was born at 40 minutes after five in the morning of the said day the 6. Degree of the Sign Scorpio Ascending and the 18. Degree of Leo Culminating The places of the Planets as there posited followeth gr ♄ in 5 ♑ ♃ in 27 ♉ ♂ in 21 ♠☉ in 28 ♠♀ 18 ♠☿ in 8 ♠◠in 8 ♉ ♠in 26 ♉ The Thursday after his birth he was Christned in the Chappel then of St. Edward in Windesor Castle by A. Priest Cardinal by the Title of Sancta Prisca and his Godfathers were Richard Bishop of Poictiers Iohn Bishop of Bath and Wells William Bishop of Worcester Lewis Earl of Eureux the Queens Brother Iohn de Britannia Earl of Richmond Aymer de Valence Earl of Penbroke and Hugh le Despenser Within a few days after the King his Father granted him the County of Chester except the Mannors of Mekklesfield and Shotwyke to hold to him and his Heirs Kings of England for ever And likewise the County of Flint and Cantred of Englefield with the Castles of Flint and Rothelan to hold as before except the Mannor of Overton the Lands of Mailor Seysnoke and the Castle and Mannor of Holt after which he was thus stiled by the King Edwardus Comes Cestriae filius noster Charissimus So pleasing to his Father 〈◊〉 the birth of this Prince that the 16. of December following he gave to Iohn Launge Valet to the Queen and to Isabel his Wife and the longer liver of them for bringing to him so desirable News 24 l. per annum to be paid out of the Farm of London But leaving his Infancy we will now proceed to his youth and the occurrences that attended his riper years King Edward his Father having been often summoned to the Court of France to do homage for the Dukedom of Aquitaine and other his Lands held in that Kingdom and still delaying till the French King had seized thereon it was at length concluded that he should give to this Prince that Dukedom who then should do the Homage and enjoy the Lands Hereupon preparation was made for his passing into France and a little before at Langedon Abbey near Dover the King on the 2. of September in the 19. year of his Reign first gave to him his Heirs and Successors Kings of England jure haereditario imperpetuum the Counties of Ponthieu and Monstroile and on the 10. of the same month at Dover granted to him the Dukedom of Aquitaine and all the Lands he had or ought to hold in the Kingdom of France Habendum as before two days after this new Duke took shipping at Dover thence passed into France and made his Homage in which Journey it was likewise thought fit that the Queen should accompany him in regard her Lands in that Kingdom had also been seized on Shortly after his return into England he was unanimously chosen Custos of the Kingdom in his Fathers absence then fled into Wales with Hugh le Despencer the Son Robert-Baldock and others by divers of the Bishops Nobility Barons and Knights de assensu totius Comitatûs dicti Regni ibidem existentis and at Martley the Great Seal sent from the King was delivered to him Not long after his Father ressigned his Crown upon which great preparations were made for this young Prince's Coronation which was solemnly performed at Westminster by William Archbishop of Canterbury on Sunday after the Conversion of St. Paul being the 1. of Feb. an 1327. His first Martial Attempt but unsuccessful for more then what appertains to his Wars we shall not here discourse off was the raising an Army to march against the Scots For Robert Bruce King of Scotland having sent him a defiance about Easter next following his Coronation shortly after invaded England notwithstanding the Truce between the said King Robert and King Edward the Second was yet on foot and an agreement for further Treaty of Peace to be held in the Marches on Sunday next before Ascension day then next comming The Kings Army was appointed to Rendevouz at Newcastle upon Tyne on Munday next before the Ascension of our Lord though Sir Iohn Froissard saith it was at York upon Ascension day whence about three weeks after Trinity Sunday he marched towards the Enemy but the Scots having exceedingly wasted the Northern parts and declined to fight slipt from him at Stanhop Park in the Bishoprick of Durham and withdrew towards their own Country nor could the King engage them though he endeavoured it for 24. days together I confess the first Actions of Princes are looked upon by all Eyes and not seldom with many Observators taken as the Radix whence to calculate their future either Successes or Miscarriages If at these undertakings a full Age entitle them to the sole management of Affairs we are inclined to think a judicious Eye may partly discern the strength of their Fortune But while they reside within Tutorage and their designs are carried on under the conduct of others the Event of things will manifest a dependency upon the strength or weakness of the Genius of those persons who are the chief managers of their Concerns And this was fully made good in this Prince whose Martial undertakings were very unsuccessful specially while the Government of the Kingdom was committed to others and sometimes afterwards when he was tyed up and hampered by his Allies in Flanders but he no sooner arrived at full Age but his Affairs shewed themselves as if disposed by his own Genius and the first remarkable experiment was verified even upon the Scots themselves from whom before he had received some affronts and indignities For having sent Ambassadors to the Custos and chief Nobility of Scotland He demanded the Homage of David Brus their King and these were probably Ralph Lord Basset of Drayton and William de Denum for it appears they were employed thither the 14. of Decemb. an 6 E. 3. touching the Affairs of the King and Kingdom and the doing of Homage denyed He forthwith raised an Army in assistance of Iohn Balioll Son of Iohn Balioll sometime King of Scotland against David Brus the then King which being appointed to meet at Newcastle upon Tine on Trinity Sunday an 7 E. 3. King Edward entred Scotland and wasted the Country as far as Scone for six months together Insomuch that the Scots were forced to fly to their Fastnesses in the Forest of Gedworth where they abode for many years and as the King returned he encountred an Army of theirs at Hallidown Hill which he defeated and killed about 32000. common Souldiers 7. Earls 90. Knights and Bannerets and 400. Esquires In memory of this great Victory hapning on the Eve of St. Margaret the Virgin being the 13. of Iuly he repaired the Church and Convent of Nuns near the place where the Battel was fought upon that occasion destroyed and burnt and caused
an Altar to be therein erected and dedicated to that Virgin He further granted to those Nuns and their Successors 20 l. per annum out of the Issues of the Town and County of Berwick until Lands to that value should be conferred 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 On the Morrow after this great Victory the King had the Town and Castle of Berwick surrendred to him and on the 19. of Iune in the following year did Edward Baliol King of Scots make Homage and Fealty to him at Newcastle as to his Superior and Chief Lord of the Realm of Scotland who then granted to the King and annexed to the Crown of England for ever the Counties next adjoining to England namely Berwick Roxbourgh Peples and Dunfres the Towns of Hadington and Gedworth with the Castle and Fortress of Silkirke Etherick and Gedworth By the assistance which King Edward afforded to Edward Baliol he gained the most part of Scotland nevertheless divers Castles refused to surrender which occasioned the King to make another expedition thither and about Allballontide he arrived at Newcastle upon Tyne and thence marched into Scotland towards the end of November and at Christmass entred Ethrick Forest but the Scots were fled whereupon having prosecuted his design as far as he thought good he returned into England The next year he raised new Forces and himself from Carlisle and Edward King of Scots from Berwick both entred Scotland on the 12. of Iuly burning and wasting the Country on both sides beyond the Scottish Sea This Expedition brought the Earl of Atholl and divers of the Scotch Nobility to a Submission upon which the King came back into the Northern parts where he wintered and kept his Christmass at Newcastle About Twelfth-tide he was provided to pass again into Scotland when Ambassadors from the Pope and King of France found him at Berwick ready to enter that Kingdom and by their earnest sollicitation about Candlemas obtained of both Kings a Truce till Midlent following but no Peace ensuing Edward King of Scotland and divers of the English Nobility at Whitsontide entred Scotland again and finding St. Iohns Town slighted by the Scots they fortified it Shortly after this King Edward followed them thither and thence passed with his Army unto Elgen in Murrey and Innerness In his return he took Aberdeen and burnt divers Towns and destroyed the Country About which time the Earl of Cornwal entred Scotland also and destroyed the Western parts and met the King his Brother at St. Iohns Town where the King stayed not long but marched to Striveling built the Fortress called the Pile and returned home About the Feast of St. Luke he marcht again with a fresh Army into Scotland and repaired Bothuill-Castle and returned into England before Christmas leaving Edward King of Scots at St. Iohns Town setled in the Government of that Kingdom The Affairs of Scotland being thus quieted for some years gave King Edward the leisure to look towards France which Kingdom afterwards became the Scene of all his Martial Glory For Robert d' Artois Earl of Beaumont in France being discontented at the Sentence wherein Philip King of France had given the Earldom of Artois from him to Maud Countess of Burgundy let fall some dangerous words and they being laid hold on forced him to fly into England where he was kindly received by King Edward who after he had been here sometime afforded him the use of the Castles of Guilford Wallingford and Somerton whensoever he pleased to retire thither for his recreation and afterwards assigned him 800 l. per annum for his support the one moiety to be received out of the Revenues of certain Priories Alien seised into the Kings hands and the other moiety out of his Exchequer Soon after his coming over he advised the King to set on foot his claim to the Crown of Franceâ— whereto the King was willing enough to hearken and to be perswaded by him but the Affair being of so great concern his Council advised him to take the opinion of his Father-in-Law the Earl of Henault before he attempted any thing therein Hereupon a Comet with long and terrible streams ushering in this grand Affair he employed thither with all privacy Henry Burghersh Bishop of Lincolne with two Banerets and two Doctors to gain him to his party with all other persons of note as they should find inclinable to assist the King who laying before the Earl King Edward's pretensions to the Crown of France he not only approved of his design but advised the King to contract other Alliances and gain to his party some of his neighbouring Princes thereabouts The PORTRAICTVRES of King EDWARD the 3. with the first 2â— KNIGHTS COMPANIOS in the HABIT of the ORDER and SVRCOATS of their ARMES In April following a like Commission was issued to Henry Bishop of Lincolne William Earl of Salisbury and William Earl of Huntingdon and they immediately dispatcht into Flanders where they found business so well prepared by the Commissioners before named that by the 24. of May ensuing they had fully engaged divers of the Nobility and others in Henault Geldres and the Marquisate of Iuliers to appear in the Kings assistance against the French and withall setled the proportion of Men and Arms each of them were to furnish the King with in that Service together with the stipends and wages to be paid them in lieu thereof This done the said Bishop went to Gaunt and there won so much upon the humour of Iaques Dartuell that he gained him also to the Kings party Within a few days after Renaut the Second Earl of Guildres and Zuitphen who had married Leonora the Kings Sister and William Marquess of Iuliers Husband to Ioane Sister to Queen Philippa entred into the Association and next Rupert Count Palatine of the Rhyne Duke of Bavaria signed an Agreement at Frankeford whereby he obliged himself to assist the King for the recovery and maintenance of his Inheritance against all persons whatsoever except Lewis the Emperor his Uncle which several Contracts made by the foresaid Ambassadors with these Princes were confirmed by the King under the Great Seal of England the 26. of August following Between this Emperor and the King and their Heirs past also an Union and Confederacy which obliged them to use all their power particularly against Philip de Valois who carried himself as King of France and his Successors in that Kingdom for the recovery and defence of their Honors Inheritances and Possessions The 13. of Iuly was Iohn Duke of Loraine Brabant and Lemburgh retained for the King and with the assent of the Emperor was the Confederation made with Lewis his eldest Son there stiled Marquess of Brandenburgh Count Palatine of the Rhyne Duke of Bavaria
Lancaster in Chief Command behind him to whom they did fealty and Homage in the Princes presence and kist his mouth The Affairs of these Countries being thus Ordered the Prince and Princess their young Son Richard the Earls of Cambridge and Penbroke took Shipping for England and arrived at Plimouth about the beginning of Ianuary whence they rode to the King at Windesor where after some stay he took his leave and retired to his own House and about two years after surrendred the Dignity of Prince of Guynne and his whole right therein to his Father King Edward While he was yet in Minority there were several matches designed for him as first being but a year old a Commission was given to Iohn Darcy and William Trussell Knights to treat and agree with Philip King of France or his Deputies upon espousals and Matrimony between this young Prince and King Philips Daughter but the quarrel breaking out afterwards with that King there was no further progress made in his Affair The next proposal was for Margaret one of the Daughters of Iohn Duke of Brabant and Lorraine to which purpose a Commission was made out to Henry Bishop of Lincoln and William de Bohun Earl of Northampton to treaâ— with the said Duke or his Deputies upon this matter and for which in regard they were both within the third Degree of Consanguinity the Popes Dispensations was several times endeavoured to be obtained by Letters sent from the King but he could not be induced to do any thing therein Another match was proposed with a Daughter of the King of Portugal and thereupon the King Commissionated Mr. Andrew Offord Richard de Soham and Philip de Barton to treat of a Marriage not only between the Prince but any other of his Sons and any one of the Daughters of the said King That also taking no effect there was another Commission issued to Robert de Stratton Canon of Chichester and Richard de Soham to treat with the said King concerning a marriage between the Prince and his Daughter Leonora But none of these which were of others providing took effect but at length an 35. E. 3. he married with a Lady of his own choice namely Ioan Countels of Kent Sister and Heir to Iohn Plantagenet Earl of Kent and the Relict of Sir Thomas Holland one of the first Founders of this most Noble Order commonly called for her Excellent Beauty the fair Maid of Kent And because the Prince had married her notwithstanding nearness of Kindred between them and of his Christning her eldest Son it was thought requisite to have a Papal Absolution from Excommunication and Dispensation for Marriage both which were obtained from Pope Innocent the Sixth in the 9. year of his Popedom By her he had two Sons namely Edward the Eldest born at Angoulesme in Feb. 1365. Leland saith 1364. who dyed in Gascoigne at 7. years of Age and Richard the second Son born at Bordeaux on Twelfth-Day being Wednesday at three a Clock in the Afternoon 1366. and had three Kings to his Godfathers viz. of Spain Navarre and Portugal Besides these he had two Natural Sons Iohn Sounder and Sir Roger de Clarendon to the latter of these he gave by his Will a Silk Bed with all thereunto belonging This Roger was after made one of the Knights of the Chamber to King Richard the Second to whom the said King the first of October 13. R. 2. gave for life 100 l. per annum out of the Issues of his Subsidies in the Counties of Bristol Gloucester Somerset Dorset and Cornwall His Disease contracted in Spain grown now uncurable and he drawing near to his end made his Will in the Kings great Chamber at Westminster the 7. of Iune an 50. E. 3. and disposed of his Body to be buried in the Cathedral Church of the Trinity in Canterbury And such was his care of those who had done him service that he charged his Son Richard by his Will to continue the payment of those Pensions which he had given them The Executors nominated therein were his Brother of Spain the Duke of Lancaster William Bishop of Winchester Iohn Bishop of Bath William Bishop of St. Asaph Robert de Walsham his Confessor Hugh de Segrave Steward of his Lands Aleyn de Stokes and Iohn de Fordham The next day after his Will was made being Trinity Sunday this Noble Prince the Flower of Chevalry and delight of the English Nation departed the World his body being imbalmed was wrapt in Lead and kept till Michaelmas the Parliament being then to meet to be interred with greater Solemnity which was performed at Canterbury near the Shrine of Thomas Becket over whose Grave a stately Monument was erected for him which yet remains undefaced 3 Henry Earl of Lancaster THE second Stall on the Soveraign's side was assigned to Henry then Earl of Lancaster and Derby Son to Henry Earl of Lancaster Brother and Heir of Thomas Earl of Lancaster Beheaded at Pontefract on Monday before our Lady-Day an 15. E. 2. and Maude Daughter and Heir to Sir Patrick Cadurces or Chaworth Knight Lord of Kidwelly and Ogmore in Wales The first considerable Military Honor conferred on him was that of Commander in Chief of all the King's Forces sent into Scotland an 10. E. 3. for the Truce with the Scots having been upon the request both of the Pope and King of France and earnest sollicitation of their Ambassadors several times prorogued between the 23. of Nov. an 9. E. 3. and the Sunday next after Ascension day following it then expired before which the King had intelligence of their confederacies abroad and great preparations for War and being engaged to assist and defend Edward Baliol King of Scots who had done him Homage for that Kingdom he thereupon raised an Army for that purpose and gave this noble Knight command thereof by the name of Henry de Lancaster only though I find him in another place relative to this employment called Henry de Lancastre Banneret And by another Commission he gave him power to receive to Faith and Peace the Scots or their adherents and to grant them pardon Shortly after he aâ—â— Tho. Beauchamp Earl of Warwick Henry de Bellomont Earl of Bogham and William de Bohun had Commission given them to treat with Sir Andrew Murrese a Scotch Knight about a Truce between the King and his Subjects in Scotland and the said Sir Andrew and other the Scots to hold till Midsummer following Towards the latter end of this year David Bruys then in France had obtained that Kings assistance and gotten together a great Navy with which he did much mischief to the Merchants about the Isle of Wight besides he had entred the Isles of Gerusey and Iarsey and killed divers of the Inhabitants The King therefore gave Commission to the Archbishop of Canterbury and others
At that time Tho. Douvedale was the Dukes Lieutenant in that Dukedom to whom command was given dated the 5. of August preceding to deliver up all things in his custody there and belonging to the King to such as the King had appointed to receive them in like manner as they were formerly delivered up to the Earl by Sir Thomas Holland late Captain there In the Expedition made by the King into France in the 33. year of his Reign this Duke was sent before to Calais with 400 Spears and 2000 Archers where being arrived he took with him those Lords of the Empire and other Commanders who there waited the Kings coming to Calais and marched to St. Omars Cambray and other places wasting all the Country as he passed until he heard of the arrival of the King and then returned to Calais This Voyage with the King into France was the last Martial Employment this Great Duke undertook and as he had manifested to the World the wisdom and valour of a great Commander and succeeded happily in Martial Affairs so was he no Enemy to Peace but as ready to lay hold of it on fair and honorable terms as he was forward to draw his Sword in defence of the Kings honor and right And this was most evident at the Treaty of Bretagne neer Chartres where though the King was very unwilling to accept of a Peace upon terms offered by the French yet moved by the perswasive Arguments of this worthy Duke he condescended thereunto It was also upon his motion both to the King and King Iohn of France that the Truce made at Rennes between Charles de Bloys and the Earl of Montfort which was to expire the first of May was enlarged to Midsummer following in hopes of a final Peace to be by that time made between them He married Isabel Daughter of Henry Lord Beaumont Cousin-german to Queen Isabel Wife to King Edward the Second and by her had two Daughters and Heirs Mand his eldest Daughter was Wife first to Ralph Son of Ralph Earl of Stafford and next to William Duke of Bavaria Earl of Henault Holand and Zeland Lord of Frisland stiled also Earl of Leicester and Blanch the youngest to Iohn of Gaunt created Duke of Lancaster an 36. E. 3. His Will was made in his Castle at Leicester the 15. of March 1360. in which he is stiled Duke of Lancaster Earl of Derby Lincolne and Leicester Steward of England Lord of Bergerac and Beaufort and by which he appoints his Body to be interred in the Collegiate Church of our Lady at Leicester where his Father was buried He dyed within few days after viz. on Tuesday next before Easter an 35. E. 3. and was buried at Leicester according to the appointment of his Will 4. Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick THis noble Earl was eldest Son to Guy Earl of Warwick and Alice Sister and Heir of Robert Toney He was born in Warwick Castle and had to his Godfathers Thomas Earl of Lancaster Henry his Brother and Thomas de Warington Prior of Kenilworth On New-years day in the second year of King Edward the Third he was made Knight though then within age and the 20. of February following having made his Homage had Livery of his Fathers Lands In the fifth year of the same King the Government of the Isles of Gernsey Sark and Aureney was conferred on him About two years after he attended King Edward the Third in that famous and successful Expedition against the Scots and in Christmas Holy-days an 8. E. 3. he and the Earl of Oxford were sent with Edward King of Scots to secure Carlisle and defend the West Marches of England who with some Forces raised in Lancashire Westmerland and Cumberland entred Scotland about Twelvetide wasted Gallaway and returned to Carlisle He attended the King again into Scotland an 9. E. 3. when King Edward by Carlisle and Edward King of Scots from Berwick entred again that Kingdom after which he was one of those Noblemen to whose trust the King committed the Guardianship of the Marches The following year he and other of the Nobility of England entred Scotland about Whitsontide and passed as far as St. Iohns Town which they fortified and in this Kingdom he remained all the year About the beginning of Sept. an 11. E. 3. he again entred Scotland with an Army by Berwick whilst the Lords Wake and Clifford entred by Carlisle and within two days both their Forces united whereupon they wasted Tividale Moseteidale and Nidesdale whilst Anthony Lord Lucy wasted Gallaway but not being able to prosecute their Voyage by reason of the great Rains they returned within twelve days to Carlisle and so much to the satisfaction of the King did he behave himself in this Expedition that the 19. of March following he made Letters obligatory to him for 500 Marks as a gift to be paid him at Michaelmas following When the King undertook his first Expedition into France an 13. E. 3. by the way of Flanders he likewise attended him thither and had Command of a Wing in the field pitch'd between Vyronsos and Flamengery in which among others were the Earl of Penbroke the Lords Berkley and Moulton He went over with the King into Flanders when by the way that memorable Naval fight hapned before Sluce where the King obtained a signal Victory against the French and was one of the Commissioners nominated at the Treaty agreed on at the Siege of Tournay to be sent to Arras in order to a further Treaty where after 15 days debate nothing was agreed on but the Surrender of the County of Poictou seized on by the French King the preceding year and a prolongation of the Truce for two years An. 16. E. 3. he was one of the Commissioners nominated to treat with the Kings Allies in Brabant and Flanders about his designed Expedition into France in which he after attended the King with 80 men at Arms 1 Banneret 18 Knights 60 Esquires and 100 Archers on Horse-back for whose passage a Writ issued to Iohn de Montgomery Admiral of the Fleet Westward to provide Ships At Nantes in Bretagne to which the King had laid Siege he behaved himself so gallantly upon a Sally made by the Town that they were forced to retreat with great loss Not long after his return into England he marcht into Scotland with Henry of Lancaster Earl of Derby to raise the Siege laid against Louhmaban Castle whereof the Earl of Northampton was Governor and when he came back was imployed with the said Earl of Derby and some others to the Pope to treat about King Edwards right to the Crown of France which produced nothing but an enlargement of the Truce The following year he was constituted Marshall of England during pleasure In that great Expedition
during pleasure But the following year these Dignities were committed to him alone He married Ioane Daughter of Edmund of Woodstock Earl of Kent Sister and Heir of Iohn Earl of Kent in whose right he sate in Parliament an 34. E. 3. as Earl of that County after whose death Edward Prince of Wales married her whose Widow she remained till an 9. R. 2. and then died By this Lady he had Issue two Sons Thomas Holland Earl of Kent and Iohn Holland Earl of Huntingdon and Duke of Exceter as also two Daughters Ioane and Maude the later was Wife to Hugh Courtney eldest Son to Sir Hugh Courtney one of the Founders of this Order an 39. E. 3. This noble Earl after the performance of many brave acts in the Kings Service died the 26. of December an 34. E. 3. Thomas his Son and Heir being then much about the tenth year of his age 15 Sir Iohn Grey of Codnore HE was eldest Son of Richard Lord Grey of Codnore in Derbyshire by Iane his Wife who had been Seneschal of Gascoigne in the Reign of King Edward the Second In that notable and famous Expedition made into Scotland an 7. E. 3. he had Command where his valour was so far taken notice of that not long after the King in part of recompence thereof and of his great expences in those Wars acquitted him of all such debts as he then owed unto his Exchequer Towards the end of the 9. year of E. 3. he went again to the Wars of Scotland being of the Retinue of Hugh Andley and two years after in another Expedition then made thither An. 12. E. 3. he attended the King into Flanders and an 14. E. 3. went over thither when by the way that famous Naval Fight hapned neer Sluce The following year he undertook employment in the Scotish Wars An. 18. E. 3. he with Nicholas de Langford and Edward de Chandos were assigned to Array all able men in Derbyshire from 16 to 60 years of age and to have them in readiness to march with them or others whom the King should appoint within three days warning against the Scots then ready to invade this Kingdom The following year he went in the Retinue of Henry Earl of Derby into Gascoigne and in regard he stayed there the next year in the Kings Service his Lands in Kent were exempted from finding men for guarding the Sea-Coasts With this Earl he returned to England and went to Calais in his Retinue an 21. E. 3. and stayed there the following year There being an Invasion threatned by the French an 26. E. 3. he was joined in Commission with the Lord Deyncourt to Array all able persons in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire and to conduct them to such places as might stand in need of them for defence of the Realm He went in the Expedition which the foresaid Earl made into Breâ—â—gne an 29. E. 3. And after attended the King in his Voyage royal into France an 33. E. 3. and the same year was constituted Governour of the Town and Castle of Rochester for life More of his Military Services we find not before he obtained the Kings License an 39. E. 3. to go on Pilgrimage And an 45. E. 3. being grown very aged and not able to endure Travel he obtained a special Dispensation wherein his many and great Services performed with much fidelity and valour are by the King acknowledged to exempt him from coming to Parliaments to which he had received Summons from the time of his Fathers death which hapned an 9. E. 3. and Councils and charging him with setting forth of Soldiers in the Wars for the future He married Alice de Insula by whom he had Henry his eldest Son who married Ioane Daughter of Reginald Cobham of Sterborough but died before his Father and Iohn his second Son who both went in the Retinue of Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster in his Expedition into France an 43. E. 3. and Alice a Daughter Wife of William Son of Sir Adam de Everingham of Laxton in the County of Nottingham 16. Sir Richard Fitz Simon WE have met with little concerning this Noble Knight but that he had command under Henry of Lancaster Earl of Derby in Gascoigne an 19. E. 3. The following year he went with Robert Vfford Earl of Suffolk when he attended the King in his Expedition into France An. 21. E. 3. he was imployed in the Kings Service beyond Sea and lastly he was in command under the Prince of Wales an 22. E. 3. and in these Expeditions he performed so great Services that he was thought worthy to be Elected one of the first Founders of this most Noble Order 17. Sir Miles Stapleton THis Sir Miles Stapleton was Son and Heir to Sir Miles Stapleton of Bedall in the County of York Knight His first employment in the Wars was when King Edward the Third made his Expedition into Bretagne He also attended the King in his Voyage Royal into France an 20. E. 3. and lay at the Seige before Calais An. 23. E. 3. about the Month of Iuly he was employed in the Kings Service beyond Sea and the like an 29. E. 3. In the 30. year of King Edward the Third Philip Brother to the King of Naevarre taken Prisoner by the French King the year before came over into England and obtained assistance for recovery of his Lands in Normandy whereupon the King joyned to him this Sir Miles Stapleton a man of great integrity and in martial affairs very skillful as Froissard Characterizeth him These two with 2000. men passed through Normandy and as they marched took and burnt several Towns and Fortresses till they came within 9. Leagues of Paris and did not retreat till they had forced the French to enter into Truce for a Year For this Expedition the said Philip of Navarre was constituted the Kings Captain and Lieutenant in the Dutchy of Normandy In consideration of the constant fidelity and eminent valour of this Noble Knights as also his great service in the Wars the King granted to him a Pension of 100 l. per annum out of his Exchequer for life until he had that annual value in Lands or Rents provided for him And shortly after Upon information that several injuries and damages had been done to the French by the English after and against the Truce taken near Chartres the King desirous that it should be kept without violation and the infringers thereof punished constituted him with Sir Nele Loring and Sir Richard Stafford his Commissioners to inform themselves of the way and manner how these injuries might be discovered and repaired and gave them power to arrest and imprison to seize and confiscate their Estates and to punish them according as they
very great advancement to Piety Nobility and Virtue and likewise an excellent expedient for the uniting not only his Natives one with another but all Forreigners with them in the Bonds of Amity and Peace And 't is very improbable that this prudent Founder should summon his Nobles solemnly to consult about so high and noble an advancement of an Order had it taken its first rise from so slight an occasion as the accidental dropping of a Garter from a Ladies Leg. On the contrary it is manifest from Froissart that the declaration which the King made to them of his intention and design when they were assembled appeared a matter very honorable and as hath been alledged such as contributed to the improvement of Love and Amity among themselves which we see this Historian assigns to be the only cause why they joyfully consented to his proposal Now to make the Bond and Tye of Love and Friendship yet more close and obliging the King caused those who were or should be of the Order to be called Fellows Associates Colleagues Brethren and Knights-Companions and the Order it self a Society Fellowship Colledge of Knights and Knight-Companionship and their Habit and Ornaments to be all alike as to Fashion and Materials and to no other end but to represent how they ought to be united in all chances of Fortune Copartners both in Peace and War assistant to one another in all serious and dangerous transactions and through the whole course of their lives faithful and friendly one towards another But besides these Authorities we have met with some other testimonies much to the same effect namely that this most noble Order of the Garter was first instituted to fortifie the confidence of the King the Kingdom and Martial Virtue that is to say to strengthen the faith of the subjects towards them and for their greater security The French Orator who made the Harangue at the investiture of Henry Prince of Orange seems to account the denomination of this Order by the stile of the Garter to be very significant and only for this reason because it carries with it a Bond or Tye of Fellowship and a Symbol of Amity and Friendship between Princes being Companions of the same Order In the last place if we look back upon the Statutes of Institution as also those that have succeeded we shall find the Injunctions wholly Military and so are the words of Admonition appointed to be pronounced at the putting on the Ensigns of the Order and the ground of the Institution in the Preamble to King Henry the Eighth's Exemplar is said to be For the honor of God and exaltation of the Catholick Faith joined both with Piety and Charity in establishing a Colledge of religious men to pray for the prosperity of the Soveraign of the Order and the Knights-Companions and to perform other holy duties as also Ordaining sustentation for a company of Alms-Knights who have not otherwise wherewith to live But not one word relating to any obligation or ingagement on behalf of the Feminine Sex And whereas King Edward the Third had set on foot a Title to the Kingdom of France and in right thereof assumed its Arms he from the Colour of them caused the Garter of the Order to be made Blue and the circumscription Gold And it may without any straining be inferr'd from the Motto honi soit qui mal y pense that he retorted shame and defiance upon him that should dare to think ill of so just an enterprise as he had undertaken for the recovery of his lawful right to that Crown and that the magnanimity of those Knights whom he had chosen into this Order was such as would inable them to maintain that Quarrel against all who durst think ill of it Consonant to this is the conjecture of Harpsfield that this Apothegme was designed to put the Knights-Companions in mind not to admit any thing in the actions of their lives or among their thoughts unbeseeming themselves and their honor And here we have a sitting opportunity to inform our Reader that the Age we speak of did exceedingly abound with Impreses Motto's and Devises of which the Rolls of the great Wardrobe will afford variety and particularly that King Edward the Third upon almost every occasion was much inclined thereto so far as that his Apparel Plate Beds Houshold-furniture shields even the very Harness of his Horses and the like were not without them many of which for any man now to descant upon would be an endless and fruitless attempt seeing the occasion of their invention and the circumstances thereupon depending are irrecoverably lost Add to which that others by reason of their brevity seem insignificant in regard it is to be imagined that something was purposely omitted and left to be understood which cannot now be rightly supplied so as to arrive at the mind of the Inventor Of this number may well be this Motto It is as it is being embroidered upon a Dublet made for the King of white Linen Cloth having about the sleeves and skirt a border of green Cloth wrought over with golden Clouds and Vines But there are others which seem more easie to be understood as is that daring and inviting Motto of this King wrought upon his Surcoat and Shield provided to be used at a Turnament Hay bay the wythe Swan By Gods Soul I am thy man We further observe that although David Brus King of Scotland was a Prisoner in the Tower of London yet such was the nobleness of this King that he sometimes permitted him the use and exercise of Arms for against a Hastilude kept at Windesor he had a Harness made of Blue Velvet at King Edward's charge whereon was embroidered a Pale of Red Velvet and beneath a White Rose And that it was the custom then to have the Arms of a Knight set upon his Horse-Harness to distinguish him from others appears by those eight Harnesses which the King gave and were among the preparations made for the Hastilude appointed at Canterbury anno 22. Ed. 3. of Indian Silk beaten with the Arms of Sir Stephen Cosyngton Knight of the Prince of the Earls of Lancaster and Suffolk of Sir Iohn Grey Sir Iohn de Beauchamp Sir Robert Maule Sir Iohn Chandos and Sir Roger de Beauchamp four of these Martialists being shortly after chosen among the first Knights-Companions of this most Noble Order of the Garter SECT III. The Time when the Order was Instituted IN what year of the Reign of King Edward the Third the Order of the Garter received Institution cannot certainly be deduced from our Historians for the difference among them in this point is very wide Our most learned Selden would have it to be in the 18. year of the Founder's Reign and relies chiefly upon the authority of Sir Iohn Froissart who lived neer that time for he wrote his History in
ever pious memory having taken notice of and desirous to put a stop to a mischief not in his power to prevent as also to preserve the remembrance of the precedent Knights-Companions commanded the Dean of Windesor to describe the Stiles of those that remained in a Book which he accordingly did and laid it up in the Colledge But what became of this Book our most diligent enquiry could never find out So that in May An. Dom. 1659. by the civil permission of Colonel Whichcott then Governour of Windesor Castle all we could do was to draw the Arms and coppy out the Stiles engraven on the Plates then remaining whilst Mr. Wineslaus Holler was imployed by us to take several Prospects of the Castle and Chappel from which we have drawn these following observations First That for many years after the Institution of the Order the Plate whereon the Shield was engraved bore no other Inscription but the deceased Knights name set at the foot thereof under the Scutcheon of his Arms. Afterwards his Chief Title of Honour began to be added though now and then in these first and elder times both were omitted as also their Crests But about the beginning of King Henry the Eighth's Reign not only the Knights chief Title but all other his Titles of Dignity whether Honorary or Officiary and every thing in that kind due were drawn together in one Inscription concluding with that of Knight of this most Noble Order and which about the same time the Knights-Companions used to insert into both publick and private Instruments of writing wherein any of them were concerned a custom observed by the Knights of other Soveraign Orders abroad For in an Instrument dated at Bulloign the 20 th of Febr. an 1549. by the Noblemen and others that were appointed to treat of a Peace between King Edward the Sixth and the French King Henry the Second we find that such of them as were Knights of the Orders of either Kingdom had the additions of their Orders as also the Register of the Order of St. Michael that title of his Office joyned to their other Titles in this manner Iohn Earl of Bedford Knights of the Order William Pagit Knight also of the Order Francis de Mountmorency Seignior de Rochepot Knight of the Order of France Gaspard de Colligny Seignior de Chastillon Knight also of the Order Guilliame Rochetell Seignior de Sassy one also of the French Kings Council chief Secretary and Register of the Order At first the Knights-Companions gave their Paternal Coats of Arms singly and without any Quarterings but towards the beginning of King Henry the Fifths Reign they began to add their Quarterings as may appear from the Scutcheons of Hugh Lord Burnell who died an 9 H. 5. Sir Lewis Robessart Lord Bourchier Robert Lord Willoughby and others Yet was not the same generally used but left to the pleasure of the Knights-Companions But of latter times this very thing was thought of such concernment and honour that where a Knight hath been elected who wanted Quarterings the Soveraign hath been pleased to grant him another Coat of Arms to quarter with his Paternal Coat lest otherwise his Banner which ought to hang over his Stall should seem too naked as in the Case of Robert Viscount Rochester and Thomas Earl of Kelley in the Reign of King Iames. Shortly after the beginning of the Reign of King Henry the Eighth the Knights compassed their Shields with the Royal Garter and thereon if Noblemen placed the Coronet belonging to their Dignity continuing the use ever since Thus adorned do we find the Scutcheon of Charles Duke of Burgundy elected in the Reign of King Edward the Fourth and yet we do not observe it used in all the Reign of King Henry the Seventh For though a Plate for Franke van Hall a Knight elected by the Founder is hitherto standing in his Stall at Windesor surrounded with a Garter yet is not this Plate the workmanship of that Age but engraved and set up of late times as may easily be observed from the work it self As touching Supporters t is true we observe two Plates to which Supporters are added the one of Iohn Beaufort the first Duke of Somerset of that name elected an 20 H. 6. the other of Anthony Woodvill Earl Rivers elected an 5. E. 4. and besides these until the Reign of King Henry the Eighth there is not one other example But then it grew into a common usage as also the ingraving their peculiar Mottoes or Devises upon the Plates SECT III. The Offering of Atchievements A Third honour done to the defunct Knight is a most solemn Offering up of his Atchievements at the High Altar according to the magnificence of so great an Order namely the Banner of his Arms his Sword his Helmet and Crest with its Mantlings all which had been set up over his Stall when he was Installed The Ceremony of Offering these Ensigns does not appear to have been so Ordained at the Institution of the Order but rather an additional honor instituted by King Henry the Fifth and the manner and order thereof set down in the 14 th Article of his body of Statutes This solemn Ceremony is local to the Chappel of St. George within the Castle of Windesor and not to be celebrated until certain notice be given to the Soveraign of the Knights-Companions Death or that he shall receive a Certificate thereof This appears in the case of the Duke of Ferrara where at the Feast of St. George an 20 H. 7. the vulgar report run for currant that he was dead nevertheless because the Soveraign had not then received any Certificate of the same his Atchievements were not Offered up at that Feast There fell out a question at the Feast of St. George held at Windesor the 23 d. of May an 1 E. 6. which held some debate viz. whether the Atchievements of King Henry the Eighth which yet hung over the Soveraigns Stall should be taken down and Offered at the Mass of Requiem ensuing or not in regard his Banner Sword Helm and Crest with Mantles had been offered up thâ— 16 th of Febr. before at his Interment within that Chappel whereupon it was determined That the said Atchievements should not again be Offered but remain over the Soveraigns Stall for his Son King Edward the Sixth The Relator for justifying the legality of this determination saith there was found a like Precedent in the case of King Henry the Sixth who lyeth buried in that Chappel but we suppose him mistaken and that instance being in truth much different from that of King Henry the Eighth not well considered by him For the case was this When King Edward the Fourth came to the Crown he thought it unfit that the Atchievements of King Henry the Sixth who could not be accounted Soveraign of this most Noble Order because no longer King of England should be continued over his Stall They therefore by the express
a new Governor of the Town before he went thence It having been agreed on at the last Truce that Commissioners on both sides should meet at Boloigne on Sunday in medio Quadragesimae following the King appointed William Bishop of Norwich William Bohun Earl of Northampton William Clynton Earl of Huntingdon Regnold de Cobham Robert de Bourghcher and Iohn de Carleton Doctor of Laws his Commissioners to Treat of and conclude a Peace or prorogation of the Truce and League of perpetual friendship between him and his Adversary of France But no final Peace could be agreed on while Philip de Valois lived nor after till King Iohn his Son and Successor was taken Prisoner at the Battel of Poictiers only several Truces were made from time to time and the last consented to in February an 28. E. 3. to hold till Midsummer following While these Truces were on foot endeavours were made for the Release of David King of Scots the Kings Prisoner and at length it was agreed that upon the coming into England of Iohn the Son and Heir of the Steward of Scotland and several other young Noblemen Hostages for the said King who when they came were disposed into the Castles of York and Notingham King David should be permitted to go into Scotland and upon his return back the Hostages should be delivered The Kings Letters as well of safe conduct to the Hostages as of power 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 come bear Teste the 5. of September an 25. E. 3. to continue unto the Quindena of the Purification next following and the 3. of November after were they renued to the Feast of St. Philip and Iacob ensuing It seems King David returned back into England about half a year after for the 28. of March an 26. E. 3. a Command was sent to the Sheriff of Yorkshire to conduct the Hostages to Berwick to be there in Quindena Paschae it being the day set for King David's return to that Town On the same 5. of October command was sent to Iohn Coupeland Sheriff of Northumberland who had then the Custody of the said King to deliver him to the Bishops of Duresm and Carlisle William Earl of Northampton Henry de Percy and Ralph Nevil or to any 4 3 or 2. of them and likewise another command issued to them to deliver him upon the conditions and under the form agreed on Whilst the foresaid Truce agreed on in February an 28 E. 3. was on foot the Pope undertook to do what he could to further the effecting of a Peace and to that purpose he sent again to both Kings to obtain their Authority to bring it about but it doth not appear that any thing was done before Midsummer while it was in being Nevertheless we find that whereas in the Treaty between them held at Guynes among other things it was agreed that Ambassadors from King Edward should be sent to Pope Innocent in Kal. Octob. following the King did accordingly impower William Bishop of Norwich Henry Duke of Lancaster and some others his special Ambassadors to treat with his Adversary of France or his Deputies touching a final Peace between them but they returned without effecting any thing all but the Bishop of Norwich who died at Avignion and was there buried Towards the latter end of the following Summer the King having intelligence that Iohn the French King was drawing down with an Army towards St. Omars in the beginning of November passed over to Calais with Lyonel of Vlster and Iohn of Gaunt his two Sons and a considerable Army where he arrived the 2. day of November and immediately marched against him but upon notice of his approach King Iohn retired breaking down all the Bridges behind him whom King Edward followed as far as Heyden and the Country being wasted by the French he for want of Provision for his Army returned to Calais and thence into England And whilst in his absence the Scots had broke out and taken the Town but not the Castle of Berwick he immediately marched thither and 13. Ianuary recovered the Town passing further into Scotland and on the 25. of the same Month being then at Roxbrough King Edward Baliol there made a solemn resignation of his Crown and Kingdom to him by his Letters Patent after which he marched with his Army to Hadington burning and wasting the Country on each side as he went and having laid it waste returned into England and took Edward Baliol along with him The King having notice in the precedent year that Iohn the French King had given to Charles Dauphin of Vienvois the Dukedom of Aquitaine constituted the Prince of Wales his Lieutenant in that Dukedom and sent him with an Army thither where he fought that memorable Battel at Poictiers and took Iohn the French King Prisoner whom he brought into England in May following King Iohn was lodged at the Savoy and there continued all the Winter and in the Spring after was removed from thence to Windesor Castle where he and his youngest Son spent their time in Hawking and Hunting and towards Winter returned to the Savoy And it appears that the 12. of December an 32. E. 3. He was again setled at this House under the Custody of Roger Beauchamp and several Knights Esquires and other Attendants appointed for his Guard The French King had not been long in England ere the Pope sent hither Talairand Bishop of Alba commonly called the Cardinal of Pyergort and Nicholas Priest Cardinal by the Title of St. Vital to assist at the Treaty of Peace to be held about Midsummer an 31. E. 3. the Kings Letters of safe conduct for them and their Train consisting of 200 Horse were dated the 3. of Iune that year The Bishop of St. Gean de Maurienne in Savoy came also hither to the Treaty having like Letters for himself and a Train of 30 Horse dated the 26. of May preceding and though a final Peace was not concluded yet several Truces were made one upon another in hopes of it till Midsummer an 33. E. 3. Before this there had been great endeavours used for the Release of David King of Scots the Kings Prisoner and several addresses made to the King from King David himself as also the Prelates Peers and Commons of Scotland seconded by the zealous sollicitations of Ioan his Queen Sister to King Edward But this affair though often treated of came not to an issue till the 3. of Octob. an 31. E. 3. when at a meeting of Commissioners on both sides at Berwick namely Iohn Archbishop of York Thomas Bishop of Duresme Gilbert Bishop of Carlisle Henry de Percy Rauf de Nevile Henry le Scrope and Thomas Musgrave deputed by King Edward on the one part and William Bishop of St. Andrews
Homage of the Dutchy of Britagne and Earldom and Country of Flanders and all other demands that King Edward made or might make to the King of France for what cause soever except such things as by the said Treaty ought to be delivered to him and his Heirs It was also agreed that the King of France should be brought to Calais within three weeks after Midsummer following and should pay for his Ransom three Millions of Escuts of Gold two of which should be worth one Noble English And that there should be paid to King Edward 600000 Escuts of Gold within four Months accounting from the time of the King of France's arrival at Calais and within one year ensuing 400000 Escuts more and from that year every year following 400000 Escuts till the said three Millions were paid And it after appears in the same Roll that King Edward had received 400000 Escuts part of the first 600000 the 24. of October 1360. and for payment of the other 200000 he gave time till Christmas and Lady-day following Furthermore that certain of the Nobility of France aswel of those who were made Prisoners at Poictiers as others should remain Hostages in England for the King of France namely Lewis Earl of Anjou Iohn Earl of Poictiers both Sons to King Iohn the Duke of Orliens his Brother the Duke of Burbon the Earl of Bloys or his Brother the Earl of Alanson or the Lord Peter of Alanson his Brother the Earls of St. Pol Harecourt Pontieu Valentynois Brene Vandemont and Forest the Viscount Beaumont the Lords of Cousy Fienles Preaux St. Venaunt and Garenciers the Dauphin of Auvergne the Lords of Hangest and Montmorency Sir William of Craon Sir Lewis of Harecourt and Sir Iohn Ligny And the Names of the Prisoners were these Lord Philip of France the Earls of Eu Longuevil Pontieu Tankarvile Ieigny Sanceurre Dampmartin Ventadour Salebruche D'auceurre and Vendosme the Lords of Craon and Deruale the Marshal Dodenham and the Lord Daubyny Besides these the King of France was obliged to deliver at Calais within three Months after he departed thence in further pledge for the accomplishment of this Treaty four Persons of Paris two of each of the Towns here named to wit St. Omer Aras Amyens Beauves Lisle Douay Tournay Reyms Chaalons Troies Chartres Thoulouse Lyons Orliens Compeigne Rouen Caen Tours and Bourges and these to be of the most sufficient and best Burgesses of these Towns It was moreover agreed That the King of France and his Heirs Kings of France should quit the Alliances they had with the Scots and never give to that King Kingdom or Subjects present or to come any aid or assistance against the King of England his Heirs or Successors his Realm or Subjects nor make any alliance with the Scots in time to come against the King and Realm of England And the like Article was agreed to by the King of England in reference to his Alliance with the Flemmings There were divers other particulars agreed to on the behalf of both Kings and set down in this Treaty of Peace which we designing brevity do omit but these are the main and principal to our present purpose All things thus finished King Edward immediately left France and landed at Rye the 18. of May following in the Evening and thence the next day came to Westminster And shortly a Writ issued to Sir Iohn Beauchamp then Constable of Dover forthwith to arrest and fit up a sufficient number of Ships to carry over King Iohn and his Family to Calais within the time agreed on and whither he was conducted the 8. of Iuly after The 9. of October King Edward followed where the foresaid Treaty with some few alterations was there ratified and confirmed by Oath of both Kings and several Instruments relating to the full accomplishment of the several Articles thereof were drawn up and sealed with the Great Seals of both Kings all bearing date at Calais the 24. day of October an Dom. 1360. Here also were the Renunciations on either side both absolute and conditional to all the Towns Castles Countries c. to the Resort and Soveraignty c. comprehended in the Articles of Peace drawn up sworn to and sealed at the same time but not exchanged because the King of France was as yet in Calais and Prisoner to King Edward and the Towns c. not as yet delivered But it was then nevertheless agreed and promised that they should be surrendred to the special Deputies on both sides by Midsummer following if it might be and the Renunciations sent at the Assumption of our Lady next ensuing to the Church of the Augustine Fryars at Bruges to be delivered to those Deputed to receive them Or if they were not surrendred till Alhollantide after then the Renunciations were to be delivered in the said Church on St. Andrews day following at which time and place both Kings engaged to send thither and cause to be delivered to the Deputies on both sides theirs and their eldest Sons Renunciations likewise but if they were not accordingly mutually delivered then not any thing agreed on was to take effect But it seems things were not made ready against Midsummer the first of the appointed times for compleating these matters for the 15. of November following King Edward constituted Sir Thomas Vnedale Knight and Thomas de Dunclent Licenciate 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 as aforesaid and to require that He and his Son should make the Renunciations and Transports according to all the foresaid Agreements made at Calais and upon reception of which he was thereby enabled to give Acquittance in King Edwards name But there was another Instrument dated at Calais the said 24. of Oct. 1360. whereby King Edward was obliged to deliver up to the French King on this side Candlemas an 35. E. 3. the Castles and Fortresses which he held in other parts of France than in those surrendred to him by the French King viz. as they are written in the Record In Champaigne and in Brie Bursant and Ioinville upon the Marn Bourt in Champaigne Ochie Sye upon the Seine the Mote de Triesreine Brugelemens and all other Fortresses taken in these Countries In Nivernois Cornallour Gueillons Anlesy Villers and Mont Epny In Anceurrois and Burgoigne Regennes Legny Malecorne and the Mote de Chauloye In Aurelenoys and Gastinoys The New Castle upon Loire and Mereau au Boys and all other Fortresses in Orlenois in Gastinois in Messien in Beause and in Wenguesin le Francois Within a month following the County of Ponthieu was to be surrendred to King Edward or else Hostages King Edward was also to deliver up the New Castle in Tynerois Beaumont le Choistif Nogent le Rotron and the Ferte de Ville Nevill and all other Fortresses in France and in the Country of Perche and
of Chartain and of Drouais And then all the County of Montsort to be surrendred to King Edward within a Month after Or otherwise Hostages In Berry and Bourbonoys The Fortresses of Brisansoys of St. Torete le Priague also Chabries Espunell Beamein Briance Masbres the Abbey of Diverlaks Thos Bruyll Ameron Vierson Mausey Bourseront the Roche Tnay Blotueres Villers Montempny Beauuoirs Beau Ien Voderon In Tourrayne Lisle Bouchart the Roche of Fowsey Piry Milieres Roulet Piergu Veres de Desrubay the Pleyssers Dinone Langere Osem Palnau and all other Fortresses in the party of Auvergne of Bourbonoys d' Amascon of Lyon of Berry and of Touraine And within a Month after the French King was to deliver up the Country of Angoulesmois or Hostages In Normandy Anjou and Mayne The Fortresses de Donefront in Passais Neuim Mirebel upon the Loyre the Toures de Villers Saintwast the Brois Demaine Conde upon Noire and another Fortress thereby called Messe Tynchebray Annillers the new Boure the Ferte freswel the Roche Doryvall the Morle Racul the Tower of St. Christopher Villerais Husron Honnesfleth Trisenay the Vicount of Plessoys Buret la Rouche dire le Port Ioulein la Flesche Willie Viez Passavant Roussailes And within one Month the French King was to surrender Santes and the County of Santoigne or Hostages And all the Fortresses in Pierregort Coursin and Agenoys For the surrender of all which the King made forth Commissions to several persons bearing date as aforesaid at Calais The two Kings then also made a League for them their Heirs and Successors of perpetual friendship and alliance to become faithful friends to assist each other against all persons whatsoever except the Pope and the Emperor and moreover made a solemn Renunciation to all Wars against each other their Heirs and Successors Realms and Subjects to both which League and Renunciation their eldest and other Sons signed and divers of the Nobility on both sides were sworn A Proclamation then also issued from King Edward directed to Thomas Holland Earl of Kent and all other Captains of Towns c. held for the King in France to give notice to all places within their Command of this Peace and final accord made as aforesaid All things relating to this Peace being thus concluded and the French Hostages arrived at Calais King Edward entertained King Iohn at a great Supper in the Castle where the Kings Sons the Duke of Lancaster and other of the chief Nobility of England served the Kings bare-headed and when Supper was ended both Kings took leave of each other The next morning King Iohn and his Attendants went a foot on pilgrimage to our Lady of Bouloigne the Prince of Wales and his Brothers accompanied him thither where in the Church of our Lady they all made their Offerings and thence went to the Abby and having taken leave of King Iohn they returned to Calais the next day Soon after King Edward the Prince and French Hostages took shipping for England where they arrived on the Eve of the Feast of All-Saints The Peace thus setled endured all the life of King Iohn who took all possible care to have it entirely preserved and himself ever after kept good correspondence with King Edward to whom he gave all evidence of affection and love insomuch that about the end of the year 1363. he came into England only upon a visit to King Edward After his landing he rode first to Eltham and there dined with the King 24. Ian. 37. E. 3. and thence that afternoon to the Savoy in the Strand where he lodged and was entertained with all possible kindness but about the beginning of March following he fell sick and dyed the 8. of April an 38. E. 3. for whose death the King appointed solemn obsequies in divers places and conducted his Body out of England with a Royal magnificence About these times the Reputation of the King grew so great that several foreign Kings and Princes came hither to his Court either to visit him or congratulate his Victories or to obtain his assistance and relief and these were the foresaid King Iohn Peter King of Cyprus and David King of Scots an 37. E. 3. as also Wuldemer King of Denmark and Albert Duke of Bavaria his Letters of safe Conduct being dated the 6. of Dec. and to continue in force till Mid-summer after But Charles King Iohns Son and Successor who had sworn to and sealed the Treaty at Chartres was soon perswaded to violate the Peace though with great artifice he dissembled his intentions for some time For though he readily gave ear to the Complaints of some of the discontented Nobility of Gascoigne who quitting their Homage to the Prince fled to Paris and complained to him as their Supreme Lord of the Fouage imposed on that Country by the Prince pretending that King Iohn had not power to release them of their Homage to the Crown of France or deliver over their Country to the King of England Yet he forbore laying hold on this occasion at least for one year after their complaint But then all of a sudden King Edward not suspecting any fraud but thinking himself sufficiently secured by the Treaty of Peace made at Britagne the French King sent him a defiance and by the time it was thought to be delivered Guy Earl of St. Paul one of the French Hostages who had slipt out of the Kingdom without taking leave as had also the Duke of Anjou and some others of them and Sir Hugh de Castilion entred Ponthieu with an Army and were received into Abeville afterwards took St. Valery and Crotoy and immediately all Ponthieu revolted Hereupon the King assembled a Parliament at Westminster and about the end of May the Lords and Commons declared That whereas the French King had broke the foresaid Peace in not delivering the Countries nor paying the monies agreed on there and had usurped the Resort and Superiority which ought to appertain to the King of England and his Heirs in the Lands surrendred to him by the foresaid agreement by summoning the Prince and some of the Nobility of the Kings Allies to answer certain Appeals at Paris and surprised and taken divers Castles c. in Ponthieu and Gascoigne and was setting forth a Fleet to invade England contrary to his Oath and the form of the Peace therefore with their whole consent it was agreed That the King should resume the name of King of England and France as he had done before the Peace and for the future so call himself in his Letters and under his Seals Hereupon on Monday being St. Barnaby's day there were several new Seals provided in one of which was inscribed Edwardus Rex Angliae Franciae c. and in another Edwardus Rex Franciae Angliae c. Shortly after he sent an Army under the Command of the Earls of Cambridge and Penbroke into Aquitain who landing
of whom this Henry was one himself being then at Botheuill in Scotland so busied in the War that he could not be at the meeting appointed to treat on his behalf with certain Prelates and others whom he had commanded to meet at London on Wednesday after Newyears day following upon the defence and safety of the Kingdom repulsion of the Enemies and other things relating to the State of the King and Kingdom as also seriously and fully to acquaint them with the King's intensions to ordain and do all things referring thereunto and to his honor as if he were there personally present The following year he was created Earl of Derby and invested by girding him with the Sword his Father yet living by the Charter of his Creation did the King grant to him and his Heirs an Annuity of Honor of 20 l. out of the Farm of the County of Derby and to the end he might better maintain the State of an Earl he also granted him an annual Pension of 1000 Marks during his Fathers life out of the Customs in London St. Butolphs and Kingston upon Hull until the King should provide for him 1000 Marks per annum in Lands or Rents and in case the issues of the said Customs fell short of that annual sum then was it provided that it should be made up out of the Exchequer and for more surety out of the Custody of his Wards The third of October following the King granted to him the Manor of Wyghton and Hundred of Northgreneho with their appurtenances in the County of Norfolk as also the Mannor of Laghton in Morthynges with its appurtenances in the County of York which Ralph Earl of Eu had lately held and were then seised into the Kings hands to hold also during the life of his Father at the annual value of 72 l. 7. s. 6 d. q. at which rate they were extended in part of satisfaction of the said annual Pension of 1000 Marks But the Letters Patents of the 18. of March were resigned up to be cancelled the 24. of October an 13. E. 3. and the King thereupon by other Letters Patent dated the 20. of September preceding granted him during his said Fathers life all the Issues of the small Customs in London for the payment of 891 Marks 5 s. 9 d. ½ q. above the extent of the Mannors and Hundred aforesaid both which sums made up the foresaid annual Pension of 1000 Marks and in case the small Customs fell short of 891 Marks 5 s. 9 d. ½ q. then what they wanted was to be paid him out of the great Customs of the said City but if they exceeded that sum then the surplusage to be paid into the Exchequer which Lands and Pension out of the small Customs reverting to the King upon the death of this Earls Father were then granted to the Queen for the support and maintenance of her Children until the King should otherwise provide for them In the 11. year of King Edward the Third the King having sent over the Bishop of Lincolne and others into Flanders to make Alliances for him with Flemings the French King had laid a Garrison in the Isle of Cagaunt with design to take these Commissioners in their return home but they having notice thereof and the friendship and assistance of Iacques Dartuel took their way to Dort in Holland and so escaped that snare And the King resolving to clear that Island of this Garrison designed for this Service the Earl of Derby who raised part of his men in Staffordshire a Country where he was exceedingly beloved in which his Father had then great Possessions that after his death descended to him and of which for the better conservation of the Peace there the King made him high Sheriff during lifâ— These men levied by the King 's Writ he was commanded to have in readiness with hâ—â—self at London on the Feast of St. Margaret the Virgin next ensuing At the arrival of the English in the Haven they found the Town of Cagaunt well garrison'd and therein divers stout Commanders chosen by the Earl of Flanders for its defence well arm'd and ready to forbid their Landing so that with great difficulty and some loss they got ashore and here our Earl pressing on and fighting for his passage was struck down to the ground but relieved by the Lord Manny In fine the Town on Sunday before the Feast of St. Martin was taken by the English and above 3000 Flemmings slain after which they plundered and burnt it and brought their Prisoners to their Ships among whom was Sir Guy the Bastard of Flanders who after made Fealty to the King and sided with him in the War The 16. of February an 13. E. 3. he was put in Commission with others to array men in the County of Leicester against the Invasion of Enemies and the 3. of Iuly after made one of the 8 Commissioners to treat with Philip de Valois upon all Controversies between the King and him and also one of the 5 Commissioners constituted the second of Ianuary following to treat with the said Philip as also with the Cardinals of St. Praxide and St. Mary in Aquiro upon the same Affair The 6. of March an 14. E. 3. he had Commission given him to raise men in the Counties of Derby Leicester Staffordshire and Lancashire to pass over Sea with the King or himself at the Kings next Voyage beyond Sea This Earl attended the King in his first Expedition into France and had Command in the Battel ready pitcht to fight the French neer Vyronfoss as also at the Battel of Sluce an 14. E. 3. and the 10. of August the same year command issued to Robert de Morley Admiral of the Fleet from the Thames towards the North to send forth 10 Ships to Orewell to take in his Troops of Horse that were to pass over into Flanders after him In the following year He and Henry de Percy Ralph de Nevil and Robert de Dalton had Commission given them to treat with the Bishops Earls and all other persons as well Ecclesiastick as Secular in the Northern parts touching the defence of the Kingdom against the Scots and to sollicite them who had Lands in those parts to dwell there or otherwise to assign other persons there to remain in their stead He was again made the Kings Lieutenant in the North parts of England and in Scotland as also General of the Army sent against the Scots who had invaded England having power given him to defend the Marches to march into Scotland to create Stewards Constables Marshals and other Officers necessary for the Government of the Army and three days after had a Commission given him and power to treat and agree with the Scots about a Cessation of Arms to admit such of them as were willing to the Kings Peace to receive their Fealty to grant them
pardon and restore their Lands The 3. of April in the following year he and 6 other whereof he was to be one were commissionated to treat with David Brus and other Scotchmen his Adherents upon a final Peace or Truce as also upon all debates and differences whatsoever between the King and them and amicably to compose them And the same day he had power likewise given him to grant to Adam Bishop of Brechin to Patrick Earl of March Sir William de Douglas and Sir Thomas de Caruato Knights and William Bullock and other Scotch Men as he should see cause the the King 's special Letters of safe Conduct and Protection for so long time as this Earl thought fit to come into England with as many Horse as he should appoint to treat either of a Truce or Peace with this Earl and others deputed thereto by the King Having in this expedition undertaken upon certain conditions the Custody of the Marches of Scotland the King gave him in reward the 1000. Marks which Io. de Wesenham stood engaged to pay the King for Wooll He went over with the King in his Voyage into Bretagne having under his Command 5. Bannerets 50. Knights 144. Esquires and 200. Archers on Horseback The daily Wages allowed him for himself was 8 s. for each Banneret 4 s. each Knight 2 s. each Esquire 1 s. and each Archer 6 d. At the Siege of Vannes he was constituted one of the Kings Commissioners the other being the Earls of Northampton and Salisbury the Lord Stafford Burghershe Cantelowe Cobham Manneys and Berkley and Mr. Iohn Vfford Archdeacon of Ely where a Truce was concluded for three years The 24. of March an 18. E. 3. The King by his Letters Patent constituted this Noble Earl and Richard Earl of Arundel his Lieutenants in the Dukedom of Aquitaine and the Countries adjoining to govern and defend those Territories to demand and receive the possession of the Castles Places and Rights unjustly detained from him to recover and retain the same by force of Arms if need should be and to receive such as should return to their Obedience to the grace and favour of the King as also the Homage and Fidelity from whomsoever in those parts due and generally to do all things for defence and recovery of the Kings Rights and good Government of those Countries and his Subjects with Command to the Archbishops c. to yield Obedience to them And whereas the King upon false suggestions had been deceived in many of his Grants and Donations in that Dukedom He by other Letters Patents of the same date gave him power to seize into his hands all the Castles Lands Liberties and Profits formerly granted by him and those that should appear to have been obtained upon untrue suggestions to retain without Restitution but upon true to restore entirely A like Commission was given them which extended to the grants made by his Father King Edward the Second upon like pretences as well as by himself They also had a General Commission to treat and conclude with all persons of whatsoever state or condition Kingdom or Nation for the setling of Alliances and mutual Assistance between the King and them to retain men for the Kings Service and to agree about Fees Wages and Rewards to be paid unto them By other Commissions of the same date these two Earls had power to treat and conclude with Alphonsus King of Castile there stiled Alphonsus Rex Castiliae Legionis Toleti Galiciae Siviliae Cordubiae Murciae Gyennii Algarbiae Comes Molmae or his Deputies upon all differences arising between their Subjects especially Mariners and amicably to compose them as also of a perpetual League of Friendship between them c. their Subjects and to afford each other their mutual assistance with Power to make Substitutes in their stead The said Earls had like Commissions with the same Power to treat with the King of Portugal therein stiled Alphonsus Rex Portugaliae Algarbiae And with the King of Aragon stiled therein Petrus Rex Aragoniae Valenciae Majorcae Sardinii Corsicae Comes Barthon Sir Iohn Froissard tells us that some of the Gascoigne Lords came hither about this time to acquaint the King with the weak condition of that Country and City of Bordeaux and to desire relief and that in this Earls company went also the Earls of Penbroke and Oxford the Lord Stafford Sir Walter Manney the Lord Frank de la Hall and divers others of note being about 500 Knights and Esquires and 2000 Archers and having landed at Bayon the 6. of Iune 1344. went thence to Bordeaux His first attempt was upon the Town of Bergerac which surrendred to him and next Longo Castle and le Lake Mandurant he took by assault so also the Castle of Mountgyse Punache and the Castle de la Lewe Forsathe and Pondayre he won with little opposition and the great Town of Laylloyes after three days the chief Town appertaining to the Earl of Laylle who lived as King in those parts of Gascoigne was delivered to him after some dispute After this success he marched to Bonu this he assaulted and took he also took the Castle of Auberoche and the Town of Libourne yielded themselves to him Auberoche being presently after besieged by 12000 French this Earl on St. Laurence Eve assaulted the Enemy in their Tents with 300 Spears and 600 Archers and took the Earl of Laylle and 8 other Earls and Viscounts and 200 Knights and so many Esquires and other Soldiers that each Englishman had 2 or 3 Prisoners many of whom they let go upon their paroll to return to Bergerac or to Bordeaux on a certain day and others they carried with them to Bourdeaux and by this valiant Exploit having relieved the Castle he afterwards disposed of his Army into Winter Quarters and returned into England Upon these great successes the King made him his sole Lieutenant and Captain in the Dutchy of Aquitaine and the parts adjacent with power to do and execute all things that belonged to that Command and gave command to all Archbishops Earls Barons Viscounts Castellans and other persons throughout that Dukedom and adjacent Countries to yield obedience to him as the Kings Lieutenant Five days before the King gave him Commission with power to treat and conclude with all persons of whatsoever state or condition Kingdom or Nation for setling firm alliances and mutual assistance between the King and them as also to retain men for the King's Service and to agree about their Fees Wages and other Rewards The 11 of Iune following Command was sent to the Sheriff of London that forasmuch as the Earl had shipt most of his Horse at Southampton and was ready to depart to make proclamation that all the men at Arms Archers and others who were to go with him should march to Southampton with all possible