Normandie or rather as other write committed to prison where he remained not as a clerke but as a baron of the realme for he was both bishop and earle of Kent The king hauing at length obteined some rest from wars practised by sundrie meanes to inrich his cofers and therefore raised a tribute through out the whole kingdome for the better leuieng whereof he appointed all the subiects of his realme to be numbred all the cities townes villages and hamlets to be registred all the abbies monasteries and priories to be recorded Moreouer he caused a certificat to be taken of euerie mans substance and what he might dispend by the yeare he also caused their names to be written which held knights fees were bound therby to serue him in the wars Likewise he tooke a note of euerie yoke of oxen what number of plow lands and how manie bondmen were within the realme This certificat being made brought vnto him gaue him full vnderstanding what wealth remained among the English people Herevpon he raised his tribute taking six shillings for euerie hide of land through out this realme which amounted to a great masse of monie when it was all brought togither into his Excheker ¶ Here note by the waie that an hide of land conteineth an hundred acres and an acre conteineth fortie perches in length and foure in bredth the length of a perch is sixtéene foot and an halfe so that the common acre should make 240. perches eight hides or 800. acres is a knights fée after the best approued writers and plaine demonstration Those therefore are deceiued that take an hide of land to conteine twentie acres as William Lambert hath well noted in his De priscis Anglorum legibus where he expoundeth the meaning of the old Saxon termes perteining to the lawes But to procéed come a little after the temporals dealing to some of the spirituall affaires It hapned about the same time that when king William had finished the rating of his subiects that there rose a strife betwixt Thurstane abbat of Glastenburie a Norman and the moonkes of that house One cause thereof was for that the abbat would haue compelled them to haue left the plaine song or note for the seruice which pope Gregorie had set foorth and to haue vsed an other kind of tune deuised by one William of Fescampe beside this the said abbat spent and wasted the goods that belonged to the house in riot leacherie and by such other insolent meanes withdrawing also from the moonkes their old accustomed allowance of diet for the which they first fell at altercation in words and afterwards to fighting The abbat got armed men about him and falling vpon the moonkes slue thrée of them at the high altar and wounded xviij Howbeit the moonkes for their parts plaied the pretie men with formes and candelsticks defending themselues as well as they might so that they hurt diuers of the abbats adherents and droue them out of the quier In the end complaint hereof was brought to the king by whose iudgement the matter was so ordered that Thurstane lost his roome and returned vnto Caen in Normandie from whence he came and the moonkes were spred abroad into diuerse houses of religion through the realme Glastenburie being replenished with more quiet persons and such as were supposed readier to praie than to quarell as the other did yet is it said that in the time of William Rufus this Thurstane obteined the rule of that abbeie againe for fiue hundred pounds There be which write that the numbring of men and of places the valuation of goods and substance as well in cattell as readie monie was not taken till about the xix yéere of this kings reigne although the subsidie afore mentioned was gathered about two yeares before of euerie hide of land as yée haue heard and that the certificat hereof being inrolled was put into the kings treasurie at Winchester in the xix yeare of his reigne and not in the xvj But in what yeare soeuer it was and howsoeuer the writers agrée or disagree herein certaine it is that the same was exacted to the great gréefe and impouerishment of the people who sore lamented the miserable estate whereinto they were brought and hated the Normans in their harts to the verie death Howbeit the more they grudged at such tolles tallages customes and other impositions wherewith they were pressed the more they were charged and ouerpressed The Normans on the other side with their king perceiuing the hatred which the English bare them were sore offended and therefore sought by all meanes to kéepe them vnder Such as were called to be iustices were enimies to all iustice whervpon greater burdens were laid vpon the English insomuch line 10 that after they had béene robbed and spoiled of their goods they were also debarred of their accustomed games and pastimes For where naturallie as they doo vnto this daie they tooke great pleasure in hunting of déere both red and fallow in the woods and forrests about without restraint king William seizing the most part of the same forrests into his owne hands appointed a punishment to be executed vpon all such offendors namelie to haue their eies put out And to bring the greater number of men in line 20 danger of those his penall lawes a pestilent policie of a spitefull mind and sauoring altogither of his French slauerie he deuised meanes how to bréed nourish and increase the multitude of déere and also to make roome for them in that part of the realme which lieth betwixt Salisburie and the sea southward he pulled downe townes villages churches other buildings for the space of 30. miles to make thereof a forrest which at this daie is called New forrest line 30 The people as then sore bewailed their distres greatlie lamented that they must thus leaue house home to the vse of sauage beasts Which crueltie not onelie mortall men liuing here on earth but also the earth it selfe might seeme to detest as by a woonderfull signification it séemed to declare by the shaking and roaring of the same which chanced about the 14. yeare of his reigne as writers haue recorded There be that suppose how the king made that part of the realme waste and barren vpon a policie to the intent that if his chance were to be expelled by ciuill line 40 wars he compelled to leaue the land there should be no inhabitants in that part of the I le to resist his arriuall vpon his new returne But to go foorth with our purpose About the same time a rumor was spred in England that Sueine king of Denmarke meant to inuade England with a puissant armie year 1085 hauing the assistance of the earle of Flanders whose daughter he had maried Whervpon king William being then in Normandie reteined a great power of French souldiers both archers
20. Made by Henrie the third 240 a 60. According to the value of their lands 248 a 10. To be made according to their reuenues 254 a 30. Fées how manie in England in king Henrie the third his time 262 a 20. Foure score made at once 263 a 20. Made by the duke of Buckingham at his entrie into France 426 a 30 40 b 30 Made of capteins for good seruice in warre 551 a 40 Knighthood 595 b 50. To valorous gentlemen in seruice of warres 814 b 20. For good militarie seruice 824 b 50 874 a 50 880 b 40. Urged or else to make fine 929 b 40. For seruice doone against the enimie 962 b 40 c. 991 b 40 992 a 20 1216 b 40 1222 a 60 Knolles knight sent with an armie into France 405 a 20. Borne in Cheshire his counsell not followed 405 b 60. The feare that the enimies had of him 406 b 50. His seueritie 445 b 10. Deceaseth remembrances of him 533 b 40 Knolles Francis knight sent ouer to view the state of Newhauen 1202 b 30. His foure sonnes in a triumphant shew 1319 b 60. ¶ Sée Auxerre and Iusts triumphant L. LAborers an act of parlement for the drawing of them in order 835 b 20 Lacie Hugh and of king Henrie the seconds gift vnto him 82 b 30. Slaine in Ireland 109 b 60. His puissance and contempt his diligence to inlarge his possessions in Ireland 110 a 10 Lacie Robert constable of Chester hangeth two for spite 133 b 40 Lacie Roger a Norman 17 a 60 Lacie Walter in armes against the rebels 11 a 50 Lacies constables of Chester by inheritance their estimation and credit 215 b 60 217 a 10 20 c. Erls of Lincolne of whense they had their originall 20 a 30 Laâ—gnie on the riuer of Maine beséeged 608 a 10 Lambe esquier a good common wealths man deceaseth his acts and déeds full of charitie note 1311 a 60 b 10 c 1312 his epitaph 1313 a 40 Lambert earle of Lens 11 b 10 Lambert Simenill ¶ Sée Simenill Lamperdeuaux castell builded 279 b 10. Taken 281 a 10 Lancaster and Yorke house and the vniting of them in one intended 740 b 40. Furthered 741 a 10 c 742 a 10 c 743 a 10 c. Some matter concerning both worthie the reading 761 a 20 30 Lancaster house and how malicious Margaret the duchesse of Burgogne was therevnto 765 b 10. Enuied 776 a 10 Land and how manie acres an hide conteineth 13 b 10 Lands let out for yearelie rent in duke Williams time 8 a 40 Morgaged for monie 17 a 30. Of the church defended and recouered by archbishop Lanfranke note 18 a 60 b 10 Landoise corrupted with rewards betraieth the earle of Richmond into Richard the thirds hands 747 b 10 20 30 40 50 60. His expectation disappointed by the priuie and vnknowne departing of the earle 748 a 60 Lanfranke an Italian the thrée and thirtith archbishop of Canturburie 9 a 20. His authoritie great among all the lords of England 16 a 30. His counsell to William Rufus to winne the nobles fauor 16 a 10. Diligent care for the safetie of William Rufus 17 b 20. In fauor with pope Alexander 9 a 40. Assisteth duke William in armes against the rebelles 9 b 50. Calleth a councell of the clergie 11 b 60. Praised for holding with the moonks 18 b 10. Enuied for his prosperities sake 17 a 10 20. His death 18 a 40 with a description of certeine his qualities and diuerse of his acts and déeds 18 40 a 50 Largesse of William Rufus at his coronation note 16 a 40 Law marshall a burthen intollerable 1052 b 10 Executed 1199 a 50. 566 a 60 1007 a 10 c. ¶ Sée Soldiors Law salâ—ke 836 a 60 545 b 40 Law of armes note 669 a 60 577 b 40. Uiolated by the French 1204 b 50. Touching heralds violated 984 a 40 Law of duke William against such as forced anie women 15 b 50 Law to be quite abolished at the rebelles request 432 a 50 Law against buieng and selling on the sundaie 624 a 20 Lawes penall of duke William note 14 a 20. Confessed to be vnequall 8 b 40 note Of S. Edward supposed most equaâ—l and indifferent 10 a 20. Of William Rufus sharpe rigorous and peremptorie 20 b 10. Of king Henrie the first commanded to be vniuersallie obserued 181 a 30 Lawes written in the Norman toong not vnderstood of the English note void of conscience and equitie 8 b 10. Of England ancient abrogated and established 8 a 60. Remaine in Kent onelie 2 b 30 Lawes and liberties fought for 2 a 10 Lawiers to plead their cases in English c 396 a 20. Broght to blockham feast by the rebelles 430 a 60. Fraudulent punished 950 b 30 Lecture ¶ Sée Surgerie Léeds castell beséeged 327 b 60 And yéelded 328 a 10 Legat Anselme with his authoritie from Rome 39 b 60 Ferentino gathereth much monie in England 170 b 10 Gualos practises to get monie 193 a 20. Iohn de Anagnia from Rome to procure peace betweene kings 113 b 60. Otho cardinall and what dutie he gathered of the clergie 208 a 30. Pandulph ¶ Sée Pandulph note Legat from the pope about reformation a bawdie knaue 42 b 40. With the archbishop of Yorks pall 36 a 50. ¶ Sée archbishop note 29 a 40. A shift by forbearing the name 239 b 50. ¶ Sée Cardinall Legats from Rome to reconcile the bishop of Elie and the archbishop of Rouen 137 a 50 They practise for their owne aduantage 100 b 10. Authorised to celebrate a marriage 98 a 50. Not regarded they excommunicate 37 b 30. From the pope about Beckets death 82 b 50 League betwixt England and Flanders 354 b 30. Concluded 296 b 50. Renewed 160 a 50. Betwéene England and France 897 b 50. Renewed 193 b 60 note 768 b 60 Confirmed 1229 a 40 1238 a 30. Betwéene England and Scotland 1402 b 30. With the Scots and French to annoie the English 296 a 10. Betwéene the emperour and king Henrie the fift 557 b 20 c. Betwéene king Henrie the eight and the emperor 959 b 60. Betwéene king Henrie and the duke of Britaine 568 a 60. Betwéene king Henrie the fift and the duke of Burgogne and how articulated 575 b 30. With king Henrie the third and the Welsh nobilitie vpon certeine articles 226 b 50 c. Secret betwixt the pope and certeine states of Italie 893 a 10 League of peace to breake an euill déed 820 b 60. ¶ Sée Peace and Truce Leicester woone by force 89 a 40. The wals and the castell raced 98 b 20 Leigh knight ¶ Sée Iusts triumphant Leith burned 990 a 30. More riches found there than was looked for in anie towne of Scotland 962 a 30. Entred by the English armie and by them possessed and spoiled note 962 a 30. Assailed on the seuenth of Maie 1191 a 20. The great skirmishes betwéene the English French there in quéene Elisabeths
and successour bicause his daughter the empresse had gréeuouslie displeased him But vnto this mans oth the archbishop and the oâ—her lords were so hastie in giuing of credit Now 〈◊〉 said Hugh for his periurie by the iust iudgement 〈◊〉 God came shortlie after to a miserable end But to our purpose King Stephan by what title soeuer he obteined the crowne immediatlie after his coronation year 1136 went first to Reading to the buriall of the bodie of his vncle Henrie the same being now brought ouer from Normandie from whence after the buriall he repaired to Oxenford and there calling a councell of the lords other estates of his realme amongst other things he promised before line 10 the whole assemblie to win the harts of the people that he would put downe and quite abolish that tribute which oftentimes was accustomed to be gathered after the rate of their acres of hides of land commonlie called Danegilt which was two shillings of euerie hide of land Also that he would so prouide that no bishops sees nor other benefices should remaine void but immediatlie after vpon their first vacation they should be againe bestowed vpon some conuenient person meet to supplie the roome Further line 20 he promised not to seize vpon any mans woods as forfeit though any priuate man had hunted and killed his déere in the same woods as the maner of his predecessour was ¶ For a kind of forfeiture was deuised by king Henrie that those should lose their right inheritance in their woods that chanced to kill any of the kings déere within the same Moreouer be granted licence to all men to build either castell tower or other hold for defense of themselues vpon their owne grounds Al this did he chieflie line 30 in hope that the same might be a safegard for him in time to come if the empresse should inuade the land as he doubted she shortlie would Moreouer he aduanced manie yoong lustie gentlemen to great liuings For such as were of any noble familie and thereto through a certeine stoutnesse of stomach sought preferment easilie obteined of him the possession of castels and great lordships diuerse of whom he honored with titles of dignitie creating some of them earles and some lords Now such was their line 40 importunate sute in demanding that when he had little more to bestow amongst them hauing alreadie giuen sundrie portions that belonged to the crowne they ceassed not to be in hand with him for more and being denied with reasonable excuses on his behalfe they thought themselues ill dealt withall and so turning from him fortified their castels and holds making open warre against him as hereafter shall appeare There came ouer vnto him also a great number line 50 of Flemings and Britons to serue him as souldiers whom he reteined to be the stronger and better able to defend himselfe against the malice of the empresse by whom he looked to be molested he wist not how soone Wherefore he shewed himselfe verie liberall courteous and gentle towards all maner of persons at the first and to saie truth more liberall familiar and free harted than stood with the maiestie of a king which was afterward a cause that he grew line 60 into contempt ¶ But to such meanes are princes driuen that atteine to their estates more through fauour and support of others than by any good right or title which they may pretend of themselues Thus the gouernement of this prince at the beginning was nothing bitter or heauie to his subiects but full of gentlenesse lenitie courtesie and mildnes Howbeit whilest these things were a dooing certeine of the English Nobilitie abhorring both the king and the present state of his gouernment went priuilie out of the realme into Scotland to king Dauid declaring vnto him what a detestable act was committed by the lords of England in that contrarie to their oth made vnto the empresse Maud and hir issue they had now crowned Stephan Wherefore they besought the said king to take in hand to reuenge such a vile iniurie practised against hir and to restore the kingdome vnto the said empresse which if he did it should be a thing most acceptable both to God and man King Dauid hauing heard and well weied the effect of their request foorthwith was so mooued at their words that in all possible hast he assembled an armie and entring into England first tooke the citie and castell of Carleil afterward comming into Northumberland he tooke Newcastell and manie other places vpon the borders there Whereof king Stephan being aduertised streightwaies assembled a power and foorthwith hasted into Cumberland meaning to recouer that againe by force of armes which the enimie had stolen from him by craft and subtiltie At his approch néere to Carleil he pitched downe his field in the euening thinking there to staie till the morning that he might vnderstand of what power the enimie was whome he knew to be at hand King Dauid also was of a fierce courage and redie inough to haue giuen him battell but yet when he beheld the English standards in the field and diligentlie viewed their order and behauiour he was at the last contented to giue eare to such as intreated for peace on both sides Wherevpon comming to king Stephan he entred a freendlie peace with him wherein he made a surrender of Newcastell with condition that he should reteine Cumberland by the frée grant of king Stephan who hoped thereby to find king Dauid the more faithfull vnto him in time of need but yet he was deceiued as afterwards manifestlie appéered For when king Stephan required of him an oth of allegiance he answered that he was once sworne alreadie vnto Maud the empresse Howbeit to gratifie him he commanded his son Henrie to receiue that oth for the which the king gaue him the earledome of Huntington to hold of him for euer ¶ The Scotish chronicles set out the matter in other order but yet all agrée that Henrie sware fealtie to king Stephan as in the said historie of Scotland you may sée more at large Now after that king Stephan had concluded a peace with king Dauid he returned to London and there kept his Easter with great ioy and triumphes who whilest he was yet in the middest of all his pastime about Rogation wéeke he chanced to fall sicke of a litargie by reason wherof a rumor was spred ouer all the realme that he was dead Which though it was but a vaine tale and of no importance at the first yet was it after the occasion of much euill For vpon that report great sedition was raised by the kings enimies amongst the people the minds of his fréends were alienated from him manie of the Normans which were well practised in periuries treasons thought they might boldlie attempt all mischéefes that came to hand and hervpon some of them vndertooke to defend one place and
abroad to get other places into his possession and finallie came to his mother and laie at Wallingford King Stephan in the meane time being strong in the field sought time and place to haue Henrie at sâ—me aduantage who in his yoong yeares as yet not hauing tasted any misfortune he thought would rashlie attempt some vnaduised enterprise ¶ But whereas the realme of England had béene now manie yeares miserablie turmoiled with ciuill warre which the verie heathen haue so detested that they haue exclaimed against it with a kind of irksomnesse as Eheu cicatricum sceleris pudet Fratrúmque quid nos dura refugimus Aetas quid intactum nefasti Linquimus vnde manus iuuentus Metu deorum continuit quibus Pepercit aris iam litui strepunt Iamfulgor armorum fugaces Terret equos equitúmque vultus Wherein besides millians of extremities honest matrones and mens wiues were violated maids and virgins rauished churches spoiled townes and line 10 villages robbed whole flocks and heards of shéepe and beasts destroied wherein the substance of the realme cheeflie consisted and men without number slaine and murthered it pleased the goodnesse of almightie God at length to deliuer the land of these miseries which were notified to all countries round about that sore lamented the same Now whereas king Stephan was the cause of all the troubles in hauing vsurped an other mans rightfull inheritance it pleased God to mooue his hart at line 20 length to desire peace which he had euer before abhorred The cause that mooued him chéefelie to change his former purpose was for that his sonne Eustace by speedie death was taken out of this world as before you haue heard which losse séemed great not onelie to the father but also to all those lords and others which had alwaies taken his part bicause he was a yoong man so well liked of all men that he was iudged to be borne to much honour But his wife Constance tooke his death verie sorowfullie and the more line 30 indeed for that she had no issue by him wherevpon shortlie after she was sent honourablie home to hir father king Lewes with hir dower and other rich and princelie gifts King Stephan séeing himselfe thus depriued of his onlie sonne vnto whom he minded to leaue the kingdome which he so earnestlie sought to confirme and assure vnto him by warlike endeuor and that againe the French kings aid would not be so readie as heretofore it had béene wherevpon he much staied line 40 now that the bonds of affinitie were abolished he began at length though not immediatlie vpon his sonnes deceasse to withdraw his mind from war and bequeashed it wholie to peace Which alteration being perceiued those Nobles that were glad to sée the state of their countrie quieted did their best to further it chéeflie Theobald archbishop of Canturburie trauelled earnestlie to bring the princes to some agréement now talking with the king now sending to the duke and vsing all means line 50 possible to set them at vnitie The bishop of Winchester also who had caused all the trouble vpon consideration of the great calamities wherewith the land was most miserablie afflicted began to wish an end thereof Wherevpon the lords spirituall and temporall were called togither at Winchester a-about the latter end of Nouember that they with their consents also might confirme whatsoeuer the king and the duke should conclude vpon line 60 Thus was a publike assemblie made in the citie of Winchester whither also duke Henrie came who being ioifullie receiued of the king in the bishops palace they were made freends the king admitting the duke for his sonne and the duke the king for his father insomuch that the agreement which through the carefull sute of the archbishop of Canturburie had beene laboured with such diligence to good effect was now confirmed the cheefe articles whereof were these 1 That king Stephan during his naturall life should remaine king of England and Henrie the empresses sonne should enioy the dukedome of Normandie and be proclaimed heire apparant to succéed in and haue the regiment of England after the deceasse of Stephan 2 That such noble men and other which had held either with the one partie or the other during the time of the ciuill warres should be in no danger for the same but enioy their lands possessions and liuings according to their ancient rights and titles 3 That the king should resume and take into his hands againe all such portions and parcels of inheritance belonging to the crowne as he had giuen away or were otherwise vsurped by any maner of person and that all those possessions which by any intrusion had béene violentlie taken from the right owners since the daies of king Henrie should be restored to them that were rightlie possessed in the same by the daies of the said king 4 That all those castels which contrarie to all reason and good order had béene made and builded by any maner of person in the daies of king Stephan should be ouerthrowne and cast downe which were found to be eleuen hundred and fifteene 5 That the king should reforme all such disorders as warre had brought in to restore farmers to their holdings to repaire decaied buildings to store pastures and leassues with cattell hils with sheepe c. 6 That by his meanes the cleargie might enioy their due quietnesse and not be oppressed with any vniust exactions 7 That he should place shirifes where they had béene accustomed to beare rule with instructions giuen them to deale vprightlie in causes so as offenders might not escape through bribes or any other respect of freendship but that euerie man might receiue according to right and equitie 8 That soldiours should conuert their swords as Esaie saith into culters plough shares their speares into mattocks and so returne from the campe to the plough and that such as were woont to keepe watch in the night season might now sléepe and take their rest without any danger 9 That the husbandman might be set frée from all trouble and vexation by meanes wherof he might follow his tilth and plie his culture 10 That merchant men and occupiers might enioy their trades and occupations to their aduancement 11 That one kind and manner of siluer coine should run through the land c. 12 There was also consideration had of a sonne which king Stephan had named William who though he were verie yoong was yet appointed to sweare fealtie vnto duke Henrie as lawfull heire to the crowne The same William had the citie of Norwich and diuerse other lands assigned him for the maintenance of his estate and that by the consent and agréement of duke Henrie his adopted brother These things being thus concluded at Winchester and the warre that had continued for the space of 17. yeares now ended and fullie pacified the king tooke the duke with him to London dooing to him all the honour he could
deuise The newes whereof being spred abrode euerie good man reioised thereat Thus through the great mercie of God peace was restored vnto the decaied state of this relme of England Which things being thus accomplished with great ioy and tokens of loue king Stephan and his new adopted sonne duke Henrie tooke leaue either of other appointing shortlie after to méet againe at Oxenford there to perfect euerie article of their agréement which was thus accorded a little before Christmas ¶ But by the way for the better vnderstanding of the said agreement I haue thought good to set downe the verie tenor of the charter made by king Stephan as I haue copied it out and translated it into English out of an autentike booke conteining the old lawes of the Saxon and Danish kings in the end whereof the same charter is exemplified which booke is remaining with the right worshipfull William Fléetwood esquire now recorder of London and sargeant at law The charter of king Stephan of the pacification of the troubles betwixt him and line 10 Henrie duke of Normandie STephan king of England to all archbishops bishops abbats earles iusticers sherifes barons and all his faithfull subiects of England sendeth greeting Know yee that I king Stephan haue ordeined Henrie duke of Normandie after me by right of inheritance to be my successour and heire of line 20 the kingdome of England and so haue I giuen and granted to him and his heires the kingdome of England For the which honour gift and confirmation to him by me made he hath doone homage to me and with a corporall oth hath assured me that he shall be faithfull and loiall to me and shall to his power preserue my life and honour and I on the other side shall maineteine line 30 and preserue him as my sonne and heire in all things to my power and so far as by any waies or meanes I may And William my sonne hath doone his lawfull homage and assured his fealtie vnto the said duke of Normandie and the duke hath granted to him to hold of him all those tenements and holdings which I held before I atteined to the possession of the realme of England wheresoeuer the line 40 same be in England Normandie or elsewhere and whatsoeuer he receiued with the daughter of earle Warren either in England or Normandie likewise whatsoeuer apperteineth to those honoures And the duke shall put my sonne William and his men that are of that honour in full possession and seizine of all the lands boroughs and rents which the duke thereof line 50 now hath in his demaine and namelie of those that belong to the honour of the earle Warren and namelie of the castels of Bellencumber and Mortimer so that Reginald de Warren shall haue the keeping of the same castels of Bellencumber and of Mortimer if he will and therevpon shall giue pledges to the duke and if he will not haue the keeping of those castels line 60 then other liege men of the said erle Warren whome it shall please the duke to appoint shall by sure pledges and good suertie keepe the said castels Moreouer the duke shall deliuer vnto him according to my will and pleasure the other castels which belong vnto the earledome of Mortaigne by safe custodie and pledges so soone as he conuenientlie may so as all the pledges are to be restored vnto my sonne free so soone as the duke shall haue the realme of England in possession The augmentation also which I haue giuen vnto my sonne William he hath likewise granted the same to him to wit the castell and towne of Norwich with seauen hundred pounds in lands so as the rents of Norwich be accounted as parcell of the same seauen hundred pounds in lands and all the countie of Norfolke the profits and rents which belong to churches bishops abbats earles excepted and the third pennie whereof Hugh Bigot is earle also excepted sauing also and reseruing the kings roiall iurisdiction for administration of iustice Also the more to strengthen my fauour and loue to himwards the duke hath giuen and granted vnto my said sonne whatsoeuer Richer de Aquila hath of the honour of Peuensey And moreouer the castell and towne of Peuensey and the seruice of Faremouth beside the castell and towne of Douer and whatsoeuer apperteineth to the honour of Douer The duke hath also confirmed the church of Feuersham with the appurtenances and all other things giuen or restored by me vnto other churches he shall confirme by the counsell and aduice of holie church and of me The earles and barons that belong to the duke which were neuer my leeges for the honour which I haue doone to their maister they haue now doone homage and sworne fealtie to me the couenants betwixt me the said duke alwaies saued The other which had before doone homage to me haue sworne fealtie to me as to their souereigne lord And if the duke should breake and go from the premisses then are they altogither to ceasse from dooing him any seruice till he reforme his misdooings And my sonne also is to constreine him thereto according to the aduice of holie church if the duke shall chance to go from the couenants afore mentioned My earles and barons also haue doone their leege and homage vnto the duke sauing their faith to me so long as I liue and shall hold the kingdome with like condition that if I doo breake and go from the premitted couenants that then they may ceasse from dooing me any seruice till the time I haue reformed that which I haue doone amisse The citizens also of cities and those persons that dwell in castels which I haue in my demaine by my commandement haue doone homage and made assurance to the duke sauing the fealtie which they owe to me during my life time and so long as I shall hold the kingdome They which keep the castle of Wallingford haue doone their homage to me and haue giuen to me pledges for the obseruing of their fealtie And I haue made vnto the duke such assurance of the castels and strengths which I hold by the counsell and aduice of holie church that when I shall depart this life the duke thereby may not run into any losse or impeachment wherby to be debarred from the kingdome The tower of London and the fortresse of Windsor by the counsell and aduice of holie church are deliuered vnto the lord Richard de Lucie safelie to be kept which Richard hath taken an oth and hath deliuered his sonne in pledge to remaine in the hands and custodie of the archbishop of Canturburie that after my decease he shall deliuer the same castels vnto the duke Likewise by the counsell and aduise of holie church Roger de Bussey keepeth the castell of Oxford and Iordaine de Bussey the castell of line 10 Lincolne which Roger Iordaine haue sworne and thereof haue deliuered pledges into the
naked hauing no time to put on their apparell his treasure horsse armour and standard were taken which standard king Richard straitwaies determined to send vnto saint Edmunds shrine and so did Hauing thus vanquished his aduersaries he came backe to Limezun and the third day after Guie king of Ierusalem and his brother Geffrey de Lucignan with the prince of Antioch Raimond and his sonne named also Raimond earle of Tripoli with other noble men arriued at Limezun aforesaid to visit king Richard and to offer him their seruices and so became his men in swearing fealtie to him against all other persons whatsoeuer The same day the king of Cypres perceiuing himselfe vnable to resist the great puissance of king Richards armie sent ambassadours and offered to king Richard the summe of twentie thousand marks of gold in recompense of the monie which his men that were drowned had about them and also to restore those to libertie which he had taken prisoners and to make deliuerie to their hands of all their goods Furthermore he offered to go with him into the holie land personallie and to serue him with an hundred knights 400 light horssemen and 500 well armed footmen also to deliuer to king Richard his daughter and heire in hostage and to acknowledge him his souereigne lord by swearing to him fealtie for his kingdome as for that which he should confesse to hold of him King Richard accepted these offers and so the king of Cypres came in and sware fealtie to king Richard in presence of the king of Ierusalem the prince of Antioch and other barons and promised line 10 vpon his oth then receiued not to depart till all things couenanted on his part were performed Then king Richard assigned tents for him and his to lodge in and appointed certeine knights and other men of warre to haue the custodie of him But the same day after dinner vpon repentance of that which he had doone he deceiued his keepers and sâ—ale awaie sending knowledge backe to the king that he would not stand to the couenants which were concluded vpon betwixt them line 20 King Richard seemed to like the matter well inough and foorthwith deliuered a part of his armie vnto the king of Ierusalem and to the prince of Antioch appointing them to pursue the king of Cypres by land whilest he with one part of his gallies and Robert de Turneham with the other might search about the coast by sea to prohibit his passage by water In euerie place where they came such ships and gallies as they found they seized into their hands and no resistance was made against them by reason line 30 the people fled to the woods and mountains leauing the cities townes and castels void in all stéeds where the king or the said sir Robert de Turneham with their vessels began to appéere When they had taken their pleasure thus alongst the coasts they returned againe vnto Limezun The king of Ierusalem and the other that went foorth by land when they could not spéed of their purpose returned also in which meane time a great number of Cypriots came in and submitting themselues to king Richard were line 40 receiued as his subiects On the 12. daie of Maie the ladie Berengaria daughter to the king of Nauarre was maried according to a precontract vnto king Richard at Limezun aforesaid in the I le of Cypres one of the kings chaplins executing the order of the marriage The same daie also she was crowned by the bishop of Eureux the archbishops of Apamea and Aur with the bishop of Baion ministring vnto him After the solemnitie of this marriage and coronation ended line 50 king Richard seâ— forward with his armie into the countrie of Cypres and first wan by surrender the citie of Nichosia and after the strong castell of Cherin within the which was the daughter of the king of Cypres which ladie humblie yeelded hir selfe vnto K. Richard who counting it reproch to be extreame with such as submit themselues and speciallie the female sex according to the old saieng Parcere subiectis nobilis sâ—it ira leonis had pitie of hir case and sent hir to his wife the new line 60 quéene willing that she might be honorablie vsed From thence passing forward these castels were deliuered into his hands Baffes and Buffenent Den Amur Candace and afterwards all the other castâ—ls and cities townes and places of strength within that I le one after an other Finallie hearing that the king of Cypres was inclosed in an abbeie called Cap S. Andrew he marched thitherwards but when the king of Cypres heard of his approch he came foorth and submitted himselfe wholie into his hands The king first appointed him to the kéeping of his chamberlaine Rafe Fitz Geffrey and after sent him vnto the citie of Tripoli there to be kept in close prison Who when he heard he should be committed to close prison and remaine in fetters said that if he laie in irons he should shortlie end his life Wherevnto king Richard when he heard of it answered He saith well and therefore bicause he is a noble man and our mind is not to haue him dead but onelie to be kept safe from starting anie more awaie and dooing new hurt let him be chamed in giues and fetters made of siluer and so he was But to procéed After the king had set the countrie of Cypres in good staie he deliuered the keeping thereof vnto Richard de Camuille and Robert de Turneham This doone vpon the wednesdaie in the Whitsunwéeke he tooke the sea againe and passed ouer to the citie of Acres which as then was besieged by the christian armie as ye may read in the description of the holie land onelie giuing you to vnderstand that such was the valiancie of king Richard shewed in manfull constreining of the citie that his praise was greatlie bruted both amongst the christians and also the Saracens Howbeit the secret enimitie betwixt him and the French king estsoones reuiued by occasion of such discord as chanced betwixt Guido king of Ierusalem and Conrade the marques of Tire so that parties were taken and whereas both the Pisans and Geneuois did offer their seruice vnto king Richard yet bicause the Geneuois were confederat with the French king who tooke part with the marques he refused them and receiued the Pisans ioining himselfe with king Guido to support him against his enimies Here is to be remembred that before king Richard arriued at the siege he incountred on the sea a mightie great ship called a Drommond which one Saphaldine the brother of Saladine a prince of the Saracens had sent to refresh them with vittels This ship king Richard caused féercelie to be assailed with his gallies and at length bowged hir with all the vittels and prouision within the same as wild-fire barels of firie serpents armour and weapons of sundrie sorts besides all the mariners and men
an abstinence of warre to indure from the feast of S. Hilarie for one whole yere purposing in the meane time to make a finall peace and agréement In which season Baldwine earle of Flanders came into England to doo his deuotions vnto the shrine where Thomas the archbishop laie buried at Canturburie The same yeare also some what before this time Rise ap Griffin king of Wales departed this life after whose death there fell discord betwixt his sonnes for the succession till the archbishop Hubert went to the marshes of that countrie and made an agréement betwixt them Not long after Roger the brother of Robert earle of Leicester elected bishop of saint Andrews in Scotland receiued the order of priesthood and was consecrated bishop by the hands of the bishop of Aberdine This yeare it was ordeined that measures of all manner of graine should conteine one quantitie throughout the realme that is to saie one resonable horsselode and that the measures of wine and ale with all maner of liquors should be of one iust quantie according to the diuersitie of the liquor also that weights should be of like rate throughout the relme and that cloth should conteine two yards in breadth within the lists of perfect goodnesse throughout as well in the middest as by the sides and that one manner of yard should be vsed through the relme It was also ordeined that no merchants within the realme should hang any red or blacke clothes before their windowes nor set vp any pentises or other thing whereby to darken the light from those that come to buy their cloth so as they might be deceiued in choosing thereof Also it was enacted that there should be foure or six substantiall honest men chosen in euerie towne and likewise in shires with the head officers of cities and boroughes which had a corporation to see that the assises aforesaid were truelie kept and that if any were found to be offending in the premisses to cause their bodies to be attached and committed to prison and their goods to be seized to the kings vse and if those that were chosen to haue regard thereto were tried to be negligent so that by others and not by them any offendors chanced to be conuicted before the iustices then should the regarders be put to their fines for the negligent looking to their offices King Richard held his Christmasse this yeare at Roan and Hubert the archbishop of Canturburie legat of the apostolike sée year 1198 named lord chéfe iustice of England was about the same time in the marshes of Wales at Hereford and there receiued into his hands the castels of Hereford Bridgenorth and Ludlow remoouing those that had the same in kéeping and appointing others in their roomes Afterwards comming by Couentrie he placed the moonks againe in the cathedrall church of that citie by commandement of pope Celestine and chased out the secular canons which the bishop Hugh Nouant had brought into the same church when he remooued the moonks In the Christmasse wéeke also there came messengers to Rouen from the archbishops of Cullen and Mentz and from other states of the empire which declared vnto king Richard that all the princes of Germanie were appointed to assemble at Cullen the two twentith of Februarie about the choosing of a new emperour in place of the late deceassed Henrie and therefore they commanded him by force of the oth and league in which he was bound to the emperour and empire that all excuse of deniall or occasions to the contrarie ceasing and set apart he should make his repaire vnto Cullen at the aforesaid day to helpe them in choosing of some worthie personage that might and was able to haue the empire King Richard doubting to put himselfe in danger bicause he had not discharged all the debts due for his ransome staied at home but yet he sent diuerse noble men thither and did so much in fauour of his nephue Otho that by the helpe of the foresaid two archbishops of Cullen and Mentz the same Otho was elected emperour But of this matter more shall be said hereafter Moreouer about the same time king Richard required by the archbishop of Canturburie his chéefe iustice an aid of 300 knights to be found by his subiects of England to remaine with him in his seruice for one whole yeare or else that they would giue him so much monie as might serue to reteine that number after the rate of thrée shillings a daie of English monie for euerie knight Whereas all other were contented to be contributors herein onelie Hugh line 10 bishop of Lincolne refused and spake sore against the archbishop that moued the matter But how soeuer that request tooke place king Richard as we find leuied this yeare a subsidie of fiue shillings of euerie hide of land within the realme two commissioners that is to say one of the spiritualtie a knight of the temporaltie being appointed as commissioners in euerie shire with the assistance of the shiriffe and others to see the same assessed rated after an hundred acres of land to the hide of land according line 20 to the custome The same yeare also the moonks of the house of the holie Trinitie otherwise called Christes church in Canturburie exhibited their complaint vnto pope Innocent that their archbishop Hubert contrarie to his order and dignitie exercised the office of high iustice and sate in iudgement of bloud being so incumbred in temporall matters that he could not haue time to discharge his office touching spirituall causes wherevpon the pope sent vnto king Richard line 30 admonishing him not to suffer the said archbishop to be any longer troubled with temporall affaires but to discharge him thereof and not to admit any spirituall person from thencefoorth vnto any temporall administration He further prohibited by vertue of their obedience all manner of prelats and men of the church that they should not presume rashlie to take vpon them any maner of secular function or office Whervpon the archbishop was discharged of his office of line 40 chéefe iustice and Geffrey Fitz Peter succeeded in gouernement of the realme in his steed ¶ Geruasius Dorobernensis saith that the archbishop resigned that office of his owne accord and that not till after his returne from the marshes of Wales where he had ouerthrowne the Welshmen and slaine fiue thousand of them Which victorie other ascribe vnto Geffrey Fitz Peter which Geffrey as the said Dorobernensis saith succeeded the archbishop in the office of lord cheefe iustice but not vntill August in the line 50 tenth yeare of the kings reigne In this yeare immediatlie vpon the expiring of the truce which was taken till haruest might be ended the warre betwixt the two kings of England France began eftsoones to be pursued with like earnestnesse as before wherevpon manie encounters chanced betwixt the parties with taking of townes and fortresses as commonlie in such cases
prouision of vittels should be admitted maior of the citie and so by this shift they sought to cut off all meanes from the fishmongers to recouer againe their old former degrée And bicause it was knowne well inough of what authoritie sir Iohn Philpot knight was within the citie and that he fauoured those whome the lord maior the said Iohn de Northampton fauoured not he was put off from the bench and might not sit with them that were of the secret councell in the cities affaires line 60 whereas neuerthelesse he had trauelled more for the preseruation of the cities liberties than all the residue Sir Henrie Spenser bishop of Norwich receiued buls a little before this present from pope Urbane to signe all such with the crosse that would take vpon them to go ouer the seas with him to warre against those that held with the antipape Clement that tooke himselfe for pope and to such as would receiue the crosse in that quarrell such like beneficiall pardons were granted by pope Urbane as were accustomablie granted vnto such as went to fight against the Infidels Turkes and Saracens to wit free remission of sinnes and manie other graces The bishop of Norwich that had the disposing of the benefits granted by those buls to all such as either would go themselues in person or else giue anie thing toward the furtherance of that voiage maintenance of them that went in the same shewed those buls in open parlement caused copies to be written forth sent into euerie quarter that his authoritie power legantine might be notified to all men for the better bringing to passe of that he had in charge And truelie it should appeare there wanted no diligence in the man to accomplish the popes purpose and on the other part yée must note that the priuileges which he had from the pope were passing large so that as the matter was handled there were diuerse lords knights esquires and other men of warre in good numbers that offered themselues to go in that voiage and to follow the standards of the church with the bishop and no small summes of monie were leuied and gathered amongst the people for the furnishing foorth of that armie as after yée shall heare In this meane time the earle of Cambridge returned home from Portingale whither as yee haue heard he was sent the last yeare and promise made that the duke of Lancaster should haue followed him but by reason of the late rebellion and also for other considerations as the warres in Flanders betwixt the erle and them of Gaunt it was not thought conuenient that anie men of warre should go foorth of the realme and so the king of Portingale not able of himselfe to go through with his enterprise against the king of Spaine after some small exploits atchiued by the Englishmen and other of the earle of Cambridge his companie as the winning of certeine fortresses belonging to the king of Castile and that the two kings had laine in field the one against the other by the space of fifteene daies without battell the matter was taken vp and a peace concluded betwixt them sore against the mind of the earle of Cambridge who did what in him laie to haue brought them to a set field but when there was no remedie he bare it so patientlie as he might and returned home with his people sore offended though he said little against the king of Portingale for that he dealt otherwise in this matter than was looked for He had affianced his sonne which he had by the daughter of Peter sometime king of Castile vnto the king of Portingales daughter now in the time of his being there but although he was earnestlie requested of the said king he would not leaue his sonne behind him but brought him backe with him againe into England togither with his mother doubting the slipperie faith of those people In the Lent season of this sixt yeare of king Richards reigne year 1383 an other parlement was called at London in the which there was hard hold about the buls sent to the bishop of Norwich from pope Urbane concerning his iournie that he should take in hand against the Clementines as we may call them for that they held with pope Clement whome the Urbanists that is such as held with pope Urbane tooke for schismatikes Diuerse there were that thought it not good that such summes of monie shuld be leuied of the kings subiects and the same togither with an armie of men to be committed vnto the guiding of a prelat vnskilfull in warlike affaires Other there were that would needs haue him to go that the enimies of the church as they tooke them might be subdued And although the more part of the lords of the vpper house and likewise the knights and burgesses of the lower house were earnestlie bent against this iournie yet at length those that were of the contrarie mind preuailed so it was decreed that it should forward and that the said bishop of Norwich should haue the fiftéenth granted to the king in the last parlement to paie the wages of such men of warre as should go ouer with him for soldiers without monie passed not much of pardons no not in those daies except at the verie point of death if they were not assured how to be answered of their wages or of some other consideration wherby they might gaine ¶ The tenth that was granted afore by the bishops at Oxford was now in this same parlement appointed to remaine to the king for the kéeping of the seas whilest the bishop should be foorth of the realme in following line 10 those wars These things being thus appointed the bishop sent foorth his letters firmed with his seale into euerie prouince and countrie of this land giuing to all parsons vicars and curats through this realme power and authoritie to heare the confessions of their parishioners and to grant vnto those that would bestow any parcell of their goods which God had lent them towards the aduancing of the iournie to be made by the crossed souldiers against pope Urbans enimies line 20 the absolution and remission of all their sinnes by the popes authoritie according to the forme of the bull before mentioned The people vnderstanding of so great and gratious a benefit as they tooke it thus offered to the English nation at home in their owne houses were desirous to be partakers thereof and those that were warlike men prepared themselues to go foorth in that iournie with all spéed possible The residue that were not fit to be warriors according to that they were exhorted by their confessors bestowed line 30 liberallie of their goods to the furtherance of those that went and so few there were within the whole kingdome but that either they went or gaue somewhat to the aduancing foorth of the bishop of Norwich his voiage This bishop chose diuerse to be associat with him as capteins that were expert
calling such images as the people had in most veneration as that at Walsingham and the rood of the north doore at Paules in London rotten stocks and worme eaten blocks through which the vnskilfull people being mocked and deceiued were compelled most manifestlie to commit idolatrie The bishops saith Thomas Walsingham hearing beholding and knowing these things with much more to line 60 be true did little or nothing to redresse the same saue onlie the bishop of Norwich who stirred coles swearing and staring that if anie of that sect presumed to preach anie peruerse doctrine within his diocesse he would cause them either to hop headlesse or to frie a fagot for it he was therefore not a little praised and extolled by the moonks and other religious men as should appeare for that his zeale In Nouember the duke of Lancaster came foorth of Gascoigne into England after he had remained first in Spaine and after in Gascoigne thrée yeares togither Of his successe in Spaine is spoken before likewise of the agréement betwixt the king of Castâ—le the said duke which was not in all points confirmed till a little before his returne now into England About the same time the king had called a councell of his nobilitie at Reading to the which the duke of Lancaster made the more hast to come bicause he knew that the king would shew no good countenance to some of the noblemen and therefore he doubted least malicious offenses might arise betwixt them which to appease he meant the best he could and his trauell came to good effect for he did so much that as well the king as the lords departed from the councell as freends the lords taking their leaues of him in louing maner and he courteouslie bidding them farewell and so each of them resorted vnto their homes well pleased for that present ¶ The king held his Christmasse this yéere at Woodstoke and the duke of Lancaster laie at his castell of Hertford At the same time the lord Iohn de Hastings earle of Penbroke as he was practising to learne to iust year 1390 through mishap was striken about the priuie parts by a knight called sir Iohn S. Iohn that ran against him so as his inner parts being perished death presentlie followed The losse of this earle was greatlie bemoned by men of all degrees for he was liberall gentle humble and courteous to each one aboue all the other yoong lords in the land of his time Of this earles ancestors this is reported for a thing strange and maruelous that from the daies of Aimer de Ualence earle of Penbroke that was one amongst other that sat in iudgement of Thomas earle of Lancaster there was not anie earle of Penbroke succéeding the same Aimer de Ualence vnto the daies of this yoong earle by misfortune thus slaine that euer saw his father nor yet anie of their fathers might reioise in the sight of anie of their sonnes being still called hence before the time came for them so to doo ¶ Now héere bicause this Iohn Hastings being the last of that surname and armes of the whole blood which of that line inioied anie title of honor I thinke it not vnfit for this place since other occasion will not be giuen therefore to talke of the Hastings somwhat higher than this man though not from the shell to perpetuate the memorie of them the which I haue now doone least otherwise by ingrate obliuion it might neuer hereafter come to light In which I will not begin from the first honourable Hastings whose bloud by manie descents continued is thought by most ancient monuments which I haue séene and read to haue béene a baron before the conquest in this land and to haue borne the same cote in the field which this now slaine earle of Penbroke did whereof hereafter in my descriptions and lines of the earles of Penbroke I will make more ample discourse in a new booke if God giue good successe therein onelie at this time making some small repetition from that Henrie Hastings from whome the Hastings in respect of the mariage of Alda daughter to Dauie earle of Huntington brother to William king of Scots did descend who amongst others in the reigne of Edward the first made title to the kingdome of Scotland The originall of which name in this treatise I will neither flatteringlie defend nor obstinatlie reiect to haue growne from Hastings the Dane who in the reigne of Alured long before the conquest about the yeare of our redemption 890 came with Rollo into England and for a certeine space infesâ—ed this nation departing aside to France And now to the purpose Henrie lord Hastings who bare for his armes gold a manche gules married Alda or Ada the fourth daughter of Dauid earle of Huntington she being one of the heires to Iohn Scot earle of Chester of Huntington which died without issue son of the said Dauid and brother to the said Ada. To this Henrie and Ada did Henrie the third king of England in the two twentith of his reigne in place of the portion of hir brothers lands which should haue descended to hir as parcell of the earledome of Chester for that the king would not haue the said earledome diuided amongst distaues giue in exchange certeine lands mentioned in this déed following The grant of Henrie the third to Henrie Hastings and Ada his wife for the exchange of lands for hir part of the line 10 earledome OMnibus ad quos c salutem Sciatis quòd concessimus pro nobis haeredibus nostris Henrico de Hastings Adae vxorieius pro rationabili parte sua qùae praedictam Adam contingent de haereditate Iohannis quondam comitis Cestriae fratris ipsius Adae in Cestershire facieÌ„do eis rationabile excambium ad valentiam praedictae partis ipsam line 20 Adam contingentis de praedicto com Cestershire Et ad maiorem securitatem coÌ„cessimus eidem Henrico Adae manerium nostrum de Bremesgraue cum pertinentibus in comitatu Wigorniae manerium nostrum de Bolisoure cum castris pertinentibus in com Derby manerium nostrum de Mountesfeld cum Soka cuÌ„ pertinentibus in comitatu Notingham manerium de Worsfeld cum pertinentibus in com Salop. manerium line 30 de Stratton cum pertinentibus in eodem com manerium de Wiggutton cum pertinent in com Stafford maneriuÌ„ de Woluerhamton cuÌ„pert in eodeÌ„ com in tenentiam Tenendum eisdem Henrico Adae haeredibus ipsius Adae quo vsque praedicta pars ipsam Adam contingens de praedicta haereditate extenta fuerit rationabile excambium in praedictis terris vel alias eis assignauerimus In cuius c. Teste rege apud Ditton 11. Innij anno line 40 regni nostri 22. The which manours the said Henrie and Ada did hold during the life of the said Ada in peaceable and quiet possession After hir death the said Henrie goeth into
his businesse about the kéeping of the crowne on his head tooke no better successe except peraduenture ye will saie that it gréeued him for that such slaughters and mischéeues as had chanced within this land came to passe onelie through his follie and default in gouernment or that more is for his fathers his grandfathers and his owne vniust vsurping and deteining line 40 of the crowne But howsoeuer it was for these before remembred and other the like properties of reputed holinesse which was said to rest in him it pleased God to worke miracles for him in his life time as men haue listed to report By reason whereof king Henrie the seauenth sued to Pope Iulio the second to haue him canonized a saint But for that the canonizing of a king séemed to be more costlie than for a bishop the said king left off his sute in that behalfe thinking better to saue his monie than to purchase a new holie daie of line 50 saint Henrie with so great a price remitting to God the iudgement of his will and intent ¶ But bicause princes princelie qualified can not be too highlie praised I will here record a collection of his commendable conditions dooings and saiengs as I find them set downe to my hand to his perpetuall renowme and right worthie of imitation not onelie of such as are singled out from among infinite thousands to be magnified with roialtie but also of priuat line 60 and meane men that conuerse and liue one with an other in the world This king hauing inioied as great prosperitie as fauourable fortune could afoord as great troubles on the other side as she frowning could powre out yet in both the states he was patient and vertuous that he maie be a patterne of most perfect vertue as he was a worthie example of fortunes inconstancie He was plaine vpright farre from fraud wholie giuen to praier reading of scriptures and almes-deeds of such integritie of life that the bishop which had béene his confessour ten yeares auouched that he had not all that time committed anie mortall crime so continent as suspicion of vnchast life neuer touched him and hauing in Christmasse a shew of yoong women with their bare breasts laid out presented before him he immediatlie departed with these words Fie fie for shame forsooth you be too blame Before his marriage he liked not that women should enter his chamber and for this respect he committed his two brethren by the moothers side Iasper and Edmund to most honest vertuous prelats to be brought vp So farre he was from couetousnesse that when the executors of his vncle the bishop of Winchester surnamed the rich cardinall would haue giuen him two thousand pounds he plainelie refused it willing them to discharge the will of the departed and would scarselie condescend at length to accept the same summe of monie toward the indowing of his colleges in Cambridge Eaton He was religiouslie affected as the time then was that at principall holidaies he would weare sackecloth next his skin Oth he vsed none but in most earnest matters these words Forsooth and forsooth He was so pitifull that when he saw the quarter of a traitor against his crowne ouer Criplegate he willed it to be taken awaie with these words I will not haue anie christian so cruellie handled for my sake Manie great offenses he willinglie pardoned and receiuing at a time a great blow by a wicked man which compassed his death he onelie said Forsooth forsooth yée doo fowlie to smite a king annointed so An other also which thrust him into the side with a sword when he was prisoner in the Tower was by him pardoned when he was restored to his state and kingdome Not long before his death being demanded whie he had so long held the crowne of England vniustlie he replied My father was king of England quietlie inioieng the crowne all his reigne and his father my grandsire was also king of England and I euen a child in my cradell was proclamed and crowned king without anie interruption and so held it fortie yeares well-neere all the states dooing homage vnto me as to my antecessors wherefore I maie saie with king Dauid The lot is fallen vnto me in a faire ground yea I haue a goodlie heritage my helpe is from the Lord which saueth the vpright in heart This good king being of himselfe alwaies naturallie inclined to doo good and fearing least he might séeme vnthankefull to almightie God for his great benefits bestowed vpon him since the time he first tooke vpon him the regiment of his realme determined about the six and twentith yeare of his reigne for his primer notable worke as by the words of his will I find expressed to erect and found two famous colledges in the honor and worship of his holy name and for the increase of vertue the dilatation of cunning and establishment of christian faith whereof the one in Cambridge to be called his colledge roiall of our ladie and saint Nicholas and the other at Gaton beside Windsore to be called his colledge of our blessed ladie And for the performance of this his deuout purpose he infeoffed certeine bishops with other noble and worshipfull personages by his letters patents with lands and possessions parcell of his inheritance of the duchie of Lancaster to the cleare value of well néere foure thirtie hundred pounds by yéere Which letters patents he after confirmed by his act of parlement declaring also by his will vnto his said feoffées his intent and meaning how the same shuld be imploied vpon the edifications of his said two colledges Whereof in my iudgement the deuise is so excellent and the buildings so princelie and apt for that purpose as I cannot omit to set foorth vnto you the verie plot of the whole colledge in Cambridge euen as I find mentioned almost verbatim in his will supposing that if the rest of the house had procéeded according to the chappell alreadie finished as his full intent and meaning was the like colledge could scant haue béene found againe in anie christian land The words of the will are thus As touching the dimensions of the church of my said colledge of our ladie and S. Nicholas of Cambridge I haue deuised and appointed that the same church shall conteine in length 288 foot of assise without line 10 anie Iles and all of the widenesse of fortie foot And the length of the same church from the west end vnto the altars at the quiere doore shall conteine an hundred and twentie foot And from the prouosts stall vnto the gréece called Gradus chori ninetie foot for thirtie six stalles on either side of the same quiere answering to threescore and ten fellowes and ten priests conducts which must be De prima forma And from the said stalles vnto the east end of the said church threescore two foot of assise Also a reredosse bearing the line 20 roodloft departing the quiere
how prone the people are to rise by routs vpon occasions of discontentments how hastie and headie to vndertake dangerous enterprises how wilfull and obstinate to persist in their pernicious proceedings how cold-harted and hopelesse when they see the course of their plots of perilous policie line 60 either interrupted vndermined or ouerthrowne and finallie what a reprochfull reward redoundeth both to the ringleaders in rebellions as also what falleth to the shares of all such as shake hands and become confederats to the furthering and strengthening of riots mutinies insurrections commotions and hurlieburlies Wherby the state is disquieted that more is the prince drawne into a conceipt of suspecting his subiects loialties besides a wicked president to posterities without feare of shame remorse of conscience regard to allegiance or foresight of afterclaps to attempt the like Now it resteth that for the further truth and knowledge hereof we adde a new report new I meane in respect of the publication hauing not heretofore béene printed though old enough and sufficientlie warranted by the reporter who vpon his owne notice hath deliuered no lesse in writing than himselfe vpon verie good and infallible grounds obserued and hath left testified in the discourse following wherein there is not one word either added or inuerted but all things from point to point agreeable to the written copie The description of the citie of Excester and of the sundrie assaults giuen to the same collected and gathered by Iohn Vowell alias Hooker gentleman and chamberleine of the same Excester or Exceter is a famous and an ancient citie being the metropole and Emporium of the west parts of England situated and lieng in the prouince sometime called Dumnonia that is to saie the countrie of vallies for whereas are manie hilles as that countrie is full of hilles and mounteins there are manie vallies But neâ—â— corruptlie it is named Deuonia or Deuonshire and not Daneshire of the Danes as some would haue it Of the first foundation thereof by reason of the sundrie inuasions of forren nations who with their hostilities and cruell warres did burne and destroie the same there remaineth no certeine memoriall neither among the records of the said citie ne yet in anie one other writer But most certeine it is that it was first builded and founded by the Britons or Brutes For the names which they gaue and vsed are yet at this present had in remembrance as well among the chronographers of this land as also among the Cornish people who were sometimes one with this prouince but now in a countie of themselues and next bordering to this and in the same diocesse And they are the remanent of the bloud of Brutus For when Cadwallader king of this land by reason of a great famine and pestilence was driuen to forsake the same to flie into little Britaine named Armorica which is now vnder the dition of the French king diuers the most part of his people fled some into Wales and some into Cornwall where euer since they and after them their posteritie haue remained and continued The old chronographers searchers and writers of antiquities doo find that this citie was called Corinia and thereof the cathedrall church of the same was as Bale saith named Ecclesia Coriniensis which name if it were first giuen by Corinus as Leland writeth who after the arriuall of Brutus into this land was made the first duke of this whole west countrie of Deuon and Cornewall which were both comprised vnder the name of Corinia and wherof this citie euer hath beene and is the metropole and alwaies parcell sometime of the kingdome then of the duchie and after of the earledome and now againe of the duchie of Cornwall then out of doubt this citie is of no lesse antiquitie than the said names doo import It was also called Augusta Of this name there were diuerse cities so named by the Romans but this onelie was named Augusta Britannorum and so called as some thinke by the Romans at the conclusion of the peace made at the siege of this citie betwéene king Aruiragus and Uespasian coronell of the Romane armie vnder Claudius Augustus The Britons in their toong or language doo call this citie by sundrie names the first and eldest in remembrance is cair Penhulgoile that is to saie the prosperous chiefe towne in the wood as dooth appeere by Geffreie of Monmouth and Ponticus Virunnius It was also called Pennehaltecaire that is the chiefe citie or towne vpon the hill as dooth appéere in a trauerse betweene the bishop deane and chapiter of this citie of the one partie and the maior bailiffe and communaltie of the other partie concerning their liberties But the names which the Cornish people doo at these presents remember reteine are speciallie thrée Pennecaire Caireruth Caireiske Pennecaire line 10 signifieth and is to saie the chéefe citie Caireruth signifieth the red or reddish citie so called and taking the name of the ground and soile wherevpon it is situated which is a red earth Caireiske is the citie of Iske being so called of the riuer which the Britons name Iske and flotesh fast by the same And of this name Houeden in his chronicle maketh mention saieng thus Anno Domini 877 exercitus Danorum ab Wareham nocte quadam foedere dirupto ad Exeancestre diuerterunt quod Britannicè dicitur Caireiske line 20 Ptolomeus the famous astronomer who was about the yéere of our Lord 162 Coell being king of this land nameth this citie Isca and the riuer Isaca And Bale the searcher of antiquities following the same opinion dooth also name the citie Isca and the inhabitants therein Iscans But vnder correction be it spoken a man maie well thinke that Ptolomeus being in Alexandria and so farre distant from this land was misinformed or the print mistaken For it is most likelie that the riuer should be named Isca according to the British spéech wherein line 30 it was called Isca and which name by transposing of the two middle letters dooth at this present remaine being now named Icsa or Era. But whatsoeuer the censures and opinions of Ptolomeus and of Bale who wrote onelie vpon report be herein it is certeine that the names which the Brutes or Britons gaue were of longest continuance And this citie was called by their denominations by the space of fiftéene hundred yéeres vntill the comming line 40 of the Saxons the Picts and the Scots into this realme which was about the yéere of our Lord foure hundred and fiftie For they where and whensoeuer they preuailed in anie place did for the most part alter and change the names of all places townes accounting it a great renowme as also a perpetuall memoriall of their chiualrie to giue new names either of their owne deuises or of their owne natiue countries for so is it writen of them Picti Scoti Angli Daci Normanni in hac insula rerum
were led and carried and who did humble themselues he was pitifull and mercifull and did dailie pardon infinite numbers And his lordship thinking verelie that all things were now quieted the rebels pacified suddenlie newes were brought vnto him that there assembled at Sampford Courtneie both Deuonshiremen and Cornishmen and who were fullie bent to mainteine their quarrell and abide the battell These newes so troubled and tickled my lord that all businesse set apart he commandeth foorthwith the trumpet to be sounded and the drumme to be striken vp and all his armie to be foorthwith mustered which was then the greater by reason of the Welshmen and gentlemen of the countrie and of the commoners who vpon submission had obteined pardon and increased to the number of eight or ten thousand men and foorthwith he marcheth towards Sampford Courtneie where sir William Herbert requested to haue the fore-ward for that daie which was granted him And being come thither albeit the great companie of so manie good souldiers and well appointed might haue dismaied them being nothing nor in order nor in companie nor in experience to be compared vnto the others yet they were at a point they would not yéeld to no persuasions nor did but most manfullie did abide the fight and neuer gaue ouer vntill that both in the towne and in the field they were all for the most taken or slaine At which time one ap Owen a Welsh gentlman more boldie than aduisedlie giuing the aduenture to enter the rampier at the townes end was there slaine by the rebels and after carried backe to Exon where after the maner of wars he was honorablie buried in the bodie of saint Peters church few of the kings side besides him then slaine and so of a traitorous beginning they made a shamefull ending Neuerthelesse manie escaped and they fled towards Summersetshire after whom was sent sir Peter Carew and sir Hugh Paulet then knight marshall with a great companie attending vpon them and followed them as far as to King Weston in the countie of Summerset where they ouertooke them and ouerthrew them and also tooke one Coffin a gentleman their capteine prisoner and brought him vnto Excester The lord Russell himselfe minding to make all things sure taketh his iorneie and marcheth into Cornewall and following his former course causeth execution to be doone vpon a great manie and especiallie vpon the chéefe belwedders and ringleaders but the cheefe and principall capteins he kept as prisoners and brought them with him to Excester And when this lord had set all things in good order he returned to Excester remained there for a time but after departed towards London where he was receiued with great ioy and thanks and being come before the king he forgat not to commend vnto his maiestie the good seruice of this citie in this rebellion which as is before said was liberallie rewarded and considered After his departure and according to his order and appointment the chéefe capteins and principall heads of this rebellion whome he left in prison in the kings goale at Excester were caried to London and commanded to the tower and in their due time were afterwards executed to death namelie Humfreie Arundell esquier Wineslade esquier Iohn Berrie and Coffin gentlemen and Holmes yeoman which Coffin and Holmes were seruants to sir Iohn Arundell knight Of the number of them who were slaine there is no certeintie knowne but manie more be found lacke then numbred howbeit it was accounted by such as continued in the whole seruice of this commotion to be about foure thousand men But what number was of the contrarie side dispatched nothing is reported albeit it be well knowne that they escaped not scotfrée and especiallie the Burgonians who were abhorred of the one partie and nothing fauoured of the other Thus much line 10 concerning the description of the citie and of the sundrie inuasions and assaults against the same and especiallie of the last rebellion or commotion in the yeare of our Lord 1549 wherein much more might be spoken but this may suffice for this matter And for as much as the cathedrall church of this citie called by the name of S. Peters is a parcell of the citie and compassed within the wals of the same though in respect of certeine priuileges distinct from the iurisdiction thereof I thought it good to subnect herevnto line 20 the description of the said church and of the antiquitie of the same The antiquitie foundation and building of the cathedrall church of saint Peters in Excester AFter that corrupt religion and superstition was crept and receiued into the church and the people become deuout line 30 therein then began the erecting of religious houses and monasteries in euerie countrie And as this was vniuersall throughout all christendome vnder the gouernement of the Romane bishop so also was it generallie doone throughout all England in which generalitie this citie was of a particularitie for in this citie from time to time as opportunitie serued sundrie religious houses and monasteries were erected and builded of which there were thrée within the site circuit and line 40 place now called the close of S. Peters and which in time accrued and were vnited into one The first was a house for women called moniales or nuns which is now the deanes house or Kalendar haie The other was a house of moonks supposed to be builded by king Ethelred the third sonne to king Ethelwolph and these two were vnited by bishop Leofricus vnto the cathedrall church The third was a house for moonks of the order of S. Benet which was builded and founded by king Athelstane about the yeare of line 50 our Lord 932 and this is that part of the cathedrall church now called the ladie chappell For the said king hauing driuen out of this citie the Britons then dwelling therein and minding to make a full conquest both of them and of this their countrie which they then inhabited did so fiercelie follow and pursue them euen into Cornewall that in the end he conquered them and had the victorie After which he returned to this citie and here staieng and soiourning for a time did reedifie the citie incompassed it with line 60 a stone wall and founded the cathedrall church which he then appointed for a monasterie for moonks of S. Benets order For so is it written Hanc vrbem rex Adelstanus primus in potestatem Anglorum effugatis Britonibus redactam turribus muniuit muro ex quadratis lapidibus cinxit ac antiquitùs vocatam Munketon nunc Exester vocari voluit ac ibi sedens mansum quoddam dedit ad fundandum monasterium pro monachis Deo sancto Petro famulantibus Besides the charges which he was at the building of the said church he gaue also lands and reuenues vnto them sufficient for maintenance and liuelihoods whereof Morkeshull and Treasurors béere are parcell and which now are appendant
he had made his praiers he was conueied to his lodging prepared for him in the deans house The quéene hir selfe was lodged in the bishops palace whither his highnesse the next daie came and was receiued by hir in the hall in most courteous louing maner And after such salutations talke ended as was thought conuenient for the time he returned to his lodging where he continued all that night and the next daie being the fiue and twentith of Iulie the mariage was openlie solemnized At the which were present the ambassadors of the emperor the king of Romans the king of Bohem of Uenice Florence Ferrare and Sauoie with certeine agents of other states in Italie As for the shot of ordinance the diuerse kinds of musicke the sumptuous and costlie apparell trappers and other furniture readie prouided against the receiuing of him with other ceremonies vsed aswell about the mariage as in other places where he was to be receiued were suerlie such and euerie thing doone in such good order as better for such a purpose might not lightlie be deuised Nobles of Spaine were the duke of Alua the duke of Medina celi the admerall of Castilla the marques of Bergues the marques of Piscara the marques of Saria the marques of Ualli the marques of Aguillar the earle of Egmund the earle of Horne the earle of Feria the earle of Chinchon the earle of Oliuares the earle of Saldana the earle of Modica the earle of Fuentesalida the earle of Landriano the earle of Castellar Don Ruigomes the bishop of Cuenca Don Iohn de Benauides and diuerse others An abstract of the conditions of this mariage betweene both the princes BUt now forsomuch as some would happilie be desirous to know the conditions of this memorable mariage betwixt these two high princes the consequence wherof might haue prooued of so great importance although by the quéens decease the effect was made void I haue thought good to recite in briefe the chiefe articles thereof 1 It was couenanted that he should enioy the title and name of king during the matrimonie and should aid hir highnesse being his wife in the administration of hir realmes and dominions but yet he should permit and suffer hir to haue the whole disposition of all benefices offices lands reuenues and fruits of the said realmes and dominions and that the same should be bestowed vpon such as were hir naturall borne subiects and that all matters of the said realmes and dominions should be treated and handled in the same toongs wherein of old they haue béene woont to be treated 2 That the quéene by vertue of the said mariage should be admitted into the societie of the realities and dominions of the said prince of Spaine as well such as he now presentlie hath as such other also as during the matrimonie may come to him 3 And for hir dowrie in case she ouerliued him she was appointed to receiue yéerlie thrée score thousand pounds after the value of fortie groats Flemmish monie the pound to be allotted vpon all the realms lands and patrimoniall dominions of his father the emperor that is to saie fortie thousand pounds to be assigned vp on the realms of Spaine Castile and Aragon according to the custome of those realms The other twentie thousand pounds were appointed vpon the dukedoms earledoms and dominions of Brabant Flanders Henalt Holland and other patrimoniall lands and inheritances of the said emperor in the low countries of Germanie in like maner as the ladie Margaret of England sometime wife and widow of the lord Charles sometime duke of Burgogne had and receiued of the same And if anie parcell or parcels thereof be alienated then in line 10 lieu thereof other lands should be in due forme assigned foorth for hir to enioy lieng neere to the residue of hir dower 4 The issue that should chance to come of this mariage touching the right of the mothers inheritance in the realme of England and the other realmes and dominions depending of the same aswell the males as females should succeed in them according to the laws statutes and customs of the same 5 And as touching the lands that the said prince line 20 of Spaine shall leaue behind him first there should be reserued vnto his eldest sonne the lord Charles of Austrich infant of Spaine and to the children and heires of him descending as well females as males all and singular their rights which to the said prince doo either then or thereafter should belong or should at anie time be deuolued to him in the realmes of Spaine of both the Sicils in the dukedome of Millaine and other lands and dominions in Lumbardie and Italie which neuerthelesse shall be burdened line 30 and charged with the foresaid dower of fortie thousand pounds And if it fortuned the said lord Charles to die and the issue of his bodie to faile then the eldest son of this matrimonie should succeed and be admitted vnto the said right according to the nature lawes and customs of those realmes and dominions The same eldest son should also succéed in all the dukedoms earledoms dominions and patrimoniall lands belonging vnto the said emperor father to the said prince of Spaine as well in Burgogne line 40 as in the low countries in the dukedoms of Brabant Luxenburgh Gelderland Zutphane Burgougne Fréeseland in the countries of Flanders Arthois Holland Zeland Namure and the land beyond the Isles and all other whatsoeuer therevnto belonging 6 But if the said lord Charles or they that should come of him remaine in life and that there be anie male child by this matrimonie the said lord Charles and his descendents should then be excluded from line 50 the said lands and patrimoniall dominions of the low countries and of Burgongne and the same should descend vnto the said eldest son borne of this matrimonie And to the other children borne thereof as well males as females a conuenient portion and dower should be allotted in the realme of England and dominions depending of the same and in the said lands patrimoniall dominions of the low countries and neither the eldest sonne of this matrimonie nor the sons begotten in the same should line 60 pretend anie right in the realme of Spaine or in the dominions of the same and reserued to the said lord Charles the infant otherwise than by their fathers and grandfathers disposition 7 Moreouer if it fortune no issue male to be borne of this matrimonie but onelie females in that case the eldest female should with full right succéed in the said lands and dominions of the low countries so as neuerthelesse she being minded to choose to husband anie noble man not borne in England or in the low countries without the consent of the said lord Charles the infant in that case the right of the succession should remaine to the said lord Charles in the said dominions of the low countries Burgongne and their
for the cheapnesse supposed though in déed the contrarie fell out in demand partlie for the expedition promised which could neuer haue béene performed partlie for that he was knowne to be a speciall executioner in Woolwich breaches being workes defensatiue against inuasion of waters as yet vnaccomplished though no small charges haue béene therein imploied for the recouerie of two thousand acres of excellent marsh land lieng seuen miles from London in the parishes of Plumsted Erith c lost by a breach made in the wals there with a tempest about the yeare of our Lord one thousand fiue hundred and thirtie to the vndooing of manie but speciallie of sir Edward Boulton knight partlie also he was hearkened vnto for that he was reputed to be a good enginor partlie for his experience in forren works partlie for his resolutenesse but especiallie for that he made a shew of more cunning than he would vtter so as although his deuise for the erection of the wals was finallie reiected yet was the matter brought to further conference For he was commended to the lords of hir maiesties priuie councell and namelie to sir Francis Walsingham knight principall secretarie to hir highnesse to whome was happilie referred the consideration and chiefe direction of all matters concerning these works wherin he dealt from time to time with as great care trauell and circumspection as though his owne estate had depended vpon the well proceeding thereof Whatsoeuer was thought necessarie to be doone thereabouts was alwaies aduertised by the commissioners vnto him and his opinion and direction required and he without good conference and probabilitie would enter into no action concerning this matter Now therefore he wrote to sir Thomas Scot requiring him to send vp some sufficient person acquainted exercised in Romneie marsh works to satisfie the lords of the councell in all such doubts as should be obiected speciallie by maister Burroughs who had more liking of the shipwrights maner of worke than either of the Romneie marsh works exhibited by sir Thomas Scot or of Plumsted works propounded by Ferdinando Poins Wherein sir Francis Walsingham shewed maister Digs his defense his owne good liking of the earthen wals onelie requiring that sir Thomas Scot would throughlie informe himselfe by conference with the marshmen to answer certeine obiections which he there inclosed sent downe vnto him in writing concerning the passage of the long wall and the distance thereof from the shore the higâ—h and tightnes of the same the conueniencie of the foundation the manner of stuffe the time of finishing the breadth below and at the top the vndertakers thereof and of their assurance c and lastlie that some sufficient person should be sent vp to confer in these matters All which points were so answered by sir Thomas Scot as sir Francis Walsingham was greatlie satisfied thereby Concerning the dooing thereof by great sir Thomas Scots aduise was that séeing it was a princes charge it might rather be performed by daie workers and good ouerséers than by great wherein no man would aduenture in respect of the quantitie of the charge and difficultie of the works without certeintie of great gaines Neuerthelesse if it were so set downe by the lords of the priuie councell that it should be doone no other waie but by great he himselfe would vndertake it better cheape than anie other had profered to doo it by fiue hundred marks and to that effect would put in verie good and sufficient assurance Presentlie after the receipt of those letters sir Thomas Scot sent to the court a kinsman of his named Reinold Scot who had béene deputed a surueior of Romneie marsh by the space of foure yeares togither and Reinold Smith who had béene clearke of Romneie marsh and a continuall dealer about those wals by the space of thirtie years These two repairing first to Douer to consider of the earth which should serue to make the wals of the line 10 pent of Douer hauen and to search where such earth as would serue that turne might most conuenientlie and néerest hand be had with pasture for horsses which should be imploied for carriage thereof procéeded to the court at Richmont where they attended on maister secretarie Walsingham on the mondaie and tuesdaie before Easter daie 1583 and after conference had with him they deliuered vnto him certeine notes in writing from sir Thomas Scot conteining necessarie orders and recounting line 20 the charges businesse and offices c incident to the erection of these walles imitating as neere as time place and matter would giue leaue the maner of Romneie marsh works wherein he remembred or rather required a yeerelie assemblie of commissioners at Douer in Easter wéeke as is by the lords of Romneie marsh at Whitsuntide with the election of officers and set downe the dutie and charge of ech officer the order of the works what prouision of stuffe should be made to wit of timber thorne faggots néedels keies béetels piles pasture earth line 30 with totall sums of all officers fées of all stuffe and prouision of all the labourers and of all the cariages which estimat was little or nothing differing from the charge as it fell out sauing that where he set it downe that both walles might be finished in two summers he accomplished them in one quarter of a yéere beyond promise or expectation Maister secretarie Walsingham hauing perused these notes seene the maner of the works rates set downe therein liked verie well thereof howbe line 40 it he strictlie examined the parties aforesaid how those works could be performed at so low prices and especiallie how so manie courts could be prouided without commission or griefe to the countrie euerie court hauing a horsse and a driuer and all for twelue pence a day in a place where pastures are for the most part barreâ— and hard to be gotten and both that and all other things but especiallie vittels extreame déere But being satisfied herein by the said Reinold Scot Reinold Smith he thought line 50 good neuerthelesse to send them two accompanied with Thomas Digs esquier and William Burroughs gentleman to confer with sir William Winter the said Ferdinando Poins the Plumsted men which were workemen in Woolwich and Erith breaches who propounded to the said workemen certeine questions at the house of sir William Winter at Tower hill Wherein they were demanded amongst other things whether they euer had heretofore made anie wals whereby water line 60 hath beene pent to anie highth and vpon what foundation or soile they were set and of what substance their wals were made and whether they could remedie such wals if they leaked or could worke in water and finallie what they would aske for a rod dooing and what suerties they could put in for the tightnesse of their worke Ferdinando Poins and his Plumsted men answered verie comfortablie to euerie question they séemed ignorant in nothing and promised to performe
Stephan de Longchamp Seguin de Barret Roger de Glanuille Raimond Fitz Prince Bartholomew de Mortimer Gerard Furniuall Rafe de Malleon Roger de Saâ—ie William de Poole Hugh de Neuill Henrie Teutch or if ye will Teutonicus the kings standardbearer with diuerse others as well Englishmen Frenchmen Normans Poictouins Aniouines Britans Gascoignes as other nations of whome partlie mention is alreadie made before in this booke and partlie for breefenesse diuerse are omitted But now to returne sure it is that king Richard meant to haue recouered the citie of Ierusalem and all the holie land out of the Saracens hands by the assistance of almightie God if the doubt which he had of his brother the earle of Mortaigns practises the French kings dooings which were brought to him with a greeuous report had not reuoked him home For diuerse messengers were sent dailie into the holie land to aduertise him of such dangers as were like to insue if by his speedie returne the same were not preuented And first after Easter there came to him the prior of Hereford with letters from the bishop of Elie conteining a sore information against his brother earle Iohn for hauing expelled those whom he had appointed rulers ouer the realme of England and altered the state of things there contrarie to the ordinances by him deuised afore his setting forward vpon his iournie as before ye haue partlie heard Upon receipt of which letters he meant inmediatlie at the first to haue returned and to haue left behind him a conuenient power of men to wit thrée hundred knights or men of armes and two thousand chosen footmen to abide vpon the defense of the holie land with other christians at his costs and charges But yet at length he was persuaded to tarrie speciallie till things were set in some better state which then were out of order by the death of the marques of Montferrato lord of Tire whom two traitorous Saracens of the kind which they name Assassini had murthered After whose death Henrie earle of Champaigne nephue to king Richard married his wife and was made king of Ierusalem Guido resigning to him his title vnto whome as it were in recompense king Richard gaue the I le of Cypres although some write that the knights Templers had bought it of him before Thus king Richard remaining still in the holie land shortlie after Whitsuntide there came an other messenger to him one Iohn de Alanzon a clearke bringing worsse newes out of England than the prior of Hereford had brought before which in effect conteined that his brother earle Iohn was alied as a confederat with the French king and meant through his setting on to seize into his possession the whole realme of England notwithstanding the persuasion of his mother quéene Eliâ—nor and other his fréends to the contrarie Herevpon king Richard was fullie persuaded to returne home but yet through the admonition of certeine persons and namelie of one William dâ— Poicters a chapleine of his he estsoones altered his purpose and so remained there till at length through enuie and malice still increasing amongst the câ—ristians he perceiued how no good purpose could go forward since that which séemed good to some was misliked of other and speciallie our writers put great blame in the French men who either vpon disdaine or other displeasure would not be persuaded to follow their aduise which were knowne bâ—st to vnderstand the state of things in those parties And herevpon when the armie was aduanced to Betenoble a place not past foure leagues distant from Ierusalem bicause their mind might not be fulfilled for the besieging of Ierusalem which they had intended to take in hand whereas the residue would rather that they shuld haue gone to besiege Babylon in Aegypt and that vpon sundrie great respects the Frenchmen raised their field and returned againe to Acres in great despite putting the rest of the armie also so much as in them laie in danger of vtter ruine and distresse line 10 Then king Richard and the other christian capteins perceiuing how the matter inclined and giuing ouer all hope of any more good successe followed them So that after they were thus returned to Acres king Richard still doubting least his long absence from home might put him in danger of more losse here than he saw hope of present gaine to be had there in such diuersitie of humours and priuie malice which reigned among them he determined fullie to depart homewards with no lesse purpose to line 20 returne thither againe after he had setled things at home in such sure stay as was expedient for the suertie of his owne estate and quietnesse of his people Herevpon being readie to enter into his ships at Acres or as some haue being on his iournie homewards in Cypres he was aduertised that the Souldane Saladine had taken the towne of Iaph slaine a great number of the christians within it and besieged the residue within the castell the which constreined through feare had compounded to yéeld if within line 30 thrée daies there came no succour King Richard being hereof aduertised and turning gréef into valiancie with all spéed sailed backe vnto Iaph and landing there with his people caused his enimies to forsake the towne but anon assembling themselues againe togither they turned once more to besiege it wherevpon he issued foorth into the fields and fought with them sundrie daies togither till finallie they were content to forsake their enterprise and to depart thence for altogither In these line 40 conflicts the valiant courage of king Richard and the worthie manhood of his souldiers right well appeared for he brought not with him at that time vnto Iaph aboue 80 men of armes and foure hundred other souldiers with crossebowes and yet with that small handfull of men and some aid of them that he found there in the castell he did not onelie bid battell to the enimies which were numbred to 62 thousand but also put them to the woorsse and caused them to flee backe to their great shame and confusion line 50 Thus Iaph being deliuered out of the enimies hands king Richard fell sicke at a castell called Cephas and so remained there certeine daies till he had recouered his health In which meane time the Soldane Saladine seeming to lament his â—ase sent vnto him certeine of his councellors to common with him of peace declaring that although he well vnderstood that king Richard ment shortlie to returne into his countrie and that after his departure out of the east parts he could with small adoo recouer line 60 all that the christians yet held within the holie land he would neuerthelesse in respect of king Richards high prowes and noble valiancie grant a peace for a certeine time so that not onelie Ascalon but also all other such townes and places as the christians had fortified or woone since the conquest of Acres should be raced as touching
their walles bulworks gates and other fortifications King Richard though he perceiued that this offer of peace tended vnto this point cheefelie that Saladine would thereby adnihilate whatsoeuer the christian armie had doone in the holie land since his the French kings arriuall so that by the said peace he should gaine more than by the edge of his sword did somewhat staie at this offer and demand as a thing greatlie dishonourable to the christians to lose by treatie of peace so much or rather more than they got by force of warres a meere token of faint and féeble courage yet considering that in such necessitie both of his departure from thence and also of lacke of other succors to resist the puissance of the enimies after his comming awaie he iudged it best to take the offer at the enimies hands in auoiding of some greater euill Herevpon therefore was a peace concluded to endure for thrée yeares thrée moneths thrée wéeks thrée daies and three houres to begin at Easter next insuing And among other articles it was couenanted that the christians should haue frée passage to come and go vnto the citie of Ierusalem to visit the holie sepulchre there which was granted so that amongst a great number of christians that presentlie vpon this conclusion went thither Hubert bishop of Salisburie was one who had continued about the king during the time of all his iournie till this time King Richard hauing thus concluded with Saladine tooke the sea and comming againe into Cypres sent his wife queene Berengaria with his sister Ioane late quéene of Sicile into England by the long seas but he himselfe not minding to lie long on the seas determined to take his course into Grecia and so by land to passe homewards with all speed possible Howbeit yer he could atteine his purpose his chance was to be driuen by tempest into the coast of Istria not farre from Aquilia where he stood in some doubt of his life For if he had beene knowne and taken they would surelie haue killed him bicause of the slander that went of him as guiltie of the death of Conrade the marquesse of Montferrato who indéed was slaine by two of the Assassini in the citie of Tyrus whilest king Richard was in the holie land as before yée haue heard He therefore hauing here made shipwracke and doubting to fall into the hands of any person in those parts that bare good will vnto the marquesse against whome he had indéed shewed himselfe not freendlie in a quarrell betwixt the said marquesse and Guido the king of Ierusalem made the best shift he could to get away yet knowledge being had of him and serch made after him by one Meinard of Gorezein he lost eight of his seruants and so came to a towne within the bishoprike of Saltzburge called Frisake where he was estsoones in danger to haue beene taken againe by one Frederike de saint Soome who notwithstanding tooke six of his men but yet he himselfe with three other of his companie made shif◠to get away Finallie comming to Uienna in Austrich and there causing his seruants to prouide meat for him more sumptuous and fine than was thought requisit for so meane a person as he counterfeited then to beare out in countenance it was streightwaies suspected that he was some other maner of man than he pretended and in fine those that marked more diligentlie the maner of him perceiued what he was and gaue knowledge to the duke of Austrich named Leopold being then in the citie of Uienna what they had seene His page that had the Dutch toong going about the towne to change gold and buy vittels bewraied him hauing by chance the kings gloues vnder his girdle wherevpon comming to be examined for feare of tortures confessed the truth The duke streightwaies caused the house where he was lodged to be set about with armed men and sent other into the house to apprehend him He being warie that he was descried got him to his weapon but they aduising him to be contented and alledging the dukes commandement he boldlie answered that sith he must be taken he being a king would yéeld himselfe to none of the companie but to the duke alone and therefore if it would please him to come he would yéeld himselfe into his hands The duke hearing of this spéedilie came vnto him whom he meeting deliuered vp his sword and committed him vnto his custodie The duke reioising of such a preie brought him vnto his palace and with gentle words enterteined him though he meant no great good towards him as well inough appeared in that he committed him to the keeping of certeine gentlemen which without much courtesie looked streightlie inough line 10 to him for starting awaie in somuch that they kept him in cold irons as some authours doo write He was taken after the maner aforesaid in December vpon S. Thomas éeue in the yéere of our Lord 1192. and in the fourth yeare of his reigne The duke of Austrich owght the king no good will bicause he had cast downe his ensignes pitcht vp in a turret at Acres which he had woone at the verie time when that citie was deliuered by the Saracens for while they were in tretie on the one side the line 20 duke on the other not knowing anie thing thereof gaue the assault vnto that part of the towne which was appointed vnto him to besiege And so being entred the towne and perceiuing that by treatie it was to be deliuered he retired into the turret which he had first woone and entred and there set vp his standard and ensignes which king Richard as the Dutch writers affirme comming thither threw downe and trode vnder his féet But Geruasius Dorobornensis declareth this matter line 30 somewhat otherwise as thus After that the said citie of Acres was rendred into the christian mens hands saith he diuerse lords tooke their lodgings as they thought good and hanged foorth their ensignes And as it chanced the duke of Austrich placing himselfe in one of the fairest palaces of all the citie put foorth his ensigne whereof king Richard being warie came thither with a companie of hardie souldiers about him and threw downe the dukes ensigne so displacing him out of that so pleasant and beautifull line 40 a lodging For this cause and also surmizing that king Richard should be guiltie of the death of the marques Conrade the duke of Austrich shewed such discourtesie towards him But concerning the mutther of the marques the chéefe gouernour of those Saracens called Assassini cleared king Richard by a letter written and directed vnto the duke of Austrich in manner as followeth A letter directed to the duke of Austrich wherein king Richard is cleared of the death of the marquesse of Mountserrat whereof he was vehementlie suspected LVpoldo duci Austriae Vetus de Monte salutem Cùm plurimi reges principes