a Prisoner to King Stephen's Queen However after this Battel Maud received the Allegiance of all the Counties of England except Kent and Marching to Winchester received there the Crown and other Regalia's and so passing to London she was received in Triumph and now the reports of King Stephen's Defeat and Imprisonment flying into Normandy caused his Subjects there to slight him and incline to Geoffery Husband to the Empress but changed their Minds when they heard the King was at Liberty and had strongly Besieged the Empress in Oxford whither she was Fled upon notice the Londoners consulted to seiz her and deliver her Prisoner to the King because she had refused to confirm to them King Edward's Laws with all their Charters and Priveledges And withdrawing privately from London for fear of a Surprize she posted to Oxford where she had not been scarce five Days ere the King Beleagured the City and pressed it with continual Assaults tho' in the depth of Winter so that the Empress fearing to be Taken dressed herself in White and passing the Thames on the Ice went through the Snow which lay then thick on the Ground to Abingdon where taking Horse she passed to Wallingford-Castle kept with a strong Garison by her Friends and by this time her Brother and Son Henry were Landed at Warram-Haven and from thence came to her with some Forces but she wearied with the various turns and chances of War soon after left England and returned to her Husband who was in Normandy having sent Prince Henry before and so Oxford being Surrendered to the King he went to Lincoln and Summoned the Barons who there Swore Allegiance to Eustace his Son whom he Created Duke of Normandy and Theobald Arch Bishop of Canterbury refusing to Consecrate him was obliged for his contempt of the Kings commands to leave the Land and fly to Normandy whereupon the King seized on his Temporalities but did not dispose of the Arch Bishoprick It is Remarkable that the Kings of England before Stephen refrained going into Lincoln upon the account of a fatal Prophecy pronounced by Merlin viz. When a King enters within Lincoln's Walls His Reign proves Stormy and he Childless falls The Kings Treasure being much wasted in the Wars he Fought he demanded a Subsidy of the Clergy but they refusing it he was extream angry with the Prelates demanding of the Bishops of Salisbury Lincoln and Ely the Keys of their Castles and exacted great Sums of Money from them pretending they were Indebted to the Crown for the Tenures of their Temporalities And now Prince Henry being grown up gathered an Army and Invaded England nor was the King slow to Oppose him but was somewhat retarded by the Indisposition of his Son who fell into a Frenzy of which he shortly Dyed greatly lamented of the King who had no more Children but Sorrow giving place to Anger he caused the Trumpets to sound a Charge against the Enemy but as the two Armies were about to joyn such a Storm of Rain and Hail fell and continued so long that they were forced out of the Field to seek shelter which gave a time for Parly and the King weary of the War and pittying the Sufferings of his People being Childless and not expecting any more Children after many Messages from one to the other a meeting was appointed in which it was firmly agreed That the King should Adopt Prince Henry his Heir to Succeed him in the Kingdom and other his Dominions and in lieu thereof he should quietly enjoy the Crown during the Term of his Natural Life which being Signed and Sworn to all Hostilities ceased and Henry was sent to suppress the Rebellion in Normandy and oppose the intruding French where in his Young Years he shewed himself an expert General and Souldier in driving the Frenchmen out of the Garrisons and Castles they had taken but whilst he was busied in the Wars Abroad King Stephen fell Sick of the Iliack Passion and Dyed in the Monastery of Monks at Dover This Stephen was King of England and Duke of Normandy the third Son of Stephen Earl of Bloyce by Adilicia or Alice He began his Reign on Monday the Second of December Anno Dom. 1135 and Reigned 18 Years 10 Months and 20 Days being the 24th Sole Monarch of England He was Buried at Feversham in Kent in an Abby of his own Founding In his Reign Anno 1136 a Fire began at London-Stone and consumed all before it thence Eastward as far as Aldgate and Westward to St. Paul's Church and the next Year Rochester was destroyed by Fire And in the Third Year of his Reign St. Martin's Church without the Walls and the Hospital with Thirty Nine Houses and much Riches were Burnt In the Last Year of his Reign a little before his Death appeared a plain sign of a Cross in the Moon Remarks on the County of Norfolk c. THis County is pleasantly Situated and receives many Advantages by lying so commodiously open to Sea which Bounds it on the North-East and part of the West on the South it is Bounded by Suffolk and the remaining part of the West by Cambridgshire It produces plenty of Butter Cheese large Cattle Corn Wooll Deer Coneys Sheep and store of Woollen Manufacture It has in it one City viz Norwich a Bishops See it is divided into 31 Hundreds containing 660 Parishes 33 Market Towns and 3 Rivers of note the River Y ar from which Yarmouth takes its Name being the Principal It sends Members to Parliament 12 Norwich 2 Thetford 2 Yarmouth 2 Lynn-Regis 2 Castle-Rising 2 and 2 Knights of the Shire Yarmouth lies advantagiously on the North side the River Y ar and has great Trade by Shipping it was Founded by the Danes the better to favour their Landing when they Invaded this Island and has been often Graced with the Presence of many Kings and Princes as William the Conquerer who Fortefied it Henry the Second and Queen Elizabeth Norwich the Antient Venta of the Romans is a City of great Antiquity often Sacked and Burnt by the Danes especially it was levelled to the Ground by them Anno 1004. It suffered much in the Conquerers time for siding with Earl Randdulph The Cathedral was Founded by one Herbert who Translated the Bishoprick from Thetford to Norwich and was the first Bishop of Norwich This City Imploys Thousands of People in the Woollen Manufacture in making Stuffs Bays Says Serges Stockings c. Thetford the Antient Stigomagus of the Romans was the principal seat of the Saxon East-Angle Kings where King Edmund the Martyr was Overthrown by the Danes NORFOLK Lynn is a pleasant Sea-Port Town honoured with the Gift of a Rich Cup by King John and their Charter was enlarged by Henry the Third for their good service against the Outlaw'd Barons and other Priviledges were added in Henry the Eighth's time the Name being changed from Lynn-Episcopi to Lynn-Regis Elmham was Antiently the Bishops See but it was Translated thence to Thetford
most of his Army whereupon Wales entirely submitted to the English Obedience These Troubles were scarce over when another Storm threatned from Normandy The Duke spurred on by Philip of France who promised to Aid him a second time prepared for England but the King having an Army on foot concluded it better to seat the War in another Country than in his own and therefore to prevent the Dukes making his Voyage Sailed to Normandy whose surprising Landing brought great fear on the Country however the King finding himself able with the Army he had to do no great matters and being destitute of Money to raise Forces Abroad bethought him of a Stratagem to do it viz. He sent to England many chief Officers to Levy such for the Wars as were of Ability and having Listed Citizens of London and others to the number of 30000 when they came to the Sea Shoar and most of them shewed an unwillingness to Embark as looking back to their Wives and Children from which many of them had been forced upon a pretended pressing urgency it was Proclaimed That such as would lay down Ten Shillings should be Discharged from the Service which most of them did with great Alacrity so that very few of them went With this Money King William underhand bought off Philip the French King from the Duke of Normandy's Interest which he perceiving agreed with his Brother by Ratifying again the former Conditions and the Christian Armies being on foot in most parts of Europe to rescue the Christians in the Holy Land from the Tyrany of the Turks and Sarazens Duke Robert to raise Forces and accompany them Pawned his Dutchey of Normandy to King William for 10000 Pounds and there did many Valiant Exploits insomuch that at the taking of Jerusalem he was first proffered to be made King of it and all the Country lying about it larger than what either David or Solomon possessed but he refused it in hopes of the Kingdom of England after his Brothers Death tho' he was disappointed of it and Dyed a deplorable Death which some have accounted as a Judgment for his having refused the profered Scepter of Jerusalem However on his refusal the Princes chose Godfry of Bulloin Earl of Flanders with which Choice he Joyfully complied but would not be Crowned as he said with a Crown of Gold where our Blessed Saviour for the Sins of Man and to procure his Redemption had some time worn a Crown of Thorns But nearer to My Purpose The King was no sooner returned out of Normandy but News was brought him the Welsh were again in Rebellion whereupon he Marched to Subdue them but returned without effecting it by reason of the violent Torrents occasioned by the Rain and their keeping among the Rocks and Fastnesses till his Army was tired out with Famine and other inconveniencies yet soon after they grew Quiet of themselves But scarce had he time to take breath ere a Rebellion broke out in the North whither he hasted with his Army gave the Rebells a great Overthrow and takeing some of the Ringleaders caused them to be put to Death but extended his Pardon to the common sort and Mowbray who encouraged them was committed to Windsor Castle where he continued a long while Prisoner And the Welsh growing again troublesom by wasting the English Borders and carrying away great spoils the King sent the Earls of Shrewsbury and Chester against them with a strong Power where after some Search and as secret Marchings as they could they found them making Merry in the Isle of Anglesey with the Plunder they had got from the English and falling upon them when they expected nothing less their Feasting was turned into Mourning for the greater part of them was Slain and those that were taken Prisoners mostly lost Feet Hands or Eyes or were put to worse Torments as a Terror to the rest that they should keep Quiet within their appointed limits The King thinking all would now be Quiet resolved to take his Ease and then forgeting how the English had faithfully stood by him and assisted him in his most dangerous undertakings he cast many of them out of Favour Office and Trust laying grievous Taxes on the Commonalty Selling for ready Money the best Promotions in Ecclesiastical and Civil Affairs Prohibiting Anselm Arch Bishop of Canterbury to Assemble any Convocations or Synods for the well ordering the Clergy or for the Correcting such as did Offend without his Leave or License by which means he secretly filled his Coffers with Treasure and tho' the Good Arch Bishop laid before him the ill consequences and dangers of such Proceedings and not being minded he resolved to go for Rome and lay before Pope Vrban the Third the danger the Church was in by Misgovernment and to perswade him to Intercede with the King not to intermedle with Church-Affaires but leave them to his Clergy The King hearing of his Intention sent to command him not to go but the Old Man and his Retinue were before on their Journey however the King sent after him and Pillaged him near Dover of all his Wealth in hopes that would stay him but it did not For he went to Rome and made such Complaints that the Pope in a chafe would have Excomunicated the King But his Clergy Advised him that having already Excomunicated the Emperour Henry the Fourth The first Christian Prince that ever was under Excomunication therefore it would be convenient to see the Issue of that Sentence ere he proceeded any further For says a blunt Abbot your Holiness must have a care how you heat any more Irons before you see how those you have Heated already will be Quenched least they prove too Hot for your handling However many Letters and Verbal Messages were sent to the King Admonishing him not to meddle any more with the Investing of Bishops by giving them the Cross Ring and Pastoral Staff nor Prohibit the Assembling of the Convocations or Synods touching the Affairs of the Church nor the Execution of any Canons tho' they were by Regal Authority Confirmed To this the King Answered That he would still do as he Pleased and not lose so fair a Flower belonging to his Crown And being Reproved in the absence of Anselm by Ralph Bishop of Chichester he cast him into disgrace and Suspended many Churches in his Diocess causing the Revenues to be brought into his Exchequer so that the Clergy finding no Redress greatly Murmured but in vain till his humour was over and then he not only received the Bishop into his extraordinary Grace and Favour but Granted many Honourable Priviledges to his See yet he stood not long on these terms ere the Kings humour changing again he Banished him By these ways the King had Amassed great Sums part of which he laid out in Building viz. He made outward Walls and Bullwarks about the Tower of London on this side the Ditch which Ruined by Time and other Accidents are now Demolished tho' some of the
Ruins yet remain also Westminster-Hall being 90 Yards Long and 24 Yards and 2 Foot Broad yet when he saw it he said It was too Little by half and therefore he would reserve it for a Bed-Chamber though indeed it is accounted the Largest in Europe and one thing is remarkable tho' there are many Cobwebs in the Windows and in the Glass Lanthorn above the Roof yet on the large and curious Wooden Frame tho' never Swept not any appear which has given occasion to conclude it is made of Irish Oak and that the virtue of the Wood is such no Spider will come near it The King being thus at Ease the French were not wanting to take the Advantage of it especially since Duke Robert was absent Warring in the Holy Land and had left his Dukedom in charge with the King of England whereupon they laid Siege to the City of Constantia in Normandy and pressed it very sorely of which King William having news as he was in the height of Sport Hunting in New Forrest he left all his Company on a suddain and Posted towards the Sea Side where finding a small Bark he leaped into it and commanded the Master to set Sail for any part in Normandy but the Sea running high by reason of a Storm he refused to weigh Anchor laying before the King that the passing at that time was full of danger and therefore intreated him to wait for more favourable Weather whereupon much enraged he commanded him to make no delay for any fear or danger of Tempests For when said he have you ever heard a King was Drowned by a Storm So that the Marriners plying the best of their skill to bear in the Wind they got safely over The French no sooner heard the King was Landed but concluding he had a great Army with him or soon to arrive were so chill'd with fear that Courage failing them in much disorder they raised the Siege and the Besieged in Sallying cut off a great many in the Rear took most of their Tents and Baggage left behind for haste and so the King with a small Train coming thither was joyfully received and having better Fortified and Stored it with Provisions conferring some Honours and Gifts on those that behaved themselves well he returned to England met divers of the Nobility who had raised Forces and were coming to his Aid who scarcely believed he could be there in so short a time or what he related of the raising the Siege could be true till they had it confirmed from many hands In the second Year of this Kings Reign a terrible Earthquake happened and in the fourth such prodigious Lightening and Thunder as did great mischief in divers places and particularly it Burnt the Steeple of the Abby at Winchester rent the Beams of the Roof and cast down the Image of the Virgin Mary breaking one of its Leggs as also the Crucifix and not long after so great a Storm happened at London that it blew down 60 some say 606 Houses and took off the Roof of Bow-Church bearing it a great height in the Air and six of the Beams being 27 Foot Long with the fall run a prodigious depth into the Ground the Streets being then un-paved so that with much labour they were digg'd out In his sixth Year was so great a Scarcity of Provisions and a Pestilence that in Populous Places the Living were hardly sufficient to Bury the Dead In his ninth Year two Blazing Stars with long Firey Trains appeared one in the East the other in the West for twenty Nights seeming to dart Fire one at the other And in the last Year of his Reign the Sea overflowed its Banks in Kent and lay'd under Water all the Lands that had been Earl Goodwin's being about 4000 Acres Drowning much People and Cattel and Demolishing many Villages And to this day has not been Regained That Overflowing is called Goodwins Sands very fatal to Marriners There also rose up a Spring of Water of the Colour of Blood gushing out for 15. days in great abundance at Finchamstead near Abingdon in Barkshire which was held to Presage the Kings untimely Death For he Hunting in the New Forrest where his Father had made such desolation of Churches Religious Houses and Villages upon pretence of Pleasure as the Dogs were at Bay with a Stag and he having spoiled many of them Sr. Walter Terrill one of the Squires of the Kings Body let fly an Arrow which glancing on the side of an Oak slaunted on the King who was pressing on to the Quarry and entered so deep into his Breast that he dyed of the Wound and almost on that spot not long before his Nephew Richard Son to Robert of Normandy was slain by a violent fall from his Horse beaten off by a Bow all which Accidents were looked on as Judgments for the Sacriledge and Waste committed on so trivial an occasion MIDLESEX By John Seller Remarks on the County of Middlesex and the famous Cities of London and Westminster MIddlesex gains the Preheminence of other Counties by reason in it stands the famous City of London The Courts of Judicature and Palaces of our Kings and by reason of the great numbers of Handicrafts for few Manufactures used by the English Nation are here unpractised being in all too many to inumerate This County produces a good sprinkling of Cattle Corn Pastures Parks Chases and store of Deer It is Bounded on the North with Hartfordshire on the West with Buckinghamshire on the South with the River Thames and Surry on the East with Essex It is divided into seven Hundreds viz. Edmonton Hundred Elthorn Hundred Finsbury and Wenslaxbarn one Hundred Goare Hundred Oswelston Hundred Isleworth Hundred Spelthorn Hundred containing 73 Parishes besides those Parishes contained in the Cities of London and Westminster which are 126 viz. 97 within the Walls of London 16 without the Walls but within the Liberties thereof and 7 in the City of Westminster 2 Cities London and Westminster the former being a Bishops See 5 Market Towns and 1 principal River viz. the Thames which washes its South side It sends Members to Parliament 8 viz. London City 4 Westminster City 2 and 2 Knights of the Shire London a City of the greatest Trade in Europe is pleasantly seated on the Banks of the Thames lifting up her lofty Head on gradually rising Hills full of Riches and Beautified with many stately Buildings King Lud who Reigned here a little before the arrival of Julius Caesar much Beautified and Enlarged it if he were not the first Founder calling it after his Name Caer Lud and one of its Western Gates retaines his Name to this day It has a stately Stone Bridge with 19 Arches passing over to Southwark upon which are vast piles of Houses The Tower said to be Built by Julius Caesar and much Enlarged by William the Conquerer is for Strength and Prospect very Famous having a Moat and conveniency to let the Thames Water in and out
again It is famous for being the Prison of many Nobles as David King of Scots John King of France c. In it were Murthered Henry the Sixth the two Princes Edward the Fifth and his Brother Richard Duke of York by Crookback Richard's Command within its Walls on the Green divers Nobles have been Beheaded as Robert Earl of Essex the Lady Jane Grey a little before Proclaimed Queen and the Lord Dudly her Husband and many others too numerous to mention Here Sr. Tho. Overbury was Poisoned and Arthur Capell the Noble Earl of Essex in King Charles the Seconds Reign was found Dead his Throat being Cut from Ear to Ear. In London one Gallus a Roman Leiutenant being Slain at a Brook it was called thence Galbrook now corruptly Wallbrook The famous Cathedral of St. Pauls was Founded by Sigebert King of the East-Angles and Ethelbert King of Kent where before a Temple was erected to Diana In the Reign of Edmund Ironside this City was closely Besieged by the Danes but the Siege soon raised by that Valiant King Anno 1133 the greater part of it was consumed by Fire In King Richard the Second's time was the great Rencounter in Smithfield with the Rebells Wat Tyler and Jack Straw where the former was killed by Sr. William Walworth the Valiant Lord Mayor For which the Dagger is added to the City Armes This City has had the Honour to Entertain several Kings and Princes King Stephen kept his Court where Crosby Square stands in Bishopsgate-street King Edward the Third in Cornhill where the Popes-Head-Tavern stands King John had his Chappel where the Stone-House on London-Bridge stands and kept his Court in Holy-Well-Lane by Shoreditch King Henry the Eighth held his Palace in Blackfriers and some times in Bridwell where he Lodged the Emperor Charles the Fifth It s Monument on Fish-street-Hill is very famous Erected in Memory of the dreadful Fire Anno Dom. 1666 Sept. the 2. which consumed 13000 Dwelling-Houses besides the Cathedral of St. Pauls and almost all the Churches Chappels Halls and other Publick Buildings To Islington near this City comes a pleasant Stream from a small Spring in Hartfordshire called Amwell and supplies it by Wooden Pipes with Water in abundance Bow Church in this City has a Steeple accounted the finest in Europe It s Exchange in Cornhill is Beautified with the Statues of the Kings and Queens and is a very stately Structure Its Conduits are curious Ornaments to the City as also are the Halls of the Companies and likewise St. Paul's Cathedral the East End and about a Third Part of it being Finished containing the most excellent Workmanship that ever was wrought in Stone Christ's Hospital St. Bartholomew's the Charter-House Bethlehem and Bridwell are very famous for Charity In Christ Church three Queens were Buryed viz. Margaret second Wife to Edward the First Isabell Wife to Edward the Second and Joan her Daughter Married to David King of Scots Westminster the second City standing in this County has the River of Thames pleasantly on the South side of it and has been the most constant Residence of the Kings and Queens of England till White-Hall was Builded by Cardinal Wolsey in the Reign of Henry the Eighth and yet claimes the Coronation and Burials of them in its stately Abby Built in a place once called The Isle of Thorns in Henry the Sevenths Chappel and has also given Birth to many great Princes This City is very Antient viz. about 1660 Years The Palaces of White-Hall and St. James are very Stately but the more to be noted for being the ordinary Residence of our Kings and Queens His Majesties Palace at Kensington is accounted one of the Pleasantest Seats in the County and extraordinary much delighted in by the late Queen Isleworth or Thistleworth is a Village pleasantly situate on the River Thames where Richard King of the Romans and Earl of Cornwal had a stately Palace which was Burnt to the Ground by a Tumultuous Sally made by the London Mob Chealsea is pleasantly seated on the River and above all Beautified with its stately Colledge dedicated to the Vse and Relief of decay'd or disabled Souldiers and Officers Cambray-House beyond Islington is of very Antient Building first Founded by a Grocer and takes a fair Prospect of London Highgate and Hampstead are situate on pleasant Hills giving a large Prospect The next of note are Edger Acton Wilsdon Edmonton Tatnam Highcross Harow Drayton Hackney Newington Hampton famous for its stately Court which is one of the finest in England Built by the great Cardinal Wolsey The Seats of the Nobility in this City and County are many viz. Norfolk-House in Arundel Buildings belonging to the Duke of Norfolk Wallingford-House one of the seats of the late Duke of Buckinghams Albemarle-House one of the seats of the late Duke of Albemarle Soho-Square a seat of the late Duke of Monmouths Clarkenwell-House belonging to the late Duke of Newcastle Cleveland-House to the Dutchess of Cleveland Worcester-House to the Duke of Beaufort Highgate-House to the Duke of Northumberland Winchester-House to the Duke of Bolton Halifax-House to the Marquess of Halifax Kent-House to the Earl of Kent Bedford-House to the Duke of Bedford Thannet-House to the Earl of Thannet Leicester-House to the Earl of Leicester Cambray-House to the Earl of Northampton Warwick and Holland Houses to the Earl of Warwick and Holland Clare-House to the Earl of Clare Mulgrave-House to the Earl of Mulgrave Chealsey-House to the Earl of Lindsey St. Albans-House to the Earl of St. Albans Essex-House to the Earl of Essex Cardigan-House to the Earl of Cardigan Anglesey-House to the Earl of Anglesey Cravan-House to the Lord Cravan Ailesbury-House to the Earl of Ailesbury Burlington-House to the Earl of Burlington Powis-House to the Marquiss of Powis Macclesfield-House to the Earl of Macclesfield Conway-House to the Earl of Conway Campden-House to the Earl of Gainsborough Faulconberg-House to the Lord Viscount Faulconberg Mordant-House to the Lord Viscount Mordant of Avelon Sion-House to the Duke of Sommerset also Northumberland-House in the Strand Drayton to the Lord Paget Hackney-House to the Lord Brook Charterhouse-Close to the Lord Grey of Wark a House at Whitton to the Lord Culpeper Lord Berkley Barron of Stratton his seat Stratton-House alias Berkley-House in Pickadilly and at Twickenham a seat of the Lord Bennets Barron of Ossulston The Bishop of London's seats London-house and Fullham-house As for Medicinal Wells in this County there have been lately found out divers at Islington Hoxdon and other Places by many highly approved for the Cure of divers Distempers The Reign of HENRY the First Sirnamed for his great Learning Beau-Clark or Fine Schollar WHen King William the Second was unfortunately Slain Robert his Eldest Brother Fortunate in all his proceedings save only in his Succession to the Crown of England was Victoriously Warring in the Holy Land against the Turks and Sarazens but hearing of his Brothers Death he declined the Kingdom of Jerusalem to which
the Sword valiantly fighting in the Field than again to be guilty of such Meanness The King who was not unacquainted with his humour rightly guessed at what was intended and therefore followed him with an Army and much Treasure and after many Battels overpowering his small number he was taken brought Prisoner to England and closely confined when endeavouring to make his Escape the King to whome in William Rufus his Reign he had done many good offices ungratfully caused his Eyes to be put out with Burning Glasses yet in this Captivity he lived about the space of 20 Years and then as is said the King sending him a Suit of his Old Cloaths he took the Indignity so impatiently that resolving to live no longer in that Misery and Disgrace some Historians have it that he voluntarily Starved himself others that he Beat out his Braines against the Stones of the Prison-Wall however certain it is that in his confinement Dyed the Valliant well Accomplished and much Lamented Robert Eighth Duke of Normandy a Prince in whom all Heroick Virtues shined The King seeming now to be rid of all his Fears began to consider the Clergy by his concessions were grown exceeding Rich and Ingrossed many Temporalities so that resolving to come in with them for a share of what they had Accumulated by his Bounty he laid Taxes on some and reassumed his power of Creating Bishops which so highly disgusted Arch Bishop Anselm That he not only bitterly inveighed against his Proceedings contrary to his former Promises but absolutely refused to Consecrate such Bishops as the King Appointed However to curry favour with the King Gerald Arch Bishop of York performed that Ceremony and Anselm soon after being Banished fled to Rome and made grievous complaints to Pope Paschal the Second of the wrongs as he pretended that had been done him and upon the Popes Intercession about two Years after he had License to return and at a Synod of the Clergy holden in London by the Popes Authority it was Enacted That from thence forth no Temporal Person should give Investiture to any Bishop by the Cross and Ring yet three Years after Arch Bishop Anselm Dying The Temporalities of the See of Canterbury were Seized into the Kings hands who converted them to his use for the space of five Years the See being so long kept vacant he aledging to the Bishops that sued to him to Nominate an Arch Bishop That he only kept it for a worthy Person that might justly deserve it Anno Dom. 1108 The King erected the Bishoprick of Ely appointing the Diocess to extend through the County of Cambridge and Isle of Ely and Endowed it with some of his own Lands in those parts by which means he made fair weather with the Pope because by this addition he had strengthened his Interest the more in England and the Clergy seemed satisfied in part for their Damages sustained But now a Storm threatned in Normandy for the King having gotten quiet Possession after his Brothers Death Lewis Le Gross King of France fearing a further Incroachment on his Territories if the King of England wanting Interuption had liberty to grow Powerful he procured Foulk Earl of Anjou on a weak pretence to seiz on the Country of Mayne and then animated Baldwin Earl of Flanders to Proclaim War for the King of England's with-houlding a Yearly Pension of 300 Marks which the Conquerer had settled on Baldwin fifth Earl of Flanders and had been pay'd by William Rufus to his Son and Nephew because the Earl had assisted the Conquerer with considerable Forces upon his Invading Elngand All these made strong preparations to Invade Normandy But the News soon roused the King from his Bed of Ease and filled him with Princely Resolutions whereupon he passed the Seas with an Army of Nobles Gentry and common Souldiers when losing no time he set upon the Earl of Anjou and his Associates giving him an entire Overthrow so that he was enforced to save himself by shameful Flight leaving the Prime Nobility and Gentry of his Army dead on the Plaines or Prisoners of War with 4000 of lesser note And near unto the Town of Nice which was Surprized and holden by the King of France he Encountered the other Confederates so that a very cruel Fight beginning between them it continued Nine Hours and was on both sides fought with such Eagerness and Heroick Resolution that tho' the King won the Victory and kept the Field whilst his Parties sent after them had a long chace of the flying Enemy he truly confessed He Fought not then for Victory but for his Life Not long after these Victories Overtures of Peace were made and the King fearing some practices against him in England might raise a Rebellion if he should be long entangled in War Abroad he thâ— more readily harkened to them and a Peace was concluded upon a Marriage between William the Kings Eldest Son and the Daughter of the Duke of Anjou but in their return for England staying somewhat behind the King and to make Merry and take leave of their Friends in their Riotous Treatments the Marriners got such plenty of Wine that being for the most part made Drunk coming with full Sail in hopes to overtake the King they run upon the Shallows where the Ship beating along by the violence of the Wind and Waves Foundered yet the Prince with his fair Bride and many others got into the Long-Boat and put off but Mary Countess of Perch his Sister crying from the Sinking Deck pitiously to him To take her in and not let her Perish in the Waters he Rowed back again thinking to do it but then many Lives being at the point to be lost and in that great Extremity â—very one valuing his own Life equal with his Princes neither Words nor Swords could keep so many from leaping in as sunk the Boat so that they together with Richard the Kings Younger Son Lucia his Neice and her Husband the Earle of Chester were swallowed up by the merciless Waves only three or four Sailors escaping on Planks to Shoar as sad Relators of the Tragical News which filled the Court with Mourning and the whole Nation with an Universal heaviness However the King bore it with Prudence and much Princely Fortitude knowing his Grief could not Retrieve his great loss nor had he any long time after his Landing to weigh the mishap ere Wars loud Alarms summoned him to the Field for in his absence the Welsh impatient of the English Yoak had strengthened themselves in Confedracy with some Irish Adventurers and now broke into open Rebellion not as formerly abiding in the Mountains and Fastnesses but relying on a foolish Prophecy That in that Year they should recover their Antient Territories and have a King of their Nation Reign over the whole Island they boldly advanced and unadvisedly gave him Battel in the Plains where they were Overthrown and most of them Slain or taken Prisoners the King inciting the Sword
to rage in their destruction and consumed with Fire all the places in his March making such a desolation as had not been known in that Country for many hundred Years and by so mighty a Terror having Quieted these People he returned with great Spoil and was joyfully received at London Where Assembling the Nobles he desired a Supply to enable him to Marry his Daughter Maud to the Emperour Henry who had demanded her in Marriage which they granted and it was Leavied in the nature of a Tax on Lands being called Aid pur file Marrier and the same custom for the Marriage of the Eldest Daughters of the Kings of this Realm was a long time continued and may yet be practised on the like Emergency At the same time he devised and ordered the manner and fashion of a High Court of Parliament appointing it to consist of the Three Estates of which himself was the Head so that the Laws being made by the consent of all were highly pleasing to the People This happy beginning of a Good Constitution of Government was First Established at Salisbury in April Anno Dom. 1114 some Authors have it 1116. However it has proved by the continuance and great Improvement of Parliaments happy for England to this day seeing to those August Assemblies we owe the well founding of the best constituted Government it the World Soon after this the King hoping in some measure to repair the loss of his Children Drowned as has been recited Married Adilicia Daughter to Godfrey first Duke of Lovain And Pope Calixtus the Second came to him in Normandy in hopes to perswade him not to meddle in matters belonging to Ecclesiastical Affairs but neither Flattery Threats or Perswasion could work the King to a compliance with his desires and at this meeting two Youths Sons to the Earl of Mellent and Servants to the King Disputing with two of the Popes Cardinals with Logical Sylogisms so Nonplus'd them that they were compelled to own their Ignorance About Three Years after Pope Honorius the Second sent Cardinal Cremensis to certifie the abuses of the Married Clergy and to that purpose he made a long Oration in a large Assembly of Priests and others in praise of Chastity and dispraise of Vnlawful Lust for so he termed that of the Married Priests with their Wives but being narrowly watched by some of them he was by a Publick Officer taken in Bed the same Night with a common Strumpet and so loaden with Shame compelled to return to his Master without Success Yet the King preferring Thurston one of his Chaplains to the Arch Bishoprick of York the Proud Priest refused to Swear Obedience to the See of Canterbury which his Predecessors had both Sworn and performed and Appealing to Rome the King permited the Pope to dispense with his Obedience to that See but he proceeding further to give him the Investure of Arch Bishop by delivering him the Pall Ring and Cross the King was so much displeased that he prohibited his return but in the end the Popes Threatnings Menacing nothing but Curses Excomunications and Suspensions he had leave to Enjoy the Dignity of the Archiepiscopal See least evil affected Persons taking advantage of the Difference might raise Commotions to disturb the Quiet of the Kingdom And soon after one Arnold in a Divinity Lecture at Oxford for Preaching against the Pride of the Prelates and Dissolute and Wicked Lives of the Priests was Assassinated and found Dead with near a Hundred Wounds in his Head Face and other Parts In the 27th Year of this Kings Reign Dyed the Emperour Henry the Fifth of Germany not leaving any Issue by Maud his Empress whereupon the King to strengthen his Interest against France Married her to Geoffrey Plantagenet Son and Heir Apparent to Foulk then Earl of Anjou by whom she had Issue Henry afterward King of England Geoffery and William This fair Ofspring enriched the King with the truest endowment of Content for that as he conceived he saw in them the long continuance of his Line in possessing the Crown of this Realm and to make it the more certain and sure to them he took three sollemn Oaths in the space of five Years of all the Nobility and chief Men of the Kingdom That with their best Advice and with the hazzard of their Goods Lands Lives and Fortunes they should Support and Maintain the Succession of his Daughter and her Heirs And so growing in Years he went over to Normandy to do the like there and settle his Affaires but Eating Lamprys at the Town of St. Dennis he Surfeited on them and after a short Sickness Dyed This King was accounted Wise Learned Mild and Just beyond most of his Predecessors more enclined to Peace than War extending his Bounty to such as merited it by Publick Service confining his Gifts within the limits of Thrift and Measure He was a gentle Friend but a stuborn Enemy He had several Children by his Concubins which he promoted to Honours and Places of Trust He Erected the two Bishopricks Ely and Carlisâ—le and Founded the Monastries of Shirbourn Circester the Priory at Dunstable and the Abby of Reading in Barkshire where he was Intered in a stately Tomb. He began his Reign Wednesday the First of August Anno Dom. 1100 and Reigned 35 Years 4 Months and 1 Day and was the 33d Sole Monarch of England In the 16th Year of his Reign great Thunders Lightenings and Hail happened in December doing much harm and the Moon for two Nights appeared of the Colour of Blood in October the same Year the Thames was so Dry that the People passed at the Tower and almost as far as the Bridge to the other side on Foot In the 33d Year of his Reign happened so great an Eclips of the Sun that at Noon-day the Stars plainly appeared and about two days after there was a terrible Earthquake and the same Year happened a dreadful Fire in London which consumed it from the West End of Cheapside to Aldgate and the nex Year Worcester and Rochester were Accidentally Burnt and a little before his Death a Blazing Star with a Bushy Tail of the colour of Blood appeared at South West Twelve Nights successively Remarks on Northamptonshire c. NOrthamptonshire is a pleasant Inland County held to be Situate in the Middle of the Kingdom being mostly Inclosure affording store of Corn Pease Fruits good Pasturs and larg Cattle Sheep and Foul in abundance divers Parks stored with Deer and much Fish It contains in it one City viz. Peterborough which is a Bishops See tho' Northampton is the Shire Town It is divided into 20 Hundreds and in them 326 Parishes 13 Market Towns and 5 Rivers It is Bounded with Cambridgshire Huntingtonshire Buckinghamshire Oxfordshire Warwickshire Leicestershire and Lincolnshire sends Members to Parliament 9 viz. 2 Knights of the Shire Peterborough 2 Northampton 2 Brackley 2 Higham Ferries 1. NORTHAMTON SHIRE Oundle or Houndhill is famous for a Well wherein at certain
transported the King with Anger being then in Normandy That he let some words fall in his Passion which being taken hold on by some of his Courtiers who mis-construed the Kings meaning it proved the destruction of Becket For soon after having leave to return and beginning new Troubles in Church Matters four of them Slew him at the High Altar in the Cathedral Church of Canterbury and with him two or three Monks that endeavoured his Rescue Thus fell this troublesom Prelate who rising from a low degree his Father being a Londoner and his Mother a Sarazen in his Pride contended many Years with a Potent King and brought many miseries on the Kingdom Afterward he was Sainted and many Superstitious People went on Pilgrimage to his Tomb. The Pope no sooner knew his Champion was fallen but he Threatned Cursed and Fulminated yet with little Terrour However to make himself Easie the King admitted two Cardinals to take his Purgation who allotted his Penance when he had denied his consenting to the Murther upon Oath to War three Years in the Holy Land which he Redeemed by Erecting three Religious Houses That he should go from London to Canterbury bare Footed to visit Beckets Shrine which he performed and suffered himself to be Scourged by the Monks with Rods on his Naked Back after which upon his sending Presents to the Pope he was Absolved During the Kings being thus Abroad his Queen had caused Rosamond his fair Concubine to be Poisoned which so inraged him that he cast her into Prison and would be prevailed on by no Intreaty nor Submission to release her during his Life tho' she endured many Miseries and Hardships in her confinement till at length she was set at Liberty by her Son Richard's comming to the Crown as will more at large appear in his Reign Doctor Gilbert Folliott of Oxford however hardly the Pope had used the King nevertheless perswaded him to regulate abuses in the Clergy and curb their Pride shewing him a warrant for it from the Word of God and the Writings of Eminent Fathers of the Church and other Good and Learned Men That for as much as Kings are stiled The Nursing Fathers of the Church It is their Duty to God to see it well Ordered and Governed and like a careful Husbandman suppress and keep under those rank Weeds of Error that would over-top and choak the Corn of Truth He used many other Reasons and Arguments so that the King began to assume his Power and look more narrowly into their Covetousness Pride and the Oppressions they laid on such as their Jurisdiction extended over in Temporalities wherein he abridged and cut them short which made them greivously complain that the King hearkened to Persons evilly affected to the Church and the Pope having notice who had advised the King sent many Threats and Menaces of what Mischief he would do in England if he did not put him out of his Protection which he had no sooner done but the Clergy like so many Harpies grievously Persecuted him till they made him Abjure the Land but this being contrary to the Kings pleasure he was afterward recalled and had leave to live a private Life However the King neglected to pay the Tribute called Peter-Pence to Rome and Garrisoned his Towns in Normandy very strongly beating out the encroaching French and Enlarging his Borders tho' his Sons proved still troublesom to him in under-hand siding with the French and some discontented Normans and English However he surmounted all Difficulties till in Normandy he fell Sick of a Feaver and Dyed at Chinon on the Sixth of July Anno Dom. 1189 when he had Reigned 34 Years 8 Months and 11 Days He was Eldest Son to Geoffery Plantagenet Earl of Anjou Son to Foulk King of Jerusalem by Maud the Empress Eldest Daughter to Henry the First He began his Reign October 25 Anno 1154 and Dying as is said was Buried at Font-Everard in Normandy He is accounted a Wise Just Learned and Valliant Prince and tho' he little burthened his Subjects with Taxes considering the Wars he had yet he left in his Treasury 900000 Pounds in Coin and Plate besides Jewels and other things of great value which furnished out his Son Richard for the Holy War As for his fair Concubine whom he entirely doted on he caused her to be Buried at Godstow near Oxford and on her stately Monument placed this Epitaph Hic Jacet in Tumba Rosamundi non Rosa Munda Non Redolet sed olet que Redolere Solet And may be Englished thus Within this Tomb lies the World 's chiefest Rose She who was Sweet will now offend your Nose In the Fifth Year of this Kings Reign 30 Persecuted Waldenses flying their Country came into England and found here no better Entertainment for being Pronounced Heriticks by a Convocation of Bishops at Oxford the King strictly Prohibited his Subjects to relieve them so that wandering up and down they Dyed with Hunger And near this time certain Jews Crucified a Child at Glocester for which 20 of them were Hanged and many Banished Anno 1163 one Peter Priest of Cole-Church was at the Charge of Building London-Bridge a New with Timber In the 20th Year of this Kings Reign Leicester was Burnt by his command the Walls and Castle Razed and the Inhabitants dispersed for adhering to his Enemies The same Year Christ-Church in Canterbury was burned and six Years after the City of York was Burned and 1185 the Abby of Glasenbury was consumed by Lightening and the next Year a terrible Earthquake happening threw down many Buildings and rent in pieces the Cathederal Church of Lincoln Chichester was also Burnt Near Orford in Suffolk a Monstrous Fish was taken having the shape of a Man upwards and was kept a long time by the Governour in the Castle Eating Raw Flesh and Fish greedily but at last it got away by the breaking of a Sluce and was carried to the Sea again and People were perswaded if it could have been made to Speak it might have told many wonderful things Remarks on Notinghamshire c. NOTTINGHAM SHIRE It contains 8 Hundreds divided into 168 Parishes as also 8 Market Towns and is Watered with 21 great and small Rivers It sends Members to Parliament 8 viz. East Retford 2 Newark 2 Notingham 2 and 2 Knights of the Shire Newark in this County is pleasantly seated on the River Trent thence called Newark upon Trent to distinguish it At Swinstead Abby in this place King John was Poisoned by a Monk and over the River there is a very fine Bridge Notingham is pleasantly seated on a branch of the same River incompassed with pleasant Fields and Groves It s Castle was kept by the Danes against Burthred King of Mercia also against Ethelred and Alfred two other Saxon Kings At Stoke near Newark Lambert Symnel in the Reign of Henry the Seventh was utterly Defeated and his upholders John D' La Pool Earl of Lincoln Thomas Garadine Chancelour of Ireland
Francis Lord Lovel and others were Slain with 4000 Common Soldiers and Symnel taken Prisoner June 16 Anno Dom. 1487. At Mansfield was Born the first Earl Mansfield in Germany now a famous Family in the Empire said to be one of King Arthurs Round Table Knights Blythe is a pleasant Town situate on the River Idle Besides these of Note and Antiquity are Hoverham Retford Worksop and Southwell In this County is the much noted Forrest of Shirwood where Robin Hood held his chief Residence and in it are bred a great many of those Hares called the Laner In this County they digg a soft Stone which Burnt makes a Plaister for Flooring their upper-Rooms which dry'd is harder than Plaister of Paris About Worksop grows store of Liquorice The County contains many Parks full of Deer The Rivers Meers and Ponds are stored with Fish and at the Season there is plenty of Wild-Fowl The Seats of the Nobility are Worksop belonging to the Duke of Norfolk Welbeck Abby and Notingham Castle to the late Earl of Newcastle Holm Pierepont to the Duke of Northumberland Rufford to the Marques of Hallifax Houghton and Chare-House to the Earl of Clare Shelford to the Earl of Chesterfield Bestwood to the Earl of Burford Newsted Abby Bulvel Park and Linby to the Lord Rochdale Averham and Killham to the Lord Lexington besides divers pleasant Seats of the Gentry c. The Reign of King RICHARD the First RICHARD the Eldest Son living of Henry the Second was in Normanay at the time his Father Dyed there and could not come over so soon as was expected by reason that Country remained unsettled by Intestine Wars and some Factions the French had made at a great Expence to keep it so which required necessarily his presence However he sent over speedy orders for the Releasment of Queen Elianor his Mother who had endured a long and hard Imprisonment by the strict command of King Henry who would not forgive her at his Death because she had Poisoned Rosamond his fair and much beloved Concubine and after her Releasment she was by King Richard appointed Regent of England till his Return And then by reason her own Experience had informed her what hardships those endured who Languished under Confinement she caused to be set at Liberty all such as were in Prison for ordinary Offences or small Debts The latter she Paid that the Subjects should be no Loosers by her commiseration and Administred the Government Prudently with much Moderation Integrity and Justice The King at length coming over with a splendid Train of Nobility was received with great Joy of the People and puting an end to the Queen Dowager's Regency was Crowned by Baldwin Arch Bishop of Canterbury and Swore to keep several Articles administered to him by the Nobles to the Ease and great Advantage of his Subjects freeing all that were in Prison for Offences against the Crown and such others as without injustice done to his Subjects he could acquit and in the whole course of his Government so provided that Mercy with Justice might extend to all and finding his Brother John of a Turbulent Spirit he heaped many Honours and Promotions on him thereby to satisfie him and alay his thirst of aspiring viz. He Created him Earl of Lancaster and gave him the Counties of Notingham Devon and Cornwal Married him to the sole Daughter and Heiress of the Earl of Glocester by which means he obtained the Lordship of that County But these great Favours and Donations answered not the Kings expectations for when he had showered on him such Bounties he found him by his practices reaching at the Crown as much relying on a Faction at home and the promises of the French to assist him when need required it It being a Policy of theirs to divert King Richard whom all Historians allow to be a Valiant and Warlike Prince from Warring on France in Reparation of the many Injuries his Subjects in Normandy had Sustained by the Inroads they had frequently made However the King mildly reproving his Brother and shewing him his Ingratitude to nurture such Designs also the Guilt and Danger he would incur he made many Excuses and Protestations he had no such Designs as had been suggested of him and they were both his and the Kings Enemies who had spread those reports to set them at variance These and his renewed Protestations of Loyalty and Obedience resolving to live quiet and contribute all he could to the Advantage of the Commonweal prevailed with the King to accept of his Submission and have a good opinion of his Fidelity and the King as an Expiation for the Offences himself had committed against Henry his Father making a Vow to accompany the other Christian Princes for the Recovery of the Holy Land from the Turks and other Infidels who grievously Oppressed the Asian Christians he the more easily winked at what he had plainly seen so that a Reconcilement being made the Kings thoughts were wholly taken up with his intended Expedition but having Lavished away the vast Treasure his Father left in large Donations he found Money was wanting to furnish him out with such an Army and Equipage as might stand with his Honour He had been Solicited besides his own Inclinations by the Pope to this Undertaking with many promised Blessings as others had been if by their Arms they Regained the Holy City Jerusalem from the Infidels yet to raise Money he refused to Levy any Taxes on his Subjects but Sold his Castles of Barwick and Roxborough to the King of Scots for 10000 Pounds the Lordship and Earldom of Durham to Hugh then Bishop of the See for 16000 Pounds as also Honours Lordships Mannors Priviledges Royalties and Crown-Lands upon other Grants and Tenures to divers of his Subjects for much Money so that having as he supposed a sufficient Treasure he prepared things in a readiness but contrary to his expectation it falling short he borrowed Sums of such as he had formerly Liberally bestowed his Bounties on protesting that for the performing so great and Honourable a service he was not unwilling to Sell his City of London if he could find any body of Ability to Purchase it rather than by Taxes he would Oppress his Subjects In this Undertaking at the Instance and earnest Incitement of the Pope were also Engaged Frederick the Emperer Philip the Second Sirnamed Augustus King of France Leopold Arch Duke of Austria and many other Princes so that a gallant Army was prepared and great store of Treasure With these King Richard entered into an Agreement that their General Rendezvous should be in the Island of Sicily the following Spring and That such Wealth and Booty as God and good Fortune should put into their Possession should be equally divided between them and their Forces and thus every thing being in a readiness King Richard appointed William Langchamp Bishop of Ely Regent in his Absence and soon after the better to Establish the Bishops Authority among the
the main design of his Preparations having private notice that his Brother John was practicing against him and fearing whilst he was warring abroad he might lose his Kingdom at home he resolved to make such Conditions with the Turkish Sultan as might be best for the Settlement and Peace of the Christians in Syria But the crafty Infidel being very sensible of the weak condition the Christian Army was in would not hearken to any other Terms than to have all the Towns that were taken Ptolomais Excepted surrendered and upon that condition they should be suffered to have a quiet Enjoyment of their Effects and to Trade in the Country and so having made this Agreement and Sold the Island of Cyprus for a Sum of Money to Hugh of Lusingham the last Christian King of Jerusalem though at that time but in Name which Title he confered on King Richard and it lasted to many of our Kings afterward who were stiled Kings of Jerusalem he Embarked in divers Vessels with his Queen who had accompanied him in that dangerous Voyage and Sailed for England but the Ship he was in being separated from the rest of the Fleet in a Storm was driven on the Coast of Histria lying between Aquileia and Venice where he was Ship-Wrack'd and saving his Life by Swimming was made Prisoner and presented to the Duke of Austria in whose Territories he Landed but the Queen who was in another Ship and the rest of the Fleet came safe to England The King by misfortune thus made a Prisoner to his Enemy whom he had disgusted by throwing down his Standard as is said was Sold by him for 40000 Pounds to the Emperer Frederick who set his Ransom at 100000 Pounds Fourscore Thousand of which was raised in England but Duke Leopold was constrained to Pay the other Twenty Thousand Pounds before he could be released from the Popes Curse pronounced against him for making a Prince his Prisoner who for the honour of the Christian Name had Warred Victoriously in the Holy Land So that after almost a Years Imprisonment the King was set at Liberty of which Lewis the French King had no sooner notice but be sent John the Kings Brother word The Devil was got loose again However he did not immediately return to England but went to Normandy and with the Terror of his coming frighted the French out of many strong holds they had taken in his absence then raising a puissant Army he entered France wasting all before him with Fire and Sword reducing to his Subjection all such places as had been taken and made the Rebellious Norman Peers who had engaged in the French Faction prostrate themselves before him whose humble Submission he accepted and accordingly Pardoned them on promises of future Obedience and Fidelity Let me now speak of something that happened Remarkable in England during the Kings absence I told you he had left the Bishop of Ely Regent This Man being of mean Parentage his Grandfather a Plowman and himself the Son of a Cowheard soon forgot his Original as such mostly do who are raised from a low Estate to high Promotion and grew so Insolently Proud that he would not Ride abroad without a Guard of 500 Men to attend him his Table was exceeding Expensive on the Publick Cost and his Insolencies over all sorts as well the Clergy as Laiety was so great that he soon procured himself a Universal Hatred yet a while he Proudly spread his Peacocks Train being Served at his Table and every where Waited on by the Sons of Noblemen to whom he gave in Marriage with some Portion and Preferment divers of his Rustick Kindred thinking thereby to strengthen his Interest but this proved to him a broken Reed for finding he was generally hated by the Nobles and Commons to shun the storm that threatened him with some violent End he sewed up many Jewels and some Gold in the Garments of a Pedlar Woman and Disguised in that Habit resolved to leave the Land carrying under his Arm a piece of Country Cloath which he offering to sale at Dover was Discovered and Seized suffering much outrage from the Common People and being sent to London the Lords Committed him to the Tower where he remained till the Kings return who not only released him but restored him to his Bishoprick yet having seen the folly of his Pride he grew more Humble and shortly after Travelling to Rome Dyed by the way unlamented by all that had known his former carriage The Queen-Mother in the Kings absence perceiving her Son John's aspiring who had a hand in bringing the Bishop of Ely into Disgrace and Outing him made a strong Party of her Friends as soon as she heard King Richard was a Prisoner compelling the Nobles and such others as were in Offices and Trusts to Swear to be True to him and Conserve the Realm to his use and behoof and John hearing he was Released and in Normandy hasted to excuse himself submitting to his Grace and Mercy voluntarily surrendering all the Forts and Castles he had Seized into his hands saying What â—e had done he was provoked to do by the Extraordinary Pride and Insolent Behaviour of the Bishop of Ely who unworthily had disordered the Government of the Realm and particularly for the Outrages he had committed on the Person of Jeffery Arch Bishop of York the Kings Brother Yet by the Peers he was Condemned in the Forfeiture of his Goods Estate and Honours but not long after received them again and was restored to the Kings Favour and came with him to England where the King at his Landing was Joyfully received by Hubert Arch Bishop of Canterbury and most of the Nobles causing himself a second time to be Crowned and the Coronation Solemnity was performed at Winchester Then he made a new Broad-Seal by which device he got much Money out of his Subjects who were obliged to have their Patents Royal Grants for Offices and other Evidences new Sealed the former being declared null and void And yet this not sufficing to put the Kingdom in a good Settlement pay his Soldiers Arrears and repay the Money that had been taken upon trust for his Ransom the Treasuries of Religious Houses were ransacked and a Parliament being called he was allowed to reassume into his hands such Mannors Lordships Lands and Offices as had been disposed of at his setting out to the Holy War for Ready Money so that the Purchasers were enforced to content themselves with the Profits they had Received in lieve of the Money they had Paid After this as the King was at Dinner in his Palace of Westminster News came to him that the French had Besieged Nerville in Normandy upon which in a great Passion he Swore He would never turn his back till he had got thither with his Army and to save his Oath a place by order was immediatly broken in the Wall through which he passed the breach heing left open above a hundred Years afterward in Remembrance
Female and that there was no force in that Law to debar him of such a Right This the King considered prudently and deliberated with Grave Counsel about it who all concluded it was his undoubted Right and the Earl of Arthois who fled out of France for saying upon the French Kings Sentencing his Earldom to Maud Countess of Burgundy By me was he made a King and by me shall he be Deposed vehemently solicited the King to claim and prosecute his Right promising him his Interest to make him many Friends even in the Heart of France But this was laid aside a while by reason of a difference arising between England and Scotland For King Edward sending to David the Scots King who had Married his Sister to restore the Castle of Berwick and do him Homage for his Kingdom he Answered That by the Sword he had won the Castle and would keep it and as for the Homage demanded his Father never acknowledged any such Service and if he had King Edward had released it if any such was due and therefore he would not confess any Tenure of the Crown of England This slighting Answer highly exasperated King Edward so that he raised a powerful Army and Marching into Scotland soon subdued the better part of it Fortifying and Garisoning to his own use the Towns and Castles he took and in his return posessed himself of Berwick and caused Edward Bayliol Son to John Bayliol who had been King of Scotland but was deceased there to be Crowned King of Scotland to hold it in Tenure of him and committing to his charge the Government of the Town of Berwick Yet he had not long withdrawn his Army ere the Scots had outed this new King and compelled him to fly into France whereupon King Edward Marched against David who had procured a great many French Forces and Overthrew him with a great Slaughter of his followers and so again having secured that Kingdom more strongly than before he returned in Triumph And now he had leasure to consider how to possess himself of the French Diadem and the firmer to bind the Earl of Arthois to his Interest he created him Duke of Richmond and to carry on the thing secretly till it should be ripe for execution The King by private Messages craved the Advice of the Earl of Hanialt his Wives Father the Lord Beaumont and others who had great Interest in Germany and the Netherlands who all approved it promising their best assistance and that he might have power to command the Nobles and Common People of those Countries when occasion required it They procured him to be created Vicar General of the Empire All this while the French King was Ignorant of their Proceedings being extreamly busy in providing Necessaries for an Army of 60000 Men with which he intended to pass into the Holy Land making his Brother John Duke of Normandy and Regent of all his Dominions till his return but at length having secret Notice of King Edwards Pretensions from some Treacherous Counsellors in England who under-hand were his Pensioners he laid aside his intended Eastern Expedition to defend his own Country yet this Discovery sooner than was wished did not at all amate King Edward nor slacken him in what he Designed but knowing Money is the Sinnew and main support of War by many Politick Devices he got vast Sums from his Subjects and Treasured it in his Coffers till his Affaires should require it so that for a time Money became so scarce among the Trading People That a fat Ox was sold for a Noble a fat Sheep for Twelve Pence a Quarter of Wheat for Two Shillings and other Provisions proportionable Matters being thus Resolved on and Forwarded he Sailed to Flanders with his Queen where he met and Conferred with a great many Princes of Germany who agreed to assist him and returning raised an Army of 27000 Men with which he Landed in France and to oppose him the French King took the Field with an Army of double the Number but when they were ready to joyn in Battel Jone Countess of Hainalt Sister to King Philip and Mother to the Queen of England by her unwearied Mediation staid their forward Swords by procuring a Twelvemonths Truce whereupon the French King dissolved his Army and King Edward with his returned to England Yet he gave not over his Design for going to Brussells after the expiration of the Truce the German Princes firmly Engaged themselves to his Interest and solicited the Flemings to Confederate in the League but they excused it unless the King would stile himself King of France and quarter the Arms of that Kingdom with his own That so he might be impowered to release unto them a Bond of Two Millions of Florins wherein they stood obliged not to wage War against the King of France These things he actually did and then they consorted with the German Princes who Signed and Sealed an Instrument to be True to King Edwards Interest and thereupon he returned to England to make speedy preparations for the War and found that in his Absence the French Squadrons had Burnt Southampton and Ravaged Hampshire and part of Sussex carrying away much Booty but not doubting they should one day pay dear for it he called a Parliament who Granted him a Fifth part of Moveable Goods and a Third Part of Corn also a great Tax on Wooll which lay heavy on the Meaner Sort. He Borrowed morover of his Rich Subjects and the City of London furnished him with 20000 Marks he Coined much Gold and Silver with the French Arms Quartered with the Lions and so early in the Spring Sayled to the Sluce which he found Blocked up by a Fleet of French Genois Picards and other Nations about 250 Sail and on Board them an Army of 40000 Men these he Encountered and utterly Defeated Destroying all that he seized not to his use sending a Multitude of Prisoners into England which Victory obtained by much an inferiour Number of Ships and Men gained him a large Reputation among the Princes his Confederates and greatly dismayed the French and Marching into Flanders he joyned the Forces of Jacob Dartwell General of the Flemings with those of the Duke of Guelders the Marquess of Muse Earls of Mons Suvians and Hainalt the Lord Tralquemont and many Thousand Germans c. and laid Siege to the City of Tournay which the French King prepared to Relieve but as before by the incessant Mediation of the Countess of Hainalt when the Place was at point of Yielding another Truce was made and the Armies Dissolved to the great perplexity of most that had Engaged Whilst King Edward was imployed abroad the Scots by the Encouragement of the French King Deposed Edward Bayliol and Renounced their Homage to the Crown of England but upon his Marching thither with 6000 Horse and 40000 Foot he Regained what had been Lost and made them Submit Yet he was no sooner retired but David coming out of France with some
might be any hopes to recover and some were recovered for in so suddain an Execution many received Wounds that were not Mortal This famous Victory obtained the King fell on his Knees and caused all the Army to do the like and with up-lifted Hands say Lord Not unto us not unto us but to thy Name be Glory and Honour In this Battel which the King said should be called The Battel of Agincourt to all Posterity because Fought near that Town were slain of the French Charles Lord Delabreth Constable of France Jaques Lord of Dampire High Admiral John Duke of Alanson Anthony Duke of Brabant Edward Duke of Barre The Earls of Marle Vaudemont Blawmount Grand Pree Russey Faulconbridg Foys and Lastrake 25 Lords 8000 Knights Esquires and Gentlemen and about 10000 of the meaner sort The Prisoners of Note were Charles Duke of Orleance John Duke of Burbon The Lords Donuart Fosseux Humiers Roy Cawny Hamcourt Noell Bonciqualt and some others and on King Henry's part of Note were slain Edward Duke of York and the Earl of Worcester Some Historians will have the latter to be the Earl of Suffolk and not above 600 others of all Ranks The King who before the Battel had Vowed to Dye or Conquer and that England should never be at a Penny charge for his Ransom was informed by some of his Noble Prisoners That the French were so confident of the Victory that they had not only disposed of his Person and the spoil of his Camp before hand but also of Places and Offices in England But when Man proposes God disposes The Dead being Honourably Buried and the Soldiers Inriched with the Spoil the King Marched to Callis without any interuption and having settled his Affairs passed into England where he was received by his Subjects with unspeakable Joy Soon after this the Duke of Exeter Captain of Harestew Ravaged the Countries and Overthrew the Earl of Arminiack the new Constable of France with considerable slaughter taking many Prisoners for which he had large Ransoms And Sigismund the Emperor of Germany coming into England laboured to conclude a Peace between the two Kings but not being able to effect it he made one for himself and being honourably attended by the King and his Nobles to his Ships he returned home highly satisfied with his Entertainment Shortly after the Duke of Burgundy made a Peace with King Henry only for the Counties of Flanders and Arthois for which he was suspected as an Enemy to the Crown of France In the Kings absence the French Besieged Hareflew by Sea and Land but their Fleet Commanded by John Viscount Narbon was utterly destroyed by John Duke of Bedford whereupon the Constable raised the Siege by Land and hasted to Paris upon which the French Nobility Quarelled among themselves about the several bad Successes charging the Miscarriage upon one another which made for King Henry's Interest so that he called a Parliament at Westminster declaring publickly his Right and undoubted Title to the Crown of France and the many wrongs the French had done the English Nation which now they had an opportunity to repair in giving him Supplies to enable him in the prosecution of his Wars which they liberally Granted him and it was raised without any murmurings of the People as in other Reigns had happened on the like occasion In the mean while John Holland Earl of Huntington after a sharp Engagement took three Carracks of Genoa and sunk other six that were going to Aid the French and in the Prizes found great store of Treasure and early in the Spring the King Landed a strong Army in Normandy took the Castle of Tonque whereupon the Villagers of that Dutchy fled into their Walled-Towns and he laid Siege to the City of Caen which after many fierce Assaults he took putting to Death the most obstinate who had too long refused his proffered Mercy in holding out against him and the more Wealthy Citizens he put to Fines and Ransoms And now a Quarrel happened between the Queen of France and the Dauphin her Son for she having raked together great store of Treasure he forcibly seized it for the use of the War which so enraged her that she vowed Revenge and procured John Duke of Burgundy to be Protector of the Kings Person and of the Kingdome so that an irreconcileable Quarrel continued among them The Constable and Dauphin labouring to weaken his Interest and he on the other hand supported by the Kings Favour was not wanting to do the like for them Whilst King Henry was Warring in Normandy and took in about 50 strong Towns and Castles reducing the Normans for the most part to his obedience and having appointed Sir Gilbert Vmphrevile Captain of Caen Castle and Sir Gilbert Talbot the like of the Town Sir John Popham Baylif c. and disposed the other Places in Trusty Hands he Marched to Roan where he found the Citizens had drawn a great Trench about it and strongly Fortified it with Towers and Bullwarks and having laid Siege to it at Pontle-Arch he laid over a strong Chain and a Wooden Bridge to hinder any Succours coming by Water keeping likewise that Passage blocked up with a strong Squadron under the Command of the Earl of Warwick and whilst he lay at this Siege the Lord Kilmay with 16000 Irishmen came to him Armed with Darts and Coats of Mail being joyfully received and proved very servicable But the King finding his violent Assaults were repulsed the Garrison being very Numerous incompassed the place to the Landward with a wide and deep Trench impailed at the bottom with sharp Stakes and so well guarded with Archers that they durst not approach it so there being Multitudes of useless People in the City the Famine encreased so sore among them that nothing Unclean was left uneaten nor were those they turned out suffered to pass the English Camp so that many Hundreds with piteous cries lay and died under the Walls and the Siege having continued from Lamas tide till Christmas on New-Years Day they desired safe Conduct for their Commissioners to pass to the King which was allowed but to little purpose for a bold Frenchman so angered him with his vaunting speech wherein he taxed him with unprincely degenerateness and meanness of Courage for Cloistering up the Garrison to Starve them as not daring to let them be at liberty to Fight and sell their Lives bravely in the Field That he resolved not to hearken to any Terms but the Surrender of the City upon discretion Granting them only a Truce of Eight Days to well advise in the matter but nothing being determined the half-Starved Inhabitants with hideous cries and shouts compelled the Governour and Magistrates to a Surrender so that having Four Days more allowed they Surrendered the City and Castle to the King there being Famished during the Siege 5000 and 12000 Starvelings were turned out who many of them dyed in the Fields and Lanes Then he compelled the Burghers for