intended Expedition into France several other Noblemen of those Countries l Ashmole p. 647. as namely Adolph Earl of Mont who having done Fealty and Homage to King Edward received of him in reward thereof a Pension for Life of 1200 Florens of Gold per annum out of his Exchequer Everard eldest Son to Theoderick Earl of Limbergh Adolph Earl of Marlia Robert de Touburgh Lord of Warnich Theoderick Earl of Lossen and Heuseberg and the Lord Blatikenberg and Theoderick de Montjoy Lord of Walkenberg besides divers Valiant Knights and Commanders of eminent Note II. Moreover King Edward well considering how opportunely the Flemings lay to annoy the Kingdom of France and how their Trade in Wooll and other Merchandises which came from England made them in a great measure obnoxious to him resolves to attempt them And thereupon sends over m Fabian p. 204 an English Knight named Sr. Bernard Brett of an excellent Tongue and obliging Deportment who if upon tryal he should find any Difficulty with Lewis n English Atlas 4 Vol. p. 239. sirnamed of Cressy Earl of Flanders was then secretly by promises and other arts to work upon the Demagogues and such as were most acceptable to the Populace so as to perswade them to enter League and Amity with the Crown of England The Earl of Flanders thô he was perfect French at heart yet could not he thought in reason but propound this Request of King Edwards to his Estates being called together in Council In short the King of England found more Favourers here than the Earl had imagin'd many openly alledging that it was more for their Interest to prefer his Friendship than that of France the chief of whom was a Lord of Flanders named o Holinsh Engl. Chron. p. 903. Sr. Siger of Courtray who stifly maintain'd that Opinion in Council for which he began to be in great dislike with the Earl. This Knight p Frois c. 29. fol. 18. had been accounted a Person of singular Honour and of unquestionable Valour and Fidelity to his Lord the Earl of Flanders but whether that he was won by the Policy and Golden Perswasion of this English Knight Sr. Bernard Brett or whether he indeed thought it the best Advice for the Wealth of his Lord and of his Country he was perfectly now for abetting the English Interest His usual Residence was in the City of Gaunt the Metropolis in those Days of all Flanders where he kept great Hospitality especially for the entertainment of Strangers for which he was extreamly dear to the common People who call'd him the Lord of Courtesie This his manner of being Free to all Men made him not doubt of entertaining the English among others with all civility and honour whereat the jealous Head of King Philip was so stung that upon News thereof he sent to the Earl of Flanders commanding him to strike off his Head as One whom he affirmed to be corrupted with English Gold from his Duty The Earl who was already not well-pleas'd with the Lord Sigar of Courtray not daring or not willing to give King Philip any occasion of Suspition sent for him accordingly Whereupon Sr. Sigar readily obeyed as one who having done no ill suspected none but when the Earl had got him once in his power without Process or Judgment he caused him presently to be beheaded This rash and illegal Action of the Earls did so incense the Commons of Gaunt and Bruges that they began plainly to Rebel against him openly rejected his Government and prepared to resist him by force of Arms. The q
1 Vol. p. 802. Antwerp while the King held a Noble Turneament there on the Vigil of St. Andrew or the 29 of November 1338. The Infant was Baptised with the Name of Lionell and sirnamed from the Place of his Birth Lionell of Antwerp who became in time Earl of Vlster Duke of Clarence and a Person of Extraordinary Features of Body and which is a more aimable Beauty Valour and other Princely Endowments But as the Queens Fecundity did on one hand make the Royal Family to flourish so on the other Fatal Necessity was busied in lopping off a Princely Branch from that Regal Stem For this very z Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 64. Year the Kings Uncle Thomas Plantagenet sirnamed of Brotherton from a place of that Name in Yorkshire where he was Born being Earl of Norfolk and Marshal of England departed this Life and was a Weevers fun Mon. p. 726. buried in the Choire of the Famous Abbey at St. Edmunds-Bury in Suffolk where there was a goodly Monument erected to his Memory but it is now wholly buried in the same Ruines into which the Fatal Dissolution cast both that and many other Religious Houses He left Issue by the Lady b Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 65. Alice his first Wife Daughter of Sr. Roger Hales of Harwich two Daughters his Heirs the Lady Margaret and the Lady Alice the former first Married to the Lord John Seagrave and after to the Famous Sr. Walter Manny the latter to Sr. Edward Montague Brother to the Earl of Salisbury He is c Mill's Catal. Hâ—nor p. 510. said to have had also a Wife named Anne before the Lady Alice by whom he had a Son Edward who died without Issue and also another after her by whom he had a second Son named John who became a Monk in the Abbey of Ely. Upon his Death however the Earldom of Norfolk and Office of Marshal for want of Issue Male fell into the Kings hands by Escheat But the Lord William Montague Earl of Salisbury in consideration of his many Eminent Services both in War and Peace abroad and at home obtained presently after a d Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 646. ex Pat. fact apud Antwerp 12. Ed. 3. p. 3. m 7. Grant bearing Date at Antwerp the 15 of September of the Office of Marshal of England During this the Kings Stay in Brabant the Lady e Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 52. Eleanora Plantagenet Fifth Daughter to Henry de Torto Collo the old Earl of Lancaster and Sister to Henry Earl of Darby brought forth to her Husband John Lord Beaumont of England Son to Henry Vicount Beaumont Earl of Buquhan a Son called Henry Whereupon two Years after Sr. John the Father obtain'd the Kings Special Letters Patents declaring That notwithstanding the said Henry the Son was begotten and born in Foreign Parts yet since it was occasion'd by Sr. John's and his Lady's Attendance on the King and Queen he should be reputed a Lawfull Heir to inherit his Father's Lands as well as thô he had been born in England Now that it may appear how King Philip was much more in the Pope's Books than our Edward it is observable that when he heard of King Edwards Arrival at Antwerp as one that saw a Dreadfull Tempest of War hanging over France he wrote a f Extat apud Odoric Rainald ad hunc annum §. 55. Letter to King Philip bearing Date at Avignon V. Id. August Anno Pontificatûs IV. Wherein piously indeed he stirs him up to implore the Divine Assistance and to the end he might obtain the Favour of God to put away all things that might offend his Majesty and first to pacifie his own Conscience lest he should nourish a War within himself to desist from Oppressing the Clergy and the Poor lastly he advised him to admit of honest Conditions of Peace and upon Occasion to offer the like For whereas in that War much Christian Blood was like to be shed he would then appear clean of the Sin of all that should be shed both before God and Man but that he should not put his Confidence in the Power of his Forces but in the Divine Assistance As for his Part that he together with the Whole Church would power forth his Prayers unto God for him IV. King g Knighton p. 2571. n. 50. vid. Rebdâ—rfii Annales de hâ—c anno Edward the mean while according to the Emperors Request went forth Royally attended to give him a Meeting he being then in High Germany about 7 Diets beyond Colen But when he heard of the King of England his Brother-in-Law's Approach toward that City he also set forward with Imperial Pomp till he came to h Alii dicunt lâ—cum fuisse Confluentias alâ—i Francofurtum Cologne where he was met by King Edward The Enterview was very Glorious and Magnificent the Emperor greatly Honouring the King of England thô some i Walsingh hist p. 132. say at the first Meeting he took it ill that King Edward refus'd to submit himself to the Kiss of his Feet as it should seem Kings were wont to do to Emperours but our Edward gallantly k Selden's Titles of Hon. part 1. c. 3 p. 29. answer'd That He Himself was a King Sacred and Anointed and had Life and Limbs in his Power being accountable to none but God as Supream and Independent of all Others being also Lord of Sea and Land and Wearing no less than an Imperial Crown Wherefore he ought not to abase himself to any Mortal Potentate whatsoever This Answer was accepted And presently l Knighton p. 2571. n. 60. two Royal Thrones were erected in the open Market-place One for the Emperour the Other for the King the Emperour took his Place first and King Edward sate down by him In which Honourable Enterview there were for Assistants four Great Dukes three Archbishops and six Bishops thirty seven Earls and of Barons Banerets Knights and Esquires according to the Estimation of the Heralds Seventeen Thousand The Emperour held in his Right Hand the Imperial Scepter and in his Left the Golden Mound or Globe which denotes the Government of the World a Knight of Almain holding over his Head a Naked Sword. And then and there the Emperour publiquely declared the Disloyalty Falshood and Villany which the King of France had used towards him whereupon he defi'd him and pronounced that both He and his Adherents had forfeited the Protection and Favour they might expect from the Empire and had justly incurred whatever Displeasure might be done unto him thereby And then He m Ashmole p. 649. Frois l. 1. c. 34. f. 19. made ordain'd and constituted King Edward his Deputy and Vicar General of the Sacred German Empire granting unto him full and absolute Power over All on this side as far as Cologne Of all which he gave him his Imperial Charter in sight of all that were present The next day these two Illustrious Persons with the Great
always Prelate of the Order and then he proceeded to give the same Habit to the other 25 Knights Companions as in Order they follow 2. His Eldest Son Edward Prince of Wales now but in the 14 then in the 19 Year of his Age. 3. His Noble and Valiant Cousin Henry at that time Earl of Lancaster and afterwards Duke of the same Title 4. Thomas Beauchamp the thrice Noble and Valiant Earl of Warwick 5. John q Here Mr. Ashmole is stagger'd because 〈◊〉 he finds it on Record that John de Greilty Son. of Peter was Captal of Buch from the 5 to the 29 of King Edward the III as indeed he was from the 5 to the 50. Yet notwithstanding upon the Original Plate of his Name set up in the Chappel at Wâ—ndsor it is engraven Piers Capitow de la Bâ—uch as if his Name also was Peter When as it is evident that these Plates were not set up at the Foundation but many Years after perhaps after King Edward's Death as may be made manifest to any strict enquirer And his Fâ—ther being of the Name of Peter might cause a mistake at least in the Engraver From whence afterward Authority grew also even to other writings Nay I shall hereafter prove that as great a Mistake as this was engraven upon Queen Philippa's Tomb thô done in King Edwards Life de Greilly Captal of Buch which is a great Lordship in Aquitain the Governour whereof is stiled Captal and the Country it self is called le Captalat de Buch or Busch the chief Town whereof called la Teste de Buch is about seven Leagues Westward of Bourdeaux This Gentleman was a Mighty Man of Valour and most firm of all others to the English side so that after many Renowned Exploits whereof this History will not be silent being at last taken Prisoner by the French he chose rather to die in Prison than to swear never more to bear Arms for England 6. The next Knight in Order was Ralph Lord Stafford Earl of Stafford 7. William Montagu the hopefull young Earl of Salisbury 8. Roger Lord Mortimer Grandson to Roger Earl of March who five Years after obtain'd a Revocation of the Judgement against his Grandfather and thereupon was restored in Blood and to the Earldom of March and to all his said Grandfathers Lands Honours and Possessions Being for his Valour and Worth highly meriting to be inserted into this most Noble Order 9. After him was invested the Couragious Knight John Lord Lisle 10. Then Bartholomew Lord Burghersh alias Burwash Junior at that time but twenty Years old but every way Worthy of this Honour 11. John Lord Beauchamp younger Brother to Thomas Earl of Warwick a Noble Martialist of that Age. 12. John Lord Mohun of Dunstor a Constant Attendant of the Black-Prince in all his Wars 13. Hugh Lord Courtney Son to Hugh Courtney Earl of Devonshire 14. Thomas Lord Holland of Holland in Lancashire who about the time of this his Creation or the 23d. of King Edward was Married to the Beauty of England Joan Sister to the Earl of Kent 15. John Lord Grey of Codonore in Derbyshire 16. Sr. Richard Fitz-Simon whose Services in War rais'd him to this Honourable Title 17. Sr. Miles Stapleton a Man of Great Nobility and Integrity and Expert in Martial Affairs 18. Sr. Thomas Wale a Knight of great Vertue and Worthiness but one who thô by his early Valour he merited so High a Rank yet by his too early Death which happen'd within three Years after the Institution left his Stall void the First of all these Founders 19. Sr. Hugh Wrottesly of Wrottesly in the County of Stafford Knight from whom in a direct Line is Sr. Walter Wrottesly of Wrottesly in the foresaid County Baronet now r Ashmole ità Ano. Domini 1672. living descended 20. Sr. Nele Loring a Knight of great Valour and Nobility and whom we have shewn to have been first Knighted for his signal Courage in the Naval Fight at Sluce 21. The Lord John Chandos a most Illustrious Hero of whose Generosity and Valour to write sufficiently would require a large Volume 22. The Lord James Audley a most Adventurous and Fortunate Commander and Cousin to Nicolas Audley Earl of Gloucester 23. Sr. Otho Holland Brother to the Lord Thomas Holland aforesaid 24. Sr. Henry Eam of Brabant commonly by Historians called Sr. Henry of Flanders a Valiant and Loyal Servant to King Edward 25. Sr. Sanchio Dambreticourt a Valiant Knight of Heinalt now Naturaliz'd in England 26. Sr. Walter Pavely who was Famous for his Exploits in several Warlike Expeditions These were the Names and this the Order of the First Knights of the Garter whom the thrice Noble King Edward chose to be his Companions and Fellows in this Honourable Society All Men of most signal Valour and Conduct of High Birth and untainted Loyalty So Generous and Heroick that they might all seem Worthy to be Kings and their Perseverance in Vertue to the last as it partly declares the sharp Judgement the King used in their Election so it shews of what Power and Efficacy that Honourable Tye was and what Obligations to Vertuous Behaviour it laid upon them But methinks it may justly be Wonder'd how it came to pass that this Great Honour being confer'd on so few those other Worthy Barons who deserv'd it no less being laid aside should notwithstanding never shew the least disgust at the Matter For certainly the Noble and Heroick Lord Walter Manny the Valiant and Daring Lord Reginald Cobham Richard Fitz-Alan the Great Earl of Arundel Robert Hufford Earl of Suffolk Lawrence Hastings Earl of Pembroke William Clinton Earl of Huntingdon Humphry Bohun Earl of Hereford and Essex and his Warlike Brother William Bohun Earl of Northampton the Lord Ralph Basset of Sapcote the Lord Roger Delaware and many more for Birth Wisdom Loyalty Wealth Vertue or Valour were well Worthy of the Highest Honours But this Prudent Prince would not make his Institution cheap by communicating it to many nor have any of his Successors to this Day exceeded the Number of 26. The mean while 't is highly probable that the other Lords thought it more Noble to grow emulous who of them should be most Worthy to ascend the first vacant Place and we find by Degrees that most of them did as the Stalls fell void attain to that Dignity as the two Earls of Essex and Northampton the Earls of Arundel and Suffolk the Lord Walter Manny and Reginald Lord Cobham and others but the Rest either died or were decrepit and past Action almost before their turns came and so found no Room at all VII The Order being thus well-stockt at the beginning has since that obtain'd such an High Esteem thrô all the Christian World that divers Å¿ Ashmole p. 189. Emperours Kings and Sovereign Princes have reputed it among their greatest Honours to be chosen and admitted thereunto insomuch as some of them have with Impatience Courted the Honour of Election
the Eve of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin or as some say z Dugd. Warw. p. 165. ex Esc 35. Ed. 3. p. 1. n. 122. on the Tuesday after the said Feast which that Year fell on the 30th of March. England had less wanted him now that the War was ended if he had not been as Eminent for Counsel in Peace as he was remarkable for Military performances He was only Son to Henry de Torto-Collo who was younger Brother and next Heir to Thomas Earl of Lancaster who was Eldest Son to Edmund Sirnamed Crouchback Second Son to King Henry III of England and Brother to King Edward the First Grandfather to King Edward the Third This Illustrious Person in his life time did nothing degenerate from the Blood Royal of England of which he so largely partook as may be seen in those many foregoing Passages of this History which speak of his Warlike Actions His many Heroick Vertues obtain'd him the Glorious Sirname of Good he being generally called the Good Duke of Lancaster Wherefore his Death was universally Lamented especially by the Poor by the Clergy and by Scholars to whom he was a Constant Friend and Patron Nor was King Edward a Frois c. 216. less concerned for the loss of so Renowned a Kinsman and Captain as were also all the Barons of England Lords Knights and Esquires For he was in his Days an Ornament to the Nobility a Patron to the Church a Prop to Learning a Glory to the Souldiery and a shield unto his Prince He was b Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 789. buried on the South-side of the High-Altar in the Collegiate Church of Leicester which c Knighton p. 2625. Speed's Maps in Leicester himself had founded and set over it one Dean Twelve Canons Prebendaries as many Vicars and others all sufficiently provided with Revenues Besides he consummated the Hospital there which his Father had begun wherein were maintain'd an 100 Infirm and Poor people d Stow p. 265. 50 Men and 50 Women together with 10 lusty and able Women to serve the said Infirm Ones with Meat and Drink and other bodily Necessaries day and night Both which Hospital and College of Canons he sufficiently endowed for ever and indeed they were the Greatest Ornament of that City until the heavy Hand of King Henry VIII among other the like Foundations laid their Ruines at his own Feet At which time the College Lands d Stow p. 265. were valued at 595 pounds 7 shillings and 6 pence per annum He left behind him two Daughters his Heirs the Lady Mathilda the Eldest then 22 Years of Age at that time Married to William of Bavaria Son to Lewis the Emperour and Duke of Zealand Holland Hainalt and Friseland the other Daughter named Blanch then 19 Years of Age and the Wife of John of Gaunt Earl of Richmond but upon the Death of her Eldest Sister which happen'd shortly after without Issue in her Right Duke of Lancaster Earl of Darby Lincoln and Leicester Steward of England and also Lord of Brigerac Beaufort and Nogent Who had by her Henry Sirnamed of Bolingbroke who afterwards traiterously deposing King Richard the Second became King of England by the Name of Henry IV. Soon after his Death the Lady f Knighton p. 2625. Mathilda his Eldest Daughter came into England to claim her Purparty of the Inheritance where she died presently being g Id. p. 2626. n. 31. as was thought poison'd that the Inheritance might not be divided among Foreigners but go entirely as thereupon it did to her Younger Sister who was Married in England Besides this Great Prince there h Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 127. died this Year of the same Plague the Lord John Moubray a most Valiant and Noble Knight of England who was styled Lord of the Isle of Haxiholme and of the Honours of Gower and Brembre He died at York on the 4th of October leaving behind him John his Son and Heir a Valiant Young Gentleman then of full Age whom he had by his Wife the Lady Joan of Lancaster Sister to the Duke of Lancaster aforesaid But this Young Lord John Moubray brought more i Dudg ibid. p. 128. Honour and Possessions to his House and Name by taking unto him for Wife the Lady Elisabeth Daughter and Heir to John Lord Seagrave by Margaret his Wife Daughter and sole Heir to Thomas of Brotherton k Fifth Son but Second surviving Second Son to King Edward the First Earl of Norfolk and Marshal of England From which Marriage l Sandford's Geneal Hist p. 110. are Descended all the Dukes of Norfolk and Earls of Nottingham of the Sirname of Moubray and Howard the Earls of Suffolk and Barkshire and particularly the Thrice Noble Henry Lord Mordant the present Earl of Peterborough m Dugd. Bar. 2 Vol. p. 279. p. 312. Son of John Earl of Peterborough by his Lady Elisabeth sole Daughter and Heir of William Howard Lord Effingham Eldest Son to Charles Earl of Nottingham Nor ought We to forget the Death of the Valiant Lord n Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 653. Mills Catal. Honer p. 531. Edward Montague Brother to William the first Earl of Salisbury of that Name which happen'd in this Year he leaving behind him only one Daughter at that time XII Years of Age then Wife to the Lord William Hufford Eldest Son to the Earl of Suffolk Besides this o Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 68. there died the Lord Reginald Cobham a Baron of great Renown in those days leaving behind him a Son of his own Name and Character Also William p Id. 1 Vol. p. 447. Lord Fitz-Warine of the House of the Lord Fulk Fitz-Warine and Sr. Nicolas q Id. 2 Vol. p. 89. St. Maure alià s Seymor a considerable Baron of the Realm Besides whom there were now taken away six Bishops r Walsing hist p. 171. Gedw Catal. Bps Stow p. 265. as Michael Northborough alià s Northbrook Bishop of London who was succeeded by Simon Sudbury Reginald Brian Bishop of Worcester whose Chair was supply'd by John Barnet Thomas Lylde Bishop of Ely a good Benefactor to Peter-House College in Cambridge whose loss was repaired by the Succession of Simon Langham also Robert Stratford Bishop of Chichester into whose place came William Lenne alià s Lenlimere and John Synwell Bishop of Lincoln whose Successor was John Buckingham Lord Privy Seal but these two latter died in the beginning of the next Year There died also at this time that Famous Scholar Richard Fitz-Ralph Archbishop of Armagh Primate of Ireland and Chancellour of the University of Oxford of whom we Å¿ Huius hist l. 3. c. 3. §. 15. p. 552. have spoken more largely elsewhere Only it is here to be added that this Archbishop t Vid. Odâ—r Rainal ad ann 1358. § 6. Wad in Annal. Minor. Tem. 4. ad cund ann had such a Reputation for Holiness and Integrity of Life that he is said to
Southerland As for the former King John Baliol he liv'd at this time a retired life in France having only two Sons the Lord Edward and Henry who as yet had no Issue and therefore their Father had on certain considerations resigned and quitted and given over to King Robert his Right and Title to the Crown of Scotland so that Robert was now quit of all fear on that part and otherwise very strong in the affections of his People who were then a great and flourishing Nation And this was the state of Scotland when King Edward the Third of England came to the Crown wherefore encouraged with their former success and despising King Edwards Youth r Rich. Sâ—uthwell on the very night of that day whereon King Edward was Crowned the Scots had intended to take the Castle of Norham Å¿ Grafton p. 173. between the Marches of England and Scotland by surprize and so well they managed their design that about t Holinshead Hist Sect. p. 225 sixteen of them had already mounted the Walls but the Captain Sr Robert Manners being warned of the Matter before-hand by one of his Garrison who was a Scotchman had so well provided to receive them that of those who had mounted he took five or six and put the rest to the sword their Companions below upon this disappointment retiring This seem'd a good Omen of King Edward's future Victories over the Scots by occasion of the Lord Edward Baliol who was himself a Scotchman Presently after King Robert Bruce supposing it now a very fit season to take some advantage against his old Enemies the English during this their Kings Minority sends about u Frois c. 15. Grafton p. 218. Easter a short and brisk Defiance to King Edward and all his Realm telling them that he would shortly with his Power invade the Realm of England with Fire and Sword and there do as he had done before in his Fathers Reign at the Battle of Bannocksborn near Striveling or Sterling where the English received that mighty Overthrow we spake of by reason of those x Sr Tho. de la More Ed. 2. p. 2. Holingshead hist Scotl. p. 217. Hector and Buchan Pits into which the Scots had intrapt them unawares I must not omit that the Scotch Writers attribute the occasion of this Defiance to some fraud or other wherewith the English had lately endeavour'd to ensnare them by foul Collusion of their Ambassadours but neither can it be imagin'd what necessity the King of England should have either by fraud or force to attempt to injure the King of Scots with whom he stood on no ill Terms before his own Affairs were in any posture of Settlement nor do any of their own Historians assign what this fraud or injury was nor indeed was ever the English Nation noted so much for fineness or subtlety as for down-right Honesty and blunt valour Nor is the consideration of King Robert's Age and sickness sufficient to conclude that of necessity there must be some great Cause given that could provoke so decrepit a Man to begin a War toward the End of his Life since thô his Person was weak his Mind was strong and vigorous and Scotland was never in better case than at that time and the Generals he intended to employ were Barons of great Fidelity Conduct and Resolution and he might reasonably hope to have at least as much advantage over this Young King as he had over his Father in his Full Age when attended with a most flourishing Army Nor is any great Captain thô never so satiate with Lawrels so unambitious after all but that in his weakest condition he would lay hold on any occasion of so probable success against a professed Enemy 'T is sweet to an old Warrior to end his days among Triumphs and Victories This is certain King Edward the Third neither did nor could send any Ambassadors to him before his Coronation yet even then we shew'd before that the Scots began to break the Peace by attempting to surprize a Castle thô no less than y Hâ—linshead hist Scot. p. 224. Ashmole p. 645. ex Claus 1. Ed. 3. p. 1. m. 2. Dâ—rs Nine years were to come of the last Thirteen years Truce struck up between this Kings Father and King Robert of Scotland four years before And besidâ—â— we find that there had been since the Coronation of this Young King an Agreement for a further Treaty of Peace to be held in the Marches on the Sunday next before Ascension Day then ensuing But as I said before King Robert imagining to make an easie prey of the young Monarch neither much valued the old Truce not yet ended nor the new Agreement not yet perfected but resolves upon War. Hereupon soon after he invades the North Borders with an z Hector p. 307 b. n. 60. Army of Twenty five thousand Men a Bachan p. 273 all Horse that they might do mischief more speedily and retire with more expedition if by any necessity they should be so obliged VI. The mean while King Edward conceives an high indignation at this unprovoked Defiance and to secure himself for the future from the like Contempt immediately with all his Power addresses himself to defend his Reputation And first he b Frois c. 17. sends his Uncle Thomas of Brotherton Earl of Norfolk and Marshal of England with a choice number of Soldiers to Newcastle upon Tine who there made his Musters as he was appointed on the c Ashmole p. 645. Monday next before the Ascension in like manner the Lord Robert Hufford and the Lord John Moubray were commanded away to the Reinforcement of the Lord Anthony Lucy of Cockermouth then d Dugd. Baron 1 Vol. 565. a. Governour of the Castle and Town of Carlile At the same time the King issued out his General summons to his own People and moreover by kind letters invited his noble Friend John Lord of Beaumont in Heinalt and brother to William Earl of Heinalt by whose aid chiefly the Queen had deposed her Husband and who was but newly return'd home again to come over to his assistance about the time of the Ascension Sr John Lord Beaumont hereupon came over to the King to the City of York the place appointed for the general Rendezvous thô Newcastle also was pitch'd upon for the assembly of other Forces a week before within three days of Whitsuntide accompanied with more than fourty Lords and Knights of Heinalt Flanders and Bohemia with other Knights from Cambray and Artois to the number of Five hundred Men of Arms all well Arm'd and gallantly Mounted Soon after Whitsuntide follow'd for the sake of this John of Heinalt the Lord William Son to the Duke of Juliers or Gulick and Sr Henry Thyrry afterwards Earl of Lewis and with them another goodly Company all expecting to purchase much honour under this hopefull Young King and no less profit as well from his Royal bounty as from the
t Id. p. 633. Lord Montagu Robert u Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 26. Lord Morley John x Id. 1 Vol. p. 81. quem vid. ad singula haec nomina Lord Warren Earl of Surrey John Lord Ros younger Brother to William Lord Ros of Hamlake in Yorkshire with his other Brother Thomas Ros the Lord William Clinton afterwards Earl of Huntington the Lord Roger le Strange and Sr Ebulo le Strange his Kinsman the Lord Hugh Audeley junior and Sr James Audeley his younger Brother Thomas Lord Braose the Lord Fulk Fitz-Warine the Lord John St Philibert the Lord Peter de Malolacu or Mauley the Lord Ralph Stafford the Lord Ralph Basset of Drayton the Lord Thomas Hastang the Lord Robert Pierpoint the Lord Thomas Furnival the Lord Robert Fitz-Walter Sr Walter Beauchamp of Alcester in Warwickshire with his Brother William Beauchamp Sr Nicolas Cantilupe and many other Barons of England Sr y Frois c. 17. John of Heinalt and all the Lords Strangers with their troops both in their March and when they took up their Lodgings were always placed immediately next the King 's own Guards as well to secure them from the Archers who still breathed after Revenge as for their greater Honour and to let the whole Army know thaâ— whoever sought their damage would at the same time highly trespass upon the King himself The first Night the Host reached sixteen mile onward of their way and there the King tarried two Days and three Nights partly to expect till the whole Army was come up but chiefly to examine by himself and his Officers whether any thing necessary for such an Expedition was wanting before they should be brought to a Pinch Early on the fourth day they began their March toward Durham which was distant in all from York about fourty eight or fifty Miles but from Topcliffe whereabout they had lodged little more than Thirty The second Night after they reach'd the City of Durham encamping thereabout till further notice of the Enemy of whom they had heard no News as yet The King had before this as we remembred to hinder their Progress in the Borders sent the Earl of Norfolk Marshal of England to Newcastle and the Lords Hufford and Mowbray to Carlile with considerable Forces They for their part slack'd nothing of their Duty for they were Persons of great Worth and Honour But the subtle Scot e're the King could reach Newcastle which was but about z Ferrar. in Orthea twelve or fourteen Miles beyond Durham had pass'd the River of Tiâ—â— so privately that they were neither perciev'd by the Garrisons of New-castle nor Carlile and so for a while they wasted and robb'd the Country wherever they came and yet could never be overtaken or found by those who sought to encounter them but only a Holinshead Hist Scotl. p. 225 once at Darlington where being met by a disorder'd number of the Country Militia who came to oppose them they soon overcame them putting many to the sword and the rest to flight Their King Robert himself was not there at that time thô he was the most Valiant and most Successfull Prince that had reign'd in Scotland of many years For being now oppressed with age and sickness he was forced to send in his stead two the most Famous and Expert of his Captains the Lord Thomas Randulph Earl of Murray and the Lord James Douglas the latter greatly in those days Renowned for Hardiness above all the Scotchmen as the former was for Wisdom and Conduct Their Forces were b Hector Bachan twenty or twenty five thousand Men all nimble and expedite for suddain Invasion or quick Retreat for they were all mounted c Frois c. 17 f. 8. the Better Sort on good strong Coursers and the Common Soldiers on little but approved Hackneys and Geldings They brought with them no Carts nor Wagons because of the inequality of the Mountainous Countries thrô which they should pass nor had they with them much purveyance of Bread or Wine for in those days the Scots were so abstemious and patient in time of War that for a good while they could endure with flesh half-boiled and drink out of the Rivers Nor yet had they any Pans or Cauldrons to dress their meat in for what Beasts they found as they always did good store in those Northern parts they would seeth them in their own skins stretch'd out bellying on stakes in the manner of Cauldrons And having thus sod their meat they would take a little Plate of Metal which they us'd to truss somewhere in or under their saddles and laying it on the fire take forth some Oatmeal which they carried in little bags behind them for that purpose and having kneaded and temper'd it with water spread that thereon This being thus baked they us'd for Bread to comfort and strengthen their stomachs a little when they eat flesh That such hard Farers should prove good Souldiers is no wonder and that sometimes they should be able to baffle a great Army more encombred than themselves may very lightly be granted And now had the English been several days in those Parts before they had any knowledge where their Enemies were thô they dayly saw the effects of their cruelty and met with many of the Borderers who fled before them to avoid it But at last they saw great smokes and fires about the Country which plainly enough declared where they were and what was their Employment Immediately hereupon d Frois c. 18. fol. 8. the Alarum is given and a March sounded every Man being commanded to dislodge and in the Order before appointed to follow the Marshals Battail There were three great Battalions on Foot and to each Battail two Wings of 500 Men of Arms Knights and Esquires and 20000 others well-arm'd and provided the one half on little Hackneys and the other ranged on Foot who fought for Wages to be paid by those Towns Cities and Corporations that sent them to the Kings Service The Scotch Writers make the whole number of the English Forces to be more than an Hundred Thousand Men effective and Froisard himself besides those three Battails mention'd speaks of 24000 Archers if the figures are not mistaken and Grafton and Speed reckon up 30000 Archers in All Thô I believe if there were such a Number they were distributed proportionably among the foresaid Battalions according to the Usual Method of the Captains of those days and that there was no such great Battail of Archers distinct from all the rest And this Opinion agrees better with our Historians and Froisard's own Account of the Number in another place where he reckons the Whole but to something more than e Frois c. 16 fol 7. b. 60000 Men of War Thô f R. Burtons Engl. Mâ—narchs p. 104. others whose Authority I shall not here examin make them no more than 54000 Men which were thus disposed in the Main Battail with the King were two and
Lord Mauley Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick John Earl of Warren and Surrey the Lord Walter Manny Ralph Lord Nevil of Raby Henry Lord Percy John Lord Gray of Codonor the Lords Alexander Hilton Ralph Camois Thomas Furnival Gilbert Aton Adam Wells John Moels alias Mules beside the Lords John Willoughby and John Fauconberg both who fought Valiantly under the Banner of the Lord Ebulo le Strange There were also these Lords John Moubray Bartholomew Burwash senior Robert Lord Clifford William Lord Clinton Hugh Lord Audley junior afterwards Earl of Gloucester Ralph Lord Basset of Drayton Sr. John Roos and Thomas Brethren to William Lord Roos Sr. Hugh Courtney son and Heir apparent of the Lord Hugh Courtney the Elder and Sr. Robert Pierpoint g Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 458. whose services that day were so Considerable that they obtain'd him an High Place in the Kings Favour And from him the present Thrice-Noble Earl of Kingston is Descended It is h Walsing hist p. 114. n. 40. Knighton p. 2559. n. 10 20. generally agreed that the Scotch Army did by far exceed the English in number and the Courage of that Nation was never justly called in question yet thus by their own want of Experience or disadvantage of Ground or Divine Judgment they were slain taken and routed by a far less number of English who yet in the whole Action lost but one Knight one Esquire and twelve or thirteen Footmen fifteen being the most that are said to fall on our side So great and signal a Victory could not but enforce the yielding up of the Town and Castle which were before so much distressed and could now expect no other timely Succour Accordingly i Id. ibid. n. 29. that very day or rather as k Walsingh p. 114. Fabian p. 199. Holinsh p. 896. M.S. ibid. c. some say the next both were deliver'd up to King Edward who gave the Townsmen l Knighton p. 2â—64 n. 60. a Truce for 40 days in which space of time they might sell or otherwise dispose of their Goods such as had a mind to depart but as for those who were willing to become his Liege Men he gave them free leave to remain in their dwellings still and enjoy their own they giving unto him their Oath of Fealty Of these were Earl Patrick of Dunbar late Captain of the Castle and Sr. Alexander m Hector l. 15. p. 316. l. 32. Bachan p. 289. Seton himself Captain of the Town who certainly would never have sworn Loyalty to him had he so cruelly executed his Sons as the same Scotch Writers too rashly report Sr. n Knighton p. 2564. Alexander Ramsey also and Sr. Robert Miners with Other the Chief of the Town to save their Houses and Lands there took the Oath of Allegiance King Edward entred into Barwick with great Solemnity where having tarried twelve days he appointed King o Frois c. 26. Grafton p. 228. Bailiol to rule all the rest of Scotland and left with him the Lord Richard Talbot and many other valiant Leaders with a sufficient Army to keep that Realm that is all beyond the Scottish Sea but he himself claim'd Barwick both by Inheritance from his Ancestors and his own Conquest And there therefore in his own Name he immediately places the Lord Henry Percy as Governor of his Castle of Barwick with his Lieutenant Sr. Thomas Grey and the Lord Patrick Earl of Dunbar was joyn'd in Commission with them as Wardens jointly of all on this side the Scotch Sea which he had received to his Peace Only Earl p Hector l. 15. fol. 316. lin 37. Patrick had this Penance imposed on him by King Edward That since upon the first Arrival of the English he had thrô despair to keep it caused his Castle of Dunbar to be dismantled and rased to the ground he should now at his own charge rebuild it and admit an English Garrison therein The Lord John q Thoroton Nottingh Antiq. p. 164. Darcy having obtain'd much honour in this War return'd now with all his Forces to his Province of Ireland where all along he exercis'd much wisdom and integrity in that his Government and upon his return presently deliver'd Walter Bermingham Primate of Armagh out of the Castle of Dublin of which matters to enlarge would be foreign to our purpose VIII But the Pious King Edward of England in r Ashmâ—le Garter p. 645. Memory of this great Victory which happen'd as we have shew'd on the Eve of St. Margaret the Virgin that Festival being in the Roman Calendar on the Å¿ Malè ergo Ashmole 13. ibid. 20 of July repaired the Church and Convent of the Nuns near the place where the Battle was sought it having upon that Occasion been burnt and destroy'd and caused an Altar to be therein erected and dedicated to that Virgin-Martyr He further granted to those Nuns and their Successors for ever 20 l. per annum out of the Issues of the Town and County of Barwick untill Lands to that value might be settled upon them to the end That annually on the Eve and Day of St. Margaret for ever they should commemorate the Goodness of God for his so prosperous Success in that Battle As for the Bailiol about the Feast of St. t Knighton p. 2565. n. 1. c. Laurence which is the tenth of August even before the King of England had left those parts he put himself in the Head of an Army of about 26000 men all English or such Scots as had yielded to serve him and to prosecute this Victory marched forth into the very Heart of Scotland taking Towns and Castles at his pleasure for none resisted him And there he took up his Winter Quarters all the Country being subjected unto him as we shall shew more fully anon About this time it was as the best Authors agree that King u Fabian p. 199. Frois 33. David Bruce being thus in a manner deprived of his Kingdom was both advised by his Friends and forced by Necessity to forsake his Native Country for a while and fly to the protection of his old Confederate of France All this was happily effected by the Loyal assistance of Malcome Flemein of Cumirnald the Captain of the impregnable Castle of Dunbriton under whose Conduct departing secretly with his Queen and a small Company he set sail for France and arrived safely at Bouloigne whence riding to Paris he was heartily welcom'd of King Philip who received him with extraordinary Courtesie offering him freely to command any of his Houses or Castles to reside in and to take up whatsoever he should want either for Use or Pleasure provided he would engage never to make any final Agreement with King Edward of England without his Consent first had and obtained thô at the same time the Lord x Dugd. Bar. 2 Vol. p. 34. Bartholomew Burwash the Elder and other Commissioners late sent from England were
William of Strasburg Sr. Goswin de la Mulhausen Sr. Vauflart van Guistle and many others In all the Duke of Brabant had 12000 Men under 24 Banners and 80 Penons or Streamers The third and Greatest Battail of all was led by King Edward of England surrounded and attended by his English Captains the Chief whereof were these Henry Plantagenet Earl of Derby the Kings Cosin Henry Burwash the Noble and n Knighton p. 2577. n. 40. Warlike Bishop of Lincoln Richard Bury Bishop of Durham the Kings Tutor William Montagu Earl of Salisbury William Bohun Earl of Northampton Hugh Audley Earl of Glocester Robert Hufford Earl of Suffolk the Lord Robert of Artois who was called the Earl of Richmond at that time because the Duke of Bretagne for being on the French Kings part had lately forfeited that Title the Lord Reginald Cobham the Lord Henry Percy the Lord William Roos the Lord John Moubray the Lord Ralph Stafford the Lord John de la Ware the Lord Ralph Basset the Lord Walter Manny the Lord Nicolas Cantilupe the Lord John Tibetot or Tiptot the Lord Fulk Fitz-Warine the Lord John Lisle the Lord Robert Benhale of Norfolk Sr. Otho Grandison Brother to the Lord Peter Grandison Sr. Lewis Beauchamp and Sr. John Beauchamp which latter was younger Brother to the Earl of Warwick and lastly Sr. John Chandos lately Knighted by the King of whom much Honour is to be spoken in this our History The King had with him in all besides his Royal Standard 28 Banners 80 Penons or Streamers 6000 Men of Arms Knights and Esquires and 12000 Select Archers Besides he had set by another Choice Battail as on a Wing whereof the Earl of Warwick Thomas Beauchamp was Chief Leader and with him were Lawrence Hastings the young Earl of Pembroke the Lord Thomas Barkley the Lord John Multon of Egremont and others This Battail consisted of 5000 Men of Arms all on Horseback When thus every Lord stood under his Banner among his own Men as the Marshals had Commanded the King of England Mounted on a large White Palfrey and only attended with the Lord Robert of Artois the Lord Reginald Cobham and the Lord Walter Manny rode about before all his Battails and in the Head of each of them with a very cheerfull Countenance sweetly desired all the Lords and others that they would that day do their utmost to defend his Honour and their own and they all unanimously promised him so to do After this he returned to his own Battail and set every thing in good Order Commanding that none should presume to go before the Marshals Banners In the mean while the French o Frois c. 41. ad sin du Chesne l. 15. p. 648. Army was in like Manner disposed into Three Great Battails each whereof contained 15000 Men of Arms and 20000 on Foot in all 35000 Men the whole Three amounting to 105000 Warriers Among whom were Four Kings five Dukes Twenty six or as p Sala apud Du Chesne ibid. others say Thirty six Earls more than Four Thousand Lords and Knights and above 60000 of the Commons of France The Kings that were there were Philip himself King of France John of Luxemburg King of Bohemia Charles King of Navarre and David King of Scotland The Dukes were John Duke of Normandy King Philips Eldest Son John Dreux Duke of Bretagne Lewis the Great Duke of Bourbon Reginald Duke of Lorrain Walter de Brenne Duke of Athens The Earls Charles Earl of Alencon King Philips Brother Lewis of Cressy Earl of Flanders William Earl of Hainault Gaston Phaebus Earl of Foix John Earl of Armagnac Amè Earl of Geneva Amè Earl of Savoy Lewis Earl of Blois the Earl of Forestes the Earl of Bar the Earl Dauphin of Auvergne the Earl of Longeville the Earl of Estampes the Earl of Vendosme the Earl of Harcourt the Earl of St. Pol the Earl of Guisnes the Earl of Boulogne the Earl of Roussy the Earl of Dampmartin the Earl of Valentinois the Earl of Auxerre the Earl of Sancerre the Earl of Dreux the Earl of Gascoigne the Earl of Languedoc and many more Vicounts and others too tedious to enumerate It was a Glorious and Ravishing sight no doubt to behold these two Armies standing thus Regularly embattel'd in the Field their Banners and Standards waving in the Wind their proud Horses barbed and Kings Lords Knights and Esquires richly Armed and all shining in their Surcoats of Sattin and Embroidery IX And now it may be justly expected that a Bloody Battle should ensue upon these vast Preparations of these two Puissant Monarchs But we shall see all come to nothing upon these Reasons which now I shall more distinctly set down King Philip of Valois was no doubt a Man of singular Courage and as the Sequel shew'd rather too Rash than Timerous He had all along answer'd the English Ambassadors when they offer'd Peace upon easie Conditions q Knighton p. 2574. n. 50. 60. that the King their Master should never Rejoyce of two Foot of Ground in all the Realm of France And had often sworn by his Messengers that King Edward should not tarry one Day in his Realm without Battle let him come when ever he would The r Walsingh hist p. 128. n. 30. 40. Knighton p. 2574 n. 60. 2575. n. 1. ad n. 10. Constable of France also by Command of the King his Master had sent Letters to King Edward containing among other things that if he would choose out a Place not Fortified with Trees Ditches or Bogs the King of France without fail would afford him Battle Which same thing was also affirmed by the King of Bohemia and the Duke of Lorrain in their several Letters under their Hands and Seals beside King Philips late Promise to Windsor Herald whereby he Obliged himself to come and give him Battle on this Day sufficiently shew'd his Resolution But Å¿ Frâ—â—is c. 42. all the Lords of his Council were not of the same Mind For thô some urged that it would be an indelible Stain of dishonour if now they should decline to come to the push seeing their Enemies were so near them in their own Country and had both demanded and been promised Battle Yet others of deeper Judgement replyed That it would be the most Unwarrantable Indiscretion in the World to Commit all to the Hazard of One Engagement For said they if Fortune prove adverse to Us Our King is in Jeopardy of loosing his Crown and thô he should Conquer his Enemies yet will he never be the nearer to gain the Crown of England or the Lands of any of King Edwards Allies Beside which gave the Greatest Suspicion to King Philip who knows said they whether all your Subjects are firm to You or no and that no Lords here present may Prefer King Edward or Revolt to him as the Lord of Artoic hath done already With these Debates time slipt away till Afternoon When of a
and French but the Country of Hainault was grievously wasted and afflicted with this War and still the Duke of Normandy lay on the Frontiers no man knowing whither he would turn his Fury next But the Greatest Concern of all was they could hear no tidings of the Earl of Hainault their Lord. He for his part as we shew'd before had taken a Voyage into England where he was well received by the King and his Barons and there was made between the King and the Earl his Brother-in-Law a mutual Alliance Offensive and Defensive From England the Earl went into Germany to the Emperour Lewis of Bavaria who had Married his Eldest Sister the Lady Margaret as King Edward had Married the Youngest and with him also he made an Alliance Offensive and Defensive And these were the Occasions that kept the Earl so long abroad Besides this the Lord John of Hainault his Uncle having as well as he could supply'd all Places of Strength and given necessary Orders since he had received peremptory Command absolutely to decline coming to Battle till the Earl's Return was also gone now into Brabant and other parts of Flanders where he shew'd to the Duke of Brabant and to Jacob van Arteveld the Desolation of his Country of Hainault desiring of them their Advice and Assistance They answer'd How They were sure that shortly the Earl himself would return Home and then they promised to be ready to go with him whither he would please to lead them X. Now i Froâ—s c. 19. while the Duke of Normandy remaind'd at Cambray the Bishop and the Burgesses of the City told him how the English and Hainalders had gotten by Surprise the strong Castle of Thine l'Evesque desiring him for the Common good to endeavour its Recovery Because the Garrison that lay there was so prejudicial to all their Country Upon this the Duke began again his Musters out of Artois and Vermandois and having compleated a sufficient Army went forth of Cambray and came before Thine on the River k Mezeray p. 16. Sambre and sat down before it pitching his Tents in the fair plain Meadows toward Ostrevandt The Duke had brought with him from Cambray and Doway several great Engines but especially six of extraordinary size all which he reared up against the Fortress casting from them night and day mighty Stones wherewith he beat down the Roofs of their Chambers Halls Towers and Houses So that the Besieged were fain to lie in Vaults and Cellars for their better Security against these Engines the Captains of the Fortress at that time were Sr. Richard Limesi an English Man of honourable Extract and two valiant Esquires of Hainalt John and Thierry Brethren to the Lord Walter Manny and to the Earl of Namur These three Captains thô infinitely molested by these Engines would often say to hearten their Company Surely Fellow-Souldiers one of these Days the Earl of Hainalt will come against these Frenchmen and deliver us with Honour and fully acquit us of our present Danger Nor will he then fail to give us both great Rewards and Thanks for having so truly defended this Place so long But after that the Engines cast in upon them dead Horses and Dogs and other stinking Carcasses which annoyed them much more than any other thing for it being about the time of Midsummer thrô the heat of the Air the stink became so abominable that they saw at this rate they should never be able to hold out any longer So by good Advice they concluded to desire a Truce for 15 Days in which time to send and inform the Lord John of Hainalt who was Governour of the Country in the Earls absence of their State and Condition and if he should not afford them any Succour in that space then they would yield up the Fortress to the Duke This Treaty being agreed to by the Duke the Three Captains sent forth an Esquire of Hainalt named Estrelart de Sommain to John of Beaumont to whom the Esquire finding him at Mons related the whole Message not forgetting to aggravate the ill Condition of his Friends at Thyne Sr. John thereupon shew'd him the Letters he had newly received from his Nephew the Earl wherein he wrote That he was coming homeward into his own Country and that he had been with the Emperour and King of England and with several Lords of the Empire with all whom he had made a strict Alliance And says he go and tell our Friends at Thyne that they be of good Courage for the Earl will be here within a Day or two and without doubt they shall be relieved effectually upon his Return During this term of Truce the Earl returned home accordingly at which time the Lord of Beaumont his Uncle gave him an exact Account of all publique Transactions during his Absence how the Duke of Normandy had lain on the Frontiers and how he had burnt and wasted his Country The Earl answer'd that it should be dearly paid for adding how the Realm of France was rich and large enough to make ample Satisfaction for all their Trespasses done against him But for the present he resolv'd to address himself immediately to the Assistance of those who were besieged in Thyne since they had hitherto defended themselves in such Difficulties with so much Honour Whereupon he straight sends out his Summons to all his Friends and Allies in Germany Brabant and Flanders and thrô all his own Country himself went to Valenciennes where he made his General Rendezvous and presently he had a gallant Army This done he marched from Valenciennes in great Array with many Carriages Tents and Pavilions and other Necessaries following the Army and went and encamped by Sar on the Plain along by the River Sambre He had in his Company these Lords Hainalders John Lord of Beaumont his Uncle the Lord of Engien the Lord Verchin Seneschall of Hainalt the Lord Dantoing the Lord Barbancon the Lord of Lens the Lord William Bailleul the Lord Havereth the Chastelain of Mons the Lord Montecuculi the Lord Barbais Sr. Thierry of Walcourt Marshall of Hainalt the Lord Dalmed the Lord Gomeygnes the Lord Brisuell the Lord Roisin the Lord Trisagines the Lord Lalain the Lord Mastin the Lord Sars the Lord Vargny the Lord of Beaurien and many Others all ready with their Men to serve their Lord the Earl. Beside of his Allies there came thither to his Aid the Earl of Namur with 200 Spears after whom came the Duke of Brabant with 600 Spears and the Duke of Guerle with 400 William Marquess of Juliers was now in England with King Edward but there was the Earl of Mons the Lord of Valkenberg Sr. Arnold of Baquehen and divers other Lords and Captains of Almain Westphalia and Flanders All these with their several Troops were encamped along by the River Sambre over against the French Host and Plenty of Victuals and other Provision was daily brought to them out of Hainalt When the Duke of Normandy
England whom we shall shortly bring home with the King her Husband was soon m Walsingh hist p. 135. after in the Tower of London deliver'd of a Fair Daughter named Blanch who to temper King Edwards Felicities unfortunately died before she was weaned and lies buried at Westminster CHAPTER the EIGHTEENTH The CONTENTS I. King Edward in great Displeasure comes privately over into England where he displaces and imprisons several of his Chief Ministers of State. II. His Quarrel with the Archbishop with the full State of the whole Case in Epitome III. The Archbishop's Letter to the King. IV. The Archbishop's Letter to the Lord Chancellour V. His Remonstrance to the King and his Council VI. His Letter to the Bishop of London VII His Articles of Excommunication which he publishes over all his Province VIII A Copy of the King's Letters to the Bishop of London in Defence of his Proceedings against the Archbishop IX The Archbishops Answer to the King wherein he defends himself against all his Objections X. The King's Reply to the Archbishop's Defence which he sends to all the Suffragans of that Province with absolute Command to obey the Archbishop in nothing contrary to his Pleasure wherein we shall find a notable Instance even in those Times of the King's Supremacy and Jealousie of his Rights and Royal Prerogatives XI The Particulars of a Parliament at Westminster wherein at the last the Archbishop upon his Submission is fully pardon'd and received into Favour I. WE said before that upon the Truce taken before Tournay King Edward went to Gaunt and how thence he returned into England But now we are to take up that Thread again and so to proceed in a further Discourse of his Affairs While a Holingshead Engl. Chron. p. 912. b. he lay at Gaunt Lewis Earl of Flanders being now by vertue of the Truce restored to his Country came thither to visit him And for several Days he made great Cheer to him and his Queen caressing and entertaining them with magnificent Feasts and Banquets But King Edward took small Delight in such matters now his Mind ran upon the Mony which he dayly expected from England to pay off his Debts contracted beyond Sea which having long look'd for in vain pretending b Stow p. 237. that he would ride abroad for his Pleasure he went suddenly into Zealand where he took Ship privately with only his Queen and Eight more Persons of Quality in his Company designing for England But upon the Sea he met with a Storm which for three days together tossed him too and fro with great fury to the utter hazard of his Person It is said c Grafton p. 247. Fabian p. 216. that the Tempest was rais'd by certain Necromancers of France who purpos'd thereby to destroy him or at least to cool his Courage from passing the Seas any more Whatever was the Occasion this is certain that as if King Edward had been only destin'd for the Kingdom of France which he so greatly desired it seem'd fatal for him always in his Passage thither to have calm Seas and Wind at will but in his Return all things contrary so that often he endur'd many great Losses and Shipwrecks And this was his Fate while his Fortune stood fair but when he began to decline he found the Wind so contrary to him that by no means he could once set his Foot more in France However now at last this storm being happily abated on the third Night being d 30 Novem. St. Andrews he arrived safe at shoar and landed at the Tower of London about the Cock-crow The Lords that came with him and the Queen were the Earl of Northampton the Lord Nicolas Cantilupe the Lord Walter Manny the Lord Reginald Cobham the Lord John Darcy the Lord Guy Beauchamp Eldest Son to the Earl of Warwick with the Lord John Beauchamp his Uncle and two Chaplains which were also his Secretaries Dr. William Killesby and Dr. William Weston with their Servants only Upon the King's entring the Tower he found there no Guard ready but only his Children and three Servants waiting on them Wherefore in great e Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 127. Anger he sent for the Lord Nicolas de la Beche Constable of the Tower and committed him to Prison in the said place As also he served at the same time Andrew Aubry Lord Mayor of London the Lord Thomas Wake Sr. John St. Paul Keeper of the great Seal Sr. John Stonore Lord Chief Justice of the Kings Bench Michael Wath Henry Stratford and Robert Chickwell Clerks of the Chancery and Philip Thorp Clerk of the Exchequer All whom he sent for and imprison'd as he had done also to the Archbishop of Canterbury if he could have got him After this in several Parts of the Kingdom he caused to be taken and clapt up in divers Prisons Sr. John Poltney Alderman of London Sr. William de la Pole Baron of his Exchequer Sr. William Shareshull one of the Justices of the Kings Bench Sr. Richard Willoughby Deputy Lord Chief Justice Sr. John Shardelow and Sr. Thomas Ferrers Thô within a while after the Lord Wake was deliver'd with Honour having no Fault fix'd upon him The City of London during the Imprisonment of their Mayor was at the Kings Command govern'd by a Bayliff as will appear hereafter As for Dr. f Philipot's Catal Chancell Treas p. 34. Robert Stratford Bishop of Chichester who was then Lord Chancellour of England and Robert Northborough Bishop of Coventry and Litchfield then Lord Treasurer he immediately discharged them of their Offices threatning to send them into Flanders there to lie as Pledges for Money which he owed or if they refus'd to go to lay them in prison in the Tower. But upon the Bishop of Chichester's Remonstrance to him g Holinshead Engl. Chron. p. 912. that he would then be in danger to incure the Penalty of Pope Clements Canon De non incarcerandis Episcopis he relented and let them go free thô deprived of their Offices Sr. Robert h Philipot's ibid. p. 34. 38. Bourchier succeeding in the Place of Lord Chancellour and Sr. Richard Saddington in that of Treasurer and Dr. Killesby in the Place of Privy Seal Sr. John St. Paul the late Keeper being also discharged All the Sheriffs also of Shires and other Publique Officers were at this time removed and new ones put in their Places And certain Justices were appointed to enquire into the Faults of Collectors and other Officers concerned in the Gathering the Taxes so that few or none escaped unpunished so strictly these New Justices proceeded in their Commissions As for the i Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 146. b. Lord John Molins a Great and Noble Baron of the Realm the incensed Prince in the heat of his Displeasure flang his Body into Prison and seised all his Lands into his own Hands which thereupon were committed to the custody of Sr. John Eldred his Offence having been judged
Bodies of English that were coming upon them besides this loss wanting both Victuals and Rest for their Bodies sled away having indeed purchas'd the Name of Truce-breakers but gain'd little Praise for their Valour One o Godw. Catal. Bâ—s p. 678. says that for want of Victuals they were compell'd to fight upon Disadvantage where the Bishop of Caerlile gave them a memorable Overthrow But I can find no such matter unless the loss under Sr. Alexander Straghan may be so accounted For what became of Sr. William Douglas Had he been entirely beaten he could never have escaped either being slain or taken and he was too eminent not to be taken Notice of both by Scotch and English Writers had either of those things happen'd unto him And we find him alive after this wherefore we rather chose to relate as we have done This loss however dispos'd King David of Scotland to admit of a Truce which p Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 565. ex Rot. Scot. 19. Ed. 3. m. 4. c. presently ensued hereupon and the Lord Thomas Lucy with the Bishop aforesaid and others were by King Edward joyned in Commission to see the same duly observed The said Lord Lucy being likewise constituted Sheriff of Cumberland and Governour of the Castle at Caerlile XII And now we shall close this Year after our usual Method when we have remembred the Names of some Grandees that departed this Life about this time The first was the Lord q Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 11. Adam Welles a Valiant and Noble Gentleman who dying at the Age of one and fourty left behind him John his Son and Heir then but Eleven Years of Age who afterwards behav'd himself with Great Honour in the French Wars On the r Godw. Catal. Bpâ—p 662. 24 of April there departed this Life at Aukland the Renowned Dr. Richard Aungervile commonly called of Bury Bishop of Durham of whose Wisdom and other Vertues we have more than once spoken in these Papers He died in the 58 Year of his Age and lies buried in the South angle of his own Church We have already seen how great part of this Mans Life was taken up in publique Employments for the Service of his Royal Pupil King Edward But this is memorable of him that what spare time he found from these Weighty Affairs he either spent in Å¿ â—odw Cattal Bps p. 661. Prayer or Conference with his Chaplains or else in study with which he was extreamly delighted He wrote many things whereof some yet remain and in one of them entitled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which Conradus t Conr. Gesner in â—â—blieth Vnvers p. 582. Gesner commends highly he saith of himself * Fâ—tatico quedarn librer unâ—mâ—re potenter se abreptum vid. Godwin ibid. that he was powerfully hurried away with a certain Ravishing Love of Books And indeed his study was so well furnished that it was thought he had more Books than all the Bishops in England beside He was also wonderfully taken with the Conversation and Acquaintance of Learned Men and many Letters passed between him and Francis Petrarch and others Famous for Learning in that Age. He had still in his House many Chaplains all Notable Scholars the Chief whereof were Thomas Bradwardin King Edwards Confessor and afterwards Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Richard Fitz. Ralph afterwards Archbishop of Armagh Dr. Walter Burly Tutor to the Prince of Wales Dr. John Mauduit Dr. Robert Holcot Dr. Richard Killington Dr. Richard Wentworth who in time became Bishop of London and Dr. Walter Seagrave whom Bishop Godwin calls Bishop of Chichester thô himself neither in that Title nor in any other takes notice of any such Man. It was this Bishop of Durhams Custom in Dinner and Supper time to hear some one or two Paragraphs out of some Choice Book read to him the Matter whereof he would afterwards discourse with his Chaplains as leisure from other business would permit He was of a very Charitable and Bountifull Disposition u Godw. Catal. Bps p. 662. Stows Survey of London p. 75. giving a Weekly allowance of Eight Quarters of Wheat made up into Bread for the Relief of the Poor besides the Offals and Fragments from his Table He would constantly when he rode between Durham and Newcastle give away Eight Pounds Sterling in Almes in his riding from Durham to Stockton Five Pounds from Durham to Aukland Five Markes from Durham to Middleham Five Pounds and so proportionably in other journeys Many other Monuments of his Charity Wisdom Piety and Learning he left behind him which have endear'd his Name to all Posterity He was succeeded by Dr. Thomas Hatfield the King's Secretary of whose Election this x Walsing Hypod p. 118. Story is Reported That King Edward being by all means desirous to prefer him to the Bishoprick and perhaps doubting the Convent would not choose him was content rather then miss of his Purpose even against his own late Resolution to Request of the Pope that he would give it him thereby opening a new Passage for him to Reenter into Possession of his late Cancell'd Usurpation The Pope therefore glad of this Opportunity without any Regard had to the Merit of the Man immediately comply'd with the King's Desire And when some Cardinals made Exceptions saying that he was not only a meer Lay-man but one of Light Carriage and no way Worthy of that Sacred Dignity 'T is true said the Pope but if now the King of England had Requested me in behalf of an Ass he should have succeeded And yet y Godw. Catal. Bps p. 663. this Man built Durham College in Oxford and purchased certain Lands unto the same for the Maintenance of such Monks of Durham as should be sent thither to study Which College having many Years after received a new Foundation from Sr. Thomas Pope of Tyttenhanger in Hertfordshire Knight was by him called as it is to this Day Trinity-College This Thomas Hatfield built also Durham Palace in London for the Reception of himself and Successours at their Repair thither And was a Principal Benefactour if not the Founder of the Friery at Northallerton in Yorkshire and having sat in the See 36 Year died a Good Old Man in the Year of our Lord MCCCLXXXVI In this Year on the Eighteenth of July died the Famous or rather infamous Adam Orleton of whom We have spoken where We Related the Trayterous and Horrid Murther committed upon the Sacred Person of King Edward the Second We there shew'd how far he was concerned in that Heinous Act but by his subtil Evasions he so well Handled the Matter that he not only escaped Temporal Punishment but within two Moneths after by Means of his Patroness the Queen Mother was Prefer'd to the Bishoprick of Worcester Six Years after thô now King Edward could not endure him at the z Godw. Catal. Bps p. 233. Request of the French King he was Translated by the Pope to Winchester Whereat King Edward was so
out 60 of their best Horses rode about the Town by the directions of the Spie conceal'd in by-ways till at last he came into the Fair Meadows where the Cattle were Immediatly they began to drive all the Herd before them by another way than that they came which yet carried them directly to the Valley where their Companions were ready for the first Opportunity The English who kept Watch on the Walls and in the Castle saw all this and presently gave the Alarm Whereupon the Garrison began to rise and arm and some were fain to be awaked out of their Beds for it was early in the Morning and then they drew together and took Horse Sallying out after their Enemies who were not yet got very far because of the Cattle's slow Pace but yet by that they were overtaken they were almost at the Valley The English were so eager to recover their Prey that they all followed in the Chace leaving none but a few Servants and common Souldiers in the Town When they were near they spurred on upon the French crying out Sirs you must not think to steal Cattle and be free Then the French faced about upon them and the Ambush came on with great Shouts and in terrible Array So that the English were presently surrounded overcome and slain every Man except the Captain Sr. Stephen Lacy and three or four more of his Officers This done the Frenchmen hasted to the Town which they easily won by Assault for there were too few Hands to defend it First the Duke of Bourbon's Men entred and having slain all they found and set new Captains of their own there with a sufficient Garrison they went back with their Prey and Prisoners and return'd the next day to the Army before Angoulesme Here they were all gladly received and though there had been greater Lords in that Exploit than the Seneschal of Beancaire yet he got the highest Praise because all was done at his Motion and under his Conduct V. Thus the greater part of January they h Frois c. 119. fol. â—â— held Siege before Angoulesme and overran all those parts thrô Santogne and Poictou and to the Confines of Bretagne with their several Detachments and brought daily to the Army many Prisoners and much Prey But in all these Adventures the two Brethren of Bourbon to their great Honour would ever be present among the Foremost When Sr. John Norwich saw how the Duke was resolv'd not to stir till he had the Town at his Pleasure and that already his Victuals began to fail and that the Earl of Lancaster was not able to give the Enemy Battle or to raise the Siege but chiefly because he knew the Men of the Town were more enclin'd to France than England so that he was sure they would have open'd their Gates to the Duke before now if he had not Commanded the Castle Upon these and the like Considerations he thought it high time to contrive how to bring himself and his Men off with most Honour and least Disadvantage Hereupon as he was a Man of a good reach without letting any One know what he intended on the first of February being the Eve of the Purification of the Virgin Mary he went all alone upon the Walls of the City where he made a sign with his Hat towards the Army Some of those who saw him wave his Hat came to him demanding what he meant thereby He said he had a great mind to speak with the Duke of Normandy or at least with one of his Marshals The Duke being acquainted with this News went straight to the Walls with certain of the Chief Lords in his Company When the English Captain saw the Duke near he pull'd off his Hat and saluted him to whom the Duke having return'd the like said Sr. John and how is it with you now Will you at last deliver up this City to Me or no Sir reply'd he as yet I have not fully resolv'd upon that point But my Lord Duke for the present I would desire of You that for the Honour of the Virgin Mary whose Day is now approaching You would grant us a short Truce only to endure for to Morrow so that for that time neither You any way to molest Us nor we You but both sides to remain in full and perfect Peace and Amity all that Day Said the Duke Sr. John as to that I am well content and upon my Word You may rest assured and having said so he rode back to his Tent and the Captain went into the Town Now early the next Morning which was i 2 Febr. Candlemas Day the Lord John Norwich Arm'd himself and all his Men and having trussed up their Bag and Baggage and being every Man furnished with a good Horse from the Town the Chief Gate being set open they began in peaceable Manner to take their March thrô the French Host At first sight of them the Frenchmen ran to their Arms but the English Captain rode up before his Men and spake to them saying Sirs beware that You offer no Violence to Us as neither shall We to You for We have a Truce granted Us for this Day by your General the Duke himself If You know it not go and enquire of him For by Vertue of this Truce We may ride whither We please Upon this the Duke being consulted answer'd Let them go whither they will for thô they have overreach'd me I will by no means break my Promise This was that Noble Dukes Character to be always firm to his Word whatever Loss he might incurr thereby and this Temper he kept to his dying Day so that being King he is said to be the k Mezeray p. 67. ad an 1364. Author of this Golden Sentence That if Faith and Truth were Banished from all Mankind yet they ought to be found in the Mouth of Kings and Princes And 't was the knowledge of this Veracity of the Duke's that made the English Captain venture upon this Device without any further security Wherefore now with all his Men and his Goods he passed freely thrô the heart of the French Army without any Damage or Impeachment and went straight to the strong Castle of Aiguillon where the English Lords received him gladly and having heard the Manner of his Escape said he had handsomly and honestly outwitted his Enemies The next Day the Citizens of Angoulesme took Counsel and resolved to yield up the Town to the Duke of Normandy wherefore immediately they dispatch'd unto him certain Deputies who at last by their submission prevail'd so far that the Duke took them to Mercy and pardon'd them all their Miscarriages and so entred and took Possession of the Town and Castle in his Fathers Name and having left Sr. Anthony Villiers Captain of the Place with a sufficient Garrison he departed thence and went backward and laid Siege to the Castle of Damasan which after having endured his Assaults for 15 Days together was at last
Mist that a Man could hardly see the breadth of an Acre from him but however the King of England and his Marshals sent out u Id. Mezeray c. 500 Spears and 2000 Archers on Horseback to scour the Fields and to see whether any Frenchmen were again gather'd together Now many Inhabitants of Abbeville and St. Requier in Ponthieu with the Commons of Rouën and Beauvais had early that Morning being the Day before joyned together come into the Field not knowing of the late Discomfiture Some say that the English had reared French Colours which they had taken in the Fight whereby those Frenchmen being deceived came up to joyn them as if they had been their Friends The English immediately made them know their Errour and set upon them so lustily that within a little while they put them to Flight and chased them and slew in the Ways and among the Hedges and Bushes more than 7000 Men nor had one of them escaped if the Day had been clear They had scarce wip'd their Swords and recover'd their Order when they had an other Occasion to bestir themselves For now they met with a more formidable Number of their Enemies who were conducted by two Noble Leaders the Archbishop of Rouën and the Grand Prior of France they also being ignorant of the Overthrow given to their Friends the Day before For they had heard how King Philip intended not to fight till the Sunday and therefore came thither now to his Assistance Upon these the Day beginning now to clear the Englishmen under the Leading of the Earls of Arundel x Vid. Michael Northburgh's Letter l. 2. c. 4. §. 5. Northampton and Suffolk set with a Courage which their last acquired Victory had doubled and fought so obstinately that after a Stout Resistance they gain'd a Compleat Conquest having slain the two Leaders with 2000 of their best Men upon the Spot and pursuing the Chace for 3 Leagues together Beside these two Successes they met with several Frenchmen who had strayed in the Dark night and not knowing where the King or any of his Captains were had lain about in the Fields But their Respit was not long for now they were all put to the Sword as many as were found and sent to bear them Company who were slain the Day before Whereby it was thought that of the Commons and Footmen of the Cities and Good Towns of France there fell now four times as many as were slain on the Saturday in the great Battle XIV That same y Frois c. 132. Sunday about Noon as the King came from Hearing Divine Service the Captains of this Brigade return'd and shew'd the King what they had seen and done and how they had succeeded and assured him that there was no more Appearance of any Enemy in the Field Then the King order'd the Lord Reginald Cobham and Sr. Richard Stafford Brother to the Lord Ralph Stafford with three Heralds in their Company to go and search the Field and view the Number and Quality of the Slain For in those Days every Great Man wore a Surcoat of his Arms over his Armour to distinguish him according to his Quality These visited in Order the Bodies of all them that were slain and when they had taken a full and exact Account of every Parcel certain Men who were thereto appointed of the King spoil'd their Bodies taking their Money and Rings and what else was most valuable but with so much Decency that they left their Apparel on to cover their Nakedness All which Booty the King caused to be distributed among his Souldiers by equal Portions These Lords with the Heralds returned from visiting the Dead and brought along with them all the Spoil of the Field just as the King was going to Supper and after Supper they reported to the King a just Account of what they had found namely that there lay Dead in the Field 11 Great Princes 80 Bannerets 1200 Knights and more than 30000 of the Common Souldiers The Contemplation of this Success made a z Giov. Villani p. 879. pious Historian of those Days break out after this manner O Holy Holy Holy Lord God of Hosts how great is thy Power in Heaven and Earth and especially in Battles Since sometimes nay very often he brings to pass that a small People and Power doth vanquish Mighty Armies thereby to set forth his own Power and to pull down the Proud and Arrogant and to punish the Sins of Kings Lords and People And particularly in this Discomfiture he shew'd his Power evidently for there were Thrice as many Frenchmen as English But yet this was not says he without just Cause that such Mischief should happen to the King of France Since among his other Offences that we may not instance in the Wrong done to the King of England and other his Lords in Usurping their Inheritance and Lordships but Ten years before being sworn to Pope John to undertake the Croisade and promising within two Years to go beyond the Seas and to regain the Holy Land he took the Tenths and Subsidies of all his Realm and yet made War against Christian Princes unjustly On occasion whereof there died and were taken Prisoners by the Saracens beyond the Seas of Armenians and other Christians above an 100000 who in Confidence of his Assistance had begun the War against the Saracens in Syria Thus far Giovanni Villani XV. The King of England kept the Field all Sunday-Night also and on the Mâ—nday Morning he prepared to March thence but a Frois c. 132. first by Proclamation granted a Truce to all the Towns thereabouts for Three Days that so the Country People might be encouraged to come forth and search the Fields of Cressy and to bury their Dead But as for the Bodies of the Kings and Great Princes he caused them to be taken up decently and conveyed along with him in solemn Pomp to Monstrevil were they were all deposited in Holy Ground in the Great Abby The King b Giov. Vill m. l. 12. c. 66. p. 878. Himself and his Chief Lords wearing Blacks at their Funerals especially for the Sake of John the Famous Old King of Bohemia whose Death he took heavily and prosecuted with Lamentations After which he sent his Body with much Honour to the Marquess his Son then at the Abby of Riscampo whence afterwards it was honourably conveyed to Luxemburgh by his Son aforesaid While the King lay thus at Monstrevil his Marshals made an Excursion towards Hesdin and burnt Campagne and Beauraine but they let the Castle alone because it required some time to win it and that Night they lodged by the River of Canche near Hesdin towards Blangy The next Day the whole Army began to March forward c Frois Knighten p. 2588. Da Chesne p. 665. towards Boulogne and by the way took St. Josse the Town of Estaples Neufchastel St. Estienne and burnt and wasted all the Country for about 8
and a gallant Retinue At Guisnes the Lord John Clermont Marshal of France met him with a Noble Attendance of Men of Arms in the o 11 Decemb. Quindene before Christmas and gave him an Honourable Reception conducting him with much respect as far as Hesdin Where the Lord James of Bourbon Count de la Marche met him also with another Honourable Train of Gentlemen and conducted him to Paris with extream Civility At his approach to Paris he was thirdly met by a very considerable Body of Lords Knights and Gentlemen of France who came by King Johns special Command to do him Honour There was then the greatest Number of Strangers that e'r was known at Paris to behold this Combat of two such Mighty Princes all who in their several Capacities gave due Honour to the Duke of Lancaster and King John himself immediately upon his Arrival sent for him to his Palace where he gave him a Princely Reception But above all his Kinsman p This Duke Henry was Son to Henry de Torto-Collo who was second Son to Edmund second Brother to K. Edw. I and of Blanche the Relict of Henry de Champagne King of Navarre from whom also this Charles King of Navarre was descended Tho. Mills Catal. Nobility p. 319. Charles the young King of Navarre shew'd him a very high Regard and Menaged his Affairs with great diligence and application Before the day of Battle there was much agitation to reconcile these two great Enemies but all overtures were ineffectual the English Duke maintaining the Truth and Reason of his Words and the Almain utterly denying the whole Accusation Wherefore on the day appointed the Lists were ranged out in a Field called q Fabian ad hunc an p. 230. Grafton p. 292. Mezeray p. 51. le Pré aux Clercs the two Combatants were brought into the place and the King of France with his Prime Nobility and an Infinite Number of People were present as spectators All things being ready the two Knights having as the Custom of Duellists in those Days was taken their several Oaths on the r Corporall Gallice Corporall Latin. Corperale idem qued Dominicale i.e. pulvinar Sacrosanctum Synden vel linteum qâ—o corpus Dominicum tegitur Corporall that their cause was just and that they had no Charms about them and so began to address themselves to the Combat The Duke of Brunswick bore in his shield Å¿ True Use of Armory Bibl. Cottonianâ p. 58 vid. Tho. Mills Catal. Nobility p. 342. He came of Maud Eldest Daughter of K. Henry II of Engl. and Henry Leo D. of Saâ—eny whose V Son William of Winchester was Progenitor to the Dukes of Brunswick Hence this Dukes Arms so like England Gules Two Lions Passant Guardant Or and the Duke of Lancaster Gules Three Lions Passant Guardant Or being the Arms of England with a Three-pointed Labell of France Now 't is said that till now You could hardly find a more fierce or comely Man at Arms than the Duke of Brunswick nor one that promised better But presently as soon as he had taken his Oath his countenance changed and grew pale as Death whereby most People thought his quarrel was not so good as he pretended He took his Horse with a sad and ill-boading Countenance and as many spectators avouched had none of his former briskness and vigour remaining insomuch that he bare himself very awkwardly in handling his Arms and twice or thrice let fall his shield in receiving it But the Noble Duke of Lancaster sat ready Mounted with his Spear upright and his shield on his Arm in a decent and couragious manner with a sedate and resolute Countenance expecting to cope with his Adversary like a Knight who had Truth and Honour on his side so that all Men applauded his steady and gallant Behaviour Wherefore the Duke of Brunswick by advice of his Friends submitted his quarrel to the judgement of the King of France and proffer'd to withdraw his Challenge But the Duke of Lancaster absolutely refused to forsake the Combat saying How that before he had entred the Lists perhaps he might have been perswaded to an agreement but now that he was already Mounted and prepared before the King and his Nobles and such an extraordinary Confluence of People to defend the Justice of his Cause it would be an high Reflection both on himself and the English Nation if now he should depart the Lists without performing what Truth and Equity did require Wherefore he said he would not leave the Field for any Treaty or Composition whatsoever without Battle so as to derive the least umbrage of a suspicion upon his Honour Blood and Quality whereby either Himself the King his Master or his Country might suffer the least flaw in their Reputation Otherwise he would receive what Event or Fortune the Grace of God would allot him Upon this the Duke of Brunswick as a Man Conquered utterly renounced the Quarrel and refus'd the Combat without any reservation of his Honour wholly submitting himself to the award and disposal of the King of France to the great Glory of the Duke of Lancaster The Duke of Brunswick was generally more acceptable to the King and Court of France as who was much their Friend but however the Duke of Lancaster was not without his Interests among so many Honourable Persons who respected him thô an Enemy for his many Heroick Vertues and High Birth Among these his Counsellours and Abetters who stuck close to him at this time were the foremention'd Charles King of Navarre his Kinsman and Giles his Fathers Brother the Earl of Ponthieu the Earl of Flanders the Earl of Tancarville the Earl of Saltzbourg the Lord John Clermont Marshal of France the Lord James of Bourbon the Lord Lewis of Navarre the Lord Lewis Earl of Harcourt the Lord John de Chastillon and the Lord Walter his Son with many more These Persons so wrought with the Duke of Lancaster that upon Duke Otho's absolute renunciation of the Quarrel he was content to go last out of the Field After which the King at a great Feast by the help of his Nobles partakers on both sides reconciled these two Dukes and took up the Quarrel between them for ever The next day he led the Duke of Lancaster about his Palace shewing him many notable and Rich Jewels of all which he offer'd him the choice But he for his part desired only one Thorn out of the Crown of our Saviour which he brought away and afterwards gave as a Relick to his Collegiate Church of our Lady founded by himself near the Castle of Leicester The third Day after he took leave of the French King and Court and return'd home into England unto the King who was then at St. Albans where he kept his Christmas at that time and received him with great Grace and Favour XIII This pious Heroe who at last by his Religious and Noble Carriage obtained to be called the t Tho.
desiring You as affectionately as we can and more earnestly beseeching You by the Bowels of the Mercies of God that rendring a return of Gratitude to the Lord your God for those things which he hath given unto You You would accommodate your Soul prepare your Heart and dispose your Mind to Peace and Concord For You know that the Great King of Peace by whom You live and reign doth command You to love Peace and refuses to dwell in the Hearts of the Unmercifull And lest we should more prolixly enlarge our Epistle we add unto our Prayers that those things which our Reverend Brother Talayrand Bishop of Alby and our Beloved Son Nicolas titulo Sancti Vitalis Priest-Cardinal Nuntio's of the Apostolick See or either of them in their own Persons or in Others shall relate unto You as to this Point or declare unto You by Letters You would undoubtedly believe and by a pious Prosecution fulfill them with the desired Fruits of your Actions Dat. Aven V. Non. Octob. Anno Pontificatús nostri IV. By other Letters also of the same Date the Pope highly applauded the Young Prince for that he had honourably received the Cardinal Talayrand and had in the midst of Prosperity overcome that insolence of Mind which usually attends Conquerours and gave him his Thanks for having entertain'd the French King with such singular Courtesie Our Reverend Brother says he Talayrand Bishop of Alby Nuntio of the Apostolick See wrote unto us by his Letters that You confirming and enhancing the Nobility which you derive from your Stock by your Generosity of Soul and the exercise of Vertues have entertain'd him with such Honours and such Favours as became a Son to exhibit to his Father in Christ And that which is greater than all these preparing your Mind equally for all Events and not being puffed up with any Prosperity of Successes but always more humble in the sight of the Lord your God attributing all unto him from whom you have received all You do graciously allow unto our Dear Son in Christ John the Illustrious King of France whom the Event of War hath brought into your Prison that Honour which belongs to so great a Prince Vpon which account returning unto your Highness our deserved Praises and hoping undoubtedly that the Omnipotent God who hath respect unto the Lowly but knoweth the Proud afar off will bestow on You more abundantly and freely the Grace of his Benediction c. Dat. Aven V. Non. Octob. Anno Pontif. IV. XV. All this while i Frois c. 169. fcl 75. did Edward the Black-Prince continue at Bourdeaux having with his ready Mony bought up of the Lords Knights and Esquires of Gascogne all those French Prisoners whom he design'd to carry along with the King into England For as for those whom the English Lords had taken he intended not to buy them till they were brought safe home The French King he lodged honourably in a magnificent Apartment in the Abby of St. Andrew and Himself kept Court in the other Apartment of the same Abby like unto it Now there were many Questions Contrasts and Challenges among several Knights and Esquires of Gascogne concerning the Taking of the French King divers of them affirming how they were the Men that took him But Sr. Dennis Morbeque by Right of Arms and true Tokens which he shew'd as the Kings own Gauntlet challenged him for his rightfull Prisoner Yet for all that this Mans Cause seem'd so evident insomuch that the Pretensions of all Others were silenced thereby an Esquire of Gascogne called Bernard de Troutes averred how he had more Reason to lay Claim to that Honourable Action Between these two there was much Fending and Proving in Presence of the Prince and other Lords that sat with him to hear the Cause But when once it came to a Challenge between them then the Prince commanded them both peremptorily to surcease and to forbear any further proceeding till they came into England on pain of his Displeasure for he said no manner of Decision or Determination should be made but by the King his Father However because the French King himself enclin'd more to Sr. Dennis of Morbeque than to any other and wish'd as he said privately that he alone might have the Honour which he had so well deserved the Generous Prince considering that being a banished Man he had little more than his Wages and what he purchased in War caused secretly to be deliver'd into his Hands 2000 Nobles to maintain his Estate handsomly withall against the time he should appear in the Court of England And to end this Matter once for all when the next Year King Edward and his Council had determin'd the Cause in his behalf the Prince k Paul. Aeonylius p. 288. gave him 5000 Crowns of Gold more as a Reward for that Service For as we shew'd before all Prisoners who are valued above 10000 Crowns belong not unto him that took him but to the Prince Thus the Prince of Wales tarried at Bourdeaux providing and ordaining his Affairs as he thought best till it was Lent during which time the Souldiers of England and Gascogne spent in Mirth and Revell especially in the Christmas Holy-days all the Gold and Silver which they had won with the hazard of their Lives For Souldiers and Seamen thô they court Money at the Highest rate of any others take their leave of it as pleasantly and as unconcernedly as any Men whatsoever Those Knights l Frois c. 169. Gentlemen and others who had been present in the Battle of Poictiers upon their return into England were welcomed treated and caressed highly by all Men where-ever they came and in all respects Prefer'd to others of their Rank and Condition So Honourable is it to be Brave upon a good and just account But on the contrary m Frois c. 170. all the Lords Knights and Esquires of France who had fled from the Battle were so hated reviled and pointed at whereever they came that they durst hardly venture to appear in any great Town or publick place of Resort Now about the time n Frois c. 170. that this Battle of Poictiers was fought Henry Plantagenet Duke of Lancaster was in the County of Eureux in Normandy and toward the Marches of Coutances together with Prince Philip of Navarre and the Lord Godfry of Harcourt in his Company These Great Captains endeavour'd all they could to joyn the Prince of Wales before that Battle but they could not by any means Because all the Passages on the River of Loire were so surely guarded However hearing shortly after of the Prince's Success they were wonderfully pleased and Prince Philip of Navarre soon after went for England to speak with the King about the further Progress of his Affairs and the Duke of Lancaster as we shew'd before diverted into Bretagne to the Countess of Monford where shortly after he went and laid Siege to Rennes having constituted the Lord Godfry of
p. 59. Country also compounded with the King as Burgundy had done But he laid waste all the Country in Gastinois and Brie thrô which he marched toward Paris with an high Hand In this y Fabâ—an p. 238. March the Prince of Wales passed with his Battalia by a little Town on the Loing in Gastinois called Moret till he came to a strong Fortress named le Plessis aux Tournelles near the Forest of Provins which was then an English Garrison but had been beleaguered by the French for some time who having fortified their Camp with a strong Tower fenced with Ditches gave many fierce Alarms to the Englishmen And thô now they heard for certain that the Prince of Wales approached that way they had such Confidence in their Works that they would not stirr from the Place But yet they were deceived for the fifth day after the Princes Coming their Tower was won and most of them within put to the Sword no more than 47 who were the Chief among them being taken alive of whom were the Lord of Bonneville the Lord of Angreville Sr. John de Barrois and Sr. William du Plessis VI. Thus at length King Edward succeeded so in his Victorious Progress that on the last z ED. Lit. Dom. Pascha 5. April Day of March being the Tuesday before Easter he a Vid. Frois c. 210. Fabian p. 238. Mat. Villani l. 9. c. 85. 86. p. 759. c. came with his Army before the City of Paris and took up his Quarters at Bourg la Reine within two little Leagues of Paris the Army being encamped all along at Longemeau between Mont-lehery and Chastres and in the Towns thereabout even to Corbeil At sight of this Formidable Army Charles Duke of Normandy and Regent of France began to think of some Offers towards a Treaty especially because King Edward b Knighton p. 2623. n. 40. in reverence of the approaching Festival of our Lords Resurrection forbare all Hostilities intending not formally to lay his Siege till after Easter Hereupon c Fabâ—an Hoâ—â—st c. by the especial Intercession of Father Simon de Langres Provincial of the Jacobin Fryars and Legat from Pope Innocent VI King Edward yielded to admit of a Treaty to be seriously held at the Maladerie or Spittle of Longemeau on the Good-Friday following the Solemnity of the Day being look'd on as an Enforcement of so Christianlike an Undertaking At the Time and Place there appeared for King Edward Henry Plantagenet Duke of Lancaster Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick William Bohun Earl of Northampton the Lord John Chandos the Lord Walter Manny and Sr. William Cheney and for the Regent of France there appeared the Lord Moreau de Fiennes Constable of France the Lord Bouciquault Marshal the Lord of Garenciers the Lord of Vignay en Vienne Sr. Simon Bucy and Sr. Guischard D'Angle But we pass by the Debates of this Treaty because they came to no good Effect Wherefore King Edward the rather to quicken the French to a sincere desire after Peace on d 7 April Easter-Tuesday removed something nearer to the City of Paris Whereupon on the Fryday following being the Tenth of April at the earnest Importunity of the foresaid Simon de Langres and of Androine de la Roche Abbot of Cluigny who was then newly come from the Pope for that Purpose another Treaty was appointed to be held but neither yet could Matters be brought to any good issue So that again they parted leaving the Breach as wide as ever Wherefore on the Sunday following King Edward drew down his whole Army before Paris and embattail'd them in a Field by St. Marcels in three Great Battalia's each Battalia being divided into Three Bodies and then he forthwith sent the Duke of Lancaster with his Heralds to the Regent of France who was within the City with a great Army to demand Battle of him assuring him e Walsing hist p. 167. n. 10. M. S. vet Angl. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantab. c. 230. that if now King Edward should lose the Day He would never after claim or assume any Right or Title to the Crown of France But for all this the Cauteous Regent declin'd to answer his Desire While the Messengers were about this Demand the King honoured no less than f Speed p. 583. M.S. id ibid. 400 Esquires and Young Gentlemen with the Order of Knighthood among whom g Frois c. 211. were John Lord Fitz-Walter Robert Lord Vavasour Thomas Spencer John Nevil and William Torceaux but Collart Dambreticourt younger Son to Sr. Sanchio Dambreticourt and Esquire of the Kings Body declin'd the Honour at that time by saying that he could not find his Headpiece and Corslet For he had made an Oath to do some notable piece of Service before he would accept the Order of Knighthood But when upon the Return of the Duke of Lancaster and the Heralds the King heard how he should not have Battle he was wonderfully displeased and upon the Lord Manny's Request sent him forth with all the new-made Knights and such others as were thereto appointed to skirmish at the Barriers and to burn what they could of the Suburbs so to h Meâ—eray ad hunc an p. 59. provoke the Frenchmen to come forth or at least to offer more ample Conditions The Assault was vigorous and lasted from Morning till Noon and the French defended their Post at the Gate and Barriers with Valour becoming their Circumstances nor would they have been content to have stood so long on the Defensive Part only for there were many Noble and Resolute Knights and Gentlemen within the City at that time but it was the Duke of Normandy's peremptory Command that no man on pain of his Head should presume to issue out of the Barriers without his Order So well had that Prince afterward sirnamed the Wise learn'd how to deal with this English Hannibal not only by the Example of the old Roman Fabius but of two nearer Relations even of his own Father and Grandfather whose frequent and great Losses proceeding from their too forward Courage taught him now to oppose a Shield to this Conquering Sword and not easily to put his last Stake to the Fortune of a Battle But however one i Knighton p. 2623. n. 60. says that after Noon when the Lord Walter Manny's Skirmish was over about 30 of these new-dubbed Knights went to the Barriers requiring a few Courses on Horseback according to the Law of Arms in those Days Against whom says he came forth 60 Frenchmen if the Number is not mistaken for Thirty as I rather believe and between these there arose an hot Skirmish But in the end the English by the Grace of God had the better having slain some grievously wounded others and obliged the rest to retire It is said that while the King stood before Paris the k Stow p. 264. Where he says this happen'd on the 14 of April and the Morrow after
172. in the beginning of February went on Board his Fleet whereof the Earl of Warwick was Admiral and took the Sea with a strong and Princely Retinue and arrived on the Fourth day at Rochelle where he was received with great Demonstrations of Joy and tarried among them four Days The mean l Frois c. 217. while the Lord John Chandos who for more than a Year had Governed all Aquitaine as the King of England's Lieutenant heard how the King his Master had now given all those parts by the Name of a Principality to his Son the Prince of Wales and how he was come to Rochelle in Order to enter upon his Government Whereupon He presently made ready Horses and Chariots and set forth from Niort with a goodly company of Men of Arms Knights and Esquires toward the City of Rochelle to pay his respects to the Prince and to bid him Welcome to his Government The Prince and Princess received my Lord Chandos exceeding Graciously and there passed many mutual Embraces between the Lords and Knights of England But on the Fifth Day from the Prince's Arrival the Prince and the Lord Chandos with all their Retinues which were very considerable rode from Rochelle to the City of Poictiers in great Pomp and Glory the double Face of Peace and War of the Ladies and Men of Arms making a Delightfull Mixture of Mars and Venus of the Court and of the Campaigne At Poictiers he was met with infinite Respect and Joy by all the Lords Barons and Knights of Poictou and Sainctogne and here where his last Triumph was gain'd upon the French King he first received the Fealties and Homages of those French Gentlemen whom he had subjected thereby From Poictiers he went to Bourdeaux where he kept his Court in as Splendid a Manner as if he had been King of France his Beloved Princess being with him all the while Unto Bourdeaux there came to see him all the Earls Vicounts Barons and Knights of Gascogne such as were subject to the Crown of England Whom he entertain'd most Graciously behaving himself in the eyes of them all so Honourably that they were extreamly satisfied with his Noble and Generous Dportment and promised themselves much prosperity under his Government Hither also came to visit him and to pay him their Homage the Earls of Foix and of Armagnac Lords of great Power and near of Blood but at this time there was an High Disgust between them They had as we m Vid. l. 3. c. 6. § 8. p. 581. shew'd before for a long while made Bloody War against each other on the account of a particular Quarrel of their own which the King of France * Meâ—erâ—y p. 63. durst not undertake to compose for fear of displeasing the King of England whose Vassals they were for the Lands then in contest between them But however now Prince n Frois c. 217. Edward took up the Matter and made a final Peace and Agreement between them For besides the obliging Words he gave them and the close Arguments he us'd to perswade them the many mutual heavy Losses which they had already suffer'd made them much more inclinable to admit of an Accommodation This done the Prince made the Lord John Chandos his Constable of all Aquitaint and the Lord Guischard D'Angle his Marshal the latter being by Birth a Frenchman of Angoumois but by the Tenor of the Peace a subject of England as ever after he continued to his great Honour And into other great Offices the Prince set such Knights of his House as he most favour'd and filled all Constableships and Bailywicks with English Knights and Gascogners such as he was most assured of or were best recommended unto him by their own Vertue or the testimony of Vertuous Men. And here a while We will leave him Governing in Peace till War shall call him forth again to reap another Glorious Victory IV. The mean while King Edward held his High Court of Parliament at Westminster where o Walsing hist p. 173. Speed 584. all the Peers were expresly commanded to be present and not one permitted to appear by Proxy This Session lasted from the 13 of October to the 13 of November in which one Months time he made more good Laws and bestow'd more Acts of Grace upon his People than some other Kings have done in all their Life time The Causes of this Assembly were p M.S. Ret. Parl. 36. â—d 3. n. 2. p. 88. Sr. Rob. Certen's Abrâ—dgement p. 92. c. declared by the Lord Chief Justice Sr. Henry Green to be for redress of Matters relating to the Church for observation of the Peace to settle Affairs with Scotland and to enhance the Price of Wooll All which were well order'd as may be seen in the Records and Printed Statutes of this Year And whereas some say q â—tow p. 255. that the King at this time contrary to his Oath set up a Staple of Wooll at Calais it should have been consider'd that when a Prince at the Request of his Parliament promises to do or not to do a thing if at another time the Reason of things being then alter'd this very Parliament requires the Contrary the King ought not to be charged with breach of promise in complying with them Because the very occasion of his Promise seems at first to have been the Good of his People which same thing is also afterwards the occasion of his not observing it And We find r M.S. id Sâ— Rob. Cotton ibid. in the Records that when the Lords were commanded to speak what they thought of the Repair of Merchants to Calais they all agreed how it seem'd to them a Matter very profitable to the Realm To which point the Commons thô at first they demurr'd till they might have conference with the Merchants at last yielded also themselves Wherefore the King shortly after Å¿ Knighton p. 2626. n. 40 c. sent over XXVI of the most considerable Merchants of the Realm to hold the Staple there for three Years and to keep and defend the Town every Merchant having six Men of Arms and four Archers at the Kings Charges and besides the Mayor of the Town he also appointed another to be over the Staple the King being to receive for Maletot Twenty shillings and the foresaid Merchants Wardens of the Town 40 pence of every Sack of Wooll It was t Wâ—lsingh â—â—st p. 173. n. 10. 〈◊〉 in this Parliament Enacted that neither Gold nor Silver should be used in Apparel Knives Girdles Chains Rings or other Bodily Ornament by any Man who could not expend Ten pounds by the Year And that none who could not expend an 100 l. per annum should presume to wear Silks Furs or other pretious Garments But I shall pass over the other Statutes made in this Parliament because they are every where to be had in Print but only those Acts of Grace which King Edward did unto his People are
the Grand Prior of France the Lord Boucâ—quault Sr. Tristram de Magnilieu Sr. Peter and Sr. John Villers Sr. John de Auneville Sr. Nicolas de Bracquemont and divers other Lords Knights and Esquires Many of our Writers seem too indiscreetly to surmise as if one Occasion of King John's coming to England at this time was for Love of the Countess of Salisbury which Opinion the Noble Lord of b In hiâ— Play 〈◊〉 the black-Prince Orrery hath lately authorised with his excellent Pen. But it is to be consider'd that my Lord wrote a Poem for Delight and not an History for the Establishment of Truth wherefore he is not to be accused And yet Sr. Richard Baker and others of his Character are by no means to be pardoned who so lightly make such unwarrantable Roflections without weighing the Matter If they mean by the Countess of Salisbury the First Earl Montagu's Lady that was Madam Catharine Daughter of the Lord Grandison and she was dead c Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 647. above 12 Years before this time If they refer to the Fair Lady of Kent so much talk'd of we have shewn how she was two Years since married to Prince Edward and it appears that she was now with him in Aquitain of which King John could not be ignorant And if they shall be forced to own the Lady Elizabeth Daughter to the Lord Mohun of Dunstor d Dugd. ibid. p. 648. who only was at this time Countess of Salisbury and Wife to the Second Earl Montagu let them bring the least shadow of Authority or shew that ever they themselves thought upon that Person before and I yield But otherwise I must profess that I cannot without Resentment see the Honour not only of a Noble Lady but also of two Kings John and Edward who are both said to have been in Love with her thus shamefully traduced by Men of either no Industry or no Honesty But to proceed King John of France when all things were ready for his Voyage and the Mariners told him the Wind stood fair for England e Frois c. 219. f. 114. went on Board and set sail from Boulogne with his Guard and other Attendants about the hour of Midnight and arrived safely at Dover about Ten the next Morning being the Day before the Vigil of the Epiphany or the Fourth of January f G F. Lit. Dom. which was a Thursday in the Year of our Lord MCCCLXIV II. King Edward was at that time with his Queen and the whole Court at Eltham in Kent about 8 Miles from London to which Place News was brought him of King Johns Arrival Hereupon he presently sent forth certain Honourable Knights of his Court to bid him Welcome and to conduct him forward on his way as the Lord Bartholomew Burwash Sr. Alan Boxhull Sr. Richard Pemburge and Others who rode Post to Dover where they found King John and in their Masters Name gave him Welcome saying How the King of England was extreamly satisfied with the obliging Honour of that Royal Visit King John replied he never doubted of a Welcome from his Dear Brother of England The next Day they all mounted their Horses and rode to Canterbury where having din'd King John would needs visit the Cathedral where he offer'd a Rich Jewel at the Shrine of St. Thomas and there they tarried the remainder of that Day On the Sunday Morning they set forth all together toward Eltham where the King of England was with a great Number of his Nobility ready to receive his Dear Brother of France On Sunday after Dinner King John came thither where he was highly caressed and embraced by the King and Queen of England and between that and Supper-time there was nothing but Princely Diversions of Dancing Singing and Carolling But especially the young Lord Ingelram of Coucy set himself forth to entertain the two Kings and danced so pleasantly and sang so sweetly that he extreamly satisfied the Whole Presence and wan the Commendations both of the French and English Nobility who were all delighted to behold and hear him for all that ever he did became him wonderfully At this time the Lady Isabella Eldest Daughter to King Edward began to cast her Affections upon that Gallant Lord and became so serious therein that shortly we shall find it a Match Soon after the Court removed from Eltham toward London but in the way the Lord Mayor and Aldermen with an Honourable Retinue met the two Kings on Black-Heath and so conducted them over the Bridge thrô the City with Sounding of Trumpets III. King John was conducted to the Savoy in great Honour where he was lodged with those Hostages that were of his Blood as the Duke of Orleans the Duke of Berry and the Duke of Bourbon the Earl of Alenson the Lord Guy of Blois the Earl of St. Paul and divers Others He was well entertain'd among these his Relations with whom he constantly conversed at the same time making and receiving frequent Visits to and from King Edward of England King David of Scotland King Peter of Cyprus King Waldemar of Denmark Albert Duke of Bavaria Lionel Duke of Clarence John Duke of Lancaster and Edmund Earl of Cambridge many Sumptuous and Princely Sports and Banquets passing among them And the City of London was at that time so flourishing that not only the Lord Mayor but most of the Aldermen in their Turns had the Generosity and Ability to invite and entertain all these Great Kings and Potentates singly and together as Occasion served Particularly Sr. Henry Picard g Stows Survey of London p. 87. 255. d b. a Merchant Vintner of Gascogne who some Years before had been Lord Mayor of London one Day made a Splendid Feast at his own House now called the Vintry over against St. Martins Church at which Entertainment were present the Kings of England Scotland France Denmark and Cyprus the Duke of Bavaria the Chief Hostages of France and King Edwards Sons excepting the Black-Prince then in Aquitain and many of the Chief Nobility of England And after Dinner he kept his Hall for all Comers that were willing to play at Dice and Hazard his Lady Margaret at the same time keeping her Chamber for the Entertainment of the Princesses and Ladies IV. King John went h Frois c. 219. f. 114. b. as often as he pleased privately by Water to visit King Edward at his Palace of Westminster and both the Kings when upon their Communication they were put in mind of the Lord James of Bourbon who was slain two Years before at the Battle of Brignais near Lyons greatly bewailed his Loss as who was a Person of a most agreeable Conversation in all Noble Company The French King had brought with him into England a i Knighton p. 2627. n. 20. Moiety of one Million of the Three he was engaged to pay for his Ransom and desired that some of the Hostages might be deliver'd but that King Edward
he sent word thereof into the Principality of Aquitain to the English Knights and Esquires of the Princes Court but especially to the Noble Lord John Chandos desiring him and them heartily now at this great and last Pinch to send him a Competent Assistance not doubting but that in Bretagne they should find many a fair and honourable Adventure for which all men of Honour ought especially to seek toward the Advancement of their Names When the Lord John Chandos who greatly desired the Prosperity of this Noble Earl saw how earnestly he wrote unto him he went immediately and asked leave of the Black-Prince his Lord and Master who told him He was well content that he should go to the Assistance of his Dear Brother-in-Law because said he this is no Breach of the Peace between England and France For the Frenchmen in like manner take Part with Sr. Charles of Bloic against the Earl of Monford and have a Licence so to do from the French King himself And thus much was expresly agreed on in the c Vid. l. 3. c. 6. §. 10. Art. 22. p. 588. XXII Article of the Peace of Bretigny that if the two Parties cannot be reconciled the Friends of either of them shall aid either Party as they please without any impeachment from the said two Kings or without incurring or bearing any dammage blame or reproach for the cause aforesaid With this answer Sr. John Chandos was extreamly satisfied and provided accordingly desiring several Knights and Esquires both of England and Aquitain to bear him Company in this his Attempt Thô but a few Gascogners I know not upon what Grounds for 't is evident they lov'd him well went with him but several English Knights that were there except such whom the Prince's Service detain'd embraced the Invitation heartily So having collected 200 Spears and as many Archers Voluntiers for the Prince would not appear in the Matter he lead them thrô Sainctogne and Poictou till passing the Loire he entred into Bretagne and came safely to the Siege before Auray Here he found the young Earl of Monford who received him with great joy as who divin'd himself a Victory from his Coming and so did Sr. Oliver Clisson Sr. Hugh Calverley Sr. Robert Knolles Sr. Walter Hewet Sr. Matthew Gournay and others both English and Bretons who all generally concluded there could no ill Success fall unto them now that they had the Lord Chandos in their Company Upon the account of whose Reputation in Arms sundry Knights and Esquires of England passed the Sea being desirous to advance their Honour in Fighting against the Frenchmen all who came in good time before Auray where they were heartily welcome to the Earl of Monford and some of them brought d True Use of Armory in Bib. Cotton Lord Chandâ—s his Liâ—e p. 62. Letters from the King of England directed to the Lord Chandos wherein he was required to take particular care of his most Dear Son Monford and in time of Battle constantly to attend his Person And now the whole Number of English and Bretons amounted to about 2000 Men of Arms and about 900 Archers on Horseback besides Footmen II. All this while Sr. Charles of Blois was in the City of Nantes where he made his Musters and gather'd together Men of War from all Parts where he could procure them for Love or Money For he had perfect Intelligence of all the Earl of Monfords Preparations But especially he required all those Lords Knights and Esquires of Bretagne who had already own'd his Cause and Title and rendred Homage unto him as to their Lord to come now and help him to defend his Inheritance against his Enemies Upon these Summons there came unto him the Vicount of Rohan the Lord of Rochefort the Lord of Leon the Lord of Raix and the Lord of Rieux the Lord of Malestroit the Lord of Quintin the Lord of Avaugeur the Lord of Lodeac the Lord of Ancenis the Lord of Lomine the Lord of Ponto and Sr. Charles of Dinant with divers others whose Names we cannot at such a Distance recover All these together with their several Retinues were quarter'd in the City of Nantes and in the Villages thereabout and together with the Aid from France consisted of 4500 Men of Arms besides Crossbows and Footmen These Lords in a Council of War advised the Lord Charles now that he was so strong not to waste any more time there but presently to march forth against his Enemy and give him Battle This Counsel the Lord Charles resolved to pursue and being now ready to march the sprightly and Masculine Lady his Wife the Lady Jane Daughter of Guy Earl of Pentebria who was Elder Brother to John of Monford stept forth and said these Words unto him in presence of Sr. Bertram of Clequin and many other Lords and Knights of France and Bretagne Sir You are now going to fight for mine Inheritance and your own for what is mine is yours also which the Earl of Monford claims wrongfully and without cause God Almighty knows And all the Lords of Bretagne here present know very well that I am indubitate Heiress thereto Therefore my Dear Lord and Husband I heartily require of You not to make or accept any Composition Agreement or Treaty of Peace with Earl Monford unless the whole Body of the Dutchy shall be yielded to remain entire with Us and our Heirs for ever This her Husband promised to do and then saluted and took leave of his Dutchess as they call'd her and so directed his march toward Vannes At which place he made an Halt as well to refresh his Army as to inform himself of his Enemies behaviour and to advise how to get some advantage in ordering his Men. Here there was much altercation and debate among his Council for certain of the graver sort who were wholly sway'd by Christian Principles of Charity made such friendly Overtures that the Lord Charles of Blois who was of a sweet and Candid Disposition had perhaps been perswaded to accept of a Peace and to Divide the Dukedom had he not been so adjured by the last Words of his Lady and also now set on by the encouragement of the Hotter sort of his Captains that he absolutely declared he neither could nor would propose or admit of any such kind of Treaty III. Now between Vannes and Auray where the Earl of Monford held Siege it was about the space of Three Leagues so that News was presently brought to the Earl that the Lord Charles of Blois was coming with the goodliest Company of Men armed at all Points that ever was seen in France At these tidings the Englishmen rejoyced greatly the better sort for the opportunity of gaining Honour and the Companions for the occasion of reaping benefit For being almost bankrupt with the long Peace they desired nothing more than War in hopes of Spoil and Riches Then they all made ready their Harness with great exactness new furbished their Spears
Chief Justice Sr. Henry Green and Sr. William Skipworth another of his Justices to be arrested and imprison'd on the account of many notorious Enormities which he understood they had committed against Law and Justice Nor could they redeem themselves from Prison without refunding to the King many large Sums of Money which by Injustice they had got from others But for ever after they were secluded both their Places and his Favour XI We have frequently heretofore mention'd the great Diligence which Peter King of Cyprus us'd in travelling to most Courts in Europe in Order to raise a Power sufficient to stem the furious Tide of Pagan Insolence which threatned a Bloody Inundation to all Christendom Now therefore being pretty well furnish'd with Valiant Souldiers of several Nations after that by the Pope's means he had made a Peace with Genoa which had some resentments against him u Philippus è Mazeriis c. 15. c. in Vità Becti Petri Thomx â—pud Bâ—llâ—nd Tâ—n 2. XXIX Januar. he went from Venice to Rhodes where he was Magnificently received by the Master of the Hospital and whither he had sent before many Ships laden with Armed Men and about 500 good Horses for the War. He had some Months before wrote to his own Brother the Prince of Antioch his Lieutenant in the Kingdom of Cyprus that having left a sufficient strength at home he would by such a time send an Army of his Realm of Cyprus to meet him at Rhodes which was done For the King had been but a little while in that Island when an Army of Cyprus came thither namely sixty sail one with another laden with Men of Arms Arrows Crossbows and other Weapons in good quantity to which the Master of the Hospital added an hundred chosen Knights of his Order and commanded his Gallies to be fitted up And all the while St. Peter Thomas Patriarch of Constantinople the Pope's Legate who had an extraordinary Zeal for the Work encouraged the King and his Souldiers and blessed them and pray'd and preach'd and signed them with the Cross and heard Confessions and absolved and reconciled Sinners one while labouring in the Kings Council another while among the Mariners and poor People now among the Lords and Knights and the Master of Rhodes and now again with the Common Souldiers in great humility Now he visited the sick and presently he fell to pacifying of Rumors sometimes he conversed with the English sometimes with the Cypriotes Venetians French Spaniards and Germans but always he exhorted to Unity and Charity to Faith and Courage and to the War of God And every Christian Soul in this small Army was by this Holy Legate a few days before they left Rhodes admitted to the Sacrament of Gods Body and strengthned with Divine Power by feeding on their Redeemer whose Cross they were going to advance At the time of their Departure from Rhodes the King in secret Council proposed to invade the Soldan of Babylon who usurped the Holy City of Jerusalem and his Inheritance not in the Tail but in the Head and to Steer his Course towards Alexandria and so taking leave of the Grand Master he went on board his Galley with a Fleet consisting of more than an 100 Vessels of all sorts above 10000 good Souldiers and about 1400 Nobles and Men of Arms with their Horses besides Mariners Being come to the Haven of Alexandria after about an hours resistance made by the Saracens they gain'd Land and soon after put all their Enemies to flight and made them retire into the City in great Confusion and shut their Gates But their Hearts were so lost that upon the Christians approach to the Walls and setting fire to their Gates they fled away towards Grand Cairo or New-Babylon Wherefore the City of Alexandria was taken by the Christians on the Fourth of October 1365 about Nine of the Clock in the Morning and all the Pagans found therein put to the Sword. But many of these Christians being now satiated with spoil began forthwith to cool in their Devotion and so were for leaving the City now it was rifled nor could the King of Cyprus nor the Zealous Legate with all their Endeavours prevail with them to the Contrary wherefore upon News of the Soldan's Arrival with the Prince of Assyria and a Mighty Army who were coming to relieve the City on the Fourth or Fifth day after he had won it he was forced to leave it to his great Grief The occasion of which dishonourable Departure is by the Legate in his x Eâ—tant apud Odor Rainal ad hâ—nc an § 20 Letters attributed to the English and to their Leader and by y Petrarch l. 8. Senil Fp. 8. l. 13. â—p 2. Petrarch to the Transalpine Auxiliaries in General who he says being always better at Enterprising than at Compleating forsook the King in the midst of a most Glorious Work and because they follow'd him not for Devotion but for Gain when they had laden themselves with spoils went away and being rendred Masters of their Greedy desire made him fail of his Godly Design The Prosecution of this Matter may be seen at large in the foremention'd Philip è Mazeriis who was himself present in this Expedition and also in z Odor Rainal ad 〈◊〉 §. 18. ad §. 22. Vid. Pan 〈◊〉 1. V 3. Odoricus Rainaldus We shall only add that the Englishmen and Gascogners who had been at the taking of Alexandria upon a Walsing â—â—st p. 174. n 30. Speed p. 584. §. 129. their return into England and Aquitaine brought many rich pieces of Cloth of Gold Velvets and Precious Stones as witnesses of their Success in those parts XII It is said by some b Therton's Nottinghamshire p. 116. that John Lord Roos after this Expedition died at Paphos in the Island of Cyprus leaving no Issue behind him by his Wife the Lady Mary de Orrebe So that his Brother William succeeded in his Honours Thô to say the Truth this Lord John was not Born till this Year For Sr. William Dugdale shews c Dugd. 1 Vol. Baren p. 551. that his Death happen'd about 28 Years after this viz. in the Seventeenth of Richard the Second at which time he was but d For 18 years old Ano. 7. Rich. 2. id Dugd. ibid. p. 550. ex Esc 7. R. 2. n. 68. 28 Years of Age. Notwithstanding I grant that about this time as e Thoroton Nottingh p. 455. Thoroton says there died the Lord Thomas Furnival Sirnamed the Hasty leaving no Issue behind him whereupon he was succeeded by his Brother William Lord Furnival Who about 17 Years after died also leaving behind only One Daughter Joan. Her Sr. Thomas Nevile Brother to Ralph Earl of Westmorland and Treasurer of England taking to Wife became in her Right Lord Furnival But here again I am fain to correct Thorton's many mistakes by comparing him f Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 727. with a more accurate and
that other 15000 Gennettours were disposed about as Wings in the First and Last Battails So that in all Don Henry had this day on his side no less than an 121000 Men one with another When all was rightly order'd He leap'd on a Strong Mule after the usage of that Country and rode about from Battail to Battail and from Squadron to Squadron with gracious and sweet Words praying and desiring every Man that day to do his utmost to defend and maintain his and their Right and Honour that they should remember how they were better Men and more numerous than their Enemies and that their Cause also was more just and as he spake he appeared so wonderfull Cheerfull and Magnanimous that every Man was glad to see him look so well and gather'd Matter of Courage to himself from so good a sign When Don Henry had thus encouraged his Men he return'd to his own Battail at which time the Sun began to rise and then he order'd his Banners to advance forward for he thought it more for his Honour to meet his Enemies than to expect them Rev. de Johanni Balderston S.I.P. Tutori suo sumÌ„e Colendo Coll EmÌ„anuelis apud Cantabr Magistro Socijsq ejusdem Coll Tabulam Hanc EDVARDI Principis Nigri Cognomi â—mati Gratitudinis â— Honeris ergo DDD Iosua Barnes Thô born unto and Meriting a Crown Unequal Fate allotted me a Grave Yet by my â—â—rmes Don Pedro gain'd his Thâ—â— To make a King than to bee Ones more strâ—â—â— XII As thus the two Armies approached near together the Prince went over a little Hill in the descending whereof he saw plainly his Enemies marching toward him Wherefore when the whole Army was come over this Mountain he commanded that there they should make an Halt and so fit themselves for Fight At that instant the Lord t Frois c. 237. fol. 133. Vid. Favine l. 7. c. 12. p. 270. Ashmole p. 42. Selden's Tit. Hon. p. 790. 791. c. John Chandos brought his Ensign folded up and offer'd it to the Prince saying Sir here is my Guidon I request your Highness to display it abroad and to give me leave to raise it this day as my Banner For I thank God and your Highness I have Lands and Possessions sufficient to maintain it withall Then the Prince took the Penon and having cut off the Tail made it a Square Banner and this done both He and King Don Pedro for the greater Honour holding it between their Hands display'd it abroad it being u Vid. l. 4. c. 2. §. 3. p. 698. Or a Sharpe Pile Gules as we have shew'd before and then the Prince deliver'd it unto the Lord Chandos again saying Sr. John behold here is your Banner God send you much Joy and Honour with it And thus being made a Knight Banneret the Lord Chandos return'd to the Head of his Men and said Here Gentlemen behold my Banner and yours take it and keep to your Honour and Mine And so they took it with a Shout and said that by the Grace of God and St. George they would defend it to the best of their Powers but the Banner remain'd in the hands of a gallant English Esquire named William Allestry who bore it all that Day and acquitted himself in the service right Honourably And now all the English and Gascogners quitted their Horses and ranged themselves on Foot in their former Order and so both Armies began a little to advance at which time the Prince of Wales having his Visor up x Frois ibid. lifted up his Eyes to Heaven and joyned his Hands together and said O Very God Jesu Christ who hast formed and created me grant by your Benign Grace that I may obtain this Day Victory of mine Enemies as what I do is in a Righteous Quarrel to sustain and aid this King whom they have Excluded from his Inheritance Which gives me the Courage to advance my Self against them thereby to re-establish Him in his Realm And therewithall being full of Faith and Courage he laid his Right Hand upon King Don Pedro who was next by him and said Sir King You shall know this Day whether ever you shall have any thing of the Kingdom of Castille or not Therefore advance Banners in the Name of God and St. George And just then the Duke of Lancaster and the Lord John Chandos approached their Enemies at which time the Duke said to Sr. William Beauchamp Lord of Bergavenny and Fourth Son to the Earl of Warwick Sr. William behold yonder our Enemies This Day you shall see me a good Knight or else to die in the Quarrel And with that Word he began to joyn Battle with Sr. Bertram of Clequin and the other Frenchmen and Aragonians and Strangers of divers Countries At the first Encounter there was a terrible Medley with Spear and Shield and for a certain while neither could open the others Ranks or prevail in the least so that many a noble Feat of Arms was performed and many a Man of Arms reversed and cast to the Earth who never after could be relieved Now while these two Battails of English and French were thus contending for the better the other were resolved not to stand long aloof but came on apace and joyned together with great Fury And first the Prince of Wales Himself with whom were Don Pedro King of Castille and the Lord Martin Carre who represented the King of Navarre's Person brought up his Main Battail and came against the Earl of Sancelloni and his Brother Don Sancho the Bastards Brethren But it seems he brought such Terror along with him that at the very first Shock the Earl and his Brother were so strangely surprised with Fear y Frois ibid. that they fled away suddenly they knew not why without either Order or Array with no less than 3000 Spears in their Company So that immediately that Battail was open'd and discomfited for the King of Majorica the Captal of Busche the Lord Oliver Clisson and their Battail follow'd on after the Prince and slew and hurt them at a prodigious Rate while the Prince who aim'd at a greater Matter marched directly forward and joyned freshly with the Third and Last Battail of the Spaniards where King Henry himself was with above 60000 Men Horse and Foot. Here the Fight began to be fierce and cruel indeed for the Spaniards and Castillians had Slings wherewith they whirled stones at such a rate that they clove and brake many an Helmet therewith and hurt and overthrew many a Man to the Ground The mean while the Archers of England shot fiercely from their Long Bows and slew many and did much Mischief both to Horse and Man. The one Party cried Castille for King Henry and the other St. George Guienne for the Prince of Aquitaine All this while the first Battail of England fought stifly being well match'd by the Frenchmen and here the Duke of Lancaster the Lord John Chandos the two Marshals Sr.
to be remembred that besides those that fell that day on the Bastards side g M.S. vet Ang. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantab. c. 233. there were taken Prisoners of Lords and Knights to the Number of 2000 whereof about 200 were of France and not a few were Scotchmen So that Saturday Night the English took their Repose and refreshed themselves at their Enemies Cost for there was enough of all sorts of Provision ready for them and they kept the Field in the same Manner all the next day h Pasch 18. April Lit. Dom. C. which was the Sunday before Palm-Sunday XV. On the Sunday Morning when the Prince of Wales was up and ready he issued out of his Pavilion and then there came to salute him his Brother the Duke of Lancaster the Earl of Armagnac the Lord of Albret the Lord John Chandos the Captal of Busche the Lord of Pamiers Sr. Guischard Dangle the King of Majorica and all the Chief Lords of the Army and presently after came thither King Don Pedro to visit the Prince by whom he was received with much Honour and Respect After Salutations given and taken King Don Pedro spake thus to the Prince Dear and Fair Cousin I heartily pray and request You that You will please to deliver into my Hands the false Traytors of my Country as my Bastard Brother the Earl of Sancelloni and such others Your Prisoners whom I shall cause to lose their Heads according to their Demerits The Prince of Wales who had well considered this point answer'd and said Sir King I also request of You one thing upon the Account of our Friendship and Alliance which I hope You will not deny me The King who could not for shame refuse any thing to him by whom he had recover'd all he had said Dear Cousin all that I have is yours wherefore I freely and absolutely grant whatsoever it shall please You to desire Sir continued the Prince then I request you to give a general Amnesty and Pardon to all your Subjects of what condition soever who have at any time rebelled against You untill this day By which gracious Dealing You will remain hereafter in better rest and Peace among Your People and be more heartily loved and more faithfully served by them in case of any Necessity But We our selves except from this favour that Arch-Rebel William Garilz For of that Vngratefull and Disloyal Wretch I am content You make an Example King Don Pedro granted the Prince's desire thô much against his Inclination for he durst not for shame shew any difficulty in complying with the Desires of One to whom he was so much obliged and so he said Fair Cousin I yield to Your pleasure with all my heart Then all the Prisoners were sent for and the Prince reconciled them to the King their Lord and caused him to forgive all his Ill-will to his Brother the Earl of Sancelloni and to all the Rest On condition they should enter Covenant and swear unto him Fealty Homage and all Loyal service to hold truly of him for ever and to become his Liegemen and to acknowledge him for their only Rightfull Lord and King for the Future XVI This Courtesie with many others did this Gallant Prince unto King Don Pedro all which were but slightly remembred as we shall see shortly and surely it was not a small kindness that Prince Edward at the same time shew'd to those Barons of Spain his Prisoners for without his Intercession on their behalf King Don Pedro had put them every Mothers Son to Death without Mercy As he served Sr. William Garilz whom he so bitterly hated that he would accept of no Ransom for his Life but caused his Head to be stricken off before his Tent Door This done King Pedro Mounted his Horse together with his Brother the Earl of Sancelloni and all his New-pardon'd Subjects having the English Marshals Sr. Guischard Dangle and Sr. Stephen Cossington with 500 Men of Arms in his Company and so left the Prince and rode to Burgos the Chief City of Old Castille On the Monday Morning Don Pedro came thither and the Citizens who had been well informed how Matters went at Najara and that King Henry was utterly routed durst not pretend to hold out against him but several of the Wealthiest and the most Honourable in the City came forth humbly to meet him and presented unto him the Keys of the Town as unto their Rightfull Lord and Sovereign and so convey'd him and all his Men with great Solemnity and Triumph into the City The mean while Prince Edward kept his Field all that Sunday and on the Monday after Evensong he decamped thence and went and Lodged at Belorado where he tarried that Night and the next day and on the Wednesday marched with all his Army to the City of Burgos The Prince enter'd the Town in great Triumph being attended with the King of Majorica the Duke of Lancaster and all the Great Lords of his Host but the Chief part of their Men set up their Tents without the Town for 't was not possible to Lodge them all with any Convenience within and it was thought too great a Temptation for Men of War especially since the Companions were there to admit them into so Rich and Wealthy a Place as that was When the Black-Prince was settled in his Lodgings appointed for him he gave forth his Summons and Determin'd Judgements concerning Arms and all things thereto belonging and there he kept Field and Wage of Battle So that it might well be said how all Spain was then reduced into his Hands and under his Obedience In this City of Burgos Prince Edward and King Don Pedro held their Easter with great Solemnity and tarried there more than three Weeks the rather to give time to all Don Pedro's Subjects to come in of their own accord and to make their Submissions before they were compelled thereto Accordingly on Easter-day there came thither the Representatives of Astorga of Toledo of Leon of Corduba and of all the Realms of Castille and Leon of Galizia Asturie Algarria Biscaye and whatever else had been subject to King Don Pedro aforetime even unto the utmost Marches and Limitations of the Realm of Castille all these sent in their humble Addresses and made Homage to King Don Pedro promising him true Faith and Loyalty for ever These Commissioners were all glad to Behold the Prince of Wales and Don Hernando del Casteres the One so Renowned for his Valour and the other for his unexampled Loyalty to his Master So at Burgos there was nothing but Joy and Triumph and many Royal and Magnificent Feasts and Entertainments passed among them and all the Land came in voluntarily and renewed their Allegiance to their Lord and King. XVII Now therefore when the Prince had as we said tarried here something more than three Weeks and saw that Don Pedro was generally own'd by all his Subjects being peaceably and unanimously accepted as their True and
together toward la Haye en Touraine Chandos the Herald went on this Message and found the Young Earl at Mortaigne who had indeed already made his Musters but with intent to undertake as he was before advised an Expedition by himself so to win the more Honour Wherefore again he excus'd himself to the Herald saying how as then he could not by any means wait upon the Lord Chandos because he had engag'd himself another way The Herald return'd with this Answer to Chastelleraut where he found his Lord Sr. John Chandos and related to him the Earls excuse from point to point Sr. John was exceedingly displeased in his Mind when he heard what News his Herald had brought him For he concluded that it was an effect of ill Consequence to the Affairs of the Prince his Master and that it proceeded from Envy or Presumption both which are Enemies to the Publique Good in Matters relating to the Concern of a Common-Weal So he only said Well then in Gods Name be it so If a Man of Honour can be byass'd from his Countries Good by private Designs And therewithall he dismist the Greater part of his Troops and went with the rest to the City of Poictiers The Effects of this trespass upon Discipline We shall see immediately XXI Now d Frois c. 265. fol. 159. when the Lord John Hastings Earl of Pembroke heard how the Lord Chandos had discharged the Major part of his Forces and was returned to the City of Poictiers then he thought it high time for him to go abroad in quest of Honour and so he marched forth of Mortagne with 300 Spears English and Poictevins and some other Knights of England Poictou and Sainctogne who had lately been with the Lord Chandos With these Troops he passed thrô Poictou taking the same way which the Lord Chandos had done before and burnt and ravaged about in the Country of Anjou taking for Prize all that was left and so he also tarried a while in the Land of Loudunois and from thence he went into the Lands of the Vicount of Rochechoüart where he did many severe Acts of Hostility Now the French Captains who lay in Garrison on the Marches of Touraine Anjou and Poictou were well informed both of the Lord Chandos his Expedition and also of this of the Earl of Pembroke and moreover they understood how the Earl who was but a very Young Man not exceeding one and twenty Years of Age had thrô meer Presumption and Folly disdain'd to go forth in the Company of the Lord John Chandos Wherefore they endeavour'd to snap him if they might and determin'd whatever should happen to encounter with him for at best they reckon'd him much more easie to deal with than the Lord Chandos Accordingly having privately made their Musters consisting of a certain Quota from every Garrison they went secretly one Night from La Roche Pozay in Touraine just on the limits of Poictou under the Command of Lewis of Sancerre Marshal of France with whom were Sr. Robert of Sancerre his Brother Sr. John de Vienne Sr. John Bull Sr. William Bourde Sr. Lewis of St. Julian and Carlonet the Breton to the Number of 700 Fighting Men. The Earl of Pembroke had by this time ended his Expedition and was returning home again having already entred Poictou after he had ravaged without Controll in the Lands of the Vicount of Rochechoüart He had in his Company the Lord Baldwin Frevile Seneschal of Sainctogne Sr. Neale Loring Sr. Thomas Spencer Sr. Thomas Piercy Sr. Dangouses Sr. John Harpedon Sr. James of Surgieres Sr. John Cousins Sr. Thomas of St. Alban Sr. Robert Twiford Sr. John Montagu Sr. Simon Ausagne Sr. John Touchet and many more Gentlemen of England and Poictou The Earl and his Men rode homeward without any suspicion having not had the least Intelligence of any Men of War stirring abroad at that time and in this Security with great Prey and Booty they enter'd the Bounds of Poictou On a e Frois c. 265. Du Chesne p. 702. day the Earl and his Men rode into a certain Village called Puirenon about High-Noon where they intended to Dine and began to mark out their Quarters and their Valets set up their Horses and others were busie in providing their Dinner when suddenly the Frenchmen who knew well enough what to do came galloping into the Town with their Spears in their Rests and crying out Our Lady of Sancerre for the Marshal of France And therewith they beat down the Englishmen on all hands in the streets and in the Houses wherefore there arose a great noise whereat the Earl of Pembroke and his Men were all amazed for they were suddenly taken When the Earl Sr. Baldwin Frevile and Sr. Thomas Piercy with the other Knights heard how the French were come and assailed their Men they drew forth of their Lodgings blew their Trumpets and unfolded their Banners hoping to bring their Troops together into Order But it was too late the French had intercepted many and slain more and disturbed all the rest so that at the first brunt there were taken and slain more than sixscore Wherefore the Earl's last shift was to withdraw as soon as he might with those Men he had left which were not above 200 beside all the Chief Officers into a place belonging to the Temple enclosed with High Stone Walls Hither they convey'd themselves and their Horses as many as they could recover and immediately prepared to defend the place with all their Power and barr'd up the Gates and gather'd together huge Stones and so set themselves in the best posture they might devise The mean while all those who were found in the Town were either taken or slain and most part of their Horses and Armour and all the Earl of Pembroke's Jewels Riches and Baggage were won Word was brought to the Frenchmen that the Earl himself and the residue of his Men were got together in a kind of a Church-yard at which News they were well pleas'd for they knew the place was not impregnable Some of them said in jest Let Us give them a little time to choose out their own Graves and after Dinner we 'll come and see how they fit them But the Chief Captains said Let Us go to 'um presently they are all our own they can no ways escape our Hands Now they shall pay dearly for all the Damages they have done Us in Touraine and Anjou And so they came in good Array to the Place and began to Assault it with great Vigour every where round about being all Men that wanted neither Skill nor Courage The Earl of Pembroke and his Men did their utmost to defend themselves so that no Men living could do better The Frenchmen had certain scaling Ladders by Chance with them upon which some of them adventur'd to mount the Wall with their Shields over their Heads for fear of shot and casting of stones But when they were up they were so hotly received
come and yet heard no News of the King. However to acquit themselves to their Power they sent to the Barons of Poictou that were in Thoüars this Message by certain Knights Right Dear Sirs we are sent hither unto you from the Loyal Lords of Gascogne and of England who remain under the Obedience of the King of England to let you know that there are come from Niort above twice twelve hundred Men of Arms ready prepar'd to aid and assist you in all manner of respect Only Sir they desire to know from you whether in the Absence of the King of England and of his Children you will accept of their Assistance or no. As for them they are ready if so it please you to adventure their Lives and Fortunes together with you The Barons of Poicton heartily thanked the Lords of England and of Gascogne who had made them so kind a Proffer but they desired time to consider what in that Case was to be done At first they could not agree for the Lord of Partenay who was a Principal Member among them would have them accept of the Assistance of these Lords who as he said represented the King of England But most of the other Lords were of a contrary Opinion saying How they had sealed and sworn to this Agreement that if by such a Day the King of England or one of his Sons did not appear there Personally in the Field then they should submit themselves to the Obedience of the French King. Upon this Resolution the Lord of Partenay went away to his Lodgings in deep Displeasure but the next Day he was so wheedled by those of the adverse Party that he also became of their Mind And so with one Consent they returned this Answer That they thanked them heartily for their Good-will Notwithstanding the King of England or one of his Sons must needs be there in Person according to the Treaty whereto they had sworn and sealed This Answer was no way pleasing to the English and Gascogners about Niort but they could no ways hope to save them who were thus disposed not to be saved by them XXIII On the Eve of St. Michael there came from Poictiers to hold their appointment before Thoüars the Constable of France the Dukes of Berry Burgunay and Bourbon the Lord Oliver Clisson the Vicount of Rohan the Dauphin of Auvergne the Lord Lewis of Sancerre the Lord of Sully and other Great Lords of France to the Number of 10000 Men of Arms besides others This vast Army stood ready ranged in Battle Array in the Field before Thoüars on the Eve and all the day long on the Feast of St. Michael and against Night they withdrew to their Tents But on the Morrow in the Morning the Constable and the Dukes sent to the Knights of Poictou within Thoüars demanding of them to deliver up the City according to their Promise and Oaths in that behalf made To these Summons 't was answer'd how they would shortly come to Poictiers and there submit themselves and all their Lands to the Protection of the French King. This Answer seeming sufficient to the Lords of France they brake up from before Thoüars and the Dukes dismist the greater part of their Army only retaining such competent Forces as they had before they expected King Edward's Arrival Among others the Lord Clisson was appointed by the Constable to go with 200 Spears and attempt Mortaigne on the Severe Nantoise which as then held for England having within sixty Men of Arms for its Defence under the Command of an English Esquire named James Clare The Lord Clisson being come before the Place began a fierce Assault whereat he himself was present but for all that he wan little or no Advantage but at Night was fain to retire to his Camp. The Captain within seeing himself thus put to it sent out secretly to the Lords of England and Gascogne then at Niort telling them that if they would send any Troops thither before Morning he would receive them into his Fortress whereby they might easily pass thrô the Castle into the Lord Clisson's Camp who had with him but 200 Men of Arms. Upon this Notice certain Lords went that Night from Niort with 500 Men of Arms in their Company and so rode on toward Mortaigne being very desirous to entrap the Lord Clisson if they could But there was a spy who knew all their purpose for he came out of Niort with them that Evening and so rode on upon the spur before and came to the Lord Clisson whom he found at Supper and said to him Sir Your Enemies to the Number of 500 Men of Arms have left Niort and are coming upon you apace With that the Lord Clisson thrust away the Table from him and arm'd himself with all speed and mounted his Horse and rode away hastily with all his Company leaving the greater part of the Carriages behind and never stopt till he came to Poictiers And the English having thus failed of their design return'd to Niort in great displeasure Soon after which having left Sr. Dangouses and Sr. John Creswell in garrison there the other great Lords and Captains brake up their assembly at Niort Sr. Walter Hewet with some few more returning into England and all the rest to Bourdeaux But as they went they burnt and ravaged in the Lands of the Lord of Partenay who was lately turn'd French at Thoüars Thus all the Country of Poictou was reduced under the French except a few Fortresses as Niort Les Esars Mortimer Mortaigne Lusignan La Motte Achart La Roche Sur Yonne Gauzar La Tour Landry Mexis and some others which made divers Excursions and Inroads among their Neighbours sometimes chacing and sometimes being chaced themselves XXIV Now the a Frois c. 306. f. 186. sed Gallice f. 254. Lord John of Monford Sirnamed the Valiant who had hitherto full and quiet Possession of the Dukedom of Bretagne his Competitor Charles of Blois being slain as We have shewn was infinitely displeased at these Losses of his Old Friends the English Both Gratitude and Honour made him rather love their Interest since it was truly said that the King of England had advanced him to what he was and that he had had nothing had it not been for Him who all along had made Powerfull War in his behalf and had lent him vast Sums of Silver and Gold and given him his Daughter also in Marriage Wherefore the Duke himself would rather have held his Lands of King Edward than of the French King But the Major part of the Lords Knights and Esquires of that Country were for France in their hearts especially the Lord Clisson the Lord de la Val and the Vicount of Rohan who were the Chief Lords of all that Country and these doubted not to assure the Duke to his Face that he must expect no service of them unless he continued true to France Sir said they as soon as We shall once perceive that You resolve
at this present in the Hands of Italians and other Strangers what they be and of what Value and how every of the said Benefices are named and how much every of them is worth by the Year not as by way of Tax or Extent but according to the true and full Value of the same As also to know the Names of all and singular such Strangers as are now Incumbents or occupy the same and of every of them Likewise the Names of all those whether English or Strangers of what State or Condition soever they be who have the Occupation or Disposal of any such Benefices with the Fruits and Profits of the same on the Behalf or by Authority of any of the foresaid Strangers by way of Farm Title or Procuration or by any other way or means whatsoever and how long they have occupied or disposed of the same and withall if any of the said Strangers be now resident upon any of the said Benefices We command you as heretofore We have done to send Us a true Certificate of all and singular the Premises into our High Court of Chancery under your Seal distinctly and openly before the b b Whitsunday fell this Year on the 21 of May. Lit. Dom. A. Pascha 2 April Feast of the Ascension of our Lord next coming without further delay returning also this our Writ at the same time Witness our Self at Westminster the 16 Day of April in the 48 Year of our Reign of England and of France 35. By Vertue of this Writ Certificate was accordingly sent up to the King into his Chancery out of every Dioecese in England of all such Spiritual Livings as were then in the Occupation either of Priors Aliens or of other Strangers whereof the Number is said to have been so great that it would take up several sheets of Paper to set them all down Wherefore it seem'd high time for the King to seek a Remedy in that Case either by Treaty with the Pope or otherwise considering what a vast proportion of the Revenues of his Realm was by this means convey'd away being either employ'd to the Relief of his Enemies or however of such who were neither his Subjects nor Friends An Instance whereof may be seen in Mr. Fox his Acts and Monuments at the last Year of the Reign of King Edward III. II. Shortly after the Return of the said Certificates the King sent Mr. John Wickliffe who was afterwards an Eminent Reformer in England and at that time Divinity Professor in the Famous University of Oxford together with certain others his Ambassadors beyond the Seas with full Commission to treat with the Pope's Legates concerning the foresaid Matters and other Affairs then depending between his Holiness and the King. The Tenor of their Commission runs thus viz. Rex * Fox Acts Men. p. 554. al. Edit p. 390. Vniversis ad quorum notitiam praesentes literae pervenerint c. The King unto All to whose knowledge these Present Letters shall come Greeting Know Ye that We reposing assured Confidence in the Integrity and Abilities of the Reverend Father John Bishop of Bangor and other our loving and Loyal Subjects as Master John Wickliffe Reader of the Divinity Lecture Master John Guttern Dean of Segovia and Master Simon Multon Dr. of the Law Sr. William Burton Knight Master John Belknap and Master John Honington have directed them as our Ambassadors and special Commissioners to the Parts beyond the Seas giving unto our said Ambassadors and Commissioners or to any Six or Five of them among whom I will that the said Bishop shall be One full Power and Authority with special Command to treat and consult mildly and charitably with the Legates and Ambassadors of our Lord the Pope touching certain Affairs about which We before have sent the said Bishop William Vghtred Monk of Durham and Master John Shepey to the Apostolick See and to make full Relation of all things done and transacted in the said Assembly That all those things which may tend to the Honour of Holy Church and the Advancement of our Crown and this our Realm may by the Assistance of God and the Wisdom of the Apostolick See be brought to good effect and accomplished Witness our self at London the 26 day of July in the 48 Year of our Reign These Commissioners were met at Bruges about the beginning of August by the Pope's Nuntio's Bernard aliàs Benedict Bishop of Pampelone and Ladulph or Rodulph Bishop of Senigaglia and Giles Sancho Provost of the Church of Valenza Who were likewise commission'd from the Pope to treat c Odor Rainald ad hunc annum §. 21. quem vide sis Concerning the Liberties of the Church of England and of the Prelates and other Ecclesiastical Persons of the said Realm of England But this Treaty held off and on for about two Years after when at last it was concluded d Walsingh hist p. 184. n. 10. Churchill's Divi Britannici p. 36. that for the future the Pope should desist from making use of Reservations of Benefices and that the King should no more confer Benefices by his Writ Quare Impedit But as to the Elections aforesaid concerning which Ambassadors had been sent to the Court of Rome the Year before there was nothing mention'd in this Treaty The Reason whereof was ascribed to the Politick Dealing of some who knew they could more easily attain to the Episcopal Dignities which they aim'd at by the Court of Rome then by due and regular Elections that is rather by Money Favour and Interest than by any true Worth or Merit of their own III. But now 't is time to see what Deeds of War were performed this Year or rather what Advantage France gain'd and what Losses England suffer'd for things were grown to that pass at this time Soon e Frois c. 311. fol. 192. after Easter the Duke of Anjou being at Perigueux raised a great Army consisting of 15000 Footmen besides a considerable Number of Genoüese and Crossbows and the most part of all the Barons and Knights of Bretagne Poictou Anjou and Touraine with whom also the Constable of France was joyned and several Lords of Gascogne as the Lord John of Armagnac the Lords of Albret and of Perigort the Earls of Cominges and of Narbonne the Vicounts of Carmaine and of Villemur and of Talart the Earl Dauphin of Auvergne the Vicount of Mende the Lord de la Barde Sr Robert of Charde and the greater part of the Lords of Auvergne and Limosin With this Great Army the Duke of Anjou marched towards High Gascogne and came before Mont de Marsan which having took he proceeded to St. Sever whereof an Abbot was Lord who thô the Town was strong yet doubting to lose it by force fell to treat with the Duke of Anjou telling him that his Town and Fortress was but a small Matter in respect of other Towns and Castles in High Gascogne whither he suppos'd his Highness
John Copland an Esquire of Northumberland The Third and last Battalia of the Scots discomfited The time and place of this Battle certainly Assign'd A Gross Mistake of Hector Boëtius the Scotch Historian How long the Fight lasted the Loss on both sides The Names of the Scotch Nobility slain and taken John Copland bears away the King of Scotland the Queen sends to him for the King She returns to York and King Bailiol and the English invade Scotland John Copland being sent for to Calais by King Edward is Knighted and Royally rewarded King David secur'd in the Tower of London The Earls of Menteith and Fife executed The Earl of Lancaster returns into England and the Queen goes over to the Siege at Calais The Pope endeavours for Peace in vain From p. 376. to p. 385. Chap. VI. A Parliament at Paris Another at Westminster The Pope writes to King Edward to perswade him to Peace King Edward's answer Odoricus Rainaldus refuted King Philip seeks to bring over the Flemings but misses his Aim The Earl of Flanders confin'd by his Subjects because he will not match with a Daughter of England King Edward reinforces the Siege of Calais The Earl of Flanders escapes into France Two Frenchmen put to Death for favouring King Edward's Right The Duke of Normandy receives a Foil before Cassel The frequent Attempts to relieve Calais frustrated The Losses and Difficulties of the English Camp. Sr. Robert of Namur enters King Edward's service before Calais An account of the Scotch Affairs since the Battle of DURHAM An account of the Affairs of Bretagne Sr. Charles of Blois taken Prisoner at the Battle of ROCHE D'ARIEN by Sr. Thomas Dagworth Roche d' Arien taken by the French and the English Garrison murder'd by the Commons of the Country The French Navy defeated Five hundred more poor People thrust out of Calais The Calisians send an Account of their Case to King Philip. The Earl of Lancaster leading a Detachment towards Amiens upon News of King Philip's March returns to Calais The French Kings strength he desires leave of the Flemings to pass thrô their Country but is refused The Flemings Besiege Aire but upon King Philip's approach rise King Philip comes to Sangate and demands Battle of King Edward with the Answer Two Cardinals obtain a Treaty which comes to nothing King Philip goes off in Despair The manner how Calais was yielded Calais settled by King Edward A Truce between the two Kings King Edward returns for England A Brush between the English and Scots of the Borders Lewis the Emperour dies King Edward chosen Emperour refuses Charles King of Bohemia succeeds The Death of William Occam and Walter Hemingford A Law-Case From p. 385. to p. 415. Chap. VII The Glory and Prosperity of King Edward's Reign corrupts the Nation A Parliament Justs and Turneaments How Avignon came to belong to the See of Rome Philip of Valois and Edward of England could cure the Kings Evil. An Order concerning the Kings Purveyors The Truce between England and France prorogued for another Year King Edward solemnises the Translation of St. Thomas c. The Earl of Flanders does Homage to King Edward but afterwards rebelling is beaten King Edward being inform'd of a Design to betray Calais goes over privately and beats the Frenchmen He presents a Rich Chaplet to the Lord Eustace de Ribemont and sets him free Having settled Calais he returns for England The Death of the Queen of France and of the Dutchess of Normandy The two Royal Widowers Marry again From p. 416. to p. 428. Chap. VIII Treats of the Great Plague that happen'd in the Year 1348. From p. 428. to p. 442. Chap. IX King Edward Founds the Chappel of St. George at WINDSOR with the Copy of his Letters for that purpose The Pope furthers the Matter by two Bulls The Progress in Building Enlarging and Beautifying the Castle of WINDSOR The Institution of the most Noble Order of the GARTER Henry Earl of Lancaster Leicester and Darby made Earl of Lincoln and sent into Gascogne The Lord Thomas Dagworth slain in Bretagne Earl Henry's Exploits in Gascogne He brings the French to Terms A Famous Combat between 30 English and 30 French. Of certain who arrived to Great Wealth and Splendour by the Wars Of Sr. Thomas Rokeby Deputy Lieutenant of Ireland and of Sr. Robert Savage and his Son Henry Savage who lived in Ulster A Grant of the Black-Prince's to the Lord Henry Eam of Flanders confirmed at this time by the King he being then newly chosen one of the First Knights of the GARTER From p. 442. to p. 448. Chap. X. Pope Clement reduces the Bonifacian Jubilee from the 100th to the 50th Year The Original of Jubilees King Edward forbids his Subjects to go to Rome on that occasion with his Answer to the Pope's Expostulation thereon The Sect of Whippers rises and is supprest King Edward's Victory over the Spaniards at Sea. King Philip of France dies King John succeeds A Duel fought before King Edward between a Knight of Cyprus and the Bastard of France King John puts the Bastard of France and the Earl of Eu and Guisnes to Death Some steps towards a Peace with Scotland in Order to King David's Redemption From p. 449. to p. 455. Chap. XI A Parliament wherein King Edward advances sundry of his Grandees to Honour The Lord John Beauchamp Captain of Calais being taken Prisoner is succeeded by Sr. Robert Herle Sr. Robert's Acts. A Truce with France Another with Spain The Lord Guy de Nesle taken Prisoner Twenty four Christians Martyr'd by the Governour of Damascus who is therefore put to Death by the Soldan of Babylon King John of France renews the Order of the STAR The Castle of Guisnes taken by the English King John seeks to recover it in vain Sr. Charles of Blois set at Liberty upon his Parole The Lord Guy de Nesse slain by Sr. Walter Bentley The Earl of Stafford Lieutenant of Gascogne beats the French. The Death of Sr. Thomas Wale Knight of the GARTER King Edward provides for the Defence of the Seas William Earl of Hainalt Marries Mathilda Daughter of the Duke of Lancaster The Duke of Lancaster gets Honour of the Duke of Brunswick King Edward prepares against the French. Pope Clement dies and the Earl of Kent Two Malefactors beheaded at London From p. 455. to p. 467. Chap. XII An Hard Winter Storms Drought and Dearth A Riot at Chester The Black Prince's Munificence King Edward Founds a College at Westminster A Treaty with Scotland A Treaty and Truce with France A Parliament The Names of the Lords summon'd thereto Another Parliament A Treaty at Avignon which begets a short Truce The Foundation of Trinity-Hall in Cambridge A Quarrel between the Town and Vniversity of Oxford Two Fryars burnt at Avignon And a Third recants at Paris From p. 468. to p. 477. Chap. XIII The King of Navarre Murders the Constable of France and Invites the Duke of Lancaster to his Assistance
would there shortly return them such an Answer as should appear reasonable After this Answer having been first entertain'd with a Dinner in the Kings Chamber they departed from Windsor took up their lodging for that night at Colbrook and the next day went for London A few days after the King return'd to his Palace at Westminster and a certain Day was prefix'd to all his Council to attend him there The Council being sat the Embassadors of France were called in who again told the substance of their Message and withall deliver'd to the King their Masters Letters which he had refused to meddle with before They were thereupon order'd to withdraw while the Business was brought under Debate Some of the Lords alledged That in right of Queen Isabell his Mother the Crown of France belonged unto him and that therefore he ought not only not to acknowledge any Fealty at all but also openly to put forth his Claim to what was so evidently his Due But however pleasingly this struck upon the Spirit of King Edward yet the Major part of his Council were of the mind That it was too early for the King to embarque himself in so hazardous an Affair the Enemy being at that time so potent the Realm at home in a manner unsettled and the King himself under Age. However that hereby his Right and future Claim might not be prejudiced the King immediately b Ex Informatione per R. Edvardi nuntios Papae exhibita in Bened. Tom. 6. post Epist secr 302. in Bibl. Vatican apud Odoric Rainald ad an 1340. §. 9. vid. hujus Hist l. 1. c. 14. constituted one of his Council his Procurator in that Part by whom before all his Council he protested openly and expresly That for any Homage whatsoever to be made to the Lord Philip of Valois then bearing himself as King of France by King Edward of England for the Dukedom of Aquitain and the Earldom of Ponthieu he did not nor would intend to Renounce his Hereditary Right which he had to the Realm of France or any way from the same Right to derogate even althô thereupon Letters should afterward be signed with either of his Seals And he did protest that he made not any Homage to the said Lord Philip of his own Free will but only he should do it for the just fear he had of Loosing the said Dukedom and Earldom and because he feared that unless he should do Homage unto the said Philip he could not avoid other great Dangers and irreparable Losses And to the confirmation of the Premises King Edward caused his said Procurator to take an Oath upon his Soul by laying hands on the Holy Gospell before all those of his Council present This Caution being made it was agreed That Doctor Stephen Gravesend Bishop of London a well-spoken Man should answer these Ambassadors for the King That He was ready in all Points to do as the Kings his Predecessors had done Then the Frenchmen being call'd in the Bishop spake in this manner Lords and Gentlemen Ambassadors from the Crown of France the Kings Majesty my Soveraign Lord hath heard your Message and read your Letters My Lords and Gentlemen our Master here present hath by Advice of his Council consented to go personally into France c Frois c. 24. to visit the King your Master his Dear Cozen who hath so kindly invited him And you are required to shew unto the King your Master that as to the Faith and Homage demanded he will do his Devoir in all that shall concern him And that he intends the first Opportunity to pass over into France to perform what shall appear equitable So having been well entertain'd and rewarded by the King with many gifts and Jewels of great value they left England returning with this Answer to their Lord at Paris King Philip was well pleas'd with the News not only because he saw so considerable a Monarch so ready to submit to him but because he had a great curiosity to see him whom he had heard to be a Prince of singular Majesty and Beauty That himself therefore might appear in more Pomp or to the intent to have more notable Witnesses of this Homage thus to be done to his own Person or to dazzle and awe the mind of the Young King with the number and greatness of his Friends and Allies He immediately directs his Letters to John of Luxemburgh King of Bohemia his Cozen and to the Kings of Navarre and Majorica certifying them of the time and place where and when the King of England was to do him Homage and desiring them by no means to fail of giving him the Honour of their company To which Letters they all severally agreed and came into France accordingly attended with an honourable Equipage Besides all the Peers Earls Barons and chief Lords of France as if to out-rival the English Nation resolv'd to be present at this Solemnity in the most gallant and splendid manner The place appointed for the performance of this Action was the great City of Amiens in Picardy wherein there was Extraordinary provision made for this August Appearance For the several Kings were made ready great Chambers Halls and Dining-Rooms The Inns and other of the best Lodgings were order'd to entertain the Dukes of Burgundy Burbon and Lorrain and the Lord Robert of Artois a mighty Favourite of King Philip's with the rest of the Peers of France and Princes of the Blood. There was also provision made for a thousand Horse-strangers besides six hundred Horse which they expected would come over with the King of England But He for his part exceeded herein their Expectation for He came attended with Dr. Stephen Gravesend Bishop of London Dr. John Stratford Bishop of Winchester and Dr. Henry Burwash Bishop of Lincoln all right politick Prelates There were also four Earls Thomas of Brotherton Earl of Norfolk and Lord Marshal and Edmund of Woodstock Earl of Kent the Kings Uncles Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick d Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 232. Claus 3. Edw. 3. n. 35 not then of full Age and John Bohun Earl of Hereford and Essex with the Lord Henry Plantaginet afterwards Earl of Derby the Kings Cozen the Lord William Montagu afterwards Earl of Salisbury Reginald Lord Cobham Thomas Lord Wake Henry Lord Piercy Ralph Lord Nevil the Lord Walter Manny and the Lord John Moubray beside more than fourty other Knights and a thousand Horse of War. And thus having appointed his Brother the Lord John sirnamed of Eltham and now Earl of Cornwall his Lieutenant and Custos of the Realm during his Absence He took the sea at Dover with all this Company but was two Days upon the Water before he landed at Whitsand near Calais whence he went to Boloigne where he tarried one day to refresh himself It was now about the middle of August when King Philip hearing of his Arrival immediately dispatch'd away the Constable of France with a good company of
time to appear and all publique Affairs happily succeeded henceforward both to the King and his People Doctor Walter k Holinst Eng. Chron. p. 1002. Burleigh or Burley who had been bred up in Merton College in the famous University of Oxford was at this time of such Fame for learning and piety that he was taken into Queen Philippa's Service at her first coming into England and became her Almoner still encreasing in great Estimation at Court Insomuch that when this Young Prince Edward was able to learn his Book this Doctor was appointed to be his Tutor whereupon Simon Burley who was son to Sr. John Burley a near Kinsman of the Doctors was admitted among other young Gentlemen to be School-fellow with this Hopefull Prince By which occasion he wan so much upon the Princes Favour that afterwards by his means he was advanced to great Honour being in time made Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter and also had the Government and Education of the Prince's Son Richard of Bourdeaux comitted to his Trust As for the Young Prince Edward the King his Father by l Ashmole p. 670. Sand-Geneal Hist p. 181. ex Cart. 7. Ed. 3. m. 4. ex Pat. 7. Ed. 3. p. 1. m 13. his Charters dated the Eighteenth of May in the Seventh Year of his Reign when he was but in the Third Year of his Age granted unto him by the Title of Edward his most Dear and Eldest Son the County of Chester the Castles of Chester Beston Rothelan and Flint and all his Lands there as also the Cantred and Land of Englefield with their Appurtenances to him and his Heirs Kings of England together with all Knights-Fees Advowsons Liberties Royalties and all other things belonging to the said County Castles Lands and Cantreds as well in England as in Wales and the Marches thereof as fully and under the same Conditions as himself had received them before he was King from which time he had the Title of Earl of Chester added to his Style But intending to enable him yet better to maintain this his Dignity the next day the King gave him all the Corn as well in Granges as growing on the Ground as also all the Arms Victuals Cattle Goods and Chattels in all the said Castles Lands and other Places to him before granted together with all Debts Arrearages of Accounts and other Services due to himself But in the m Cart. 11. Ed 3. n. 55. Eleventh Year of his Reign and the Seventh of this Princes Age upon the Death of John of Eltham Earl of Cornwall the King created him Duke of Cornwall as appears by his Charter of Creation bearing Date the 17 of March the same Year investing him by the Sword only which was the first Precedent for the Creation of the Title of Duke with us in England At the same time the King setled upon him divers Mannors and Franchises expresly set down in the said Charter for the better support of his Ducal State and Honour all which thô some lay in other Counties were thereby made part of the Dutchy of Cornwall And further by Letters Patents dated the same day he granted unto him the Stanneries in Cornwall together with the Coinage of Tynn and all the Issues and Profits thence arising as also the Profits and Perquisits of the Courts of the Stanneries except only a 1000 Marks granted to William Montagu then Earl of Salisbury and his Heirs out of the Issues thereof till Lands were provided for the said Earl of that yearly Value And afterwards granted that all the Castles Honours Mannors Lands and Tenements belonging to the Dukedom or Earldom of Cornwall which were held in Dower or for term of Life or Years whose Reversions belonged to the King should remain to this Prince as Duke still as they fell and to the Eldest Sons of him and his Heirs as Dukes of the foresaid Dukedom After this in the Parliament held in the Seventeenth of this King his Father he n 12 Maii Car. 17. Ed. 3. m. 24. n. 27. Created him Prince of Wales and invested him with a Coronet a Gold Ring and a Silver Rod And the better to support his State as Prince of Wales he gave him several Lands which are all particularly enumerated in a Writt directed to William Emeldon to deliver them unto this Prince or his Attourney He also gave him all Debts and Arrears of Foreign Rents due to himself for what cause soever in North-Wales and South-Wales to the time of his being created Prince of Wales as also all Victuals Arms Horses and other Cattel Goods and Chattels in all the Castles and Lands which he held by the Kings Grant. After all which this Noble Prince was made Knight of the Garter at the First Institution of that Famous Order and lastly Prince of Aquitain in France and for his Courage and Conduct his Policy and Courtesie became in time the most Renowned Captain in the World being for his Dreadfull Deeds in War as most agree sirnamed by the French le Neoir or the Black-Prince VI. In these Days the Young King of England finding himself a Father began indeed to play the Man and thô he was then but 18 Years of Age takes a resolution to govern his Realm no more by Others but Himself in Person hearing and learning the Truth in weighty Affairs and distributing Justice and Mercy to such who should lay the best claim to either But while Mortimer held his present Station 't was not possible the King should be Master of his own Purposes Now therefore to him we hasten who seems already to have been too long free from that Vengeance which always pursues ambitious and bloody Traitors Of his Treachery and Cruelty we had no small Instances before But by a certain fatal Ordinance that wicked Men must of themselves advance and further their own Ruine his insupportable Arrogance and too opiniative Security thence proceeding was the chief Occasions of his suddain Downfall In the Quindenes of St. Michael the King holding a Parliament at Nottingham Mortimer appear'd in such splendour and so well attended that he became both the Envy and Terror of all the Kings Friends no man durst name him by any other Title than his new-acquired but much-envy'd one the Earl of March And his Interest and possessions bound those to him whom his Power could not move For in these days he bore such sway that he obtain'd whatever he had a mind to as appears by these following Grants from the Young King who by his o Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 146. Cart. 4. Ed. 3. n. 64. Charter dated this Year besides all he had got before granted unto him the Castle and Mannor of Hanley with the Chaces of Malverne and Cors in the Counties of Worcester and Glocester also the Town of Wiche in Worcestershire with the Castle of Clifford and Mannor of Glasebury part of the Possessions of Hugh Spencer the younger not yet free from
the Scots having gotten together a considerable Army resolv'd to raise the Siege from before Barwick but when they saw too much difficulty in the undertaking they proceeded over the Tweed into Northumberland where being informed that the young Queen of England was in the Castle of Bamburgh near the River Warne they immediately laid their Siege thereto if by any means for her sake at least they might so oblige King Edward to rise from before Barwick But this Prince was not so Uxorious and besides he well knew the Great strength of that Place and that his Queen had sufficient Provision both of Men and Victuals so that for all this he stirred not thô he heard likewise how the Scots during this their Siege before Bamburgh f Walsingh hist p. 114. n. 30. overran the whole Country with their Detachments Ravaging and Destroying whatever they could find for six days together During this Siege of Barwick there arose g Powel's Hist of Wales p. 147. ex Joh. Bâ—sweâ—'s Concords of Armery fol. 80. a great Controversie between two English Knights the one Sr. William Fackenham Appellant and the other Sr. John Sitsylt alias Cecil Defendant The Quarrel was concerning an Ensign of Arms which were h Ashmole p. 715. 716. in Kts. 355. 391. 400 417. Sandford p. 378 In Margin A Field Barry of Ten pieces Argent and Azure on six Escutcheons three two and one Sable as many Lions Rampant of the First Which Arms each of these Knights challenged as his Right and proffer'd to maintain the same by Combat in their proper Persons But it pleased the King that the Heralds should decide this matter by Law and Justice without shedding of Blood and so the Right of bearing those Arms was solemnly adjudged to Sr. John Cecill as Heir of Blood lineally descended from the Body of James Cecill Baron of Beauport slain at the Siege of Wallingford Castle in the Fourth of King Stephen Which Lord James Cecill was Son of Sr. Robert Sitsylt for that is the right Ancient Name who in the Days of King William Rufus went with Robert Fitz-Haimo to the Conquest of the County of Glamorgan after which he Married a Lady by whom he had Alterennes and other Lands in Hereford and Glocestershire From these Cecills in a direct Line is the Right Honourable i Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 408. Vid. Powel's Hist of Wales ubi tâ—ta hujus Familâ—ae Genealogia à p. 142. ad p. 147 James the Present Earl of Salisbury Vicount Cranburne descended Who when at St. Johns College in Cambridge was pleas'd to allow me the Honour of his Acquaintance whereby I am able upon Knowledge to declare that he is a Gentleman who for Loyalty Generosity and affability is most likely to Advance the Ancient and Honourable Name of the Cecills to the utmost Period of Glory But to proceed to our History all this while the Scots within Barwick had not been idle but always defended themselves gallantly and sometimes by brisk and vigorous Sallies offended their Enemies not a little For the Town was well furnished with Men of War and Provision of all sorts as having had a timely warning of what they were to expect beforehand Once they undertook to fire the English Navy thô without effect at which time Sr. William k Buchan l. 9. p. 287. Seton the Bastard of Sr. Alexander Seton a Man of great valour being about to leap on board an English Ship his own Vessel was suddenly wrought so far by the violence and motion of the Waves that falling short between the two Vessels he was unfortunately lost in the great hurry of the Engagement to the infinite regret of all that knew him Once there happen'd a sudden fire in the Town when the Captains fearing the English might make use of that advantage to their Ruine begg'd a Truce and Respit only while they might quench the Fire promising thereupon to yield the Town afterward if they had no Succour by that time But the danger of the Conflagration being once overcome they persisted in their Obstinacy Thus for three Months the Siege continued with much trouble to the Besieged as well otherwise as because of their frequent Sallies wherein for the most part they always had the worse in one of them One of Sr. Alexander Setons legitimate Sons being also taken Prisoner So that at last Sr. Alexander was so much opprest that he gave his Eldest son Sr. Thomas Seton an Hostage to King Edward that he would now without fail yield up the Town if he were not succoured by such a Day The King of England l Frois c. 26. fol. 16. would have had all yielded up simply on Discretion whereas the Besieged required their Lives and Goods to be saved till he was obliged to comply with their Request by the Advice of his Council especially of the Lord Robert of Artois who being with him in all this Expedition and observing the Barrenness of Scotland and the unprofitableness of these Wars still egg'd him on with all the earnestness imaginable to make an end here and to enterprise the Conquest of France which was his by Right of Inheritance and was rich enough to fill his Armies with Plunder Upon this account the Truce being granted and the Hostage deliver'd m Walsing Hist p. 114. Vid. M.S. Vet. Angl. in Bibl. C. C. C. c. 223. the Lord Patrick of Dumbar and Sr. Alexander Seton sent away Sr. William Keth to the Siege of Bamburgh to require the Scotch Lords speedily to come back to their Assistance assuring them That if they would Couragiously dispose themselves to fight with the two Kings they would undoubtedly prevail great Numbers of the English Army being bestow'd about in Garrison and as for the Rest they must either divide themselves when they were to fight or the Town and Castle would be at liberty to fall on their Backs while the Army engaged them in the Front. Now when Sr. William Keth had brought this Message to the Scotch Lords before Bamburgh they because also by this time the Castle seem'd impregnable as we may partly guess by those Ruins of the Walls which are yet or were very lately to be seen resolve to Rise from before the Place and to advance against the Enemy Wherefore the seventh Day from their coming thither they began their March toward Barwick and so repassing the Tweed fetch'd a compass and at last encamped in a place called Bothul near Halliden vulgarly Halidoune Hill on the North side of Barwick But before I come to the Battle I must not omit a Story which the Scotch Writers call thô nothing at all credible lest thereby I may seem partially to rob that Nation of what is esteem'd so honourable by those indiscreet Authors Both the Besiegers and the Besieged saw this Approach of the Lord Archimbald Douglas with an Army of above Sixty thousand Men At which time as they n Buchan l. 9. p. 288. Hector l.
Honor. p. 603. ad p. 6â—6 yet to have been and continued in this Family of the Dreuxes ever since the year 1268 in the days of King Edward the First untill this time and seven years after when upon the Death of this John de Dreux without Issue King Edward gave this Earldom to his Fourth Son o Ib. d. p. 610. John Plantagenet sirnamed of Gaunt Nevertheless thô I know not how nor when the Lord Robert of Artois had the Title of Earl of Richmond but I never could find that he had any Creation thereto But this John Dreux as we intimated just now died seven years after in the 15 of this King leaving no Issue behind him thô he had been thrice Married To whom John Earl of Montford his Half-brother succeeded in the Dukedom of Bretagne which John was Father to John sirnamed the Valiant after his Fathers decease Duke of Bretagne of whose Wars and gallant Exploits this History makes honourable mention III. Immediately after this Enterview at Newcastle the two Kings parted the One toward Scotland the Other for Windsor whence King Edward speedily issued out his Summons to the Lords both Spiritual and Temporal commanding them to meet him at Nottingham on the 10th of that instant July there with him to advise about Affairs concerning the Weal of the Realm In this Council 't was ordain'd that a Parliament should be call'd at Westminster to meet on the 24th of September or the Exaltation of the Holy Cross the day bearing some proportion with the Design which was to exalt the interest of Christendom At which time the Parliament being assembled the Pious Young King did then declare That being thereto invited by his Kinsman the Duke of Bretagne who came in Embassy from France he had formed a Resolution to march with his Cosen the French King and other Christian Princes into the Holy Land to advance the Cross of Christ against the Turks and Infidels For thô he had not as yet answer'd King Philip directly when he requested his Society in this Croisade because he had been credibly informed that King Philip about this time had victuall'd and mann'd out ten great Ships which he design'd for Scotland in pursuance of King Davids Quarrel yet forasmuch as those Vessels being miserably shatter'd at Sea were at last forced to return home without any effect and because now Scotland seem'd fully settled under the government of King Bailiol all things appearing safe from those Quarters and quiet at home himself also flourishing with Riches Honour Children and full and vigorous Youth he declares as we said before to this Parliament his Resolution to partake with Christendom in this pious and honourable Enterprise And thô he did not expresly limit the time since there can be no exact certainty before hand of such weighty and slow-moving matters yet then he appointed Dr. John Stratford Archbishop of Canterbury as his Ambassador to go to the Pope and to the French King to consider and agree with them as of other things so especially about the Time when the two Kings should set forward to the Holy Land together But for all this althô the Lord Robert of Artois could by no means prevail to divert the King from this Design to that of claiming his Right in France which he earnestly labour'd to persuade him to Yet thrô some secret Ordinance of Providence it happen'd even while this Parliament sat that by other means he was compell'd to take other Measures Which were not indeed so happy for Europe but nothing less glorious to this English Monarch IV. For King Bailiol being thus fully settled in his Kingdom of Scotland and no way fearing that his Enemies had any Ability left sufficient in the least to shake his Throne began first himself to open a way to his own Ruine by imprudently occasioning Discord among his most powerfull Friends Many of his Followers had been long disinherited of their Rights in Scotland and several interchangable Marriages happening the while among them it was utterly impossible to avoid but that some Controversies would happen in deciding matters now by adjusting all things equally And besides all this not a few who had no great Concerns in that Kingdom before could not yet but merit high Considerations from the Bailiol in regard of their late Services Among Others John Lord p Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 81. Waren Earl of Surry was now by full consent of Scotch and English Nobles created Earl of Strathern instead of Malisius the late Earl who had forfeited that his Honour by Rebellion Thô afterwards q Dagd 2 Vol. p. 51. at the sollicitation of Malisius his Friends great endeavours were used for Revocation of that Judgment and Forfeiture This was one difficult Point insomuch that King Edward of England whose clearer Judgment saw the ill Consequences of these matters had by his Letters to King Bailiol desired him that the Business might be publiquely discussed by his Nobles and Faithfull Peers of the Realm and not by such whose Fidelity might be called in question And he had also sent his Letters to Henry Lord Beaumont one of the chief of King Bailiols Council requiring him to use his utmost interest for preventing any sudden Determination in that business Considering of what ill Example it would be as also of peril to himself and others in the like case But there arose another Controversie higher than this by far For whereas the Lord Henry Beaumont had already received what he claimed in Right of his r Hector p. 316. 60. Buchan l. 9. p. 290. Lady Alice one of the Cosens and Coheirs of the Lord John Cumin Earl of Buquhan as was shew'd before now it seems her Uncle Sr. Alexander Moubray a potent Man lately brought over to the Batliol claim'd a Purparty of her Lands from the said Lord Beaumont The Cause was debated in Parliament with great heat the Lord Richard Å¿ The One was Lord Beaumont's Wife 's Sister's Husband the other Sister's Sen. vid. l. 1. c. 6. §. 9. Talbot and David Strabolgi Earl of Athol taking part with the Lord Beaumont their Kinsman and Others as their Opinions Humour or Interest lead them with the Lord Moubray King Bailiol thinking himself sure of his Old Friends and hoping now for ever to bind fast unto him this late-reconciled Enemy too rashly adjudged the matter in behalf of Sr. Alexander Moubray As it was too soon done it was too late repented of for the other Party was immediately so exasperated that in the very Parliament House they could scarce forbear flying to extremities But the Parliament hereupon being presently adjourn'd the Quarrel seem'd to sleep for a while Yet however King Bailiol who by the greatness of the Smoak perceived what a dangerous Fire was kindled doubting the worst made towards Barwick in all hast for his better security with Sr. Alexander Moubray in his company The Lord t Hecter fol. 316 60. Buchan p. 290. Richard
such manner as shall be by the Kings of England and Scotland devised 9. Item That the Lord Eustace de Lorrain shall have his Lands and Tenements which he ought to have within the Realm of Scotland and if any man hath trespassed against him he shall have his Recovery by Law. Dat. at St. Johnston in Scotland the 18 of August Anno Dom. 1335. Now whereas it was before remembred that these Commissioners were empowred not only from the Earl of Athol but also from the Lord Robert Stuart himself it is not so much to be admired that so great a Man as Prince Robert who was now sole Governour of Scotland for King David his Kinsman should yield so far as to admit of an Agreement so much to his Masters Detriment with the King of England I say it is not so greatly to be admired if we but consider the extream Necessity that drove him to it in that juncture he himself being very sick at Dumbriton and his late Partner in the Government the Lord John Randall Earl of Murâ—â—y being at the same time prisoner at London and likely to continue in that Condition because he had both before and now also refus'd to accept of King Edwards Peace Thô indeed no great sincerity was on the Scots Party but the wonderfull Streights they were in required a little Dissimulation and outward Compliance till a better Opportunity Nay 't is said by a very e Knighton p. 2568. n. 10. ancient and authentick Historian that the greatest part of the Scotch Nobility among whom the foresaid Lords no doubt are included being wearied out by these continual Harassings and Desolations came in voluntarily and submitted themselves entirely to the King of England on these Conditions That they should obey the Bailiol as their King during his Life the mean while King David with his Queen to live privately but honourably at London and upon the Death of King Bailiol who as yet had no Children to succeed That they would oblige King David to come to the Parliament which was to be at London the next Michaelmas and to stand to the King of Englands Awardment and Arbitration In the mean while they yielded their Homage to him as to their Superior Lord. VIII But the King of France having knowledge hereof out of Envy to King Edward's Glory or because he found it more conducible to his own Affairs to have the Interests of Scotland and England still divided dealt so assiduously with the Scots by promising himself to stand by them that all this came to Nothing nor did King David appear at all in that Parliament as they had engaged he should do The mean time King Edward thô he had great hopes that the Scots would at last stand to this their own Agreement however thought it not becoming the Wisdom of a King to repose himself too much on the Faith of others especially considering the Mutability of that People and their strong Inclinations to France Wherefore he resolves so to strengthen himself that if they should be False they should not be over Dangerous and so having already f Holinshead Scotl. p 236. Ashmole p. 646. fortified St. Johnston he now goes to Striveling where on the plat of ground on which the late Castle had stood he built a strong Fortress called the Pile thence he proceeded to Bothwill where he added much strength and a Garrison to that Castle appointing Thomas Lord Barkley to victual it from Edinburgh who was so good a Convoy to what he brought thither that he discomfited one night the Lord William Douglas who lay in Ambush for him with little or no loss to himself but with such an entire Victory that Douglas himself with only three more could hardly escape and that by the Benefit of the Night too Edinburgh also about this time is rebuilt and committed to the g Buchan p. 297 Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 143. Custody of Sr. John Striveling afterwards a Baron of this Realm And having thus provided for the Peace of Scotland the King returns in Health and Honour into England leaving a good part of his Forces behind him with King Bailiol and other his Captains for the better Security of his Affairs that way A little before which the Famous Warrier the Lord h Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 327. Richard Talbot was Redeemed from his Imprisonment for 2000 Marks by the Favour of Prince Robert Stuart who highly Respected Worth thô in an Enemy IX But the Lord i Walsing Hyped p. 113. Holinshead Scot. p. 236. Buchan l. 9. p. 295 Hector Boeth l. 15. p. 319. David Strabolgi Earl of Athol having now fully obtain'd a Pardon from King Edward as we shew'd before that he might again purchase his good Opinion resolves to be in Action for him with the foremost Having therefore provided himself with competent Forces Horse Foot and other Necessaries he presently lays Siege to the Castle of Kildrummy on the River Done that held still for the Bruceans The mean while certain of the Brucean Lords as Patrick Earl of Dunbar the Lord Andrew Murray William Douglas and others prepar'd to go against him as well to punish his Revolt and Perjury as to Relieve the Besieged Of this the Earl having timely notice seemingly Raises the Siege but indeed Marches directly forth in good Order of Battle to meet the Enemy Both Armies joyned in the fields of Kilblaine where began a very fierce Encounter for generally in Civil Dissentions when mens Minds are mutually exasperated the Animosity wherewith they contend is greater than that of different Nations As the fallings out of old Friends are usually more fierce than those of Strangers But at length the Earl of Athol who was Superior in number and no way Inferior in Skill or Courage to his Enemies had carried away a Compleat Victory had not Sr. John Crab the Captain of Kildrummy Castle instructed either by secret Notice or his own Conjecture issued out of his Castle with 300 fresh Men who coming suddenly on the Backs of the Atholians in the very Instant of their Victory and falling on with great Fury Noise and Clamour so terrified them and added such Courage to the almost Conquer'd Bruceans that the Victory now presently enclin'd the other way Upon this Earl David disdaining to fly or to be taken alive to suffer a Publique Execution or perhaps not dispairing by a Vigorous Opposition to wrest back the Victory again with a Select Troop of his Best Friends makes a Desperate Impression upon the Enemy Where Fighting a while Valiantly he was notwithstanding finally slain by the Hands of Sr Alexander Gurdon There fell with him of the Nobles k Buchan p. 295 Sr. Robert Brady and Sr. Walter Cumin whose Brother Sr. Thomas being taken alive was the next day condemned to lose his Head Some few escaped into the Castle of Camoron with the Captain thereof Robert Menneth who yet were compelled to yield the next day for want
like unto Cherries but without any Stones let who can tell the Meaning of the Prodigy says Walsingham CHAPTER the TENTH The CONTENTS I. King Edward sends a fresh Embassy to the Earl of Heinalt with an account of 500 Gentlemen Voluntiers whose Captains were the Lord Walter Manny and the Lord James Audley with the success of the Ambassadors II. King Edward endeavors also to bring over the Flemings the Earl of Flanders puts to death the Lord Sigar of Courtray whereby he looses the Affections of his People who vanquish him in battle and put him to flight III. The Rise of Jacob van Arteveld in Gaunt his Popularity Power and Interest IV. The English Ambassadors make use of him to bring over the Flemings to the King their Master with their Success V. The King in Parliament creates his Son the Prince Duke of Cornwall and makes seven Earls the Prince at the same time dubbs twenty new Knights with other things relating to that Parliament and the Affairs of Ireland All the Lands of the Priors Aliens throughout England seised into the Kings Hands and by him let to farm VI. William the Good Earl of Heinalt dies an instance of his Justice and an account of a Divine Judgment upon an unnatural Sister William Son to the Good Earl succeeds the Countess Dowager goes into a Nunnery VII King Edward sends to demand the Crown of France and makes many Potent Friends in High-Germany and elsewhere King Philip seeks to draw off the Flemings to himself but in vain VIII King Philip sets a Garrison in Catsand to intercept the English Commissioners King Edward beats them out IX King Edward holds a Treaty of Peace with Philip and with his Allies for further enabling him in the War. X. The Pope intercedes The King calls a Parliament I. KING Edward the mean while not to slack his Business a 16 Decemb. Pat. 10. Ed. 3. p. 2. m. 6. Ashmole p. 646. sends a Commission to the Earl of Heinalt wherein he is stiled William Earl of Heinalt Holland and Zealand and Lord of Friseland our Father-in-Law and thereby constitutes him his Proctor to treat and agree with such Noblemen Persons of Note as he should think best touching both Alliances and Retainers He also sent Commissions with the like Power and under the same Date to William Marquis of Juliers the Kings Brother-in-Law he b Rittershusius in Tab. Com. Hollandiae Selandiae c. having married Joan Sister to Queen Philippa to Sr. John Montgomery Knight and to Doctor John Waweyn Canon of Darlington his Liegers in those Parts In April following a like Commission bearing Date the 19 of the said Month AN. DOM. 1337. An. Regni XI was issued to Henry Bishop of Lincoln William Lord Montagu and William Lord Clinton then newly made Earls and they immediately dispatch'd to the Earl of Heinalt on another Embassy far more honourable than before For it consisted of ten Great Batons and fourty other Knights c Frois c. 28. fol. 17. b. who were all fully instructed to treat further with the Earl and to article and conclude with such Lords of the Empire as by the said Earl had been nominated When they were come to Valenciennes each of them kept a great State and Port sparing for no Expence no more than if the King of England had been there in Person whereby they were highly extolled and respected by the People of those Parts In the Company of these English Knights there was a gallant Troop of young English Batchelors who had all their left Eyes hoodwink'd and clos'd up with a piece of Silk It was talk'd as if they had made a Vow to their Mistresses in England That they would never take off those Patches till they had passed into France and there performed some notable Exploit of Arms upon that Nation Some say d Lord Montaigne in his Essays l. 2. c. 25. that for all this they could never hear of any great Matter performed by any of them If not certainly 't is for want of Reading or Understanding For of this Resolute Company were no less than 500 Captains whereof were reported the young Lord Walter Manny that afterwards did Wonders in France and was the first that begun the War as we shall shew presently the young Lord Thomas Holland and also the noble Lord James Audely e Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 748. b. then not three and twenty Years of Age of whose valiant Acts and Heroick Exploits in the French Wars the Histories of both Nations make very honourable Mention In his Minority being under the Guardianship of Roger Lord Mortimer first Earl of March he was by him cheated into a Recognisance of ten thousand Marks which Debt as a Chattel became due to the King upon the Attaindure of the said Mortimer But his Majesty being soon convinced of his high Merit for thô so young he accompanied the King in all his Wars at his own Expences freely discharged him of that Summ. He bore for his Arms Gules a Fret Or and was afterwards one of that most honourable Company whom King Edward chose for his First Companions of the most Noble Order of the Garter and particularly in the Field of Poictiers he behav'd himself so eminently well that he obtain'd this Testimony of John then King of France to have best approved himself of any Knight whether French or English in Battle that day But I must not forestall the Reader by too long a Digression only this I thought necessary in order to refute the Lord Montaigne and to shew what kind of Gentlemen these were and that at least some of their Actions were not inferior to their Promises However this f Frois c. 28. f. 17. b. Vow of theirs was rumor'd as the occasion of those honourable Patches while they were at the Court of Earl William at Valenciennes thô they themselves would by no means acknowledge any such thing because the War was not yet declared These English Lords with their Company having thus for a while kept together in great splendor did notwithstanding all the while ply their Masters Business so well that by the g Ashmole p. 647. ex Rot. Aleman 11 Ed. 3. m. 9 10 11. 24 of May ensuing they had fully engaged divers of the Nobility and Others in Heinalt Gueldre and the Marquisate of Juliers to appear in the Kings Assistance against the French and withall settled the Proportion of Men and Arms wherewith each of them were to furnish the King in that Service together with the Stipends and Wages to be paid them in lieu thereof The mean time the h Frois ibid. Bishop of Lincoln taking some of the Chiefs with him rode to John Duke of Brabant who entertained them with much Honour and lighty accorded to their Motion Promising to sustain the King of Englands Quarrel to the best of his Power as well by Council as by Force of Arms That his Country should be open to his
Lords and Prelates met again in the Cathedral of Cologne where they heard Divine Service and after High Mass the Emperour and all his Barons swore to the King of England That they would stand by him help and defend him against the King of France and all his Adherents both to live and to die with him for the space of Seven whole Years to come provided the War to be between the said Kings should not be compounded before that time It was also further sworn that all the Barons of Almain from Cologne and on this Side should presently enter the King of Englands Service and should always be ready to come unto him as often as they should be summoned thereto against the King of France as well where the King of England should be in Person as to any other Place to which he should assign them And if it should happen any of the said Lords of Almain should refuse to obey the said King of England in the Premises that then all the other Lords of High Germany should rise in Arms against that Man till they had destroy'd him At this time n Nicâ—laus Minâ—rita M.S. Bib. Vatican sign n. 4008. apud Odoric Rainald ad â—â—nc annum §. 68. also there was a certain Sanction formerly made repeated in King Edwards Presence containing these two Points the First That the Administration of the Empire belongs to the King of the Romans as soon as ever he is Elected by the Seven Electors without the Pope's Confirmation and the Other That those are Proscribed who do not obey him or as Rebdorf says that whosoever for the future shall esteem Lewis to be Excommunicate or shall omit Divine Service for any Papal Sentences shall be Proscribed in Body and Goods Which latter Clause chiefly respected the Bishop of Cambray who upon that Account had left the Emperor and revolted to the French King. These matters being thus fully contracted and established after many enterchangeable Caresses and Magnificent Entertainments the King of England took his leave of the Emperour and return'd with all his Company to Brabant The mean time o Frois c. 34. several great Lords of England rode about Flanders and Heinalt at their pleasure being wonderfull Magnificent and Liberal in their Expences freely bestowing Gifts of Gold and Silver and other Jewels to the Lords and Ladies of the Country to purchase their Good Wills And truly they obtain'd the very Hearts of the Country but especially they were extolled among the common Sort because of the splendid Shew they made wherever they came All these things must needs have been matter of incredible Expence and Charge to that Mighty Monarch And indeed it seem'd that he had made good Progress in his Affairs having succeeded so well with the Emperour and the Lords of Germany But those Friends that are made by Money commonly fall off at the appearance of a greater Interest and when they have got what they could expect as within a while all these did Thô as it chanced he gain'd more Glory thereby performing afterwards of himself what had been no such great matter to have done with the help of the Empire 's Forces As we shall see hereafter V. Now King Edward upon his Return into Brabant p Frois c. 34. fol. 19. sends his Summons to the Duke of Gueldre the Earl of Juliers and all other his Allies in those Parts to come to him about q Novemb. 11 the Feast of St. Martin the Bishop to his Parliament to be holden at Arques in the County of Leuze near Brabant or as r Knighton p. 2572. n. 30. One says at Malines in Brabant Against which time the Town Hall was as richly adorn'd with Hangings and other Royal Furniture as if it had been the King 's own Chamber of Presence Thither at the time appointed came the Duke of Brabant and the Duke of Gueldre the young Earl of Heinalt the Earl of Juliers the Lord of Valkenberg or as the French pronounce it Faulquemont and all other Barons on this side Cologne except only the Bishop of Liege who had no less than Å¿ Ferrarii Lexâ—n Leodium twenty four Cities as they call them subject unto him both as a Secular Prince and as a Bishop In this Parliament t Frois ibid. King Edward in his Royal Robes with a Crown of Gold on his Head sat on a Stately Throne five foot higher than any other and there the Emperours Letters Patents were openly read wherein was declar'd That King Edward of England was made Vicar General or Lieutenant for the Emperour and as so had full Power to make Laws and to administer Justice to every person in the Emperours Name and to coin Money both Gold and Silver at his own Pleasure with his own Stamp and Inscription It was also commanded by these the Emperours Letters Patents that the Lords and other Subjects of the Empire should yield Obedience and pay Homage to the King of England his Vicar as to himself And the Lords of Germany there present u Knighton p. 2572. n. 40. promised in all things to obey him according as their Liege Lord the Emperour had commanded and that they were both willing and ready to attend his Service to the utmost of their Power Immediately hereupon certain x Frois ibid. Claims were made and judgment given between Parties as before the Emperour himself and at the same time a Statute before-time made by the Emperour was renew'd being to this effect That whoever design'd War or Combat or any other Harm against any Person Kingdom or Country should make his Challenge or Defiance at least three Days before he began any Hostile Deed otherwise that the Author should be look'd on as a Malefactor and the Deed Villanous Then the King y Knighton p. 2572. n. 40. 50. sent forth his Summons to the Bishop of Liege to come in accordding to his Duty but he absolutely refus'd to obey him for his Heart was French all over Whereupon the King sent Henry Burwash Lord Bishop of Lincoln to make Complaint of him before the Emperour and to require Justice against him to which it was answer'd That the Emperour himself would shortly come in Person to the Aid of his most Dear Brother-in-Law the King of England for it was expected that a great War would begin the next Spring between the two Nations VI. After this the Lords of Almain departed having first agreed upon a Day wherein they were all to appear before Cambray which was at that time in the French Hands thô belonging to the Empire there to lay their Siege to wit on the 8 of July the Year following being Wednesday in the Third Week after the Feast of St. John Baptist King Edward went back to Louvain to the Queen who as we said before was newly come thither out of England well accompanied with Ladies her Maids of Honour and other Gentlewomen who went over as well to wait
Messengers on your Behalf declared and as they pleased enjoyned us cannot be secret or hid as being publiquely told before Notaries and a multitude of Men. The first of whom viz. the Lord Nicolas Cantilupe bringing with him Royal Letters of Credence under the Privy Seal and delivering his Credence enjoyned and cited us that within eight Days then immediately following upon the account of certain of your Majesties Debts for which we stood bound we should forthwith cross the Seas into Brabant there constantly to tarry till the said Debts should be fully satisfied But the other Messenger namely the Lord Ralph Stafford as if he had come from a long journey and had brought no Letter at all with him said unto us only by word of Mouth I cite thee to appear before the King assuring us also by word of Mouth only that we ought not to fear the Traps of those that threatned us If therefore such Messages as these were consonant to certain Clauses in that part inserted in your Letters let a just Judge determin It must needs seem to any circumspect Person that to go presently into Brabant and yet to tarry still in England for the gaining of the foresaid Informations contains meer Repugnances And let your Majesty know that no vain Fear Pride Disobedience Contempt or Conscience of Guilt withheld us from the delectable Sight of your Royal Face but it was the most just reason above alledged duly considered And that we may speak with due and respectfull Reverence althô your Royal Letters of Conduct for Coming to your Council Staying and returning might at first view seem sufficient if indeed we had been called to your Council as we were not Yet that same Day whereon your Letters were brought to us there was a Royal Brief directed to the High-Sheriff of Kent that he should oblige us to come before You and your Council at London to answer about a certain Contempt in the said Brief contained But with what zeal to your Justice that matter was conceived God knows For thô the Royal Conduct it self gave us free Liberty of Returning yet the very Nature of the said Brief laid upon us a strict necessity of staying in the hands of our Enemies Which thing by no means did or may become the Majesty of a King. Yet we as we said before have always been and shall be ready in the presence of your Majesty the Prelates Barons and Peers of the Land to answer to whatever shall be objected against us and to stand to the judgment of our Peers in all things our State and Order always preserved But those who endeavour to hinder the Convocation of a Parliament pretending for an Occasion that there is no lawfull Cause endeavour to decline the Declaration of the Truth the Truth it self witnessing which says n n John c. 3. v. 20. For every one that doth evil hateth the light As to that which is inserted in the said Letters that We To the 4 Article being exalted by the Royal Bounty to great Honours upon whom as a most Dear Father your Soul reposed were now cruelly changed into an heavy and unnatural Step-father unto You forgetfull of Benefits received ungratefull and pursuing our Benefactor and that we have served You as a Mouse in a Bag a Serpent in the Lap and Fire in the Bosom with an ill Requital for your kindness The Truth being thus concealed and Falshood set forth in laying to our Charge this Ingratitude saving your Reverence not very truly rather from the Malice of him that dictated the Letters than of him that sent them we thus answer For it is said by the mouth of Truth o o Matth. c. 19. v. 29. Every one that hath forsaken Houses or Brethren or Sisters or Father or Mother or Wife or Children or Lands for my Names Sake shall receive an hundred fold and shall inherit Everlasting Life Now him that spake the Premises we call for our Witness that from that time wherein we labour'd in your Service spiritually according to the Knowledge granted unto us from the Most High we did so much apply our Mind with all Sincerity Loyalty Devotion and Diligence as we premised to the dispatch of your Affairs for your Honour and the Weal of your Kingdom that we not only left our Father and Mother our Wife that is our Church and our Spiritual Children the Care and Culture of our Houses and Lands and also of our Selves but being day and night sollicitous for You and your Affairs we often passed the night without Sleep and by no means spparing our Labours either beyond or on this side the Sea we have I pray God it be not to the peril of our Soul quite wasted our Body and by spending our temporal Goods are as it were made Beggars and by minding your Advantage and that of your Realm have lost the Love both of Clergy and People as the World knows And whether these be the Actions of a Step-father or of a Father let him judge who knows not how to lie the Almighty True God! For unto you we have ever been a kind Father but unto our Spiritual Children which with grief we declare for your sake an heavy Step-father We were not a Mouse in your Bag because in your service we did not feed on what was yours but on our own What we have of a Serpent we shew in exercising his Wisdom not in pouring forth the malice of his Poison in your Lap as also by earnest desires kindling Fire of Divine Love and Charity which doth not consume in your Bosom but according to the knowledge given unto us of the Lord enlighten For all which since there is no reward allow'd from Man let him reward us who is the Rewarder of all Good Men. Nor will that our Exaltation by Royal Benefits diminish our Reward from the Most High Which yet was charged unto us as we have evinced by the malice of the Dictator especially since it would not become the Royal Magnificence to repeat such Upbraidings For it is not thrô the Collation or Procurement of any Secular Prince whatsoever that we are any thing exalted by the Benefits and magnificent Honours which hitherto we have enjoy'd but thrô the gracious Munificence of God p p James c. 1. v. 5. who giveth liberally unto all and upbraids no man of the Good things he hath given But as to that which under a kind of covert is spitefully thrown against us To the 5 Article That we have defamed the Kings Innocence and the Fidelity and Diligence of his Counsellors and Officers who pursue Justice publiquely in our Letters declaring that in these latter times by the Royal Power contrary to Justice the Laity is oppressed the Clergy confounded and Holy Church burthen'd with divers Exactions Taxes and Talliages whether the Premises are grounded on Truth the Most High well knoweth For laying aside all Equivocation we have incessantly studied in Mind and Spirit to
made shift to escape to the Camp where they related the whole Matter At this such as were most ready rose up to Rescue the Prey which they overtook near the Barriers of the Town And here began a fierce skirmish the Nantois being hard put to it by reason of the Numbers that flow'd in upon them from the Camp but however some of them took the Horses out of the Wagons upon the first approach of the Enemy and drove them in at the Gate that the Frenchmen might not easily drive back the Provision Hereupon Fresh Men came out of the City to relieve their Companions so the Fray multiplied and many were slain and hurt on both sides for Recruits continually came both from the Camp and City Wherefore the Lord Henry du Leon the Earl of Monford's Chief Captain perceiving that by continuing the Fight in this Manner he might by Degrees engage the whole City with the whole Army without any Advantage of his Walls and other Works thought best to sound a Retreat now before it grew worse But then the pursuit was so close upon their heels that more than 200 of the Burgesses were taken and slain Wherefore the Earl Monford when the business was over blamed Sr. Henry du Leon very severely for Retreating so soon At which unseasonable Reproof Sr. Henry who had hitherto been his Main Support was infinitely disgusted and for the future came not to any Council of War as his Manner was Which made many to wonder what his Design should be Soon * Frois c. 72. after this Mischance 't is said that some of the Chief Burgesses considering how their substance went daily to wreck both without and within the City and that already several of their Friends and Children were Prisoners if no worse and that themselves were in no less Danger privately agreed together to hold a Treaty with the Lords of France This Plot was carried on so closely by the connivance at least of Sr. Henry du Leon that it was concluded all the Prisoners should be deliver'd they in Lieu thereof engaging to set open their Gates that the French Lords might enter and take the Earl of Monford's Person in the Castle without doing any harm to the City the Inhabitants or their Goods Some lay all this Contrivance and the Menagement thereof to Sr. Henry du Leon's Charge who had been One of the Earls Privy-Counsellors his Friend and Chief Captain till that unhappy Accident whereby the Earl was provok'd to take him up so roundly However according to this Device so one Morning early it was effected The French Lords found easie entrance went straight to the Castle brake open the Gates and there took the Unhappy Earl Prisoner and led him clear out of the City into their Field without doing any further harm in the World This happen'd about the Feast of All-Saints in the Year of our Lord MCCCXLI After this the Lords of France and Sr. Charles of Blois enter'd the City again with great Triumph and there all the Burgesses and others did Fealty and Homage to the Lord Charles of Blois as to their Right Sovereign and True Duke of Bretagne For three Days they all continued here in great Jollity and Feasting because of this their unexpected Success After which the Lord Charles was advised to tarry thereabout till the next Summer and to set Captains in the places he had won But most of the other Lords return'd to Paris with the Earl of Monford their Prisoner XI Now Margaret the Countess of Monford who had the Courage of a man and the heart of a Lion was in the City of Rennes at what time her Lord was taken and althô she had a due sense of this great Misfortune yet she bore a good Countenance Recomforted her Friends and Souldiers and shewing them her little Son John said Gentlemen be not overmuch dismay'd at this mischance of my Lord the Earl whom We have unhappily lost He was but a Mortal Man and so all our hope ought not to rest on him But behold this my little Son who by the Grace of God shall be his Restorer and your Benefactor I have Riches enough so that you shall want for Nothing and I doubt not but to purchase such a Captain to be your Leader who shall be Wise Valiant and Noble When she had thus animated her Men in Rennes then she went about to all the Fortresses and good Towns that held of her side and still she carried along with her the little Lord John her Son and fortify'd all her Garrisons and spake to them as she had done to those at Rennes and paid largely and gave great Gifts where she thought it Convenient After all things were settled she went to the strong Town of Hennebond where she and her Son tarried all that Winter and frequently she sent to visit her Garrisons and paid all Men well and truly their Wages The mean while her Lord was a close Prisoner in the Louvre in Paris without hopes of Escape or Redemption Thô it will appear that about 3 years after upon certain Conditions which he kept not he got his Liberty but he died so soon after that it is hardly worth taking notice of and that I take to be the Reason why many Historians say nothing of it but rather think he died in Prison Thus much thô great part thereof seems a Digression was necessary to be said in order to clear what follows next Year of the Wars of Bretagne wherein England was concern'd I shall now take leave to speak something of the Scotch Affairs relating to the end of this and the beginning of the following Year Which after a small Digression we shall pursue more closely XII The last Year We show'd briefly how the Scots succeeded during King Edwards absence he lying at that time before Tournay So that having at last taken Edenburgh by Stratagem they had left nothing of Scotland in the English Hands but Striveling Barwick and Roxborough Now at King Edwards Return into England nothing was yet done against them because they were comprehended in the first Years Truce with France y Knighton p. 2580. But the King went about St. Andrews toward Scotland and kept his Christmas at Melros-Abbey Henry the Noble Earl of Darby keeping the same Festival at Roxborough hard by To Roxborough came the Lord William Douglas with Three Scotch Knights to Just with the Earl of Darby and his Knights which Martial Sport being honourably maintain'd on both sides the Scots departed for that time but shortly after the said Earl of Darby being then at Barwick twelve Knights of Scotland came thither also for the same purpose who were presently Match'd by as many English Of the Scotch Knights two by chance were slain and one Sr. John Twyford of the English Earls Retinue all the Rest came off with safety and Honour on each side King Edward presently after Christmas Return'd to Langley in Hertfordshire z Stow p. 238.
Place they came to was Ville Franche in Agenois which together with the Castle was taken by Assault and here the Earl made an Esquire of his named Thomas Cook Captain whom thereupon he Knighted Thus the Earl of Darby without any Resistance overran the Country and conquer'd Towns and Castles and wan much Spoil and great Riches all which like a Noble Prince he distributed among his Men. IX From hence he rode to u Frois c. 113. Mirapont in his way toward Bourdeaux for all this while the Currours of his Army never went near St. Mary-Port which having held out three Days yielded on the Fourth and this Place he committed to the Care of a Valiant Esquire of his John Bristow Thence he sent out a Detachment which took in a little enclosed Town called Tonneins standing on the River Garonne and after that a strong Castle named Damasan a little lower on the other side the said River which was furnished with a convenient Garrison Then the Earl went up higher into Angoulemois and sat down with all his Forces before the great City of Angoulesme saying he would not stir thence till he had it at his Pleasure But the Citizens being terrify'd with his Successes made a Composition with him to send 24 of their Chief Burgesses their Hostages to Bourdeaux That he should give them Respit for a Moneth Within which time if the French King send a sufficient Captain to keep the Field against him then they to have their Hostages restored and to be acquitted of all Obligation But if no such Forces appear then they without any more adoe to submit to the Government of the King of England Upon this Composition the Earl rode to Blaye in Saintogne wherein were two Valiant and Hardy Captains Sr. Guischard alias Sr. Richard Dangle afterwards for the English and in time one of the Knights of the Honourable Order of the Garter and the other was Sr. William of Rochechouart of no less Courage and Loyalty These Knights answer'd the Earls Summons That they would yield to no Man living Wherefore he laid to them a strong and close Siege and in the mean time sent out a Detachment to Mortagne in Saintogne by the Sea-side whereof was Captain a Noble and Hardy Knight named the Lord of Bouciquault Who Defended the Place so well that the Earl's Men despair'd to take it Wherefore after some loss they wheel'd off to Mirembeau and after that as far as Aunay both which also they found too tough for them and so return'd to the Camp before Blaye Here no Day passed without some notable feat of Arms performed and now first did Sr. Richard Dangle begin to bear some kind inclination to the English Nation but here he held out gallantly So that by this time the Moneth being compleat the Earl of Darby remembring his Agreement with the City of Angoulesme sent thither his two Marshals to whom the Citizens sware Allegiance in behalf of the King of England their Master Whereupon their Hostages were restored the City indemnified and the Earl at their Requests sent unto them for their Captain Sr. John Norwich a Valiant and Politick Commander and a x Dugd. 2 Vâ—l. p. 90. Baron of England thô y Frois c. 118. fol. 57. Froisard took him to be but an Esquire And now Winter being far enter'd the Earl seeing the stout Resistance at Blaye and the small Importance of the Place resolv'd to spare his Men for better Service and to raise his Siege till a more commodious season So he dislodged and repassing the River Garonne went back to Bourdeaux where he distributed his Men into Winter Quarters Now if any shall object that it seems incredible that all this while the King of France should lie still let such forbear their Censure till the beginning of the next Year where they will find that he sent a great Man against him but one who thought not fit to act at that time till he was considerably Reinforced as we shall see in due place CHAPTER the TVVENTY FOURTH The CONTENTS I. Henry the Old Earl of Lancaster dies c. II. Jacob van Arteveld having plotted to exclude the Earl of Flanders and his Posterity and to set up in his stead King Edwards Eldest Son proposes the Matter to the Representatives of that Country in Presence of the King. III. They abominate the Motion secretly but get off for the present IV. King Edward allows Jacob van Arteveld a Guard and pardons Sr. John Maltravers senior V. Jacob van Arteveld murther'd at Gaunt by the Commons VI. King Edward being angry therefore with the Flemings is appeas'd by their Ambassadors VII The Earl of Hainalt slain in Friseland VIII His Vncle John Lord Beaumont fetch'd over by the French King from King Edward's Service In whose room the Lord Godfry of Harcourt revolts from France to England IX John Earl of Montford being at liberty and assisted by England prevailes in Bretagne but in the midst of his Victories dies X. The Earl of Northampton combats Charles of Blois hand to hand and routs his Army at Morlaix After which he wins Roche D'Arien and so returns for England XI An Army of 30000 Scots discomfited by the English whereon ensues a Truce XII The Death of one Lord and two Bishops I. DUring the last Campaign of which we spake in the preceding Chapter word was brought over into Guienne to the Earl of Darby a Knighton p. 2585. n. 30. how the Good Old Earl of Lancaster his Father was departed this Life and had left him with his Blessing and a Greater Title a Fair Inheritance He was Younger Brother and upon his Death without Issue next Heir to Thomas Earl of Lancaster eldest Son to Prince Edmund Plantagenet sirnamed Crouchback who was Second Son to King Henry III. and Younger Brother to King Edward the First His Stile ran thus Henry Earl of Lancaster Leicester Darby and Provence Lord of Monmouth and Steward of England His true Sirname was Plantagenet but his usual Torcol or de Torto Collo because his Neck stood something awry Which Title is thrô mistake by b Sandford Geneal Hist p. 112 p. 113. Patronage of John Wickliffe Whereas his Sons Sirname was Grismond and Wickliffe's Friend John of Gaunt He had married the Lady c Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 783. Mill's Catal. Honor p. 323. Sandford's Geneal Hist p. 110 c. Maud sole Daughter and Heiress of Sr. Patrick de Cadurcis or Chaworth a Baron of the Realm By whom he had this valiant Son Henry Earl of Darby upon his Death Earl and afterwards created Duke of Lancaster and six Daughters Blanch Lady Wake Isabell Prioress of Ambresbury Maud Countess of Vlster Joan Lady Moubray of Axholme Eleanor Countess of Arundel and Mary Lady Piercy He died at Leicester and was buried in the Monastery of Canons there King Edward with his Queen Consort and the Queen Mother and almost all the Bishops and Barons of the Realm being present
our said Realm of France holding our way toward You to make an end of the War between Us But that when it was in Your Power to have Battle You caused the Bridges to be broken down between You and Us so that We could not approach unto You nor pass the Water of Seyne till We were come to Poissy and there We took Order to Repair the Bridge which You had caused to be broken and We tarried there three Days waiting for You and your Power which You have assembled unto which Place You might have come either on the one side or the other at your Pleasure And because We cannot have Battle with You We have taken a Resolution to pass further into our said Realm to comfort those that are our Friends and Faithfull and to chastise those who are Rebellious unto Us whom You unjustly call your Subjects And surely We will stay in our said Realm without departing till We have atchieved our War as far as We may to our Advantage and the Grievance of our Adversaries Wherefore if You are desirous as your Letters report to fight with Us and to save those whom You claim as your Subjects if You will let Us know at what time You will come You shall find Us ready in the Field to Encounter You by the help of God Which thing We ardently desire for the Benefit of Christendom seeing that You will not vouchsafe either to offer or admit of any Reasonable way of Peace with Us. But We are not at all advised to be directed by You nor to accept of Place and Day of Battle from You on the Conditions above written Dated at Anneville this Thursday the 17th of August in the Year of our Reign of France the Seventh and of England the Twentieth That ſ Frois c. 125. ibid. Night the King of England took up his Lodgings in a Fair Abbey called Messene near Beauvais But being upon his March the next Morning as he chanced to look behind him and saw the Abbey on fire he straight commanded 20 of the Authors of that Fact to be hanged For at t Frois ibid. Ashmole p. 655. his first entrance into France he had commanded by Proclamation through his Army that no Man should presume on pain of Death to violate any Church or burn any Religious House Then he passed by the City of Beauvais without giving any Assault for the Reasons aforemention'd But his two Marshals while the King was drawing toward a little Town called Milly where he intended to encamp that Night went so close to Beauvais that they made an Attempt in three Places and gave a fierce Assault at the Barriers But the Town was so well Defended by reason that the Bishop was present with sufficient Forces that having only burnt the Suburbs close up to the very Gate they left off toward the Evening and proceeded and encamped in the Kings Field Thence the whole Army went and encamped at Granvillers and the next Morning as they passed by Argies finding it void they set it on fire and went directly to the Town of Poix which was furnished with two Castles XI In the Castles there were only u Frois c. 125. two Fair young Ladies with their Servants who were presently taken and had been villanously abused had it not been for 2 Worthy English Knights Sr. John Chandos and Sr. Ralph Basset of Sapcoat who preserved the Honour of the two Ladies and brought them with great Respect before the King their Master King Edward pittying their Youth and flourishing Beauty and carefull not to sully his Victories with any Ignoble Stain entertained them with Princely humanity and after a Noble Refection demanded of them whither they most desired to go They being encouraged by the Kings Royal Behaviour reply'd To Corbie Whereupon the King immediately caused them to be safely and Honourably conducted thither being little more than 9 Leagues distant from Poix and about four from Amiens Eastward and standing also on the Somme That Night King Edward lodged near Poix the mean while the Chief of the Town came to a Composition with the Marshals offering unto the King a certain Sum of Florens on Condition their Town might neither be burnt nor plunder'd neither then nor the next Day This being granted the King marched off next Morning with all his Army except some few whom he had left behind to receive the Money which the Townsmen had engaged to pay as a Ransom for their Town But when these Frenchmen perceived that the Army was gone off and out of sight and only these few Collectors left behind they resolved to pay never a penny and so rang the Alarum Bell and began to fall upon the English who had already sent for Succour to the Army and were not wholly unprovided for they had Harness under their Coats for fear of the Worst and a good Captain over them and were altogether in a Body as the King had order'd them When the Lords Sr. Reginald Cobham and Sr. Thomas Holland who had Charge of the Reer heard of this they returned back to the Town upon the Spur and as they entred cryed Treason Treason Being come thither they found their friends still fighting and hardly maintaining their Post The English Lords enraged at this falshood put all they met to the Sword ransack'd all the Town and Demolished the two Castles and so return'd with their Spoil to the Camp then at Airaynes leaving nothing but Blood and Fire behind them While the King of England lay about Airaynes he caused Proclamation to be made thrô his Host that on pain of Death no Man should do any harm to the Towns of those Parts for as much as He was minded to tarry there two or three Days to take Advice how he might pass the River of Somme For it was necessary for him to pass that River but as yet there appeared no means how it might be done for the Bridges were all broken down or strongly Defended XII King x Frois c. 126. Philip the mean while having gather'd all his Forces about him began to March from St. Dennis and went to Compiegne in his way to Amiens where he tarried a while waiting King Edwards Motions He for his part was well inform'd of the French Kings approach and resolved to abide him but thought it not fit to engage while he was enclosed between two Rivers the Seyne and the Somme in that Manner Wherefore he took great Care to get a convenient Passage For the River was Large and Deep and the Bridges as we shew'd before broken down and if any Place was suspected to be fordable that was most strongly guarded First therefore the two Marshals were sent forth with 1000 Men of Arms and 2000 Archers to view along by the River side if they could find or win a Passage These Troops Marching by Lompre came to the Bridge of Pont de Remy which was very strongly kept by a great Number of
Bill-men the whole Battalia amounting to 12000 Men and all Three to 30000 compleat As for the Names of other Lords and Knights who were present in this Action I have recovered these thô here placed out of Order because no certain Rank is any where assigned Sr. Peter Grandison Banneret Robert Lord Morley the Lord William Felton the Lord Adam Eâ—â—ringham Robert Lord Ferrers the Lord Hugh Meinill the Lord Maurice Berkâ—â— Thomas Lord Furnival the Lord William Kerdeston the Lord Michael Poynings the Lord Robert Vghtred the Lord Thomas West the Lord John Engaine Banneret the Lord John Striveling the Lord John Montgomery and Sr. Giles Erdinton of his Retinue Sr. Fouk c Dugd. Warw. p. 658. Bermingham Peter Lord Mauley Sr. William Swinnerton Sr. Richard e Id. p. 750. Whitacre Sr. John f Id. p. 434. Murdaâ— Sr. Gerard g Id. p. 623. Burdel besides many Others whose Names it is both difficult to collect and tedious to recite Over and above all which the King to encourage his Men the better to pursue Honour created this Day no less than h Asâ—mole p. 655. 50 New Knights the Chief whereof were Sr. Guy Brian a young Baron Sr. Robert Mauley Brother to Peter Lord Mauley Sr. John Ravensholm Sr. Peter Brewis Sr. Thomas Lancaster Sr. Henry d' Engaine and Sr. John Beauchamp younger Brother to the Earl of Warwick to which i Dudg 1 Vol. p. 231. Vbi tamen militari cing de dâ—natum brennic antebâ—â— memerat Aâ—t verò in hoc errat aut haec in Campo Equitum Creatio differt ab alià Hìc Ashmolaeum sequer last was committed that Day the Honour of Bearing the Kings Standard All things being thus order'd every Lord and Captain under his own Banner and Pennon and the Ranks duly settled the Valorous Young King mounted on a lusty White Hobby and with a white Wand in his Hand rode between his two Marshals from Rank to Rank and from one Battalia into another exhorting and encouraging every Man that Day to defend and maintain his Right and Honour And this He did with k Frois c. 128. so cheerfull a Countenance and with such sweet and obliging Words that even the most Faint-hearted of the Army were sufficiently assured thereby By that time the English were thus prepared it was Nine a Clock in the Morning and then the King commanded them all to take their Refreshment of Meat and Drink which being done with small Disturbance they all repaired to their Colours again and then laid themselves in their Order on the dry and warm Grass with their Bows and Helmets by their side to be more fresh and vigorous upon the Approach of the Enemy II. That l Frois c. 129. same Day King Philip on the other side rose early in the Morning and heard Mass at Abbeville in the Abbey of St. Peter where he had lodged and exactly at Sun-rise began to March out of the City against the English with more than an m Frois ibid. Mezeray p. 26. Hundred Thousand Men. Abbeville is between three and four Leagues from Cressy whereof when King Philip had passed about two Leagues some of his Lords said to him Sir it is now High time to set your Battails in good Order and let your Infantry pass on forward while You range your Cavalry here This Advice the King follow'd and moreover sent out four Knights of great Experience viz. the Lord Moyne of Bastelberg in Bohemia the Lord of Nogheres the Lord of Beaujeu and the Lord of Aubigny to ride forward and discover the Face of the Enemy These Lords rode so near that they took notice of much part of their Order and Behaviour and yet the English made no offer to hinder them but lay still and let them alone thô they saw their Business and knew who it was that sent them So these four Lords return'd to their Master who presently demanded of them what tidings They look'd about upon One another as being every Man loath to speak since they had no good News to declare Then the King Commanded the Lord Moyne of Bastelberg to tell him what discovery they had made and freely to utter his opinion Now this Moyne Lord of Bastelberg in Bohemia was an Ancient Gentleman a Native of that Country who in his Youth had been an Esquire to John of Luxemburgh the Valiant Old King of that Realm and had behav'd himself in all his Masters Wars with so much Gallantry that he gain'd the Reputation of being One of the Bravest and most Expert Knights in the World Thô now Age had rendred him more fit for Counsel than Action This Man thus Answer'd the King Sir since it is your Pleasure I shall speak under Correction of my Fellows if they should chance to think otherwise Sir We have ridden forth and at our Leisure view'd the Countenance of Your Enemies and know for certain they are ready ranged in three Fair Battalla's as resolved to wait Your coming being in all by Estimation little more or less than 30000 Men. Sir as for my part bateing Your Majesties Displeasure I would Advise that for this Day You go no further for before Your Reer is fully come up and all Your Forces ranged in good Order of Battle it will be late Not to say that Your Footmen are weary with this long March in their Armour and their Ranks much disorder'd whereas the Enemy is Fresh and Lusty and ready to receive You. Thô by to morrow Morning as their Vigour will be more languid and pall'd so Your now-tired Troops will then be more Vigorous And hereby also Your Majesty may with more Deliberation and greater Exactness both Order Your Men and view the whole Posture of the Enemy as well as consider after what Manner to assail them For doubtless Sir they will not flinch from You. This Counsel the King Commanded to be put in Execution but the Evil Genius of France would not suffer that Command to take any Effect Althô the Kings two Marshals rode forth One to the Front and the Other toward the Reer saying to all the Captains and Ensigns Stand and tarry here in this place in the Name of God and St. Dennis They that were foremost stood still according to Command but the Hindmost would hear nothing of Obedience or Order but with Words of great Bravery rode forward saying they would make no stop till they were as forward as the Foremost So that by their pressing on the First were again forced to March to make room for them that thus followed by which means neither the King nor his Marshals could make them stand till they came in sight of the English And then the Front recoyled back very disorderly to the great Wonder of those behind who thought the First Troops were now engaged with the Enemy And then they might have had Leisure and room enough to have gone forward but they were content to make an Halt Yet some went with
14 day of September VI. And now for a while we shall leave King Edward at the Siege of Calais and look what became of the Siege of Aiguillon in Agenois the News whereof had lately incited the King of England to make this Expedition All this while r Prâ—is c. 134. the Duke of Normandy lay before the strong Castle of Aiguillon not now so much in hopes to win the Place for not only the English held out still with their usual Bravery but he also himself was held short by the Earl of Darby as because he had rashly made a solemn Vow never to depart thence till he had the Fortress at his Devotion Now a few Days before the Battle of Cressy was fought Duke John hearing that King Edward was marching through France resolved to give one more general Assault if by any means he might by Carrying the Place both save his Oath and also be at liberty to go and assist his Father It was then about the middle of August and the Frenchmen being irritated with their long stay here became more resolved to do their Utmost in order to end so tedious a Siege with Honour Nor were encouragements wanting from the Duke nor provocations from the Enemy But for all that althô in a manner the whole Army was engaged in a general Assault carried on with the utmost vigour for the space of an whole Day yet all was in vain and their Losses were doubled but their Advantages no whit better'd Among many others there fell that day the young Lord Philip of Burgundy Eldest Son to Eudo the IV. Duke of Burgundy who was Earl of Artois and Boulogne and Cousin-German to the Duke of Normandy This Gallant Gentleman was in the Flower of his Youth and but newly come thither But being desirous at this time to signalize himself when the Skirmish was begun he set Spurs to his Courser and came onward to the Assault But the mettlesome Horse taking the Curb between his Teeth ran away with his Master and chanced to stumble in a Ditch where they fell both Horse and Man The young Lord being so rudely handled that he died within a few days after leaving behind him Å¿ Favine le Parisien l. 4. c. 3. p. 7. one Infant Son and a Daughter VII Now King Philip was returned to Paris where he busied himself in Thoughts nothing unworthy the Grandeur of such a Monarch nor did all this Adversity abate his Courage or extort one Low thought from him He resolves to try all means to uphold his Sinking Honour and take a severe Vengeance of his Enemies for the Loss he had received First therefore he sends a peremptory Command to his Son John who lay still before Aiguillon with a very considerable Army immediately to rise up and all Excuses laid aside to come away to aid his Country nearer Home against the Enemy who had already drank deep draughts of her best Blood and now lay gnawing at her very Bowels At the same time he seriously bestirs himself to raise another Mighty Army wherewith he design'd to go and drive away King Edward from before Calais Which he intended to succour in Person very early the next Campagne And besides this in hopes to divert the War from his own Doors into England or at least to repay the Losses of France with the like in England he presently after the Battle of Cressy sent his special Messengers to his Old Friend and Ally David Bruce King of Scotland Not only desiring him earnestly to remember former Obligations and their late strict Alliance but encouraging him at such a time t Knightâ—n p. 2589. n 40. when all the strength of England was drain'd out in the parts of Gascogne Bretagne and before Calais to invade the Northern Borders of his and their Inveterate Enemys the English and to revenge the manifold Injuries they had Both received earnestly requesting him not so much to stand upon a slight Truce which King Edward had only made for his own Advantage as to value and respect those sacred Tyes of mutual Amity and Entercourses that have been not only for many Generations inviolably maintain'd between both their Ancestors but also in especial manner had been cultivated and confirmed between them two And besides all these Arguments he sent him a good round Summ of Mony and 15000 Crossbows of Genoua to his Assistance thô not as some say under the Command of Antonio Doria and Carolo Grimaldi for they were both slain in Cressy-Field as we have shewn from the Testimony of Giovanni Villani who was himself an Italian And truly it might be wondred that any of the Genouese should now care to serve King Philip any more after that great Affront at Cressy but that it is to be remembred how these People were in those Days Mercenaries to the Crown of France as of late the Swissers have been and so might well be now appeased with gracious Words especially attended with Gold which always bears a Great Sway not only among Souldiers of Fortune but also with the major Part of Mankind The Effects of this Message we shall shew by and by when we have first related how the Siege was broken up from before Aiguillon VIII And as for John Duke of Normandy when he had received his Fathers peremtory Command he became infinitely displeas'd as well at the unhappy News of King Edwards Victorious Progress as because he saw his own Honour so apparently touched in that he had received such Opposition before so inconsiderable a Fortress Indeed he had met with many Checks and Rebuffs during this Siege not only from the Besieged themselves who maintain'd the Place with invincible Courage as we have particularly shew'd but also from the most Noble Earl of Darby who held him so short with his flying Troops that scoured about the Country for that purpose having certain strong Garrisons for their Retreat that he could never get in Provisions fast enough to supply the wants of his Army and what he got was not many times without great Labour thô fetch'd in by Considerable Bodies Wherefore that he suffer'd some Difficulty is very easily granted but that he was thereby obliged secretly to forsake his Army and escape away by stealth I cannot by any means allow thô u Knighton p. 2589. n. 30. c. some of our Writers have too heedlesly ventur'd to say as much And that his Headless Army thereupon flying away after him in much Confusion they were between the People of the Country and the Earl of Darby almost all reduced to nothing I have all along professed to have a zeal for Truth and must not therefore here allow of those improbable Relations of some of our Countrymen For it is certain that Prince John was a Man of truly Royal Courage and Magnanimity and the Army he lead very formidable for the Fame of its Captains and Officers as well as its own Numbers And we are sure not only that the
and delighteth in peace-full-minded Men thereby to put an end to the foresaid Evils which no doubt do now grievously offend him Furthermore We have great cause to marvell that our Reverend Brother Annibald Bishop of Tusculum and our Beloved Son Stephen of the Title of St. John and St. Paul Priest and Cardinal of the Apostolick See being sent as Legates from Us and the said Apostolick See to treat of Peace thô they diligently and faithfully labour'd for the same as Lovers of Verity Justice and Equity and therewithall had an high regard to your Honour could not yet for all that obtain Licence as touching any Treaty relating to the said Peace to be admitted into your Royal Presence Wherefore We more earnestly desire your Princely Majesty and for the Mercies of God with more Ardency require the same that by taking up and preventing with the sweetness of Piety and Compassion the foresaid horrible Evils You may avoid the Vengeance of Gods indignation which were much to be feared if you should still persevere to foment those Evils which God forbid And as touching the Treaty of Peace for which the foresaid Cardinals were sent unto You howbeit secretly lest it might have been any Derogation to your Honour We desire You again to condescend thereunto and with your Affections to encline your Mind unto the same since Peace is so pleasing unto God so desirable to the World and so profitable both to You and the foresaid King and the whole Catholick Faith That so the said Peace being by Gods Assistance established and settled You may assay your puissant Valour about the Service of God in the foresaid Eastern Parts so good occasion as we said before being at this time offer'd which would be an apt Advancement of your Honour and no doubt a prosperous Augmentation of your Princely Name For We have heard of You that You are wont to behave Your Self servently and vigorously in all your Undertakings Thus We doubt not but that You will write unto Us again concerning the Premises and the Purport of your Intentions touching the same Dat. e e Ita Odor Rainald ex Copia Vatican malè ergo Fox 18 Febr. Avenion xviii Kal. Februarii Anno Pontificatus nostri V. This Letter was answer'd by King Edward in this Manner To the most Holy Father in God CLEMENT by Divine Providence Chief Bishop of the Holy Roman and Catholick Church EDWARD by the Grace of God King of France and of England and Lord of Ireland Devout Kissings of his Holy Feet Most Holy Father We understand by the Letters of the Reverend Fathers in God Annibald Bishop of Tusculum and Stephen of the Titles of St. John and St. Paul Priest Cardinals and Legates of the Court of Rome as also by your Holinesses Letters sent unto Us that you have great marvel for that your said Legates being sent unto Us to treat of an Accommodation between Us and our Adversary of France We would not yet suffer them to talk with Us secretly for the safeguard of our Honour the intention of your Heart being in that manner to have made the foresaid Accommodation Wherein also You complain and bewail the Death of Christian People the loss of their Goods and danger of their Souls the dolefull Cries and Lamentations of the Poor Orphans and Widows and the Destruction of other wretched People with the sacrilegious Robbings of Churches and other Mischiefs innumerable especially the Decay of the Christian Faith in the East which by the Wars between Us and our Adversary of France is deplorably impaired as the said Letters do import And that forasmuch as God hath given unto Us Triumphant Fortune We ought so much the rather to abase and humble our Heart and be the readier to accept of and encline to Peace Now as concerning all these Things most Holy Father We give your Holiness to understand that both to your foresaid Legates and other your Messengers sent unto Us to every of them We have still offer'd Reasonable ways of promoting of Peace and We every Day declare the same and that not secretly but openly For We are not afraid nor asham'd to make our Purpose manifest For He that is the High Judge both of ſ Philip King of France Him and Us in whose Dispose all things are hath given unto Us the Crown of France as our Right and Heritage The which Right our foresaid Adversary hath for a long time by Force detained from Us thô We sought in peaceable Manner to obtain the same and yet do if by any Reasonable way We may obtain the same And this the rather for the Benefit of Christendom and that the foresaid Evils might cease which by His Injustice only have had their Birth and Continuance Yet notwithstanding as you know before this time We assented to a Truce upon certain Articles contained in Writing all this he hath infringed Neither doth the Wrong which he offereth unto Us in our foresaid Heritage suffice but he endeavoured also during the said Truce to invade our Realm of England and other our Lands and furthermore maintaineth the Scots and aideth them for the utter Destruction of Us our People and Lands aforesaid So that We were enforced for the safeguard of our People and Lands by such Lawfull means as We might to defend Our Selves and frustrate his wicked Design For which intent committing our Quarrel to the Hands of God We are come against him to conquer our Heritage of France since when God hath given Us divers Victories over him as We trusted he would in his most Righteous Judgment and as We knew he was able by his Almighty Power Which indeed he hath graciously manifested unto Us all Chance of Fortune set aside in respect only of our Just Title and without the least of our Deserts Whereface with all Humility of Soul We always give him Thanks praising his Holy Name most devoutly both Night and Day For We acknowledge that these things were not brought to pass by our Strength and Force Wherefore most Holy Father We desire your Holiness and as much as in us lies earnestly require You that You who supply the Place of the Son of God on Earth and have the Care of the Souls of all Christians and therefore ought to be Indifferent Upright and Equal towards all Men without any Respect of Persons that You I say will receive good and true Information concerning the foresaid Objections and will put to your holy helping Hand that as much as in You lies our said Adversary of France may be brought to acknowledge the Wrong which in this Point he hath done unto Us and which by your Aid may be redressed But that especially he may receive no Aid nor Countenance from You in this his wrongfull Dealing For if it be so We then appeal unto the Supream Judge of Judges who for a time may permit Wrongs to be done for the sins of Mankind but in the end redresseth the same neither leaving
and many others have observed But to return to Affairs at home After * Stow p. 245. Easter King Edward made an Order in Council that none of his Servants should presume to take up any Victuals of any Man against his Will nor then without paying ready Money on pain of Punishment proportionable to his Offence and being banish'd the Kings Court for ever To the Execution of which Decree Sr. Richard Talbot Lord High-Steward of the Kings Houshold was appointed to have an Eye VI. The Truce taken between the two Kings at Calais last Year drawing now toward an end upon z Ashmâ—le p. 656. ex Rot. Franc. 15. Maâ—i 22 Ed. 3 m. 13. the Pope's Letters to King Edward he was prevail'd with to depute Thomas Falstaff Arch-Deacon of Welles John Carleton Canon of Welles both Doctors of Law and Frier John de Reppes of the Order of Mount Carmel who had Commission to prorogue the Truce and to Treat of a Final Peace The Truce they accordingly prorogued for six Weeks to Commence on the 13 of September following and to be observed throughout all Picardy Normandy Artois Boulogne and Flanders But the King well perceiving the delay and backwardness of the French to close with him sincerely either for a Truce or Peace in a Claus 22. Ed. 3 p. 2. m. 8. in Derse October next drew down his Forces to Sandwich intending to pass the Seas Whereupon the French were quicken'd to a speedy agreement as to the Prorogation of the foregoing Truce b 18 Novemb. Râ—t Franc. 22. Ed. 3 an 10 from the 18 of November 1348 unto the 1 of September 1349 on News whereof the King return'd to London VII On the c Knighton p. 26â—0 Stow p. 248. Walsirgh hist p. 160 n. 20. Odor Rainald quanquaâ— hâ—c 2 post annis pen. t. 25 of October King Edward solemnized the Translation of St. Themas the Confessor once Bishop of Hereford to the great Expence and Charge of his Kinsman the Lord Nicolas Cantilupe This St. Thomas had been also of the sirname of Cantilupe being in his Life time a Gentleman of a very Noble and Ancient House as appears * Vid. Dagd 1 Vol. p. 731. by the Antiquity of their Baronage in our Records but as Bishop Godwin d Gedâ— Catal. Bps p. 457. says of a much more Noble and Excellent Mind For he was not only of a wonderfull Ingenuity and exquisite Judgement but even from a Child of great Diligence and Industry in his studies of Marvellous Exactness of Life and of incomparable Candour and Vertue His Father was William Lord Cantilupe e Mâ—tth Paris l. 17. p. 815. Dagd ibid. High-Steward to King Henry III of England a Man of great Power and Loyalty His Mother was the Lady Millicent Countess of Eureux in Normandy He first studied at Oxford and afterwards at Paris where having proceeded Master he return'd to Oxford and there apply'd himself to the Canon Law till he went out Doctor in that Faculty After this he entirely gave his Mind to the study of Divinity whereof he was to proceed Doctor in the Year 1273 Robert Kilwardby with whom he was very familiarly acquainted was then Provincial of the Friers-Preachers and Doctor of the Chair in Oxford when he was presented But before the time came that he should keep tho Act or rather the Act being by some Accident delayed till then the said Doctor Kilwardby was become Archbishop of Canterbury But this notwithstanding he vouchsafed this his old Friend the Honour to come down to Oxford to his Act on purpose and there gave him the Ceremonies of his Creation And it is observable that this Archbishop and Pâ—ofessor in his speech after the Disputation among many other great Praises which he bestowed on him affirmed that he the said Archbishop having of many Years been Confessor to the said Candidate Dr. Thomas Cantilupe had never perceived him guilty of any sin which he could judge to be Mortal Certainly either the Confessee did a little mince Matters or the Confessor was blinded with the prejudice of Friendship or some other Infirmity or the Relator did take a little too much liberty in Honour of the Man. Who notwithstanding was no doubt of great Merit every way as may appear by these manifold Honours which as so many loud Testimonials of his Vertue were heaped upon him both Living and Dead For first he was made Arch-Deacon of Stafford then Chancellour of the University of Oxford then Lord f Philipor's Catal Chancellors p. 24. Chancellour of England and afterwards Bishop of Hereford lastly a few Years after his Death Canonised a Saint For whereas in his Travels to or as some say from Rome he departed this Life at Civita Vecchia a Town of Tuscany in the Year of our Lord 1282 and was Honourably buried in the Church of St. Severus there from whence afterward his Bones were brought into England and solemnly interred in his own Church of Hereford near the East-Wall of the North-Cross-Isle where we see an High-Tomb of Marble Within a few Years after his Death there being no less than g Nâ—c Harpsfeld Hist Feel Angl. secul 13. c. 21. ex Floril ad an 1287. 163 Miracles said to be wrought by him his Fame was so great that we find h Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 92. ex Rot. Rom. 12. Ed. 2. m. 9. King Edward the Second in the Twelfth Year of his Reign and the Year of our Lord 1318 sent an Embassy to Pope John XXII about his Canonization And two Years after namely in the Year of our Lord 1320 i Oder Rainald ad an 1320. à § 43. ad §. 47. being the 13 of King Edward the Second on the XV of the Calends of May he was by the said Pope John Canonized with great Solemnity at Avignon and the VI of the Nones of October was set apart for his Festival as appears by the said Pope's Bull bearing Date at Avignon XII Cal. Maii Pontificatús nostri Anno IV. But now King Edward designing to Honour the Memory of this Holy Man took up his Bones this Year being k Nic. Harpsfield Hist Fecl Angl. secul 13. c. 21. Sixty five Years since he died and had them Honourably reposed in a Rich and Glorious Shrine of great Value This small Digression I ow'd to the Memory of this Worthy Prelate as well that the Reader might understand what kind of Man he had been whose Translation King Edward did now so devoutly solemnize as also because I believed that such a Person to whom so many of several Nations and Interests never envied the Title of a glorified Saint would much less by any Man of Modesty be envied an Honourable Mention in History VIII While King Edward was thus with as much Devotion as Splendour keeping a Feast in Memory of this Great Prelate Henry the Noble Earl of Lancaster was by him l Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 786. ex Claus
this latter is not a mistake of kin to the former About this time there e Ashmole p. 700. Stow ibid. Sr Thc. de la Mere. died in the parts of Gascogne on the Tuesday next after the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel Sr. Thomas Wale Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter being a Person of great Worth and Vertue So that of all the Stalls of the first Founders his first became void into which succeeded Reginald Lord Cobham of Sterborough Sr. Thomas Wale bare for his Arms Argent a Cross Sable and Sr. Reginald Cobham Gules Three Mullets Sable on a Cheveron Or. XI King f Stow p. 253 Edward understanding at this time that the Brittish Seas were infested with Pirates order'd seven Men of War to be fitted out with certain Pinnaces to attend them Of which Fleet Sr. Thomas Cook and Sr. Richard Tottlesham were Admirals who scoured the Seas about the Coasts of Picardy and Normandy and at last return'd with safety and Honour This Year g Knighton p. 2603. n. 20. William of Bavaria Son to Lewis the late Emperour of Germany and in his Mothers Right Earl of Hainalt Holland and Zealand came into England and Married by the Kings leave the Lady Mathilda Eldest Daughter to Henry Duke of Lancaster and Relict of Ralph Eldest Son of Ralph Earl of Stafford who dying three Years before left her a Fair young Widow This William was Duke of Bavaria and Count Palatine of the Rhine and lately upon his Mother the Lady Margaret her Death Earl of Hainalt c. But about six Years after upon what occasion is not known h Tune 's store-house p. 721. he fell distracted and slew a Knight with a blow of his Fist Whereupon he was shut up under a good Guard in hopes of Recovery his Brother Albert managing the Government in his stead till about 19 Years after he died in that sad Condition leaving no Issue by his Wife who continued in a manner a Widow during that long time of his Distraction XII This mean while Henry the Great Duke of Lancaster Father to the said Lady Mathilda when he saw the Truce taken between the two Realms the last Year being desirous to bestow what time was his own to the Honour of God and the propagation of Religion l Dudg 1 Vol p. 786. ex Pat. 25. Ed. 3. m. 6. obtained the Kings Licence to take a journey into Prussia there to fight against the Infidels In which Licence the King granted that in case he should depart this Life before his Return his Executors should retain all his Castles Lands and Mannors in their Hands till his Debts were discharged Together with this Noble Prince went at the same time k Monast Angl. 1 Vol. p. 728. b. n. 20. Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 550. William Lord Ros of Hamlake and several other Persons of Quality but the said Lord Ros died this Year before his Return in the 26 Year of his Age without Issue leaving Thomas his Brother Heir to his Great Inheritance then but 14 Years of Age. The Duke of Lancaster passing thus towards the Holy Land with a gallant attendance of Valiant Knights and Gentlemen was l Knighton p. 2603. n. 10. suddenly in High-Germany together with several of his Company arrested and obliged to lay down 300 Scutes of Gold for his Liberty Which affront we shall shortly find how ill he resented But however for the present he proceeded on his journey being honourably attended and convey'd from Country to Country by the special Command of those Christian Princes thrô whose Dominions he passed But before he came into Prussia he heard that a Truce for several Years had been already taken by the Christians and Pagans whereat being much displeased he returned back again the same way In his return m Knighton p. 2603. n. 30. c. Dudg 1 Vol. p. 786. b. c. Frois c. 153. Stow p. 253. Fabian p. 230. Grafton p. 292. Walsingh Hist p. 162. n. 14. being then at Cologne a certain German Knight informed him how the Duke of Brunswick was He who had caused him to be so arrested intending in favour of the King of France to have him secured and sent back unto the said King. Wherefore now he declared openly in the Cathedral of Cologne in presence of the Marquess of Juliers and many other Nobles how basely Otho Duke of Brunswick had caused him to be arrested with design to hinder his Pious Pilgrimage thô he had never given him any the least occasion of Offence as he knew having no acquaintance with him or knowledge of his Person And he affirmed that it did not become a Gentleman of Quality to deal so rudely with a Knight Stranger who had never offended him and that in case he had a mind to meddle he should find him ready to perform the part of a Souldier at any time Now when the Duke of Lancaster was safely return'd into England as he did before Ascension-day this Year these his Words were related in Order to the said Duke of Brunswick who thereupon presently sent a Challenge to the Duke of Lancaster in this form Otho by the Grace of God Duke of Brunswick Lord of Thuringen and Son to the Great Duke of Brunswick unto the Excellent Prince and Noble Duke of Lancaster Know You that the Words which You spake personally with your own proper Mouth in the Chief Church of Cologne by Name St. Peters on the Friday next after Easter last past before the Noble Prince the Marquess of Juliers and many other Worshipfull Knights and Esquires in the presence of the Citizens of the said City unadvisedly rashly and shamefully were false and by no means true Which things We will maintain by our own Body against your Body as a true and Loyal Lord is bound and obliged to demonstrate against a rash and false and wicked Man. And this We will perform between the Castle of Guisnes and St. Omers or where else the King of France our Lord shall assign a place For thither shall be brought a safe Conduct from the said King lest We should prolong the Matter Dated c. This Challenge being brought into England to the Duke unsealed n Stow ibid. lest he might expose himself to scorn by giving too much Credit to such unauthentick Letters he presently sent back unto Otho two Knights to learn the truth of the Matter and to demand thereupon his Letters Patents sealed with his Seal of Arms. Upon the return of these Knights with his Letters sealed he obtained leave of the King his Master and wrote back that by such a day he would not fail to meet him and by the Grace of God to maintain his Words in his own proper Person as Truth and Honour required Accordingly having with much adoe obtained a safe Conduct from France he furnished himself after his Quality and went strait over to Calais with 50 Knights in his Company
the Earl of Warwick Thomas Son to the Earl of Oxford and John Son to the Lord Moubray On the 2d of November or rather on All-Saints Day which is the First as we shall prove by and by the King began his March from Calais towards St. Omers whither he heard the King of France was come from Amiens wasting all the Country as he went. As he was between Guisnes and Ardres there came to him h Frois c. 155. the Marshal D'Endreghan the Lord Bouciquault and Others from King John that i R. Avesbâ—ry Holinsh Eng. Chron. p 951. a. n. 20. under pretence of Discoursing Him they might take a full view of all his Forces And accordingly they returned with such a Report of his Strength that the French King was now determin'd not to hazard a Battle with him But rather to pass on before k Knighton p. 2610. n 60. breaking the Bridges behind him and gathering up or destroying all sorts of Provision that so the English might be forced for want thereof to return back for that time Whereupon l R. Avesbury Holinsh Eng. Chron. p 951. a. n. 30. Walsingh hist p. 263. M.S. vet Ang. in Bib. C.C.C. Cantabr c. 229. as he design'd it came to pass for King Edward was so streightned thereby that he was obliged to return to Calais his Army having drank nothing but Water for three Days and all other Provisions being extream scarce The French Writers and Froisard m Frois c. 155. ibid. Mâ—zeray ad hunc an c. also himself for I am resolved to dissemble nothing say that King John by these Messengers offer'd King Edward to fight him either Body to Body or Power against Power whensoever himself should appoint but that King Edward declin'd the Offer and so went home again for England Surely I desire by no means to rob the French Nation of any real Flower of Honour but neither do I think it the part of a just Historian to receive any thing without an exact Scrutiny or to let Improbabilities and Indecorums to pass without the least Remark thô never so well attested It is evident both by the Challenge which King Edward sent formerly to this Kings Father as from sundry Authors of both Nations we n Vid. Lib. 1. c. 17. §. 2. p. 188. have shewn and from the nature of that Princes Circumstances as well as his ordinary Custom that it was better for him in his own Opinion to make a quick Dispatch of the War to which Opinion it must be allow'd his Courage was no way wanting so he could not have been brought over so often in Person without his own Will and that it was ever his Aim to obtain a Battle and that when offer'd he never refused to accept it and if he had had been laugh'd at by all the World since his only way was to win the Crown he claim'd by Fighting Nor was King John a better Man at Arms or better furnished for the War than his Father Philip or King Edward who was now in the Prime of his Manhood being but 43 Years old either of less Courage or Art or Strength either of Person or People than when he sent his Chartel of Defiance to King Philip of Valois That he should need to decline the same at this time And thô for this Assertion of theirs they bring no Record nor Authority but the Word of one ancient Author who might herein be misinformed yet we shall add to these our Reasons a more Authentick Testimony from our Records of Parliament which to establish my Opinion most expresly o M.S. Rot. Par. p. 86. n. 9. Sr. Rob. Cottons Abridgm of the Recor. p. 90. n. 9. ad an 29. Ed. 3. n. 9. witness That on All-Souls Day the King marched toward his Enemy and profer'd him Battle which his Enemy by all means refused Wherefore having wasted and spoiled the Country seeing his own Army languish he returned to Calais where he made Honourable Peace and so came back into England to his Parliament Which he had summon'd to sit at Westminster on the p i.e. 12 Novemb Morrow after St. Martin the Bishop Now Froisard who happen'd by some Misinformation to give the first Authority to this Story q Frois c. 155. ibid. doth yet witness with Others that King Edward rode with a great Host as far as Hesdin where he brake up the Park and burnt the Houses within and about it thô he entred not either the Town or Castle And then as our Writers agree for want of Provisions he returned back to Calais on St. Martins Day being the r These to be taken inclusively For St. Martin the Bishops day is on the 12 of November and St. Martin the Pope's on 13 but this not meant here Eleventh after his Setting forth according to those who say He set forth on the 2d of November but the r These to be taken inclusively For St. Martin the Bishops day is on the 12 of November and St. Martin the Pope's on 13 but this not meant here Twelfth according to the Records which affirm how he marched forth of Calais on All-Souls or All-Saints Day That same Day being * Lit. Dom. D. a Thursday and the 12 of November the Å¿ R Avesbury Holinsh Eng. Chron. p 951. n. 40. a. Constable of France and other French Gentlemen came indeed to the end of the Causey of Calais with Credential Letters offering unto the King of England in presence of the Duke of Lancaster the Earl of Northampton and the Lord Walter Manny to give him Battle on the Tuesday next following in answer to which Challenge the said Lords of England having full Power and Authority so to do offer'd unto the Constable in the King their Masters Name that he the said King of England to avoid shedding of Christian Blood would fight with the French King their Master Body to Body so to decide his Right or if that Offer should not take place then the two Kings to select Three or Four Knights apiece such as should be the nearest in Blood unto them and together with these to try the Matter But when both these Offers were rejected the English Lords offer'd to give Battle to the whole French Army either the next Day being Friday or on Saturday the Day after whether they would but the Constable and his Fellows continuing still in their first Demand refused both those Days Then at the last the English Lords said how they accepted of Tuesday the Day by them assign'd on this Condition That if they did not bring the King of England to a Battle on that Day then they would engage to yield themselves Prisoners to the French so that they would likewise undertake to yield themselves if their King kept not the promised Day To this equal but unexpected Proposal when the Constable of France having nothing ready to reply had made some Demurr at last upon
found by the German Princes Of which Matter thus Rebdorf In the Month of November the said Emperour being invited by the Lords and Burgesses of France after the foresaid Battle of Poictiers came to the City of Metz where he demanded of the Inhabitants the Rights of the Empire and the Keys of the City And thither came from Pope Innocent the Cardinal of Perigort and the King of France's Son the Emperours Nephew who fled out of the said Battle with many Men of Arms and a great Number of Nobles both of Germany and France were there with him and tarried with him during the Festival of our Lords Nativity But of the Peace there made between Wenceslaus Duke of Brabant and Lewis Earl of Flanders and of the Laws promulged at this time by the Emperour we shall not say any thing those Matters being foreign to our Purpose The Curious Reader may refer himself for that to the m Rebdorf in Aâ—nal ad hunc annum Albert. Argentin in Chron. Lib. Priv. Rom. Eccl. Tom. 1. p. 401. Fat. etiam in Arce St. Angel. inter Collect. Platin. Tâ—m 3. p. 103 128. 156. apud Goldast in Collect Constit Imperial Tom. 1. in Carolo IV. vid. Odor Rainal ad hunc annum §. 12. 13. Authors quoted in the Margin On the * Fabian p. 285. Tenth of December certain Coins of less value than usual which the Duke of Normandy by Advice of his Council upon the account of his Necessities had caused to be made were proclaimed thrô Paris to be Currant Money whereat the Commons yet were further incensed So that two Days after Stephen Marcell Provost of the Merchants went to the Louvre there to speak with Prince Lewis Earl of Anjou whom the Duke of Normandy had left his Deputy-Regent upon his going to Metz to visit the Emperour his Uncle as we have seen Here the said Provost and the Rest with him desired the young Earl to stop the Course of those new Monies for otherwise the People would think themselves obliged to stop it themselves At last after a day or two's Delay and a long Contest the young Earl was fain to yield thus much to the Provost and the rest of those humble Petitioners as to stop the Money till the Dukes further Pleasure might be known for which Purpose Messengers were immediately posted away to learn the Dukes Resolution as to that Point And he thô for a while he stood firm to his first Resolution was in the end compelled to stop the Proceedings and to comply with the outragious importunities of the Rabble XIX And thus we shall end this Remarkable Year when we have subjoyned two short Observations which to Philologers may perhaps seem not useless It hath been an old Report that as Scipio Africanus that Noble Roman Commander was observed first to have brought Barbers into Rome so our Black-Prince is said n Stow p. 263. this time in Complaisance to the French Nation to have begun and authorised a Fashion which hath continued ever since of shaving the Beard and letting the Hair of the Head grow contrary to the Primitive use of the English Nation Thô I must acknowledge this Relation agrees not well with the ancient Pictures of Men of that Age And the learned Antiquary Esquire Ashmole some Years since described unto me a Medal which he supposed to have belonged to one of the Princes Great Horses whereon he was figured Praying in Armour save that his Helmet was off and having a considerable Grown Beard Nor is it altogether unworthy our Observation o Dugd. Warw. p. 672. ex Joh. Rous Hist M.S. de Reg. in Bibl. â—otton p. 253. that after this Taking of King John of France the Lords and Gentlemen of England began generally to leave off that ancient Usage of bearing their Effigies on Horseback in their Seals and set their own Arms only in the Reverse of their Seals on little Shields CHAPTER the SECOND The CONTENTS AN. DOM. 1357. An. Regni Angliae XXXI Franciae XVIII I. Prince Edward brings King John of France and the rest of his Prisoners taken at the Battle of Poictiers into England their Passage thrô London King Edward receives the Captive King with great Honour II. Henry Duke of Lancaster continues the Siege before Rennes the Cardinals obtain a Truce between the two Kings III. King David released of his Imprisonment returns into Scotland and settles Affairs IV. At King Edwards Command the Duke of Lancaster raises his Siege from before Rennes having just before taken the Town on Conditions V. Sr. Robert Knolles beats the Marshal of France in Normandy VI. The Lord of Granville takes the Castle of Eureux from the French by Stratagem VII The Rise of Sr. John Hawkwood and Sr. Robert Knolles VIII The Original of a sort of Free-Booters called the Companions in France IX The Insolence of the Parisians and their Provost towards the Dauphin X. King Charles of Navarre being got out of Prison foments the Disorders and grows Popular I. MOST part a Frois c. 173. f. 86. Mat. Vill. l. 7. c. 58. 66. Knighton p. 2615. n. 13. Walsingh Hyp. p. 124. Hist p. 164. Speed p. 582. Polyd. Virgil. l. 19. p. 381. c. of the preceding Winter the Victorious Edward Prince of Wales busied himself in Equipping a Navy to convey his Royal Prey and the rest of the French Prisoners safely into England During his intended Absence in the Parts of Aquitain he left behind him certain Valiant and Loyal Captains to defend the Country until his Return namely the Lord de la Bret alià s Albret the Lord of Mucidan the Lord de L'Esparre the Lord of Pamiers and the Lord of Rozan with certain Troops both English and Gascoigners And so on the b Lit. Dom. A. Pascha 9. April Pestum D. Georgii 23 April 24 of April being a Monday and the day after St. George in the Third Week after Easter he set Sail for England with certain Lords of Gascogne and most of his English Captains about him The French King was in a good Ship by himself lest he should conceive any Offence or Molestation but he was well guarded with no less than 200 Men of Arms and 2000 Archers who sailed close by him for the Prince had been informed how the Three Estates by whom France at that time was governed had laid ready in the Ports of Normandy and Crotoy two Great Navies to receive him upon his approach toward England and if they might to take away the King of France and rescue him But no such Matter appeared afterward thô the Prince was detain'd at Sea Eleven days On the Twelfth Day from his first Setting out viz. on the c Knighton in vigilia St. Joh. ante Pert. Lat. quod idem est Walsing id c. 5th of May he landed at Sandwich in Kent and not as some say at Plymouth in Devonshire where he tarried two Days to refresh
the Pomp and Magnificence of this Famous Entertainment set forth as well King Edwards Greatness as any other Grandeur of State whatsoever But King John who expected by an high Ransom to pay something toward these vast Profusions said merrily b M.S. vet Ang. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantab. c. 230. ibid. That he never saw nor knew such Royal Shews and Feastings without some after Reckoning for Gold and Silver And we find that about the same time he made use of one shift to raise Mony for it was now set forth by Proclamation c Dugd. Warw. p 647. â— â—â— Pat. 32. Ed. 3. p. 2. m. 25. that all such the Kings Subjects as were possessed of Lands or Rents to the Value of 40 s. should appear before the King there to receive the Order of Knighthood if he should so think fit under Penalty of being fined according to the Law And among others it is recorded that Richard Bermingham of Bermingham in Warwickshire paid a Fine of 10 l. for his Pardon because he did not obey the Proclamation II. A little before this the d Odâ—r Rainal ad hunc annum § 3. ex Tom. 6. Epist secret p. 6. Pope being concerned at the intestine Troubles of France and finding that the Presence of the King was necessary to allay them sent the two Cardinals of Perigort and St. Vitalis with Letters to the Dauphin bearing Date at Avignon VIII Kal. Januarii An o Pontificatûs VI. Wherein he admonished him to use his utmost Endeavours speedily to redeem his Father to compose all Civil Discords and to attend to the Cardinals Advice in those Matters The mean while King Edward e Knighton p. 2618. n. 10. as soon as the Solemnity at Windsor was over removed his Court to London and there began to treat so seriously with King John that all Men believed a Perpetual Peace would now take place between them Yet it was long before Matters could be brought to any tolerable Issue For King Edward f Da Serres c. required Homage of King John for the Realm of France as holding it of Him whose Right it was and upon this Condition he proffer'd him his Liberty and a perpetual Friendship But King John who had not lost either his Courage or Honour by this Adversity made this resolute Answer That he intended whatever came of it to leave the Realm of France free and entire to his Children as he had received it from his Fathers That Affliction might well engage his Person but not the inviolable Rights of his Crown nor the Liberty of that Country where he had the honour to be Born and over which neither the Imprisonment nor Death of any single Person had such Influence especially as to him who should always reckon his Life well laid down for the Immortal Preservation of France This Generous Magnanimity of King John gave King Edward occasion not only to commiserate his Calamity but also more tenderly to respect and honour him as a Person worthy of a better Fortune So that at last especially because his Dearest Son the Prince of Wales had promised unto him both in his Tent the Night of the Battle and afterwards at Bourdeaux that Peace and Concord should take place as much as in him lay if by any means he might prevail with his Father the King being willing to do his Son Honour yielded to more easie Conditions of Peace at least such as seemed so to King John who declared he was ready to pay any Summ of Mony as should be demanded but to subject the Crown of France to any Other that he should never yield to for all the Terrours imaginable So it was agreed g Holinsh Eng. Chron. p. 963. Matt. Villani l. 8. c. 51. l. 9. c. 9. That the whole Countries of Gascogne and Guienne Poictou Touraine Saintogne Perigort Quercie Limosin Angoulmois Ponthieu Boulonois Guisnes and Calais should remain wholly and entirely to the King of England and his Heirs for ever without any Homage or Duty paying therefore And in lieu thereof King Edward to renounce for Him and his Heirs all his Right to the Title and Crown of France as also his Claim which by any manner of Means he might have to the Dukedom of Normandy the Earldoms of Anjou and Maine The King of France being moreover to pay unto the King of England for his Ransom h Ita Authentica Articulerum copia Church-hill's Divi Britan. p. 242. Fabian p. 240. c. Three Millions of Crowns of Gold which amounts to 500000 l. Sterling Whereof 600000 Crowns to be laid down presently 400000 the Year after and the Remainder the next two Years following And that Fourteen of the Chief Nobility of France should lie as Hostages in England till the whole Summ is paid which done King John to be set at Liberty and honourably conveyed into his own Country These Articles were sent over to Avignon to be confirmed and ratified by the Pope and also to the Dauphin to be by him communicated to the Three Estates the success whereof we shall shew in due Place And so the two Cardinals who had now been more than a Year in England took their leave and went home again having the Kings safe Conduct as far as to Calais This Agreement between the two Kings was established by Oaths interchangeably made and with their mutual Kissing each Other and the Fame thereof was spread all about but however on one side or other Sincerity was supposed to be wanting Those Writers i Vid. Odor Rainal ad hunc annum §. 3. that favour the French Interest lay the blame upon King Edward saying that when he beheld the Commotions in France he did his utmost to foment them that so he might subject the Realm unto himself and that he might fling the Odium of the Breach upon the French he k Matt. Villani l. 8. c. 101. contrived to hinder them from raising the Mony which was to be paid ready down and that he secretly assisted the King of Navarre with Men to enable him the more to embroil that Kingdom But all this we shall easily prove to be the Invention of Malice or Mistake For as to the stopping of the Mony 't is l Knighton p. 2618. n. 56. c. affirmed by good Authority That soon after the Departure of the Cardinals there came certain Persons from France with m Forte esset 6 cent Mill. ut suprd twelve hundred thousand Crowns in Part of Payment for their Kings Ransom But King Edward refused the Mony for that they had not brought the Hostages with them as it had been agreed They in their Defence answer'd that a great Part of France was ravaged by the English contrary to the Form and Nature of the Agreement that the People of France durst not go to their own Houses The King told them that such Englishmen who tarried in France after the Agreement made were Outlaws Felons Murderers Theeves
and Robbers and Delinquents against the Laws of his Kingdom and as such out of his Protection nor could he justifie them And further there is found rather an instance of King John's Insincerity in this matter for the same n Knighton p. 2619. n. 24. Author assures us that when the English Ambassadors were returning from Avignon having compleated their Business it was found out that King John contrary to his Oath had sent Letters into France importing That whatsoever he had agreed to for Convenience sake in the present Necessity of Affairs it was never in his Mind to part with one Foot of the Land of France unto the King of England And the Bearer thereof was taken at Sea and upon Search these Letters found about him sealed with King John's Privy Seal Upon notice of this double Dealing King Edward thought fit to confine him a little more closely and so first order'd him to be convey'd to Hereford Castle from whence the next Year o Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 168. 1 Vol. p. 3â—â— Heimâ—â— Engl. Chron p. 964. Knightâ—n ibid. Ashmole p. 659. his Keeper Sr. John Kirketon was order'd to remove him to Somerton-Castle in Somersetshire where also for some time he remain'd under Custody of the Lord William Deincourt and Sr. William Colvile who therein supplied the Place of his Brother the Lord Robert Colvile he being indisposed at that time And lastly he was removed thence to the Tower of London his Son Philip being constantly with him But as we said before these Removes were made the next Year when King Edward was in France III. The mean while as if all the Vials of Gods Wrath were now to be poured out all together upon that unhappy Prince's People there arose in France another Plague more terrible than any hitherto mention'd For whether on occasion of the Oppression of the Great Men or the intoâ—erable Presumption of the Poor soon after the Deliverance of the King of Navarre p Frois c. 182. f. 88. c. Mezeray Da Serres c. a sort of Rascally Clowns began their seditious Assemblies in Beauvoisin and Brie about Soissons and the River of Marne which threatned a total Destruction to all the Nobility and Gentry of France For they prov'd just such Levellers as some twenty three Years after in the Days of King Richard II Wat Tyler and Jack Straw were here in England At first they were not passing an Hundred or such a matter who gathering together out of the little Villages without any Head or Captain and being met somewhere in Beavoisin said among themselves How their Nobles Knights Esquires and Gentlemen were a shame and burthen to the Land and that it would be as laudable to destroy them for their Villany as profitable for their Wealth And they all cried out that it was true and said with one Voice A shame on him that doth not his best to root out all the Gentlemen of the Land. Being thus suddenly gather'd and agreed without either Captain or Weapons except what their own ungodly Madness armed them with as Prongs Staves and the like they went forthwith to a Knights house hard by which having broke up they slew him and his Lady and all his Children great and small and fired the House upon them which done they proceeded to another House a Castle where they took the Captain thereof a Knight and bound him fast to a Stake and ravished his Wife and his Daughter before his Face and then slew the Lady and her Daughter and the rest of his Children and lastly tormented the Knight himself to Death and burnt and beat down the Castle the like whereof they did to several other Castles and Gentlemens Houses And still as they went on they encreased like a rowling Snow-ball so that presently they were grown to above 6000 in Number for all ungracious Villains like themselves fell to them Wherefore all the Gentlemen about the Country with their Wives and Children fled away before them ten or twenty Leagues off for their better Security leaving both their Houses and Goods at the discretion of these base Rascals Thus did this disorderly Multitude range about robbing and burning of Houses Palaces and Mansions murdering and tormenting all Gentlemen they could lay their hands on and ravishing young Ladies and Gentlewomen and committing such horrid Villanies as can hardly be imagin'd And he of their Company who was most daring and exquisite in Câ—uelty and Wickedness had the highest Esteem among them At first they had no Head to follow or obey but now there was found among them one Jaques of Clermont in Beauvotsin who was so diabolically excellent at these Damnable Inventions of doing Mischief that as the most ungracious of all they chose him for their King and Captain naming him Jaques the Good-Man And thence their whole Tribe obtain'd to be called q Cotgrave in his Dictionary says they had the name of la Jaquerie or les Jaquiers from a short Country Jacket worn in those days 〈…〉 hâ—c arridet Opinâ—e the Jaquerie This incarnate Devil of a King having first cruelly slain a Noble Knight of those Parts caused him to be spitted and roasted at a Fire in sight of the Lady his Wife and Children and after that ten or a dozen had in most shamefull manner violated the Lady they compelled her to eat her Husbands Flesh and then put to Death both her and her Children And at this rate they raged and prevailed in Beauvoisin about Corbie Amiens and Mondidier destroying and burning more than threescore good Houses and Castles And at the same time the like Fury seised the Peasants and other villanous Wretches in Brie and Artois but especially in Brie so that all the Ladies Knights and Esquires of those Parts were fain to fly away to Meaux on the Marne for their Defence And among them were the Dutchess of Normandy and the Dutchess of Orleans the one Sister in Law and the other Daughter in Law to King John with several other Ladies and Gentlewomen all who were obliged to fly thither for preservation of their Lives and Honours And all the Country on each side the Marne as between Paris and Noyon and about Soissons and Cressy en Valois and on the other side as far as Mortmireil and Espernay was overrun by these Wretched Creatures and more than an hundred Castles and strong Edifices belonging to the Nobility and Gentry utterly defaced and ruined Wherefore the Gentlemen of Beauvoisin Corbois and Vermandois being alarum'd at the horrible Outrage of these People sent to their Friends in Flanders Hainalt Brabant and Luxemburgh for their Assistance Whereupon being speedily re-enforced they took Courage and rode about the Country in strong Bodies and whereever they met with any of these ungracious Levellers they slew them without Mercy and hanged them on the trees in Clusters and surely it was high time to take them up for if they had all been joyned together they had
of November he went thence to Monstrevil and thence Four Leagues farther to Hesdin and so to the Good City of Amiens where he tarried almost till Christmas On St. Thomas his Day being a Monday he rode thence to Paris where he was Honourably received of the Clergy with solemn Processions and the Universal Joy of all the People who convey'd him with great Demonstrations of Loyal Affection to his Palace Here He and his Son Philip and the rest of the Cavalcade alighted a most Royal and Magnificent Dinner being prepared for them But it is not my business to declare with what Welcome the French King was received by all manner of People at his return into his Realm For he was indeed a Better Prince than One would guess by his Ill-Fortune and had now been a Prisoner no less than Four Years One Month and six Days viz. from the 19 of September 1356 on which day the Battle of Poictiers was fought to the 25 of October 1360 when he was fully acquitted and went from Calais to Boulogne Wherefore his presence was much desired of all his Subjects and they welcom'd him where e'r he came with shouts and Viveleroys and presents of Gold and Silver and other Fair and Rich Gifts And the Prelates and Barons of all his Realm came to Paris to Visit and Congratulate him and they entertain'd him with Shews and Feasts and other Diversions to comfort his Mind according to their Duty And the King was hugely pleas'd with these things it being agreeable to have a Right Taste of Recreation after so much and so bitter Affliction III. Soon after this King Edward sent over the Sea such Persons as were Commission'd by Him to take Possession in his Name of those Lands Countries Earldoms Bayliwicks Cities Towns Castles and Forts that were to be deliver'd unto him by Vertue of the Peace and Treaty But this Matter was not over-hastily perform'd for divers Lords in Languedoc would not at first obey the French Kings Orders to yield themselves to hold of the King of England althô King John frankly quitted them of all the Faith Homage and other Tyes wherewith they had been bound unto Him It seem'd so hard to them to forget their Natural Lord and yield to obey Strangers Of this Humor especially were the Lords of the far Marches as the Earl of la Marche the Earl of Perigort the Earl of Cominges the Vicount of Chasbeau Darry the Vicount of Carmain the Lord of Pincornet and divers others all who were extreamly surprized that the French King should offer to acquit them of the Resort and Homage which they ow'd to him and enjoyn them to pay it to the King of England And some of them began to argue and said that the King ought not so to acquit them for they affirmed how there were in Gascogne Charters and Privileges above 500 Years old granted unto them by Charlemagne King of France which signified that their Resort and Allegiance should not be put to any other Court but his only And therefore at first they scrupled the Kings Commands but King John who was resolved to hold and perform the Articles of the Peace with all sincerity sent his Dear Cousin the Lord James of Bourbon unto them all severally who by good Words and found Reasons shewing them both the necessity of Affairs and that it was the Kings absolute Pleasure and Resolution perswaded the most part of the said Lords as the Earl of Armagnac the Lord De la Bret the Earl of Foix and many others thô much against their Wills to become Liege-men to the King of England The same Difficulty was found in the parts on the Sea-side as in Poictou Rochellois and Sainctogne Unto them this Composition of their King seem'd very grievous when they saw that thereby they were in a manner cut off from their Natural Country and that they must submit to the Government of strangers But especially the strong City of Rochelle would not of a long while admit of the English Yoke but excus'd themselves unto the King and beg'd earnestly of him still to continue their Protector and they wrote to him in the most endearing manner possible desiring him in their Letters and by their Representatives that for Gods sake he would please never to acquit them of the Faith that they ow'd unto him nor put them out of his Demaine into the hands of Strangers saying how they had rather be Taxed yearly even to the half of their substance than to be subject to the English which was a thing wholly insupportable to all true Frenchmen King John by these their frequent and humble Remonstrances saw well their Faith and Loyalty to him and was very compassionate of their case but he was a Prince of that Honour that he had rather lose half his Kingdom than break his Word and it was his ordinary saying That if Faith and Truth were banished from the rest of Mankind nevertheless they ought to be found in the Mouth of Kings Besides he was called upon by King Edward's Deputies for by this backwardness of the French Nation when it seems things were not made ready against Midsummer the First of the times appointed for compleating these Matters King Edward f Ashmole p. 663. ex Rot. Franc. 35. Ed. 3. n. 3. on the 15 of November following constituted Sr. Thomas Vuedale Knight and Thomas Duncent Licentiate in the Laws his Agents whom he sent to Bruges with Power to make request to the King of France for the effectual Accomplishment of all things concluded on at Calais and to require that He and his Son should make the Renunciations and Transports according to all the foresaid agreements on the Reception whereof they were enabled to give Acquittance in the King their Masters Name These things quickned King John in his endeavours to reduce his People to acquiesce in his Determinations wherefore he wrote to those of Rochelle Desiring them to shew their Loyalty which they so much professed in denying themselves for his sake that otherwise the Peace would be broken upon their account which would be a great Imputation to his Honour and no less Prejudice to the whole Realm of France Hereupon when the Rochellers saw no other Remedy and that whether they would or no since their King would not admit of their excuses they should be compelled to undergo this hatefull Yoke then at last after much adoe they yielded full fore against their Wills the Honest Men of the Town saying to one another Well we shall then from henceforth obey the English but our hearts are tyed for ever to the French Interest And here it may be a matter of our Wonder how it came to pass that King Edward should ever expect otherwise from Frenchmen born but that they would bear a foreign Rider with a Mind always ready to fling him off upon the first occasion as afterwards it proved indeed Surely in this case I cannot tell what to say since that Prince's
the occasion yet for the Eminence of the Person I shall not pass by the Murder of Sr. John Copland the same who at the Battle of Durham took the King of Scotland Prisoner as we have shewn already This Valiant and Worthy Gentleman upon what Quarrel doth not appear was this Year k Knighton p. 2626. n. 30. murder'd by the Lord John Clifford of Ewyas who thereupon was forced to fly the Land and could by no means obtain his Pardon till about 15 Years after or the last of King l Dagd 1 Vol. p. 341. Edward when upon the Testimony of divers English Peers in Parliament of his singular Valour and of his special Services in the Wars in France the King at last upon the instant Request of the said Peers and Commons of England then assembled in Parliament gave him his Charter of Pardon CHAPTER the NINTH The CONTENTS I. King John of France on the Death of the Duke of Burgundy without Issue takes Possession of the Country and goes to visit the Pope at Avignon Pope Innocent VI dying Urban V succeeds II. The King of Cyprus comes to Avignon to get and against the Saracens A Combat fought there A Croisade proclaimed whereof the King of France is made the General III. The King of Cyprus visits the Emperour the Emperours Opinion concerning the Holy War The King of Cyprus goes to other Christian Princes IV. King Edward allowing the French Hostages some Liberty the Duke of Anjou makes his Escape V. The Kings of Cyprus and Denmark and the Duke of Bavaria come into England King Edwards Answer to the King of Cyprus upon his demanding Assistance for the Holy War. VI. A Parliament at Westminster VII A Convocation wherein the excessive Number of Holydays are retrenched VIII The Death of the Dutchess of Clarence of Edward Bailiol once King of Scotland and of the Bishop of Bath and Wells IX A Man who after execution at the Gallows recover'd is pardon'd by the King. X. The King of Cyprus and the Shrine of St. Hugh of Lincoln robbed XI King David of Scotland comes into England upon a Visit A long and hard Frost I. AN. DOM. 1363. An. Regni Angliae XXXVII IN the preceding Year King John of France undertook a Journey to Avignon to visit the Pope and Cardinals but he chose to ride through the Dukedom of Burgundy because that Provence was newly fallen unto him by the Death of Philip the young Duke Grandson of Duke Eudes the VI and Son of that Philip who was slain at the Siege of Aiguillon and of the Lady Jane of Boulogne who afterwards was married to King John and died the Year before this her Son. In a Favine le Parisiens Theater t' Honour l. 4. c. 3. p. 7. his Person was extinct the First Branch of the Dukes of Burgundy being of the House of France which had produced no less than twelve Dukes and had lasted the space of 330 Years For this young Prince died b Paradin Annal Burgund l. 2. p. 348. about Easter 1362 without Issue himself being but Fifteen and his Lady Margaret of Flanders not above Eleven When therefore King John c Frois c. 216. fol. 112. was ready for his Journey and had appointed his Son Charles Regent and Governour during his Absence he began his Progress from Paris about the latter end of July 1362 having with him in his Company his Cousin the Lord John of Artois Earl of Tancarville the Earl of Dampmartin the Lord Bouciquault Marshal of France and many other Grandees Having by small Journeys and great Expence rode thrô Burgundy he came in the beginning of September to Villeneufe without Avignon where Lodgings were provided for Him and his Attendants He was entertained with great Magnificence of Feasting by the Pope and the whole College of Cardinals and many interchangeable Visits were made between the King and Them But in the heighth of all d Labbei Chronl Techn ad ann 1362. Pope Innocent the VI having sat Nine Years Eight Months and Twenty Days departed this Life at Avignon on the Twelfth of September Whereupon there arose much Difference among the Cardinals about Choosing of a new Pope for each of them aspired to the Dignity himself especially the Cardinal of Boulogne and the Cardinal of Perigort who were by far the Greatest and had most powerfull Friends Wherefore after much Altercation the rest of the Cardinals agreed to put the Decision of the Matter to these Two who finding thereby that neither of them could obtain the Papacy themselves agreed together that neither any of the rest should have it but rather that they would pitch upon some other Indifferent Person There was at that time in the Parts of Lombardy one e Vid. Odor Rainal ad ann 1362. §. 6. Ciacon cum Victor p. 925. c. who was employ'd thither by Pope Innocent about Affairs with the Lords of Milain named William Grisant by some named Grimoardi Abbot of St. Victor of Marseille a Devout and Holy Man of unblameable Life and eminent Learning who was called Anglicus whereupon f Walsing hist p. 172. many have believed him an English Man thô I rather believe he might obtain that name because he was a Gascogner and so by Birth subject to the King of England This Man the Two Ambitious Cardinals chose rather out of Envy to their Fellows than thrô any Love to Him or his Vertue He g Labbei Chron. Techn ad ann 1362. Lit. Domin B. was elected on the 28 or as Some say on the last of October and Crowned on the Sixth of November following being a Sunday at which time he took the Name of Vrban V. It is said of him h Walsingh hist p. 172. that having long waited at the Court of Avignon in fruitless expectation of Preferment he complained to a Friend of his saying I believe verily if all the Churches of the World should fall there would none fall upon my Head. Whereupon this Friend of his coming to visit him after his Coronation said all smiling You lately complain'd most Holy Father that if all the Churches in the World should fall yet none you thought would fall upon your Head. Behold now how God hath disposed things for all the Churches in the World are now fallen upon your Head together Soon i Frois c. 216. fol. 112. after this Mans Creation King John heard News that Peter of Lusignan King of Cyprus intended shortly to come to Avignon to give his Holiness a Visit and that in order thereto he had already passed the Sea whereupon he resolved to tarry still at Avignon till his Coming being very desirous to see him because of the great Renown he had heard of him both for his Valour and Piety and particularly of the great Honour he had won in the War against the Saracens and that among other his Successes he had lately taken from them Sattalia the chief City of Pamphylia and
put all the Infidels to the Sword. This Peters Ancestor Guy of Lusignan King of Jerusalem k Speed p. 477. §. 40. in Ricardo Primo purchased the Island and Kingdom of Cyprus of our Richard the First King of England sirnamed Coeur du Lyon by Exchange for his Kingdom of Jerusalem ever since which it remain'd in the hands of the said Guy and his Descendants II. King Peter came to Avignon l Frois c. 217. about Candlemas in the beginning of this Year of whose Coming the whole Court was glad and most of the Cardinals together with the French King went forth to meet him and conducted him with much Honour to the Popes Palace where they were highly caressed and after a splendid entertainment the two Kings returned to their Lodgings prepared for them in Villeneufe Thus they tarried during all the season of Lent and made frequent Visits to the Pope and discoursed him of many serious Matters concerning which they came thither While the Kings were at Avignon there happen'd a Controversie in Arms which by the Court Martial was adjudged to be tried by Combat between two Noble and Experienced Knights namely Sr. Edmund de Pamiers and Sr. Fulk de Orillac the King of France being to sit as Judge of the Field Both the Knights behaved themselves with that Activity Skill and Resolution that is was no easie matter to say who was the Better So that when after a long and gallant Fight neither had any apparent Advantage of the other and both their Spears and Swords being broken they were proceeding to Pole-Axes King John presently flang down his Wardour and caused the Combat to cease after which He reconciled them together Now the King of Cyprus spake more than once to the Pope his Cardinals and the French King That it would be both an exceeding Honour and Advantage for all Christendom if some Powerfull Christian King would undertake to lead the Way over the Sea and rear his Banners against the Enemies of the Christian Faith who for want of such Opposition overran all Asia and hung now like a dreadfull Storm over Europe These Words the French King consider'd well and resolved with Himself if he might live Three Years longer to be One among the Foremost in this Holy Expedition not only out of a pious Consideration backed with the Words of the Pope and the King of Cyprus but also for two other Respects the one because his Father King Philip had made a Vow so to do to the m Odâ—r Rainal ad hunc an §. 14 Breach whereof he constantly attributed all the Miseries which had befell France since that time and the other that by so doing he should not only drain his own Country of those Evil Companions who harassed his People without any just Title or Pretence but also thereby prove an Instrument of saving their Souls by making them draw their Swords in the more righteous Cause of Christ These were his Reasons and this his Resolution which he kept secret to himself till Good-Fryday at which time Pope Vrban himself preached in his Chappel at Avignon in the Presence of both the Kings of Cyprus and of Frâ—nce and also of Waldemar King of Denmark who was newly come thither for the same purpose Sermon ended the French King in great Devotion stept forth and professed himself a Champion of Christ and took upon him the Croisade which he solemnly sware personally to set about and to begin the Voyage within two Years from that Time it n Pascha 2 Apr. Lit. Dom. A. being then the last of March. He also requested the Pope to yield his Consent and Furtherance thereto and by his Bulls to authorise this his pious Undertaking The Pope not only most readily agreed to this Request but also granted him his Pontifical Diploma Dat. Aven Pridie Kal. April Anno Pontif. I. Wherein he constitutes him Governour and Captain General of all the Christian Armies and produces these three Causes of that Expedition First the Indignity of the Matter that Christians should suffer those places which our Saviour had honoured with his Footsteps and the Mysteries of our Redemption to be defiled and trodden down of the Mahometans also the seasonable Occasion of Recovering Syria now that the strength of the Saracens was exhausted with a Pestilence and lastly the great Necessity of repressing the growing Tyranny of the Turks when 't was to be feared that all Christendom would be a prey unto them unless their Fury should meet with a timely Check Talayrand the Cardinal of Perigort was the Popes Legate in this Holy Expedition and then Methods were taken how to support the Design with Tithes and other pecuniary Collections the Prelates were commanded to publish this Croisade from their Pulpits and to distinguish those who took it upon them with the Sign of the Cross And then Excommunication and an Anathema was set forth against them who should offer to disswade the French King from his pious Design of recovering Syria On which account circular Letters were sent and solemn Prayers were appointed to engage the Divine Assistance The Pope also sent his Letters to the Emperour Charles to King Edward of England to Lewis of Hungary and to other Kings and Princes that they would now employ all their power and Conduct toward the reducing of Asia unto Christ and because King John could not conveniently set forth till about two Years after by reason that his Realm was so unsettled and he could not in less time finish his Musters and other vast Preparations thereupon wherefore he tied himself to a certain Day which was to be the Kalends of March in the Year of our Lord One Thousand three Hundred Sixty and five The King of Cyprus resolved in the mean time to go about and visit all the great Courts in Europe and as he should succeed to go over before the King of France to whom the Pope o â—dâ—r Rain ad hâ—nc ann §. 19. promised considerable Assistance And thus a mighty Resolution was taken up and the Cross of Jerusalem was worn by John King of France Waldemar King of Denmark and Peter King of Cyprus p Freis c. 217. also by Talayrand commonly called the Cardinal of Perigort thô he was Earl of Perigort and Bishop Cardinal of Alba the same was done by the Earl of Artois and the Earl of Eu the Earl of Tancarville the Earl of Dampmartin the Lord Arnold D'Endreghan the Lord Bouciquault and the Grand Prior of France and many other Lords and Knights then and there present The King of Cyprus was extreamly overjoy'd at the great Zeal he found in all these Christian Worthies and thought his Journey well bestow'd in so great a purchase towards the Advancement of Religion But yet not content with this he design'd to proceed and visit Charles the Emperour and all the Princes and Chief Lords of the Empire he intended likewise to see the King of England the Prince of Wales
flang away in a Field and went to London to sell their ill-gotten Goods but afterwards being themselves rob'd of all their Gains and thereupon confessing their Sacrilege they received their reward at the Gallows Among other Instances of these licentious Robbers violence and contempt of the Law Peter King of Cyprus himself as he rode about here in England with a small Attendance in confidence of King Edwards protection was g Walsing hist p. 173. n. 30. set upon by a Gang of these Fellows and inhumanely strip'd and rob'd of all he had about him Which with other things might easily give occasion to Foreigners of concluding our Nation Uncourteous Barbarous and Inhospitable but that it is not the part of discreet Judges to attribute that unto an whole People in general which is only the Character of the most rascally and villanous sort of Theeves among that People However King Edward was extreamly incensed hereat and did what he could to bring the Authors to condign punishment and in order thereto granted unto the City of London more ample power to do Justice and to deliver up Prisoners within their Liberties to the Kings Justices as they used to do before thô without Licence XI About this time King David of Scotland h Knighton p. 2627. n. 10. came also into England to visit King Edward and to see if he might obtain a Relaxation of some part of his Ransom but we don't hear any thing of his Success therein However he stayed some time here as well in respect to King Edward as for the sake of the Kings of Cyprus and Denmark whom he had never seen before So that shortly after King John of France coming also into England there were present here at one time Four Stranger Kings as John King of France David King of Scotland Peter King of Cyprus and Waldemar King of Denmark This Year i Knighton p. 2627. n. 50. Walsingh hist p. 173. n. 30. Fabian p. 246. M.S. ver Angl. in Bib. C.C.C. Cantabâ—c 232. Sr. Rich. Baker p. 143. c. it is remembred that there happen'd a grievous hard Frost attended with an unusual Cold which continued from the Seventh of September as some say thô others have December to the Fourteenth of the Kalends of April following which was Occasion of incredible Harm as well to the Land in General as to poor People in Particular CHAPTER the TENTH The CONTENTS I. King John of France comes over into England II. King Edward gives him an honourable Reception III. An Alderman of London entertains Five Kings at one Time. IV. The King of Cyprus returns into France and visits the Black-Prince then Prince of Aquitam by whom he is received with great Honour V. King John sickens and dies in England VI. The King of Navarre on News thereof breaking out again the Duke of Normandy sends for Sr. Bertram of Clequin to oppose him A Story of Sr. Bertrams Original VII Sr. Bertram by Stratagem takes Mante and Meulan from the Navarrois VIII The King of Navarre makes the Captal of Busche his General who prepares to ride against Sr. Bertram of Clequin IX Sr. Bertram reinforced the Lord Beaumont de la Val taken Prisoner by Sr. Guy of Granville a Navarrois X. King John's Funeral Rites performed in England his Body buried in France a Day appointed for the Coronation of the Duke of Normandy XI The Particulars of the famous Battle of Cocherel between the Captal of Busche and Sr. Bertram of Clequin wherein the Captals Forces are overthrown and himself taken Prisoner XII Sr. Guy of Granville saves the Life of his Father the Lord Granville and redeems him by Exchange for the Lord Beaumont de la Val. XIII Charles Duke of Normandy Crown'd King of France at Rheims and makes his Brother Philip Duke of Burgundy XIV Sr. Bertram buyes the Castle of Rolebois the Duke of Burgundy sent with an Army to reduce the rest The Army dividing into three Bodies acts separately under the Duke Sr. Bertram and the Lord de la Riviere XV. Prince Lewis of Navarre grows strong about Bourbonnois a Party of his takes la Charité by Surprise XVI The Duke of Burgundy wins Marcheville and besieges Cameroles The Lord de la Riviere takes Aquigny by Composition Cameroles won and demolished AN. DOM. 1364. An. Regni Angliae XXXVIII Connay besieged XVII Prince Lewis and his Garrison of la Charité do their Pleasure The Earl of Monbelliard invading Burgundy King Charles remands the Duke thither who yet takes Connay first and then goes and chaces away the Earl of Monbelliard and wasts his Lands XVIII The Constable of France lays Siege to la Charité and is enforced by the Duke of Burgundy XIX The Place taken by Composition I. KING John of France who had all this while made vast Preparations for the Holy War which he had so solemnly undertaken a Frois c. 218. fol. 114. was now at the City of Amiens in Picardy with all the Lords of his Council before whom he seriously declared That he had a Mind to cross the Seas and pay a Visit to his Brother of England and the Queen his Sister for which cause he had assembled them to let them know his Resolution All his Council for the main were against this so rash Attempt as they thought it of their Kings and several of their Prelates and Barons told him plainly That it would not be either for his Honour or Advantage so easily to put himself into the power of a Reconciled Enemy Messteurs said King John let me believe my own Judgment I have found by Experience so much Faith and Honour in the King of England my Brother and in the Queen and their Children that I can never commend them too highly Wherefore as to that Point I am confident they will embrace me with all Sincerity and Friendship I desire also to confer Personally with King Edward about this Croisade which we have undertaken and besides I intend to excuse my Son the Duke of Anjou who like an indiscreet Young Man by his Unlicensed Return into France has entrenched upon my Honour To these Words none durst make a Rejoinder for they saw he was absolutely determin'd as to that Matter Then the King appointed his Son Charles the Dauphin to be again his Lieutenant and Regent of the Realm during his Absence and he promised the Lord Philip his youngest Son to make him at his Return Duke of Burgundy and Inheritor of that Dutchy And so Order being given to provide all things necessary for the Voyage at Boulogne he rode from Amiens to Hesdin where he solemnised the Festival of our Lords Nativity together with Earl Lewis of Flanders who came thither to meet him and tarried with him four Days On St. Innocents Day he left Hesdin and went to Boulogne where he took up his Lodgings in the Abbey expecting till the Wind might serve having in his Company the Earl of Eu the Earl of Dampmartin
as lief see him Dead as Alive and so he went thither with the Knights who were about him Being come to the place where he lay cover'd with a Shield he caused his Shield to be taken off and then beheld him with much Compassion and having look'd stedfastly on him a while he burst out in these Words Ah! Sr. Charles my Fair Cousin by your indiscreet Obstinacy how many Evils have fell out in Bretagne And yet so God help me as I am sorry at my Heart to find you in this Condition But now it is past Remedy And with that he began to weep over him not that he was not well satisfied with the Victory he had so hardly obtained but that this cruel and costly Decision of his Quarrel did much affect his Generous Mind considering his own Case might have been the same But Sr. John Chandos quickly drew him out of this melancholy and unseasonable Humour saying Sir pray come away and thank God for this fair Adventure thus happily fallen to You For without the Death of this Man you could never have enjoyed your Inheritance of Bretagne and perhaps he would have been content to have found You here in his stead Then the Earl gave order that the Corps of his Cousin Sr. Charles of Blois should the next Day be conveyed in Great State to Guerande a City of Bretagne where he was honourably interred as he was well worthy For he was a most Noble Courteous and Valiant Knight so that a while after he obtain'd the Reputation of a Saint being reported to have done many Miracles after his Death whatever Bloodshed he occasion'd in his Life-time But 't is a Mistake of Froisard's z Frois c. 226. ad sin where he says how he was Canonized for a Saint by Pope Vrban V. When as the Truth is that thô indeed he had some such Matter in his Mind and there are a Tem. 6. Ep. secr p. 160. Vid. Odor Rainal ad an 1368. §. 11. extant Letters of his to John Duke of Bretagne to that Purpose yet when he understood that by the manner of his Death he was not to be look'd on as a Martyr he was very angry with those who presum'd without the Approbation of the Apostolick See to give such Honours unto his Memory and by his Letters to the Bishops of Bretagne enjoyned them in their several Dioeceses to prohibit that any such thing be done for the future Dat. apud Montem Flasconem XVII Kalen. Octobris Anno Pontificat VI. Which agrees with the Year of our Lord 1368 being the Fourth Year after his Death XI Now when all the Dead were spoiled and the Englishmen were all returned from the Chace the whole Army drew off to their former Camp and unarmed themselves and took their ease having first set a good Watch and secured their Prisoners and caused the Wounded to be well dressed On the Monday in the Morning the Earl of Monford caused Proclamation to be made to the Citizens of Rennes and all the Towns and Villages thereabout that he would most inviolably grant them a Truce for Three Days following whereby they might be emboldened to come forth and gather up the Dead Bodies and bury them in Holy Ground which Christianlike Proclamation was both well accepted and also generally prepar'd the Hearts of the People in his behalf Then the Earl return'd to his Siege before Auray saying that he would not stir thence till he was Master of the Place And soon after it yielded unto him The mean while Fame was very busie in carrying tidings abroad into Divers Countries that the Earl of Monford by the Assistance and Conduct of the Englishmen had won the Day against Sr. Charles of Blois and discomfited slain or taken all the Cavalry of Bretagne such as were against him The Lord John Chandos especially had great Renown every where for all manner of People Lords Knights and Esquires as well Foes as Friends that had been present in the Field agreed together in acknowledging that chiefly by his Conduct and Great Valour his side had got the better But at this News all the Friends and Assistants of Charles of Blois were extreamly cast down and especially the French King for this Loss concerned him very nearly as well because of the Death of his Kinsman Sr. Charles as also because many of the best Knights of his Realm were either there slain or taken as Sr. Bertram of Clequin whom he highly favoured and the Earls of Auxerre and Joigny and all the Barons of Bretagne none excepted Wherefore presently he sent his Brother Lewis Duke of Anjou to the Marches of Bretagne to animate the Country which was utterly dejected and cast down with this great blow and also to comfort the Dutchess of Bretagne as she was called Relict of the Lord Charles who took on so extreamly for the Death of her Husband that it was a great Pity to behold her comfortless Condition The Duke of Anjou had newly Married a Daughter of hers and therefore thought himself the more strongly engag'd to this Office And indeed he promis'd faithfully to afford unto all the Good Cities and Castles in Bretagne his best Counsel Comfort and Assistance in all Cases whereby the Poor Afflicted Lady whom he called Mother and all the Country that held for her had for some while a little Confidence yet to see better times Till the French King to avoid worse Inconveniences took other Measures as we shall see hereafter The Earl of Monford wrote the News of this Victory to his Father-in-Law King Edward of England five days after the Battle was ended His Letters bearing Date from before Auray the Fourth of October were shortly after brought unto the King then at Dover by a Pursuivant at Arms who had been in the Battle And the King was so well pleas'd with the News that immediately in reward thereof he b Frois ibid. Aâ—â—mâ—lâ— p. 703. made him an Herald at Arms by the Name of Windesor But it will not be amiss briefly to declare the Occasion why King Edward was then at Dover XII About Three Years before there began a Treaty concerning a Marriage between Prince Edmund of Langley Earl of Cambridge King Edward's Fifth Son and the Lady Margaret Daughter of Earl Lewis of Flanders To which Match the said Earl had lately given his Consent on Condition there might be a Dispensation obtain'd from Pope c Rot. Fr. nc 38. Ed. 3. m. 8. Walsing hist p. 128. n. 40. Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 154. Fros c. 227. Vrban V because of their Proximity of blood And so a Contract was made between the Parties And on this account the Duke of Lancaster and Earl Edmund his Brother had lately passed over the Sea into Flanders with many Knights and Esquires in their Company to visit Earl Lewis of whom they were received very Honourably and with special Tokens of Peace and Love. Insomuch that upon their Return the Earl of Flanders accompanied them
by good Knights and Esquires with Swords Spears and Axes in their hands who stood ready to fight them hand to hand and menaged them so fiercely that they descended much faster than they had come up and others were so roughly handled by the Archers and so bruised with stones that flew about their Ears that happy was he who could make haste back again In this Manner the Assault endured till it began to be dark at which time the Frenchmen sounded a Retreat being very weary with that days service but resolving the next Morning betimes to give them another Visit But all things duly consider'd they nothing doubted of Success but said Surely they are all ours every Man of them They cannot long hold out against Us or if they do We shall famish them These Walls are not strong enough to keep out Hunger You may easily Guess that the Young Earl of Pembroke and his Company were in no good Condition they all now saw their Danger and no doubt repented of their Folly in Disdaining to ride along with the Lord Chandos For they knew those thin Walls were not able to defend them long and besides they wanted Victuals and their Artillery was far spent Yet they made not the least show of Fear but resolv'd upon occasion to fast a Day and a Night or so The Earl of Pembroke had little or no sleep all that Night for He and his Men employ'd themselves in fortifying their Post by gathering together Stones and sharp Flints to offend the Enemy for they knew well they should have an early Serenade the next Morning But when it was Dark Night the Earl spake to an Esquire of his on whose Fidelity he greatly relyed desiring him to go out at a back Postern and so ride to Poictiers and tell the Lord John Chandos into what an imminent Danger he and his Men were plunged shewing also that if he pleas'd he might come soon enough to their Aid For he hop'd to defend the Place till the next day past Noon The Esquire who dearly lov'd the Earl of Pembroke for he was a most Gallant and Couragious young Gentleman however a too-eager Desire of Glory had deceived him at this time and saw his Dangerous Condition promised to do his Message punctually and speedily adding that He knew the way no Man better So about Midnight he mounted a Good Horse and issued out at the Postern and took as he thought the next way to Poictiers But for all his Skill he rode all Night out of the way so that it was fair Day before he could recover it again At the same time the Frenchmen arm'd themselves and sounded to the Assault saying how the Cool of the Morning was fitter for that Work than the Heat of the Day So they drew to the Place in good Order and began the Assault afresh and some ventur'd again to mount the Walls with their Shields over their Heads for they thought it an Honour worth contending for to mount up first But the Englishmen were not idle they stood ready in all Places to defend themselves the least mistake or remissness at that time had been no less than Fatal Wherefore they defended themselves to a Miracle and cast Stones of six eight ten or twelve pound Weight which batter'd Shields and Helmets and slew and hurt and tumbled down many of their Enemies You never perhaps did hear of so weak a Place so well defended by so few Hands against so many Valiant Knights and Esquires as the Frenchmen were This second Assault endured thus without any Advantage to the French till it was Noon But before that f Frois c. 266. f. 160. about Nine of the Clock in the Morning when the Assault was at the highest the Enemy being vext at the Heart to see the English hold out so long sent about the neighbouring Villages for Pickaxes and Mattocks to break down and undermine the Wall of which Matter the English were all along most afraid At that instant the Earl of Pembroke called unto him an Esquire of his and said Here Friend take my best Courser and ride forth at the Postern-Gate we shall make you a Free passage and hie straight to Poictiers and shew my Good Lord John Chandos the dangerous Condition we are in and recommend me unto him by this Token And therewithall he drew off a Rich Ring from his Finger and deliver'd it unto him saying Give Sr. John Chandos this Ring He knows it well The Esquire gladly undertook the Errand for he thought it would be much to his Honour if he could obtain to escape the Enemy and to come to the speech of the Lord Chandos So he took the Ring mounted the Earls Courser and got off by a Back way while the Assault was hot on another Part and rode upon the Spur directly for Poictiers And still the Assault was carried on with extream Obstinacy and the Englishmen defended themselves to Admiration it was their Wisdom to do their utmost now or else they had been slain every Man. XXII But now 't is time to see what became of the First Esquire who as we shew'd rode all night out of the Way and when it was fair Morning then at last he found his Errour and got into the Right Road which leads to Poictiers at which time his Horse began to tire However he came thither by Nine of the Clock and alighted before the Lord John Chandos his Lodgings and entred and found him at Mass but for all that he went directly to him and kneeled down and did his Message as he was commanded Now Sr. John Chandos was not well pleased in mind with the Earl of Pembroke because a few Days before he had Twice refused to ride forth with him against the Enemy as we have related Wherefore being not enclin'd to make any great haste he only said It will be hard for us to come thither time enough and hear out this Mass too Soon after Mass the Tables were spread for Dinner and the Servants asked him if he would please to eat Yes said he if you are ready and so he went into the Hall and Knights and Esquires served him with Water While he was yet washing there came into the Hall the Second Esquire from the Earl of Pembroke who kneeling down took the Ring out of his Purse and said Right Dear Sir the Earl of Pembroke recommends himself to you by this Token desiring you of all Love to come to his Aid and to deliver him from the Danger in which he and all his Men are now in at Puirenon Then Sr. John Chandos who was still but cold in the Matter took the Ring which he knew well enough having given it formerly to the Earl as a Pledge of his Good-will but at this time he seem'd to take little notice of that and only said To come thither time enough is almost impossible if you left him in that Condition as you tell me Let us go to Dinner
all the Props that were under the Wall and so by the time appointed the full Effect was wrought as was expected and there fell down a great Pain of Wall of near 30 Foot in length into the Ditch and so fill'd it up Immediately the English Footmen who stood ready ranged in the Field over against the Place gave a Shout and streight enter'd the Breach and ran directly to the Gates and beat them down with Axes and the Barriers also for there was no sufficient Resistance made the thing was done so unexpectedly Then the Prince of Wales high-mounted in his Chariot rode in at the Gates with his Guard of Partizans and Archers on Foot. With him went the Duke of Lancaster the Earl of Cambridge the Earl of Pembroke Sr. Guischard Dangle and the other Lords with their Retinues of Men of Arms after whom follow'd a Party of the Infantry chosen out of every Troop ready to plunder the City and to slay Men Women and Children for so they were commanded by the Angry Prince Three Troops of Men of Arms and Archers stood at the Gates and as many at the Breach and a third Part of the Army remain'd in the Camp So that it was impossible for any Soul to escape out of the City Surely at such a time War is drest up in his most Dreadfull Habiliments and that Heart must be very strongly bair'd against all access of Pitty which would not relent at the sight when Men Women and Children with Hands and Eyes lifted up flang themselves upon their Knees before the Enraged Prince to entreat for Mercy But he was so immeasurably inflam'd with Anger at the false Treachery of the Frenchmen and at their insolent Obstinacy when he summon'd them to return to their Duty that now he would take no Notice of any of those wretched Objects So that his Footmen with their Halberts and Poleaxes dash'd out the Brains of all they met with and all manner of People were put to Death without any Distinction whether armed or naked opponent or suppliant even those that had never done any Treason or other sin of their own Nay there was so little regard to those poor Innocent Souls who could have no share in the Guilt that they had yet a greater share in the Punishment than those Persons of Higher Degree who had been chiefly concerned in the Offence But if ever Justice is blind much more is she so when she commits her Sword into the hands of War and Fury 'T was a Dismal slaughter and able to draw tears of Blood from the Hardest Heart if ever the least Pulse of Religion or Humanity had beat therein For that Day in the City of Limoges before the Prince put a stop to the slaughter there were slain and beheaded besides the Souldiers and Men of War more than k Mezeray 2 Part. 3 Tâ—m p. 87. 4000 Men Women and Children most of whom may well be supposed to have had no share in the Offence against the Prince but they suffer'd for the sins of others As thus the Prince entred the City there was dispatch'd a Troop of English to the Bishops Palace where they found the Bishop himself who had been the Occasion of all this Mischief Him they immediately carried before the Prince who beheld him with extremity of Anger and Disdain and for all his Pleading for Mercy the best that the Prince gave him was how he should lose his Head And so for the present he was hurried away out of his sight Now as for the Captains of the Garrison who were within the City as Sr. John Villemur Sr. Hugh de la Roche and Roger Beaufort Son to the Earl of Beaufort which Three were the Chief Captains of the City when they beheld the Desolation and Misery that so fast approached them they said to one another We are but all dead Men That is certain the Enemy gives no Quarter Wherefore let us resolve to sell our Lives dearly as it becomes Good Knights to do that so our Names may not die with us And therewithall Sr. John Villemur said to Roger Beaufort who was then but an Esquire Roger it is fit that you should now receive the Honour of Knighthood by my hands Sir quoth Roger I have not yet done any thing worthy of that Honour however I thank you for your favourable Opinion But if we survive this Day I shall hope to have deserved it Thus calm were these Worthies at the very instant of Death but no more was said nor indeed had they leisure to speak any more Wherefore they drew together in a convenient place with their Backs against an old Wall and there began to display their Banners being in all to the Number of Fourscore Chosen Men of Arms upon whom immediately came the Duke of Lancaster the Earl of Cambridge and the Earl of Pembroke with their Men who all alighted from their Horses and encountred with these Resolute Frenchmen the Duke of Lancaster was pleased personally to engage with Sr. John Villemur who was a strong and hardy Gentleman the Earl of Cambridge in like manner undertook to deal with Sr. Hugh de la Roche and the Earl of Pembroke fought hand to hand with Roger Beaufort who thô but an Esquire was not easily overmatch'd by a most Valiant Young Prince These three Frenchmen did many gallant Feats of Arms while they fought long and well in single Combat with the Three English Princes their Men at the same time being hotly engaged one with another And the Black-Prince as he was riding by in his Chariot stopt to behold them and much applauded in his Mind their Skill and Courage And he was such a Lover of Martial Gallantry that this agreeable sight began to soften his Obdurate Heart so that for the sakes of these Three Frenchmen he commanded that no more slaughter should be made in the City and that the French Captains should not suffer beyond the Law of Arms. Then the French Captains paid their Reverence to the Prince of Wales and beholding their Swords said with one consent to their Antagonists Lords we are yours you have conquer'd us Do unto us according to the Law of Arms. Sirs said the Duke of Lancaster we expect no less and so receive you as our Prisoners Thus the three French Captains by their own exalted Courage sav'd their Lives but their Men were all slain they could not hold out against such Numbers of English especially their Captains being personally engag'd in that manner After this triple Combat by the Prince's Command an end was put to the Slaughter so that no more died that Day except perchance any one resisted the l Walsingh hist p. 180. n 40. rest were all taken to Mercy But the City was absolutely given up to the Plunder and rob'd and burnt and level'd with the Ground And now we had best to see what became of the Bishop of Limoges the chief Occasion of all this Mischief whom therefore the
see the English once begin to decline a little they would presently put themselves into his Hands Wherefore he forthwith determin'd to send his Constable into Poictou to the Parts of Sainctogne and Rochellois especially there to make hot War both by Land and by Sea for he said the English had never a Considerable Captain in those Countries And that he might be well furnished with a Navy he sent his Letters to Owen of Wales who lay at that time before Cornet-Castle in the Isle of Garnsey of all which the King was informed and how in all likelihood the Fortress was impregnable commanding him on sight of his Letters to break up his Siege and leave Garnsey and forthwith to go on Board a swift Sailer which the King had sent him for the same purpose and to make for Spain and in his Name to require of King Henry his Confederate that he would lend him once more his Admiral and Men of War with a Fleet of Barks and Gallies to go and block up Rochell by Sea while others held Siege thereto by Land. This Command of the French King's Owen resolved forthwith to obey and so having sent his Men away by Sea to Harfleur himself went on board that good Ship which the King had sent him and set Sail for Spain Whereby the Isle of Garnsey and Cornet-Castle were preserved VIII King Edward was extreamly d Frois c. 301. c. displeased when he heard how the Fleet which he had sent into Poictou with the Earl of Pembroke was overthrown in a Sea-fight by the Spaniards and so many Brave Men and all his Money lost So that all those Parts were left in a manner defenceless And indeed both the King and his Council and all the Wise Men of the Realm concluded that now all Poicto◠and Saintogne were in great likelihood to be lost by reason of that Mischance Wherefore about this weighty Affair much Consultation was held and for the present the King order'd the Earl of Salisbury to go into those Parts with 500 Men of Arms besides Archers But whatever was now determin'd there was no such Matter done For the Affairs of Bretagne coming on presently after put this Business by which thing King Edward repented when it was too late IX The mean while the Spaniards who had taken the Earl of Pembroke were detain'd on the Sea several Days by contrary Winds but however at last they arrived without much loss at the Port of St. Andero in Biscay Where they landed and entred the Town about Noon bringing all their Prisoners into the Castle bound with Chains after the Spanish manner of Treating their Captives Which was far from that Courteous and more Human way of Entercourse held between the French English and Scots of those Days That same Day in the Afternoon arrived in the same Port Owen of Wales who came as we shew'd from the French King to request a Naval Assistance from King Henry of Spain Being landed he went to the Castle where Don Hernando du Leon and Don Cabesso di Vaccadent had placed the Earl of Pembroke and the other Prisoners So that as soon as he was conducted into his Chamber he was informed that in the same House there were several English Captives Owen had a great mind to see these Men and to know who they were and so immediatly went forth into the Hall and as he was going thither encountred the Earl of Pembroke whom he knew very well althô he had seen him but once in his Life before Then he said to him by way of Taunt O Sir Earl of Pembroke are you then at last come into this Country to do Homage unto me for such Lands as you hold in the Principality of Wales whereof I am the True Heir Althô your King hath taken it from me by bad Counsel and rash Advice The Earl of Pembroke was asham'd to see himself a Prisoner and thus affronted in a strange Land by a Man of whom he had no knowledge thô he spake to him in his own Language So he only asked him briefly Pray Sir who are you that give me these Words Why Sir said he I am Owen Son to Edmund Prince of Wales whom your King of England put to Death wrongfully and without title of Reason and hath disinherited me his Son and Heir But I hope shortly to find a Remedy for these Evils by help of my Gracious Lord the King of France And I give you now to understand that if ever I may find you in any place convenient to fight you I shall not fail to do it But then and there I will prove upon your body the Wrong you have done unto me As also I shall prove upon the bodies of the Earl of e He now lately deceased But this Owen might not know Hereford and the Lord Edward Spencer if I may but once light on them For by reason of your Fathers and other bad Counsellors my Lord my Father was betray'd whereat I ought to be displeased and seek amends as soon as I can At this there stept forth a Knight of the Earl of Pembroke's named Sr. Thomas of St. Albans and making haste to speak said Sir Owen if you will say and maintain that my Lord the Earl of Pembroke hath ever done any thing false or unknightly or that he oweth or should owe any Homage to you or to any of your Ancestors cast down your Gage in that Quarrel and you shall soon find him that will take it up To this Owen reply'd scornfully Sir you are a Prisoner I can have no Honour in Challenging you For you are not at your own Dispose but at the Command of those who have taken you However when you shall be at Liberty we shall talk further about this Matter For the Quarrel shall not end thus At which words certain Knights of Spain came between and so parted them asunder Soon after the Spanish Admirals led forth their English Prisoners toward the City of Burgos to present them unto King Henry who then held his Court there He for his part hearing of their Coming sent forth his Eldest Son Prince John who was then stiled the Infant of Castille with an honourable Retinue of Knights and Gentlemen to meet the Englishmen and to do them Honour For this King knew very well what belong'd to Generosity and therefore he himself when they were brought before him shew'd them much Respect and Honour both in Word and Deed as unto Men of High Birth and Merit Thô however within a while after he sent them into several parts of his Realm to be put in safe Custody as having been his Enemies X. Now let us see what became of the Business of Poictou after this loss of the Earl of Pembroke and those who came with him for the Defence of those Parts It may be remembred how that presently after the Spanish Fleet was gone from before Rochell there came thither the Captal of Busche with six hundred
Garrison among them But now that the Flower of the English Forces was lost before Sivray when the Inhabitants heard that the Constable himself was coming against them they went out to meet him with the Keys of the Town in their Hand and so conducted him into the Walls with great joy Having tarried here four Days to refresh his Army he went thence in great Array his Forces consisting of 1400 Spears besides others and presented himself before the Castle of Lusignan which yielded unto him upon Composition those of the Garrison being permitted to go off with their Lives saved and of their Goods as much as they could carry on their Horses before them and so to be safely conducted to Bourdeaux And thus was this strong Place also reduced to the French King's Devotion From hence the Constable rode to Chastellacher and summon'd the Lady thereof which was Madam d Mill's Catal. Honor. p. 918. Constance Wife to Sr. Guischard of Angoulesme to yield up the Castle unto him But she only desired of the Constable his safe Conduct that she might go to Poictiers to speak with the Duke of Berry which request Sr. Bertram granted and caused her to be attended thither with one of his own Knights Being come before the Duke she kneeled down but the Duke presently took her up demanding what her Pleasure was Sir said the Lady I am strictly summon'd by the Constable of France to submit my self my Lands and Castle to the Obedience of the French King. And Sir your Royal Highness knows very well how my Lord and Husband lieth as yet a Prisoner in Spain his Lands being left to the Government of me a weak helpless Woman Sir I may not dispose of mine Husbands Inheritance after my Pleasure for if I should do any thing of such high Moment without his Knowledge he would surely give me no Thanks therefore and so I might incurr blame which God forbid I should ever justly deserve from my Lord and Husband But Sir to satisfie Your Highness and to preserve my Lands in Peace I shall compound with You for my self and all mine that You shall make no War upon Vs nor We upon You till my Husband be released out of Prison At which time I believe he will make for England And then I 'll send him word of this our Composition and he will most surely let me hear whether he will agree thereto or no And so your Highness shall have a final Answer To this the Duke reply'd Fair Madam I am well content to grant your Desire on this Condition that neither You nor any Captains of your Fortresses make any greater Provision of Men Victuals or Artillery during this Cessation than you have at this present time And this also being agreed to by the Lady she return'd to her Castle where she caused the Siege to be raised by shewing unto the Constable the Duke of Berry's Letters to that Effect From thence the Constable went before Mortimer the Lady whereof submitted her self and her Lands to the Obedience of the French King and she also deliver'd up the Castle of Didonne which belonged to her Thus was all Poictou Sainctogne and Rochellois quite rid of the Englishmen Whereupon the Constable having set good Garrisons in all Places when he saw no sign of Resistance in those Marches even as far as the River Garonne returned homeward into France as also did the Dukes of Berry Bourbon and Burgundy and most of the French Barons who had been concern'd in those Parts All these were highly feasted and entertain'd by the King at Paris but none so much as Sr. Bertram of Clequin the rest were no more than Shadows to him his Glory eclipsed them all and when he came to Paris the King thought he could not honour and caress him sufficiently III. Now e Frois c. 307. f. 187. b. sed Gallicè s 256. b. while the Constable remain'd with the King at Paris in much Honour the Lord Oliver Clisson the Lord de la Val the Lord of Vangoure the Lord of Tournemine the Lord of Rieux and the Lord of Rochefort with the Vicount of Rohan Sr. Charles of Diguier Banneret of Bretagne the Marshal of Blaroville the Lords of Hambie of Ruille of Fonteville of Granville of Farnville of Dennevalle and Des Cleres Bannerets of Normandy went with a great Army of Bretons and Normans and laid siege to the strong Castle of Becherel in Bretagne which they very much streightned by their continual Assaults But there were two Valiant English Captains within namely Sr. John Cornwall and Sr. John Appleyard who with certain Choice Troops defended the Place couragiously and made many Sallies and Skirmishes and endured many warm Attacks to their Honour In Normandy the Frenchmen maintain'd at the same time another Siege before St. Saviour le Vicount wherein were Captains Sr. Thomas Tribles Sr. John de Burgo Sr. Philip Picard and the Three Mauliverers Brethren And it is to be noted that these two Garrisons before they were now besieged had overran all the Country of Base Normandy so that nothing could be secure from them but what was in strong Fortresses Besides which they ransom'd and took Prisoners as well in the Bishoprick of Bayeux as in Eureux the King of Navarre himself conniving thereat nay and sometimes assisting them with Victuals and Men such as he had disposed about in Garrisons in the Country of Eureux For as then he was not agreed with the French King So that the Garrisons of Cherbourg of Conches of Bretevil of Eureux of Cocherel and others under the Obeisance of the King of Navarre had made great Havock in Normandy as well as the English themselves But as f Vid. hujus Hist Lib. 4. c. 7. §. 10. p. 795. we shew'd before there had lately such Means been made between the two Kings of France and Navarre especially by the diligent Promotion of the Earl of Salebruse and the Bishop of Eureux that they came to an Accord and so met together in Friendly manner at the Castle of Rohan on the River of Seyne And there besides the two Kings many Great Lords on both Parts were solemnly sworn to cultivate a mutual Peace Friendship and Unity for ever After which Assurance thus given and taken on both Sides the King of Navarre went along with the French King as we shew'd to Paris where He and all His were received with much Honour and Royal Magnificence And then and there the King of Navarre put all his Lands which he held in Normandy into the Hands and Disposal of the French King he undertaking their Protection and that the Propriety should remain entire to the King of Navarre but the Use of them to the French King during the Wars with England This done the King of Navarre left his two Sons Charles and Peter with their Uncle the French King and so took his leave of Paris and returned into Navarre And this Peace indeed he kept and upheld
Duke of Anjou tarried still at St. Omers From King Edward there came John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster John Dreux commonly called Monford Duke of Bretagne William Montagu Earl of Salisbury and William Courtney Bishop of London Sr. Robert of Namur was also with the Duke of Lancaster and waited on him to do him Honour while he staid in Flanders and the two Legates the Archbishop of Rouën and the Bishop of Carpentras went between the two Parties and took much Pains shewing many weighty Reasons to induce both Sides to Moderation but all to no purpose the Lords were so far asunder in their Resolutions For the French King demanded back again 1400000 Franks which had been paid for the Redemption of King John and also to have Calais rased and beaten down to the Ground To neither of which would the King of England by any means consent Then the f Fabian p. 258. c. French Deputies required Licence of the Legates that they might ride to Paris to declare more particularly unto the King the Offers made on the English Part after which they promised to return with an Account of his Pleasure as to the Premises Upon this Demand it was at last resolved that certain sufficient Persons for that purpose appointed should go and shew unto King Charles How the English Negotiators besides that they absolutely refused to refund the Money or to rase Calais as aforesaid stood stifly for the Absolute Sovereignty which they said belonged to the King their Master and that the King of England and his Heirs Kings of England should for ever enjoy all the Lands comprised in the former Peace made between Him and King John without any Homage or Resort or any other Duty paying or owing therefore Upon this King Charles summon'd his Peers and Nobles about him and there came many Lawyers and Doctors of Divinity unto him to Paris to hold a Debate and Argument on this Matter And here at last it was peremptorily determin'd that the King might not part with his Right of Sovereignty without great Peril of his Soul because he was so manifoldly engaged to maintain the Rights of his Kingdom This Report being brought to Bruges the Treaty immediately fell to pieces without any further Effect but only that by the earnest Intercession of the Legates the Truce however was prolonged to the g Rot. Franc. 50. Ed. 3. m. 16 21. Last of June then next ensuing and afterwards was lengthen'd out farther to the First of April of the Year MCCCLXXVII to give notice whereof to the English Subjects h 7 Aug. Claus 50. Ed. 3. p. 1. m. 3. Dorso vid. Rot. Vasc de cod an m. 8. Rot. Franc. m. 10. a Proclamation was set forth So these Lords on both sides tarried at Bruges the Remainder of the foregoing h 7 Aug. Claus 50. Ed. 3. p. 1. m. 3. Dorso vid. Rot. Vasc de cod an m. 8. Rot. Franc. m. 10. Winter and most part of the Lent following keeping great State especially the Dukes of Lancaster and Burgundy But in the Spring they all return'd to their several Countries except the Duke of Bretagne who tarried still in Flanders with the Earl Lewis his Cosen k Jacob. Meyer Annal. Flandr l. 13. p. 193. who made him extream welcome for the space of a Year i Fabian p. 258. But we must not forget to make mention of the great Good-will which King Edward and his Children still manifested to the Person of the Noble Lord John Greilly Captal of Busche who being taken as we have related before Soubise was all this while kept a Prisoner in the Tower of the Temple at Paris Him they l Frois c. 315. earnestly labour'd to get at Liberty and made frequent Overtures to that purpose but especially now by their Ambassadors and Negotiators at Bruges they offer'd in Exchange for him Valeran the young Earl of St. Pol and Three or Four other Knights besides m Frois c. 332. fol. 210. b. Gold and Silver in Abundance But the French King and his Council would by no means consent to deliver him n Frois c. 315. fol. 196. b. Jacob Meyer Annal. Flandr l. 13. p. 194. unless he would swear Never more to bear Arms against the Crown of France To which Proposal the Loyal Gascogner stoutly reply'd That thô he was sure otherwise to die in Prison yet he would never make any such Oath But of this Valiant Prince's Death we shall speak hereafter III. This Year being the Fiftieth of King Edward's Reign over England he kept o Daniel's History p. 256. a Second Jubilee in consideration thereof and gave Pardons Immunities and Graces and shew'd many Notable Acts of Bounty and Goodness to his People as in the First Jubilee which was the Fiftieth Year of his Age. A singular Blessing which very few Monarchs have ever arrived to either before or since that time Soon after viz. on the 28 of April p M.S. Ret. Par. 50. Ed. 3. p. 116. n. 1 c. Item Sr. Rob. Cotton's Abridgment p. 120. c. being the Monday after the Feast of St. George FE Lit. Dom. the King of England held his High Court of Parliament at Westminster On which Day there was a considerable Appearance both of Lords and Commons before the King in his own Chamber Royal. But because divers of the Lords and some few of the Commons were not come Proclamation was made in the Great Hall at Westminster that all such who had received Summons to Parliament should be there the next Morning by Eight of the Clock At which Day Sr. John Knevet Knight Lord Chancellour of England §. 2. declared before the King Lords and Commons the Causes of the present Parliament to be Three viz. To enquire how the King should best provide for the Government of the Realm Secondly for the Defence of the same as well beyond the Seas as on this side both by Sea and by Land and lastly how he might prosecute his Quarrel against his Enemies and make good the same the Chancellour adding That as the King had always in all his Attempts follow'd their Good Counsel so now he meant to do no less Wherefore in the King's Name he wish'd them to go together the Lords by themselves and the Commons by themselves and speedily to consult and return an Answer So when there were appointed Receivers of Petitions for England Ireland Wales and Scotland as also for Gascogne and other Places and Isles beyond the Seas Tryers of the said Petitions after the Custom being subjoyned §. 3 4 5 6 7. the * §. 8. Commons were willed to depart to their accustomed Place being the Chapter-House of the Abbot of Westminster whither they went accordingly And then certain of the Lords and Nobles who are particularly named in the Records were order'd for the quicker Dispatch of Affairs to go and consult with the Commons In consideration of the necessary
Wickliff Greeting Directing our Eyes to the honesly of your Life and laudable Conversation and Knowledge of the Learning wherewith the Most High hath endued your Person who are Master of Arts and having great Confidence in your Fidelity Circumspection and Industry We set you over our Hall of Canterbury lately by Vs founded at Oxford as Warden thereof and do by these Presents commit unto you the Care and Administration belonging to the Wardenship thereof according to our Appointment in this Part reserving unto our selves the Receiving of your Corporal Oath to be by you made unto Vs and due in this Part. Dated at Magfield Vto Idûs Decemb. An o Dom. MCCCLXV And from hence it appears that Wickliff did not obtain this Place by any Ill means as some have said thô it is to be believed that when by this Archbishops Successor he was afterwards ejected no good Arts were used for as then g Anton. Wood Antiq. Oâ—ond 14. 183. nothing in the World was laid to his Charge but that he was a Secular which sure he that set him there first knew as well as they But whereas h Histor Monast D. Albani Fox Acts Mâ—n p. 392. An o ult Ed. 3. he is accused for that as an Hypocrite he resorted much to the Orders of Begging Fryars frequenting their Company and extolling the Perfection of their Poverty this must seem absolutely false and inconsistent to any who hath but once heard of i Eâ—tat in Bibliothâ—câ Publ. Aâ—adem Cantabr Fig. 19.10.13 that Notable Treatise of his now Extant which he wrote particularly against the Mendicant Fryars containing 50 Chapters However this is certain that his Tenets were not received by the Generality of the Clergy in those Days For he affirm'd sundry Doctrines very disagreeable to the Genius of that Age as k Fox Walsing Knighton Oder Rainald Antiq. Britan. p. 258. c. That the Pope had no more Power to Excommunicate any Man than another Priest That if it be given by any Person unto the Pope to Excommunicate yet to absolve the same is as much in the power of another Priest as in his He affirm'd also That the Temporal Power might and ought to take away from the Clergy what the Piety of former Times had bestowed upon them if they shall be found to abuse the said Goods or to approve themselves unworthy thereof and that he proved to have been heretofore practised in England by King William Rufus which thing said Wickliff if he did lawfully why may not the same be done now If unlawfully then doth not the Church err in Praying for him As for the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist he proved against the Fryars who held the contrary Opinion l Wickliffe's Treatise against the Fryars c. 16. p. 33. That the Accidents of Bread remained not without the Subject or Substance i. e. that the Body of Christ is present not without the Bread. He m Speed l. 9. c. 13. §. 118. p. 610. also stoutly asserted the Regal Supremacy against Papal Vsurpation he wrote against the Mass Transubstantiation Merit Adoration of the Host of Saints Images and Reliques and against Pilgrimages and Indulgences He likewise held That the n Odor Rainal ad hunc ann §. 5 Walsing hist p. 188. p. 205 Knighton p. 2648. Roman Church was no more the Head of all Churches than any other Church That no more Power was given to St. Peter than to any other Apostle and that the Pope of Rome had no more Power of the Keys of the Church than any Other who was in Priestly Orders That the Scriptures were sufficient for Salvation and that all other Rules of Saints under the Observation whereof there are divers Religious Orders do add no more Perfection to the Gospel than Washing a Wall over with Lime doth make the Wall more perfect As for his Arguments they may be seen at large o Fox Acts Monum Johan Hus Opera Walsing hist p. 200 ad p. 209. Hist Monast D. Albani Knighton p. 2644. Nicol. Harpsseldius in Histor Wickliffiana Holinsh p. 998. in Mr. Fox his Acts and Monuments and more of his Opinions may be consulted in the Authors quoted in the Margin thô it is to be given as a Caution that they all vary one from another both as to the Number Order and Sense of the Articles VI. It is said that he was supported and upheld in these his Opinions by King Edward himself but this is certain that John of Gaunt the Great Duke of Lancaster and Entitled King of Castille and Leon who had now the chief Government of the Realm during his Father's Weakness was an Open Favourer and Patron of John Wickliff and his Doctrine But at the same time his Opinions were so distastfull to the Clergy that now there p Fox Acts Mon. ex Histor Mon. D. Albani Nic. Harpsseldus in Hist Wickliff c. 5. p. 683. came forth from Simon Sudbury Archbishop of Canterbury a Process and Order of Citation for the Author to be brought before the Spiritual Court the Time and Place being formally assigned When the Duke of Lancaster heard that his Client Wickliff was to appear before the Bishops fearing that he being single might be overcome by the Number of his Adversaries he took unto him Four Batchelors of Divinity of Good Learning and Skill in the Scriptures to joyn them with Wickliff for his surer Support On the Day appointed q D. Lit. Dom. Pascha 29 Martii which was Thursday the Nineteenth of February Dr. John Wickliff being accompanied with the Four Batchelors in Divinity aforesaid and also his Mighty Patron the Duke of Lancaster going along with him for the greater Honour and Countenance of his Cause went toward the Church of St. Paul in London the Lord Henry Percy High Marshal of England going before to make way for his Lord the Duke and the Doctor And all the way as they went Wickliffes Friends animated him all they could and bad him not fear nor shrink or be daunted at the presence of the Bishops who said they are all Vnlearned in respect of You And that he should not dread the unusual Concourse or Clamors of the People for they themselves would assist and defend him so that he should receive no harm With these Words of the Duke and other Nobles with him Wickliff being much encouraged came to St. Pauls where there was such a vast Throng of People that the Duke and the Lords with him could hardly pass thrô the Church for all the Lord Marshal made way with his Officers When William Courtney Bishop of London saw the stirr that the Marshal and his Men made in the Church among the People he said unto the Lord Percy that if he had known before how he would have plaid the Master in his Church he would have hindred him from coming thither At which Words of the Bishop the Duke disdaining extreamly answer'd him
was entituled Robert of Artois Earl of Beaumont le Roger Peer of France Lord of Conches Damfront and Mehun And as his Blood was Illustrious his Courage was undaunted and his Spirit unable to brook an Injury Now in process of time it happen'd c Gaguin Graston p. 229. c. that in a Plea of some High Concern for Lands between this Sr. Robert and his Aunt the Lady Mathilda Countess of Artois he had judgement awarded by the Court against him whether because of Letters that Sr. Robert was said to have counterfeited or for Respect to the Lady who was a Widdow or out of Envy to him who was the King's sole Favourite or thrô neglect and inadvertency or for any other cause Just or Unjust however the proceeding so much â—ncensed Sr. Robert that he could not forbear to utter in the hearing of many these High Words By me was Philip Crown'd and by me shall he be discrown'd again These rash Words had surely cost him his Head could Philip have taken him in his anger But he had wisely voided his Dominions and cast himself upon his Nephew John Earl of Namur The mean while King Philip had caused his Lady thô so near related to himself with her two Sons the Lords John and Charles to be apprehended and flung into close Prison d Graften p. 267. in the Castle of Gastenois whence he sware they should never return while they lived whatsoever he should be advised to the contrary Nor content with this he sends to the e Frois c. 2â— Bishop of Liege desiring him effectually that he would for his sake defie and make War against the said Earl of Namur unless he would deliver up Sr. Robert of Artois or expell him his Country All this the Bishop did accordingly he was so addicted to the Crown of France and thereupon the Earl was forced thô unwillingly to send Sr. Robert away Who went thence directly to his Cozen the Duke of Brabant by whom he was entertain'd with much friendship and generosity The enraged King upon knowledge hereof sends the Duke word that if he continued any longer to foster or entertain this his Enemy in any part of his Countrey he with all the Realm of France his Friends and Allies would thenceforth commence an everlasting Quarrel against him The Duke upon this Menace privately conveys this his Friend to a strong Fortress of his expecting the Issue of King Philip's Intentions But this angry Prince had so well studied his Revenge that by his Spies he was acquainted with this Finess of the Duke's Whereupon taking it very heinously to be thus impos'd on by his great Importunity seconded with round Sums of Money he engaged John of Luxemburgh King of Bohemia thô he was Cozen German to the Duke of Brabant the Bishop of Liege aforesaid the Archbishop of Colen the Earl of Gueldre the Marquis of Gulick or Juliers the Earl of Bar the Lords of Ros and Fanquemont or Valkenburgh as the Germains with several others all at one time to concurr in a common Defiance against the Duke of Brabant And accordingly all these having joyn'd the Earl of Ewe Constable of France who led a considerable Army himself defi'd the Duke of Brabant and entring his Country by the way of Esdan or Sedain on the Meuse came to Antwerp at that time the chief City of Brabant and twice over-ran the Country where they pleased with Fire and Sword. Hereupon William Earl of Heinalt out of kindness to the Duke his Kinsman sent his own Lady Joan de Valois who was King Philip's Sister together with his Brother John Lord Beaumont of Heinalt into France to entreat for Peace and to obtain a present respit from War for the Duke of Brabant At last thô not without much ado King Philip was wrought upon to vouchsafe him a Peace upon these Conditions That the Duke of Brabant should cast himself upon the favour of the Court of France and of the Kings Council of them to abide the Censure and also without fail by such a certain time absolutely to banish out of his Territories the said Robert Earl of Artois The Lord Robert being thus eagerly prosecuted from one Country to another and wholly driven to despair at last resolves to fling himself upon the more powerfull Protection of the King of England and from this time sets himself with full Bent against his own Country So dangerously impolitick is it for a Prince to declare himself irreconcilable to any Great Man before he has him in his Power For here he kindled such a Fire as the blood of more than an hundred thousand Frenchmen could not extinguish He came into England disguised like a Merchant his Stuff and Riches being all convey'd hither before about the time that King Edward held his Parliament at f Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 645. York in order to his Affairs relating to Scotland The King knew him well for g Graften p. 207 Polydor. l. 19. p. 364. both he and his Mother had formerly received much kindness at his Hands when they were persecuted by the Spencers and beside as we have shewn he was of Kin to the King by the Mother wherefore readily apprehending of what great use such a Man might prove to his future Attempts he immediately made him of his Council and assign'd him the h Frois c. 26. Speed p. 570. §. 37. Profits of the Earldom of Richmond till he should provide some other Settlement for him But of him we shall speak more anon II. King Edward before the sitting of this Parliament had upon Occasion of the foremention'd Rumours from the North sent l Ashmole p. 645. ex Rot. Pat. 6. Ed. 3. p. 3. m. 3.14 Dec. Ralph Lord Basset of Drayton and Sr. William Denham his Ambassadors to King David his Brother in Law demanding present Restitution of the Town of Barwick which his Grandfather Edward the First had held in peaceable Possession and also to summon him to come into England to render Homage unto him as Superior Lord for that his Kingdom of Scotland To which Message King David by advice of his Council return'd thus k Frois ibid. Lords it is no small wonder to Us and to all our Barons that the King your Master our Good Brother in Law should send us such a Message as here you bring us For it could never appear to us that the Realm of Scotland was of old bound or subject to England either to yield Homage or any other Service thereto Wherefore neither would the King our Father of famous Memory ever own any such thing for all the Wars that were made against him by your King's Father or Grandfather The steps of our Father we Our selves God willing intend to follow in all that is Just and Honorable even thô thereby we hazard both our Life and Kingdom As for Barwick it was l Vid. John Harding c. 172. and Speed p. 559. § 34. fairly won
by the Prowess of King Robert our Father from King Edward Father to the King your Master in time of Open War. And by the same Prowess he held it with Honour till by his Death it came with the rest of his Inheritance to Us his undoubted Son and Heir who intend also with our utmost Ability to hold it in the best manner we may But this Lords we require of you as Gentlemen and Christians that you would do your best to persuade the King your Master whose Sister we have taken into our Royal Bed that he will suffer us peaceably to enjoy our Rights and Franchises as his Ancestors have done before and leave freely in our Possession what our Father so valiantly wan and so quietly enjoy'd and at last so entirely transmitted to Us with his Crown and Kingdom Nor let the King your Master be too credulous of light Reports since we intend Religiously to keep the Peace so lately made at Northampton Nor let him give too much Faith to evil Counsellors whose restless Spirits stirr him up against us Since if any other Prince in the world intended to injure us He ought especially to aid succour and defend us for his Sisters sake whom we have Married and taken into our Bosom Upon this Answer the Ambassadors promising to acquit themselves as he had required them were dismissed but King Edward was nothing content when he heard them report the Answer I am well aware that the Scotch Writers imagining the better to colour all their losses deliver how their King David had before this even upon Bailiols Invasion convey'd himself with his Queen into France But neither doth it seem honourable nor reasonable that by so weak thô successfull an Enemy and at the appearance of such small Forces their King should be driven to such desperate Courses nor is it agreeable to other either Circumstances or Authors and it is utterly contradicted by Froisard who lived near those Days and took great Care and was very impartial in Collecting his History Wherefore with him we cannot admit that he left his Kingdom in this manner till the Main of his Forces were overthrown by King Edward in the Battle of Halidoun to which now we hasten III. The late-mention'd Answer from Scotland was no way pleasing to King Edward for whatever Natural affection for his Sister the Queen of Scots might persuade he saw plainly by the resolute Answer of King David that he was no longer to be rely'd on as a Friend than he should want Power of manifesting himself an Enemy to England that the Old League with France was more prevalent than this New Alliance with him that however now in his Pupillage he seem'd desirous of Peace within a few years he would prove both willing and able to wage the fiercer Wars It troubled him also not a little that while himself was under Age so Dishonourable a Bargain had been made wherein he had been induced to resign those Instruments of his Superiority over Scotland which as his Father had purchas'd with much Honourable Difficulty so till himself had regain'd them he could not be at friends with himself The present Occasion also seem'd more promising since the Scots had already broke the Peace and that on his Part beside the Limits of the Peace were fully expired that moreover King Bailiol had in Reality the best Right to that Crown from whom he might expect not only the accustomed Homage but also Restitution of what Himself in his Minority had by evil Counsel resign'd to the extream Diminution of his Honour and Royal Prerogative Add to all this that till he had settled his Affairs on that side he could not safely make any Pretensions to France which the Lord Robert of Artois from his first coming had vehemently instigated him unto according to that vulgar Saying He that the Realm of France would win Must with Scotland first begin Now therefore he calls his m Knighton p. 2562. Walsing hist p. 115. Parliament which as we said before met at York a little after the Purification of the Virgin Mary or rather in the beginning of March the * it began to sit in the 2d week in Lent Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 645. Second Sunday in Lent happening that Year on the last of February To this Parliment King Bailiol as holding of King Edward had his Summons but n Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 6. 45. Walsing hist p. 115. n. 40. he understanding that his Enemies had laid wait for him in the adjacent Isles and elsewhere durst not adventure to come in Person but sent his sufficient Excuse by the Lord Henry Beaumont Earl of Buquhain the Lord William Montagu and other Lords and Knights who so evidently declared the Reasons of his Non-appearance at that time that their Apology was accepted by the King and his Council Here the King declaring to all his Lords the late Answer of the King of Scots to his Embassy o Frois c. 26. f. l. 15. b. demands their Advice thereupon and that they would consider what way he might best salve his Honour and maintain his Right The Result was The whole Parliament was of Opinion that the King could no longer with Honour put up those Wrongs and Injuries daily done unto him and his people by the Scots They humbly therefore pray'd and advis'd his Majesty to provide such force of Men and Arms as might not only reduce Barwick into his Power but also compell the King of Scotland gladly to seek his Peace by rendring unto him the accustomed Homage for that Kingdom In which Enterprise they all promised to assist him in Purse and Person The King as he was always very Gracious to his People thanked them heartily for the Loyal Affection wherewith they embrac'd his Honour and Interest and so having prefixed p Claus 7. Ed. 3. m. 19. Derse Trinity Sunday for the time wherein his Forces were to be Assembled at Newcastle upon Tine he Dissolv'd the Parliament Thus was a War resolv'd on But yet q Frois c. 26. ibid. before the King of England would draw his Sword he sends again to King David other Ambassadors to summon him to come and do the required Homage upon peremptory refusal whereof they were secretly instructed with full Authority to defie him But for all this the Scots were so Resolute upon their Liberty that no better Answer could be obtain'd than what was return'd before So that the Defiance was openly made and War Published between the two Nations r Virgil. l. 12. v. 503. Tanton ' placuit concurrere Motu O Deus aeternâ Gentes in Pace futuras IV. Before ſ Walsingh bist p. 114. n. 10. this King Edward had sent some Forces toward the North not to Invade Scotland but to make good the Borders in case of an Invasion from thence And well it happen'd that he had so provided For t Knighton p. 2562. n. 6◠before the Defiance was made the Lord
Kings only Brother the little Young Duke of Burgundy Son to his Queen by her First Husband the Lord Philip aforesaid the Earl of Dampmartin and Others And at the same h Martin p. 125 time in consideration of the eminent and agreeable Services of the Lord Don Carlos de la Cerda of Spain who had lately enter'd the narrow Seas in Behalf of the French with a Powerfull Fleet and thô he was beaten by King Edward as we shew'd even now had first done considerable dammage to England created him Earl of Angoulesme The i Frois ibid. next day the King removed thence and went to Laon and so thrô Soissons and Senlis after which both He and his Queen enter'd into Paris on the 17 of October in great Triumph where there was general Feasting and Revels for an whole Week together and the King tarried at his Palace of Nesle untill the Eleventh of November or the Feast of St. Martin the Bishop and Confessor during which time he sent forth his Summons for the Three Estates to meet him in Parliament at such a Day VI. Now it is to be noted k Odor Rainal ad hunc annum §. 37. c. that in these Days there was hot War between the Soldan of Babylon and Constantine King of Armenia the former invading the King of Armenia's Dominions with vast and numerous Armies and the latter endeavouring by the united Strength of his own Subjects the Cypriotes and Rhodians to repell the Violence of the said Heathen Invaders or at least to stop their Progress which then began to threaten all Christendom Among l Walsing Hist p. 160. n. 25. Stow p. 250. b. n. 56. Holinsh p. 945. b. n. 20. the several great Men who together with the Christian Princes were engaged in this Holy War whereof Hugh the Valiant King of Cyprus was the most Notable there was a Cypriote Knight named John de Vesconti of the King of Cyprus his Blood and a Knight of France called Thomas de la Marche Bastard-Brother to John de Valois the French King both who had a considerable Command in the Christian Army It so fell out that John de Vesconti laid slat Treason to the Charge of the Bastard of France namely that he had secretly appointed in Consideration of a certain Summ of Gold to be paid unto him before-hand in part of a greater Summ to be paid afterward to betray the Christian Army to the Turks The Defendant strenuously denied the Charge which the Appellant as eagerly urged but there was no other Proof on either side save only their single Asseverations Whereupon a Challenge being denounced and accepted between the Parties the Christian Captains fearing either to displease the King of Cyprus or the King of France to whom they were Allied or at least doubting some Dissention might happen thereupon among themselves by reason of Part-taking on either side made them both swear to stand to their Award as it should be determin'd by the Confederates in Council The Judgment was that they should take and carry Letters importing their Cause fully and clearly from the said Christian Princes unto King Edward of England and to submit themselves to be tried by Combat before him as the most Worthy and Honourable Prince in all Christendom they swearing to remain as perfect Friends untill that time As it was determin'd so these Generous Knights performed and came into England in the beginning of September and forthwith presented their Letters unto King Edward in the Name of the Kings of Armenia and Cyprus and the rest of the Princes and Captains of the Christians containing the whole Difference between them and that they were to determine the Matter by Combat before him as their Judge And then again Sr. John de Vesconti openly before the King began to accuse Sr. Thomas de la Marche of the Treasonable Intent and Purpose aforesaid challenging to prove it upon his Body and thereupon flung down his Gantlet Which the said Sr. Thomas as boldly took up and accepted the Challenge in proof of his Innocency King Edward having read the Letters and seriously consider'd the whole Matter set them a Day C. Lit. Dom. namely the Fourth of October being the Monday after St. Michael wherein to decide their Quarrel in close Field within the Lists at his Palace of Westminster On the day appointed they met accordingly Armed at all Points on Horseback the King the Prince of Wales and the whole Court of England being Spectators There presently upon Sound of Trumpet began a most gallant Combat between these two Gentlemen for at the Tilt both their Spears brake on each others Shield yet neither of them was moved from his Saddle wherefore as it were by Consent they both alighted at one instant and renewed the Combat on Foot till having with equal Valour and Discretion fought a Considerable while both their Weapons were rendred useless and they were obliged to come to close Grapple till by Wrestling both fell lock'd together still contending for the Victory Now the Visors of both their Helmets were defended before with small distant Bars of Steel thrô which they might see and breath more freely all the rest of their Bodies being wholly cover'd with Armour Wherefore Sr. Thomas de la Marche the Knight of France who only of the two had certain short but sharp Pricks of Steel called m Ab Angle Sar. Gadd Massa chalybis Gadlings enclosed in the Joints of his Right Gauntlet struck therewith at the Visor of Sr. John de Vesconti as often as he could come at him and grievously tormented him in the Face Insomuch that being himself unprovided of the like Gadlings he was forced thrô Extremity of pain to cry out aloud as one that could not help himself At that King Edward flang down his Wardour and the Marshal cried Ho and so the Combat ceased the King adjudging the Victory to the Frenchman and the Vanquished to be at his Mercy according to the Law of Arms. Sr. Thomas de la Marche however being satisfied with so plain and honourable a Proof of his Innocency before so Great a Presence forbore to use his power over his Enemy and only took him and made a Present of him unto the Black-Prince to use at his Discretion Which done with great Devotion he Dedicated his own Suit of Armour to the English Patron St. George in the famous Cathedral of St. Paul at London A few Days after this King Edward having graciously entertained and rewarded the Bastard of France sent him home honourably with Commendations to King John his Brother And as for the Captive Knight of Cyprus some while after the Generous Prince of Wales for the Sake of the King of Cyprus gave him his full Liberty and let him go at his Leisure VII Now King John of France before the return of his Bastard-Brother had heard of all this business and taking it in deep indignation that a Frenchman of
his Blood should yield to try a Combat before a King his Enemy was mortally displeased at him and thô he had gain'd such Honour both in the Holy Wars and in the late Duel absolutely deny'd to admit him into his Presence But after a few days having with much adoe and earnest Intercession obtain'd admittance the said Lord Thomas as one that was desirous to shew himself a true Subject and so to recover his Brothers favour besides his declaring the necessity which the Christian Lords had put upon him to go into England began among his excuses highly to extoll the Generosity of King Edward and to shew how justly his Fame was spread throughout the whole World Nor did he forget to commend his Equity which he had shewn in his cause not at all accepting the Person of the Cypriote althô it was well known what a Friend he was to the King of Cyprus himself but Prefer'd and Honoured and Rewarded me said he thô I am a Frenchman and Brother and Servant to you my Lord the King of France These Words the Noble Earl of Ewe and of Guisnes and Constable of France then Present not knowing how distastfull they were to King John confirmed by his own experience and rose up and shew'd among other instances n Knighton p. 2607. n. 1. c. how far that Noble King had banish'd all envy and hatred from his Bâ—east insomuch that lately in a solemn Tourneament at Windsor he had not only admitted him being a Prisoner to that Honourable Exercise but gave him an allowance of all necessary accoutrements and at last rewarded him with a Rich Pâ—ize and new had sent him home upon his Parole in trust of a small Ransom and other as Negotiator for the Redemption of others than a Prisoner himself whereby said he I am put in a Capacity to serve your Majesty as I served your Father or blessed Memory These true Praises of King Edwards Princely Disposition enflam'd the envious heart of lâ—ing John with Madness so that immediately without any in thâ—â— consideration or process of Law he caused them both to be apprehended and sâ—ung in Prison and the third day after o Frois c. 159. Me. 〈◊〉 ad 〈◊〉 namely on the 19 of November to be beheâ—ded by night in the Presence of the Duke of Bourbon and seven or eight other Lords of Note before whom the Earl of Ewe is said to have confessed certain points of Treason whereof he stood guilty But however all the Treason that Envy it self could lay to the Bastards Charge was only that as he was bound by Oath to 〈◊〉 the Christian Princes in the Holy War he had accordingly committed his cause to the Arbitration of the King of England And as for the Earl of â—â—we whatever at that time was devis'd to blacken him he was notoriously a Person of such Gallantry and had already so eminently signaliz'd his Loyalty that to this day it could never be believed that he could be really guilty of any manner of Treason tho some rather by way of conjecture than proof pretend to colour the Matter that his require passing too and fro between England and France which he did in order to hasten the Redemption of his Fellow-Prisoners was with Designs in favour of the 〈◊〉 Others say p Stâ—w p. 251. that he was suspected of being over Familiar with the French Queen and that therefore King John after the fall of these two Great but Unfortunate Gentlemen famished his Queen to Death thô she was Daughter to John of Luxemburgh that Noble King of Bohemia who lost his Life at the Battle of Creâ—â— in the cause of France But this is a most false and irrational Story for King Jâ—hus first Wife q L. 2. c. 7. §. 13. p. 427. who indeed was Daughter to the said King of Bohemia died as we shew'd two Years before And his second Wife his Queen at this time who was Daughter to William Earl of Boulogne lived in his Favour and died not till many Years after However the Earl of Ewe's Lands and Honours r Frois c. 153. Mezeray ibid. Mâ—rtâ—â— p. 125. Knight n ibid. c. were parcell'd out to otheâ—s his Office of Constable of France in January following was by the King confer'd on the Lord Don Carlos de la Cerda of Spain whom already he had made Earl of Argulesme his Earldom of Eu he gave to the Lord John of Artois Eldest Son to Sr. Robert of Artois of whose Revolt from France and Friendship to King Edward we have spoken in the first part of this our History Only the Earldom of Guisnes he left with the Lady Jane sole Daughter of the Defunct Earl of Ewe who was then Married to Walter Duke of Athens and after his Decease to Lewis Earl of Estampes of the house of Eureux from whom are derived the present Earls of Eu Princes of the Blood. VIII About this time the Scots not yet agreeing to redeem their King David who was still a Prisoner here nor admitting of any just offers of Composition but rather provoking the King of England farther by their Insolencies Cruelties and Depredations He for his part considering that the Truce with France would either be soon ended by violation or of its own course sent his Å¿ Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 160. p. 275 p. 294. Commissioners viz. Dr. Thomas Hatfield Bishop of Durham the Lord Ralph Stafford the Lord Henry Piercy and the Lord Ralph Nevill to treat with the Lord Robert Stuart Prince of Scotland and other Nobles of that Realm then met at York about a firm and final Peace between the two Nations And this Treaty was held on with good hopes of Success even till the end of the next Year for we find that it was at last between them agreed t Rot. Sectiae 25. Ed. 3. m. 3. Ashmole p. 657. that upon the coming into England of the young Lord John Eldest Son and Heir of Robert Stuart and several other young Noblemen Hostages for the said King he himself should be permitted to go into Scotland and upon his return back the Hostages should be deliver'd The Kings Letters of safe Conduct to the Hostages and of Power to certain Commissioners to receive them and to take King Davids Oath for his Return and the Command for his safe Custody at Newcastle till the Hostages were all come bear date the 5 of September an 25. Ed. 3. to continue in force till the Quindena of the Purification next following and on the 3 of November after they were renewed with a further term even to the Feast of St. Philip and James ensuing According to this agreement the Hostages being come and disposed into the Castles of York and Nottingham King Edward sent his Command u Râ—s Sectiae 25. Ed. 3. m. 3. bearing date the 5 of October to Sr. John Copland High-Sheriff of Northumberland the same who first took the King of Scotland