his vnderhand workings they obiected also that hee had secretly practised to flie with the Duke of Ireland into France and to deliuer vp to the French Kings possession Callis such pieces as the Crowne of England held in those parts to proue which dishonourable act they as some write produced the French packets intercepted This wrung teares perhaps of disdaine from the King and hee yeelded to come to VVestminster vpon the next day there to heare and determine farther The King in signe of amitie stayed his Cosen the Earle of Derbie the same who afterward dethroned him to supper O where was the courage of a King The Lords in their owne quarrell could draw vp fortie thousand men but in the generall danger of the Realme when the Commons were vp and the French hung ouer their heads with no lesse hatred then preparations no such numbers appeared Was it fortheir honour or praise that their most rightful King should by their violence be driuen to consult vpon flight out of his proper Kingdome The Citie of London was also in no little perill at this present by their accesse which drawne by iust feare was contented to open the gates and harbour the Lords and their partakers These Lords who so often are called here the Lordâ—… are named in our Statute bookes to be but these fiue The Duke of Glocester the Earles of Derbie Arundel Warwicke and Marshal 76 The next day hee would haue deferred his repaire to Westminster This being signified to the Kings Lords for so they might bee called as being more Masters then the King they labour not by humble words and dutious reasons to perswade the vse or necessity of his presence in that place but contrarie to their allegiance and all good order send him word That if hee came not quickly according to appointment they would choose them another King who both would and should obey the counsell of the Peeres They had him indeed amongst them whom belike they euen then meant to haue surrogated that is to say the before said Earle of Derby heire to the D. of Lancaster The Lords certainely had so behaued themselues towards the King that they well saw they must bee masters of his person and power or themselues in the end perish 77 The King after a preposterous and inuerted manner attending his Subiects pleasures at Westminster heauily and vnwillingly is drawne to disclaime Alexander Neuil Archbishoppe of Yorke the Bishops of Duresme and Chichester the Lords Souch and Beaumount with sundry others Neither was the Male-sexe onely suspected to these curious pruners the Lady Poinings and other Ladies were also remoued and put vnder baile to answere such things as should bee obiected Sir Simon Burley Sir William Elinham Sir Iohn Beauchampe of Holt Sir Iohn Salisbury Sir Thomas Triuet Sir Iames Berneys Sir Nicholas Dagworth and Sir Nicholas Brambre knights with certaine Clerks were apprehended and kept in straite prison to answere such accusations what if meere calumniations as in the next Parliament at Westminster should be obiected 78 The Parliament began at Candlemas where the King was vnwillingly present The first day of the Session all the Iudges Fulthrop Belknap Care Hott Burgh and Lockton were arrested as they sate in Iudgement on the Bench and most of them sent to the Tower The cause alleadged was that hauing first ouerruled them with their counsels and directions which they assured them to bee according to law they afterward at Nottingham gaue contrarie iudgement to that which themselues had fore-declared Trysilian the chiefe Iustice preuented them by flight but being apprehended and brought to the Parliament in the forenoone had sentence to be drawne to Tyborne in the afternoone and there to haue his throat cut which was done accordingly Sir Nicholas Brambres turne was next This Brambre saith Walsingham was said to haue imagined to be made Duke of new Troy the old supposed name of London by murthering thousands of such Citizens whose names hee had billed for that purpose as were suspected of likelihood to resist him Then Sir Iohn Salisbury and Sir Iames Bernes two young Knights Sir Iohn Beauchamp of Holt Steward of the Household to the King and Iohn Blake Esquier were likewise sacrificed to reuenge Sir Simon Burley onely had the worshippe to haue but his head strucken off Loe the noble respect which the gentle Lords had to iustice and amendment This was no age wee see for a weake or slothfull Prince to sit in quiet for now the people and then the Peeres foile and trample the regall authority vnder foote the Duke of Ireland the Archbishoppe of Yorke the Earle of Suffolke and others had their estates confiscated to the kings vse by Act of Parliament as in the booke of Statutes may bee seene together with a great part of the whole proceedings 79 These troubles boiling and burning within in the Bowels of the State the Scots abroad had oportunity to inuade the North of England vnder the conduct of Sir William Dowglasse a noble young knight a parallel and riuall in the honour of Armes to Henry Hotspur Lord Percy whom Hotspur fighting hand to hand slew in battell but the Earle of Dunbar comming with an excessiue number of Scots tooke Hotspur and his brother prisoners killing many English not without such losse to themselues that they forthwith returned 80 But these vnneighbourly hostilities soone after found some surcease there being a meeting at Calis betweene the English and French about establishing a peace and albeit because the French would haue the Scot and Spaniard included therein the conclusion was deferred yet shortly after it was resolued vpon for three yeeres the Scots being comprehended therein 81 King Richard being now of age declares himselfe free to gouerne of himselfe without either controlement or help of any other then such as hee selected to that place and in token that he was at liberty he takes the Great Seale of England from Thomas Arundel Archbishop of Yorke Alexander Neuill being attainted and fled and departs out of the Councell Chamber After a while hee returnes and giues it backe to William Wickham the renowned Bishoppe of Winchester who was vnwilling to haue accepted the same Hee also puts out sundrie Officers substituting such others as best liked him From the Councell Table hee remoued his vncle Thomas of Woodstocke Duke of Glocester the Earle of Warwicke and others which as it might encouraged the Dukes enemies about the King to doe euill offices betweene them Yet the king did not presently credite what was whispered into his care concerning a purpose suggested to be in the Duke to raise forces againe but acquainting him withall was satisfied Neuerthelesse he would not suffer the Duke to pursue an orderly or any reuenge vpon the Authors whom indeed it had beene wisdome to haue punished in an exemplary manner 82 Michael de la Pole late Earle of Suffolke whom the popular Lords had made most
King is a Parallel There are named to haue been present at this wofull-ioyfull Act Arundel Archbishoppe of Canterburie Richard Scrope Archbishoppe of Yorke Iohn Bishoppe of Hereford Henry Duke of Lancaster who in this serious play must seeme as if hee were but a looker on the Earles of Northumberland and Westmerland the Lords Burnell Barckley Ros Willoughby and Abergeuenie the Abbot of Westminster c. 112 In their presence Richard as yet a King and in his Tower of London but not otherwise then as a prisoner reades the Instrument of his surrender with a seeming chearefull countenance as if he were glad the hower was come in which hee might taste what it was to be a priuate man and hauing otherwise first done and said what then he could to put all right out of himselfe subscribes it with his hand but prayes that his Cosen the Duke of Lancaster might succeed him in the regall gouernement and in token that it was his desire for he must seeme to desire what hee could not hinder hee plucked off his Signetring and put it vpon the Dukes finger Then did he constitute the Archbishoppe of Yorke and Bishop of Hereford his Procurators to declare to the whole Body of Parliament what he had done how willingly where euery one except the loyal magnanimous Bishop of Carleol being particularly asked did particularly accept of the resignation Neuerthelesse it was not thought inough to haue his Crowne vnlesse they also published his shame Thirty and two Articles are therefore openly but in his absence read of all which it was said for then men might say what they listed that he had confessed himselfe guilty In the front was placed his abuse of the publike treasure and vnworthy waste of the Crown-land whereby he grew intollerably grieuous to the Subiects The particular causes of the Dukes of Glocester and Lancaster the Archbishop of Canterburie and Earle of Arundel filled sundry Articles They charged him in the rest with dissimulation falshood losse of honour abroad in the world extortions rapine deniall of Iustice rasures and embezelling of Records dishonourable shifts wicked Axiomes of state cruelty couetousnesse subordinations lasciuiousnesse treason to the rights of the Crown periuries and briefly with all sorts of vnkingly vices and with absolute tyranny 113 We may be assured that nothing could then be obiected so vntrue or incredible but would haue gone for current and vndenyable with affections so throughly prepared Hereupon it was concluded that in all those thirty and two Articles hee had broken the Oath of Empire taken at the Coronation al the States of the Kingdom strange that so many should so concurre in disloyalty vnder pretence of equity being asked what they thought did hold that those causes seemed notorious and sufficient to depose King Richard Commissioners were therefore nominated by consent of the whole house to pronounce the sentence of Deposition which were the Bishop of Asaph the Abbot of Glassenbury the Earle of Glocester the Lord Barkly William Thyrning Chiefe Iustice of the common Pleas and some others The forme of pronuntiation was IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN We Iohn Bishop of Saint Asaph Iohn Abbat c. Commissioners specially chosen by the Lords spirituall and temporall of the Realme of England and Commons of the said Realme representing all the States of the said Realme sitting in place of iudgement c. 114 The definitiue sentence of Deposition giuen thus in open Parliament there were further named certaine persons amongst whom William Thirning Chiefe Iustice of the Cōmon Pleas was thoght the fittest man by whose lawlesse mouth that vniust doome should be deliuered to the King and who on the behalfe of the Realme should renounce to the said Richard the fealties and homages heretofore made vnto him and to make relation of the whole manner and causes of their proceedings The Regall seate was now reputed void whereupon Duke Henrie riseth from his place and stands vpright that hee might be seene of the people then signing himselfe with the signe of the Crosse vpon the forehead and breast and inuocating the name of Christ he challenged the Crown and Realm of England with all the members and appurtenances His words are said to be these In the name of God Amen I Henry of Lancaster claime the Realme of England and the Crowne with all the appurtenances as comming by the blood royall from King Henry and by that iustice which God of his grace hath sent to me by the helpe of my kinfolke and friends for recouery of the said Realme which was in point of perdition through default of Gouernment and breach of lawes 115 Which challenge and claime being thus made all the States of the Kingdome doe with one consent grant that the said Lord Duke should reigne ouer them The Archbishop of Canterbury brother to the late Earle of Arundel takes him then by the right hand and the Archbishop of Yorke the late Earle of Wiltshires kinseman being his assistant placeth him in the royall throne with the generall acclamation and applauses of the people Lastly in full complement of the present solemnity the Archbishoppe of Canterburie that we may see how the Diuinity as well as the Law of those times were degenerated into temporizing Policie made a Sermon vpon these words in Samuel A Man shall raigne ouer the People By occasion whereof hee describeth out of the holy Scriptures the happinesse of that Kingdom which is gouerned by a man and the infelicity of those Realmes where a Child whether in age or discretion weeldes the Scepter The euill whereof as they had dangerously felt vnder the late King so they hoped abundantly to enioy the other in King Henry To all which the whole Auditorie ioyously answered Amen Then rose the affable new Monarch among a few other words hee gaue the world to vnderstand that none should thinke hee would as by way of Conquest disinherite any man certaine bad members onelie excepted 116 From henceforth hee was taken for King and all Writs issued and went forth in his name which disorderly matters being orderly related to the deposed Prince in the Tower by Thirning the Chiefe Iustice hee onely vsed these words That hee looked not after such things but quoth he my hope is that after all this my cosen will bee my good Lord and friend The Archbishop otherwise inexcusable in those proceedings yet in his said Sermon seemeth grauely and truly to haue described the cause of this effect for quoth hee the child or insipient which are with him aequiparable drinketh the sweet and delicious words vnaduisedly and perceiueth not intoxication which they beene mingled with till hee bee enuironed and wrapped in all dauger as lately the experience thereof hath beene apparant to all our sights and knowledges and not without the great danger of all this Realme Being thus brought downe to the show and littlenesse of a priuate man wee leaue
said he hath made it meere wrong which with better regard of the Sex alloweth the woman to inherite her fathers possession as we see in the practise of that state whereof Christ himselfe is called king where the fiue daughters of Zelophehad for want of heires males were admitted to succeed in their fathers inheritance allotted them in the Tribe of Manasses and a law made by the Lord himselfe that if a man died and had no sonnes then his inheritance should be transferred vpon his daughters Neither is it to be doubted but that the daughter of Shesham was the sole heire vnto her fathers patrimony he dying without issue male though shee married an Egyptian whose posterity had their possessions among the Tribe of Iudah euen to the Captiuity of Babilon so that if such a law were as in truth there was no such better were the breach by the warrant of diuine direction then the continuance by colour of such prescription seeing God hath ordained aswell for the daughter as for the sonne 20 The Archbishops vnexpected but not vnpremeditated Oration thus ended so stirred the blood of the young Couragious King that his heart was all on a flame and so tickled the eares of his Auditory as they presently conceiued that France was their owne the Title whereof descending from Isabell the mother of the famous third Edward and shee the daughter and suruiuing heire vnto Philip the faire his right was lineally deriued thence as followeth first Philip by Ioane his first wife intituled Queene of Nauarre had three sonnes and one daughter namely Lewis Philip and Charles all three successiuely Kings and this Lady Isabell by whom the English claime his second wife was Constance the daughter of the King of Sicil who bare him a sonne after his owne decease which liued not many daies after his father Lewis his eldest sonne and tenth of that name succeeded Philip in the Kingdome of France and by Margaret his wife the daughter of Burgundy had his daughter Iane intituled Queene of Nauarre who made claime also vnto the French Crowne but neuer attained it so that her Title fell with her death Lewis by his second wife Clemence of Sicil had a sonne named Iohn borne vnto him but presently both father and sonne departing this life left the Scepter to his second brother who by the name of Philip the fift a while wore the Emperiall Crowne of France his wife was Iane the daughter of Burgoine who bare vnto him only foure daughters 21 Vnto King Philip succeeded his brother Charles the faire the fourth of that name whose first wife was Blanch detected of incontinency and brought him no fruite his second wife was Marie daughter to Henry Luxenbourg the Emperour who bare him a sonne that dyed soone after birth and the mother likewise shortly came to her graue Margaret the daughter to the Earle of Eureux was his third and last wife who at his death hee left with Child and thus the three sonnes of Philip were branched raigned and died whom Queene Isabell their sister suruiued and in that right her sonne King Edward the third by his royall consanguinity whilst the Crowne stood thus at suspence till a Prince should be borne claimed to be Regent in the Interregnum and in the nonage of the looked for issue against which Philip de Valois sonne of Charles the hardy who was brother to Philip the faire being a second branch from Hugh Capet and first Prince of the blood of France maintained that the Regency of the male if so he were borne as also of the Realme if a daughter or the sonne dyed belonged onely vnto him as the next in blood The state thus standing and a daughter borne Philip was saluted and proclaimed King no other right alleaged then this foisted and falsely termed fundamentall law Salique for no otherwise doth Ottoman the French famous Lawyer esteeme of that vngodly and vniust Ordinance if any such had beene ordained 22 The Kings right thus apparant and sufficient possessions to be had in France the Bill of complaint against the Clergies excesse was quite dasht and all mindes addicted for the affaires that way thinking it vnreasonable to pull the Prouisions from their natiues and brethren when as the Circuit of their inheritanee extended more large in compasse and therefore with the Danites they determined no longer to sit so pent with increase seeing God had giuen them another Kingdome but would free their own straitnesse by dint of sword and spread their Tents wider in the Continent of France Neither was there any motiue more forceable in conference then was the successe of those intruding Princes who assaied the Crowne by that vniust claime of law Salique 23 For did not the sword of God rather then man in the hand of King Edward the claimer cut downe the flower of France in the Battell of Crecie with the slaughter of Lewis King of Bohemia of Charles the French Kings brother of Iames Dolphin of Viennois the Dukes of Lorrayne and Burbon the Earles of Aumarle Sauoy Montbilliard Flanders Niuers and Harecourt the Grand Priour of France the Archbishop and Zanxinus and Noyone of Lords Barons and Gentlemen to the number of 1500 with 30. thousand of the French Souldiers and Philip not able of himselfe to defend himselfe inciting Dauid of Scotland to inuade and weaken England therein did but only vexe his owne spirit for in that attempt the Scottish King was taken prisoner and brought so to London leauing Philip to struggle with his hard fortunes in France which with bad successe hee did to the day of his death 24 Iohn his sonne by the same title and claime felt the same stroake of iustice from the hand of that thunderbolt in warre Edward surnamed the blacke Prince the sonne of Englands Mars who farre inferiour to the French in number farre exceeded them in marshall power when at the battell of Poitiers the French royall Standard was stroke downe an hundred Ensignes wonne by the English the Constable Marshall and great Chamberlaine of France with fifty two Lords and seuenteen hundred Gentlemen slaine in the field King Iohn himselfe his sonne Philip two Bishops thirteene Earles and one and thirty Lords taken prisoners by the Prince to his great praise and confirmation of his iust cause 25 Nor was the punishment of the father any whit lessened in King Charles the sonne then raigning who besides the intestine warres in his own dominions was by Gods iust iudgement strucke into a Lunacy being vnable to gouerne himselfe much lesse his Kingdome vpon which aduantage as the French would haue it King Henry now plaied though it be most certaine he sought his right farre otherwise for so it standeth vpon record dated the ninth of February and first of Henry the fift his raigne that he sent his Ambassadors vnto the French King who could not bee admitted to his presence and him whom they imployed to procure
mercifully * Holinsh. p. 523. Iohn Stow names also Sir Nicholas Lâ—…gford and cals the two Gausels not Gausels but Gentels and brothers The great destruction of Cheshire Gentlemen * August 10. The Earle of Northumberland pardoned of his life VVilford a Sea-captaine takes a thousand tunnes of good commodities A. D. 1404. The Earle of Northumberland restored The Country-men about Dartmouth kill the French General and present the King with honourable prisoners Owen Glendwr and the Welshmen waste the Marches A new false king Richard Serlo a spreader of that imposâ—…ure deliuered to the King * Parliamâ—… 〈◊〉 Tho. Wels. * Sir Iohn 〈◊〉 Ypodig Neust. pag. 563. An. 1405. Mowbray Earle Maâ—…all and Scrope Archbishop of Yâ—…ke 〈◊〉 to redâ—… 〈◊〉 and lose their heads * Sueton. lib. 3. cap. 59. The King pursues the Earle of Northumberland The first time that a gunne is vsed in England * Tho. VValsing In Hen. 4. The French with seuenscore ships arriue in 〈◊〉 to aid Owen Glendowr A. D. 1406. An. Reg. 7 A. D. 1407. King ' Richard spred to be aliue Sir Robert Knolls dieth An. D. 1409. Platina * Ypod. Neust. p. 566. * Antiq. Britan. ecclesia * Walsing Ypodig p. 569. * 〈◊〉 S. Theo. Oxonia saith Tho. Gascoigne MS. An. D. 1410 An. D. 1411. * Paul Aâ—…yl in Carol. 6. The Duke of Burgundie sends for aid to the King The Kings wise and Christian answere to the Dukes request Aides sent by the King to the Duke of Burgundie An. D. 1412 The Duke of Orleance sends to the King for succour * The words of the Dukes letter The great offers of the Orleance faction to the King Their demands The King forsakes the Duke of Burgundy and aides the Duke of Orleance * Pol. Verg. lib. 21. Iob. Tilius Chr. The English burne and spoile in Normandy till the Duke of Orleance came * homines de 〈◊〉 A. D. 1413. A. reg 14. The King dieth hauing reigned thirteene yeeres and sixe moneths wanting fiue daies â—…ith VValsing â—…ll â—…olinsh Cambd. Brit. in Glocest. Monarch 52 Henry V. Sutton in vit Tit. 1. 6. * Ti. 〈◊〉 Fâ—… Edw. Hal. Henry borne at Monmouth in Wales * Râ—…cor of Toweâ—… 4 Hen. 5. Ioh. Rosse 〈◊〉 in lib. 〈◊〉 regiâ—… Prince Henries Educatin Holinsh. Richard Grafton Edward Hal. Thom. Walsing Rich. Grafton Eccles. 2. Ioh. Rosse Sir Tho. Eliot Gouernour Rich. Grafton Tho. Otterborne Deut. 17. 12. Exod. 21. 15. Tho. Otterborn Ex Record Ioh. Stow. Rich. Grafton An. D. 1413. Tiâ—… Lâ—… Tho. Walsing Râ—…b Fabian Polycâ—…ron Vpon Trinity Sunday Nich Vigâ—…r in bist 〈◊〉 Eglise Fox in Acts and Monuments * Oper a Ioh. Hâ—…ssi To. 〈◊〉 Thom. Walsing 〈◊〉 and Monuments Ouldcastle pronounced an heretike Tho. Wals. Antiq. Britan. Ex libro Wigorn. Archbishop Arundels death * See it in Foxes Martyrologie The offers of the Lord Cobham Rob. Fabian Touching Ouldcastles innocency from Treason see Foxes defence against Cope in Martyrologie Iohn Stow Iohn Fox in Acts and Monuments * then called Thicket fields * See Fox at large Ypodig Neust. Tho Wals. Bishops of Saint Dauids Henry Chicheley made Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Walsing A complaint against the Clergies excesse Edw. Hall The Archbishop Câ—…ichleys oration Io. Serres The Law Salique touched the Germans but not the French Their claiming by the same title Numb 27. An addition 1. Chro. 2. 34. Lewis 〈◊〉 Iudg. 18. Io. Serres Io. Serres Ex Record apud Westm. P. 〈◊〉 Fr. Rosâ—…en Enguerrant de Monstrel Nich. Uegâ—… Will Parradin in Annal. de Burgoin Caâ—…ton Chron. 〈◊〉 Ex Record VVest An. D. 1414. Ypod. Neust. Ex Record Iohn Harding Roger VVals Enguerrant de Monstrâ—…l Holinsâ—… Ex Pâ—…l 1. H. 5. Alain 〈◊〉 in Aâ—…ls of Brit. An ancient Manuscript Tiâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Stâ—… Holinsh. â—…o Stâ—… Annal. Liâ—… Original Harding 1500. Ioh. Stow. 1600. Holinsh. 1000. Grafton 140. Ould Manuscr 1500. Caxton 1500. Nichol. Giles Titus Liâ—…l 〈◊〉 de yllescâ—… Hist. Pâ—…tif Platina Nicol. 〈◊〉 in Theatrâ—…â—…sal de Prâ—… Sebastian Munster Francis Goodwin vpon the liues of the Bishop The French glorious in shew but the English conquerors Caxton Chron. The English discerned what was done in the French army P. Aemil. Alain Bâ—…chant â—…n les Annales de Bretagâ—…e The stratagem with stakes Guil. Parradyn Tho. Walsing The chiefe Leaders of each part of the English army The noble ablliaments of King Henry in the maine Battell Tiâ—… Liuiâ—… The admirable and glorious sight that both armies made 10. Serres King Henry seeketh to passe Callis Tho. Walsing Stowes Annal. Tho. Wal. Denis Saâ—…age in Cron. Flan. Enguerrant de Monâ—…reles The English proffer Battell Their Archers put the enemy to the greatest harme Ypodig Neust. Enguerrant The wings of the French battell discomfited Tho. Walsing The English Archers giuing back the French horsemen spill themselues vpon the sharpe pointed stakes Enguerrant de Monstrel Guil. Paradyn in les Annals de Burg. King Henry rescueth his brother the Duke of Glocester Alenzon encountring King Henrie putteth him in some danger Rich. Grafton The French maine battell put to flight Pyd Verg. Walsinghams description of the Frenches ouerthrow After some sharp execution the English shew mercy to the French Enguerrant de Monstrelet Ypod. Neust. Certaine French rob the Kings carriages They steale a Crowne and a sword and faine that King Henry is taken prisoner History of Normandy Pol. Verg. A new power of French appearing King Henrie causeth all his prisoners to bee slaine Enguerrant Tiâ—… Liâ—… 〈◊〉 de 〈◊〉 The Duke of Burgundy impriâ—…oneth the robbers of King Henries carriages but pardons their liues at Count Charolois request Ypodig Nest. King Henry acknowledgeth God the gâ—…uer of victory God deliuereth a nation into the hands of the destroier for their sinnes Enguer de Monstreles Nich. Gille Latiers volume de Cron. Franc. The small number of English slaine Tho. Walsing * Ex Manuscript The names of great persons either slaine or taken prisoners Enguerrant de Monstrelet Enguâ—… Iehan Tillet Bertrand de Argentre La. Mer Nichol. Giles Legend Fland. Chron. Fran. 3. vol. * Of Sâ—… The number of Dukes Earles c. slaine Denis Sâ—…g Bertrand de Argâ—…re in hist Bret. Iehan Tillet Alain Bouchart Annal. de Bret. Will. Parredin Annal. de Burgoin History of Normandy 5800. slaine French buried in one plat of ground Alain Bouchart Annal. de Bret. History of Normandy Stowes Annal. Grafton King Henry returneth into England He and his company in danger at Sâ—… Tho. Wal. The King is receiued oâ—… London with great state Caxton Chron. All sorts both Clergy and Laity shew their affection to the King and he to God Stowes Annal. The Duke of Yorke interred at Fotheringhay The Earle of Suffolke at Ewhelme Gonzales de yllesâ—… in la Hist. Pontif. May 7. The Emperour Sigismund commeth into England The sterne manner of entertaining the Emperour at his landing VVell liked of by the Emperor * Rich. Grafton * Paul Aemil. The King willinglie heareth the Emperour for
a new as firme a league as they could during that martiall pilgrimage 18 Tancred was at that time king of Sicilia by vsurpation after the death of William who had married Ioan sister of king Richard whom at that time vpon displeasure and quarrell being prisoner Tancred set at liberty sending her in honourable manner to her brother and did yeeld to sundry Articles and also present paiments of ample summes Feare wrought on both parts for Richard being among strangers and not very sure of the French seised vpon a strength of the Griffons people much redoubted in those parts till the arriuall of the English in a tumult tooke the City of Messana it selfe where he displaied his Enâ—…ignes till for the French Kings loue hee was content to disaduance them and to entrust the City to the Knights Templars and Hospitalers vntill Tanâ—…red had fulfilled all such things as Richard did challenge to bee due being many 19 Vpon great deliberation therefore the Sicilan King made answere that hee had already paide to his sister late Queene of that Iland a very great quantity of coine in recompence of her Dowry or Ioincture and would satisfie all his other demands concerning the Legacies intended by his Predecessor king William to the Father of king Richard as far as hee ought according to the custome of that kingdome and thereupon gaue vnto him for the quit-claime of his sisters Ioincture twenty thousand ounces of gold and farther to bee acquitted of all other claims pretences as also in consideration that Arthâ—…r Duke of Britain nephew next heire of king Richard if Richard died without issue shold take to wife the daughter of K. Tancred he paid him other twenty thousand ounces of gold and of his owne accord and for King Richards loue and for the loue of the English Nation which saith our Author was then in greatest reputation through the kingdome of Sicilie as also to bee the more assured of performance he gaue him other twenty thousand ounces of gold besides afterward foure great Ships called Vrsers 〈◊〉 fifteene Gallies 20 King Richard on the other side not to bee wanting to any matter which in honor and equitie might bee expected of him besides letters Patents hee put in vpon their Oaths for his sureties two Arch-bishops and two Bishops of his owne there present and twentie great Lords and principall men his subiects whose names because many of their posterities doe yet stand are heere inserted out of the saide letters Patents as they are vpon record in Houeden Iordanus de Hâ—…z his Constable Wilielâ—…us de Curci Richardus de Camuilla Girardus de Talebot Robertus Sabluil Guido de Croâ—…n Guarinus filius Geroldi Bertramus deVerdun W. Chamberlangus de Tankeruile Robertus de Nâ—…uo-burgo Hugo Bardolf Wigain de Cheresburg Gilbertus de Wascuil Hugo le Bruin Iohannes de Piller Amaâ—…ri de Muntford Andreas de Châ—…uenni 〈◊〉 de Forz Gaufridus de Rancuâ—…e Amaâ—…ri Torell and other not named 21 Moreouer for finall assurance he offereth that Pope ClemeÌ„t should vndertake for performance of his part in the said agreement and that the said Clement would accordingly vndertake hee requests him by most officious letters giuing him leaue without any reluctation to put his dominions vpon any his breach vnder seuerest censures 22 This peace and accord being happily thus concluded King Tancred hauing most roially and louingly feasted the King of England for three daies and three nights in a Castle of his discouered vpon the way at Tauernium in his returne a foule and vnprincely conspiracie of Philip whome one of our Writers cals the vain-glorious King against the head and safety of King Richard which comming to bee scanned betweene the two Kings the French charged the English with picking of quarrels and added that vnlesse Richard maried his sister Alice according as hee ought hauing beene contracted long before together he would be his enemy while he breathed whereunto King Richard being pressed did replie That his sister during the time of her abode in England had a child by his Father Henry King of England which he was ready to proue by many witnesses there present so that King Richard had farre more cause then a suspition of dishonesty which some write to refuse the marriage This falling out so shamefully Philip vpon certaine conditions betweene Richard and him left him at liberty to take a wife where he thought good but neuer as it may seeme forgaue him his euill will while they two liued together 23 And because acts of Christian remorse and humility are too rare among the Great ones of this vaine world it were a crime to pretermit the exemplar humiliation of this famous General K. Richard at this time who to vse my Authors words inspired with diuine grace and studying to fitte himselfe for the great attempt he had in hand was stung at the soule with so iust compunction for his sinnes that calling before him his Archbishoppes and Bishoppes into a Chappell at the house where he was lodged without the walles of Messana hee blushed not to make a penitent confession of his manifolde excesses humbly praying God of mercy and them as his subordinate Ministers of Absolution God saith Houeden respected him with eies of Mercy and gaue him a penitent heart so that from thenceforth hee proued a man fearing God eschuing euil and doing good O foelicem illum c. O happie he who so fals that he may rise more strong O happy he who after penitence relapseth not into fault and ruine 24 Wherupon addicting his mind to diuine contemplations meditation of the christian Church whose Champion now he was hee desired conference of one Ioachim a CisterciaÌ„ Abbot whose great learning and deepe vnderstanding in the Scriptures with an opinion of a Propheticall inspiration made him so famous ouer the world that King Richard sent for him being theÌ„ in Calabria neer Sicilie whom at his comming he heard preaching and expounding the Apocalypse of S. Iohn touching the afflictions of the Church and of Antichrist which saith hee was then borne and in the City of Rome and shall bee aduanced in the See Apostolicke of whom the Apostle said he should extoll himselfe aboue all that is called God and that the seuen Crownes were the Kings and Princes of the earth which obeyed him Surely neere about this very time hapned that in Rome which might seeme to giue great probability to that Abbots opinion especially if Emperours and Kings bee truely called Gods ouer whom Antichrist also should extol himself for in the same moneth that Richard left Messana was the Coronation of Henry the Emperour and his Empresse Constantia in S. Peters Church where Pope Celestine the very next day after his own consecration to the Papacie sate in his Pontificall chaire holding the Emperiall golden Crowne betwixt his feete and the
to the English campe great numbers of Welsh souldiers with whom he releeued many of the English footemen tyred with seruice sending them backe into England Thither also came the Earles of Vlster with bands of Irish. 30 The King of England prospering thus passeth with his army ouer the Scottish Sea where while he kept the feast of Saint Iohn Baptist at Perth or Saint Iohns Towne there came messengers from Baliol and the Lords his factors to sue for mercy which was granted vpon condition that they should render themselues to him as his subiects Hector Boetius saith that after this agreement wherein Anthonie Bishop of Durham was vsed Iohn Comin brought Baliol void of all kingly habiliments with a white rod in his hand to the English campe at Montros where he resigned his whole right that he either had or might haue to the Crowne of Scotland into king Edwards hands and made thereof a formall Charter in French and at the same time also for feare of life gaue his sonne Edward for hostage and assurance of his fealtie by which final disclaime the Lord Bruces right might seeme now vnquestionable But this resignation being thus made king Edward returnes to Berwick where all the Nobles of Scotland at a Parliament there holden were sworne to be loyall and true subiects to king Edward for euer after and hereof a solemne instrument was sealed by the said Lords of whom Iohn Comin of Badenaw was first bearing date at Berwick in the twentie fifth yeere of the reigne of their Souereigne Lord King Edward 31 Iohn the late King was sent to the Tower of London and there was honourably attended hauing liberty for twenty miles about The Scottish Lords were confined within Trent ouer which Riuer they might not passe toward Scotland vpon paine of life The custody of Scotland was committed to Iohn de Warrenn Earle of Surrey and Sussex and the Treasurershippe thereof to Hugh de Cressingham but William de Ormesby was ordained Iusticiar with this particular commandement that hee should take the homages and fealties of all such as held lands of the King And the more to shew his purpose vtterly to dissolue the distinct Regality of Scotland and to vnite it to the English Monarchie as hee had done Wales hee tooke out of Edinbrough the Crowne Scepter and Cloath of Estate offering them vp at Saint Edwards shrine in Westminster if the Author mistake not for at Saint Thomas at Canterbury hee offered vp Baliols Crowne saith another and besides many other Acts tending to the abolishment of the Scottish Name which Hector relates as the burning their Records abrogating their lawes altering their forms of diuine seruice and transplanting all their learnedst men thence vnto his Vniuersity of Oxford hee tooke out of the Abbey of Scene the Marble Chaire in which the Kings of Scotland were wont to bee crowned and sent the same to Westminster for Priests to sit therein at Celebration This Chaire is the same vpon which was engrauen the famous Propheticall Distichon Ni falat fatum Scoti quocunque locatum Inuenient lapidem regnare tenentur ibidem If Fates goe right where ere this stone is pight The Regall race of Scots shall rule that place Which by whomsoeuer it was written we who now liue finde it happily accomplished But these great Acts of this yeere brought to the Commons of England small commodity vpon whom the charge of the warres lay heauily and it is not often found that the people gaine much by their Princes Conquests 32 The force of Scotland with a greater force being thus for the present broken who would suppose that it could once again haue lifted vp the head and that chiefly by the particular vertue of a priuate man as it after hapned which hee had the more oportunity to doe for that the King of England was diuersly diuerted by occasion of warres in Gascoigne for recouery of his owne and for aid of his friends in Flanders whom the French did afflict in hostile manner The Captaine of the reuolted troupes in Scotland was one William Wallace the sonne of Sir Andrew Wallace of Cragie Knight though some vpon hearesay write contemptibly of his course of life as of a publike robber who by the assistance of such as were outlawed for refusing to doe their homage to King Edward draue William de Ormesby the Kings Iusticiar out of Scotland Which King Edward hearing discharged Iohn Comin of Badenaw and the Earle of Bucquhan from their confinement to the entent that hee might by their endeuours the sooner settle matters but withall hee gaue Iohn de Warren Earle of Surrey commission to leuie an Army and the king loath to bee hindred from his other destinations easily yeelded to such requests as were propounded on the Scots behalfe for that time The voyage which hee had then in hand was to transport from Winchelsea an Armie to assist the Earle of Flanders his confederate 33 England at this time was not without great discontentments which Humphrey de Bohun Earle o◅ Hereford and Essex Constable of England and Roger Bigot Earle of Norfolke Marshall of England did countenance for present satisfaction whereof the King yeelded among other things to confirme Magna Charta and Charta de Foresta and that there should no Subsidie nor taxation bee leuied vpon the people without the consent of the Prelates Peeres and people But before this time and while the King was absent out of the land the Scots vnder the leading of VVilliam VVallas put to flight the Earle VVarren and all the English Forces which were with him taking them at aduantage as they were passing ouer a narrow Bridge neare vnto the Castle of Striuelin the slaughter of the English was not smal There Hugh de Cressinghām Treasurer of Scotland for King Edward feel in battell whose dead body for speciall hatred borne vnto him the Scots did flea diuiding his skinne among them The King hearing of this ouerthrow commands the Lordes of England by his letters to bee ready to assist the said Earle VVarren his Custos or Guardian of Scotland with their Forces in the Octaues of S. Hilary at Yorke and also to proclaime such of the Scottish Lords as came not thither enemies of the State but they kept themselues within Scotland and came not Whereupon the English Captains marched to the rescue of the Castle of Rocksbrough whence VVilliam VVallace fled vpon notice of their approach to raise his siege But King Edward aduertised of these accidents hauing taken a truce for two yeeres with the King of France by mediation of Bonifacius the Pope who interposed himselfe non tanquam Iudex sed amicabilis Compositor saith VValsingham not as a Iudge but as a friendly Composer made hast into England where his presence was extremely wanting but in his way home at a Towne called Ardeburg all the Scots almost which hee had brought with
betweene the hammer and the anuile the Scots vpon the one side and these false English on the other all was lamentable and brought in a maner to nothing and this face of things continued there about foure yeeres 32 Neither did the King seeme to haue any will or power to relieue the common calamities but rather to conuert his whole both wits and forces vpon reuenges against the Lords who vnder pretence of their extorted prouisions manifestly withdrew their loues seruice and duties from him wherfore feeling himselfe thus weake and disfurnished he besought the spirituall assistance of Pope Iohn the two and twentieth who thereupon sent certaine Cardinals to set all things in quiet without bloudshed Betweene the King and Earle of Lancaster they established a peace who in a certaine plaine neere Leicester met embraced and kissed each other but when they could not worke the like with the Scots they put that Country vnder Interdict 33 For they as it is the manner of prosperity after the victory at Banocksbourne which clearely got them Scotland did beginne to bethinke themselues of gaining new Empire in Ireland Thither Edward Bruce Brother of King Robert had passed with an Army procuring himselfe to be crowned King thereof by fauour of some of the Irish Nobility whom neuerthelesse about three yeeres from his first entrance the English vnder the conduct of the Archbishoppe of Armagh and of Iohn Lord Brinningham Iusticiar of Ireland valiantly encountred where together with his late vsurped Kingdome hee lost his life There were slaine in that battell many honourable Scots besides the new King Edward and aboue fiue thousand others his head was cut off at Dundalke saith VValsingham but Hector Boetius writes that he was slaine in the battell it selfe Thus did God temper one with another and the iust reioycement which the Scots had conceiued of their so happie victory ouer the English at Banocksbourne was sowred with this losse 34 But King Robert as a most expert and vigilant Prince did not suffer this ioy to continue long to the English for by practise with one Peter Spalding to whom King Edward had entrusted the keeping of Berwicke hee recouered it from the English saith Harding By treatie with Peace Spalding and treason after it had remained twenty yeers in their possession which when King Edward thought to haue wonne againe the Scots diuerted him from the siege with incursions and slaughters of his people in other parts of England not failing much of surprising the Queene in a village not farre from Yorke where she soiourned during the siege at Berwicke the plot being laid and drawne between the Scots and some perfidious English whom King Robert had mouied for that purpose But Spalding after the treason done had the reward of a Traitour for King Robert put him to death 35 To giue some breathings after these so manifold troubles a truce was agreed vpon and confirmed betweene the two Kings of England and of Scotland for the space of two yeeres which brought forth confusion and not refreshment For thus it hapned The King vpon the commendation of the Lords themselues had made Hugh de Spenser Lord Chamberlaine who being at the least of equall insolence vices and ambition to Gaueston so wrought that hee succeeded in short time to all the graces of familiarity and power which euer Gaueston enioyed as in like sort to all his hatred and enuie Hugh his father an ancient Knight the better to strengthen his sonnes courses was likewise imploied and grew in speciall fauour with the King who afterward also created him Earle of Winchester but the father in manners vnlike to the sonne was ruined rather by a naturall tendernesse then any malicious will The sonne as hee was of shape most louely so the verie spirit it selfe of pride and rapine carried him to all sorts of intollerable behauiours and oppressions that Gaueston might with good reason seeme to be wished for againe Against these two who wholy swayed the vnfortunate King Thomas Earle of Lancaster and in a manner all the Barons of the Kingdome who meant the King should loue none but with their leaue did swell with such impatience that not contented with the wast of their lands they neuer rested till by the terror of ciuill Armes those two fauourites father and sonne were banished they thus reuenging vnder publike pretexts both publike iniuries and their owne 36 In all contentions which hapned betweene the King and his Lords Queene Isabel had euer hitherto beene a maker of Peace doing therein worthy offices but the euill starres of the Earles of Lancaster and Hereford would not suffer her to continue any longer so for the Queene being denied lodging one night at the Castle of Leedes in Kent which belonged to the Lord of Badlesmere one of the Earles faction she withdrew her good conceite and was an author to the King of presently reuenging that dishonour who vpon her complaint came in person with many thousand Souldiers before the Castle tooke the Captaine and put both him and all the men therein to shamefull death Moreouer longing to bee righted against the Lords for their late insolencies marched on to Circester taking many Castles and besieging others The Lords who little suspected any such sodaine assaults prouiding in the meane time for their defence 37 Thither repaired to him at his commandement Hugh Spenser the sonne who had houered vpon the Sea expecting from thence the successe of things vpon the land The Lords who had falne from their Soueraignes good conceit and wanting now their wonted Mediatriâ—… the Queene lay open to all the mischiefe which enemies could work them by the King who as taking his regall power and authority to be in danger resolued wisely and manfully to die in the quarrell or to bring the Lords to be at his commandement Meane time the iudgement giuen against the Spensers was reuersed as erroneous and their reuocation decreed at London by the Arch-bishoppe of Canterburie and his Suffragans 38 The Lords not all of a like temper began to misdoubt and many of them forsooke their Chiefe the Earle of Lancaster and rendred themselues to the King or were apprehended among which were the two Rogers Mortimers who were committed to the Tower of London and others to Wallingford Castle The faction weakened by this defection made head in the North vnder the Earle of Lancaster who now was to sight for his life Thither the King marcheth and with the onely shew of his Armie made the Earle to flie from Burton vpon Trent whose forces in their retreat or flight behaued themselues outragiously 39 But Gods heauie displeasure and the Arme of the Kings power left them not so for at Burrowbrigge Humfrey de Bohun was slaine by a Welshman who thrust him into the body with a Speare from vnder the Bridge and the Earle of Lancaster himselfe with other principall men
accesse was by the French committed to Prison whereat King Henry most iustly conceiued a grudge Paulus Aemilius their owne Story-writer saith that Henry King of England sent honorable Ambassadors to demand in marriage the Lady Katherine daughter vnto the French King which as he saith was neglected with this answere that the King had no leasure to thinke on that businesse whom Franciscus Rosienius doth further inlarge saying the King scornefully smiling answered that France was neither destitute of Dukes nor hee at leasure to thinke of the Proposition and being iealous lâ—…st Burgoigne would match his daughter with Henry sent him a command to the contrary and again at their Conclusion of peace expresly enioyned the said Duke and all other Princes of the bloud not to make any alliance of mariage with England wherby K. Henry was further exasperated against France And lastly by his counsell and conference vpon the Archbishops Oration sent a Summons and demand of the Dutchies of Normandy Aquitaine Guyen Aniou in derision whereof as Caxton recordeth the Dolphin of France sent him a Tunne of Tennis Bals as Bullets most fit for his tender hands who had spent his youth as he thought more among Rackets then regard of his person or matters of State so forward is man to be an Actor in common miseries when the Fates haue made the Subiect of the Scene Tragicall that hee drawes the hand of Destinie sooner to strike and heauier to fal vpon that proiect decreed to bee east downe for by these disdains and vnprincely dealings the Crowne of France was graspt by the English hard hand and that faire soile stained with her Natiues owne bloud for the Present receiued as it was sent had promise to bee repayed with balles of more force whose stroke should bee such as the strongest gates of Paris should not be rackets sufficient to bandy the rebound 26 Grudges thus growne and warres in preparing the French thought it fittest to make Scotland their friend whom they incited to molest the English Marches which accordingly was done and that with such violence as it was a question decideable whether of the Kingdoms was first to be dealt with Westmerland thought it safest to checke the Scots as the neerer and continuall backe-friends But Excester held it better policy to beginne with France the stronger especially now disquieted through the factions of Burgundy and Orleance and vnto this the most voices gaue way whose forwardnes was such that the Clergy granted a Tenth and the temporall Lords their aides to the King as followeth The Earles Northumberland 40 men at Armes 120 Archers a peece Westmerland The Earles Warwicke 20. men at Armes and 40. Archers a peece Stafford The Earle of Suffolke a shippe 20. men at Arms and 40. Archers The Earle of Abergaueny 20. men at Armes and 20. Archers The Lords Louell A shippe 20. men at Armes and 40. Archers a peece Barkley Powis Camois S. Iohn Burrell The Lords Fitzwater Halfe a shippe 20 men at Armes and 40. Archers a peece Darcie Seymour Rosse Willoughbie The Lord Morley 6. men at Armes and 12. Archers The Lords Scales Proffered to attend the King in their persons without entertainement Randolph The whole number thus granted and appointed amounted to of Men at Armes 346 Archers 552 Ships 9½ To put back the Scots Sir Robert Vmfreuile was sent who in a skirmish vpon Mary Magdalens day tooke 360 of them prisoners and with great spoile returned to Rocksborough Castell whereof hee had charge the news whereof K. Charles vnderstanding and the great preparation made against France being better aduised vpon the dangerous euent sent his Ambassadors into England whereof the Archbishoppe of Bourges was principall who at Winchester made offer of money and some other Territories but none of the best with the Princesse Lady Katherine to be giuen in marriage vnto King Henry so that he would dissolue his Armie and conclude a peace To this Oration the Archbishoppe of Canterburie made answere that his King demanded the Dutchies of Aquitaine and Aniou with the other Seigniories anciently appertaining to his Progenitors the Kings of England which as they were his most rightfull and lawfull inheritance so would hee with all possible diligence endeauour if not otherwise by fire sword to recouer which his assertion the King himselfe in presence confirmed 27 But Burges the Archbishoppe presuming more vpon his Prelacy then respectiue vnto whom hee spake with an vnreuerend boldnesse liberty obtained seconded his Ambassage with the termes of an Herauld and with bended browes thus spake to the King Thinkest thou ô King wrongfully to put downe and destroy the most Christian the most renowned and the most excellent King of all Europe both in bloud and preheminence or thinkest thou that our mighty Soueraigne Charles hath offered thee lands summes of money and possessions with his most beautifull daughter either in feare of thee of thy English Nation or of all thy well-willers whomsoeuer I tell thee no but moued in pitty as a louer of peace and to saue the shedding of christian bloud hath made thee these offers his cause being supported by equity and truth God and his good Subiects he trusteth will set a period soone to thy quarrell Wee therefore his Ambassadors demand thy safe conduct to passe out of thy Realme and that thou wilt write thine answere and send it vnder thy seale 28 Henry no whit daunted with his big looks and words answered the Archbishoppe with milder and better set termes My Lord said he I little esteeme of your gallant brauadoes and lesse weigh your imagined power or French bragges I know my owne right to your Region and so doe your selues vnlesse you will deny a most apparant truth the strength of your Master you dayly see but mine as yet you haue not tasted he you say hath many louing subiects and friends and God be thanked I haue both as well affected to mee with which ere long I hope to make the highest crowne in your Country to stoope and the proudest Miter to kneele downe And say to the Vsurper your Master that within this three monethes I will enter France not as into his land but as into mine owne lawfull patrimonie entending to conquer it not with bragging words nor flatteâ—…ing orations but by power and dint of sword through Gods assistance in whom I trust and I assure you I will not speake the word the which I will not write and subscribe nor will I subscribe to that to which I willingly will not set my seale Therefore your safe conduct shall bee dispatched and mine answere in writing deliuered which once receiued you may depart into your Country when I trust sooner to visite you then that you shal haue cause to bid me welcome 29 The Statute enacted the first of his raigne hee now put in execution and commaunded the French out of his land according to that made the
make him King and that the Protectors only lawfull sonne should marry the Dukes daughter and that the Protector should grant him the quiet possession of the Earldome of Hertford which he claimed at his inheritance and could neuer obtaine it in King Edwards time Besides these requests of the Duke the Protector of his owne accord promised him a great quantitie of the Kings treasurie and of his houshold stuffe And when they were thus at a point betwixt themselues they went about to prepare for the Coronation of the yong king as they would haue it seeme And that they might turne both the eyes minds of men frō perceiuing of their drifts otherwhere the Lords were sent for from all parts of the Realme and came flocking vnto the solemnitie But the Protector and Duke after they had sent the Lord Cardinall Arch-bishop of Yorke then L. Chancellor the Bishop of Ely the Lords Stanley Hastings then Lord Chamberlaine with many other Noblemen to conferre and deuise about the Coronation in one place as fast they were in another place contriuing the contrary to make the Protector king to which counsel albeit there were adhibited very few and they very secret yet began here and there some muttering among the people as though all should not long be wel though they neither knew what they feared nor wherefore were it that before such great things mens hearts of a secret instinct of nature misgiue them as the Sea without winde swelleth of himselfe sometime before a tempest or were it that some one man happily somewhat perceiuing filled many men with suspition though hee shewed fewe men what hee knew Howbeit somewhat the dealing it selfe made men to muse on the matter though the counsell were close For by little and little all men withdrewe from the Tower and repaired to Crosbies in Bishopsgate streete where the Protector kept his house in great state So that the Protector had the resort and the King left in a manner desolate And whilest some for their businesse made suite to such as were in office for the King some were secretly by their friends warned that it might happely doe them no good to be too much attendant about the king without the Protectors appointment who then began to remoue many of the Princes old seruants and in their stead to place about him new 41 Thus many things meeting together partly by purpose partly by chance caused at length not onely the common people that moue with the winde but wisemen also and some Lords likewise to marke and muse at the matter insomuch that the Lord Stanley who was after Earle of Darby said to the Lord Hastings that he much misliked these two seuerall counsels For while we quoth he talke of one matter in the one place little wot we whereof they talke in the other place My Lord quoth the Lord Hastings of my life neuer doubt you for while one man is there which is neuer thence neuer can things be moued that should sound amisse against me but it shall be in mine eares ere it be well out of their mouths this ment he by Catesby which was of his neere counsell and whom hee very familiarly vsed and in his most waighty matters put no man in so speciall trust nor no man so much beholden vnto him as Catesby was A man indeed well learned in the Lawes of this Land and by speciall fauour of the Lord Chamberlaine in good authoritie and bare much rule in Leicestershire where the Lord Hastings power chiefly lay But surely great pittie it was that he had not had either more truth or lesse wit For his dissimulation onely kept all that mischiefe vp in whom if the Lord Hastings had not put so special trust the Lord Stanley and hee had departed with diuers other Lords and had broken all the dance for many ill signes that he saw which he now construes all to the best So surely thought he that there could bee no harme towards him intended in that counsell where Catesby was And of truth the Protector and Duke of Buckingham made very good semblance vnto the Lord Hastings whom vndoubtedly the Protector loued well and loth was tohaue lost him but for feare least his life should haue quailed their purpose for which cause hee moued Catesby to proue with some words cast out a farre off whether hee could thinke it possible to winne the L. Chamberlaine to their part But Catesby whether hee assayed him or assayed him not reported vnto them as hee found him so fast and heard him speake so terrible words that hee durst no further breake True it is that the Lord Chamberlaine of very trust shewed vnto Catesby the distrust that others began to haue in the matter therfore Catesby fearing as he affirmed least their motion might with the Lord Hastings diminish his credence whereunto only all the matter leaned hee counselled and procured the Protector hastily to rid him And much the rather for that he trusted by his death to obtaine much of the rule that the Lord Hastings bare in his Countrey the onely desire whereof was the allectiue that induced him to be partner and one speciall contriuer of all this horrible treason 42 Soone after this vpon Friday the thirteenth day of Iune many Lords assembled in the Tower and there sate in counsel deuising the honorable solemnitie of the Kings Coronation of the which the time appointed was so neere that the Pageants and subtilties were in making day and night at Westminster and much victuall killed that afterward was cast away These Lords sitting together communing of this matter the Protector came in amongst them about nine of the clocke saluting them courteously and excusing himselfe that he had beene from them so long saying merrily I haue bin a sleeper this day And after a little talke with them he said to the Bishop of Ely My Lord you haue verie good Strawburies at your Garden in Holborne I pray you let vs haue a messe of them Gladly my Lord said the Bishop would God I had some better thing as ready to pleasure you as that and therewith in all haste hee sent his seruaunt for a messe of Strawburies Whereupon the Protector setting the Lords fast in conference prayed them to spare him for a little while and departed thence But soone after betwixt ten and eleuen hee returned into the counsell Chamber amongst them with a wonderfull sowre and angry countenance knitting the browes frowning and fretting and g◅awing on his lippes sate him downe in his place all the Lords much dismayed sore maruelling of this his suddaine change and what thing should him aile He sitting thus a while began thus to speake What are they worthy to haue that compasse and imagine the destruction of mee being so neere of blood vnto the King and Protector of his royall person and his Realme At which question all the Lords
his Act against Andrew Barton and would abide the last drop of his bloud in the Vant-gard of the field 14 King Iames most readily accepted the offer and by his Herauld Hay sent the Earle word that if he were as then in Edenbrough yet would hee most gladly come to fulfill his desire and withall sent his letters for the iust occasions giuen him to inuade England as hee did The day approached and the Scots keeping the higher ground the Earle marched vpward along the riuer and by two Bridges passed ouer with his hoast making still forward as thogh he ment either to haue taken into Scotland or else to circumuent K. Iames his returne which hee perceiuing hasted downe the hill putting from him his horse raised his roiall Standard and as a most valiant Chiefetaine encouraged his Souldiers to the fight 15 The Scotish Ordinance discharged from aboue ouershot the English with very small dammage and the ground of no difficult ascent gaue them the easier accesse so that Sir Edmund Howard who lead a wing to the Vant-gard whereof his brother the Admirall was Captain got almost to the height against whom the Earles of Lennox and Argile with their Battels of Speares on foot so violently encountred that they beat down and brake the wing of the English wherein many were slaine and the horsemen disbanded and put to flight but presently recalled ioyned themselues againe to the great battell which by this time had attained to the toppe of the hill King Iames that saw this first brunt performed made full account that the day was his owne supposing verily the English had fled and therefore most valiantly he aduanced forward not staying for the reregard to second his battel and encountring the Earles Battalion a bloody fight was performed with the losse and life of many a man but strength neere spent and the Scotish somewhat disioyned through force of a great shore of arrowes falling among them Sir Edward Stanley hauing three bands reserued for the like purpose with a fresh onset inuaded the open sides of the enemy whose force was so violent that the Scots no longer were able to stand but tooke downe the hill vnto flight which the Earles of Lennox and Argile perceiuing did their best to stay them and fighting most valiantly themselues were slain in the same place 16 King Iames then perceiuing the wings of his Battell distressed and gone and that the enemy began to enclose him about with a stout resolution incouraged his men willing thē to regard the person of their King their own honor their valiant Ancestors and now their present imploiments that their blood might bee bought deare to the English and the Scotish valours recorded for euer in the volumes of fame for this their one daies work thereupon rushing among the thickest began a most eager bloody battel and piercing through with a strong hand went so far that he had almost ouerthrown the Earles Standard thus busied in doubtfull chance the Lord Howard and Sir Edward Stanley hauing discomfited the enemy in either wing returned in the face of the maine battell and the Lord Dacres with his Horse-men came vpon their backes so that the Stotish were forced to fight in a round compasse but being ouer-laid the Kings Standard was strucken downe and himselfe most valiantly fighting slaine in the middest of his enemies with whom died three Bishops whereof one was Alexander Archbishop of Saint Andrewes the Kings base sonne two Abbots twelue Earles and seuenteene Lords Kent vnto Black-heath neere vnto Greenewich was there mette and receiued by the Duke of Norfolke many Knights but many more Prelates where in a Tent of Cloth of Gold he shifted himselfe into his Cardinall Roabes which was edged about with most rich Ermine and thence rode to London in more pompe and estate then Christ did to Ierusalem when Hosanna was sung 32 Eight Mules hee had laden with necessaries belonging but those made no shew in proud Wolseis eies therefore twelue more hee sent him to furnish his Pageants through the streets of London these either wanton or ashamed to bee wondred at plaied the skittish Iades indeed For in Cheape-side as this Triumph foorth passed these beasts by breaking their Collers and escaping their Leaders cast their Carriages and Coffers vpon the cold ground whose lids flying open laid most of their riches to the sight of the people For from some of them fell olde Breeches Bootes and broken shooes from others torne stockings tottered ragges olde Iron and horse shooes and for fainting by the way therein was bestowed and now cast abroad broken meate mary-bones rosted egges and crusts of bread ywiffe worth the keeping this Shipwrack made vpon the Shelues of Cheape-side no need it was to bid the muliters to bestirre them who like good thrifty marriners saued from spoile as much as they could and trussing vp their trinkets laded againe these wantons with the wealth of the Cardinal who good man was iogging on afore with his Crosses Pillars Gilt-axe and Mace vnto Pauls Church where hee was mette with many mitred Bishops and attended vpon to Bath place where we will leaue him and returne to the place where wee left 33 The vnity agreed vpon betwixt England and France a meeting was motioned for the two Kings and to that ende great preparation made aswell of the one as of the other But in the heate of this businesse King Henry had word that Charles his Queenes Nephew and new made Emperour would visit him in England which accordingly hee did accompanied with the Queene of Arragon and a most Royall Traine and was as Roiallie entertained by King Henry the cause of his comming was to hinder the peace concluded with France for although this Emperour were young and but newly established yet was hee wise and well foresawe the hurt that this amity with France would bring him and therefore came in person of purpose to disswade the Kings mind and to stay his entrance with the French if he could but finding Henry so forward in those proceeds he baited his hooks with golden gifts to the Cardinall and wanne him wholly to his deuotion 34 King Henry passing the Seas vnto Callis met with King Frances at a place appointed and for that purpose newly built betwixt the Townes of Guisnes and Arde where to describe the Iusts Banquets and Maskes were to fill vp with Hall Grafton and Holinshed whole sides of excessiue great Cost At Callis also the same time the Emperor with his Aunt the Lady Margaret Dutchesse of Sauoy landed whither King Henry and his Queene repaired to the no little grudge of the French King though he kept it to himselfe and consented vnto the ancient league tripertite betwixt these three Monarches which done the Kings returned into their owne Realmes 35 Displeasures shortly arising betwixt the Emperour and the French King King Henry assaied to
of their poore whereunto he gaue fiue hundred Markes yeerely of Lands for euer to maintaine Gods diuine seruice and the said Churches reparations within whose walles we finde this often written This is Christs Church founded by King Henrie the eight 134 And his sicknes inâ—…asing to the great danger of life hee prepared himselfe to make his Wil wherein howsoeuer titles had been vnhabled in Parliaments he ordained his three children to succeede each after others for want of other Issue One thousand markes he commanded to be giuen to the poore and to twelue poore Knights at Winsere each of them twelue pence a day for euer euery yeere a long Gowne of white cloth the Gâ—…ter imbroidered vpon the breast wherein was placed the Crosse of Saint George and a Mantle of red cloth to bee worne thereupon ordâ—…ning for his Executors in the minority of Prince Edward these heere vnder named 1 Thomas Crâ—…er Archbishop of Ganterbury 2 Thomas 〈◊〉 Lord Chancellor 3 William 〈◊〉 Knight of the Order 4 Lord Saint-Iohn Great Master of the Houshold 5 Iohn Russell Lord 〈◊〉 Seale 6 Edward 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of Hertford Lord great Chamberâ—…ine 7 Iohn 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lord high Admiral 8 Cutbert 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 9 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Knight Mr. of the Horse 10 〈◊〉 Pageâ—… Knight of the Order 11 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Chiefe iustice of the Common-pleâ—… 12 Thomas Bromley Lord Chiefe Iustice. 13 Anthony Deny Knight 14 Edward North Knight 15 Edward Wotton Knight 16 Doctor Wotton Deane of Canterbury And for their aide and assistance in Counsell he appointed these following 1 Henry Fitz-Alan Earle of Arundel 2 William Parre Earle of Essex 3 Thomas Cheney Knight Treasurer of the Houshold 4 Iohn Gage Knight CoÌ„troler of the Houshold 5 Anthony Winkefield Knight Vice-Chamberlaine 6 William Peter Knight principall Secretary 7 Richard Rich Knight 8 Iohn Baker Knight 9 Ralph Sadler Knight 10 Thomas Seimer Knight 11 Richard Southwell Knight 12 Edmund Pecham Knight And in great penitency for his sinnes died vpon Thursday the twenty eight day of Ianuary in the yeere of Christ Iesus 1546. when hee had raigned thirty seuen yeere nine moneths and fiue daies had liued fifty fiue yeres fiue months fiue daies whose body with great solemnity was buried at Windsore vnder a most costly and stately Tombe begunne in Copper and guilt but neuer finished in the inclosures of whose Grates is curiously cast this inscription HENRICVS OCTAVUS REX ANGLIAE FRANCIAE DOMINVS HIBERNIAE FIDEI DEFENSOR with what cost and state this his Monument was intended is manifested by a Manuscript taken from the true modell thereof which I receiued from that industrious Herauld Master Nicholas Charles Lancaster and for the great magnificence is worthy heere to be inserted The maner of the Tombe to be made for the Kings Grace at Windsore First the pauement wherevpon the Tombe shall stand shall be of Orientall stone That is to say of Alabaster Porfido Serpentines and other stones of diuers colours as in the patterne sheweth Item vpon the same Pauement shall be two great steps vnder all the worke of like Orientall stones Item the Basement of the Pillers shall be of white Marble with Angelâ—… holding betweene them Crownes or Garlands guilt and white Marble as more plainely sheweth in the Patterne Item aboue the said Basement and Angels shall be all the old Testament that is to say xiiij Images in the xiiij Casements of the same two Pillers of the Prophets and all the Pillers which shall be xvi shall be of stones Serpentine Porfido and Alabaster and other fine Orientall stones of such colours as is shewed in the Patterne and the foote of euery piller and also the head shall be of Brasse And euery Prophet shall haue an Angell sit at his foote with Scripture of the name of his Prophet and aboue ouer the head of the same shall bee the story of his Prophet in euery of which Story shall bee at least viij or xi figures Item aboue all the same Pillers shall bee another Basement of white Marble with a partition being made of such fine Orientall stones as the Pillers bee wherein shall bee written such Scripture as please you Item aboue the same Basement shall be the Story of the new Testament that is to wit with the Images of the Apostles the Euangelists and the foure Doctors of the Church and euery Image shall haue sitting at his foote a little child with a Scripture of the name of his Image and a little Basket full of red and white Roses which they shall shew to take in their hands and cast them downe off the Tombe and ouer the Pauement and the Roses that they shal cast ouer the Tombe shall bee enamelled and guilt and the roses that they cast ouer the Pauements shal be of fine Orientall stones of white and red Item behinde all the same Images of the new Testament round shall be made in brasse and guilt all the life of Iesus Christ from the natiuity to his ascention and it shall be so clearely and perfectly made that the Mystery of Christs life to his ascention shall plainely appeare Item aboue the said new Testament and Images thereof and aboue the said life of Christ shall bee a Quire of xx Angels standing vpon a Basement of white Marble with great Candlestickes in their hands hauing lights in them shewing to honour and reuerence the same Tombe Item all these foresaid figures stories and ornaments shall be made to garnish and ornate the two Pillers of the Church betweene which the Tombe shall be set Item betweene the said two great Pillers of the Church thus garnished shall be a Basement of white Marble of the height of the Basement of the Pillers and therein the Epitaph of the King and Queene with letters of gold of such Scriptures as yee deuise Item vpon the same Basement shall bee made two Tombes of blacke-touch that is to say on either side one and vpon the said Tombes of black Touch shall be made the Image of the King and Queene on both sides not as death but as persons sleeping because to shew that famous Princes leauing behinde them great fame their names neuer doe die and shal lie in roiall Apparels after the antique maner Item ouer the right hand ouer both the sides of the same Tombe shall be an Angell which shall hold the Kings Armes with a great Candlesticke hauing as it were light on it as a Lampe and in like manner shall be an other Angell holding the Queenes Armes on the left hand with a like Candlesticke Item on the right hand and left hand on both the sides ouer the said Images of the King and Queene shall be two Angels shewing to the people the bodies of the King and Queene holding aboue their Heades veiles of gold and the Crownes of the King and Queene on their hands Item betweene the said two Tombes of blacke Touch and the said Angell ouer the King Queene shall stand
C William Wickham Bishoppe of Winchester 0639 08 07 oo  Iuxta Winchester H Henry Beauford Cardinall of Winchester founded it and gaue it lands to the value of 158. l. 13. s. 4. d. And S. Iohn de Fodering bridge an Hoâ—…pital was giueÌ„ to it Two Chaplens 35 Poore Men. 3. Women      Iuxta Southampton Le teley alias Leâ—…o loco S. Edward and M S. Marie Henry the third and Peter de Rupibus Augustine Eriers 0160 02 09 ob o Iuxta Southampton Sancti Dionis P K. Richard the first called Cordâ—…-Lion Anno Dom. 1179. Blacke Canons 0091 09 00 o  Southampton Beatae Mariae Magd. H Confirmed by Pope Alexander Anno Dom. 1179. 0016 16 02 ob o Apple-durwell in the Isle of Wight P Nicholas Spenser and Margerie his wife      〈◊〉 Praeceptoria 0118 16 7 oo  Bello-loco M. King Iohn 0428 06 08 oo o Bromere S. Trinity P S. Mary S. Michael Baldwin Earle of Riuers and Deuonshire Blacke Canons 0200 05 01 ob o Chritwynhâ—…ms si â—…e Christ-church of Twynham P Isabel de Fortibus sometime Countesse of Albemarle and Deuonshire and Lady of the Isle founded it for William de Fortibus Earle of Albemarle and Richard de Redâ—…ers Earle of Deuonshire A. D. 1161. This is placed also in Deuonshire 0544 06 00 oo o Caresbroc in the Isle of Wight S. Mary Magd. P Blacke Monks      Deretford in the Isle of Wight SaÌ„ctae Elizabetha P King Edward the third      Hamâ—…le Saint Andrew P Grey Monks      Hide Saint Peter M Saint Paul S. Grimball First King Alfride after performed by K. Edward Senior and lastly the Monks themselues remoued from the old tempore Henrici primi Blacke Monkes 0865 01 06 ob q Mottisfount Sanctae Trinitatis P Ranulph Flammard Bishoppe of Durham Richard de Riparijs Earle of Deuonshire and William de Bruere tempore Gulielms Rufi Blacke Canons or Augustines of Berton 0167 15 08 ob o Portsmouth A Church and Hospitall Peter de Rupibus 0033 19 05 ob o Quarrer in the Isle of Wight S. Mary Magd. M Baldwine Earle of Deuonshire and Richard his sonne About the time of King Stephen White Monkes 0184 01 10 o o Redford or Redbridge M      Romsey N King Edgar and Earle Alwyn Nunnes 0528 08 10 ob o Southwyke Saint Mary P William Pontlarge siue Pont-le-arch and William Danys Normans Also William de Ponteys a Benefactor Regular Canons 0314 17 10 ob o Tychefeild Saint Marie M Peter de Rupibus Bishop of Winchester 0280 19 10 ob o Whorwell Sanctae Crucis N Saint Peter Queene Aelfrith Blacke Nunnes 0403 12 10 o o Wyntney P 0059 01 00 oo o SaÌ„ctae Elizabethae C 0112 17 04 ob o Sanctae Crucis H Henry Blois brother to King Stephen 0084 04 02 o o HEREFORD-SHIRE Places Dedication Founder and Time Order Value     l s d ob q Hereford S. Mary EpaÌ„ tus S. Ethelbert Milfrid a petty King of the Country Reinelm Bishop tempore Henrici primi Secular Canons      Hereford S. Guthlac F Henry Penbrigge Grey Friers 0121 03 03 ob o Hereford S. Peter S Paul P Iohn Peâ—…brigge Blacke Monkes      Acornebury S. Katherine N VVhite Nunnes 0075 07 05 ob o Barrone Blacke Monks      Clyfford Saint Marie P Blacke Monkes 0065 11 11 oo o Dore. Saint Mary M Robert Lord of Ewiasâ—… White Monkes 0118 00 02 o o Flansford M Richard Talbot Regular Canons 0015 08 09 oo o Kilpeke P      Ledbury S Katherine H Iohn Bishop of Hereford 0022 05 00 oo o Leomenstre Saint Iacob P Mâ—…rewald a King of the Mercians and K. Henry the first Blacke Monks of Râ—…ding      Lymbroke N VVhite Nunnes â—…023 17 08 o  Wiggemore Sancto Iacobo P Blacke Canons      Wormesty P 0083 10 02   Hertford a Cel to S. Albans P Blacke Monkes 0086 14 8   Saint Albans Saint Alban Martyr M Offa King of the Mercians Anno Dâ—… 795. Blacke Monkes 2510 06 01 ob q HERTFORD-SHIRE Places Dedication Founder and Time Order Value     l s. d. ob q. Beluero a Cel to S. Albans Saint Mary S. Ioh. Baptist. P Blacke Monkes 0135 05 10 oo o Bosco neere Flamsteed S. Egidius N Nunnes 0046 16 01 ob o Button Saint Marie P Monkes      Binham in Com. Norff. A Cel to S. Albant P 0160 01 00 oo o Chesthunte N Henr. Rex Angliae Domin us Hibernia Dux Norm Aquitan Comes Anged confirmed Shestrehunt Moniales totam terram Dom. ten cumpertin suis quae Canonicis de Cathale quos amoueri fecimus At Westm. 11. Aug. 24. Regni nostri Nunnes 0027 06 8   Chille N Blacke Nunnes      Chiltree N Blacke Nunnes      Hatfeild Peuerel in Com. Essex A Cell to Saint Albans Saint Mary P Daughter of Ingelrick and wife to Peuerel in K. William the Conquerors time Blacke Monkes of Saint Albans 0083 19 07 o o Hychin F K. Edward the second Iohn Blomnil and Adam Rouse and Iohn Cobham Carmelites or White Friers 0004 09 04   Langley Regis F Robert sonne of Roger Helle Baron Preaching Friers 0150 14 08 o o Langley vidâ—… Leicestershire N Fundator Antecessor vxoris Francisci Bigoâ—… Militis einsdem vxoris Sororum Nunnes      Mersey S. Helen P Alien Roger Fitz-Ranâ—…lph      Mirdiall Saint Mary P Blacke Canons      Monketon in Dioc. S. Dauids A Cel to S. AlbaÌ„s P 0113 02 06 ob q New-bigging infra villam de Huchyn P 0015 01 11 oo o Royston alias Crâ—…x Rohaysiae S. Iohn Baptist S. Thâ—…m Martyr P Eustach de Marc Knight Lord of Nâ—…cels and Radulphus de Rancester and others renued it Canons 0106 03 01 oo o Royston S. Iohn S. Iâ—…mes Apostles H 0005 06 10 oo o Roweney A Free Chappel or Hospitall 0013 10 09 o o Sopewell Saint Mary N The Abbots of Saint Albans Blacke Nunnes 0068 08 00 oo o Thele C William Bishop of London A Master 4 Chaplens      Tynmouth in com Northb. a Cel to S. Albans P Fundator Antecessor Dueis Norfolcia 0511 04 01 ob o Ware P The Progenitors of King Richards mother      Wymondley P Richard Argenten Canons 0037 10 06 ob o HVNTINGDON-SHIRE Places Dedication Founder and Time Order Ualue     l. s. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 q. Huntingdon Saint Mary P Eustachius Loâ—…tot Blacke Canons Augustines 0232 0 00 ob  Huntingdon S. Iohn Baptist H Founded by Dauid Earle of Huntingdon Lord of Connington tempore H. 2. 0006 07
his wife an 13. lastly H. 5. and Edward Duke of Yorke 0419 11 10 ob o Gare. N S. Mary Magd. Blacke Nunnes      Higham-Ferrars C Henry Chicheley Archbishop of Canterbury 0156 02 07 ob o Brackley C The L. Zouchs      Irt elingburgh C Iohn Pool A Dean 6. Clerks 0064 12 10 ob o Iuxa Kingesthorp H Saint Dauid 0024 06 00 oo o Peterborough M Saint Peter Wolpherue fil Regis Restani Etheldredus Ethelwoldi Blacke Monks 1972 07 00 〈◊〉 q Pipewell P Saint Mary William Boteuillei Robert Boteuillei Ranulph Earle of Chester A. H. 2. White Monkes Cistertians 0347 08 00 ob o Rothewell N S. Iohn Baptist. Nunnes 0010 10 04 oo o Sainct-Dauy P Saint Trinity Saint Mary Blacke Canons      Sewesby or Sewardesley N S. Mary Magd Black Nunnes 0018 11 02 oo o Stanford N Nunnes      Sulby M Saint Mary Blacke Monkes 0305 08 05 ob o Towceter C 0019 06 08 oo o Withorpe M Blacke Monkes      H Saint Leonard 0010 00 00 oo o H Saint Iohns 0025 06 02 ob q C Omnium sanctorum 0001 19 04 oo o P S. Michael Blacke Monkes      NOTTINGHAM-SHIRE Places Dedication Founder and Time Order Value     l. s. d. ob q. Nottingham F Sir Reginald Grey of Wilton and I. Shirley Anno Dom. 1276. White Friers      Nottingham F King Henry the third Grey Friers      Nottingham H Iohn Plomtree      Bawtree H 0006 06 08 oo o Bella valla P Iohn Cantelupe and Nicholas de Cantelupe Confirmed by Edward the third Anno 19. Angliae 6. Franciae Carthusians Cistertians 0227 08 00 oo o Bingham C Beatae Mariae 0040 11 00 oo o Blythe P Saint Mary Roger Busly and Foulk de Lisieurs Blacke Monkes 0126 08 02 ob o Blythe H 0008 14 00 o o Brodham P 0016 05 02 oo o Clyston C 0020 02 06 oo o Felley M Our Lady Fundator Antecessor Iohannis Chough Militis Iohn Talbot Earle of Shrewsbury Blacke Monkes 0061 04 08 oo o Lenton P Sanctae Trinitatis William Penerell the base sonne of King William the Conquerour Black Monks Cluniacenses 0417 19 03 oo o In Marisco apud Capell Sancti Thomae Ebor. Cella 0063 06 08 o o Mattersey Fundator Antecessor Edwardi Thirland 0061 17 07 oo o Newsteed or Nono-Loco in Shirwood Our Lady King Henry the second 0219 18 08 ob o Rufford M Dominus Beaumount Antecessor Domini Norreys White Monkes 0254 06 08 oo o Shelford P Ralph Hanselin H. Norris Antecessor 0151 14 01 oo o Southwell C Paulinus the first Archbishop of Yorke 0039 05 06 ob o Thurgarton P Saint Peter Sir Ralph D'eincourt and confirmed per Regem Blacke Canons 0359 15 10 oo  Wallingwells N The Lord Fitz-Hugh Ancester to the L. Dacres Nunnes 00087 11 06 o o Welbeck M Saint Iames. Fundator Antecessor Episcopi Eliensis Tho. de Cukeney or Cokeney Blacke Canons 0298 04 08 oo o Workesope M Saint Mary of Radford William Louetot and the Ancestors of the Earle of Shrewsbury Blacke Canons 0302 06 10 oo o NORTHVMBERLAND Places Dedication Founder and Time Order Ualue     l. s. d. ob q Alba-Launda or Blancheland M Fundator Antecess Comitis Westmorlandia Iohn de Torington a Benefactor K. Iohn confirmed it Anno 16. Cistertians 0044 09 01 ob o Alnewicke or Holne F Iohn Lord Uesey Antecessor Cmitis Northumbria brought this Order first into England A. D. 1240. Carmelites or White Friers 0194 07 00 oo o Barwicke F Sir Iohn Grey Anno Dom. 1270. Carmelites or White Friers      Brekenbourne P William Batram the elder father to Roger Bartram tempore Regis Iohannis 0077 00 00 oo o Frameland Ferne-Eland or Flaneland Cel la. 0012 17 08 oo o Hexham P Fundator Antecessor Archiep. Eboracensis 0138 01 09 oo o Holiscombe N Nuns 0015 10 08 o o Insula-sacra Cella 0060 05 00 oo o Lambley N The Lucies Nunnes      Newcastle F Grey Friers      Newcastle N Nunnes 0037 04 02 oo o Newcastle F King Edward the first Carmelites or White Friers      Newcastle H S. Mary Magd. 0009 11 04 oo o New-Monastery alias New Minster M Fundator Antecessor Domini Dakers 0140 10 04 oo o Ouingham Cella de Hexam 0013 04 08 oo o Tynmouth a Cell to Saint Albans in Hertfordshire N Fundator Antecessor Ducis Norfolcia Nuns 0511 04 02 ob o OXFORD-SHIRE Places Dedication Founder and Time Order Ualue     l. s. d. ob q Oxford Ecclesia Cathedralis King Henry the eight      Oxford P S. Frideswid Frideswida filia Algari Restaurator Ethelredus Rex Dom. Regis Progenitores Nuns afterwards Blacke Canons 0224 04 08 9  Oxford F Richard Cary. Fratres Sanctae Crucis      Oxford F Henricus Rex Friers Minors or Grey Friers      Oxford F K. Edward the second Anno 11. Edwardi 2. Carmelites or White Friers      Oxford F Blacke Friers      Oxford F King Henry the third Augustine Friers      Oxford M S. Mary Osney Rob. the sonne of Niele brother of Rob. D Oily a Norman A. D. 1129. Blacke Canons 0755 18 06 ob  Oxford M Locus Regalis alias Rewley Edmund Earle of Cornwall Monkes Cistertians 0174 03 00 oo o The Colledges in Oxford         Vniuersity Colledge First King Aelfred after William Archdeacon of Durham       Baliol Colledge Iohn Baliol Father of Iohn Baliol King of Scots tempore H. 3.       Merton Colledge Walter Merton B. of Rochester Anno D. 1274.       Exceter Colledge Walter Stapledon Bishop of Excester tempore Edw. 2.       Harts Hall Walter Stapledon Bishop of Excester tempore Edw. 2.       Kings now Oriall Colledge King Edward the second       S. Maries Hall King Edward the second       Queens Colledge Queene Philip wife K. Edward the third       S. Edmunds Hall Edmund Archb. of Canterbury vt creditur       Canterbury now Christs Church Colledge Simon Islip Archbishoppe of Canterbury After Cardinall Wolsey and K. Henry the eight       S. Mary alias New Colledge William Wiccam Bishoppe of Winchester       Gloucester Colledge Benedictine Monkes       Durham now Trinity Colledge Thomas de Hatfeild Bishop
to build their house larger Blacke Friers      Blyburgh P King Henry the first Richard Beluois or Beanuols Bishop of London Blacke Canons 0048 08 09 oo  Brisete P Saint Leonard Blacke Canons      Bungey N Roger Glanuil and Gundreda his Wife Alij the Ancestors of Tho. Brotherton Earle of Norffolke Nunnes 0062 02 0â—… oo o Burshyerd or Brusyed M 0056 02 01 o  Butley P Saint Marie Ralphde Glaâ—…ile Blacke Canons 0318 17 02 ob q Campsey M Beatae Maria Virginis 0182 09 05 oo o Clara or Stoke P Saint Iohn Bapt. Henry Earle of Essex and Isabel his wife Blacke Monkes or Austine Friers      Cnobersburg or Burgh-Castell Fursey a Scotish man Also Sigebertus King of the East Angles      Denston C 0022 08 09 oo q Dodnash M Saint Mary The Ancestors of the Duke of Norffolke 0042 18 08 ob o Dunwich Sedes Episcopalis Foelix the Burgundian that reduced the East-Angles againe vnto the christian faith Anno Domini 630.      S. Edmundsbury M King Canute Blacke Monkes 2336 16 00 oo o Saint Edwards place siâ—… Edwardsstow M Peter Bishoppe of Winchester      Eye M Saint Peter Robert Malet Lord of Eye Blacke Monkes 0184 09 07 ob q Flyxton M 0023 04 01 ob q Heringflete M Saint Olanes Roger the sonne of Osbert Canons Regular 0049 11 07 oo o Hoxon M      Leiston N Saint Mary 1 Ralph Glanuile 2 Sir Robert Ufford White Canons Pramonstratenses 0181 17 01 ob o Letheringham P 0026 18 05 oo o Liteburch P Saint Mary Blacke Canons      Mettingham C Beatae Maria Uirginis Sir Iohn de Norwich Lord of Mettingham 0202 07 05 ob o Rafford M Our Lady Robert Bishop or Earle of Lincolne      Ratisford H Saint Iohn 0053 10 00 oo o Redlingfeild M Saint Mary Manasses de Guies Blacke Nunnes 0081 02 05 ob o Rumbuthe P Saint Michael Blacke Monkes      Snapes P Saint Marie William Martill Alij Domini Regis Progenitor Blacke Monkes Roffienses 0099 01 00 11 ob Stocke C 0324 04 01 ob o Suthbery P Saint Bartholâ—… Simon Sudbiry Archbishoppe of Canterbury and Iohn Chartsey Blacke Monks Westâ—… or Friers Preachers 0122 18 03 o o Sybbeton M Saint Mary William Cheiney or de Caneto Blacke Monkes Cistertians 0250 15 07 ob o Walton P S. Foelicis Blacke Monkes Rochester      Wangsford P Saint Marie Ansered of France Blacke Monkes Cluniacenses 0030 09 05 oo o Wingefeild C 0069 14 05 oo o Woodbridge M Saint Mary 0050 03 05 ob o Wykes Domini Regis Progenitor 0092 12 03 ob o M Saint Bennet      Ykesworth or Ixworth P Gilbert Blund 0280 09 05 oo o SVRREY Places Dedication Founder and Time Order Value     l. s. d. ob q Barmondsey M S. Sauiours Alwyn Childe Citizen of London Ann. D. 1081. Monkes introduced A. D. 1087. Blacke Monks Cluniacenses 0548 02 05 ob q Chartsey M Saint Peter Frithwald a Petty Regent of Surry Anno Dom. 666. 0744 13 06 ob q Guilford F S. Crucis Preaching Friers      Guilford F Backe Friers      Horsham P S. Fidis Mary Saint Paul founded it Alij Robert Fitz-walter and his sonnes      Lingfeild C Reginald Cobham Knight William Croâ—…an Iohn Arderne and Iohn Bayhall 0075 00 00 oo o Marton P Saint Mary King Henry the first An. D. 1117. Blacke Canons 1039 05 03 oo o Newarke vel de Nouo Loco P Saint Mary and S. Thom. Martyr 0258 11 11 ob o Reygate P Sanctae Crucis William Warren first Earle of Surrey and after Iohn Mowbray Augustines 0078 16 08 oo o Shene P King Henry the fifth Carthusian Monks 0962 11 06 oo o Southwarke M Sanctae Mariae Uirginis de Ouerey First by Swethen a noble Dame after by a maiden called Mary and after conuerted to a Colledge of Priests by William Pont-le-Arch Canons first introduced 1016. Blacke Canons 0656 10 00 ob o Southwarke H Saint Thomas Richard Prior of Bermondsey Anno Dom. 1213. 0266 17 11 oo o Tanrigge M 0078 16 10 ob q Wauerley N S. Mary William Gifford Bishop of Winchester White Monkes 0174 08 03 ob o SVSSEX Places Dedication Founder and Time Order Value     l s. d. ob q. Chichester EpaÌ„tus Saint Trinity Radulphus Episcopus primo suo ipsius sumptu deinde munificentia Henrici priâ—… postea Seffridus secundus eius nominis Episcopus tempore Regis Richardi primi Secular Canons      Chicheste M Saint Peter Grey Friers      Chichester F Blacke Friers      Iuxta Chichester H Saint Iacob S. Mary Mag. Leprosi 0004 03 09 oo o Infra Chichester H Saint Mary Pauperes 0011 11 06 ob o Arundel H Saint Trinity Thomas Earle of Arundel Beatrix his wife Elemosinarij 0042 03 08 oo o Arundel P Saint Nicholas Richard Earle of Arundel Blacke Monkes 0168 00 07 ob o Acceseale Saint Peter Blacke Monks      Battell M Saint Martin King William the Conqueror A. D. 1066. Blacke Monkes 0987 00 11 ob q Bidlington H S. Mary Magd. 0001 00 00 oo o Bosenham or Boseham M Diâ—…l a Scotish Monke      Boxgraue Saint Mary Iohn Saint Iohn Alij Robert de la Haye Blacke Monkes Benedictines 0145 10 02 ob o Durfford M S. Iohn Baptist. White Canons Pramonstratenses 0108 13 09 oo o Eastborne P 0047 03 00 oo o Hastings P Saint Trinity Founded by Iohn Pelham Knight when their lands were deuoured by inundation of the Sea Blacke Canons 0057 19 00 o o Lewis P Saint Pancras William de Warren first Earle of Surrey Black Monks Cluniacenses 1091 09 06 oo q Lullmenster N S. Mary Magd. Blacke Nunnes      Michelham P S. Mary Magd. Blacke Canons Aug. 0191 19 03 oo o Occeham P S. Laurence White Canons      Remsted N S. Mary Magd. Blacke Nunnes      Roberts Briggs M Saint Mary Aluredus de Sancto Martino tempore Hen ricisecundi White Monkes Cistertians 0232 09 08 oo o Rupperar N S. Mary Magd. Blacke Nunnes 0039 13 07 oo o Selâ—…ey M sedes Episcopal King Cedwall      Shulbred P 0079 15 06 oo o Southmalling C 0045 12 05 ob q Stenings S. Mary Magd. Secular Canons      Shoreham F King Edward the second and the Lord Mowbray Carmelites or white Friers      Tortyng P S. Mary Magd. Blacke Canons 0101 04 01 oo o Winchelsea F King Edw. 2. Friers Preachers    Â
the crowne As bad his claim as his per on deformed but both made good by flatterers in Parliament Great pitie that so faire stemmes should being forth so bad a branch All promises were not kept as afterward it proued The Lord our God is a consuming fire Deut. 4. 24. A charitable minde in shew but in truth a crafty intent The effect of our English Parliaments The Crowne entailed to king Richard and his heires Prince Edward made heire apparant by Parliament What cannot the Parliament effect where all giue way to the sway of time Eccles. 9. 4. King Richard like vnto Galba a had Subiect but a good Prince King Richard accepteth the Crowne and beginneth his raigne with great applause The new Kings clemency and affability K. Richards dealings double construed The Northerne sent for to the Kings Coronation Iohn Harding Contâ—…er A. D. 1485. States 〈◊〉 by K Richard At Beere or Berry Ex Regist. Oxon. MS. A letter written for the Vniuersity oâ—… O â—…ra in the behalfe of D. Morton * Virgil. Paâ—…e Subiectâ—… c. Salust Dat. Oxâ—…ij in Eccles. S. Mariae Viâ—…g 4. Sexâ—… Bishop Morton committed to the custody of the Duke of Buckinghom The great estate of King Richards coronation Buckingham most richly attired at the kings coronation The order of the Kings proceedings to be crowned Rich. Groston The order of the Queenes proceedings to receiue the crown The King and Queene solemnly annointed and crowned Sir Thâ—… Mooe The time of King Richards raigne full of calamities 〈◊〉 made of the two Princes deathes King Richards progresse towards Glocester Remora a little fish iâ—… reported to haue such strength as it will stay the course of any ship vnder saile The feares of K. Richard King Richard complotteth the death of his Nephewes King Richard his letter to Sir Robert Brakenbury Sir Robert Brakenburies answere vnto Iohn Greene King Richards complaint of Ingratitude Iames Tirrell made the Instrument of murther The parts of Sir Iames Tirrel King Richard consuâ—…red vpon his Nephewes murders sitting on a homely seate Sir Iames ready to fulfil the kings mind in the murther of the Princes The words of Prince Edward when he heard that his â—…ncle should be King The faithfull seruants of the Prince remoued from him Sir Th. Moore Prince Edward and his brother murthered in a featherbed Their bodies were buried vnder a paire of staires The body of the two Princes remoued and buried no man knowes where Hardings continuer The murtherers confesse the deed and maner of their â—…th The report of Sir Tho. Moore The vnconstant state ofmans life Gods iustice and reuenge vpon the murtherers Io. Harding Ruenge of murder repaid The guilty conscience of King Richard Outward enemies arise against King Richard The forward affection of the Duke of Bckingham towards the Duke of Glocester The Duke of Buckingham fals in dislike of king Richard The occasions of the Kings and Dukes falling asunder Buckingham fained himselfe sick not to attend K. Henry The feares of the Duke of Buckingham No such suspition betwixt the King and the Duke as was said to be Sir Thomas Mores opinion of Buckingham The diuers opinions of the King and Dukes falling out The story of Bishop Morton Morton wâ—…d vnto King Edwards side The vnion of Lancaster and Yorke first set 〈◊〉 by Bishop Morton Morton made Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Chancellor and Cardinall His wisedome and experience The deepe polllicy of B. Morton The communication of the Duke and D. Morton Buckingham exciteth the Bishop to reueale his deepest secret It is dangerous to deale in Princes affaires A pretry tale pâ—…hily applied The desire of the Duke to know his meaning Edward â—…ll The Dukes protestation of secrecy The Bishop dealeth plainly with the Duke The dutie of all men towards their natiue countreys The change of state vnder the tyranny of the vsurper Blood cryeth for bloody vengeance The Bishop perswadeth the Duke to take the Crowne vnto himselfe The next dayes conference The Duke discloseth himselfe vnto the Bishop The Protector desired the crowne till the Prince came to the age of 24. yeeres The Protectors words to the Councell Change of State change of manners Why Buckingham fell from the Vsurper Margaret Countesse of Richmund The doubts of the Duke of Buckingham The great and waighty charge of a King Buckinghams resolution concerning the Crown The communication of the Countesse of Richmond with the Duke of Buckingham Henry Earle of Richmond and Ladie Elizabeth must make the vnion With whom and how to begin the intended desigues Reinold Bray the Instrument Bishop Morton escapeth from Brecknocke disguised Lewis a Phiâ—…tian another Instrument Lewis breaketh the intent vnto Queene Elizabeth The meanes to raise the Queens daughter to her right Queene Elizabeth readily receiueth the motion The Queene sendeth to the Countesse The two mothers agreede Vpon the vnion Many drawne into faction against K. Richard Vrswicke sent into Britaine Hugh Conway sent into Britaine Earle Richmund breaketh with the Duke of Dâ—…ine The Duke of Buckingham it sent for by the King The Duke of Buckingham refuseth to come to the Court. Commotions begun King Richards expedition towards 〈◊〉 The Duke prepareth against the King Great matters leâ—…ed that the complices could not 〈◊〉 The Duke of Buckingham â—…peth in sâ—…cres The 〈◊〉 dispersed Many fled into Brâ—…taine to Earle Henry A proclamation for the apprehension of the Duke of Buâ—…kingham Banister betraied his Lord the Duke of Buckingham Buckingham beheaded Banister looseth his reward but findeth punishments A Commotion in Kent King Richard sendeth to the Duke of Britain The Kings brother in law beheaded Earle Henry shipped for England A subtle traine laid for the Earl Earle Henry returneth into Britaine The Lords meet in Britaine The Lords svvear fealty vnto Henry Henry others attainted by Parliament William Collingborne executed for the time K Richard maketh peace with Scotland Iob de la Pole Earle of Lincolne proclaimed heire apparant Offers made to the Duke of Britaine Peter Landose Landose promised to deliuer the Earle Bishop Morton giueth Henry notice of his danger King Charles granteth his safe conduct to Henrie Earle Henry hardly escaped The Duke of Bri taine displeased at Landose The honorable dealings of the Duke of Britaine Iohn Earle of Oxford commeth to Earle Henry Iohn Earle of Oxford in great fauour with Henrie Bishop Fox in great fauor with King Henry The preferments of Bishop Fox Corpus Christi Colledge in Oxford founded by Bishop Fox King Richard intendeth to match with his Neece A subtill deuice Many faire promises intending foule ende Queene Elizabeth brought into 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 King Edwards fiue daughters deliuered to the Tyrant their vncle Queene Elizabeth sendeth for the Marquesse her sonne Queene Anne hindreth the purpose of the King King Richards fained sorrow * Of Canterbury King Richard refraineth his Queenes bed A report giuen foorth that Queene Anne was dead Queene Anne feareth her owne death Her death and buriall place
and the Vnion of the whole Iland to be brought into one intire Monarchie by the rightfull Succession and thrice-happie entrance of our most gracious King IAMES are yeeres fiue hundred thirtie six But of these three last we are to speake hereafter and now returne to finish vp the falling Estate of the Romans Greatnesse 3 Theodosius the sonne of Arcadius beganne his Empire in the yeere of the worlds saluation foure hundred and eight and was gouerned with a speciall protection by the Persian King during his Minoritie vnder the charge of Antigonus an excellent man But now growne to yeeres and some variance happening betwixt him and his Tutor he was left to the dispose of himselfe and his vncle Honorius leauing at his death great troubles vnquenched in the West the mightiest Potentates assaied to make themselues Emperours ouer seuerall Dominions and from the richnesse of the Imperiall Diademe each one sought to plucke a Iewell to beautifie his owne Crowne So the Barbarous Nations out of this one Monarchie began the foundations of many succeeding Kingdomes For in Spaine the Vandals 〈◊〉 and Alanes not contented with their portion therein assigned betooke themselues to Armes The Frankes and Burgundians which had been driuen out of France resolued againe to returne The Gothes that were Lords of Barcelona Narbona and Tolosa did as the rest The Hunnes entred Hungarie Iohn the Tyrant held Rome and in Africa Boniface became a Neuter These stirres mooued Theodosius to nominate Valentinian his kinsman Emperour in the West whose raigne and affaires so farre as they touch Britaine we will follow being the last of the Romane Emperours that held out the succession of our British Monarkes 4 This Valentinian was the sonne of Constantine made Augustus as is said and of Placidia Galla daughter to the first Theodosius Emperour which Lady in the sacking of Rome by Alaricus the Gothe was taken Prisoner and by him giuen in mariage to his neere kinsman Athaulphus who afterwards was King of that Nation and by her sweet demeanour and prudent meanes a Peace was concluded betwixt her Husband and her Brother but with such dislikes to the Gothes that they presently killed him and raised one Wallia for their King who likewise comming to composition with Honorius deliuered Placidia according to Couenants whom the Emperour her Brother bestowed in Mariage vpon Constantine his Generall in regard of his good seruice and Victories by him atchieued 5 Shee with young Valentinian New-made Emperour being sent into Italie selected the best approued Captaines to secure her sonnes Estate whereof Aspar was one that in Rome slew Iohn the Vsurper who had there made himselfe Emperour stamping this his face and stile vpon the currant Money of the State and by his Tyrannies held his fortunes for fiue yeeres continuance Aetius likewise that had beene Gouernour of Spaine was imploied into Gallia where the Frankes and Burgundians vnder the conduct of Clodius their second King sought to establish as shortly they did their Kingdome in that Countrey giuing it the name of France according to their owne by which name they were neuer knowne to Caesar Strabo Pliny Tacitus Mela nor Ptolemie whereby the great blast of their Antiquitie is shewed to be but a puffe of winde 6 At this time the Britaines were againe sore oppressed by the Scots and Picts who hauing notice that the Aides sent by Honorius were returned passed ouer the Water in their Boats at both the ends of the Wall and inuaded the Prouince with such force that they bare downe all before them The Britaine 's in this lamentable plight sent their Ambássadours to Rome with their Garments rent and dust vpon their heads vnto Valentinian the Third bewailing their most miserable Estates and crauing his helpe The Emperour mooued to remorse sent a Regiment of Souldiers into Britaine vnder the Command of Gallio of Rauenna a most valiant man who hauing put backe the Enemie with the assistance of the Ilanders gaue some small comforts to the distressed Britaines But the Burgundians passing the Rhene and threatning to waste Italy Aetius was compelled to recall Gallio with his Legion to secure the Countrey about Paris whilest himselfe with his followed the dangerous Enemie 7 He now ready to depart for France told the Britains that it was not for the Romans to take so long and painefull Iournies neither at that time especially when their own Empire was in danger to be ouer-run Therefore he willed them thenceforth to stand vpon their Guard and to prouide for their owne safeties and to that end in regard of their good seruices done to the Romans he taught them the vse of their Armour and Weapons as also to strengthen their Fortification and Wall of Turfe which now they began to build with firme Stone laid eight foot in thicknesse and twelue foot in height This Wall saith Gildas they drew in a straight line at the publike charges of the State from East to West and from Sea to Sea planting Bulwarkes and raising Turrets with conuenient spaces distant one from another which gaue a faire and farre prospect into the Sea And so the Romans gaue a finall Farewell meaning neuer to returne againe and burying part of their Treasures heere in the Earth whereof much hath beene found and more is still sought left Britaine about the yeere of Christ fiue hundred after the first inuasion thereof made vnder the conduct of Iulius Caesar. 8 This vnfortunate Emperour Valentinian lost not only Britaine but suffred also Africa France and Spaine to be plucked from his Empire and the weaknesse of the Romans power whose strength consisted most in Forraine Aides as Tacitus saith was left vnable to defend it selfe when they had bereft this Prouince of all the Flower and Choice of Men as Gildas in that age complained saying Britaine is despoiled of all her armed men with her militarie forces her Rulers cruell though they were are wasted her Garrisons withdrawn and defense laid open and an exceeding great number of her stout couragious Souldiers taken from her to serue the Romans in their warres With which his sayings the Roman Writers themselues agree and record the Musters and great multitudes of Britaines that haue beene transported by them out of this Iland as when Trebellius Maximus with his British Forces made strong the Faction against Otho in Germanie and then also Honorius Flaccus brought thence eight thousand chosen Souldiers to vphold Vitellius in his cause Clodius Albinus banding against Seuerus the Emperour assuming the Title and stamping the Moneyes of the Imperiall Estate as by this here inserted is to be seene which comming to our hands since his Storie was written we hold it more acceptable to set heere though out of place then to giue it no place at all in this Worke being so worthy an Antiquitie and so much concerning the Britaines vnder whose Banner the Flower of
vengeance from Heauen wanted not to the punishment of this vnfaithfull King for he was plagued for a season with often phrensie of minde and raging fury of an vncleane Spirit but by Laurence Archbishop of Canturbury he was at length conuerted from his Idolatry and incestuous Matrimony and being baptized indeuoured to maintaine the state of the Gospell He married Emme the daughter of Theodebert King of Austrasie now Lorrayne by whom he had issue a Daughter named Enswith who died a Virgin at Fulkestone a Religious House in Kent of her Fathers foundation and two Sonnes whereof Ermenred the elder died before his Father and left issue Dompnena who was married to a Mercian Prince Ermenberg that died a vailed Virgin Ermengith a mention Ethelred and Ethelbert both murthered by their Cosin-german King Egbert His younger Sonne was Ercombert that succeeded him in the Kingdome This Edbald built a Chapell within the Monasterie of Saint Peter and Paul at Canturbury in honour of Mary the blessed Mother of God endowing that Church with sufficient maintenance wherein after the continuance of twentyfoure yeeres raigne he was buried neere to King Ethelbert his Father Anno 640. ERrcombert the Son of Edbald by Emme his Wife succeeded his Father in the Kingdome of Kent in the yeere of grace 641. He was a vertuous religious and Christian King for the Temples of the Heathen Idols he suppressed and commanded the fast of Lent to bee obserued His Wife was Sexburg the daughter of Anna King of the East-Angles by whom he had issue Egbert and Lothair both Kings of Kent after him Ermenhild Wife to Wolfere King of Mercia and Erkengode a professed Nunne in the Monastery of Saint Brigets in France where she died and was interred in the Church of Saint Stephen In his daies the state of the Church growing to a well setled forme of gouernment the Prouince of Kent was diuided into Parishes by Honorius the Archbishop as testifie the Records of Christ-Church in Canturbury This King hauing raigned twenty foure yeeres and odde moneths died in the yeere of our Lord 664. EEgbert the elder Sonne of King Ercombert in the nonage of his yong Nephewes Ethelred and Ethelbert the sonnes of his Vncle Ermenred obtained the Rule of Kent and had not their murther much blemished his peaceable Gouernment hee might well haue held place with the worthiest of those Kings but thirsting after an absolute soueraigntie and fearing lest his owne power should diminish by their growths and rightfull successions he set his mind on that bloudy traiterous and vnnaturall attempt and with the assistance of one Thurne found fit place and opportunitie to worke that diuellish designe casting their bodies into a Riuer that so their Murthers might not be knowne But God saith Malmesbury that searcheth the heart reueiled the act by casting vp their bodies on the shore and to the open view of the next Inhabitants who with great reuerence there buried them and built a small Chapel ouer their Monument whose bones afterwards were remoued and new interred in the Abby of Ramsey in Hantshire The Lady Dompnena their Sister and next Heire to the Crowne that was married to Merwald a Prince of West-Mercia and borne him foure Children founded the Abbey of Minster in Kent Wherein saith Stowe she became the first Abbesse her selfe and Mildrith her daughter succeeded her therein saith Capgraue This King in great quietnesse raigned nine yeeres and died in the yeere of grace 673. in the moneth of Iuly leauing issue Edrik and Wigtred both Kings of Kent succeeding after Lothaire LOthaire the brother of Egbert by strong handobtained the gouernment of Kent For notwithstanding Egbert left issue Edrik and Wigtred as is said yet Lothaire taking the aduantage of their minorities and the example of his brothers intrusions made himselfe King against his as he had done against the Sonnes of Ermenred but did not inioy the same with the like peace as he had done For not onely Ethelred the Mercian warred strongly against him but also Edrik by the assistance of the South-Saxons cōtinually sought to recouer his right whereby the peace of the Kentish was much molested and lastly in a bloudy battell was Lothaire shot thorow with a dart whereof he died vnder his Chirurgeons hand the sixth day of February in the yeere of Christ 685. after hee had raigned eleuen yeeres and seuen moneths The punishment of the Murther committed by his brother Egbert was on him repaied saith Malmsbury who derided and made iests at the laments for young Ethelred and Ethelbert that were by the people held and accounted Martyrs His body was buried with his Predecessors Kings of Kent in the Monastery of S. Peter and Paul in Canturbury Anno 685. EDrik the Sonne of King Egbert hauing slaine his Vncle Lothaire in battell succeeded him in the Kingdome of Kent wherein he sate onely two yeeres and those in continuall warres with his subiects in which ciuill broiles lastly hee was slaine leauing the Kentish Kingdome so torne with dissensions that it became a pray to many Vsurpers and gaue occasion to Ceadwalla the West-Saxon to seeke the annexion thereof to his owne Kingdome who with his brother Mollo entred Kent and with fire and sword made waste where they came To meet these the Kentish assembled and getting the aduantage burned Mollo to death in whose reuenge Ceadwalla persisted and wasted the most part of that Prouince before he departed so that after for six yeeres continuance no King raigned in Kent but the Country lay exposed to the tyrannies of oppressors WIgtred or Withred seuen yeeres after the death of his Brother tooke vpon him the gouernment of Kent which hee purchased with the good opinion that his subiects conceiued and with a great summe of money paid to King Inas for his peace He entred his Kingdome the yeere of Mans Redemption 693. the eleuenth of Nouember and two hundred and fiue yeeres after the death of Hengist the first Saxon. With him raigned one Swebharde as Beda declareth but without mention from whom or vpon what occasion He founded the Priorie of S. Martin at Douer and behaued himselfe worthily both in Warre and Peace his raigne was thirty yeeres thirty three saith Beda and death in Anno 725. leauing issue Edbert Ethelbert and Alrick all three succeeding successiuely in the Kingdome EGbert the first Sonne of Withred succeeded his Father in his Kingdome vertues valours whereby a peaceable gouernment is allotted him by all Writers of these affaires for the continuance of twentie three yeeres without relation of any notable accident peculiar to himselfe and Kingdome besides the appearances of two fearfull Comets in Anno 729. and fourth of his raigne the one arising immediately before the Sunne in the morning and the other shewing his fierie beames presently vpon the Sunnes set both of
studie or vpon pilgrimage we haue seene the same order kept and we know by relation that in Africke Asia Aegypt and Greece nay thorowout all nations and tongues in the world where Christ hath his Church that this our time and order is obserued Shall then these obstinate Picts I meane the Britaines and these remote Ilands in the Ocean Sea and yet not all of them neither fondly contend in tâ—…is point against the whole world But here Colman interrupted him and said I much maruell brother that you terme our doings a fond contention seeing we haue for our warrant so worthy an Apostle as Iohn was who only leaned vpon our Lords brest and whose life and behauiour all the world acknowledgeth to bee most wise and discreet Godforbid said Wilfrid that I should accuse Iohn but yet we know that he kept the decrees of Moses literally and according to the Iewish Lawes and so the rest of the Apostles were constrained in some things to doe for the weakenesse of them who accounted it a great sin to abrogate these rites that God himselfe had instituted and for that cause S. Paul did circumcise Timothie offred bloud-sacrifices in the Temple shaued his head at Corinth with Aqâ—…a and Priscilla vpon which consideration also spake Iames vnto Paul You see brother how many thousand of the Iewes haue receiued the faith and all of these are yet zealous followers of the Law But the light of the Gospell now shining thorow the world it is not lawfull for any Christian to bee circumcised or to offer vp bloudy sacrifices of Beasts Saint Iohn therefore according to the custome of the Law in the fourteenth day of the first moneth at euen began the celebration of Easters Festiuitie regardlesse whether it fell vpon the Sabbath day or any other of the weeke But S. Peter preaching the Gospell in Rome remembring that our Lord arose from his graue the first day after the Sabbath giuing thereby vnto vs certaine assurance of our resurrection obserued the Feast of Easter according to the Commandement of that Law he looked for euen as S. Iohn did that is to say the first Sabbath after the full Moone of the first moneth Neither doth this new obseruation of the Gospell and Apostles practise breake the old Law but rather fulfilleth it for the Law commandeth the Feast of Passeouer to bee kept from the foureteenth day of that moneth to the twentie and one of the same And this hath the Nicene Councell not newly decreed but rather confirmed as the Ecclesiasticall Historie witnesseth that this is the true obseruation of Easter and of all Christians after this account is to bee celebrated and thereupon charged Bishop Colman that hee neither obserued it according to Iohn nor Peter To this the Bishop replied that Aâ—…tholius for his holinesse much commended by the said Ecclesiasticall Historie and Columba a Father of like sanctitie by whom miracles were wrought kept the Feast according as he then did from whose imitation he durst not digresse Your Fathers which you pretend to follow how holy soeuer they bee said Wilfrid and what miracles soeuer they haue wrought yet this I answer that in the day of iudgement many shall say vnto Christ that they haue prophecied cast out Diuels and wrought miracles in his name to whom our Lord will answer I know you not And if your Father Columba yea and our Father if hee be the true seruant of Christ were holy and mightie in miracles yet can hee by no meanes bee preferred to the most blessed Prince of the Apostles vnto whom our Lord said Thou art Peter and vpon this rocke I will build my Church and the gates of hell shall not preuaile against it and to thee will I giue the keyes of the Kingdome of Heauen Thus said the King asked Colman whether our Lord indeede spake thus vnto Peter who answered He did But can you said hee giue euidence of so speciall authoritie granted to your Father Columba The Bishop said No. Then quoth the King doe you both agree confidently that thesewords were principally spoken vnto Peter and that vnto him the keyes of the Kingdome of Heauen were giuen They all answered It is most certaine Whereupon the King concluded this great controuersie and said Then will not I gaine say such a Pâ—…rter as this is but as farre as I know and am able I will couet in all points to obey his ordinante lest perhaps when I come to the Doores of Heauen I finde none to open vnto mee hauing his displeasure which is so cleerely prooued to beare the keyes thereof And with this so simple a collection of King Oswy concluded this long and great contention for the celebration of Easter which heere as borne before the time I haue inserted to continue the narration thereof together to auoid repetition of the same things which I seeke purposely to shunne and so returne againe to King Ethelbert 13 Who now became an instrument himselfe for the conuersions of his Nation the Saxons The first fruits of his intendements were wrought vpon Sebert King of the East-Angles his owne sisters sonne whom not onely hee conuerted to Christianitie but therein assisted him in the building of the Cathedrall Church of S. Paul for Miletus his Bishop as also the Church of S. Peters on the West of London then called Thorny with the assistance of a London Citizen as some haue said and himself at Rochester built the Cathedral Church there which he dedicated to the Apostle S. Andrew 14 This noble King hauing a care for them that should come after brought the Lawes of his Country into their owne mother tongue and left nothing vnattempted that might aduance the glorious Gospell of Christ or with honour adorne his owne temporall raigne and is worthily an example to all succeeding Princes in all true pietie and heroicall parts of a true Christian King He died the foure and twentieth day of Februarie in the yeere of our Lord God six hundred and sixteene being the one and twentieth of his Christianitie the three and twentieth of his Monarchie and the fifty sixth of his Kingdome of Kent and was buried at Canterbury in the Church of S. Peter and Paul afterwards called S. Augustines in the Chapell of S. Martines 15 His first wife was Berta the daughter of Chilperik King of France as we haue said who was the son of King Clotayre the sonne of Clodoue the first Christian King of that Country Shee deceased before the King her husband and was buried in the Church of S. Peter Paul at Canterburie within the Chapell of S. Martines there 16 He had a second wife whose name is not recorded by any Writer being as is thought vnworthy of remembrance because of the vnnaturall contract and mariage of Edbald her husbands sonne a sinne that both Law and Religion doe condemne and lastly by her conuerted husband was forsaken without either
the first and second Kings of the West-Saxons and the third and fourth Monarchs of the Englishmen She was the second Kings wife that was debarred of the title and place of Queene Shee deceased three years before the King her husband in the nineteenth yeare of his raigne being the yeare of Christs Natiuity eight hundred fifty fiue 10 Iudith his second wife was the daughter of Charles the Emperour and King of Fraâ—…e as wee haue said her Mother was Queene 〈◊〉 the daughter of Vodon Earle of Orlâ—…ance She was a Lady of passing beauty and marryed to this King in France and when she came into England was receiued with the title and place of a Queene in abolishment of the peruerse law of the VVest-Saxons made against the Kings VViues as before was touched She was his wife three yeares and suruiued him without any issue His Issue 11 Ethelbald the eldest sonne of King Ethelwolfe and of Lady Osburg his first wife was brought vp in his youth in the exercise of warre and serued vnder his Father in the great victory obtained against the Danes at Ocley in Surrey in the yeare eight hundred fifty one afterwards hee turned his force against his Father and at his returne from Rome practised to defeat him of his Kingdome and was ready to haue giuen him battaile had not his Father parted with him his Dominion 12 Ethelbert the second son of King Ethelwolfe and Lady Osburg his first wife was in the life time of his Father after the decease of his vncle Ethelstan appointed and placed his Successor in his Kingdome ouer the South-Saxons the Kentish and the East-Saxons without any mention or meaning as it seemeth that hee should intermeddle further with any other part of England Notwithstanding after the death of his brother Ethelbald it was generally holden of all men for law equity and reason that he should succeed him in the Monarchy and so he did with the consent of his Brethren and without resistance or contradiction of any other 13 Ethelred the third sonne of King Ethelwolfe and Lady Osburg his first wife had by the disposition of his Father in his last will the one halfe of his Fathers proper inheritance which was all such land as King Egbert his Grandfather had before hee was King and was no part of the Demaines of the Kingdome and this was diuided betwixt him and his brother Elfred as the kingdome was betweene their elder Brethren Ethelbald and Ethelbert with an intent that this Ethelred should succeed his brother Ethelbald in the kingdome of the West-Saxons notwithstanding his brother Ethelbert after the decease of King Ethelbald entred into the other part adioining it to his former kingdome and was king of the whole and after left it entire to this Ethelred who succeeded him in the Monarchy 14 Elfred the fourth sonne of King Ethelwolfe and of Lady Osburg his first wife was borne at Wantage in Barkeshire in the yeare of our Lord God eight hundred forty nine and the thirteenth of his fathers raign Being a child of fiue yeeres old he was sent very honourably attended to the City of Rome where Leo the fourth then Bishoppe confirmed him was his Godfather at the confirmation and annointed him to the expectation of a kingdome growne in yeares hee grew so in discretion magnanimity and fauour of all men that in the successiue raignes of his three elder Brethren he ruled as a Vice-roy or secondary king vnder euery of them and after them at the last succeeded in the English Monarchy 15 Ethelfwith the daughter of King Ethelwolfe and Lady Osburg was maried to Burthred the twentieth King of Mercia which mariage was solemnized at the towne of Chippinham in Wiltshire in the moneth of Aprill and yeare of Christs Natiuity eight hundred thirty fiue and the fifteenth of her fathers raigne but within twenty two years after they were both forced by the Danes to abandon their kingdom and departed into Italy where the King died the same yeare in the English Colledge at Rome shee liued after him fifteene yeares in the habite of a Nâ—…ne at the City of Padâ—…a and there died and was honourably buried in the yeare of our Lord God eight hundred eighty nine which was the eighteenth yeare of her brother King Elfreds raigne 16 Neâ—…te supposed by Iohn Capgraâ—…e the Legend writer to be the sonne of King Ethelwolfe was in his youth brought vp at Glastenbery vnder Dunstan who was afterward Arthbishop of Caâ—…terbury He proued a man of great learning and was one of the first Readers of Diuinity in the Vniuersity of Oxford at the foundation or as some will haue it the restauration thereof by King Elfred hee planted a Monastery in Cornwall whereunto hee vsed for deuotion and studious meditations often to withdraw himselfe which of his abode there was afterward called Neotestoke and when he was dead his body was with great honour enterred in the County of Huntingdon at a place then called Anulfesbery and afterward in regard of his enterment Saint Neotes and now Saint Needes ETHELBALD THE TVVENTIETH KING OF THE VVEST-SAXONS AND THE TWENTIE ONE MONARCH OF THE ENGLISHMEN HIS ACTS AND RAIGNE CHAPTER XXXIII EThelbald the eldest sonne of king Ethelwolfe hauing had part of the kingdome in the life time of his Father after his death entred vpon the whole and was the twentieth King of the West Saxons and the twenty one Monarch of the Englishmen beginning his raigne in the yeere of Christs incarnation eight hundred fiftie seuen 2 His youth he had spent in the exercise of war hauing made proofe of valour in his seruice against the Danes in many battels and likewise attempted though not in so good a cause to haue fought against his owne father Which his assaies as they seemed violent and vnnaturall yet being in the quarrell of the West-Saxons law enacted in preiudice of their Queenes he was both sided and approued as hath been said 3 But howsoeuer vnwilling he was this faire Queene should sit in state by his fathers side yet contrary to all lawes either of God or man hee laid her by his owne and by nuptiall rites brought her to his sinfull and incestuous bed Which act though foule enough some haue made worse in reporting his Wife to be his owne Mother whom King Ethelwolfe kept for his Concubine And surely this his sin was not long vnpunished by the shortnesse of his raigne and life leauing no other memory of his acts besides this foule blot to his faire name 4 His raigne was onely two yeeres and an halfe and death chanced vpon the twentieth day of December the yeere of Christs assuming our flesh eight hundred sixtie His body was first buried at Shâ—…rburne in the County of Dorset where at that time was the Cathedrall Church and Episcopall See but afterwards was remoued and enterred at Salesbury in the County of Wiltshire His Wife 5 Iudith the
thousand men and Harold in Souldier-like exequies borne vnto Waltham in Essex there honourably enterred as we haue said William the Conqueror for so now may wee stile him returned to Hasting and thence set forward with spoile of the Country ouer Thamesis towards London 2 Where Edwine and Morcar the Brethren of the Queen were in working the English that one of them should be King or rather saith Simon of Durham to crowne Edgar Etheling the rightfull heire in such esteeme with the People that he was commonly called Englands Darling vnto whose side most of the Nobles aâ—…ered with the Citizens of London and the Nauall forces to which part also ioined Aldred Archbishop of Yorke though presently he fel off and stuckt to the stronger for the Prelates though secretly affecting the right claime yet terrified with the flashing thunderbolts of the Papall curse durst not goe forward with their purpose so powerful was the Pope euen then to defeat the rightfull heires of kingdomes but refused to side with the Lords whereupon all their designements were suddainely quashed 3 For William hauing wasted through Kent Sussex Surrey Hampshire and Barkshire came vnto Wallingford and crossing there the Thamesis passed through the Counties of Oxford Buckingham and Hertford where staying at Berkhamsted Aldred Archbishop of Yorke Wolstane Bishop of Worcester Walter Bishop of Hereford with the Earles Edâ—… and Morcar yea and Edgar himself yeelded their allegiance vnto the Duke This curse so preuailing farre engaged William to the Pope 4 William intending for London being on his way found the passage stopt vp with multitudes of great trees which by the policy of Frethericke Abbot of S. Albanes a man descended from the Saxons noble bloud as likewise from Canutus the Dane to secure his Monasterie from the destruction of the Normans were so cut downe whereat the Duke both wondring and fretting sent for the Abbot vnder his assurance of safe returne and demanding the cause why his woods were so cut Frethericke answered very stoutly I haue done said he the duety both of my birth and profession and if others of my ranke had performed the like as they well might and ought it had not beene in thy power to haue pierced the land thus farre 5 Wâ—…lliam hearing the bold answere of this Prelate and knowing it was now a time fitter to pacifie then exulcerate the English spirits gaue way to the present necessity and withall hastned as good policy required his coronation which at Westminster was solemnized vpon Monday being the day of Christs Natiuity and yeere of saluation 1066. where he receiued the crowne at the hands of Aldred Archbishop of Yorke causing the Bishops and Barons to take the oath of allegiance vnto him and himselfe likewise at the altar of S. Peters tooke a solemne oath to defend the rights of the Church to establish good lawes and to see iustice vprightly administred as became a good King and thereupon chose for his counsell such men as he knew to bee of great wisedome and experience next applying his thoughts for the security of his new gotten Empire fortified such places as lay open to danger bestowed strong Garrisons vpon the coasts ships to ride in those Harbours which were most exposed to inuasion 6 And the better to assure the south of the land best seruing his purpose if any new troubles should arise hee tooke his way towards Douer the locke and key of the Kingdome as Mathew Paris terms it that so hee might commaund the seas from his enemies arriuage and ouer-awe the Kentish a most strong and populous Prouince When Stigand therfore Archbishop of Canterbury and Eglesine the Politicke Abbot of Saint Augustines being the chiefest Lords and Gouernours of Kent vnderstoode of his approch they assembled the Commons at Canterbury laying forth the perils of the Prouince the miseries of their neighbours the pride of the Normans and the wronges of the Church all which now were too apparantly seene the English till then they sayd were borne free and the name of bond-men not heard of among them but now seruitude only attend vs if wee yeeld sayd they to the insolency of this griping enemy These two Prelates therefore after the example of the vndaunted Machabees offered themselues to die in the defence of their Country whose forwardnesse drew the people vnto the like resolution which by their aduertisements were assigned to meet at a day the place was Swanscombe two miles west from Graues end 7 Where accordingly conuening and keeping secret in the woods they waited the comming of the Conquerour all iointly agreeing for that no way lay open saue onely a front to carry in their hands great branches of trees wherewith they might both keepe themselues from discouery and if need were impeach the passage of the Normans which deuice tooke so strange an effect that it daunted the Duke euen with the sight at his approch who being as he thought free from the enemy was now suddainly beset on all sides with woods whereof seeing some before him to moue he knew not but that all the other vast woods were of like nature neither had hee leasure to auoide the danger The Kentish inclosing his Army about displaied their banners cast downe their boughes and with bowes bent prepared for battle so that hee which euen now had the Realme to his seeming in his fist stood in despaire of his owne life of which his sodaine amazement the reuerend Prelates Stigand and Eglesine taking notice also aduantage presented themselues before him and in the behalfe of the Kentish thus spake 8 Most noble Duke behold here the Commons of Kent are comeforth to meete and receiue you as their Soueraigne requiring your Peace their own free condition of estate and their ancient lawes formerly vsed if these be denied they are here presently to abide the veraite of battaile fully resolued rather to die then to depart with their lawes or to liue seruile in bondage which name and nature is and euer shall be strange vnto vs and not to be endured The Conquerour driuen into this strait and loath to hazard all on so nice a point their demaunds being not vnreasonable more wisely then willinglie granted their desires and pledges on both parts giuen for performance Kent yeeldeth her Earledome and Castle of Douer to their new King William 9 All things established for Englands securitie and subiection now to the Normans hee ordained his halfe brother by the surer side Odo Bishop of of Bayeux whom he created Earle of Kent and his cosen William-Fitz-Osburne by him made Earle of Hereford to bee Gouernours in his absence ouer the Realme and in the Lent following sailed into Normandy leading with him many pledges for their fidelity besides other Nobles especially such as he feared to be too potent amongst whom Stigand the Archbishop of Canterbury the two great Earles
dismembring others some of their hands some of their eies and some of their feete Egelwine Bishop of Durham hee imprisoned first at Abington then at VVestminster whose diet was either so sparing or stomack so great in forbearance or both for both are reported that ere long he died of hunger 30 Howsoeuer the Monkes of Ely kept their promise with William for betraying of the I le he contrariwise brake his for their preseruation and peace for by no means their praiers would enter his eares tâ—…l the sound of seuen hundred markes had opened the way to collect which they were forced to fâ—…ll both the iewels and ornaments of their Church which being brought to his receiuers there wanted whether by error or deceit a groat in weight form those daies greater summes passed by weight not by tale whereof when the King vnderstood hee in greate but captious rage denied them all composition for peace whereupon with much suite he was entreated to accept of a thousand Markes more to raise which they disfurnished their Monastery euen of things of necessary vse 31 But the English Fugitiues who had gotten the Scots to stick to them were not yet pacified but entring into Cumberland they wasted the Country before them vnto the Territories of Saint Cuthbert city of Durham to meet whom King Wiâ—…am sent Gospatrick who lately reconciled to his fauour and created Earle of Northumberland shewed the like measure of cruelty vpon the Scotish Abetters 〈◊〉 they had done against the English The Conqueror therefore not a little moued against King Malcolme for that his Country was a receptacle of his Rebellious Subiects and himselfe now the cheife Leader of the Male-contents into his Kingdome hasted into Scotland with a desire and purpose to haue done much more then hee was able to accomplish for entring Galloway hee more wearied his Souldiers in passing the Marish grounds and mountaines then with encounter or pursuite of the Enemy so that hee was forced to giue ouer his enterprize and then drew his forces towards Lothiam where King Malcolme and his English late being fully resolued there to end by battaile either his troubles or his life 32 But Malcolme wisely considering the euent of warre and that the occasion thereof was not for his own subiects but for a sort of forraine fugitiues beganne to thinke that the wrongs therein done to another hee could hardly brooke himselfe and sent therefore to William proffers of peace whereunto lastly the English King inclined and hostages deliuered vpon further Conferences what time as I take it vpon Stane-more not far from an homely hostilerie called the Spittle a Stone-Crosse on the one side of whose shaft stood the picture and armes of the King of England and on the other the Image armes of the King and Kingdome of Scotland vpon that occasion called the Roi-crosse was erected to shew the Limits of either kingdome some ruines of which Metre-marke are yet appearing for King William granting Cumberland vnto Malcolme to hold the same from him conditionally that the Scots should not attempt any thing preiudiciall to the Crowne of England for which King Malcolme did him homage saith Hector Boetius the Scotish writer and the English being reconciled to his fauour after hee had built the Castle of Durham returned as cleared from all Northren troubles 33 But his Norman Dukedome stirred somwhat vnto rebellion called King William into those parts where by the prowesse of the English hee soone brought all things to peace and returned for England better conceiting of that Nation especially of Edgar Etheling whom he courteously receiued and honorably maintained in â—…is Court allowing him a pound waight of Siluâ—… euery day to spend a rare example of a victorious Conquerour shewed vpon a man so vnconstant who twice had broken his oath of fidelity and dangerous to be so neere vnto his person being as he was a Competitor of his Crowne 34 Whiles the King was in Normandy Ralph de Ware Earle of Suffolke and Norfolke tooke to wife Emma the daughter of William Fitz-Osberne and sister to Roger Earle of Hereford cosen to King William and that without his consent by whose affinity he conceiued no small pride and euen on the wedding day when wine had well intoxicated the braine with a long circumstance perswaded his Guests vnto a Rebellion vnto whom yeelded â—…oger Earle of Hereford his Brides brother and Waltheof Earle of North-hampton with many other Barons Abbats and Bishops But the next morning when Earle Waltheof had consulted with his Pillow and awaked his wits to perceiue the danger whereunto he was drawne repaired straightwaies to Archbishop Lanfranke who was left Gouernour of the Land in King Williams absence reuealing vnto him their Conference and Treasons intended by whose aduice he went ouer into Normandie and there with submissiue repentance shewed the King what these Lords and himselfe had intended 35 The Earles therefore of Norfolke and Hereford whose state now lay open to chaunce as desperate men tooke themselues to Arms sought how to vnite their two powers into one This sudden sound of warre soone roused the Subiects so that Wolstane Bishop of VVorcester and Egelwine Abbat of Euesham hauing called to their aide Walter Lacie and Vrse the Sheriffe of Worcester so manfully withstood Earle Roger that he with his Army could not passe ouer Seuerne to joine with his brother Norfolke And he againe was so sore laide at by Odo Bishop of Bayeux and Geffrey Bishop of Constance who had assembled a mighty Army both of English and Normans that they constrained him first to Norwich where in the Castle he bestowed his Countesse and thence fled himselfe into Little Britaine whither shortly shee followed 36 William now returned from Normandy and some reliques of Rebellion remaining in the West he hasted thitherward where with small adoe hee got Earle Roger into his hands and condemned him to perpetuall prison the Welsh his Aiders of whom also were many at the said Marriage he vsed with great seuerity for of some he put out the eies of others he cut off the hands hanged some vpon gibbets and he that scaped best went into banishment neither Earle Waltheof notwithstanding hee reuealed the conspiracie escaped vnpunished for after that the King had taxed him with ingratitude he hauing formerly restored the Earledome vnto him he caused his head to be chopt off at Winchester although he had before promised his pardon and life his great possessions be ing his greatest Enemies for he is reported to haue been Earle of Northampton Northumberland and Huntington thought by the King to be fitter dignities for the Normans his followers and the desire of a new Marriage moued Iudith his wife not a little to set forward and hasten his death 37 These beginnings against the Welsh King William prosecuted farther entering into Wales with
had laine for a while as raked vp vnder cold ashes For the next yeere following and twentieth of his raigne Lewes came into Normandy as hote in rage to do somwhat as before he departed thence calme and cold where forthwith he began to molest the Country which K. Henry for a while suffered till his friends noted him of cowardize to whom he replied that he had learned of his Father to break the foole hardines of the French by patience rather then by force that they should not wonder if he were loath to bee prodigall of their bloud whom he found so fast friends vnto him that he would not gladly winne a Kingdome with their deathes whose liues hee still found deuoted to all hazards for his cause that hee vsed this backwardnesse onely to stay them whom he saw so forward to testifie their zeale voluntarily euen with their blood which to proceed from prouidence and not from dastardlinesse they should soone perceiue This accordingly hee made good and a pitched field was fought betwixt the Kings of England and France whereof let vs heare the Monke Paris report The French King saith hee hauing ordered his Armie into two Battalions in the former of them placed William the sonne of Duke Robert the brother of King Henry the other Lewes himselfe led consisting of his speciall and chiefest Souldiers King Henry also disposed his forces into three Battailes the first consisting of his Peeres and men of Normandy In the second him selfe kept among his owne guard and dailie attendants and in the third he marshalled his sonnes with the maine strength of the Footemen The Armies thus ordered the troupes on both sides gaue assault whereof the first Battalion of the French brake through the rankes of the Norman Nobles ouerthrowing their Hoâ—…e-men and forcing them to seatter in which violence they likewise brake into King Henries battaile and put it much out of order but he taking courage and comforting his men beganne a most bloody and bold constâ—…t wherein himselfe was twice strooke vpon the head by William Crispin County of Eureux whom for his offences Henry had before banished whose sword and strokes were so sure and so heauie that albeit the Kings helmet was impeâ—…etrable yet withfine force was it beaten stat to his head insomuch that the bloud came forth in abundance but Henry feeling himselfe to bee wounded gathered with his rage more strength and stroke the said Countyia such sort that at one blow he ouerthrew both him and his horse and tooke him prisoner by which example his Souldiers were led to fight like Iyons and the French to betake themselues vnto flight In this battaile died many thousands and among them Baldwine Earle of Flanders King Henry returning victorious was receiued triumphantly into Roan 39 Foulke Earle of Aniou hauing lost Baldwine his martiall Companion and seeing it was bootles to bandy against the Beanclarke fell to an agreement with him which was confirmed by giuing his daughter vnto his sonne Prince William now seauenteene yeerts old whom Henry made inheritor of all his Kingdomes whereupon both France and Flanders became his reconciled friends and William did homage to King Lewes for his Dutchie of Normandy These things thus ordered King Henrie vpon the twentie fift of Nouember loosed from land at Barfluit and prosperously arriued in England 40 Prince William who now wanted but onely the name of a King commanded another shippe to bee prepared for himselfe his Brethren and Sisters with many other Nobles and Gallants Courtiers both of England and Normandy who plying the Mariners with pots and wine therein being instruments of their owne calamity approaching made them bragge to out-saile the Kings ship gone before and in the night putting forth from land with a mery gale made way ouer the dancing waues as swift as an arrow but as if the Heauens would haue King Henries too great felicities allaid and tempered with sense of Courtly variety in the middest of their iollity and singing alas they sang their last and little thought on death for suddainely the shippe dashed against a Rocke not very farre from the Shoare at which fearefull disaster a hideous cry arose all of them shifting and yet through amazednesse not knowing how to shift to saue themselues from the danger For God repaying the reward for sinne suffered not those vnnaturall wantons for such were many of them saith Paris to haue Christian Buriall but were so swallowed vp of the Sea when her waues were most calme Prince William got speedily into the Cocke-boate and might well haue escaped had he not pittied his sister the Countesse of Perche crying vnto him for helpe when turning the boat to her aid so many striued to get in euery man in such a case esteeming his life as much as a Prince that with their weight it presently suncke and of so princely a Traine no one escaped to relate that dolefull tragedie saue onely a base fellow a Butcher some say who swamme all the night vpon the Maine-maste and got shoare in the morning with much danger of life 41 This was the most vnfortunate Shipwracke that euer hapned in our Seas bringing an inconceiuable heauinesse to the King and whole State for therein perished Prince William Duke of Normandy the ioy of his Father and hope of his Nation Richard his base Brother his Sister Maud Countesse of Perch Richard Earle of Chester with his wife Lady Lucy the Kings Niece by his Sister Adela Otwell the Earles Brother the yong Dukes Gouernour diuers of the Kings chiefe Officers and most of the Princes Geffrey Riddle Robert Manduit William Bigod Geffrey Arch-deacon of Hereford Walter de Crucie and many other of prime note and esteeme to the number of one hundred and sixty persons none of their bodies being found though great search was made for them 42 King Henry thus at once depriued of all his lawfull Posterity onely Maude the Empresse excepted vpon the tenth of April and two and twentieth yeere of his Raigne married his second wife Adelâ—…a a Lady of surpassing beauty the daughter of Geffrey first Duke of Louain in hope though it proued otherwise to haue repaired his late losses by issue of her whose Coronation was appointed to be celebrated by Roger Bishop of Sarisbury the infirmity of Palsey so troubling Ralphe Arch-bishop of Canterbury that himselfe could not performe it yet because Roger was not appointed by him he forbad his imploiment and the King wearing his Crowne saith the Monke of Chester this testy old man could hardly bee entreated by the Lords to with-hold his hands from striking the same from the Kings head of such Spirites then were those spirituall Prelates and iealousie to loose their pompous preheminence of honour but his high top was somewhat born down by the boisterous blasts of Pope Calixt from whose holy hand Thurstan Arch-bishop of Yorke contrary
him for Normandy Aquitane Angiou Main and Tourain which partly were his patrimony and partly the inheritance of Elianor his wife 6 His domesticke enemies being subdued or appeased hee put his brother Geffrey by force to a pension the summe whereof if it be any thing to the purpose to know was 1000. l. English and 2000. l. Aniou by yeere wringing out of his possession all such territories as by their Fathers last Will and Testament were bequeathed to him in France But Geffrey did not long enioy the said annuity or his brothers friendship for in the third yeare death brought a discharge and Henry was disburdened of those paiments For his violence in taking away those lands King Henry might alledge he was eldest brother but that allegation might bee auoided with his owne consent which once hee gaue but the great Elixar called Reason of State though falsly so called vnlesse it bee seasoned with Iustice and Religion hath so transmutatiue a faculty as to make Copper seeme Gold right wrong and wrong right yea when all Pleas faile it will stand for good while there are forces to support it 7 This accord between the two brethren being thus howsoeuer established the King repaires into England and at Chester enters amity with Malcolme King of Scots on such termes as his Grandfather had done yet Saluis omnibus dignitatibus suis sauing to himselfe all his dignities and the said Malcolme restored to Henry the City of Karleol Newcastle vpon Tyne c. and Henry restored to him the Earledome of Huntington in England And so iustly dreadfull did the growing puissance of this young Monarch appeare to his greatest enemies that Hugh Bigod Earle of Norfolke who had potent means to doe mischiefe rendred his Castle to bee at his disposall 8 The Welsh notwithstanding forsooke not themselues but did some memorable matters vnder conduct of the valiant Prince Owen against the English in defence of North-Wales and their Countries liberty to the losse of the English and extreame danger of the Kings owne person whose Standard roiall was cowardly abandoned and the King reported to be slaine for which Henrie de Essex the Kings Standard-Bearer at that conflict was afterward accused by Robert de Montford his neere Kinsman and in single battaile within lists was vanquished at Reading where the said Henry de Essex was shorne a Monke and died Mathew Paris relates the whole voiage of King Henry summarily thus That Henry prepared a very great Army against the Welsh with full purpose to ouercom them both by land and sea that hee cut vp the woods and forrests and laid open a way that hee recouered the Castle of Ruthlan and other fortresses taken from his Ancestors that hee repaired the Castle of Basingwerke and that hauing brought the Welsh to his will hee returned with triumph into England 9 After this himselfe and his wife Queene Elienor beeing openly crowned vpon Christmas day some say Easter day at the Citie of Worcester they both at the Offertorie laid their Diademes vpon the high Altar vowing neuer to weare them after this beeing now the third time in which at three seuerall places Westminster Lincolne and Worcester he had beene crowned This deuout act of his did flow perhaps out of some such speculation as that of Canutus who thought none truly worthy the name of King but God alone or that vpon which Godfrey of Buillion refused to weare a crowne of gold in Hierusalem where our Lord and Sauiour had beene crowned with thornes For this King had at times the pangs and symptoms of mortification and piety and did heerein acknowledge the onely giuer and taker-away of kingdoms God-almighty putting himselfe and Realme vnder the protection of that Maiestie of whom hee held paramount and professing as it were that from thencefoorth hee would direct his actions to the glorie of his omnipotent Master which is indeede the only finall cause of all true monarchie 10 Not long after hauing established his affaires in England hee crost the Seas into Normandie where successiuely sundrie matters of importance fell out as the seisure of the City of Nants in Britaine after his brother Geffreis death his iourney to Paris beeing inuited thither by Lewis and his wife the Queene the vnprofitable siege of Tholouze laid by King Henrie where Malcolme King of Scots was in companie with him the vnripe marriage of his sonne Henrie to Margaret the French Kings daughter whom Thomas Becket then Lord Chancellor had formerlie conducted with verie great State from Paris by consent of parents for that purpose the offence taken at those spousals by Lewis for that the children were but infants and that himselfe was a looser thereby the warre heereupon attempted by Lewis fortifying Chaâ—…mount which the French hauing quit the Field by flight King Henrie recouered with aduantage the Armies of both these great Kings being afterward at point as it were to ioine dispersed vpon reconciliation of the two Kings by reason of a marriage concluded vpon betweene Richard King Henries second son and Alice the French Kings daughter All which and some other not drawing with them any extraordinarie sequell nor offording much matter for ciuill document must not preponderate the handling of things more rare and considerable 11 For after these accidents beganne the famous controuersies betweene the King and his Arch-bishop Becket a man of an inuincible stomack and resolution in his life and after death reputed by some for a great Saint or Martyr as is likewise noted of Henrie that he was the most politike martiall rich and honoured Prince of all his time This Prelate by birth a Londoner though his mother a Sarazen say some by profession a Ciuilian was by Theobald Arch-bishop of Canterburie both made his Arch-deacon and also placed about the person of Duke Henrie who beeing now King aduanced him in the verie first yeere of his raigne to bee Lord Chancellor of England in which high honor he carried himselfe like another King and afterward vpon the death of Theobald though the Monks obiected against Becket that neither a Courtier nor a Souldier as hee had beene both were fit to succeede in so high and sacred a function yet the King gaue him that Arch-bishopricke partly in reward and partly in further hope of his ready and faithfull seruice Which to be true a Legender of his Miracles can best relate Nonnullis tamen c. Many saith hee iudged his promotion not Canonicall because it was procured more by the importunity of the King then by the voices of Clergie or People and it was noted as presumption and indiscretion in him to take vpon him to guide the Sterne who was scarce fit to handle an Oare and that beeing skild onely in worldly affaires hee did not tremble to ascend vnto that sacred top of so great dignitie Whereto agreeth the reports of two
the same estate as in which King Richard found it 40 But the King of England though hee had very far excelled all the Christian Princes in great exploites at that iourney because* he had neither conquered Salaadine nor Ierusalem did mourne and parted pensiue In the holy-land hee left Henry Earle of Champaine who vpon taking the said Baruck was to haue beene crowned King of Ierusalem which Guido had resigned and hee left Guydo de Lusignian the late King of Ierusalem in Cyprus to whom hee had passed it in exchange for the other to aduance his Kinseman the said Earle of Champain which vpon that Title the familie of Lusinian for many descents after did possesse and enioy Thus Richard hauing ordered his affairs in the East parts sets saile homeward The Queenes Berengaria his wife and Ioan his sister with the Captiue Lady Daughter of the Cypriot Emperour vnder the conduct of Stephen de Turnham hearing of the Kings most heauie fortune soiourned at Rome about sixe moneths for feare of Richards enemies afterward came safe by Marsilia in Poictou 41 God whose cause was onely pretended in this voyage of the Christians did not seeme to approue the said truce for hee scattered the English with a terrible tempest and the opportunity of Conquest was so lost that hitherto it could neuer bee regained and the King of England letting it slippe when God had almost put the same into his hands did miserably fall into his enemies hands Certainelie the name of Richard was at that time growne terrible to Saladine who had receiued diuerslosses foiles and ouerthrowes at his haudes Moreouer the Saladines whole estate being endangered by such of his own sect as reputed him a meer vsurper hee could not long withstand the double impression of the Christian Cheualrie and of his owne Allies and Countrimen as indeed not long after* he died leauing his Empire fowly but iustly distracted by ciuill confusions whereas by this Truce the crafty Turke made the world see that the powers of two so potent Monarkes had in a manner effected nothing Richard could neuer haue time to return for accōplishment of his designs for which all Christendome hath at this howre reason to bee sorrowfull and hereofhimselfe* was very sensible so that hee would oftentimes crie out that hee was not alwayes wise alluding to this occasion lost 42 But the noble King hoping to pierce with speed through Germanie in disguise tooke to him the name of Hugo a Merchant the haire of his head and beard growne very long being the fitter to conceale him but in his iourney ouer land was neere to Vienna vnhappily discouered by the profusenesse of his expenses when hee saw he could not escape them in contempt of his fortunes he put on roiall garments and refused to yeeld but onely to the Duke himselfe who came with ioy as to a prey which he sore longed for but the rascall multitude cried things worthy of themselues calling him O barbarisme Traitour and some saying stone-him some cut off his head others hang him and because the inhumanity of this vsage may be suited with rimes as rude and ragged you shall in such heare the cause of this Arch-dukes malice growing first at Accon where the Author speaking of King Richard saith He gate it soone with his great Ordinance And on the walles his Banners full high set The Kings Armes he set vp also of France And King Guyes Armes of Ierusalem well bet The Duke of Oistrich Limpold without let Set vp his Armes after aboue them all Which King Richard did cast downe from the wall 43 And though it is certaine that this Author faines not this fact for that some such matter and told by * some with more disaduantage to Richards cause is by others related yet the grauest Authors agree that next to the common enuie at his vertues the greatest pretence was the murther of the Marquesse Conrad committed at Tyre by two cursed Assasines a* certaine sect in the East liuing vnder a Senior or Ruler whom they honor as a Prophet by whom they are sent forth to murther such Princes as fauor them not promising themselues the reward of immortality by obeying him in all things though with the losse of their owne liues Of which barbarous fact Henrie the Emperour and Leopold the Arch-duke whose neer kinsman Conrad was would seeme to beleeue that Richard was the Author though therin they toucht his princely reputation and integrity * most iniuriously for that the chiefe of that sect by their owne publike * letters written with the bloud of the shel-fish called Murex wherewith Scarlet vsed to be dyed acknowledging the fact declared the true cause thereof which was a particular Act of iniustice in Conrad himselfe There wanted not sundry other pretences as in such cases is vsuall as * that Richard had entred league with Tancred King of Sicilia the Emperours enemy and that hee had thrust the Cypriot their kinsman out of the Empire and kept his onely daughter Captiue But this booty being too great for a Duke the Emperour got into his custody meaning to coine much gold and siluer out of his most vniust affliction by sharpe imprisonment which could not make him in any act or speech or gesture of his shew beneath the Maiestie of a victorious Prince and King of England 44 The dismall newes thereof flying through the world presently disclosed who were sound or vnsure sorrow and dismay was euery where among his owne His carefull mother and other his fast friends sweare the realme to be true to King Richard watch the coasts and prouide for the security of the State with singular vigilancie assuring the Cities good Townes with Bulwarkes Walles and Munition On the contrary Earle Iohn being by the cunning inueigling and suggestions of his brothers professed foes not onely put out of all hope of his releasement but also incensed against him for intending the Crowne to his Nephew Arthur entred into an vnbrotherly attempt against his Soueraigne Lord the summe whereof take in the words of Thomas Walsingham who saith that Iohn with promises allured many to him through the whole Kingdom did carefully and speedily fortifie his holds in England and passing the seas entred into league with the King of the French that he might vtterly put his Nephew Arthur Duke of Britaine from that hope which the Britaines had conceiued of his promotion The Normans giuing any way to his disloiall practises hee swears fealty to Philip King of France his brothers most mortall enemie and also that he would take to wife the Lady Alice King Philips sister though polluted by his owne Father and for that cause reiected by King Richard Out of Normandy he posts into England sollicites Peeres and people and was loyally resisted but hee not quieted so labors to stirre the Scot and Welsh to
ioine in an inuasion with him the French and Flemings assuring them that his Brother King Richard would neuer be set at liberty but William King of Scots would neither giue assent nor countenance to such vndutiful practises or rather madnesses 45 In this most perilous time the valour and loyalty of the City of Roan the choisest of Normandy did most clearely shew themselues to the euerlasting commendation thereof for Philip comming before it with a puissant Army solicited thē to reuolt promising mountaines In stead of answere they set open the gates telling him that hee might enter if he would for no man hindred him but the vaine-glorious King being better aduised for the inhabitants yea the damsels of the City whose heads were polde like as mens powred molten pitch and such like matter vpon the besiegers retreated from the walles and marcht away confounded and being certainely aduertized that the Emperour and King Richard were agreed hee sends ouer to Earle Iohn bidding him looke to himselfe for the Diuell was now let loose Hee thereuppon crost ouer the seas to Philip who * excited him to vsurpe the Kingdome of England 46 Neuerthelesse by Queene Elianors negotiation who in person trauelled to the Emperour the King her sonne was come to be assured of his liberty vpon these conditions 1. That hee should pay to the Emperour one hundreth thousand Markes sterling 2. That he should pay fifty thousand Markes of like money to the Emperour and Duke 3. That he should marry his Neece sister to Arthur Duke of Britaine to Duke Leopolds sonne 4. That the Emperour should secure him till he were vnder saile with a fore-wind 5. That hee should set the Cypriots person at liberty and deliuer his daughter to the Duke of Austria who was her vncle and should deliuer 67. hostages for assurance of all 47 But to colour this vnreasonable and vnprincelie extortion the Emperour by his Imperiall Charter giues vnto King Richard Prouince and sundry other ample territories containing 5. Archbishoprickes and thirty three Bishoprickes sometime parcell of the Empire but both then and a long time before out of possession therof crowns him King writing magnificent letters into England with such like offices 48 Now when King Richard who had wonne to himselfe wonderfull honour and respect euen of the couetous Emperour by the proofe of his innocency and by his most noble and constant carriage did expect his liberty at an assembly or diet where the greatest Princes and States of the Empire were in person to wit The three Archbishops of Mentz Colon and Saltzburg The three Bishops of Wormes Spire and Leiges The three Dukes of Swaue the Emperours brother Austrich and Luuain The Count Palatine of Rhene c. which had vndertaken for the Emperour whose officers had already receiued the greater part of the ransome behold euē then the Emperour shewes a willingnesse to breake off producing the letters of Philip King of France and of Iohn Earle of Morton in which they offer an huge summe c. too impious and diuelish to speak of but the Princes who had vndertaken to King Richard for good dealing went to the Emperour reprouing him for his auarice who would so dishonourably trauerse and start backe from the agreement vpon the fourth of Februarie therefore being Friday the Archbishoppes of Mentz and Coleine restore him after fifteene moneths imprisonment to Queene Alienor his mother free from the Emperour all that were present weeping thereat for ioy 49 This Archbishop of Coleine was hee who entertaining the King in the Dominions of his Archbishopricke with great ioy for his deliuerance did celebrate diuine seruice in this manner Now know I truely that the Lord hath sent his Angell and taken me out of the hand of Herode and the expectation of the common people of the Iewes c. 50 And indeed it was Gods Angell did it for after all this whiles the King staied for a wind and other preparations at the Sea-shore the Emperour repenting him of his release sent speedy guarders to apprehend him againe vowing hee should neuer bee freede from bonds whiles he liued but some secrete message as Princes Courts neuer want Spials speedily premonished him and so by a verie little time he preuented his surprisers landing happily at Sandwich in April the Sunday after Saint Georges day where in stead of all other triumphes or particulars of ioy for his returne wee will content our selues with onely one as signe of the rest When the King drew neere to Rochester the venerable new Archbishop of Canterbury Hubert who had beene with him at Accon in the Holy-land went ioyously foorth to meet him whom when the King saw he dismounted from his horse and hauing bowed his knee fell vpon the earth in like sort the Archbishoppe lay right against him at the last both of them rising from the ground they ranne into each others arms comforting themselues with mutuall embraces weeping with ioy 51 The iustice of a true history will not suffer vs here to forget in what sort the iniustice of this vnnoble captiuation of Richard King of England was punished by God and on Gods behalfe The Duke of Austrias Country and people being visited with these fiue plagues Fire Water Barrennes Worms Pestilence the Fire casually burning his Towns the Riuer of Danubius drowning ten thousand of his Subiects in an ouerflow the earth waxing drie and sear the Wormes destroying such fruit and graine as grew and the stroke of Pestilence killing the principall Nobles and Gentlemen of his Dominions The Duke for all this continued obstinate like another Pharao swearing to cut off the heads of K. Richards Hostages vnlesse all Couenants though extorted by cruell Duresse were exactly and speedily performed Baldwin de Betun one of the Hostages is sent to the King with this bloodie message but before his return vpon S. Stephens day in Christmas the Duke spurring his horse in sport vpon a Castle of snow among youthes which were counterfeiting a siege and an assault with the slip of his horse brake his foot in such sort as it came to be* cut off and within a while feeling himselfe perishing vpward so that his death was certaine could not bee absolued of his Bishops from the sentence of Excommunication which had by the Pope bin denounced till hee and his Lords had sworne to release all the said matters betweene the King of England and him but his sonne after his death refusing the performance his Fathers body lay stinking aboue ground eight daies for that no clergy man durst burie it being but conditionally absolued till the son did yeeld to the performance yet if* some may be credited vpon his bare word the sonne did voluntarily condiscend and not vpon this compulsion 53 But albeit the Emperour to declare himselfe wounded with some remorse for his vngodlie
to those Lay-Peeres Conditionals his Clergy-Sophismes and second Seede-plot of Treasons perswading them by a cunning but disloyall speech which yet some by transforming haue more deformed that the English Crowne was meerely Arbitrary and Electiue at the peoples deuotion That they all in discretion were to know how that no man hath Right or any other fore-Title to succeed another in a Kingdom vnlesse first with innocation for Grace and Guidance of Gods Holy Spirite hee be by the Body of the Kingdome thereunto chosen and be indeed some choice man picked out for eminencie of his vertues by the President of Saul the first Annointed King whom God made Ruler ouer his owne people though neither the Sonne of a King nor yet of any Regall descent So after him likewise Dauid the Sonne of Ishai the one for being valourous and a Personage fitting royall dignity the other for being Holy and Humble minded To shew that so he whosoeuer in a Kingdome excelleth all in Valour and Vertue ought to surmount all in Rule and Authority yet so as that if any of the Ofspring of a deceased King surpasseth others it is fitte iointly to consent in election of such a one Thus hee spake as hee professed in fauour of Iohn who then was present whose most illustrious Brother King Richard dying without any Heire from him descending Him they had all first imploring the Holy Ghosts assistance as being a Prouident Valiant and vndoubtedly-Noble Prince vnanimiously Elected as wel in regard of his Merites as of his Royall Bloud So vniust a speech from so great a Person could not but moue both Offence and Wonder to many euen to Iohn himselfe who doubtlesse meant to stand to his right of proximity by bloude but they durst not then and there moue Questions thereof as afterward some did to whom he gaue a reason of it as strange as the speech it selfe saying that he was assured by some diuining foresight that King Iohn would work the ruine of the Kingdome and that therefore to bridle him from so doing hee had affirmed his Admission was to be by Choice and not Hereditary Succession implying that as by Election he got the Crowne so by Eiection on demerite hee might as iustly loose it But for that present the Ceremonies all pompouslie accomplished where three Oaths were ministred to him To loue Holy Church and preserue it from all oppressors To gouerne the State in Iustice and abolish bad Lawes Not to assume this Royall honour but with full purpose to performe that he had sworne the first act and bounty of his kingly Power was to reward those whose hands had lifted him to it making William Marshall and Fitz-Peter Earles of Pembrooke and Essex and the Archbishoppe Lord high Chancellour who seeming to glory in that addition of honour was told by the Lord Bardolf that the height of Archiepiscopall dignity was such as it was euer reputed a great aduancement for a Chancelor to be made Archbishoppe but none for an Archbishop to be made a Chancellour 6 The Kings Enemies who kept their heads in whiles hee was there in Armes founde opportunities to impeach him while hee was here setling his Peace the French King in Normandy surpriseth the City Eureux recouers the County of Main the Britaines regaine the City Angiers with other strong holds the newes whereof caused King Iohn with all speed to passe the Seas to giue stoppage to that current where on his arriuall his Army of Friends and Voluntaries was so encreased that King Philip was soone content to take truce for fiftie dayes on expiration whereof an Enteruiew was agreed on to establish a lasting Peace But Philip a long time noted of dubling ill beseeming any but chiefly a Prince the very day before the two Kings should meet giuing Duke Arthur the Belt of Knighthood and taking of him Homage for the Signiories of Aniou Poytou Turaine Mayne Britanny and Normandy hee made him faithful vow to yeeld him powerfull helpes for acquiring those possessions Neither was King Iohn behind him in that kind of preuention when Philip Earle of Flanders the French Philips professed Enemie comming to Roan and disswading King Iohn from trusting anie French friendship did there sweare vnto him both faithfull Helpe and Homage Yet the two Kings keeping touch for the day though not for the purpose of amitie and yet making faire shew of that too held Parley betwixt Butauant and Guletun two dayes by Commissioners inter-current the third by presence and priuatie that not one of their Nobles or Attendants who on each side lay farre aloofe for the space of an howre vnderstood any passages betwixt them This much yet came to notice by after relation that King Philip then required for Himselfe the large Country of Veulguessine pretending that Geffry Earle of Aniou graunted it to Lews le Grosse for aiding his Sonne King Henrie the second against King Stephen and for Arthur all Poictou Aniou Maine and Turayne both which immoderate demaunds with others King Iohn conceiuing with Salomon Why doth he not also aske for Adoniah the Kingdome neither would nor ought to graunt vnto him whereby their amities intended ended in more hostile defiances But Philips capitulating then for Arthur was onely perfunctorie and complementall as his owne words and afterward his actions bewraied when being questioned by his Fauourites of his implacable hatred against King Iohn who had neuer harmed him professed it was onely for that hee had not defeated Arthur but possessed himselfe of Normandie and the other Demaines without asking him leaue or offering him Homage 7 The flames thus on all sides breaking forth the stronger by how much the more they had been for a time kept in many Earles and Barons of France who formerly adhered to King Richard became Homagers to King Iohn they swearing neuer without his assent to reuert to Philip and hee neuer to make Peace with Philip but they therein to bee concluded In the heate of which sidings if not before a chiefe adherent of the foresaid Earle of Flanders now col-leagued with King Iohn being the Bishop Elect of Cambray fell into the hands of the French at which time also Philip Bishop of Beauois a great French Peer was held in prison by King Iohn and neither of them willing to forgoe their mitred Champions Petrus de Capua the Legat interdicted France for the one and Normandy for the other till they as persons sacred inuiolable should bee dismissed yet King Iohn whose Person and Title the Pope and Papals as yet much tendred had the fauour to wring out of his prize sixe thousand Markes for his release and an Oth neuer whiles he breathed to beare Armes against any Christian. This Legat in King Richards time had made agreement with
King Philip for a fiue yeeres Truce which expiring with Richards last breath hee still laboured to establish it betwixt the now Kings but King Philips great heart would not so come downe which was likely to haue cost him deere For pursuing whither his Furie a bad guide did lead him after his siege of Lauardin Whence vpon King Iohns approach with his Army hee fled to Maunz and thence again fled King Iohn comming thither seized the Castle of Balun which belonged to Arthur and to preuent his enemy as is likely he leuelled it vnto the very ground which fact Duke Arthurs Generall William de Rupibus wrathfully expostulating with King Philip as hauing done therein contrarie to Couenants with his Lord Arthur hee as scornfully answered that hee would not for his Lord Arthures pleasure forbeare his owne in doing as himselfe listed with such forts as hee tooke The Generall seeing Arthur was but the outward maske vnder which Philip reuelld for his hidden ends seriously perswaded his Lord to reconcilement with his vncle King Iohn and rather to hazard his hopes on the clemency of a Generous Foe then on the guiles of a false hearted Friend so making his peace with King Iohn hee presentlie yeelded vp to him both Maunz with Lady Constance the young Duke also the important matter of so great contentions But Heauens were not so propitious to these Reconciliats as so to hold them long some Philippines buzzing such needlesse terrors of Imprisonment into the Noble Childs eares that the next night Feare giuing wings to his flight as Loue did to his Mothers for leauing her husband Ranulph Earle of Chester shee was amorous of and married Guido a gallant Gentleman who thē fled with her they escaped into Angiers Arthur neither sure of K. Philip nor sure to K. Iohn had now cast himselfe betwixt two Milstones but howsoeuer Philip ment the greist in the end should be his 8 The breach betwixt these two great Kings was the more irreconcileable by reason of the hatred betwixt King Philip and the Emperour Otho King Iohns Nephew whose aduancement to the Empire himselfe perhaps aiming to it Philip still endeauoured to impeach not regarding that the Pope whose power Kings then regarded only while it made for their purpose had thundered his Anathema against all his Opposers and Otho in gratitude to King Richard who procured him the Diadem Imperiall and in tender regard of his vncles honour sent him aduise not to hasten any finall attonement with the French King for that himselfe would bring him his vtmost Imperiall assistance Notwithstanding by the Cardinall-Legates assiduous interceding a Truce was concluded till the Feast of Saint Hilary at which time the Kings comming to a Treaty betwixt Wailun and Butauant Castles it was agreed that Lewis the Heyre of France should marry King Iohns Neece Blanch Daughter of Alfonsus King of Castile that King Iohn should giue for Dowry the City and County of Eureux with sundry Forts in Normandy and thirty thousand Markes in siluer vowing also not to aide his Nephew Otho with men or means to attain the Empire further promising to leaue if he died without Issue vnto Lewis al the Territories he held in France all which Articles were formerly engrossed but finally cōcluded betwixt Butauant Guletun the one K. Iohns the other King Philips Castle the Octaues of Saint Iohn Baptist when these Counties were actually surrendred to Philip the Lady Blanch espoused to Lewis his son Duke Arthur Philips once vowed but now vnualued charge yeelded ouer and made Seruant and Homager to K. Iohn for his own Dukedom whom yet his vncle was content to leaue with King Philip who had now so left him and erst had vpheld him onely as the baite of his owne aduantage If Princes can bee thus vnprincely degenerous what trust can men repose in baser vassals King Iohn hereupon proued much more stedfast to Philip then either Philip was to him or himselfe to Otho the Emperor who sending his two Brethren Henry Duke of Saxony and William surnamed of Winton to demand the Counties of Yorke and Poictou with the Treasure and Iewels which King Richard bequeathed him King Iohn denied to yeeld thereunto only in regard of his Oath which hee had passed to Philip to yeelde no kind of aide to the Emperour And further to testifie yea further then he ought his faithfull meaning to preserue intire this amity with Philip by his aduise he diuorced Hawisia his wife as too neere of Bloud by sentence of the Archbishop and Bishops of Burdeaux Poictoirs and Xanton and by the Archbishops hands espoused Isabell Heiretrice of Ailmar Earle of Angolisme a faire yong Lady but dedestined to another bed 9 This Finall Concord so called but not prouing so with Philip who now acknowledged Iohn the rightfull Heire of King Richards Crowne gaue him more leasur to receiue peaceably all Submitties and bring in forceably all out-standers of those his transmarine Dominions and after to look home to the affaires of his Kingdome from which hee had beene and we there following him too long absent Yet in the heate of those forrain imploiments hee on occasions had his recourses hither to settle his State-affaires and Crowne-Reuenewes to enact wholesome lawes for forraine and domesticke Commerce to collect an Ayde for his Neeces great Dowry and Martiall vses which later being three shillinges on euery Carrucata though his first and onely Subsidie since his comming to the Crowne caused much heart-burning especially by meanes of his owne brother Geffry Archbishoppe of Yorke touching whom the King was forewarned that hee would bring a Sword not Peace into England who bearing himselfe too bold on his bloud and place forbad the Collectours of that Aide in his precincts though it were granted to the King generally for all England and also being required by the King to attend him into France to conclude the Peace and his Neeces Espousall he very vndutifully denied his seruice The King iustly moued with those his disloyalties caused all his Temporalities to bee seized on by his Sheriffe whom therefore Geffry adding fresh fuel to the fire did solemnly excommunicate caused the Kings Officers to beare blowes and interdicted the whole Prouince of Yorke So partiall and vnhistoricall is the report of one a Stranger by birth but more strange for bold vntruthes who faines the onely incentiue of such indig nation in the King was that Prelates reprehension of his Rapines on the people For to giue a further taste of that Authors vehement fond malice iustly so taxed what ancient Iudicious Writers call an Aid necessarie for Warres that he enstileth Rapines and Spoiles where they make Iohn his Brothers Heyre by Will
also more strengthned with a new knot of Association wherein sundry great Lords of either side were by indentment of Writing made suerties to the counter-part with condition that whither of the two Kings did first violate the Couenants all his cautionary Lords should bee released of their alleagiance to him and become Leegemen and Assistants to the Prince offended And that the world might take more notice of their combined loues they both agreede to contribute to the Holy-Warres which now beganne to bee on foot the fortieth part of the whole Reuenewes of their Crownes sending their letters abroad into their Dominions to encourage all their Nobles people by their examples to doe the like With which intercourses other cōplements three daies being spent betwixt them King Philip the deeper to serue himselfe into King Iohns good opinion the surest way to ouerreach another in any commerce by intreaty obtained his company first to S. Denises Pallace where hee entred with a pompous Procession of the Clergy and lodged with royall entertainment by the King and the next day to Paris where hee was receiued with very rich Presents of the City and great applause of all sorts to see so noble arguments of affection betwixt two so great princes lately so mortall enemies where the French King betaking himselfe to a more priuate mansion left his owne pallace to accommodate and honor Englands King After some dayes there bestowed in princely delights and entertainements King Iohn conducted forth of the City by King Philip and parting with mutuall attestations of loue neuer to bee parted tooke his iourney towards Normandy in ful hope to enioy thence forward the contentment of quiet to himselfe and peace to his Dominions but those windy hopes soone changed with his change of the aire 15 For whiles at Chinon hee was roially entertaining Queene Berengaria his sister whom hee there also bounteously satisfied in performing the Ioynture promised her by King Richard giuing her thecCity and Signiory of Baion two Castles and their Demaines in Aniou with a thousand Markes yeerelie for tearme of life and at Argenton in Normandy where hee kept his Christmas was solacing himselfe with his faire Queen Isabel the Earle of March Hugh surnamed Le-Brun a Peere of great power and alliance to whom Isabel was first promised though for her vnripe yeares he neuer bedded her enflamed with loue of her who was now thought worthy to bee a Queene drew on other Poictouine Nobles to thinke that hee was vnworthy to bee a King who wrongfully had taken her from him and would if not preuented do the like in time with them So once againe young Arthur whose former hopes were all cold is re-kindled by these fire-brands and set vp by their malice to supplant his vncle but by Heauens Decree to ouerthrow himselfe howsoeuer the Britaines then fascinated with his ominous Name dreamed that the ancient Great Arthur was risen againe in him and that the Translation of the English Kingdom was now by him to be effected Neither was the French King for all his late painted pretensions of loue deafe to their suggestions who laboured to incense his hatred against Iohn whereto hee had these further inducements that King Iohn might quicklie waxe too potent a Neighbour in that Continent if his quiet and power were not timely rebated that now the meanes to worke it were more then before the English Peeres being alienated in affection from him for denying their claimed Liberties but chiefly that the profite such base ends can some propose of so Noble a Band which hee hoped for by his amity being the enioying of those Signiories in the Continent if hee died sans Issue was now in a manner cut off Queene Isabel beginning to giue apparant hopes of some faire fruite from so faire a stemme Thus whiles Earle Hugh out of his loue Duke Arthur out of Ambition King Philip out of Auarice ah that the noblest person should haue the basest end but all out of Hatred were contriuing King Iohns ruine hee was farthest from suspition when neerest his danger and yet they who thus were forwardest to vndermine his Greatnes were themselues formost to bee crusht with the weight thereof 16 But these slie Serpents shrowded in secret their enuenomed heades till the warmth of the Spring a time suiting for martiall mischiefes called them forth when King Philip hauing newly cast his skinne and as most able so was most willing to break the way desired another enteruiew with King Iohn who comming thither the place was twixt Vernon and Lisle Dandale vvith expectation of some fruits of those louely courtesies which their last meeting seemed to haue engrafted he there found that this last winter had nipt all those faire blossomes For Philip forgetfull of all former Compacts and pretending some imaginary wrongs in outragious manner required him without delay to redeliuer into Arthurs hands all his Transmarine dominions Normandy Turayne Aniou Poictou or otherwise as Lord Paramount of those Countries which Iohn held by Homage he peremptorily cited him personally to appeare in Easter Terme at Paris there to answere what should bee laide to his charge and to abide the Arrest of his Court of Iustice. The colour on which hee thus did cite him was say some King Iohns sharpe repressing of some rebellious attempts of Hugh le brun the former yeer whereof the Earle complained to King Philip as to the chiefe Lord. King Iohn much amased to see not onely hony so soone distempered into gall but the French King also turned into an Apparatour disdained both his Citation and Commaunds as very vnnoble for Englands King to accept or the French to offer neither indeed did Philip thus put the matter to daying as intending any such legitimate proceeding but onely to make his aduersary secure of any other assaults then by Petty-foggers For whether it be true or no that King Iohn for his non-appearance was by sentence of the French Peeres adiudged to loose all his Territories in the Continent certaine it is that no sooner was the Conference with indignation broken off but Philip hee had before prepared to effect what hee had proiected with power and fury assailes Butauant Castle whose Turrets high-reared by King Richard hee leuelled with the Foundations and thence sodainely like a flash of lightning beganne to inuolue the neighbouring partes with ransakings and ruines till giuing an assault which had held him eight dayes to the Castle of Radepont King Iohn comming to the rescue forced him with shame to speed away To repaire which dishonour and to empaire the English forces by distraction of imploiments returning to Paris hee there appoints for Arthur to whom hee had now affianced his yonger daughter both certaine selected Nobles to bee protectors to
secure and guard his person also bands of Souldiers to attend his commaund amongst which were 200. the choice Knightsof France all which in very pompous Troupes followed him with Philips directions and also supply of great summes of money into Poictou to reduce those partes to his Allegiance which was no hard matter to effect the greater part of Commaunders there being fore-wrought expecting nothing more and the better part suspecting nothing lesse then these perfidious assaults 17 Queene Eleanor Regent of those prouinces attended with a very slender guard yet strong inough for daies of quiet which both her Age did now desire and her Homage done to Philip and Philips faire shewes to her did promise hauing no speedier notice of those incursions then the vnpleasing effects thereof for on Arthurs good successes K. Philip proclaimed him Lord of those Dominions betooke her selfe into Mirabeau one of the most tenable townes in Poictou sending to King Iohn whose forceâ—… were then in Normandy and Mayne repressing or preuenting Philips attempts for present aids Which yet could not so speedily come but Arthur who knew that vpon seisure of such a prize as Eleanour hee might draw her sonne to any conditions had preuented them besieged her and possessed himselfe of her towne though not of her person as some by mis-understanding haue mis-related For she retiring into the Castle made it good against her Grandchilds incessant batterie about which whiles he with his continuall supplies of Poitâ—…ine and Anioâ—…ine princes was indefatigably busied King Iohns Army neere at hand for his expedition both by day and night to his mothers rescue is recorded as admirable brought the newes of their owne approch which caused the great Army of the Leagers so industrious before to impeach others no lesse sollicitous now to defend themselues Both Armies martially ranged Arthurs Battalions not onely vndauntedly but also very pompously comming on to the shocke the fight proued most fierce and terrible each side resoluing by reason of both the Competitors presence in the field that the End and vpshot of all their designes depended on that dayes succese which in the end by the fortunate prowesse of King Iohn and his English fell disastrouslie on Arthur his French and other Assistants who after a great slaughter made amongst them turning their backs to him from whom they had before turned their Faithes tooke their flight towards the Towne to shelter their liues within those walles which so late the Seat of their triumphes became now the cage of their captiuation and the Toombe of all Arthurs ambitious hopes though himselfe so vnhappy as to suruiue them for together with the tumultuary flyers the victorious King his Armie entred renued a most bloudy fight repossessed the Town freed his mother enthralled his Enemies and recouered all the prouinces which had reuolted 18 This victory was so glorious to King Iohn and so dreadful to his Enemies for King Philips two chiefe confederates Arthur and Hugh Brun Raymund Father to Guido the husband of Constancia all the Peeres of Poictou and Aniou aboue 200. French Knights and others of command besides the vulgar multitudes were taken prisoners that both then King Philip though very hote in the siege of Argues in Normandy presently cooled and confounded with newes thereof brake vppe his fortnights fiege and returned home and since the French fawning fauourites and King Iohns maligners haue sought to extenuate the matter auerring against all truth of record that it was exploited before the French were come to Arthurs aide and when all his Souldiers were both vnarmed and vnordered But as others highly extolling king Iohns valour herein interprete those fore-doomes of Merlin to haue beene ment of him that hee should hee crowned with the head of a Lion should cut out the tongues of Bulles and lay yron chaines on the backes of râ—…ring Beasts and indeed hee chained them hand and foot and so conuayed them away in Carts a kind of riding till then vnusuall with them so King Iohn himselfe duely acknowledging the greatnesse of Gods goodnesse therein sent his Letters to all his Barons wheresoeuer thereby to encourage the loiall and hold in awe the tomultuous inciting them so render all prayse vnto God for so admirable a worke and so gratious assistance and soone after hee dispersed his noblest Captiues into sundrie Castles in Normandy and England Arthurs sister Eleanor called the Damosell of Britaine being committed to Bristow Castle where shee long liued with very honour able vsage And though the kings displeasure was iustly incensed against her brother Arthur for so frequent wauering in his faith yet meaning to trie all meanes of winning him who had thus lost himselfe hee sent for him being then at Falaise in the custody of Hubert L. Chamberlain and entreated him very gently promising him all honourable respects if as yet he would resolue to forsake the French kings amity and frame both his mind for hearty loue and his Actions for peaceable obseruance towardes him his vncle and Leege Lord. Which exceeding clemency the ill-aduised young Gentleman for what wisedome is it to shew pride where wee neede mercy and to giue threates beyond possibility of performance requited onely with arrogâ—…nt and vndutifull language furiously obraiding the king with violent and fraudulent detention of the English Crowne which menacingly he there required of him and allother King Richards Countries as his lawfull inheritance affirming with an Oath that vnlesse he did forthwith restore them hee should not long line in peace With which incorrigible pertinacy the King prouoked as seeing no place left to better hopes committed him to stricter custody vnder Robert de Veypont in the Castle of Roan 19 The Britaines fury and conspiracies which King Iohn hoped to abate by this their Princes durance were thereby much more augmented like Serpents most strugling with their traines when they feele their head in pressure Which moued the King who was now returned into England and in triumph of his late victory wore his crowne againe at Canterbury at the cost of his former host to take aduise of his Councell touching his troubled affaires whose sentence was if wee will credite the reporter that Arthur should loose his eyes But the escaping of such tortures is by some ascribed to the commiseration of Lord Hubert by others to the mediation of Queene Eleanor who interceded with her Sonne for her Grandchild as long as she liued which was not long Deathes vnpartiall hand and griefe of heart some say laying that great prudent Queen the wife of two mighty Kings and mother of three where Princes and Pesants are all equals Her Nephew much behind
common preseruation yet knowing the Pope had need of his friendship about setling the Empire he ment so long to side with the Popes authority as the Pope would stand with his commodity repining to haue so faire a prey taken out of his talents made boldâ—… to despise both the commands and the curses yet this hee did in smoother fashion then hee had done once before when he rigodrously punished all the Bishops and Prelates whom for consenting to such a Papall censure hee turned out of their Sees and dignities for now he appealed from the sentence for a fashions sake but yet violently proceeded with his warres and did swimme with the full current of his victories The waues whereofso fast surrounded King 〈◊〉 that fearing also further treason of his owne men hee thought good till some better daies would shine vpon him especially winter season enforcing surceasse of warres to abandon the place of his iniurious foes to expostulate in England with his perfidious friends 25 For that was the first worke hee did alter his arriuall which was at Portsmouth on Saint Nicholas day in December when laying to the charge of his Earles and Barons that in his warres they suffered him to be destitute of requisite aides and had left him in the middest of his enemies by which their defaults hee was thus despoiled of his Castles and Countries thereuppon by aduise of Hubert Lord Archbishoppe and Lord Fitz-Peter Chief Iustitiar who knew these were no forged cauillations he put them and other delinquents to their Fines for his Warres made him desire their mony more then their liues wherein these two great Counsellors were ouerseers for the receits the one for the Clergy the other for the Laity of both whom they receiued no lesse summes of curses then of Coine The like repining among the people who iudge of the goodnesse of a King only by sparing their purses ensued on the grant of a large Subsidie two Marks and halfe of euerie Knights Fee in a Parliament presently after held at Oxford where the King Peeres conuening about redresse of those remediles mischiefs the issue as seemeth was that Ambassages should bee addressed into France two Prelates Canterbury and Norwich with two Earles Marshall and Leicester to treat from the Body of the Kingdome touching those Prouinces which being incorporated with Englands Soueraignety could not without apparant iniustice bee abstracted from a Nations common interest vpon coloured pretences against any particular Philip hauing vpon King Iohns departure thence vsed his whole Forces and wittes to weary or to winne diuers other Cities Forts which had till then stood faithfull for which purpose hee also imployed sundry instruments themselues first corrupted that they might corrupt others to defection with great rewards and greater promises hee meant not now to re-commence Questions of Right hauing already neere decided that point by the point of his sword yet because hee was to deale with a mighty Nation hee would not abruptly refuse to capitulate and yet againe by proposall of conditions exceeding either Reason of Possibility hee dammed vp all passages to peaceable agreement his demaunds were to haue either Arthur whom hee knew to bee dead redeliuered into his hands aliue or else his Sister Eleanor in marriage with all those Countries in that Continent but those Statesmen easily perceiued that Philips heart aimed farther then his tongue and that with Eleanor hee hoped to purchase a higher dowry euen the English Diadem whose claim glided down from her brother to her which perchance was the secret ground of his Oth that he would neuer linne to pursue that quarrell till hee had depriued King Iohn of his Kingdome 26 This Ambassage was not onely thus issuelesse but produced also effects tending to further irritation for this seemeth to bee the time when Philip sent a brauing Champion to iustifie by Duel before the States here in England what his Master had done in France against their King in open warre and though it was not deemed expedient to ieopard a Title of such weight on the Armes and Fortune of one man yet it was resolued the Challenger should not passe vnanswered whereto none was held fitter then Iohn Curcy Earle of Vlster for rebellion and denying his homage to the King condemned to perpetuall imprisonment in the Towre a man of Giantlike limme and strength and of some dispositions not despicable if they had not beene sauaged with a too carelesse rudenesse which appeared not onely in his wild speeches touching the Kings misusage of his Nephew Arthur which some by errour alledge as cause of his indurant durance but euen now when the king demanding him whether hee would combate in his quarrell No quoth he not in thy quarrell nor for thy sake but for the Kingdomes right I will fight to the death Against which day whiles hee repaired with large diet his impayred limmes and sinewes the Frenchman hearing of his excessiue feeding and strength answerable thereto thereby fearing he had been some Monster of Nature rather then a man hee secretly sneaked away into Spaine ashamed to shew his face in France againe Curcy finding the King gracious was hereupon released and is said if this bee not to digresse to haue crossed the seas for Ireland fifteen times and euermore beaten backe to the shore acknowledged himselfe herein iustly punished of God neuer againe to see his owne seat for displacing God out of his when he conuerted the Church of Prebendaries in Doan consecrated to the blessed Trinity into an Abbey of Monkes to the honour name of Saint Patrick whose Image was erected in a stately seat wherein before the Trinitie was deportracted which was thence reiected into a priuate Chappell The Irish relate that the two Kinges being afterward together belike when they made the next truce in Erance King Philip hearing Curcy to bee in the English Campe intreated to see some experience of his so much feared and reported strength where a Helmet of excellent proofe full farced with Mayle being set vpon a great wooden blocke the Earle lifting his trusty Skeyne first louring round about him with a dreadfull aspect cleft so deepe quite through the steely resistance into the knotty wood that none there could draw it out but himselfe who did it with ease and being asked by the Kings why hee frowned so irefully before the stroke hee told them that hee then intended if hee had failed of his blow to haue killed them all both Kings and others the lookers on 27 But what Philip could not in England by one Champion he accomplished in Normandy by many where hauing a mighty power attending him froÌ„ City to City yet hee thought faire wordes would bee for himselfe both cheaper and safer and with the Prouincials more forceable then force
it selfe especially where such troupes of armed Orators were at hand and where golden preparatiues had made way with the chiefest Philip tolde them their late Lord had quite forsaken them and that therefore himselfe as their supreme Liege came to prouide that his owne Countries might bee indemnified desiring them louingly to admit and embrace him as their Lord sith now they had no other to protect them from skath but menacing withall that if they forced him to vse force they should die no other death then hanging or to be flead aliue with which fawnings and fears though many well munified places were fetched off without any resistance their Captaines violating their faith to curry fauour with the French yet Roan the place euer honoured for fidelity to the English Crowne and therefore worthily selected by King Richard to bee the Shrine of his Leonine Heart was better fortified both in affection and munition then to wane vpon parties Which neglect incensed Philip to turne his Oratory into Battery it being the chiefest City and therefore of greatest consequence for consumating his victories which he continued in a most fierce horrid manner of siege the space of two monethes but finding it to be with small aduantage hee fell againe to golden Eloquence attracting some in speciall with present pay and all in generall with promises of future inioying all their wonted lawes and liberties without impairement of any their commodities whatsoeuer aduising them not to reiect those profered conditions which ere long they would gladly get when they should not be granted The Roanists seeing their dangers feeling their wants fearing their ruines yet desired respite till King Iohn might know their State who finding himselfe at home as ill bestedde as theirs abroad his Barons refusing to follow the warres returned them answere he could not presently releeue them Whereupon the Great men who could sway the multitude with cheaper reasons then Philips open hand had swayed with them perswaded them to weigh that in truth they were all originally Frenchmen though now called Normans of that noblest and richest part of all France and the French king being Supreme Lord thereof there was no cause at all of continuing this new hostility but very many of renuing that antique amity 28 The Head yea and Heart of all Normandy thus fainting who can expect that those few inferiour members yet vntainted should so continue long neither did they So as eftsoones all that Dukedome one of the goodliest gemmes in the English Diademe and disbranched from France since the yeare eight hundred eighty fiue was againe rent away ingloriously for them who lost it iniustlie by them who got it but perfidiously by such as should and might haue kept it For whatsoeuer necessity then or malice since hath laid on the King this Eulogie and memoriall thereof written by vnpartiall pennes will stand indelible on his Subiects A rege Angliae Normannia fraudibus suorum alienata Englands King lost Normandy by treachery of his owne people And no lesse treacherously dealt Philip with them when hee had caught them with the trappe of his glosing proffers as such Princes more vsually then princely square their promises to others liking their performances to their owne causing without delay their Cities goodly wals to be vtterly demolished and giuing strict charge that they should neuer bee built vp againe The other neighbouring Countries Main Turaine Poictou who were all forerunners in the rebellion would not be now behind in the finall reuolt Angiers in this more happy that shee fell away by others falshood not her owne when standing on her guard William de Rupibus cladde his choice Souldiers vpon their armour in the habite and other furniture of market-men who so getting accesse into the City gates made easie entrance for a greater hoast which soone after became absolute Lords of all Aniou 29 Wofull experience had now taught King Iohn a lesson fitte to be learned of all Princes whom the fawning world enstyleth most Mighty that this their might is not onely lyable to the checke and dispose of that Highest all-ruling power who vnthrones them at his will but euen depends of the wauing humors and wils of those inferiour vassels of whom they thinke themselues vnresistable Commaunders But King Iohn was not vnsenfible eyther of his forraine dishonours though as d often as hee endeauoured to redeeme it by leuying any Army suteable to so great a designe so often was hee crossed by his own Nobles or of those his domesticke affronts which notwithstanding by counsell and assistance of his better affected truer hearted friendes and subiects at length hee gathered a Royall Hoast and a mighty Nauy therein 14000. Mariners f some say with full resolue to reuenge his wrongs and repaire his losses Which great enterprize managed with vnmoueable determination for now with full sayles and fuller heartes at Portsmouth they were ready to embarke brought to the Kings further knowledge and to the worlds who had beene all this while the secret vnderminers of his fortunes and hinderers of his imployments For Hubert the Archbishop and Papall Legate with many others amongst whom some find William Marshall Earle of Pembroke numbred thither comes vnto the King and flatly forbids him to proceede in the voyage Some Writers haue laboured to coniect the true cause and reasons of this audacious Prohibition but if wee consider on the one side the Popes vse of Philips Forces to counter-ballance if need were Othes greatnesse on the other the interest which both the Pope and Philip had in Huberts affection wee may without Huberts diuining Spirit prie into the mystery of his secret workings as an Archbishop and now open commaund as a Legate to hinder King Iohn for feare of hindring King Philip 30 But whatsoeuer was the reason Hubert was the Instrument that so resolute proiects so inestimable charges so necessary an action fell sodainely to the ground whereby besides the selfe mischiefe which therewith fell on the King many fresh grudgings accrewed vnto him for suffering himselfe to bee thus violently repulsed from so behouefull a purpose The Archbishoppe and Marshall as principals were rewarded with the curses of the dismissed multitudes as the iust fee for their vniust counsell and the King himselfe was so little pleased with so vnexpected a countermaund that albeit at the present either awed with the authority of the Papall Legate or with the weight of his coloured motiues or with hazard which hee might leaue behind him hee durst notwithstand it yet the very next day checking himselfe for ouerprizing the commaund of any man aboue the value of his kingly honour and state hee resolued to recollect his disparkeled troupes and to put forth to Sea To which end taking order for his Nobles to follow they gaue him leaue with
King made humble supplications to the Lord Pope that hee would vouchsafe in a touch of pious compassion to support the English Church being at the point of ruine At whose earnest sollicitation the tender-hearted Pope grieuously lamenting the desolation of the Kingdome of England decreed by solemne sentence That King Iohn should bee deposed from his Kingdome and that the Pope should prouide some other who should bee deemed worthyer to succeed To effectuate the former clause Innocentius eagerly pursued the latter sending speedy letters to whom but King Iohns most mortall enemy Philip King of France requiring him to vndertake the labour of the dethroning King Iohn with no lesse reward then pardon for all his sins and enioying of the English Crowne to him and his heires for euer A goodly large patent both for a Spiritual and Temporall Kingdome which more like Mars his Priest then Christs Vicar he meanes to seale with a deluge of Christians bloud For not thus yet satiated hee transmits his Letters generall To all Potentates Souldiers men of warre of all nations to signe themselues with the Crosse and to follow their Captaine Philip for the deiection of King Iohn assuring all that their assistance whether in Person or Contribution shall bee no lesse meritorious then if they visited our Sauiours Sepulchre That this Pope vnder colour of such Crusadoes did formerly cloake his own Auarice his owne Monkes auerre but here hee cloakes therewith both his Pride and a far more sauage vice the thirst not of mens gold but of their bloud In which seruice with King Philip hee vsed the same English Prelates for his Negotiators which were before his Solicitors thereunto with whom also he sent his Factour Pandulph giuing him in priuate secret instructions how to manage euery particular of the whole designe to the most behoofe of the holy See 47 The French King likewise receiuing from the Archbishoppe and his Associates in a councel the Apostolike sentence was very apprehensiue of that imployment whereto not so much the Papall commaund as his owne ancient malignity and the English Barons traiterous requests had prepared him both which he was now willing to maske with the speous pretext of iustice and deuotion Vnder which colors hee had speedily marshalled an immense Army at Roan drew a mighty Nauy richly furnished to the mouth of Seyn al his Dukes Earls Barons Knights souldiers being sūmoned to the exploit vnder pain of hie Treason and disherizing who therforeboth in feare hope of spoile came flocking without number 48 A preparation of so great importance that all Christendom tooke notice of could not long be hidden from King Iohn whose care by reason of his now doubled opposition forrain domestick could be no lesse for his owne and his Kingdoms safety then was his Enemies for impugning both Wherfore his Summons being sent to all his officers both for Sea and land for speedy furnishing both of a Nauie an Army equiualent to encounter so powerfull an Inuasion such innumerable multitudes swarmed to Douer and other harbours for landing that the Chiefe-leaders for want of prouision dismissing the rest encamped at Barham-Downes onely with 60000. choice valiant and well appointed men who if they had carried all one mind and true affection towards their King and safegard of their Country there breathed not any Prince vnder heauen whose assault England had not beene able to repell And being no worse appointed for a Sea-fight his intent was to graple first with the French Fleet making no doubt of sinking them all so secure and confident was he in expectation of all Inuaders In which braue addresse whiles both shores of the Sea are thus belaid with both those Kings puissant Armies the one waiting for the Enemy the other for faire windes and more forces behold Pandulphus the Popes Pragmaticke hauing first desired safe conduct of King Iohn arriues at Douer to put in execution those secret Instructions which his Lord who made his aduantage of the Foxe-skinne as well as of the Lions had expresly prescribed He there vnfoldes to the King the innumerable multitude both of King Philips shippes and of his Souldiers Horse and Foote all in readinesse to passe and yet more expected to follow to bereaue him of his Kingdome by Apostolicall authority and to enioy it himselfe with his Heires for euer That with him were also comming all the English Exiles both Clergy and Lay they by his forces to repossesse their estates maugre the king and hee from them to receiue allegiance as from his sworne Subiects That hee had the fealty of almost all the English Peeres obliged to him by their owne Charters which made him distrustlesse of attayning easily his wished successe which calamities the more vnsufferable because imposed by his insulting enemie and his owne Subiects he might yet euade and retaine his Crowne which by Sentence hee had already lost if penitently hee would submit himselfe to the Churches iudgement Doubtlesse the straites whereinto the King saw himselfe plunged were very dreadfull so many deadly enemies abroad to assault him so few trustie friends at home to guard him which droue him into this sad cogitation that those his perfidious Peeres would now with their followers abandon him in the field or betray him ouer to the Sword of his Enemies Yet not vnlikely other motiues also might forcibly perswade him to relent the remembrance of the Emperour Otho whom this very Pope not without foule blot of Iniustice and Leuity had both eagerly aduanced and furiously dis-empyred the boundlesse furies of the Crusado promulged against him wherewith this Pope vsed to ouerflow as with a mercilesse Ocean all such Princes as withstood his will which once broken in would neuer end but with the end and ruine of all Thus thinking it better to yeeld to the time with assurance both of his Crowne and of the Popes fauour then desperatelie to hazard Life Crowne and all to his immortall foes hee redeemes his safety on such conditions as tiable that with money eyther paid or promised hee might be wrought like waxe and made plyable to all wicked actions Thus hauing the true length of the Popes foot he fittes him accordingly with rich presents and golden promises crauing by such mouing Rhetoricke not his aide onely but his Curse also against the Archbishoppe and Barons who so vncessantly distressed him But Innocentius forward of himselfe without any Motiues to put in vre those his Papall vertues and the execution of his late-vsurped power vpon the first gladsome newes of Englands Vassallage to his See had presently dispatched for England an Agent of greater port then Pandulph a Subdeacon Nicholas Bishoppe of Tusculum with no meaner credence and instructions for preseruing what the Pope had guilefully gotten then Pandulph had to purchase what hee ambitiously gaped
the Papacy though pretending perhaps the Originall Charter was consumed at Lyons where the Pope causing some say his owne Conclaue to bee set on fire so haue a pretence to extort a contribution from the Prelates there in councell the fire went farther then hee meant it should they made some flourish to renew their claime of homage and pension till in a Generall Parliament the Prelates Lords and Commons seuerally and ioyntly enacted that for somuch as neither King Iohn nor any other King could bring his Realme and people to such thraldom but by common assent of Parliament the which was neuer done and that in so doing hee did against his Oath at his Coronation besides many other causes of iust exception if therefore the Pope thence forward should attempt any thing therein the King with all his Subiects should with all their Forces and powers resist the same and rather hazard all their liues and liuelyhood then endure that vsurpation If Pope Paschall in the time of King Iohns grandfather hauing with much solemnity made some graunts to the Emperour Henry and confirmed them with an Anathema with the oathes of thirteene Cardinals and with religious receyuing of the blessed Sacrament yet because such grants were thought preiudiciall to his See solemnly disclaimed his owne Act and such his doing was aproued by a Clergy Councel as pretended to be done by feare how much more iustly might King Iohns Successors and his State by such approbation of their grand Councel free themselues of those seruitudes wherewith by anothers vniust forced vnwarrantable Act they were supposed to be enfettered 55 Though the Archbishoppe were so vnkind against the Pope the Aduancer of his Fortunes as to giue by his appeale so fatall a blow to his desired Crowne yet the Pope was not so ingrace as to die in his debt as quickly hee found in another Appeale which hee made to the Pope against his Legate for that he relying on Apostolicall indulgence not onely disposed of all Spirituall dignities to such as best liked the King but also to his owne Italians and Kinsmen though absent vnknowne vnsufficient vnworthy yea and some vnborne Which Legatine Tyranny vnsufferable in a Christian State though Simon Langton the Archbishops brother and Proctor vrged earnestly before the Pope yet the Legates Agent Pandulphus so displayed both the Archbishoppes feruentnes in vsing suck eager perswasions and appellation against the Kings subiection and the Prelates auarice in their vnreasonable exactions for restitution from the King being the most benigne modest and humble Prince that his eyes euer beheld that his Holines not onely conceiued exceeding hatred against the Archbishop and his cause but sent also his Authenticke Letters for repealing the Interdict vpon restitution onely of 13000. Markes more to the Prelates the King before had voluntarily offered them 100000 and that but by equall portions of fiue yeeres payment But the King who knew the Popes pleasure before these letters came to impart it hauing found that his French affaires had sustained vnreparable impeachments by his hitherto enforced delayes entrusting his Kingdome to the Legate and Earle Marshals custody was with his Forces passed into Poictou whiles in his absence the relaxation of the Interdict after more then sixe yeeres continuance was by the Legate in a Parliament solemnly promulged where his Successes were so fortunate that it being powerfully subdued great hope was conceiued the other Prouinces would follow Whence breaking with like victories into Britaine being there at the point to giue battle to Lewis the Dolphine his euerfaithlesse Poyctouins sodainely forsooke him and made him forsake his purpose But a greater impayrement of those his hopes was the defeature of his Confederate Otho the Emperour at the renowned Battle of Bouines where King Philip stricken from his horse by the hand of Reginald Earle of Bulloigne had there with his life ended the quarrell if a faithful Souldier had not couered him with his own Body and brauely sacrificed his life to saue his Soueraignes who thereupon recouered both his footing and the victory The heauy newes whereof concurring with his Barons outrages at home droue King Iohn on deare conditions to capitulate on a fiue yeeres Truce and return to bridle them at home whose attempts hee euer found most dangerous when hee was most busied abroad For vnder a pretext of Deuotion the vsuall maske for Treachery the Barons assembling at Saint Edmunds did euery man on the high Altar seuerally sweare to renounce their sworne fealty to the King and pursue him by Armes till they had enforced his consent to the Charter of liberties formerly by the Archbishop recommēded to them Which when afterward they came in person to challenge of the King as a part of his Oath taken at his Absolution hee seeing both their forces and affections addressed for violence was enforced with gentle language and promised satisfactions to desire till after Easter mature deliberation on so important a matter in which breathing time both in pollicie hee tooke new oath of loyalty through all the land and in deuotion vndertooke the Vow and Signe of the holy Warres choosing belike to die against faithles Turks rather then to liue amongst such vnfaithfull Subiects But neither Oathes nor holy vowes then esteemed the supreme priuiledge of protection could bee sufficient Bucklers to protect against such desperate attempters who at the prefixed weeke of Easter preparing themselues not for a Conference as with their Prince but for a Battle as against some hostile power trouped together at Stanford with an Army inestimable for number whose very principall Abetter and conspirer was Stephen the Archbishoppe the more pernicious person because to hide his false entendementes most assiduous in attendance about the King And him the King selecting to send to the Barons Army who were come on as farre as Brackley not farre from the King residing now in Oxford to know the contents of their desires hee brought a Schedule of their claimed liberties with a message of their resolutions if presently hee sealed not a Charter thereof vnto them they would compell him therto by forcible entrance on all his possessions Whereat his great heart highly disdaining hee demanded why they also demanded not his Kingdome those their exactions being grounded on no colour of reason and swearing neuer to enslaue himselfe to them by such a concession hee dismissed his Archbishop to return them his peremptory answere 56 Neither were the Barons lesse resolute in performance of their vow and message appointing for Head vnto that huge and heady rout Robert Fitzwalter whom they enstyled The Marshall of Gods Army and holy Church who first assayling Northampton Castle after fifteene dayes fruitlesse fury departed to Bedford
Christs faith and therefore such should come to subdue them and take their possessions when he said a Stag which hee kild had neuer the lesse fatte though he neuer heard a Masse they charged him hee doubted of the Resurrection of the dead and in saying hee neuer sped well after his yeelding to the Pope that hee said hee was vnfortunate since hee was reconciled vnto God that when hee gaue leaue to a seruant of his owne to enter any religious Order he gaue him leaue to bee of what Religion and Faith hee list That moreouer hee offered his Kingdome to a Sarazen and would embrace the Turkish faith though this tale were told by one Robert of London a wicked Masse-Priest or rather a Monster hauing a face like a Iew with one arme long and another short his fingers deformedly growing together two and two with such senseles improbabilities as that hee found that Moorish King reading of Saint Paules Epistles and that hee refused the Kingdom of England being offered him with the like That lastly it was reuealed to a Monke King Iohn was in Hell though a Poet for so saying is by M. P. who ◅de no doubt of King Iohns saluation censured for a Reprobate These all are demonstrations of so incredible hatred as should rather alleuiate their Authors credite then the Kings whose Raigne had it not fallen in the time of so turbulent a Pope so ambitious Neighbour Princes so disloyall Subiects nor his Story into the handes of exasperated Writers hee had appeared a King of as great renowne as misfortunes His works of deuotion inferiour to none as his Foundations declare at Beauley Farrington Malmsbury and Dublin and that other for Nunnes at Godstow by Oxford for which some haue interpreted that Prophesie of Merlin as meant of him Sith Virgin giftes to Maids he gaue Mongstblessed Saints God will him saue His Acts and Orders for the Weale-publike were beyond most hee being eyther the first or the chiefest who appointed those noble Formes of Ciuill gouernment in London and most Cities and Incorporate Townes of England endowing them also with their greatest Franchises The first who caused Sterling money to bee h◅re coyned The first who ordayned the Honourable Ceremonies in Creation of Earles The first who setled the Rates and Measures for Wine Bread Cloth and such like Necessaries of Commerce The first who planted English Lawes and Officers in Ireland and both annexed that Kingdome and fastned Wales to the Crowne of England therby making amends for his losses in France Whose whole course of life and actions wee cannot shut vp with any truer E◅loge then that which an ancient Author hath conferred on him Princeps quidem Magnus erat sed minus foelix atque vt Marius vtramque fortunam expertus Doubtlesse he was a Prince more Great then happy and one who like Marius had tried both sides of Fortunes wheele His Wiues 64 Alice the first wife of King Iohn was the eldest of the two daughters and heires apparant at that time of Humbert the second Earle of Maurien now called Sauoy her Mother was Clemence daughter of Berthold the fourth Duke of Leringen who had been the diuorced wife of Henry the Lyon Duke of Saxonie This marriage was in their childhoode cōcluded by their Parents at Mountferrant in Auerne in February Anno 1173 he should haue had with her her Fathers Earledome but all altered by her vntimely death and after ensued the death of her Mother the new marriage of her Father and issue male of the same whereof the Dukes of Saxonie are descended 65 Isabel his second wife by some called Hawisia or Auis though the youngest of the three Sisters yet was in regard of this marriage the sole Heire of William Earle of Gloucester sonne of Earle Robert the Naturall sonne of King Henry the first her Mother was Hawis the daughter of Robert Bossu Earle of Leicester Shee was married vnto him when hee was Earle of Mortaine in the first yeere of his brother Richards raigne and after ten yeeres hauing no issue by him was the first yeere of his Raigne diuorced from him vnder pretence of Consanguinity and married to Geffrey Mandeuill Earle of Essex and lastly to Hubert de Burgo Earle of Kent but died without any Issue by them 66 Isabel also his last wife was daughter and heire of Aymer Earle of Angolesme her Mother was Alice daughter of Peter Lord of Courteney fifth son of Lewis the Grosse King of France Shee was married vnto him in the first yeere of his Raigne crowned by Hubert Archbishoppe of Canterbury 8. Id. Octob. Anno 1200. and suruiuing him was married to Hugh Brun Earle of March and Lord of Lusignian and Valence in Poytou to whom first she should haue beene married but yet as seemeth continued her affection to him till now By him shee had diuers Children greatly aduanced by the King Henry 3. their halfe brother and as greatly maligned by his Subiects Hugh Earle of March and Angolesme Guy of Lusignian slain in the battell at Lewise William of Valence Earle of Pembroke Aymer of Valence Bishoppe of Winchester Geffrey of Lusignian L. of Hastings His Issue 67 Henry the eldest Sonne of King Iohn and Isabell his last wife was borne at Winchester 1. October 10. of his Fathers Raigne Anno 1208. K. Iohn dying at Newarke whither hee was broughtina Horselitter from Swynshead the Barons malice was ended their offence amended Lewis of France reiected and the yong Prince seated on his Fathers throne 68 Richard his second son by the same Queene was borne the next yeere after Henry by whom afterward hee was made Knight created Earle of Cornwall and appointed Earle of Poytou After the death of William Earle of Holland Emperour of the West hee was by the Electours chosen to succeed him in the Empire and crowned King of Romanes of Almayn at the City of Acon in Germany by Conrade Archbishoppe of Coleyne Maij 27. being the Ascention day Anno 1257. deceasing at the Castle of Berkhamsted April 20. Ann. 1271. the 13. yeere of his Empire his body was buried in his Monastery of Hayles in Gloucestershire but his Heart at Oxford in Reuly Abbey founded by him vnder a Pyramis of admirable worke Hee had three wiues the first was Isabel daughter of William Marshall Earle of Pembroke widdow of Gilbert Clare Earle of Gloucester by whom hee had issue Henry slaine at Viterbo in Italy and Iohn both dying without Issue His second wife was Senches daughter of Raimond Earle of Prouince sister to Queene Eleanor his brothers wife who was crowned with him at Acon and had issue by him Edmund Earle of Cornwall and others His last wife was Beatrice Niece to the Archbishoppe of Coleyne who seemeth to haue suruiued him and to haue no Issue by him 69 Ioane the
eldest Daughter and Child of K. Iohn and Queene Isabel his last wife was the first wife of Alexander the second King of Scots married vnto him in Yorke Iunij 25. Anno 1221. who returning into England to visite her Brother deceased at London and was buried in the Nunnery at Tarent in Dorsetshire 4. Martij in the 21. yeare of her Brother king Henries raigne in England and the 23. of king Alexander her husbands in Scotland Anno 1236. 70 Eleanor their second daughter was first married to William Marshall the yonger Earle of Pembroke and after his decease without issue and seuen yeeres Widow-hood remarried to Simon Montfort Earle of Leicester sonne of Simon Earle Montfort in France by Amice Daughter of Robert Blanchman Earle of Leicester who maintaining the Barons warres against King Henry her brother was slaine at the battaile of Euesham in the 19. yeere of her brothers raigne 1265 after whose death shee and ◅er Children were forced to forsake England she died in the Nunnery at Montarges in France Henry her eldest sonne was slaine with his father at Eueshan Simon the second was Earle of Bigorre and ancestor to a Family of Mountfords in those parts of France Almaricke her third sonne was first a Priest and Treasurer of the Cathedrall Church in Yorke and after a Knight and a valiant seruitour in sundrie warres beyond the Seas Guy the fourth Sonne was Earle of Angleria in Italy and Progenitour of the Mountfords in Tuscaine and of the Earles of Campo bachi in the Kingdome of Naples Richard the fift sonne remained priuily in England and changing his name from Mountford to Wellesborne was ancestor of the family of Wellesbornes in England She had also a daughter named Eleanor borne in England brought vp in France and married into Wales to Prince Lewellen ap Griffith 71 Isabel their yongest daughter was born An. 1214 when shee was 21. yeeres of age shee was married being the 6. and last wife to the Emperour Frederick the second at the City of Wormes in Germany 20. of Iuly 1235. Shee had issue by him Henry appointed to bee King of Sicily and Margaret wife of Albert Landgraue Thurin shee was Empresse 6. yeeres and died in Childbed Decemb. 1. of her husbands Empire 31. of her brothers raign 38. Anno 1241. 72 Iane or Ione the daughter naturall of King Iohn by Agatha Daughter of Robert Ferrers Earle of Darby marryed to Lewin Prince of Wales Anno 1204. her Father gaue with her the Castle Lordshippe of Elinsmore in the Marches of Southwales she like a most louing Child gaue her Father secret intelligence of the Treasons intended against him by the Welsh and English 73 Geoffrey Fitz-Roy a base son who transported some Souldiers into France when Archbishoppe Hubert forbad the King his father to goe thither 74 Richard who married the daughter heire of Fulbert de Douer who built Chilham Castle in Kent which Castle hee had with her and had Issue by her of which som families of good esteem are descended stant Lords at Newarke where the Generall assembly for that seruice was appointed The whole Army after the Musters rested there some dayes which they spent not in vanities but in deuotions receit of the Sacrament humbling themselues before the offended Maiestie of God and so all of them saith Paris being prepared resolue eyther to return victorious or to die in defence of their country their Soueraignes right and their owne Liberties and possessions all which seemed now to lie at stake To giue them the greater edge and spirite Wallo with great solemnity accurseth Lewis and his Coadiutors and thus the Army marcheth towards Lincolne and the Lewisians there in siege of the Castle the King himselfe being left with a strong guard at Stow about eight miles short of Lincolne accompanied with Wallo and others there without perill of his person to attend Gods pleasure in the euent of the enterprise Vpon their approch if the Counsell of some English Lords had beene followed the Lewisian Army had issued forth of the City giuen them battle in the opē field but the Earle of Perch the French Generall thinking the Kings party to bee greater then it was for that the Noblemen and Bannerets thereof had each of them two Ensignes the one born with themselues the other aduanced among the Carriages which doubled the shew of their numbers they did thereupon change that course closed the Gates of the City and plyed their endeauours against the Castle more fiercely then before The Earle of Pembroke therefore lets Falcasius slip in at the Castle-posterne with his Arbalasters whiles others breake vp the South-gate of the City at which the Kings Army most couragiously entring and they of the Castle sallying out in Flancke of the Enemy scattered and vtterly defeated the Lewisians The Earle of Perch their Generall being enuironed with the Royalists and willed to render himselfe sware that hee would neuer become Prisoner to any English vpon which refusall he was run through the sight of his helmet into the braines and so dyed without speaking any word In this conflict being on Saturday in Whitson-weeke the force of naturall propension was apparent for notwithstanding the fierie resolutions of the Kings People yet when they saw the faces of their kinsmen friends countrimen on the other side that fury relented so strōgly that the most part of the reuenge fell vpon the Horses and not vpon the Horsemen whom onelie they laboured to make their Captiues The whole riches of the Lewisian Campe of the City of Lincolne became the booty and spoile of the Kings Armie whereupon this discomfiture was called Lewis Fair Neither did the Clergy of the place escape for the Popes Legate had commaunded that they also should be rifled to a penny as persons excommunicated in partaking with Lewis The Chase was but coldly fainedly followed vpon the flying Barons otherwise not a man could haue escaped wherein yet the chiefest Barons were taken with about 400. Knights besides Esquiers and of other sorts without note or number though some say that this number of Knights were slaine matrons and women of the towne flying by boate which they had no skill to gouerne were drowned Such as escaped the fight were not therefore past the danger for the Country people fell vpon them as they fledde killing great numbers so that almost all the footmen tooke vp their last lodgings before they could reach to London where Lewis was The Marshal of France the Chastellan of Arras and about two hundreth Knights came safely thither but were not otherwise then sowerly welcome of the Prince who laid vpon their cowardise the losse of all the rest His feare of being taken Prisoner iustly encreasing hee fortifies London by the best meanes hee can and dispatcheth Posts into France for more reliefe This great victory was much the stranger if as some write the fame
that Sir Godfrey de Crancumb Knight with three hundred armed men was sent to apprehend the Earle in Essex Hee hauing intelligence of their approach fledde into a Chappell at Brentwood which adioyned to his lodging from whence those rough Souldiers haled him hee holding in one hand a Crucifix and in the other the Sacrament and sent for a Smith to make for him shackels of yron But when the Smith vnderstood that it was for Hubert de Burgh Earle of Kent he refused vttering such words if Mathew Paris doe not Poetize as did well shew that honourable thoughts are somtimes found in the hearts of men whose fortunes are farre from honour for hauing first drawne a deepe sigh hee said Doe with mee what yee please and God haue mercy on my soule but as sure as the Lord liues I will neuer makeyron shackles for him but will rather die the worst death that is For is not this that most loyall and couragious Hubert who so often hath preserued England from being destroyed by strangers restored England to England He who faithfully and constantly serued his Soueraigne Lord King Iohn in Gascoigne Normandy and else where that he was compelled to eate the flesh of horses whose high courage euen Enemies admired he that so long defended Douer Castle the Key of England against all the exquisite sieges of the French and by vanquishing them at Sea brought safety to the Kingdome What need I rehearse his excellent doings at Lincolne and Bedford Let God be iudge between him and you for vsing him so vniustly and inhumanely repaying good with euill nay requiting his most excellent deserts with the worst recompence that can be But Sir Godfrey and his blacke band regarded not such speeches but otherwise binding the Earle hard they set him on horsebacke and so conuayed him to the Tower of London 35 This breach of Sanctuary being made knowne to Roger Bishoppe of London whose Diocesse it was he confidently tels the King that if the Earle were not restored to the Chappell hee would excommunicate all the Authors of that outrage The Earle is accordingly restored but the Sheriffes of Essex and Hertford at the Kings commandement with the powers of their counties besiege the Chappell so long that at last they hauing cast a Trench about it that none might goe in or out the Earle was compelled to come forth and render himselfe bearing all things with an equall mind as one that had a cleare conscience before God which hee professed to haue While the Chappell was thus beset round the Kings indignation was so violent that hee forbad all men once to make mention of Hubert in his hearing No maruaile then if it bee said that the Princes indignation is death The Archbishoppe of Dublin neuerthelesse was not deiected but with praiers and teares besought the King who remained as yet inexorable Huberts enemies possessing his soule and senses Hubert therefore is againe imprisoned in the Tower There was no sacrifice as it seemes could appease the Kings iâ—…e but that of the Earles Hoord of gold and other riches which the Knights Templars had in their custodie vpon trust without Huberts consent refused to deliuer Hubert therefore willingly yeelds which when the Depositaries did giue vp the value seemed incredible This hoording perhaps was Huberts crime whereof being thus purged he had hope to recouer out of these deadly pangs and conuulsions of fortune and himselfe to bee made capable of curing Well the king obtains this precious booty but his enemies would haue his bloud also saying sith hee was conuicted of theft and fraud it was meet he should die a most shamefull death It seemes they thought that the verie finding of so much treasure was a conuiction of fraud in the getting and that the King must bee interpreted to haue lost whatsoeuer the Earle had gained But the displeasure of the King was mollified with this golden balme for hee answered them thus Hubert from his childhood hath as I haue heard faithfully enough serued my vncle King Richard and my Father King Iohn and if he haue done ill towards me hee shall neuer therefore die an euill death For I had rather be reputed a foolish or a negligent King then a cruell Tyrant or a bloudy man toward him who hath long serued mee and mine ancestors nor will I weigh more his euill deedes which are not as yet manifest nor proued true then all his good deeds which are plainelie knowne to the Realme and to vs all Hereupon Hubert had all such lands granted vnto him as eyther King Iohn had giuen or himselfe had purchased There vndertooke for him to the King as sureties the Earles of Cornwall and Warrenn Marshal Ferrars and himselfe was committed to the Castle of Deuises there to abide in free Prison vnder the Custody of foure Knights belonging each of them to one of these foure Earles This Court-storme thus in part ouerblowne let vs take our standings to view what other weather followed and what countenance of things in this Kingdome did next present it selfe to the world 36 The King being naturally as it seemes addicted to repose himselfe vpon some one mans counsell was now wholy swayde by Peter de Rupibus Bishoppe of Winchester who had therefore wrought the Earle out of grace that hee might soly raigne and predominate in the gentle King Which the better to effect the Bishoppe procures him to displace the English Officers and in their roomes to surrogate Poictouines and Britons who comming ouer to the number of about two thousand he stuffes his Castles with them and in briefe did as it were wholy entrust himselfe his treasures strengthes and the Realme to them So that Iudgements were committed to the vniust Lawes to the Out-lawes Peace to Wranglers and Iustice to wrong-dâ—…ers Such as would haue praied redresse for these abuses were interrupted and put off by the Bishoppe of Winchester Among them who were remoued from their places in Court was one Sir William de Redune a Knight and Deputy Marshall to Richard Earle of Pembroke This was to the Earle very displeasant which ioyned with a consideration of the publike cause and danger he associates vnto him certaine of the great Lords as was the fashion of those Lording times vpon euery discontent and in the Company of them aduanceth confidently to the King whom in the hearing of many hee reproueth for that he had through sinister aduise called in the Poictouins to the oppression of the Realme of his naturall subiects of their Lawes and Liberties humblie therefore hee beseecheth him that hee would spedily reforme such abuses which threatned the imminent subuersion both of the Crowne and Kingdome which if hee did not himselfe and other Lordes would so long withdraw their attendance as he entertained Strangers The Bishoppe hereunto makes answere That the King might well and lawfully call in what Strangers himselfe
marching hee laid siege together with the Prince his brother to the Castle of Rodolan doing many outrages and killing all such as they could reach yea som as it is said whose ransomes they had taken though against Lewelins mind And while King Edward spent his Easter at the Vises in Wiltshire and afterward visited the Queene his mother who liued in the Nunnerie at Ambresberie the Welsh vnder diuers Captaines had taken sundry of the Kings strengthes and Castles in diuers parts There are extant the Copies of certaine grieuances exhibited to Iohn Archbishoppe of Canterbury by the Welsh at such time as of his owne accord so say the said Copies hee interposed himselfe without the Kings leaue to settle their quiet which Articles in shew for the answeres of the English are not set downe containe indeed sundry great abuses but the fate of Wales had now inuolued them all in a desolating warre and made them vncapable of reliefe For after the Archbishoppe had trauelled in person to the Prince of Wales being then in Snowdon and returned without any Conclusion made comming vnto Oxford hee there sent out the lightnings of excommunication against him and his seduced adherents Wee say seduced because they did capitulate in such sort as if they had beene able to make their party good 14 But though the old Brittish Principality was now to expire yet it must bee confessed that as Lewelin had an end vnworthy of his bloud being rather vnfortunately slaine then otherwise so on the other side the same hapned not without reuenge for at one encounter in open field Gilbert Earle of Gloster lost William Valence a yonger Cosen of the Kings slaine in the fight and foure other Knights though at the same time also many of the Welsh left their bodies dead vpon the earth together with the victory to the English but the day certainely which they had of King Edward himselfe may not bee forgotten in which the Welsh slew the Lord William de Audeley and the Lord Roger Clifford the yonger and got foureteene Ensignes from the English Armie K. Edward being enforced to enter into the Castle of Hope for his safety These things though not contemptible but rather certaine deceitfull fauours vsuall when the ruine of a Nation is by God decreed could not vphold the cause For first the Prince hauing vpon some occasion withdrawne himselfe with some few others from his Army which then was in the land of Buelth was set vpon by two principall Gentlemen Iohn Giffard and Edmund de Mortumar with their Forces and there by the hand of one Adam Francton was runne through with an Horsemans staffe who at the first being vnknowne had his head strucken afterward off and presented to King Edward at whose commandement it was crowned with Iuie and set vp for a certain time vpon the Tower of London 15 This saith the History of Wales was the end of Lewelin betrayed by the men of Buelth who was the last Prince of Britaines bloud and with him whom one Versifier calleth the Captaine the praise the law and light of Nations and another defaceth with as many ignominious attributes the liberty of that people did also die For it was not long but that King Edward subdued in a manner all Wales reseruing to himselfe the Coast-Towns strengths toward the Sea distributed the In-land Countries to the Lords his followers therein prudently following the counsell of Augustus who thus vnder pretence of defence for the Prouinces had the brideling of all their forces at his pleasure Neuerthelesse the whole flame was not as yet extinguished for Dauid the Princes Brother and chiefest firebrand in this fatall combustion was at large who being taken brought to King Edward at the Castle of Ruthlan could not obtaine admission to his sight or speech but was amanded and sent Prisoner to Shrewsburie Thither the King hauing setled the State of Wales repairing to a Parliament which he had summoned there to bee kept after Michaelmas caused Dauid hauing first had a Legall triall before certaine Iusticiars for that cause appointed to bee seuerely put to death by hanging heading and quartering whose head was set vp at London and his quarters in foure other principall Cities of England to the terrour of all ingratefull and disloy all persons The Welsh line thus thrust from the Principality King Edward vpon Saint Marks day had a sonne borne vnto him in Wales at Caernaruon who also was called Edward and raigned after him and that with the birth of a new Lord the Welsh might bee inured to new lawes the King established by example of K. Iohn his Grandfather in Ireland the English lawes and offices among them 16 But the King that hee might not seeme forgetfull of his French affaires repayred into France where hee obtained sundry fauours though they continued not long and sate in person there with the French King in his Parliament at the City of Paris as a Lord or Peere of that Realme in respect of such lands as hee had in those parts Nor may here bee forgotten an Act of singular munificence and charity in this renowned King for the redemption of Charles Prince of Achaia sonne and Heire of Charles King of Sicilia who had some yeers before beene taken in a battell at Sea before Naples by the Gallies of Sicilia fighting on the behalfe of the King of Arragon for whose speedier enlargement K. Edward disbursed thirty thousand pounds sterling and gaue his owne Knights in hostage till Charles had sent in his two sonnes Robert and Lewis as pledges to Alfonse king of Arragon which done King Edward returned into Gascoigne and there tooke vpon him the Crosse in full purpose to finish the iourney which once he had vndertaken and had in part performed against the Sarazens 17 In the meane time to purge England whither hee was now returned from such corruptions and oppressions as vnder which it groaned and not neglecting therein his particular gaine hee banished the Iewes out of the Realme confiscating all their goods leauing them nothing but money to beare their charges And whereas they by their cruell vsuries had one way eaten his people to the bones his Iusticiars like another kind of Iewes had ruined them with delayes in their suites and enriched themselues with wicked corruptions hee like a father of his Country put all those from their offices who were found guilty and they were almost all and punished them otherwise in a grieuous manner being first in open Parliament conuicted The particulars whereof by reason of the most iust and commendable example we will not thinke needlesse the order of naming them only changed to recapitulate here Sir Ralph Heugham Chief Iustice of the higher Bench 7000. marks Sir Iohn Louetot Iustice of the lower Bench 3000. marks Sir William Brompton Iustice 6000. markes
S. Salomon Rochester chiefe Iustice of Assises 4000. M. S. Richard Boyland 4000. Marks S. Thomas Sodentone 2000. Marks S. Walter de Hopton 2000. Marks S. William Saham Iustice 3000 Marks Robert Littelburie Clerk 1000. Marks Roger Leicester Clerk 1000. Marks Adam de Stratton beside other riches incredible 32000. Markes But with one Sir Thomas Weyland the Kings chiefe Iustice being found belike most false he dealt farre more sternely for he not only seised vpon all his moueable goods and Iewels which he had done to others but also vpon his immoueable and banisht him moreouer out of the Kingdome At which time the King constrained all his Iustices to sweare that from thence forth they would take no pension fee or gift of any man except only a breakfast or the like present O diuine and still necessary seuerity onely able to breake the pernicious combination of men that vnder the profession of law offices of Iustice make merchandize of honor iustice law and conscience which cannot in the end but ◅ring forth ruine and confusion 18 That tempest now which * Thomas Ersilton a Scottish Rimer is said to haue obscurely prophecied alluding to the troubles of Scotland by reason of King Alexanders death hapned about these times which raised so great and bloody contentions that it had almost blowne vp the regalitie of that kingdome by the very rootes For when by the violent fall from his horse King Alexander had most vnfortunately lost his life that Realme was wofully destitute of any apparent heire sundry persons stāding in competition for the same These things were thought to be foreshewed from heauen by many fearefull presages as extraordinary Meteors Flouds Fires and Pestilence But King Edward intending to sway that affaire and being vpon his way toward the borders the death of his royall consort and Queene which he lamented while himselfe did liue called him backe to the celebration of her funerals as her excellent virtues did well deserue To our Nation shee was a louing mother saith one the Column and pillar as it were of the whole Realme In her honour the King her husband who loued her aboue al worldly Creaturs caused those many famous tropheis or crosses to be erected wheresoeuer her noble coarse did rest as it was conueyed from Lincolneshire to buriall in Westminster Nor coulde any thing but the respect to other weighty matters now presently in hand with-holde our pen from paying to her memory a farre more copious commendation 19 Those mourning offices as mournfully performed the King repaires into Northumberland whither the greatest and sagest persons of the Scottish nation being come themselues hauing sought to him Edward makes claime to the superiority of Scotland and requires that the Competitors woud quietlie assent to his award alleaging that the Crowne of that Realme was held of him for more credit to which assertion he vouched sundry books and actss whereunto the Scots replied That they were ignorant that any such superiority belonged to the King of England neither could they make answere to such things without a King the head vpon whom it lay to heare such a denunciation and protested that other answere they ought not as then to giue in regard of their Oath which after the death of Alexander their King they had made one to the other and the same to keepe vnder paine of excommunication Whereupon the King deliuered to them his letters Patents in which he acknowledged that the comming of those Scots on this side the water of Twede should not be at any other time vrged to preiudice them for comming againe into England that is That their example should not so be drawne to an argument of King Edwards right ouer them as if they were to come againe vpon dutie so prudentlie iealous were these Patriots of their Countries liberty 20 The names of the Competitors were these according to Walsingham Erick King of Norway who appeared by his Attorneys Florence Earle of Holland Robert le Brus Lord of Annandale Iohn de Baliol Lord of Galway Iohn de Hastings Lord of Abergeuenny Iohn Comin Lord of Badenaw Patrick de Dunbar Earle of March Iohn de Vesci on his Fathers behalfe Nicholas de Sules William de Rosse These all peaceably submitted themselues for so much as concerned their seuerall titles to the Scottish Crowne to the finall award and arbitration of King Edward passing thereof an authentick Instrument vnto him who hauing giuen caution to restore the realme of Scotland within a certaine prefixed time to that party to whom the Crowne thereof should be adiudged had seisin deliuered to him the better to put the sentence in execution or say the writers of that nation they giuing him power to constraine the parties to stand to this sentence The whole carriage of which weighty businesse being so diuersly related and censured by the writers of both nations though for the present it be not material both Kingdoms now blessedly acknowledging one absolute Superiour wee will so trace the steps of truth in a middle way as resoluing neither to impeach the action of that glorious vmpier nor preiudicate the right of our noble sister nation The State of Scotland now was not without manifest perill for the Scots denying that their Kingdome was in anie point subalterne to the Crowne of England and King Edward either perswaded that it was so or resoluing and plotting now to make it so would not neglect the aduantage of this Akphalisis or want of a known head in Scotland 21 Vpon full ventilation therefore and scanning of all rights the maine doubt rested vpon Lord Brus and Baliol for the residue might seeme rather to affect the honour of hauing pretended title in blood to a Diademe then to haue colour to contend with either of them Great was the aduise and deliberation as there was cause which King Edward tooke therein for not trusting to his owne iudgement hee caused saith Hector Boetius twelue of the best Clerks or learned men of Scotland and twelue of England to concurre as Assessors with him in that great decision 22 While this weighty cause was in debatement there fell out deadlie strife betweene the English and Normans occasioned by one of them casually slaine by the English which mischiefe the King of France forwardly nourisht as thirsting for the dutchy of Gascoigne which best he might attain by troubling the forreine affaires of King Edward whom they saw now entangled at home in so weighty emploiments Whereupon the Normans slew sundry of the English and hung vp one vpon the mast of a Shippe whom they had taken at Sea but ere long after threescore English ships encountring with two hundreth saile of Normans laden with wines after a most bloody battel wherein many thousands of the French were slaine tooke with their whole fleete their full reuenge and brought them into England 23 At last yet King Edward returning to
can be terrified with swelling lies as if like one that had no power to compell I would let the right which I haue ouer you to slip out of my hands Let me heare no more of this for if I do I swear by the Lord I will consume all Scotland from sea to sea On the other side the Scots did boldly enough replie That in this cause they would shed their bloud for defence of iustice and their Countries liberty 40 About this time the King made his sonne Edward who was borne at Caernaruon Prince of Wales and Earle of Chester which so greatly contented the Welsh because in regard of his birth place they held him as one of theirs that when all friends did afterward forsake him as the following raigne will shew they alwayes stucke most loyally vnto him expressing wonderfull loue and affection and bewayling his heauy fortunes in wofull songs which neither the dread of his enemies nor length of time could euer make them to forget 41 But in the matter of Scotland the King not to seeme altogether to neglect the Court of Rome addressed thither the Earle of Lincolne and the Lord Hugh de Spenser with manifold complaints against the Scots and iustification of his owne proceedings how beit at the Popes request he granted them truce from Hallowmas to Whitsontide This very yeere Cassan King of Tartars gloriously slew one hundreth thousand Turkes in a battell vpon the plaine of Damascus and was baptized therupon as acknowledging the victory to come from the sonne of God the ioy wherof filled England as other the partes of Christendome 42 The iustice of the English Armes against the Scots being now againe directly impugned by the Papall letters comprehending sundry arguments on the behalfe of that Nation King Edward in a Parliament at Lincolne published their contents and by consent of the whole representatiue body of the Realme returned a copious defence of his whole proceedings with protestation first that hee did not exhibite any thing as informe of iudgement or triall of his cause but for satisfaction of his holy Fatherhoods conscience and not otherwise But whereas the Pope had required the King to stand to his decision for matter of claime hee writes that thereunto hee would make no answere as hauing left that point to the Earles and Peeres of his land who with one mind directly signifie that their King was not to answere in iudgement for any rights of the Crown of England before any Tribunall vnder Heauen and that by sending Deputies or Atturneyes to such an end hee should not make the said truth doubtfull because it manifestly tended to the disinherison of the said Crown which with the helpe of God they would resolutely and with al their force maintaine against all men So ceased that Action and the sooner also for that Bonifacius had much to doe at home by reason of some great controuersies between the French and him Meane time Sir Iohn Segraue Lord Segraue a renowned Souldier was sent Gouernour or Custos into Scotland with an Army after the Truce expired which at the French Kings instance King Edward had yeelded vnto for a time Iohn Cumin who had also beene a Competitor for the Crown was chosen by the Scots for their Gouernour 43 We may not here ouerpasse a victory at Rosselin which the Writers of that nation celebrate wherin the English were by them ouercome howbeit there is in our Writers much variety in that relation It is the saying of Hector Boetius that the English were about three for one our ancient and later authors say that the Scots had farre the more people he affirmes that it was in the plaine field ours that it was an Ambush he that the Scots did put to flight and tooke the spoiles of three whole battels in either of which were 10000. English ours that the Scots by reason of their multitudes did onely ouerbeare the Vauntgard from which the nearest of the other battels was foure miles off All agree in this that the Lord Iohn Segraue Ralfe Confrey saith Hector who had the point or voward of the English whose Generall he also was by diuiding his army into three parts for their better reliefe weakned so his whole force that thereby and his vnaduised forwardnes impatient to stay for his other powers he gaue occasion to the Scots of such a victory They had also taken the person of the said Lord Generall but Sir Robert de Neuilc who with others was at diuine seruice hearing therof came with his troups of horse rescued Segraue slew many put many to flight and brought away backe the rest of the prisoners without the losse of any one man of his owne The said Scottish Chronicle makes no mention of William Walleys at this discomfiture of the English but giues the whole glory thereof to Cumyn and to Simon Fraser whereas we attribute all to Walleys and make no mention of the other with farre lesse wrong to the immortall deserts of Walleys for he vndoubtedly was the only man who kept vp Scotland till neere the time of deliuerance 44 The Scottish Nation as Hector reports had for their warrant in conscience and iustification of resistance the Popes iudgement who vpon ripe deliberation in their matter decreed saith he that the Scots had iust action of battell in defence of their liberties against King Edward who not much esteeming the doome of that Oracle vpon the other side was perswaded hee might proceed to subdue them wholy to his dominion and therefore vpon report that the Scots were not only vp in Armes but encouraged to greater attempts by this late successe came in person with a dreadfull host piercing therewith through all Scotland from one end thereof to the other from Rocksbrough to Catnes which is the farthest point in the length of that Land being about three hundreth miles whither he marched by small iourneys not an enemie appearing with power to empeach him For they vnable to make head being so continually wasted did either for their safetie betake themselues to the woods and Mountaines with their Walleys or wholly submitted themselues swearing to be true to king Edward there being in al Scotland but one Castle the Castle of Striueling which stood out and that also vpon King Edwards returne from Catnes was absolutely surrendred to him and therefore no great cause why Hector should call King Edward false Tyrant for committing the Captaine and Garrison of that Castle to sundry Prisons So that had not God in his eternall prouidence fauouring the liberty of that people ordeined some inaccessible places and naturall strengths where no Armie could march nor be maintained the Scots had in all liklihood perpetually vndergone the same fortune which we the English were brought into for want of the like by William the first and his Normans 45 Therefore let prophane discourses with their Father Epicurus and Lucretius
blush and tremble as often as they shall dare to insinâ—…ate any thing against Gods wisdome in the Fabrick of the world as if the Craggy and desert places thereof had no vse in nature when omitting all other reasons of their being the conseruation of kingdomes and nations was thus by them effected We had an Herward in the Conquerours time as well as the Scots had a Walleys in this and we might perhaps at this houre haue beene without French mixtures if God had prouided our Country of such Wastes and deserts as either they or the Welshmen did enioy who for manie hundreths of yeeres after the ruine in Saint Peters Church at Westminster the twentieth day of Nouember in the first year of his Fathers raign Ann. Dom. 1272. in the same place and vnder the same Tombe where his brother Iohn lies with his picture also in the Arch aboue it 60 Alphons the third sonne of Edward and Queene Elenor was borne at the Towne of Maine in Gascoigne as his father and mother were in their returne towards England from Ierusalem Nouember 23. in the second yeare of his fathers raigne 1273. hee deceased at Windsor August 4. in the twelfth yeere of his age 1285. and was buried at Westminster in Saint Peters Church by Saint Bennets Chappell where his body lieth vnder the Tombe of his Brothers Iohn and Henry his Image also there portraied with theirs 61 Edward the fourth sonne of King Edward and Queene Elenor was borne April 25. in the thirteenth yeere of his fathers raigne 1284. at Caernaruan in Northwales and after the death of Lewelin ap Griffith in regard of the place of his Natiuity was by his fathers Creation with the consent of the Welsh made Prince of Wales the first of the sonnes and heires apparant of the Kings of England that bare that Title which afterward became ordinary to most of the rest hee was also Earle of Ponthieu and Chester and being made Knight by his father at London on Whitsunday in the thirty fourth yeere of his Raigne 1306. succeeded him the same yeer in the Kingdome of VVales 62 Elenor the eldest daughter of King Edward and Queene Elenor was borne at Windsor in the fiftieth yeare of King Henry her Grandfather shee was married with all Ceremonies of Proxie to a Deputy for Alphons King of Arragon sonne of King Peter who deceased A. Do. 1292. before the solemnization of marriage leauing his Kingdom to his brother Iames and his new wife to another husband who was married at Bristow in the two and twentieth yeere of her fathers raigne 1293. to Henry the 3. Earle of Barrie whose Earledome lay in the East-borders of Champaigne in France Shee had Issue by him Edward Earle of Barrie from whom descended the Earles and Dukes of that Country whose inheritance by Heires generall deuolued to the Kings of Arragon and from them again to the Dukes of Aniou that were Kings of Sicill Henrie another sonne of hers was Bishoppe of Troys in Champagny Helen her Daughter was marrird to Henry Earle of Bloys and Ioan to Iohn Warren Earle of Surrey she was his wife fiue yeeres and deceased 27. of her fathers raigne A. D. 1298. 63 Ioan the second daughter of King Edward and Queene Eleanor was borne in the first yeere of her fathers raigne 1272. at a City in the holy land sometime named Ptolomais commonly called Acon and Aker where her mother remained during the warres that her father had with the Saracens Shee was at eighteene yeeres of age married to Gilbert Clare called the Red Earle of Glocester and Hereford by whom shee had issue Earle Gilbert slaine in Scotland without issue Eleanor married first to Hugh Spencer in her right Earle of Glocester and after to William Zouch of Ricards castle Margaret first maried to Peter Gaueston Earle of Cornwal after to Hugh Audeley Earle also of Glocester and Elizabeth Lady of Clare married first to Iohn son and heire to Richard Burgh Earle of Vlster in Ireland mother of William Burgh Earle of Vlster and Grandmother of Elizabeth Dutchesse of Clarence secondly to Theobald Lord Verdon and lastly to Sir Roger Damary This Ioan suruiued her husband and was remarried to Sir Ralph Monthermere a Baron father to Margaret the mother of Thomas Mountacute Earle of Salisbury of whom the now Vicount Mountacute is descended shee liued thirty eight yeeres and deceased in the first yeere of her brother King Edwards raigne and is buried at the Fryer Austines in Clare 64 Margaret the third daughter of King Edward and Queene Elenor was borne at the Castle of Windsor in the third yeare of her fathers raigne and of our Lord 1275. When shee was fifteene yeeres of age shee was married at Westminster Iuly 9. in the eighteenth yeere of herfathers raign A D. 1290. to Iohn the second Duke of Brabant by whom shee had issue Duke Iohn the third father of Margaret wife of Lewis of Mechlin Earle of Flanders and mother of the Lady Margaret the heire of Brabant and Flanders who was married to Philip Duke of Burgundie 65 Berenger the fourth Daughter of King Edward Queen Elenor was born the 4. of her fathers raigne An. 1276. as Iohn Eueresden the Monke of S. Edmundsburie in Suffolke hath recorded in his booke of English Annales but other mention there is none but onely from him whereby it is likely that shee did not liue to be married but that shee died in her childhood 66 Alice the fifth Daughter of king Edward and Queene Elenor is by Thomas Pickering of the Monastery of Whitby who wrote the large Genealogie of the Kings of England and their issue reported to haue deceased without Issue 67 Marie the sixt daughter of king Edward and Queene Elenor was borne at Windsor April 22. in the eight yeare of her fathers raigne 1279. and at ten yeeres of age A. D. 1289. September 8. shee was made a Nunne in the Monastery of Ambresberie in Wiltshire at the instance of Queen Elenor her Grandmother who at that time liued there in the habite of the same profession although her Parents were hardly enduced to yeeld their consents to that course 68 Elizabeth the seuenth Daughter of king Edward and Queene Elenor was borne at the Castle of Ruthland in Flintshire in the thirteenth yeere of her fathers raigne An. 1284. When she was foureteen yeeres of age shee was married at London to Iohn the first of that name Earle of Holland Zeland and Lord of Freezeland who died within two yeeres after without Issue and shee was remarried to Humfrey Bohun Earle of Hereford and Essex Lord of Breknoke and high Constable of England by whom shee had Issue Iohn and Humfrey both Earles successiuely after their Father Edward that died in Scotland without issue and William who being created Earle of Northampton while his Brothers liued after their deceases was also Earle of Hereford and Essex Lord of Breknok and high Constable of England and father of Earle Humfrey the tenth of
that name and last of that house who died without Issue male she had also by him two daughters Elenor married to Iames Butler Earle of Ormond and Margaret to Hugh Courtney the first Earle of Deuonshire Shee was this Earles wife foureteene yeers liued thirty three deceased in the ninth yeere of the raigne of king Edward her brother A. D. 1316. and was buried in the Church of S. Iames at the Abbey of Saffron VValden in Essex 69 Beatrice the eight daughter of King Edward and Queene Elenor bare the name of Beatrice Dutchesse of Britannie her fathers sister she is by some Genealogists mentioned to haue liued till she was marriageable but yet no mention being made of her match it seemeth she died vnmarried 70 Blanch the ninth daughter of king Edward and the last of Queene Elenor is so mentioned by Thomas Pickering and some others but not at all by Thomas Ebraham a Monke who made a Pedegree of the Kings of England but shee is by the rest reported to haue died in her childhood 71 Thomas the fifth sonne of king Edward and the first of Queene Margaret his second wife was borne at a little village in Yorkshire called Brotherton Iune 1. in the nine and twenteth yeere of his fathers raigne Ann. 1300. hee was created Earle of Norfolke and Earle Marshal of England which Earledomes the last Earle Roger Bigod leauing no Issue left to the disposition of the King his father He had two wiues of which the first was Alice the daughter of Sir Roger Hayles of Harwich in Suffolk by whom hee had issue Edward who married Beatrice the daughter of Roger Mortimer the first Earle of March but hee died before his father without Issue and two daughters Margaret twice married first to Iohn Lord Segraue by whom shee had Elizabeth Dutchesse of Norfolke wife of Iohn Lord Mowbray from whom the Mowbrayes Howards Dukes of Norffolke and Earles Marshall descended secondly to Sir VValter Manny a Knight of Cambray and by him had Anne wife of Iohn Hastings the elder Earle of Pembroke and mother of Earle Iohn the yonger that died without Issue his yongest daughter Alice was married to Sir Edward Montacute and had by him three daughters Elizabeth and Ioan married to VValter and VVilliam two of the Vffords and Maud that died vnmarried The second wife of this Earle Thomas was Mary the daughter of VVilliam Lord Ros and widow of Sir Ralph Cobham who suruiuing him without Issue by him shee was married the third time to VVilliam Lord Brerose of Brember 72 Edmund his sixt sonne by Queene Margaret was borne at Woodstocke in Oxfordshire August 5 in the thirtieth yeare of the raigne of his Father A. 1301. Hee was created Earle of Kent and married Margaret daughter of Iohn and sister and sole heire of Thomas Lord VVakes of Lydel in the County of Northampton by her he had Issue two sonnes and one daughter Edmund his eldest sonne was Earle of Kent after his father and died vnder age without wife or issue Iohn the yonger was Earle also after his brother he maried Elizabeth the daughter of the Duke of Gulike and died like vise without Issue His daughter was Ioan for her beauty called the faire Maid of Kent first maried to William Mountacute Earle of Salisbury and from him diuorced and remarried to Sir Thomas Holland in her right Earle of Kent and by her father of Thomas and Iohn Holland Duke of Surrey and Earle of Huntington and lastly shee was the wife of Edward of Woodstocke the Blacke Prince of Wales and by him mother of King Richard the second This Earle Edmund was beheaded at Winchester the 1â—… of March in the fourth yeere of King Edward his Nephew 73 Eleanor the tenth daughter fifteenth child of King Edward and the last child of Queene Margaret his second wife was borne at Winchester the sixt day of May in the fiue and thirtieth and last yeere of her fathers Raign being the yeere of our Lord 1306. shee deceased in her Child-hood and was buried in S. Peters Church at Westminster by her brother Iohn Henry and Alfons vnder the monument before named with her picture ouer it EDVVARD THE SECOND LORD OF IRELAND AND DVKE OF AQVITAINE c. THE FORTIE-EIGHTH MONARCH OF ENGLAND HIS RAIGNE ACTS AND ISSVE CHAPTER XI THat the Mind is not deriued from Parents certainely the second Edward called of Caeernaruon might if nothing else abundantlie shew being of a most valiant wise and fortunate father an vnlike sonne yet not to beginne our description of his courses with preiudice of his person we will so temper our stile that by his owne actions sincerely related rather then by any verball censures the man may bee iudged This cannot be denied that whereas from the Conquest till his time England though it endured by Gods iust iudgements many bitter sad and heauy stormes through some headinesse ambition or other sicknesses of mind in the Princes thereof yet had she Men to sway and gouerne her and those distempers were as the perturbations incident to vigorous dispositions whereas vnder this Edward who could neither get nor keepe it seemed to endure the leuities of a Child though his yeeres being about twenty and three might haue exempted him from so great infancie of iudgement as his raigne discouered 2 Neuer came Prince to the crowne with more generall applause then he so great hopes of doing well his Victorious father Edward of VVinchester had left vpon him besides the right of succession whose last warning and terrible adiurations you haue heard with the vtter contempt and breach whereof to the destruction of himselfe and his friends hee in a manner auspicated his gouernement 3 After that Edward had in his best maner prouided for the affaires of Scotland where at Domfrees many of the Scottish Lords did their homage to him as they had to his Father the first taske which hee gaue of his future behauiours at home was a rigorous reuenge taken by him vpon Walter de Langton Bishoppe of Chester Treasurer of England and principall Executor of the last Will of the deceased King whose body was not as yet interred but by the care of the Executors conueied with funerall pompe to VValtham and after sixteen weekes to VVestminster where vnder a plaine monument the same at this present rests The Bishoppes crime was a kind of good freedome which hee vsed in the late Kings daies in grauely reprouing the Prince for his misdemeanors and shortning his waste of coine by a frugall moderation and particularly for that he had complained of Peirs Gaueston wherupon ensued Prince Edwards imprisonment and the others banishment and therefore comming now to the Crowne hee arrested the Bishoppe by Sir Iohn Felton Constable of the Tower and imprisoned him in VVallingford Castle seising vpon all his temporall goods and credites there being not a man in the Realme who durst speake a word on his behalfe so
Lewis the French Kings sonne would haue had the Infant at his Baptisme named Lewis but the English Lords would not permit who therfore was after his Fathers and Grandfathers name called Edward This was hee who afterward raysed the honour of English Cheualrie to so high a point by his famous victories in France and elsewhere 17 The euill will which the King bare in his mind against the Barons for their ouer-ruling his affections and the death of Gaueston by sundry bad offices and sycophancies of the French at Windsor was rubd so hard vpon that it grew raw againe before it was halfe healed Therefore in a Parliament at London the king sharpely charged those presumptuous Lords with their contempt against him in the spoiles they had committed at Newcastle and which most afflicted his languishing spirit in taking and wickedly killing Peirs Gaueston To all which they stoutely answered that they had not offended in any point but deserued his roiall fauour for that they had not gathered force against him but against the publike enemie of the Realme c. How beit to preuent the feared mischiefe of ciuill Armes by the working of the young Queene of the Prelates and Earle of Glocester the Lords in open Court at Westminster humbled themselues to the King praying grace and the King granted to such of them as would desire the same his gracious pardon The whole house of Parliament seeing the kings wants of their own accord granted a Fifteenth al parts hereupon returned with ioy and peace but not long after the Lord Guy de Beauchampe Earle of Warwicke who in this Parliament was appointed to be of Priuie Councell with the King deceased being as by the Barons wel-willers it was said impoisoned by such of the Kings secret friends as did maligne him 18 The mischieuous effects of the Kings former misgouernment beganne now most perillouslie to discouer themselues For the Scots his neighbours who could not bee ignorant of all such griefes and maladies as festred in the heart and entrals of England had long since made their timely vse thereof adhering so to the vndaunted Bruce that by degrees hee had gotten a great strength and was againe publikely receiued and obeied for King of Scotland from most places whereof hee draue the English and in contempt of Edward committed great spoile by slaughter of People burning of Townes in Northumberland and other Acts of hostility The principall charge of Scotland for King Edward had beene entrusted to the Lord Iohn Cumin a Scot Earle of Bucquhan whom King Robert had vanquished in battell and was now while Edward sate bewitched with most vnworthy languishments grown potent sending his Brother Edward Bruce to besiege the Castle of Striuelin which was in the hands of the English 19 The King of England awakened out of his slumbers with these Alarums marched thereupon with a very great Armie toward the said Castle It pleaseth Hector Boetius putting off as it were the Historian to report maruellous thinges of the numbers of Souldiers which came with King Edward in this iourney for if he say true there were not fewer then one hundreth and fifty thousand horsemen and as many thousand footmen and that we may not suspect the multitude to bee far greater then either the cause required or the realm of England could well afford hee informeth vs that besides the English there were in his aid at this time Hollanders Zelanders Brabanders Flemings Picards Boloners Gascoignes Normans with much people of many other Regions and that besides these three hundreth thousand men of warre there were infinite families with their women children seruants and houshold-stuffe but because other Writers doe ingenuously grant and containe probable matter enough for the honour of the Scottish Nation in this iourney wee will as neare as wee can being things to vs neither vp nor downe in regard of the long time since these hostilities hapned truely and freely though briefly informe our selues hereof 20 The Earles of Lancaster Warren Warwicke and Arundel the greatest Peeres of the land refused to attend their King in this seruice for that hee had delaied to ratifie the points of their desired liberties and prouisions for the pretended better gouernment of England by himselfe so often consented vnto In which as their loyall affection cannot bee much admired so it is certaine that King Edward hereby vndertooke that voyage with farre the lesse force eyther of men or counsell Neuerthelesse his hoast was great enough if numbers did sway in such affaires more then religion discipline and valour to haue effected more then it selfe did suffer But King Edward and his people rather seemed to goe toward a Wedding or a Triumph then to a battell adorning themselues with all sorts of riches gold siluer and the like toies in a kind of wanton manner correspondent to the humour of the Prince whom they followed 21 In this iourney it was made manifest what true and sober valiancie could effect against light brauery and insolency King Robert lodged with his forces being inferiour in numbers to the English not farre off where was nothing but a religious deuout and modest care quickned after manifold calamities with a most noble desire to recouer the libertie of their Country and to settle the same into the hope whereof they were the rather erected by a fresh victorie which they had obtained that day vpon certaine of the English horsemen King Edward on the contrary part nothing esteeming so sleight a presage resolued vpon the very next being Midsommer or Saint Iohn Baptists day to take a terrible reuenge vpon the Scots but how to effect the same the care was not excessiue for in his Campe Wassaile and Drinkehaile were thundered extraordinarily as accounting themselues sure of the victory which kind of impiousselfe-trust if God Almighty did not sometime scourge with iust and terrible confusions what outrages would not bee executed 22 Farre otherwise the Bruces Army which by his commandement spent the euening in making humble confession of their sinnes that they might saith our Author bee ready on the morrow to receiue the blessed Sacrament as accordingly they did Moreouer to leaue nothing vndone which might aduance their cause the Scots had digged before their Battalions certaine trenches or dikes three foot deepe and three foot broad which hauing fixed sharpe stakes in them with their points vpward they couered so with hurdles that footemen treading warily might passe but not troupes of horse Next to Gods anger against the English whom courtly Pride and Sloth had now effeminated this stratageme was the cause of their ruine for whereas they reposed much vpon their Cauallerie in these Pit-falles the fury of their charge was intercepted and broken the riders being miserablie slaine by the Scots whom King Robert marching formost on foot had presented most couragiously to the enemy 23 The King of England not altogether
carelesse neither yet by his care able to doe much as one whom God was not well pleased with had ordered his battels with some aduise but vpon the dismall and vnexpected discomfiture of his horse in those mischieuous holes or ditches was enforced after some troubled resistance to leaue to the Scots the greatest victory that euer they had before or after Hardly could K. Edward bee drawne to flie the courage which it became such a Monarch to haue then first disclosing it selfe till by his friends hee was enforced to seeke his preseruation by that more necessary then noble meanes and with him besides others the Lord Hugh Spencer whom our Courtier cals a ◅aint hearted Kite betooke himselfe to like remedie 24 All things proued vnfortunate to the English in this iorney for when they perceiued their Cauallerie thus miserably ouerthrowne in the ditches they shot their arrowes compasse with purpose to kill or gall such Scots as came to the execution but did them little or no harme as they who were armed in the fore-parts and in stead of that slew their friends whose backes being toward them were vnarmed 25 The losse fell much vpon the Noblest for there were slaine in this Battell Gilbert Earle of Glocester a man of singular valour and wisdom the Lord Robert de Clifford and besides other Lords about seuen hundreth Knights Esquiers and men of Armories Of the rest the slaughter could not bee but great though much the lesse in regard the Scots fought on foot Hector saith that there were not slaine fewer then fifty thousand English no Writer else that hitherto wee can meet with exceedes the fifth part of that number the riches gotten by spoiles and ransomes of the English were doubtlesse very great Among the number of prisoners the principall was H◅y de Bohun Earle of Hereford but recouered af◅rd by exchange for King Roberts wife who all this while was detained in England This battell was fought at Banocksbourne neere Striuelin in Scotland 26 From this ouerthrow King Edward escaping to Berwicke King Robert who to his great glory as hauing himselfe beene trained vp among the English vsed such as were taken prisoners with singular humanity sent thither to him the bodies of the Earle of Gloster Lord Clifford that they might receiue honourable interrement among their owne friends But Edward vnder whose vnfortunate leading the English name sustained so great dishonour and dammage withdrew to Yorke resoluing therein onely Princelike to assemble new force and either to bee reuenged or to die But all enterprises and attempts of that nature miscarried for aboue twelue yeeres after insomuch that great feare raigned among the Northern̄e English who lay open to the first brunts and violences of the Scots ouer whom many faire dayes shone And to augment the calamities of the North many of the disloiall English conspired with the enemie and iointly spoyled the west parts of Northumberland nothing being secure but that which wals defended 27 God to humble the English who through long prosperities had forgotten both themselues him drew not backe his heauy hand so for seldom hath so terrible a famine beene heard of here as succeeded to this ouerthrow so that for moderation of prices a Parliament was assembled at London but saith Walsingham as if God had beene displeased at the said rates which not long after were repealed things grew scarser day by day and the dearth was generally such that vpon Saint Laurences Eue there was scarsely bread to be gotten for sustentation of the Kings owne family This famine which lasted about two yeeres was accompanied with much mortality of people 28 But neither the dishonours taken in Scotland nor innumerable afflictions and discontentments at home made Edward suspend the celebration of his Gauestons funerals whose Body with great pompe hee caused to bee transferred from the place of his former buriall which was among the Friers Preachers at Oxford to Kings-Langley in Hertfordshire where hee in person with the Archbishoppe of Canterbury foure Bishoppes many Abbots and principall Churchmen did honour the exequies but few were present of the Nobility whose great stomackes would not giue them leaue to attend Somewhat also to sweeten these generall acerbities Lewelin Bren and his two sonnes were brought vp prisoners to London hauing burnt many towns vpon the Marches and committed some murthers with their Welsh adherents 29 Meane-while the state of the Kingdome was miserable there being no loue betwixt the King and the Peeres nor any great care in him or them of the common affaires neuerthelesse they assembled at a Parliament in London where no great matter was concluded for the famine and pestilence encreased The famine was growne so terrible that horse dogs yea men and children were stolne for food and which is horrible to thinke the theeues newly brought into the Gaoles were torne in peeces and eaten presently halfe aliue by such as had been longer there In London it was proclaimed that no corne should be conuerted to Brewers vses which Act the King moued with compassion toward his Nation imitating caused to bee executed through all the Kingdome otherwise saith Walsingham the greater part of the people had died with penury of bread The bloudie flux or dissenterie caused through raw and corrupt humors engendred by euil meat and diet raged euery where and together with other maladies brought such multitudes of the poorer sort to their end that the liuing could scarse suffice to bury the dead 30 The King was now in so great dislike and distrust with the Lords and Barons that they would not appeare at Clarendon where hee held a great Councell To augment this fatall auersion a certaine Knight belonging to Iohn Earle Warren stole away from Caneford in Dorsetshire the wife of Thomas Earle of Lancaster chiefe of the Lords faction not without the Kings consent as it was said and brought her to the said Earle Warrens Castle at Rigate with great pompe and in despight of the Earle whom one Richard de Saint Maurice a wretched lame and bunchbackt Dwarfe challenged for wife pretending that he was formerly contracted and had lien with her which she the greatest and noblest Inheretrix of her time did openly confesse to her immortall infamie incurring alas saith Walsingham the publike note of a most filthie strump◅t This deformed Elfe hauing mighty seconds durst hereupon claime the Earledomes of Lincolne and Salisburie as in her right and in the meane time the name and honor of Thomas the great Earle was baffold as it were by a light and wicked woman 31 The parts of England beyond Humber were now more and more afflicted for such as till then had opposed themselues against the Scots in defence of the Country perceiuing all things left at large in stead of Protectors became Tyrants saith our Author of defenders destroyers and of valiant Champions treacherous Chapmen so that as
Barons and knights to the number of aboue fourescore and ten were taken prisoners by a man of small fortunes Andrew de Herckley Captaine of the City of Carleil and Sir Simon Ward Captaine of Yorke who with great forces out of those parts stopt their farther passage at Burrowbrigge as the Kings forces tooke all safegard from them behind 40 The third day after their apprehension the King in person being set in iudgement at Pontfract and with him Edmund Earle of Kent Aymerie Earle of Pemb◅ke Iohn de Warren Earle of Surrey and among others the Lord Hugh de Spenser the Father as also Hugh Spenser his sonne the Earle of Lancaster was brought before them and had sentence pronounced against him by the said Andrew de Herckley created afterward Earle of Carliel and the Kings Iusticiar the Lord Maplesthorpe as against an Arch-Traitour neuerthelesse for reuerence of his bloud being the Kings neere Kinsman drawing and hanging were remitted vnto him but his head was stricken off the same day without the Towne of Pontfract 41 Nor satisfied herewith the King gaue full way to reuenge putting to shamefull death by drawing hanging and as some write quartering in sundry places all the Barons the Lord Roger D'amarie onely excepted who died of his naturall death with sundry Baronets and Knights taken at Burroughbrig and elsewhere The Lord Badlesmere at whose house this tragicall fire beganne was executed at Canterburie And that so great and mighty a man as Thomas Earle of Lancaster should not seeme to die without a bloudie complement sutable to his condition there were hanged and quartered vpon the same day at Pontefract fiue or sixe Barons and the next day at Yorke were hanged in yron chaines the Lords Clifford Mowbray Dey-uill and others afterward in other places to the number in all though all of them not Barons of twenty and two the chiefest Captaines of the Realme suffered death for their disloyalties Threescore and twelue Knights more were dispersed into sundry prisons who saith De la Moore vpon fines paid had afterward their Liberties 42 As for the said Thomas Earle of Lancaster there are so many reasons why he cannot reasonably be iudged either a good subiect or a good man that we may worthily wonder why some at that time should repute him a Saint Certainely the wise and discreet old Writers are not so opinionated of him but note his priuate life for vicious himselfe to be nothing valorous and of the publike not well deseruing omitting his contumelious behauiours toward the King his Soueraign Lord in his discomforts which as Walsingham forgets not to relate so thinkes he that the like was worthily vsed toward that Earle himselfe who when hee was brought prisoner to Pontfract his owne Castle but then surrendred the whole multitude derided and called him in scorne King Arthur by which name hee was designed as some write in the Scottish Cypher intercepted prouing a conspiracy with Scots but the very shoppe where his and the other Barons original Treasons were forged was the Parliament house wherein from time to time they forced on the King presumptuous and treasonous Ordinations whereby the Peeres challenged not onely to reforme the Kings house and Councell and to place and displace all great Officers at their pleasure but euen a ioint interest in the Regiment of the Kingdome together with the King which William Inge a Iudge of the Common-Law with other like sticklers traiterously perswading them to be according to Law 43 Of his ill deseruings toward the common-Weale who for the good thereof could not disgest any indignity let this bee a kind of demonstration for when King Edward hauing by strait siege brought Berwicke neere to termes of yeelding chanced once to breake forth after his vaine manner into these words The Lord Hugh Spenser shall be captaine of the Castle when it is taken the Earle forthwith with others of his affection abandoned the seruice by reason of which departure it was thought that Berwicke was not as then obtained and that the enemy therby had great aduantage in all their attempts The names of such Barons besides Banerets and some few others of special note as perished by hatchet and halter for this businesse as out of so great variety of Writers wee could now gather them were At Pontfrait Thomas Earle of Lancaster The Lord Warren Lile The Lord William Tochet The Lord Thomas Mandute The Lord Henry de Bradburne The L. Williā Fitz-Williā the yonger The Lord William Cheyney At Yorke The Lord Roger Clifford son of that Robert Lord Clifford who was slaine by the Scots with Gilbert Earle of Gloster at the battell of Banocksbourne in the seruice of this King The Lord Iohn Mowbray The Lord Iosceline Deynuile At Gloster The Lord Iohn Gifford At London The Lord Henrie Teyes At Windsor The Lord Frances de Aldenham At Canterburie The L. Bartholmew de Badlesmere The L. Bartholmew de Ashburnham Neuer did English earth at one time drinke so much bloud of her Nobles in so vile manner shed as at this which whatsoeuer could bee pretended as doubtlesse their offence was capitall yet all was taken to be done as in the quarrell of the Spensers onely nor was it vnreuenged as will appeare in the mean space their enemies not contented with their bloud procured also the confiscation of their estates and inheritances 44 King Edward thinking that this exploit had made him terrible aswell to the Scots as it had done to the English marcheth with a mighty hoast into Scotland from whence not long after for want of victuals hee was compelled to returne without the honor of any atchieuement and being vpon his returne was sodainely by Scots assailed in the night very narrowly escaping in his owne person and with a few saued himself by flight leauing his treasure furniture for pillage and so came sorrowfull to Yorke Iohn de Britain Earle of Richmond was taken prisoner by the enemy and the rest of the Country defaced with destructions as farre as to the wals of that City 45 Thus passed this yeere to the English full of losse reproach and lamentation by reason of their intestine discord and the shambles of their Nobles to the King infamous and hatefull also for his vnfortunate iourney into the Northern parts c. But these bloudy and tempestuous winds blew some to profit for during the space of about fiue yeeres after the fortune of the Spencers hugely encreased and the Queenes decreased who for her relenting toward the Lords expressing some dislikes of these ranckly-growing weeds was grown to beare a share in the persecution And that these with such like violent men working vpon the Kings inclination were the onely Authors of that sharpe reuenge taken vpon the Lords for their particular and inglorious enrichment
England not they who were attendant on the Queen her selfe in neerest place being spared all matters by her negotiation and suite were quieted vpon condition that King Edward should giue to his sonne Edward of Windsor afterward King the Dutchy of Aquitaine and Earledome of Pontine for which the king of France was pleased to accept his said young Nephewes homage 53 This was done and the Prince sent ouer for that purpose to his mother to the vtter vndoing of the King his Father and of all his fauourites For the heire of England being in forraine parts among the contrary faction all the consultation was vnder colour of ruining the Spensers to accomplish farther matters The Prince hauing at Boys de Vincens done his homage for that Dutchie and County to his vncle Charles de Valois King of France was as also the Queene his mother sent for backe by the King about Michaelmas but the Queenes conspiracie being not yet ripe shee deferred to obay detaining her sonne still 54 There went ouer with the young Prince among many others Walter Stapleton Bishoppe of Excester who perceiuing into what familiarity the Lord Roger Mortimer was growne with the Queene which seemed greater then either stood with her honour or dutie and seeing both him and other of the Kings enemies and fugitiues enioy that priuacie in counsell which was assigned to himselfe who was now as being none of theirs excluded returned secretly though vnsent for into England faithfully as it became a good man declaring his knowledge 55 The King now clearely beholding his errour in his dangers solicited the King of France to send home his wife and sonne but that not succeeding he caused them openly in London to be proclaimed enemies of the Kingdome banishing them with all their adherents out of the same For his more assurance also hee caused the Ports to bee most narrowly watcht Finally to draw all his dangers to a short dispatch there was as was supposed a plot laid for making away the Queene and Prince but Gods will was to frustrate it 56 The Queen on the other side fearing that the Spensers gold had laid traines to blow her whole proceedings vp in France kept herselfe out of the way till with the Prince the Lord Roger Mortimer and other their adherents they were safely gotten into Henault There might bee some other reason also and necessary to moue Queene Isabel to depart out of France beside the doubt of that kind of corruption in the Peeres thereof as to turne off a warre from thence being her natiue Country which for her cause was afflicted in the Sea-strengthes therof for Sir Iohn Oturwin Sir Nicholas Kiried and Sir Iohn de Felton with the Nauie of the Ports and of other places had by commission from the King so scowred the narrow Scas that they within a short time brought into England as lawfull prize an hundreth and twenty Norman shippes or vessels Moreouer whereas those two Bishoppes which the Pope had sent were returned sorrowfull out of England not onely without doing any good on her behalfe but also without hope of doing any shee might easily be perswaded that the sword must doe it or nothing 57 But in Henault shee found most honourable and louing welcome of the Earle where therefore without the consent or aduise of the Peeres of England shee ensured saith our Author that delight and terrour of the whole world her sonne being then about foureteene yeeres old to Philippa the said Earles daughter and with the money of her portion waged souldiers out of Henault and Germany to transport into England There her friends expected her arriuall dayly of which the Bishoppes of Hereford and Lincolne were not meanest Her men and Nauie being now readie shee with her sonne the Prince the Lord Edmund Earle of Kent his vncle Aimerie de Valence Earle of Pembroke the Lord Iohn of Henault the Earle of Henaults brother a valiant Gentleman the Lord Roger Mortimer and many other English-men of name and note with aboue two thousand and seuen hundred Henowayes and Germans vnder the leading of the said Lord Iohn arriued at Orwell in Suffolke vpon the Friday before Saint Michaels day 58 Her arriuall being reported to the King who was poore Prince not onely destitute of friends and meanes but as it seemes of courage and counsell also it did not at first seeme credible The truth appearing he demaunded assistance of the City of London whose answere was That they would honour with all dutie the King the Queene and Prince but would shut their gates against forreiners and traitors to the Realme and with all their powers withstand them In this answere the King and his few friends reposing no assurance he committed an errour worse then that former of sending his sonne out of England by retiring himselfe into the West with his inseparable fauourites the Spensers Baldocke and others there to raise a force against the Queene but before hee went hee left his other sonne the Lord Iohn called of Eltham in the Tower of London with the Coūtesse of Glocester the Kings Neece wife to the yonger Spenser Earle of Glocester committing the Tower it selfe to Sir Iohn de Weston who was well prouided of men and victuals Hee commanded all men also to destroy and kill the Queenes partakers none excepted but her selfe her sonne and Edmund Earle of Kent the Kings brother by the Father and that none vpon paine of death and losse of all that they might leese should aid or assist them and that hee should haue a thousand pound who did bring the Lord Mortimers head Thus tooke hee his last leaue of London and in a maner also of his Rule or Domination 59 On the contrary part there repaired to the Queene the Earle Marshall and Henry Earle of Leicester the Bishops of Lincolne Hereford Ely and of Barons Knights and armed Souldiers no small multitude whom aswell to retain as to draw more letters and rumors flew about declaring though falsly that the King of France had in the aide of his sister sent so many Dukes Earles and others that England could scarse suffice to feed them This for such whom the opinion of warlike strength would winne but those whom shew of Religion might moue it was as cunningly and as falsly spread that the Pope had excommunicated all such as did take armes against the Queene and the more to countenance the fiction that two Cardinals imployed about the Premisses were seen in the Queens Campe. Then was it proclaimed that the causes of her comming were to deliuer the Realme from the misleaders of the King which were named to be the Spensers Roger Baldock Bishoppe of Norwich Lord Chancellor and their Fautors all others to be safe and that nothing should bee taken from any other subiect without true payment but finally that he who broght the yonger Spensers head should haue two thousand pounds These things
first thus ordered the Queen with her sonne and whole power pursues the King as it had beene agreede by the Councell of warre taking first her way to Oxford where the whole Vniuersity being called together in the presence of the Queene the Prince Roger Mortimer and the rest of that troope the Bishop of Hereford the Queenes bosome Counsellor preaching to them on this Text My head my head aketh deliuered to them the reasons of the Queens comming with her Army concluding more like a Butcher then a Diuine that an aking sick head of a kingdom was of necessity to be taken off and not to be tampered with by any other physicke 60 The Londoners in fauour of the Queene and hatred of the Spensers committed sundry outrages besides bloudy sacrilege in cutting off the Bishop of Excesters head and some others whom the King had made Guardian of London in their popular fury among the which one of them was a Citizen of their owne Iohn le Marchal who had beene of the yonger Spensers acquaintance The Tower of London they get into their possession placing and displacing the Garrison and Officers therein at their pleasure vnder the name of the Lord Iohn of Eltham the Kings second sonne whom they proclaimed Custos of the City and of the Land They also set at liberty all prisoners which by the popular Queenes commandement was done through the whole Realme and all banished men and fugitiues were reuoked who all flocking vnto London brought no small encrease to her forces 61 Whither in the meane space doth wofull Edward flie what force what course what way takes hee poore Prince O fearefull condition of so great a Monarches State when a Wife a Sonne a Kingdome are not trusted and those onely are trusted who had nothing strong but a will to liue and die with him The Queene passing from Oxford to Glocester onward to the siege of Bristow Castle grew all the while in her strengths like a rowled snow-ball or as a Riuer which spreades still broader from the fountaine to the Ocean vires acquirit eundo For thither repaired to her for the loue of the young Prince the Lord Percy the Lord Wake and others aswell out of the North as Marches of Wales But Edward hauing left the Earle of Winchester the elder Lord Spenser in the Castell of Bristol for the keeping thereof meditates flight with a few into the Isle of Lundie in Seuerne Sea or into Ireland while hee wandreth about not finding where to rest safe his roiall credite name and power like a Cliffe which falling from the toppe of some huge rocke breakes into the more pieces the farther it rolles are daylie more and more diminisht as they scatter till now at last they are come vnto a very nothing After a weeke therefore spent vpon the Sea Sir Thomas Blunt forsaking him and comming to the Queene he came on shore in Glamorganshire where with his few friends hee entrusted himselfe to God and the faith of the VVelsh who indeed still loued him lying hidden among them in the Abbey of Neath 62 Now had the Queene and her sonne for his name was abused to all sorts of turne-seruings taken the elder Lord Spenser at the Castell of Bristol who without any forme of triall was cruelly cut vp aliue and quartered saith de la Moore our Knight being first at the clamours of the people drawne and hanged in his proper Armories vpon the common Gallowes without the City but his grandchild Hugolin stood so valiantly in defence of himself within the Castell of Kerfilli that hee had his life and the liues of all his assistants saued 63 The King not appearing Proclamations were euery day made in the Queenes Armie declaring That it was the common consent of the realm that hee should returne and receiue the gouernement thereof so as he would conforme himselfe to his people This whether Stratagem or Truth not preuailing Henry Earle of Lancaster the late Earles Brother Sir William la Zouch and Rhese ap-Howell a Welshman who all of them had Lands in those parts where the King concealed himselfe were sent with coine and forces to discouer and take him The Queene and her people lay in the City of Hereford the Episcopall See of that great Arch-plotter of her courses Adam de Orlton where by aduise and consent of the Lords her sonne the Duke of Aquitaine was made High-Keeper of England and they as to the Custos of the same did sweare him fealty And here also the Bishoppe of Norwich was made Chancellor of the Realme and the Bishoppe of Winchester Treasurer 65 What will not money diligence and faire words doe with corrupt dispositions euen to euerting of all bands of either religious or ciuill duties By such meanes therefore the desolate sad and vnfortunate King came into his cosen of Lancasters hands and with him the yonger Lord Spenser Earle of Glocester Robert Baldock Lord Chancellour and Simon de Reding there being no regard had to the detention of any other The King was conueied by the Earle from the place of his surprise to Monmouth to Ledburie and so to the Castell of Kenelworth belonging to the Earle of Leicester who was appointed to attend him that is to keepe him safe The other three Spenser Baldock and Reeding were strongly guarded to Hereford there to bee disposed of at the pleasure of their most capitall enemies 66 Before whose comming to satisfie Roger Mortimer the Lord Edmund Earle of Arundel and two Gentlemen Daniel and Micheldene were beheaded at Hereford The Lord Mortimer was so high in the Queenes fauour that she could doe no lesse as weee may suppose then gratifie him with a few hated heades But Mortimer there will bee a time when the cry of this and other bloud sacrificed to thy priuate reuenge while thou abusest the publike trust will neuer giue ouer the pursuit till it hath deseruedly drawne thine in lieu thereof 67 The Lord Spenser and the rest on whom VVilliam Trussell the Iudge gaue sentence of death being now drawne to Hereford the said Lord being clad in his coat-armour was most despitefully dragged to the place of execution where being first hung vpon a gallowes fifty foot high hee was afterward headed and cut into quarters they who brought him to the Queene hauing the promised summe of two thousand pounds distributed among them for reward His head was set vp at London and his quarters in foure parts of the Kingdome Simon de Reding was hanged ten foot lower then hee in the same place 68 This Execution saith Walsingham was done vpon a Munday in reuenge of the death of Thomas Earle of Lancaster whose bloud was likewise shed vpon a Munday Robert Baldock late Lord Chancellor was committed to the keeping of the Bishop of Hereford who after a time caused him to bee brought vp to Hereford-house in London where the tumultuous people
shee was God knowes how farre guilty aduertised of her husbands dethronization shee outwardly expressed so great extremity of passion notwithstanding that at the same time shee was tolde of her sonnes surrogation as if shee had beene distraught in her wittes which the Prince her sonne then about fifteen yeers of age beholding hee made an oath neuer to accept of the Crowne against his fathers good will and thereupon it was saith Walsingham a Writer worthie of beliefe that the said Embassie was sent to Kenelworth Castle where the now no more a King remained to worke his assent whose answere thereunto saith another was by those Messengers related at full and fuller then in truth it was sent by the King but the Peeres then in Parliament made their vse thereof in procuring such a Prince to take the rule of thē whom they hoped by reason of his tender yeeres themselues should be able to rule and ouermaster His Wife 77 Isabel daughter to Philip the Faire King of France sister to Lodowicke Hutin Philip the Long and Charles the Faire all Kings of France was married to Edward the second at twelue yeeres of age in our Lady Church of Bulloigne the 22. of Ianuary 1308. Shee was his wife twenty yeers and his widow thirty and liued threescore and three yeeres Shee died at Risings neer London the two twētieth of August 1357. and was buried in the middest of the Gray-Fryers Quire in London the 27. of September following His Issue 78 Edward surnamed of VVindsor the eldest son of K. Edward and Queene Isabel his wife was born at the Castle of VVindsor the thirteenth of October the yeere of Christ 1312. and the sixt of his fathers raigne hee was created Prince of Wales and Duke of Aquitane in a Parliament holden at Yorke Anno 1322. and in the troubles of the Realme and absence of his Father in an assembly of Lords met at Hereford and in presence of the Queen was made L. VVarden of England by a common decree vnto whom all the Lords made their fealty in receiuing an Oath of Allegiance to be faithfull and loyall vnto him as to the Lord Warden of the Realm and shortly after the Father deposed hee was crowned King of England by the name of Edward the third 79 Iohn surnamed of Eltham the second sonne of King Edward and Queene Isabel his wife was borne at Eltham in Kent the 15. of August and yeere of Christ 1315. and at twelue yeeres of age was created Earle of Cornwall in a Parliament Anno 1327. and third yeere of the raign of King Edward his brother hee died in Scotland vnmarried in the flower of his youth the tenth of his brothers raigne and yeere of Christ 1334. 80 Ioan the eldest daughter and third child of King Edward and Queene Isabel was borne in the Tower of London shee was maried being a child at Barwicke the eighteenth day of Iuly in the fourth yeere of the Raign of King Edward her brother 1329 to Dauid Prince of Scotland sonne and heire apparent of King Robert Bruce whom he succeeded within one yeere after in the kingdome being but seuen yeares of age and was the second King of Scotland of the name of Dauid shee was his wife twenty and eight yeeres and being come into England to visite her brother shee deceased here without Issue in the two and thirtieth yeere of his Raigne 1357. and was buried at the Gray-Fryers in London 81 Elenor the second and yongest daughter fourth child of King Edward and Queene Isabel was the second wife of Reynald the second Earle of Gelder married vnto him with a portion of fifteen thousand pounds 1332. being the sixt yeere of the raign of king Edward her brother who being the Vicar generall of the Empire to the Emperour Lewis of Ban◅r created him first Duke of Golder shee had issue by him Reinald and Edward both Dukes successiuelie after their Father without Issue the later of them leauing his Dutchie and his wife to his Nephew William Duke of Gulik his halfe sisters Sonne EDVVARD THE THIRD KING OF ENGLAND AND FRANCE LORD OF IRELAND c THE FORTIE-NINTH MONARCH OF ENGLAND HIS RAIGNE ACTS AND ISSVE CHAPTER XII THe sicknesse and wounds which the commonwelth sustained by the raigne of the late deposed king vpon the change of her Leach and Physitian recouered not onely health and strength but beautie also and ornament and the elements themselues which in the former times seemed to suffer and sympathize with the publike grieuances of the English grew gratious and propitious to the vse of man the Aire becomming more healthfull the earth more fruitfull as if Nature herself were priuie to the worth of the succeeding Prince But this his worth did not display it selfe vntill hee had plucked the sway of things out of the hands of the Queene his mother and of that aspiring danger and tempest of England Roger Mortimer who wholy possessed her 2 This Edward of Windsor being not fifteene yeeres of age when without any guilty thought in him his throne was thus established vpon his Fathers ruine tooke the beginning of his raign by publike sanction at the twentith day of Ianuarie and by direction of such as sought to colour their treasons against their deposed Soueraigne proclaimed his peace in these words Edward by the grace of God King of England Lord of Ireland and Duke of Aquitaine to N. N. our Sheriffe of S. Greeting Because the Lord Edward our Father late King of England by the common Councell and Assent of the Prelates Earles Barons and other the chiefe men and the whole Comminaltie of the Kingdome did voluntarily remoue himselfe from the gouernment thereof willing and granting that we as his eldest sonne and heire should take vpon vs the rule and regiment of the same and we with the counsel aduise of the Prelates Earls Barons before said yeelding therin to our fathers good pleasure and will haue taken vpon vs the gouernance of the saide Kingdome and as the manner is haue receiued the Fealties and Homages of the said Prelates and Peeres Wee therfore desirous that our peace for the quiet and calme estate of our people should bee inuiolablie obserued do will and commaund you that presently vpon sight of these presents you cause our Peace to bee openly proclaimed through your whole Bailywicke forbidding all and euery one on our behalfe vnder paine and perill of disinherison and losse of life and limmes not to presume to violate or infringe our said peace but that euery one pursue or follow his actions and complaints without any manner of outrage according to the lawes customes of our Kingdome for wee are ready alwaies wil be to administer full right to all singular cōplainants aswel poor as rich in our Courts of Iustice. Witnes our selfe c. in the Calends of February vpon sunday being Candlemas Eue. 3 Vpon the Candlemas day it selfe the young King
receiuing the Order of Knighthood by the hands of the Earle of Lancaster and vpon the same day the Crowne of England at Westminster Walter Archbishoppe of Canterburie performing the offices accustomed therein iudged nothing to bee sooner thought vpon then to recouer the honour of his Nation vpon the Northerne enemies whom his vnexperienced youth and their former happinesse had emboldened in which preparation while hee was busied the Queene his mother and her Mortimer forgat not other things tending to their owne benefite and assurance 4 First therefore there was procured for the Queene mother so great a Dowry that the young King had scarce a third part of the Kingdome left for his maintenance which excessiue estate in title the Queenes in the vse was Mortimars and from this treasonable defalcation and weakening of the roiall meanes hee sinewed his owne deuises with authoritity and riches so that his hatred against Spenser was not on behalfe of the Common-weale but for that any one should abuse it for his priuate but himselfe Lastly when they had certaine intelligence that sundry great persons and others as the whole order of Friers-preachers tooke pitty of the late Kings captiuity and seemed to consult for his deliueranco they knowing that by recouery of his former estate their iust confusion must follow they resolued to strengthâ—…n as men supposed their other impieties with murther 5 For albeit the Queene in her outward gestures pretended nothing but sorrow for her Lord husbands distresse yet in stead of bringing to him her person which the deposed Prince did wonderfullie loue shee onely sent vnto him fine apparrell kind letters but contrary to the lawes of God and man withdrew her selfe from nuptiall dueties bestowing them as the fame went which will blab of Princes as freely as of meaner Dames vpon the bloudy Adulterer Mortimar fathering her absence vpon the State which she fained would not suffer her to come vnto him The desolate Prince was hereupon taken from Kenelworth Castle by expresse order from the young King at their procurement for that the Earle of Lancaster Lord of that peece was suspected to pitty too much his calamitie Hee was deliuered by Indenture to Sir Thomas de Gournay the elder and Sir Iohn Mattrauers two mercilesse and most vnworthy Knights 6 These two Instruments of the Diuell hauing conducted him first to the Castle of Corf then to Bristol and lastly in great secresie and with more villanous despite then it became either Knights or the lewdest varlets in the world as out of Sir Thomas de la Moore you may reade at large in the collections of Iohn Stow to the Castle of Barkley where after many vile deuises executed vpon him in vaine they more then barbarously murthered him 7 Neuer was the fallacie of pointings or ambiguitie of Phrase more mischieuously vsed to the destruction of a King or defence of the Contriuers then in this hainous Parricide for it is said that a bloody Sophisme conceiued in these words was sent Edwardum occidere nolite timere bonum est To shed King Edwards bloud Refuse to feare I count it good Where the Comma or pause being put after Nolite bid them not to make him away but after timere insinuates a plaine encouragement to the fact 8 The Sphynx who is said to be the Author of this ambiguous Riddle sent by the Lord Mortimar was Adam de Torleton who vtterly denied any such intention when the Murtherers for their owne iustification produced the writing it selfe vnder Queene Isabels Seale and the seales of the other Conspirators and therefore the said Bishoppe Adam was the cause why Gorney and Mattrauers were with terrible menaces shaken vp pursued and outlawed who more pursued with the memory and conscience of so hainous a Tragedie fled out of England Gorney after three yeeres banishment being discouered at Massels in France and apprehended was conuaied backe but had his head taken off at Sea in his passage lest he should reueale too much at his arriuall but Mattrauers lay hidden in Germanie a long time doing pennance 9 This Parricide was committed about S. Mathews day and that you may note what confidence they had in their Art of secret murther as also an ordinary mockage of the people in like cases the noble body was laide forth and many Abbots Priors Knights and Burgesses of Bristol and Glocester were sent for to see the same vpon which although there appeared no manifest outward sign of violent death but the skinne all ouer whole and vnbroken yet the cry of murther could not so bee smothered but the meanes and manner came to light This happinesse certainely the poore Prince had that after his emprisonment hee reformed his life in so pious Christian sort that it gaue occasion when hee was dead of disputation whether hee were not to bee reputed a Saint euen as say our Authors there was the like Question concerning Thomas Earle of Lancaster though beheaded for apparant Treasons His body without any funerall pompe was buried among the Benedictins in their Abbey at Glocester and so saith our passionate author the stately height of the Angels Kingdome receiued this Scholler and Disciple of Christ thus rest and spoiled of his English Kingdome 10 The yong King was now vpon the borders of Scotland with a puissant Armie where also the Queene mother and Mortimar with many other Nobles were present and hauing enuironed the Scots who had pierced into England with inuasiue armes in the woods of VViridale and Stanhope Parke made sure account of a certaine victorie but by the treason of the said Lord Mortimer as afterward was laid to his charge they were suffered to escape out of that mischiefe and the young King with griefe returned inglorious after an huge waste of treasure and peril of his owne person 11 For while the English hoast thus held the Scots as it were besieged Sir Iames Dowglasse in the dead of night with about two hundreth swift horse assailed the Kings owne Pauilion and missed so little of killing him that a Priest his Chaplaine a stout and loyall man was slaine in his defence and Sir Iames escaped backe without hurt but not without honor for his bold attempt In the Scots Campe one noteth that the English found fiue hundreth great Oxen and Kine ready killed a thousand spits full of flesh ready to be roasted fiue hundred Cawdrons made of beasts skins full of flesh ouer the fire seething and about ten thousand paire of raw-leather shooes the haire still vpon them In King Edwards Armie were as some write thirty thousand Archers and fiue hundreth good men of Arms which perhaps is one of the greatest hoasts that you shall lightly reade to haue been of our Nation and the reason was for that the world conceiued such hope of the young
sonne the amiable and famous Edward by-named not of his colour but of his dreaded Acts in battell the Blacke Prince King Edward not long after with a small companie went into France and did homage to Philip de Valoys for his Dutchie of Gascoigne 21 Nemesis or rather Gods vengeance with swift pace did now approach and summon Mortimer to a bloudie account for the yong King addicting himselfe to serious thoughts and putting on the Man before his yeeres required easily saw his owne perill in the others potencie The Queene his mother to the common dishonour and griefe of the Kingdome being generally bruted to be with child by Mortimer hee vpon ripe aduise sodainely and aduenturouslie surprised the proud man at Parliament holden in Nottingham with whom were taken the L. Geofrey Mortimer his sonne and Sir Simon de Bedford who all three were sent prisoners to the Tower of London vnder a strong guard Which done the king by common consent of the Parliament tooke into his hands his mothers excessiue Dower put her to a narrow pension of one thousand pounds by yeer circumscribing her within as narrow limits for her abode but doing her yeerely the honour and comfort of once or twice visiting her though otherwise scarce thinking her worthy of life in regard of her priuacie with Mortimer and his many heinous practises 22 Oh what enchantments are Honour and Power to the minds of men how sodainely and how strangely doe they blow vp the same with the contempt of others and forgetfulnes of themselues Certainely the fraile estate of mans constitution is clearelie seene in this high Lord who drunken with felicitie and fearing neither God nor man fell into vtter confusion when least hee feared The probable manner whereof is worthy the relating There was in the Castle of Nottingham and at this day is a certaine secret way or Mine cut through a rocke vpon which the said Castle is built one issue whereof openeth toward the riuer of Trent which runnes vnder it and the other venteth it selfe farre within vpon the surface and is at this present called Mortimers hole through this the young King well armed and stronglie seconded was conducted with drawne swordes by some his trustie and sworne seruants among which was that braue Montacute whom his vertues vnder this King raised to the Earledome of Salisbury c. vp to the Queenes Chamber whose dore so feareles is blinded affection was vnshut and with her was Mortimer the kings Master as the rumor spred him readie to go to bed whom with the slaughter of a Knight and one or two that resisted they laid hold vpon This was not reputed a slender enterprise in regard that in Mortimers retinue were not fewer they say then one hundreth and fourescore Knights besides Esquiers and Gentlemen 23 The causes for which hee was condemned in open Parliament at Westminster these ragged verses following comprehend which without any disparagement to their makers iudgement might verie well haue beene in Prose but for breuitie and change wee haue here inserted them Fiue heinous crimes against him soone were had First that he causde the King to yeeld the Scot To make a peace townes that were from him got And therewithall the Charter called Ragman That of the Scots hee had bribed priuy gaine That through his meanes Sr. Edward of Carnaruan In Barckley Castle most traiterously was slaine That with his Princes mother hee had lain And finally with polling at his pleasure Hadrobd the King and Commons of their treasure But the most barbarous murther of the kings father and speciallie the dishonourable peace and contract with the then professed enemies of England were principallie insisted vpon as hainous treason He was after sentence ignominiouslie drawne to Tyburne the common place of execution then called the Elms and there vpon the common Gallowes was as ignominiouslie executed hanging by the kings commandement two daies and two nights a publike gladsome spectacle There died with him Sir Simon de Bedford Knight Iohn Deuerel Esquier aswell for expiation of the late King Edwards death as in complement as it were of so great a mans fall whose liues doe seldome or neuer perish single 24 Now came Scotlands turne about to suffer againe most grieuous losses and afflictions an ordinarie effect of Childrens gouernment whether Children in age or in discretion for the Lord Edward Baliol hearing of King Roberts death and the tender age of King Dauid as son and heire of that Baliol to whom king Edward the first had adiudged the Scotish crown with such voluntaries as hee could raise though his Father the Lord Iohn had released his claime to king Robert and though King Edward in fauour of his sister Ioan Queen of Scotland would not openly at first support him embarkt himselfe in Yorkeshire and inuaded that Realme where vpon his landing he slew Alexander Setoun at Kingorn and about nine hundred others putting the rest to flight Not long after that no mischiefe might come alone neere to the water of Ern at a place called Dupline where the Earles of Mar and March with two puissant armies of Scots for the defence of their yong King Dauid lay encamped the said Lord Edward whose small numbers not exceeding three thousand English the Earles as securely and as fatally contemned as the English vnder Edward the second had contemned the Bruce and his Scots obtained of them a wonderfull victorie Boetius who neuer or rarely leaues any ouerthrow purely to the manhood of the English will needs haue this discomfiture effected by a Camisado the Baliol and his English with others passing the water of Erne by a Foord in the night when the enemy little suspected it 25 The slaughter euen by his report was miserable for there were slaine saith he the Earles of Marre and Carricke and three thousand of the Noble beside Commons Our Writers agree that this Foord was passed in the night but that the fight endured from Sunne-rising till three of the Clocke afternoone and that besides the Earles of Marre and Carricke three other Earles Menteth Athol and Murrey twelue Barons eight hundreth knights and men of Armes beside aboue thirteene thousand other lost there their liues Of the English there were onelie slaine thirty and three Esquiers so that not without cause this victory was attributed rather to power diuine then humane 26 Yet this was but the beginning of farther calamities to the Scotish Nation which was in it selfe diuided into factions the one for Bruce the other for Baliol. The Lord Edward making vse of his good fortune got himselfe to bee crowned King of Scotland at Scone But king Dauid Bruce with his Queen fled into France to Philip de Valoys who raigned there entertained them with much compassion and honor giuing them Castle Galliard for the place of their abode till fairer fortune shone Meane-time the Scots sustained new
halfe out of breath with headlong haste and terribly disordered with the perpetuall stormes of singing arrowes were now at hand-strokes with the Princes battell neither was it long but that the shining Battell axes swords lances and other weapons of our nation had lost their splendor being couered with humane gore which hauing thirstily drunke out of enemies wounds they let fall in bloudy teares The fight was sharpe and fierce but to what purpose serues writing if the high resolution of the king of Bohemia should be vnremembred he as onely seeking an honourable graue for his old age put himselfe into the first ranke of his owne horsemen and with full randome charging the English was slaine with sword in hand the troupe of his faithfull follower with their slaughtered bodies couering him euen in death There lay this Trophea of the English Cheualrie by whose fall euidently seene in the ruine of the Bohemian Standard his noble sonne the Lord Charles of Boheme lately elected Emperor whilest Lewis was as yet aliue was wisely warned to prouide for himselfe the matter appearing desperate For now was Philip himselfe in person with the ful power of his Armie come to the rescues of his brother and friends who were hard at worke while they had breath about their dreamed victorie but finding the mettall infinitely more tough which they had to deale vpon then they could possibly haue supposed were beaten to the earth in great numbers The young Prince neuerthelesse was not without danger though now the second battell of the English for preseruation of their Prince dashing in among the enemies fought most couragiously 95 Therefore King Edward himselfe was sent vnto whose battel houered like a tempest in a cloud ouer which vpon the hillocke of a Windmill with his helmet on which neuer came off till all was done he iudiciously watcht beholding the whole field and ready to enter into the conflict when iust necessity should inuite You shall heare a most noble answere The messenger dispatched from the Earle of Northampton and others vpon a tender respect to their young Princes safety hauing declared to the King that the Lords required his presence for that his sonne was in danger he bad him return and say Let them send no more to mee for any aduenture that may befall while my sonne is aliue but let him either vanquish or die because the honour of this braue day shall bee his if God suffer him to suruiue 96 The Messenger returned and though hee brought not men to their succours hee brought such accession of courage and spirite as hee that should say that King Edward failed them at their neede should neither vnderstand what belongs to magnanimitie nor the effect of such a checke from so excellent a Generall who neuerthelesse was maturely watchfull ouer the good of his childe and people on the other side King Philip whose quarrell it was did not forsake the duety of a noble Chiefe but so long contended in his owne person till his horse was slaine vnder him with arrowes himselfe * twice dismounted and wounded both in the necke and thigh but then the Lord Iohn of Henault Earle of Beaumont who had long since quit King Edwards seruice sets him againe on horsebacke and the French out of a loyall desire to his preseruation cried to retire him out of the fight who rather seemed willing to end his dayes in so noble companie which voice was as it were the vp-shot and last Gaspe of that most cruell conflict where none as yet were taken to mercy vpon any termes After their King had preserued himselfe the whole power of the French gaue away and sought to saue it selfe by flight whom the English warely fighting vpon the defensiue and loath to hazard such a victory by breaking their rancks to pursue the enemie too farre in the night time which now was come vpon them suffered them to be holden in chase by their owne iust feare contented to make good their ground by standing still vpon their guard according to true discipline For they saw not as yet the bottome of their danger and knew that there were so many escaped as might well serue to ouerwhelme their Army with their multitudes 97 King Edward seeing the coast for the present cleare of all his enemies aduanceth with his vntoucht battell towards his victorious sonne most affectionately embracing and kissing him said Faire Sonne God send you good perseâ—…erance to so prosperous beginnings you haue nobly acquit your selfe and are well worthy to haue the Gouernance of a Kingdome entrusted vnto you for your valour To which the most cheualrous of young Princes replied in silence most humbly falling on his knees before his triumphant father 98 Here there may be some controuersie whether the exemplary manhood of the English or their singular pietie were more to be commended but who will not infinitely preferre the latter chiefly in Souldiers among whom it is vsually most wanting Great was the victorie great was their prowesse great the glory but they like true Christian knights and Souldiers forbare all boast referring the whole thankes and honour of their preseruation to God the true Author thereof The night was so very darke as if it had mourned for the day times bloudshed therefore they made store of fires lighted torches and candles carefully tending their wounded companions and modestly reioycing in their owne faire aduenture 99 But the next morning presented new work for such a mist hauing ouerspread the earth that they could scarse see hard at hand yet were new swarms of French abroad who came from sundrie Cities and good townes as Roan Beauois c. to haue ioyned with King Philip in the designed spoile of the English these being mette with by King Edwards people were in sundry places ouerthrowne and slaine and multitudes of such as had lost their way in the last flight were seuerely put to the sword as the English chanced vpon them where they lay lurking in hedges bushes and by-wayes The Earles of Northampton Suffolke and Norfolke had the execution of the French which fled from this last ouerthrow for the space of about nine miles English from the ground where they encountred 100 There was leasure now to take an account of the slaine which vpon the enemies side amounted not onely in the number to very many but in their quality to very great For search hereof king Edward caused certaine principall commanders three Heraldes who by the Coat-Armours might iudge of the persons it being then a thing perpetuall and solemne not to fight without those signes of Noblesse to take an exact view of the field who about supper time returning made report to the King that they found the dead bodies of eleuen great Princes and of Barons Knights and men of Armes aboue one thousand and fiue hundreth Among the
owners of such bodies as were beaten to the Earth vpon the first day these are worthily reckoned chiefe The King of Bohemia the King of Maiorca Charles Earle of Alanson brother-German to King Philip the Duke of Loraine the Duke of Burbon the Earle of Flanders the Earle of Sauoy both great Princes the Dolphin of Vi◅nois sonne to Himbert the Earle of S◅erre and Hareconrt whose brother Godfrey in pitty of his house his two Nephewes being slaine with their father forsooke the King of England after this battell and returned into Grace with the French the Earles of Aumarl Neuers c. sixe Earles of Almaine beside others of great account of all sorts Vpon the second day the Grand Prior of France who with his Archbishoppe of Roan had on the behalfe of their Prince and Country put on Arms. Of the Commons in both of these blacke dayes there fell about thirty thousand and some say foure times more in this last then in the other 101 We finde not one man of honour or note slaine vpon the English side so that this victorie may safely bee accounted among the wonderfull The spoiles of the Enemies bodies and carriages King Edward gaue wholy to his well deseruing souldiers The rule of their safety they being in a most populous enemy Countrie would not permit them to vse much curtesie to others as that which might haue proued cruelty to themselues but vpon the second day they tooke many prisoners though none of great name for they were spent in the day before It pleased the conquerour to proclaime a truce now for three dayes in the Country about that the people might come in to burie their dead but the bodies of the most noble hee himselfe caused to be conueied to Monstreal and there in his March towards Calais enterred 102 Thus by Gods fauour and the vnresistable force of the English Archers who in a manner did onely fight was King Edward put into a full and peaceable possession of a perfect victory which after hee had one night onely enioyed in the Forrest of Crescie hee dislodged with his conquering hoast marched straight toward Calais which hee presently inuested hauing decreed neuer to rise with his Armie from before it till without assault hee had carried the same For which cause he entrenched and fortified his Camp on all sides built vp Sheds couered with Reed and broome and other places and offices as to dwell in and stopping all reliefe by Sea whereof hee was Master with his Nauie There commanded in Calais for the French Sir Iohn de Vienne Marshall of France and the Lord Dandreghan with a very strong Garrison who concluded like good men of war to trie all extremities rather then to surrender the Piece which was so strong that to assault the same otherwise then with famine had beene friuolous These great Captaines seeing King Edwards resolution thrust forth of the Towne for sparing of food their poorer people aboue fifteene hundreth whom hee like a true Christian Prince turned not backe vpon the Towne but releeued for Gods cause with fresh victuals and two pence sterling each permitting them freely and securely to passe through his Camp to his great glory and vndoubtedly profite also hauing their hearty prayers for his happy successe and God for pay-master and rewarder of such his Beneficence 103 Many wayes were thought vpon by king Philip to raise this obstinate siege two principall an Army of French to fight with King Edward and a diuersion by inuasion wherein the Scots their perpetuall allies were forward Both in their seuerall times were put into execution That of the Scotish inuasion was first but with such successe as well declared it was Gods will all people hauing their encreasings zeniths and declinations that the English name should now be brought to the verticall point thereof without any thing being able to resist it 104 For Dauid the second King of Scots to grasand old Crownes The Pope sending a Messenger from Auignion with an ouerture to intercede for a peace had answere that the message must bee sent to the King his father for he co◅ not meddle without commandement from him Mean while hee disposed of things without impeachment and returnes laden with honor and spoiles to Burdeaux where the winter being spent he sets forth to new aduentures Hee had in his Armie about eight thousand braue expert and well disciplined Souldiers and with them aduanceth through Perigort Limosin into the bosome of France vp to the verie gates of Burgesse in Berie the terror of his name flying before to his great aduantage Thus satisfied for the present hee wheeles about with purpose to returne by Remorantine in Blasois which hee tooke and so through the Country of Iurain Poictou and Saintoin to his chiefe City Burdeaux But Iohn King of France hasting to goe beyond his father in misfortune hauing assembled a compleat hoast followed about the City of Poictiers ouer-tooke the inuincible Prince 115 When the Armies with the ods of six to one against the English were embattelled two Cardinals sent from Pope Clement laboured as they had done before to take vp the quarrell without stroke whereunto the Prince was with reason yeelding enough but King Iohn fatally presuming on his aduantage propounded such conditions as if in a manner the Prince of Wales had already beene at his commaund which with iust indignation were reiected It came hereupon to a most bloudy triall where if euer the Prince and English gaue full experiment of their valour for after long conflict and absolute discomfiture of al the 3. French battels the least of which exceeded al the Princes nūbers the King himselfe valiantly fighting and Philip his yongest sonne who with such boldnesse and zeale defended his distressed father as it purchased vnto him the Honourable surname of Hardie were taken prisoners 116 The English whose valiancy was most conspicuous were the Earles of Warwicke Suffolke Salisburie Oxford and Stafford the Lords Cobham Spenser Audley Berkley Basset c. of Gascoigne subiects to the Crowne of England the Capitall de Beuf the Lord Pumier Chaumont with others of lower title but not of vnequall valour Iames Lord Audley wanne immortall renowne at this bloudy battell where hee receiued many wounds and shared the Princes gift of 500. Markes land in Fee simple to his foure Esquiers who had continued with him in all the brunt and fury of danger It is the misfortune or glory of the French Nobles that in all great battels the losse fals heauily vpon them In this most disasterous ouerthrow there fell fifty and two Lords about seuenteene hundreth Knights Esquiers and Gentlemen bearing coates of Armes The chiefe Lords were Peter of Bourbon Duke of Athens high Constable of France Iohn Clermont Marshall George of Charney Lord great Chamberlaine c. and as many other
as made vp the former account Sr. Reginold C◅ian who that day bare the Oriflamb was likewise slaine of the common Souldiers there died about sixe thousand Great God of victories how abundantly diddest thou in these dayes blesse thine English The list of Prisoners comprehended these great names Iohn King of France Philip his sonne afterward Duke of Burgoin The Archbishop of Sens Iames of Burbon Earle of Pontheiu Iohn of Artois Earle of Eu Charles his brother Earle of Longu neuile Charles Earle of Vendo◅e The Earles of Tankeruile Salbruch Nassaw Dampmartine La Roch and many other great Lords and about two thousand Knights Esquiers and Gentlemen bearing Armories The English at this iourney tooke an hundreth Ensignes 117 Now albeit nothing wanted to the title of a perfect victory yet in two points the incomparable Prince out-went that fame and merite for hauing vanquished the person of the French Monarch by force of battell hee much more ouercame his heart with true and princely curtesie deliuering his mind in a stile and kind of eloquence so ponderous proper graue and naturall and with that statelie humility as onely the best soule with the best breeding could be capable of and yet hee spake not more officiously then he performed really More then all this The next day causing his Chapleins and the other Priests of the Armie to celebrate diuine seruice hee put off from himselfe the whole glory and gaue it most deuoutly to God which being first done he in the sight and hearing of the Prisoners highly commends and most heartily thankes his Souldiers with speeches full of sincerity and life sealing his words to euery one as his present meanes would permit with liberall deeds largesse 118 Then hauing setled all other things hee marcheth with ioy and iust triumph to Burdeaux the Archiepiscopall See and chiefe Citie of his dominions in France How the newes were entertained in all places of the English Empire is not hard to coniecture but specially by King Edward who tooke speedy order by Simon Archbishoppe of Canterburie that eight dayes together should be spent in giuing God the thankes and glory But the Prince hauing sufficiently refreshed and rested his people set saile for England with his Prisoners where hee happily arriued in Plimmouth and was most ioifully welcome euery where At his comming to London where at that time a magnificēt Citizen Henry Picard hee who afterward at one time so noblie feasted the 4. Kings of England France Scotland and Cyprus was Lord Maior which receiued him with exquisite honour the multitudes of people comming to see the victorious Prince the French King and his sonne the Lord Philip and the rest were such that they could hardly get to Westminster betweene three of the clock in the morning and noon but who will thinke the humour of the gazing vulgar worth the noting 119 Great Edward sauing that hee forgat not the Maiesty of a Conquerour and of a King of England omitted no kind of noble curtesie towards the Prisoners King Iohn and his sonne were lodged vnder a sure guard at the Sauoy being then a goodly Pallace belonging to Henry Duke of Lancaster the rest in other places Dauid King of Scots was at this time straitly kept at the Castle of Odiam but not long after when hee had endured about eleuen yeeres imprisonment at the incessant suit of Queen Ioan his wife sister to king Edward was deliuered his ransome was one hundreth thousand Markes striueling and a condition to rase certaine Castles 120 About this time Isabel Queene Dowager of England and mother of King Edward hauing first seene her sonne the most respected King of all Christendome deceased and was interred at London in the Church of the Friers-Minors there To her birth France was slenderly beholding as being about this time in most wofull and broken state through occasion of that title which the English challenged by her it suffering more by farre vnder their puissance then ◅uer it did since the times of the Romans Charles the Dolphin Duke of Normandie who had escaped from the battell of Poitiers gouerned during his fathers imprisonment but by the dangerous practises of Charles King of Nauarre and bad disposition of the Parisians toward the deliuery of their Soueraigne hee was lamentably encumbred and beset with mischiefes not being able to worke as yet his fathers liberty Moreouer the English vnder Sir Robert Knowles Sir Iames Pype and Thomalin Foulk and others did commit great wasts and heaped huge wealth by incursions ransomes and other warlike licence in Britaine and Normandy vnder the title of seruing the Nauarrois To bee briefe all France swarmed with dissolute souldiers of sundry Nations which hauing no Generall made hauocke at their pleasure They were called people without an head and by innumerable insolencies made the wretchednesse of Anarchy apparent In England also swarmed another sort no lesse burthenous to the commonwealth and Church which were the foure orders of Franciscan Friers whom the English Clergy found to be so pernicious to the regiment of the Church that they selected that renowned Clerk Richard Fitz-Ralph who was Chancelour of the Vniuersity of Oxford Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of Ireland to appeare in person before the Pope and there alleage the intollerable harmes by them accrewing to the Laity the Clergy and the Vniuersities together with their disobedience to Gods word their auarice and pride All which that noble Prelate learnedly performed as appeareth by the handling of his 9. propositions against them which are extant In his second proposition he sheweth how ordinary a matter it was with them to allure youth without consent of their parents to enter their Orders which made men withdraw their sonnes from the Vniuersities least the Fryars should so steale them away whereby saith he it came to passe that whereas in his owne time there were thirty thousand Students in Oxford soone after there were left but sixe thousand But how infinitely these Friarlie swarmes encreased in all lands may appeare by that strange offer made by the Generall of this one Order to Pope Pius who promised to bring him being then about a Turkish Expedition thirty thousand cunning warriors out of the number of Saint Francis Fryars and yet enough should remaine at home to performe the deuotions But the Pope had such vse of those Fryars that Armachanus preuailed not in the matter though he proued the cause stoutly and manifestly against them because ah for pity saith our Authour the Clergy stucke not close as they promised and the Fryars had great store of money to procure fauour in the Court of Rome But here in the English Court two Cardinals one of them hee of Pierregost who had so diligently trauelled for a conclusion at the battell of Poictiers could not with two yeeres labour draw any thing to such an head
issue RICHARD THE SECOND KING OF ENGLAND AND FRANCE LORD OF IRELAND THE FIFTIETH MONARCH OF ENGLAND HIS RAIGNE ACTS AND TROVBLES CHAPTER XIII RIchard of Burdeaux sonne to that Great Star of English Cheualrie Edward by-named the Blacke Prince and grand-child to the most renowned Edward the third both of them lately deceased was crowned in the eleuenth yeare of his age and vpon the sixteenth day of Iuly Seldome hath been seen so magnificent a Coronation as that of this young King but the thing which gaue a better lustre of hope at his beginning then the shine and maiesty of that publike Act was the wise course which in this his childhood was taken to wit the reconciliation of the Lord Iohn Duke of Lancaster and the Citizens of London with the restitution of Sir Peter de la Mare Knight Speaker in the late Parliament whom King Edward had committed to prison at the instigation of Dame Alice Peeres now banisht and confiscated not onely to former liberty but likewise to fauour and honor extraordinary 2 At this Coronation which as matters not vnworthie to bee kept aliue wee following the immethodicall order of the Record haue here for perpetuall memory thought good to abridge out of authentike Monuments Iohn the Kings eldest vncle vnder the stile of Iohn King of Castile and Leâ—… and Duke of Lancaster by humble petition to the King claimed to bee now Steward of England in right of his Earledome of Leicester and as he was Duke of Lancaster to beare the Kings chiefe sword called Curtana and as Earle of Lincolne to cutte and carue at the royall Table before the King His petitions being found iust were confirmed to him and to his Assignes the two Earles of Derby and Stafford the first to beare the Sword while the Duke should be busied about other offices as Steward and the other to cut and carue The Duke then in great estate held this the Kings high Court of Stewardship in the VVhite-hall of the Kings Pallace at Westminster Knight the Constable thereof which yet the Earle of Northumberland vpon the ninth day after recouered by force putting those who had surprized it to the sword 9 Neither was the spirit of the English after it began to requicken idle elsewhere for as Sir Robert Rous had diuers wayes vexed the French and taken Olâ—…uer the brother of that renowned Bertrand de Glequin prisoner so Sir Iohn de Harleston Captaine of Cherbrough after him slew and took diuers French in a skirmish These the few foregoing drops of greater approaching showers For Sir Hugh Caluerlee and Sir Thomas Percy made admirals of the narrow Seas tooke many rich prizes and exploited sundry other things very praise worthily bringing home the acceptable newes of the dislike which the Britons had conceiued against the French Kings Gouernment for he commanded them to render vp to him all their strengths Castles and walled Townes and many of them who refused to obey hee put to death 10 These emploiments and fresh designes for other like found need of pecuniary supplies whereupon in a Parliament holden at London it was agreed that for supply of the Kings wants the Commons should be spared and the burthen be wholie vndergone by the able The rates then of that taxe were these Dukes Archbishops Earles and Bishops at ten marks each mitred Abbots at as much besides fortie pence for euery Monke vnder their subiection Briefly saith Thomas Walsingham there was no religious person man or woman Iustitiar Sheriffe Knight Esquire Parson Vicar or Chauntry Priest free from this taxâ—… rated according to the value of their yeerely receiptâ—… 11 We formerlie mentioned how Iohn Shakell the other companion of Robert Haulee so execrablie murdered in Gods-house was taken He now vpon condition that the King besides 500. markes in money should giue him lands to the yeerely value of one hundreth markes and should also found and sufficiently endow at the Kings costs a Chantrie with fiue Priests for their soules whom the kings Officers had wickedly murthered he rendred vp his Hostage the eldest but naturall sonne of the said Earle of Dean At the discouery and bringing-forth of whom all men were stroken with wonderfull loue and admiration for the yong Gentleman hauing giuen his faith not to disclose himselfe appeared in the shape of a base groome in which vnknowne to all the world but his Master hee had of his owne accord lurked An example of such a point of perfect honestie as cannot be forgotten without iniurie 12 The same yeere the Lord Iohn Mountford whom the French had driuen out being inuited home by his Barons returned into his Dutchy of Britaine accompanied with the valiant Knights Caluerley and Percy aforesaid where he his friends and followers were receiued with singular honor Soone after Sir Iohn of Arundell brother to the Earle of Arundell being sent into Britaine to aid the Duke was with many other valiant Knights and Esquires drowned It is imputed by our Author to a iust effect of Gods anger against the said Sir Iohn and his houshold for their manifold vices and outrages practised by him and them before they set out from England for which they had the bitter curses of the people and the Angell of destruction to execute those imprecations vpon the delinquents 13 But the action of â—…iding did more deepely import then that it should bee abandoned for the losse of that vnfortunate fellowship and the exceeding riches which were with them therefore the Lord Thomas of Woodstock Earle of Buckingham with Caluerlee Percy Knols Windleshores or Windsor verie valiant knights other competent forces was sent to assist the Duke of Britaine But because the French Galleys houered vpon the narrow Seas they landed at Calleys and from thence march through France spoiling Countries burning townes the French not daring to empeach them and killing people till they and their whole equipage came safe into Britaine 14 There were about these times ciuill diuisions in France for the Duke of Burgundie younger brother of King Charles lately dead being made Guardian of the person and dominions of his Nephew Charles then in minority had the Duke of Aniou being an elder brother to the Duke of Burgundie a mortall enemie Their bloudy quarrels fell out luckily for the English aides in the Dutchie of Britaine out of which as Duke Iohn had beene driuen for adhering to his father in law the late king Edward so the English did their best to vphold him in it as there was cause 15 The French in these extremes are releeued by their ancient diuersion for the Scots entring about that time with fire and sword into Cumberland and Westmerland and the forrest of Inglewood draue away much Cattle slew the Inhabitants rifled the booths and houses of Perith in the Faire time killing and taking many and driuing away the rest The Earle of Northumberland preparing a bloudy
reuenge was not without wonder prohibited so to doe by letters from the King that is from such as were about the King 16 But how coldly soeuer the publike affaires were followed the want of money for supplies was still pretended And therefore in a Parliament holden at Northampton was granted to the King a generall supplie of money the pretended occasion of monstrous mischiefe which followed by reason of a clause in that grant of Subsidie that euery one of ech sexe being aboue a certain age should pay by the head or per Pol as they call it twelue pence 17 The English Cheualry began now againe to display it selfe farre off to gratifie the priuate ends of Iohn Duke of Lancaster who claimed the Crown of Castile and Leon in right of Constance his wife For Iohn King of Portugal had a defensiue warre against Iohn then King of Castile who challenged the Crowne of Portugall in right of Beatrix his wife by whom hee had no issue the onely daughter of Ferdinand king of Portugall which this other Iohn a bastard sonne of Ferdinands had by faction vsurped There were sent to his aide the Lord Edmund de Langley Earle of Cambridge the Kings vncle and sundry Knights and others of good experience with an Armie These arriuing in Portugall valiantly defended the same for about two yeeres and were the chiefe cause of giuing the Spaniards an ouerthrow in battell where they lost ten thousand men At last the two Kings agreeing together bare the charges of conueighing home the English in common that their Countries might bee freed from them being both alike iealous of their puissance In this time Edward sonne to the Earle of Cambridge vncle to Richard king of England married the daughter of the king of Portugall but afterward neither would the Earle leaue his sonne behind as suspecting the Portugeses faith nor the other entrust his daughter to the Earle so as they remained disioined in body howsoeuer vnited by Ceremonie 18 Not long after the time of that Earles imployment into Spaine there fell out accidents which doe plainely conuince their error to bee great who thinke that any madnesse is like that of an armed vngouerned multitude whereof these times by a kind of Fate proper to childrens raigne gaue a most dangerous document The extreme hatred borne by the people to Iohn Duke of Lancaster calling himselfe king of Castile and Leon and the discontentment taken at an extraordinary taxe leuied per Pol vpon all sorts of people who were aboue sixteene yeers of age which as all other the euils of the time they imputed to the Duke the maner being to count them the authors of euils who are supposed to haue the greatest power of doing them moued the enraged multitudes vpon slight and small beginnings to runne together in so fearefull a Torrent that it seemed the King and kingdome were sodainely falne vnder their most wicked fury There were in this most rebellious insurrection the Commons and Bondmen who aspiring by force to a free manumission principally those of Kent and Essex whose example was followed in the Neighbour Shires of Surrey Suffolke Norfolke Cambridge and other places by incredible heards and droues of like qualified people who specially in Norfolke forced sundry principall Gentlemen to attend them in their madding 19 They of Kent embattelled themselues vnder two Banners of Saint George and about threescore and tenne Penons vpon Blacke-heath by Greenewich and from thence came to London where the generality of people inclining to them they are masters The Priory of S. Iohns without Smithfield they kept burning for about seuen dayes and the goodlie Palace of the Sauoy belonging to the Duke with all the riches therein they consumed by fire in a kind of holy outrage for they threw one of their fellowes into the flame who had thrust a peece of stolne plate into his bosome The Rebels of Essex came to Lambeth burnt all the Archbishops goods and defaced all the Writings Rowls Records and Monuments of the Chancerie as hauing a speciall hatred to the Lawyers little to their disgrace for that they shared herein with good men also whom they hated But their desperate wickednesse extended it selfe beyond the spoile of houses and substance laying bloudy hands vpon the most eminent and worthy men in the kingdome for that they had disswaded the King to put himselfe into their hands at Greenwich where hee talked with them out of his Barge and thereby had their maine designe disappointed Simon Tibald Archbishoppe of Canterburie and Chancellour of England a right worthy Prelate and Sir Robert Hales a Knight of high courage Lord Prior of Saint Iohns and Treasurer of England with others they without respect to the Maiestie of the King or priuiledge of their most honourable dignities most barbarously murthered by beheading them vpon Tower-Hill among infernall showtes diuelish yels For the Tower it selfe from whence they had haled them the young King being there in person was open to their execrable insolencies Neither doth the authority of Polyd. Vergil affirming that they were not haled forth but onely stayed by the Rebels to whom hee saith they were sent induce vs rather to credite him then Authors liuing about those very times There was no little store of other innocent bloud shed by them in these tumults Nor was the Kings own person without manifest perill against whose life they had damnably conspired It were long to reckon vppe the kinds of such villanies as they wrought but endlesse to recount the particulars The common Annals set forth this whole Tragicall businesse very diligently 20 They had many Captaines of mischiefe but two principall Wat Tyler of Maidstone in Kent whom Walsingham pretily cals the Idoll of Clownes and Iacke Straw who together had followers to the number as they were estimated of about one hundreth thousand and at one Sermon made to them by Iohn Ball Walsingham saith there were about twise as many Their Petitions were full of pride and malice but easily granted by the King the necessity of the times extorting them They had a Chaplaine as gracelesse as themselues one Iohn Ball an excommunicated Priest who with his wicked doctrine nourished in them their seditious furies to his own iust destructiō in the end but when a great multitude accepting the Kings mercy were gone Wat Tyler and his Campe departed not but vpon pretence of disliking the Articles of peace sought to winne time till he might put into full execution his incredible Treasons which as Iacke ◅traw at the time of his execution confessed were vpon that very night of the day wherein Wat Tyler was slain to murder the King and chiefe men and to erect petty Tyrannies to themselues in euery shire and already one Iohn Littistar a Dyer in Norwi◅h had taken vpon him at Northwalsham in Norfolke the name of the King of the Commons and Robert Westbroome in Suffolke to whom Iohn
Wraw another lewd Priest had assigned it 21 Neuer was the kingly race and common-weale so neere to an vtter extirpation as at this present which was wee may truly say miraculously preuented The yong king in these feares and dangers repairing to Westminster most deuoutly commended his Crowne Life and whole estate to God nor that in vaine For Wat Tyler with his Campe of Rascals esteemed to bee ten or twenty thousand according to the Kings Proclamation attending in Smithfield but cauilling of purpose vpon the conditions of peace as hee that meant a farther mischiefe though they of Essex were returned was entreated to ride to the king who also sate on horse-backe before Saint Bartholmewes in whose company was that renowned Lord Maior of London William Walworth with many other men of birth and place 22 Wat Tylar scarse at the last comming behaued himselfe so insolentlie offering to murther one of the Kings knights Sir Iohn Newton for omission of some punto of respect which he arrogated to himselfe in more then a kingly manner was vpon leaue giuen him by the king boldly arrested with a drawn weapon by the Lord Maior a man say Writers of incomparable courage which blow was seconded by the said Lord and others so speedily that there this prodigie of a Traitor was felde and slaine A death too worthy for that he died by the swords of honourable persons for whom the axe of an Hang-man had beene far too good 23 The Commons perceiuing the fall of their Captaine prepared to vse extreme reuenge when the most hopefull-young king with a present witte and courage it being for his life and kingdome spurred forth his horse and bad them follow him without beeing grieued for the losse of a ribauld and traitour for now hee himselfe would be their Captaine Hereupon they thronged after him into the field there to haue whatsoeuer they desired But the most worthy of all Londoners Walworth speeds with one man onely into the City raiseth a thousand Citizens in armour brings them being led in good array by Sir Robert Knolles and others with Wat Tylers head which the Lord Maior had commanded to bee chopt off from his dead carcase borne before him vpon a Speare to the king That verie head the cursed tongue whereof had dared to say That all the Lawes of England should come out of his mouth 24 This act restored the Crown as it were and Realme to King Richard for the Rebels seeing themselues girt-in with armed men partly fled partly fel vpon their knees and throwing away all hope in weapon they answerably to their basenesse begged their liues who but euen now reputed themselues masters of the field and of the king And albeit there was a generall desire in the hearts of loyall men to expiate so many villanies with the bloud of the Actors yet things abroad in the Realme being as yet vnsetled they had a generall Charter of pardon sealed and were so sent home into their Countries 25 Certainly although the Citie of London the most noble and able part of the English Empire hath otherwise deserued of the Kings of this land very well yet the honour of this seruice worthily stands highest in the many great praises therof Which the King did thankefully and publikely testifie by knighting Walworth and by bestowing vpon him when hee modestly excused his vnworthines 41 That which followed may giue vs iust cause to suspect the truth of that Fryers accusation for the Lord William la Zouch was also by the Fryer accused of hauing been the Inuenter broacher and prouoker of him to set downe all that which was comprehended in the accusation who thereupon sent for to Salisburie though then very sicke of the gowte repaired thither in an horse-litter where hee was compelled to answere to all such points as were obiected like a felon or a traytour standing bare-headed but the priuitie or least thought of any such matter as the Fryer affirmed against the Duke hee confidently forsware and was thereupon acquitted and dismissed Howbeit saith Walsingham La Zouch was from that time forward a professed enemie not onely of Carmelites but of al other orders of Fryers whatsoeuer But these disgraces came vnseasonably vpon the Duke whose head was vndoubtedly full of designes and of cares how to atchieue to himselfe the crowne of Spaine 42 There were then sundry incursions made by the English and Scots each into the others country the Earle of Northumberland being leader to the English with little aduantage to either But to take away the very cause of this continuall bad neighbourhood or to lessen it by an established peace with France the Duke of Lancaster sayled to Callis about the beginning of August there to treat with the Duke of Berrie on behalfe of the young French King Charles 6. but after he had in that voyage expended as was said fifty thousād Marks he brought into England nothing backe except onely a truce to continue till the first day of May next His desire to haue procured a surer peace both with the French and Scots seemes to haue beene great that so hee might the more freely pursue the conquest of Spaine which he intended 43 Whiles hee was absent in this Ambassage there ensued the arraignement of a great fauourite of the Dukes Iohn Northampton alias Comberton whom his aduersaries by-named Cumber-towne This man is by them reported to haue exceedingly troubled the City of London during his late Maioralty there nor lesse afterward for that being followed with many abettors hee publikely disturbed Sir Nicholas Bramble his successor but a bloudy minded man by report and wrought other maisteries till Sir Robert Knowls caused one of the busiest companions to bee drawne out of his house and as some say shortned by the head This Comberton was by his houshold Clerke accused as priuie to some practises in preiudice as well of the King as the City and when sentence was to bee pronounced in the Kings presence being then with great store of his Nobles at Reading hee durst as is said affirme That such iudgement ought not to proceede against him in the absence of his Lord the Duke This againe vnraked the burning coales of enuie and suspition against the said Lord Duke and perhaps malice to the Duke procured this hatred against his fauourite Whereupon hee was confined to the Castle of Tyntagel in Cornwall and all his goods seised vpon by the Kings Seruants whom Walsingham expresseth by calling them after the name of those Poeticall rauenous Birds Harpyes 44 That here which Polydor Vergil assigning causes to actions not alwayes such as are but such as seemed to him most probable not seldome confounding and changing persons times names and things telles vs concerning a combate within lifts betweene Sir Iohn Aunsley Knight and one Carton hath little ground so farre as wee can find in historie He saith they were teterrima capita both very wicked men that there was a real plot to
by the Duke of Bury one of the French Kings vncles to frustrate this enterprize he alleaged that the King of England had mustred ten thousand horsemen and one hundreth thousand Archers for his defence whereas the Admirall Iohn de Vienna affirmed that hauing seene the forces of the English they were but eight thousand horsemen and threescore thousand foot and he might well say hauing seene for though Aemylius bring him in speaking to the French King and vaunting that he had encountred them yet nothing is truer then that the English returned out of Scotland without the least offer of battell The Admirall was willing indeed to haue fought but when he saw our Armie from the hil-tops his furie gaue place to reason 50 While the Armie was vpon the way toward Scotland the Kings halfe-brother the Lord Iohn Holland wickedly slew the Lord Stafford sonne to the Earle of Stafford not farre from Yorke being vpon his iourney to the Queene whose fauoured Knight he was For which heinous homicide the King seised vpon his whole estate denying to his mothers most earnest praiers any pardon or grace for his brother Which was to her so greeuous that within fiue or sixe daies after shee gaue vp the Ghost at Wallingford The young Lord tooke Sanctuary at Beuerley and the King by his iustice herein wanne the hearts of the said Earle of Stafford the Earle of Warwick the Lord Basset and other great men of Staffords kindred and friends neither did this empeach at all the present voyage 51 The Scots and French in Scotland seeing themselues vnable to withstand such forces had so retired themselues and all their goods that when the English should come they as Walsingham pleasantly saith could see no quicke things left but onlie Owles That which was greene in the fields the horses deuoured or trampled down yet such harme as the materials of buildings were capable of was done Edenburgh also and the noble Abbey of Mailrosse were fired The Duke of Lancaster perswaded the King to march beyond the Frith or Scottish Sea as his great Ancestors had done to seeke out his enemies but he very suspicious that the Duke gaue him this counsell with a purpose to betray him to destruction by famine and want which he was there to looke for expressed much displeasure and returned The Dukes wordes notwithstanding and behauiour were tempered with much duty and modesty but that would not serue till the Lords peeced their affections together by intercession in the best manner the time would suffer But the English host was scarce returned and discharged when the Scots and French sodeinely powred themselues forth vpon our Countrey and did whatsoeuer hurt the shortnes of time in their incursion could permit 52 To resist and endammage the French there were appointed Admirals for the narrow Seas the Master of Saint Iohns and Sir Thomas Percie Knight the Earle of Northumberlands brother who did nothing worthy their fame or place Only the Townesmen of Portsmouth and Dart maund forth a few ships at their owne perill and charge wherewith entering the riuer of Sein vpon which the renowned Citties Roan and Paris are situated suncke some of their enemies ships tooke others and among them one of Sir Oliuer de Clisson's the goodliest that France had The successe answered their hopes and they were enriched with the spoiles of their aduersaries whom thus they compelled to beare the charge of their proper mischiefe 53 Meanewhile that the French lay at Sluse attending the approch of their kings vncle the Duke of Burie who fauoured not this enterprize of inuasion but sought aswell by delaies as by perswasion and authority to make it frustrate they of Gaâ—…t had gotten the Towne of Dam by the good liking of the Inhabitants to whom the French gouernment was odious For recouery whereof the French King drew his armie prepared against England to the siege of Dam which the same being first secretlie abandoned after a moneths siege and many repulses giuen to the French was by him recouered This and other things did so protract the great expedition intended that after wast of infinite treasure Charles returned home without hauing seene England which was by these meanes most graciouslie freed by God from so dangerous and greatly-feared an impression But that the English might the better endure the same Iohn King of Portugall hauing lately in a great and bloodie battell where some of the English deserued well of him ouerthrowne the Castilians and thereby setled his estate sent into England sixe Gallâ—…ys throughly well appointed for Sea-seruice though as God would there was no need of them 54 Of those French which after the Cloude of warre at Sluce was dispersed into ayte passed ouerland into their Countreys many were taken and slaine by the Gauntiners Their nauie was not lesse vnfortunate for at one time the English of Callis tooke of them eighteene and the rage of weather brake and sunke diuers so that this Brauado was not onely costly to the French by reason of the charges but hurtfull in the losse of time men shippes and hoped glorie Such are the euents of humane enterprises where God is not pleased to giue successe The English thus deliuered from feare make a road into France out of Callis and with a prey of foure thousand sheepe and three hundreth head of great cattell besides an hundreth good prisoners returned safe to their Garrison 55 The multitude of memorable things which present themselues to vs in the liues of our English Monarches is such that if wee did not vse choise and in their relation breuity wee should not relieue our Readers of that molestation with which the vaste volumes of former labours doe oppresse the memorie The Laitie at the Parliament now holden at London had yeelded to aide the King with a Fifteenth vpon condition that the Clergie should succour him with a Tenth and an halfe against which vniust proportion William de Courtney Archbishop of Canterbury most stifly opposed alleadging that the Church ought to bee free nor in any wise tâ—… bee taxed by the Laitie and that himselfe would rather die then endure that the Church of England the liberties whereof had by so many free Parliaments in all times and not onely in the raign of this King been confirmed should be made a bond-maide This answere so offended the Câ—…mons that the Knights of the Shires and some Peeres of the land with extreme fury besought That Temporalities might bee taken away from Ecclesiasticall persons saying that it was an Almesdeed and an Act of Charity so to doe thereby to humble them Neither did they doubt but that their petition which they had exhibited to the King would take effect Hereupon they designed among themselues out of which Abbey which should receiue such a certaine summe and out of which another I my selfe saith a Monke of Saint Albans heard one of those Knights confidently sweare that hee
egresse whereupon the Duke of Lancaster caused thē to bee assaulted so both of them being taken by surrender were razed to the ground though some English first lost their liues among which was Sir Robert Swinarton a valiant Knight of Staffordshire and Iohn de Bolton a couragious Esquier of Yorkeshire whom the sodaine ruine of a Tower ouerturned by mining whelmed and slew outright Sharpened with the successe of this victorie they commit themselues to God and the Sea and prosperously arriue with the whole Fleet in the Port Corone or the Groyne in August 61 The French belike thought England could not furnish an other Army for France as she had for Spain wherupon there was now no false nor vain rumor spread again that the French would besiege Calis The King to secure that pretious transmarine part of his Dominions sent thither store of men and of all prouisions The most eminent person was Henry Lord Percie sonne to Henry Earle of Northumberland This was hee whom the Scots by-named Hotspur a young Gentleman in whom saith Walsingham the patterne of all vertue and martiall prowesse shined and indeed his nature did answere his by-name for hee made such ridings into the quarters about Calis that they could neuer wish a worse neighbour After which when the fame went that the French king would not delay or as they call it beleaguer Calis but rather inuade England hee returned to bee present where the greatest danger was expected At this time the English Seamen of warre brought two French prizes to Sandwich in which was taken a part of an huge strong Timber-wall which the French king preparing now for Englands inuasion had caused to bee built in length three miles in height twenty foot which had at euery twelue paces a Tower ten foot higher and each capable of ten men the whole to be a defence for the French encampments against our shot and a shelter for theirs there was also in the same Ships the Enginer and master workeman who was an Englishman and great quantities of powder and store of Ordinance together with the French Kings Master Gunner 62 There was in this time a great resemblance betweene England and France in the chiefe points of State As England had Richard so had France her Charles both young Kings Charles with an huge armie had prepared to inuade England but did nothing Richard with no lesse forces entred Scotland and did no great thing Richard had vncles which bare great sway in the Realme so had Charles Richard had his vncle Iohn more potent then the rest Charles had his vncle Lewis Iohn vpon his wiues title claimeth the kingdomes of Castile and Leon Lewis by the gift of Ioan the Queene claimes the Kingdomes of Naples and Sicil. Lewis went with an Army of thirty thousand horse into Italie to atchieue his claime with what force Iohn set forth you haue heard But Lewis died without obtayning Iohn preuailed so farre as to settle his child by marriage The King and great Lords of France were glad with any charge to enioy the absence of Lewis and Richard and his fauourites were not sad that the Realme was for the present rid of Iohn 63 The forces of the French prouided for this inuasion of England were reported in open Parliament which the King held about Michaelmas in London to consist of 15 Dukes 26. Earles two hundreth Lords an hundreth thousand souldiers and a thousand Ships assembled about Sluse with full purpose to take reuenge of all the euils which the English nation had formerly wrought in France and to destroy the English kingdome But though these reports were not fained for the French attended nothing in a manner but a faire gale of winde to bring them yet could not the King without Capitulations made by the Duke of Gloster obtaine any aides of money so that whereas it seemed to the King that by the Duke of Lancasters departure he was become more free yet had he left behind spirits much more stiffe and intractable O deare Countrey hadst thou not then beene apparantlie in Gods protection for the French hauing stayd for a wind till Hallontide and then hauing it halfe-way were beaten backe and the voyage made vtterly voyd certainely thy ruine had then beene certaine What shall wee thinke or say of those popular Lords by this gentle King armd to his owne bane with power and greatnes who vnder the specious pretext of reforming abuses did satisfie their enuie and inbred insolency 64 The King tels them that England is as they saw in manifest danger and prayes their succour in money what is the answere That the Duke of Ireland for now the Marquesse of Dublin was made a Duke and Michaell at the Pole so they scornfully called the Earle of Suffolke and other must be remoued Things are badly carried at home say they and they perhaps said truly but where was now the care of our Countrey God indeed turned from vs the mercilesse point of the French sword but here began the seeds of innumerable worse miseries neuer to be remembred without sighes and teares 65 The seedes we say of those fearefull calamities were then first here sowne whose sum a flourishing Writer in our age willing neerely to haue imitated Lucan as hee is indeed called our Lucan doth not vnfortunately expresse though hee might rather haue said he wept them then sung them but so to sing them is to weepe them I sing the ciuill warres tumultuous broiles And bloudy factions of a mighty land Whose people hauty proud with forraine spoiles Vpon themselues turne backe their conquering hand While kinne their kinne brother the brother foiles Like Ensignes all against like Ensignes band Bowes against Bowes a Crowne against a Crowne While all pretending right all right throwne downe But Robert de Vere saith Thomas Duke of Glocester and his party was vnworthily created Duke of Ireland and De la Pole the Lord Chancellour seemed to the onely great Lords for so they would seeme to be in the Kings debt Strange colours for Subiects to capitulate with their King vpon giuing their ioynt aides against the common enemy now ready with one destruction to ouerwhelme them all The time they tooke to worke this pretended amendment in state was not well fitted It sauoured of somewhat else besides the loue of common-weale Priuate ambitions and passions could not bee wanting in such oppositions This is some mens iudgement let the sequels shew how iust 66 There were called vp at this Parliament for defence of the Realme innumerable people out of al Shires which forces lay about London within twentie miles round and had no pay but liued vpon spoile These at last were licenced to depart to be ready at warning There was also the Lord Chancellour accused of we wot not what petty crimes for the abuses of following ages haue made them seeme so as for paying to the Kings Coffers but twentie markes yeerely
for a fee-farme whereof himselfe receiued threescore and ten and some such other To pacifie these great Lords the Lord Chancellour is disgraced and the seale taken from him against the Kings will and giuen to Thomas Arundell Bishop of Elye and then the houses of Parliament yeelded to giue halfe a Tenth and halfe a Fifteenth but vpon condition that it should be disposed of as the Lords thought fit for defence of the Realme The money was thereupon deliuered to the Earle of Arundell to furnish himselfe for that purpose to the Sea But to rid the Duke of Ireland out of the realme the Lords were willing he should haue those thirtie thousand markes for which the heires of Charles of Bloiâ—… who heretofore challenged Britaine were transacted to the French vpon condition that the sayd Duke should passe into Ireland before the next Easter 67 The Parliament was no sooner dissolued but the King recals the Earle of Suffolk to the Court keeps both him the Duke of Ireland and Alexander Neâ—…ile Archbishop of Yorke about his person in greater fauour then before Insomuch that at Christmas he made De-la-Pole to sit at his owne Table not in the vsuall garment of a Peere but Princely robed Surely therein not well for some of those great Lords though not by so sweet meanes as were fit did desire to waken him out of Courtly drowsinesse and as men that knew not what peace meant to put him into actions worthy of his name and greatnes These other persons were not so friended or qualified that they could support a King against an vniuersal mislike But the King vpon a stomacke doth it so that saith Walsingham here first grew the Kings hatred against the Peeres that from thence forth he neuer as it is said regarded them but fainedly So much more dangerous sometime is the remedy then a very greeuous maladie 68 King Richard whose age and place stood in need of wiser instructions not thus contented to haue whetted the displeasures of the greater Peeres as if he had said to himselfe Rumpatur quisquis rumpitur inuidiâ is further drawne as was said to plot the death of his vncle Thomas of Woodstocke Duke of Gloster and other enemies of De-la-pole who together being inuited to a feast by the bloody deuise of Sir Nicholas Brambre late Lord Maior of London should together haue perished But the present Lord Maior Nicholas Exton whom the conspirators would haue had their Partaker if it may be beleeued honestly refused to assent The Lords hereupon hauing admonition refrained to come 69 The persons which were in the publike enuie for their ouer-swaying grace with the King were as you haue heard Robert de Vere Duke of Ireland Michael de la Pole Earle of Suffolke the said Archbishop Sir Simon Burley Knight and Sir Richard Stury These men hearing that Richard Earle of Arundel and Thomas Earle of Nottingham Marshall of England had encountred with a great Fleete of Frenchmen Flemmings Normans and Spaniards and taken aboue one hundreth saile of ships and in them nineteene thousand tunnes oâ—…â—…ine depraued the victorie saying that the vanquished were but Merchants whose loues had beene more profitable to our Countrey then so to stirre them to inexorable hatred But these saith one who thus iudged were rather the Knights of Venus then Bellona fitter for a Canapie then a Campe for language then a lance as they who were awake to discourse of martiall actions but drowâ—…e when they should come to doe them Such therefore câ—…ersing with the King not * without suspition of fowle familiaritie neuer tooke care to put into his mind any matter which beseemed so potent a Prince wee say not quoth our Authour as concerning the vse of Armes but not euen concerning those very recreations which most of all become great spirits as hunting hawking and the like But the Earles did more then meddle with Merchants who yet were able to make dangerous resistances for they landed at Brest in Britaine and with great difficulty deliuered it againe from so bad neighbours as the two woodden Forts neerely built where the other had stood one of which they fired and the other they mand with the English Garrison of Brest Then stuffing it with all sorts of prouisions for a yeere and furnishing the wants of the Souldiers with all necessaries they returned hauing worthily wonne the loue and praises of the people Which as they were also due to them from the king yet comming to his presence they by these mens euill offices had so cold entertainement as they eftsoones withdrew themselues from Court to liue quietly vpon their owne at home After them the braue young Henry Hotspur Lord Percy was sent ill prouided to the Sea neuerthelesse he ventred and returned when his commission was expired with honour 70 One thing done by the Duke of Ireland was surelie full of wickednesse and indignitie For he hauing to wife a young faire and noble Ladie and the Kings neere kineswoman for shee was Grandchild to king Edward by his daughter Isabel did put her away and took one of Queene Annes women a Bâ—…hemian of base birrh called in her mother tongue Lancecrone This intollerable villanie offered to the blood royall King Richard did not encounter neither had the power some say who deemed that by witchcrafts and sorceries practised vpon him by one of the Dukes followers his iudgement was so seduced and captiuated that he could not see what was honest or fit to doe But where Princes are wilfull or slouthfull and their fauorites flatterers or time-seruers there needs no other enchantments to infatuate yea and ruinate the greatest Monarch 71 The Duke of Glocester tooke the matter more to heart resoluing to be reuenged for the infamy and confusion which was brought thereby vpon his noble kinsewoman Meanewhile the king as if he meant to conduct his deare friend the Duke toward Ireland went with him into Wales There the King deuiseth with him the Earle of Suffolke Sir Robert Tresilian and others who were equally affrayd of the Lords how to destroy the Duke of Glocester the Earles of Arundel Warwicke Derby Nottingham and such others as from whom they thought fitte to bee cleare Much time being trifled thus away in Wales they come together as if the Dukes appointed voyage or rather banishment into Ireland were quite forgotten to the Castle of Nottingham there more freely to deliberate A fearefull estate of a Monarchie Hee among a few generally ill beloued and ill aduised and ill prouided for their whole strength was the king and these emulations made that force feeble both to him and them the Lords potent martiall rich and popular he at Notingham they not neere him but abroad farre-off the Duke of Lancaster with the flower of the English forces and mighty neighbours watching for the ruine of all The course agreed vpon by the King and that ill-chosen Senate was first to haue the
opinion of all the Chiefe Lawyers concerning certaine Articles of Treason within whose nets and sprindges they presumed the reforming Lords were and if the Lawyers who seldome faile Princes in such turnes did conclude that those Articles contained treasonable matter then vnder a shew of iustice they should bee proceeded against accordinglie These Lawyers who were the very men which in the last seditious Parliament gaue aduise to the Lords to doe as they did now meeting were demanded whether by the law of the land the King mâ—…ght not disanull the Decrees of the last Parliament they iointly answered he might because hee was aboue the lawes confessing that themselues had in that Parliament decreed many things and giuen their iudgement that all was acording to law which now they acknowledged to be altogether vnlawfull The King thus enformed appointeth a great Councell to be holden at Nottingham and sent for certaine Londoners some of them such as were beholding to the King for mercie in cases of attaindour to be there empanelled for Quests of Inquirie The Sheriffes of Shires being questioned denied that they could raise any competent forces against the Lords their whole Counties were so addicted in their fauour being further willed to suffer no Knights to be chosen for the Shires but such as the King his Councell should name they answered that the election belonged to the Commons who fauoured the Lords in all 72 Vpon the 25. of August there met before the King at Nottingham these Lawyers Robert Trisilian his chiefe Iustitiar Robert Belknap chiefe Iustitiar of the common Pleas Iohn Holt Roger Stilethorpe William Burgh Iustitiars in the same Court and Iohn Lokton the Kings Serieant at Law all which being vpon their allegiance charged to deliuer their opinions whether such Articles as were there in the Kings behalfe propounded which Articles comprehended all the points of aduantage taken against the proceedings of the last Parliament and the displacing of the Lord Chancellor Michael de Pole contained matter of treason they all of them answered affirmatiuely and subscribed which afterward cost them deare Iudge Belknap foresaw the danger and therefore was very vnwilling to put his seale to the answeres saying there wanted but a hurdle a horse and a halter to carrie him where hee might suffer the death hee deserued for if I had not done this quoth he I should haue died for it and because I haue done it I deserue death for betraying the Lordes The King in the meane space puruaies himselfe of people to fight if need required 73 The Duke of Glocester sadded with these newes sent the Bishoppe of London to bring his purgation vpon oath to the King who inclining to credite the same was in an euill howre diuerted by De la Pole The Duke makes his and their common danger known to the Earles of Arundel Warwicke Derby eldest sonne to the Duke of Lancaster They seuerally gather forces that vnited they might present their griefes to the King who to keep them from ioyning sends the Earle of Northumberland to arrest the Earle of Arundel at â—…eygate in Surrey where hee abode But by reason of Arundels power it was too dangerous a worke Northumberland returnes and Arundel admonished by the Duke of Glocester of his farther perill escapeth in post to Haringey where the Duke and Earle of Warwicke had store of people 74 As yet no bloud was drawne Peaceable men procured that the Lords should repaire safe to Westminster and there be heard Thither approaching they are aduertised by the Bishop of Elie and others who had sworne on the kings behalfe for good dealing to be vsed during the Interim that at the Mewes by Charing Crosse a thousand armed men which without the Kings priuity Sir Thomas Triâ—…et and Sir Nicholas Brembre Knights were reported to haue laid for their destruction attended in ambush The King sweares his innocency but the Lords come strong and trust no longer The King royally adorned keepes state in Westminster Hall with manie his Prelates and Peeres about him the Lords present themselues vpon their knees and being required by the Eishop of Elye the Lord Chancellour for the Lord De la Pole neuer had that place againe why they were in warlike manner assembled at Haringey Parke contrary to the lawes their ioint answere was That they were assembled for the good of the King and kingdome and to weed from about him such Traitors as hee continually held with him The traitors they named to bee Robert de Vere Duke of Ireland Alexander Neuile Archbishoppe of Yorke Michael at the Pole Earle of Suffolke Sir Robert Tresilian that false â—…stitiar quoth they and Sir Nicholas Brambre that false Knight of London To proue them such they threw downe their gloues as gages of challenge for a triall to bee had by the sword The King hereunto replied as knowing that they were all hidden out of the way This shall not bee done so but at the next Parliament which shall be the morrow after Candlemas all parties shall receiue according as they deserue And now saith hee to yee my Lords how or by what authority durst you presume to leuie force against mee in this-land did you thinke to haue terrified mee by such your presumption haue not I men of Armes who if it pleased me could enuiron and kill you like Cattle Certainely in this respect I esteeme of you all no more then as of the basest scullions in my Kitchens Hauing vsed these and many the like high words hee tooke vp his vncle the Duke from the ground where all this while hee kneeled and bad all the other rise The rest of the conference was calme and the whole deferred till the next Parliament then shortly to be holden at Westminster In the meane time that the world might see how little able the King was to equall his words with deedes a Proclamation is set forth in which the King cleareth the Lords before any trial of treason obiected and names those persoâ—… for vniust accusers whom the Lords had before named 75 The factious Lords neuerthelesse thought not good to seuer themselues but to keepe together for feare of the worst which fell out to their aduantage for the Duke of Ireland with the Kings priuitie had gathered a power in Wales and Cheshire which they intercepting neere to Burford and Babblake slew Sir William Molineux leader of the Cheshire men and some others and made the Duke to flie in great feare Among the spoiles of the Dukes carriages there were found as the Diuell would haue it certaine letters of the King to the said Duke of Ireland by which their counsels were plainely discouered The Lords hereupon march with speede vp to London hauing an Armie of about forty thousand men The King shuts himselfe vp in the Tower but is glad before long to admit them to his presence There they vnreuerently inough obiect mutability to him and
made by the English are notwithstanding obserued at this day But the Dukes eye could not looke so farre into the times to come Neuerthelesse wee that see these things must confesse that the best kingdome vnder heauen is not so worth the getting as that with the wilfull contempt of God and conscience any man should seeke to purchase it 94 But while the Duke was thus busied in Courting the Gascoignes good will who had sent into England to shew causes why they should not atturne to the Duke and yet were wrought at last to the point of yeelding he receiues a commandement from King Richard to returne that he might goe with him into France which he obayed The King keeping his at Langley in Hartfordshire the Duke was there entertained with more honour as it was thought then loue Being licenced to depart for a time he repaired to Lincolne where he a widdower married his old loue the Lady Katherine Swinford now a widdow Men did wonder at it but hee therein obeyed the remorse of a Christian conscience without respect to his owne vnequall greatnes for hauing had sundry Children by her in his former wiues time he made her and them now the only sufficient amends which the law of God or man enioineth And further in a Parliament held the yeere following the Duke procured an Act to passe by which such children as he formerly had by his new Dutchesse were legitimated and surnamed them Beufot being foure of them Iohn Thomas Henrie Ioane the second of which was by the Kings bounty created Earle of Sommerset 95 The King being specially accompanied with those his vncles of Lancaster and Glocester at a most sumptuous and chargefull enteruiew between him and Charles King of France in the parts of Calis and Gynes espoused the Lady Isabell daughter of the said Charles At the deliuery of her King Richard in the presence of all the greatest Princes Peeres and Ladies of either nation gaue the King his father in law great thanks for a gift so noble and acceptable adding he tooke her vpon the conditions made betweene the two nations to the intent that liuing in peace and rest they might attaine to the establishment of a perpetuall amitie for auoyding the effusion of Christian blood which would in likelyhood haue followed had not at that time affinitie beene contracted betweene them The young Lady was not aboue seuen or eight yeeres old but the truce was taken for thirty yeeres Her person therefore was committed to the Dutchesses of Lancaster and Glocester and other great Ladies who conducted her to Callis From whence after a short stay the King his young Queene with whom he had great riches and all the glorious companie came ouer into England Their persons arriued safe but the Kings gorgeous Pauilions and a great part of his stuffe was cast away by tempest in the transportation This iourney besides his losses at Sea cost the King aboue forty thousand markes 96 The outward felicitie of England seemed at this time verie great and the rather seemed so because it was likelie to continue In the Duke of Glocesters persō that bright prosperity was first ouershadowed He Vir ferocissimus pracipitis ingenij as Polydor censures him a most fierce man and of an headlong wit thinking those times wherein he had mastred the King were nothing changed though the King was aboue thirty yeres old forbare not roughly not so much to admonish as to checke and schoole his Souereigne The peace with France displeased him that therefore he calumniates The King had restored Brest in Britaine to the Duke vpon reembursements of the money lent he tels the King that hee should first conquer a Towne before he parted with any yet the King answeres that he could not in conscience detaine the same now that the Duke had repaid his loane There were other things which could not so well be answered For a vaine rumor that he should be chosen Emperour put him belike into such a vaine of spending as carried a proportion with that maiesty his coffers in a short time sounding like empty Caske there was no great monied man in whose debt he was not nor any in a manner so meane to whome hee was not burthenous 97 The King had heretofore complained of this vncle to the Earle of Saint Paul a French-man then in England whose iudgement was that such insolency was to be reuenged but complaining to his other vncles of Lancaster and Yorke they wisely aduised the King not to regard his words but his heart which he and they knew sincere vnto him Neuerthelesse partly to weaken the intollerable humor of their brother who like a constant Admirer of his owne waies thought nothing well done but what himselfe either did or directed and partlie to auoid the scandall of the Kings bad courses they withdraw their presences from the Court The King notwithstanding is the same man still as the Duke of Glocester thinks wherefore he breakes his minde to such as he durst trust Arundell in Sussex is appointed the Consultation-place where he the Archbishop of Canterbury the Earles of Arundell Warwicke Marshall and others take an Oath of Secrecy and conclude to raise a power to remoue the Dukes of Lancaster and Yorke and such other as they thought best from about the King so to enact a reformation 98 They are charged by some to haue plotted the imprisonment of the King and Dukes and the death of all other Councellours which howsoeuer it was perhaps no part of their intention might yet haue beene a necessarie consequent The blustring Duke had breathed out dangerous words as that he would put the King of whose courage he spake contemptiblie into some prison there to spend his daies in ease and peace as himselfe thought best His brethren hearing hereof brotherlie admonish him to beware but as it seemes they found him deafe on that side This though some of the late Authors write yet there are both old and new who mention no such matter but the contrary not obscurely teaching vs that the Dukes ruine was but an effect of old malignities 99 Thomas Mowbray Earle of Nottingham and Marshall a party in the reported plot though sonne in law to the Earle of Arundel reueileth the same to the King * The Duke of Glocester is hereuppon surprized by Mowbray lying in wait in the woods where hee was to passe sent to Callis where Nottingham was Captaine and there imprisoned the Earles of Arundel and Warwicke the Lord Iohn Cobham and Sir Iohn Cheiney are arrested Proclamation is then made that they were not committed for anie old matters but for hainous things newly contriued as in the next Parliament should be made manifest though the euent as Walfingham truly saith declared the contrarie But the Duke of Glocester and the two said Earles are endited at Nottingham The King to maintaine the accusation of treason obiected
had as some say suborned Edward Earle of Arundel Thomas Earle Marshall Thomas Holland Earle of Kent Iohn Holland Earle of Huntington Thomas Beaufort Earle of Somerset Iohn Montacute Earle of Salisbury Thomas Lord Spencer and Sir William Scroope Lord Chamberlaine 100 In September begins the Parliament at London where the king had a great guard of Chesshire men to secure his person and the Lords attended also not without sufficient numbers The Kings chiefe Agents were Sir Iohn Bushy Sir William Bagod and Sir Henry Greene knights In the first act after the liberties of the Church and people confirmed we find these words The commons of the Parliament haue shewed to our Souereigne Lord the King how in the Parliament holden at Westminster the first day of October in the tenth yeere of his reigne Thomas Duke of Glocester and Richard Earle of Arundell traitours to the King and his Realme and his people by false imagination and compassing caused a Commission to bee made c. and that the said Duke of Glocester and Earle of Arundel did send a great man and Peere of the Realme in message to our Lord the King who of their part said that if he would not grant and assent to the said Commission HEE SHOVLD DE IN GREAT PERIL OF HIS LIFE and so as well the said Commission as the said Statute touching the said Commission were made by constraint c. Wherefore the Commons pray their Soueraigne Lord the King that the said Commission c be vtterly anulled as a thing done TRAITEROVSLY c. 101 The sanctuary of former lawes and all particular Charters of pardon being now taken away from the Duke Earle and others they lay open to manifest ruine The Duke of Lancaster sate in iudgement as High Steward vpon Richard Earle of Arundel where for no other but for the old attempts though the other accusations seeme to haue been auerred by the eight Appellants by which as ye haue heard so many were displaced and put to death hee adiudged him to die that soule death of a common Traitor but the King satisfied himselfe with onely his head which was at one stroake taken of at Tower-hill That he was a traitour either in word or deede he vtterly did deny and died in that deniall The constancy of this Earles carriage aswell at his arraignement passage and execution as in which he did not discolour the honour of his blood with anie degenerous word looke or action encreased the enuie of his death vpon the prosecutors The Earle of Warwicke confessed with teares and as some say drawne by faire hope of life that in adhering to the Duke of Glocester in those ridings and assemblies hee was guilty of treason The same sentence was therefore pronounced vpon him The King neuerthelesse did only banish him into the I le of Man But the Duke of Glocester whom as the peoples darling it seemed not safe to bring to a publike triall was secretlie smothered at Calis with pillowes and feather-beds 102 The great Parliament for so it seemes to haue beene called by reason of the extraordinarie numbers of Peeres and their retinues which came thereunto was holpen by adiournment at Shewsbury In it those Iustitiars who were partly put to death and partly banished but all attainted at such time as the Duke of Glocester and the rest were in armes doe all of them stand thereby cleared from dishonor and such Articles as they subscribed being together with their answeres set downe in the Act are publikely ratified and the offendors against them pronounced Traitours Amongst these Articles one conteining these great Lawyers iudgements concerning the orderly proceedings in al Parliament is very obseruable That after the cause of such assembly is by the Kings commandement there declared such Articles as by the King are limitted for the Lords and Commons to proceed in are first to bee handled but if any should proceed vpon other Articles and refuse to proceed vpon those limitted by the King till the King had first answered their proposals contrary to the Kings command such doing herein contrary to the rule of the King are to be punished as Traitors But the King to content all parts and to kindle new lights in the place of such as he had extinguished hauing first created himselfe Prince of Chester made his cosen Henry Earle of Derby Duke of Hereford the Earle of Rutland Duke of Aumarl the Earle of Nottingham Duke of Norfolke the Earle of Kent Duke of Surrey the Earle of Huntington Duke of Excester the Earle of Somerset Marquesse Dorset the Lord Spencer Earle of Glocester the Lord Neuile Earle of Westmorland William Scrope Earle of Wiltshire Thomas Percy Earle of Worcester The King also saith Walsingham added to his Scucheon Royall the armories of Saint Edward King and confessor 103 The formost in this goodly ranke being Henry Duke of Hereford not long after accused Thomas Duke of Norfolke of certaine words sounding to the kings dishonour which hee should priuately vtter to the said Henry Polydor though very negligently hee makes Mowbray the Accuser and Hereford Defendant may yet be heard in reporting the effect of the words as That King Richard held the Peeres of the land in no account but as much as lay in him sought to destroy them by banishing some and putting others to death That hee neuer troubled his mind with considering how his Dominions were diminished through his Idlenesse Finally that all things went to wracke as well in peace as war But the Duke of Norfolke who vnlesse it had beene to feele how the Duke of Herefords heart was affected to the king had little reason so to complaine most constantly denying that euer he spake such wordes it should haue come to a combat within lists but the king to â—…uoid as hee pretended such deadly fewds as might rise in the families of two such potent Peeres but indeed to bee rid of an enemie with the losse of a friend banished Norfolke for euer and Hereford first for ten yeeres then for sixe Walsingham saith that this censure was giuen against Norfolke vpon that very day in which the yeere before he by the kings commandement had taken order for putting to death the Duke of Glocester at Callis whereof the said Duke of Norfolke had the Captaineship 104 Fearefull were the tragedies which ensued these times and heare now what is written of some Portents or wonders presaging the same The Bay or Laurell trees withered ouer all England and afterward reflourished contrary to many mens opinion and vpon the first of Ianuary neere Bedford towne the riuer between the villages of Swelston and Harleswood where it was deepest did vpon the sodaine stand still and so diuided it selfe that the bottome remained drie for about three miles space which seemed saith Walsingham to portend that reuolt from the King and the diuision which ensued 105 Roger Mortimer Earle of March
them to encrease their numbers were that Henry of Lancaster meaning the King was fled with his sonnes and friends to the Tower of London and that King Richard was escaped Maudlen also one of Richards Chapleins tooke vpon him the person of his said Lord the more strongly to seduce the multitude by so bold and perilous a fiction Thus seemed they to fit their words and sute their Arts to the place At Sunning Richard they said was at Pomfret for there the guile had beene transparent but at Circester Richard was not at Pomfret but present 17 How beit the successe was not answerable to the deuise for besides that King Henry was in the heart of his strengths at London where sixe thousand men were put into a readines and would come vpon them like a storme the Townesmen of Circester assailed the Lords tooke them and because their Town was fired of purpose by some of their followers the better to recouer them while the quenching found the people employment haled them forth and without longer tarriance seuered their heads from their bodies The Earle of Huntington with a trustie Knight of his Sir Iohn Sheuele hauing after the faile at Windsore in vaine attempted to escape by Sea was taken by the Commons at Pitwel perhaps Prittlewel in Essex brought first to Chelmsford and lastlie to Pleshie the house of the late Duke of Glocester whose Ghost a tragicall Poet would suppose did haunt his persecutors for reuenge where partlie also by this Earles instigation the said Glocester was first arrested The Commons out of whose hearts the image of that Duke was not vanished at the Countesse of Herefords instigation who was the Dukes widdow tooke satisfaction vpon the Earle with the escheate of his head which there was sundred from his shoulders The Lord Spencer called Earle of Glocester one of the Conspirators had like execution done vpon him by the Commons at Bristol Some other of them were put to death at Oxford and some at London where Iohn Maudlen the Counterfeit Richard who as it seemes was a beautifull and goodlie person and one William Ferby were drawne hanged and headed The Bishop of Carleol neuerthelesse was by the Kings clemencie preserued aliue after the condemnatory sentence There were nineteene in all whereof two had beene Dukes put to death for this conspiracy most of which were men of speciall note 18 The designes and misfortunes of King Richards friends being made known vnto him could not but worke strongly in a soule opprest with griefe but whether so strongly as to make him resolue by voluntary abstinence to starue himselfe as the fame went may bee doubted though it be past doubt that King Henry was not sorrie hee was dead howsoeuer That he was starued seemes verie plaine though as it is not certaine neither yet vnlikely that King Henry was priuy to so foule a parricide so neither is it knowne but that Richard might as well be starued of purpose as starue himselfe Master Stow a man for honest industry very praiseworthie saith that king Richard was fifteene daies and nights together kept in hunger thirst and cold till hee died How true that was in the circumstance who knows but in the point of staruing hee is clearelie with Walsingham and a Knight liuing about those times calleth it a death neuer before that time knowne in England Harding also liuing vnder King Edward the fourth agrees of the rumour of staruing Master Cambden saith of Pomfret Castle that it is a place principum cade sanguine infamis but seemes to insinuate that some other torments were most wickedly practised vpon this King as made out of the way with hunger cold and vnheard-of torments Polydore therefore may in this bee beleeued who writes of this poore deposed Monarke that which may well be called vnheard-of torments his diet being serued in and set before him in the wonted Princely manner he was not suffered either to taste or touch thereof Idle therefore seemes his dreame who writes hee was murthered in the Tower and not more credible theirs who tell vs of Sir Peirs of Extons assault and the murther basely by him acted vpon this most miserable Princes person but much more are they to blame who negligently for credit of the fable quote Walsingham in whom no syllable of such a thing is found Onely Hector Boetius wils vs to belieue that Richard fled disguised into Scotland was discouered to King Robert and honourably entertained but Richard who would no more of the world gaue himselfe wholy to contemplation and both liued died and was buried at Striueling Which fond fable hath neuerthelesse somewhat in it for that some personated Richard might so doe is neither impossible nor improbable and indeed it was so 19 The late King Richard thus cruelly and heinously murthered for in regard of pining death the seeming fable of his fight with Sir Peirs of Exton was a sport it being both noble and full of comfort for a man of honour and courage to die with weapon in hand King Henry causeth his dead body to bee brought vp to London O Henry if thou wert Author or but priuie though for thine owne pretended safetie and for that errors cause which is lewdly mis-called reason of state of such a murther we doe not see how the shewing of the people his vncouered face in Pauls did either conceale or extenuate the execrable crime But to let the world know that there was no hope nor place for a Richard that course was vsed which may the rather confirme the truth of his enfamishment for a violent death by braining could not but deforme him too much and it is most probable that such a death would bee sought as might least appeare Surely he is not a man who at the report of so exquisite a barbarisme as Richards enfamishment feeles not chilling horror and detestation what if but for a iustly condemned galley-slaue so dying but how for an annointed King whose Character like that of holy Orders is indeleble The tragicall spectacle of his dead body perhaps because it moued too much both pittie and enuie was after a while transported without honor to Langley in Hartfordshire where the last rites were performed by the Bishop of Chester the Abbats of S. Alban and Waltham but neither King Henry present as at the exequies in London and the great Lords and such other as were had not so much as a funerall feast bestowed on them for their labour But Henry the fifth in the first yeere of his raigne with great honour did afterward cause those royall remaines to be interred in the Sepulture of his Ancestors at Westminster Among the riming Latine verses of his Epitaph ye may maruell to reade these considering vpon what points he was triced out of Maiestie and State Ecclesiam fauit elatos suppeditauit Quemuis prostrauit
regalia qui violauit Fabians English of them The Church he fauoured casting the proud to ground And all that would his roiall State confound The said Author therefore Robert Fabian obseruing the scope of those lines to dampe their force doth vnderwrite and annex this Stanza with much greater discretion then elegancie But yet alas though that this meeter or rime Thus doth embellish this noble Princes fame And that some Clerke which fauoured him sometime List by his cunning thus to enhance his name Yet by his Story appeareth in him some blame Wherefore to Princes is surest memory Their liues to exercise in vertuous constancie More tart and seuere is the censure of Gower vpon this Prince one of whose verses Stow giues vs thus So God doth hate such rulers as here viciously do liue That beautifull picture of a King sighing crowned in a chaire of estate at the vpper end of the Quier in Saint Peters at Westminster is said to be of him which witnesseth how goodly a creature he was in outward lineaments 20 King Henry to diuert the humors and eyes of the people from the remembrance of this Tragedie prepareth now a puissance therewith to inuade Scotland some subiects whereof together with their Admirall Sir Robert Logon a Scotish Knight were taken at Sea by certaine English ships But K. Henry may seeme to haue done any thing rather then to haue made a warre for albeit hee did some hurt by wasting the Country yet did not the Scots offer battel and the rest will wel appear in these words of Boetius He did small iniuries to the people thereof for he desired nought but his banner to bee erected on their wals He was euer a pleasant enemy and did great humanity to the people in all places of Scotland where he was lodged Finally hee shewed to the Lords of Scotland that hee came into their Realme rather by counsell of his Nobles then for any hatred he bare to Scots Soone after hee returned into England Whether the remembrance of the curtesies shewed to his Father Duke Iohn or the feare of his owne great state so neere to an ouerthrow by the late furious conspiracy wrought these gentle effects it was not long before the euent shewed that his prouidence in not creating new acerbities was therein needfull 21 For albeit the face of England seemed smooth yet God thrust a thorne into King Henries side when and where he little expected for the Welsh whom former Kings of England had so yoaked and subiected did contrary to all mens expectation breake forth into open acts of hostility vnder the conduct of a Gentleman of that Nation surnamed Glendowr of the Lordship of Glendowr in Merionithshire whose owner he was the wrath and iustice of heauen is alwayes so well furnished with meanes to exercise the mightiest those chiefly at whose amendment God aimes by chastisement The originall of so great an euill was in the seed but little as but this Owen Glendowr whom the Welsh call the sonne of Gruffith Vachan descended of a yonger son of Gruffith ap Madoc Lord of Bromfield was at first a Student of the common laws and an Vtter Barister but not therefore an apprentise of law as Doctor Powell mistakes for an apprentise of the law is hee that hath been a double Reader did afterward serue the late King Richard in place of an Esquier was well beloued of him but in King Henries time retiring himselfe as it seemes to his Mannour of Glendourdwy the L. Gray of Ruthen entred vpon a peece of common which lay betweene Ruthen and Glendowr which Owen despite the Lord Gray while Richard continued King had formerly holden though not without contention Owen a man of high courage and impatient of force armes hereupon and encounters the Lord Gray in the field where he scattered the said Lords people and tooke him prisoner as hereafter will else-where bee touched 22 It seemes herein that hee had forgotten the lawes which he had formerly studied and wherin hee had been a licentiate for shortly after as hee had troden law vnder foot so did he also cast off loyaltie burning destroying the Lord Grays inheritances and killing sundry his seruants The King aduertised hereof passeth with an Army into Wales burnes kils and takes such reuenge as that time would permit Meanewhile Owen whom pride folly armed to the farther ruine of his Country with his trustiest friends which were not few withdrawes into the inexpugnable fastnesses of Snowdon where during this tempest he kept his head safe Shortly after the King with such riches and spoiles as those Parts had afforded returnes His next most noted action was peaceable For one of the house of Paâ—…logus and Emperour of Constantinople came into England to pray some succour against the Turke and vpon the day of S. Thomas the Apostle was met at Blackeheath by King Henry highly feasted richly presented and his charges borne till departure But as Tilius saith of his successe in France verbis promissis tantum adiutus est so here his speed was not much better the point of armed aides being only therein assisted with words and promises 23 In a Parliament held the next yeere by reason of the numbers of Lolards so called encreasing the punishment for them enacted was burning And in the same yeere also the Articles of peace beeing first agreed vpon betweene the two Nations English and French notwithstanding that they had denied to match with the young Prince of Wales because the former marriage with Richard thriued so badly the Lady Isabel who had beene crowned Queene of England as Spouse of the late King was now sent backe into France after a most princely maner shee being not as yet twelue yeeres old had no dowrie allowed her in England for that the marriage was neuer consummated Before shee was restored to her friends the Lord Henry Percie before the Ambassadors of both the Nations where they were met betweene Caleis and Boloigne protested That the King of England his Master had sent her to be deliuered to her Father cleare of all bonds of marriage or otherwise and that hee would take it vpon his soule that shee was sound and entire euen as shee was the same day shee was deliuered to King Richard and if any would say to the contrary hee was ready to proue it against him by combat But the Earle of Saint Paul saying hee beleeued it to be true the Lord Percie tooke her by the hand and deliuered her vnto the Earle and then the Commissioners of France deliuered certaine letters of receipt and acquitall She was afterward married to Charles Duke of Orleance 24 Owen Glendowr persisting in his pride and disobedience made incursions vpon the English doing them great harme and returning himselfe without any but K. Henries danger was greater at home for treason had crept into his most secret Chamber In his
caused K. Richards signet to bee counterfeited wherwith he sealed sundry consolatorie and exhortatory letters to his friends indited in K. Richards name wherupon many in Essex gaue credit to the Countesse among the rest som Abbots of that Countie Into this smokedid al the deuise euaporate 42 And no lesse smokie was both the deuise successe of certain in the Parliament held this year at Couentry called the lack learning Parliament either for the vnlearnednesse of the persons or for their malice to learned men where to supply the Kings wants a bill was exhibited against the Temporalties of the Clergie but by the courage of the Archbishop of Canterburie who told them it was the enriching of themselues not of the King which they respected in their sacrilegious petitions and by the gracious care of the King who vowed to leaue the Church in better state then he found it rather then in worse their motion vanished to nothing but the infamous memory of the attempters It is obserued that a Knight the chiefe speaker in this bill against the Clergy had beene himselfe a Deacon and so himselfe first aduanced by the Clergy With great reason therefore did our forefathers distinguish the people into the learned and lewd inferring truely that such commonlie were lewd who were not learned and that lewd and wicked were but two words of one signification as in this Parliament well appeared whose Commons might enter Common with their cattel for any vertue which they had more then brute Creatures 43 Twife after this betweene Christmas and Palmesunday the King assembled the States againe once at London and then at Saint Alban for the cause of money but with much distast the Peeres of the land rising from the last Session thereof meanely contented as it well appeared not long after though to the enterprisers ruine Thomas Mowbray Earle Marshall one of the chiefe men which disliked the carriage of publike matters drawes Richardle Scrope Archbishoppe of Yorke into a conspiracy in ful hope that Henrie Percie Earle of Northumberland the Lord Bardolf the Citizens of Yorke and the common people would assist their cause which was glosed with the specious pretence of redressing publike abuses hapning through the Kings default The Earle of Westmerland hearing of this attempt wherein the Earle Marshall and the Archbishoppe were leaders of the people gathers a force to encounter them but perceiuing himselfe too feeble he betakes himselfe to fraud and by faining to like the quarrell got them both into his power and presented them as an acceptable oblation to the King who about Whitsontide comes to Yorke where albeit the Earle of Westmerland had promised them their liues aswell the Archbishoppe as the Earle Marshall were beheaded But the next yeere the Pope excommunicated all such as had a hand in putting the Archbishoppe to death It was said of Tiberius Casar in a Satyricall libel regnabit sanguine multo Adregnum quisquis venit ab exilio Who first Exi◅de is after crown'd His raigne with bloud will much abound 44 This the King verified in his person who comming out of banishment could not support his Title and estate but by shedding much bloud of subiects For not contented with those two liues he pursueth the Earle of Northumberland and Lord Bardolf with an inuincible Armie of seuen and thirty thousand men but they vnable to make head against so mighty a force take Berwicke for refuge Thither the King marcheth at the sound whereof they both distrustfull of their safety flie into Scotland where the Lord Flemming entertaines them Berwicke vpon hope of succours out of Scotland which gladly nourished the English miseries and the English theirs refused to render whereupon the King plants a battering piece against a Tower in the wall which as it threw downe the halfe thereof with one shot so did it quite ouerthrow all the defendants courages who presently yeelded the place vpon hard and desperate terms for they were partly hanged and partly emprisoned After Berwicke was thus recouered the king takes Alnwicke all other Castles belonging to the Earle and thinking the like happines would shine vpon him in Wales he crosseth ouer thither where it fell out far otherwise not by the manhood of the Welsh but by the sodaine rage of waters which destroied his carriages and about fiftie wains as was said laden with much treasure therfore he returns to Worcester Owen Glendowr the chief captain of the Welsh natiō expecting fearing a reuenge had before this time confederated himselfe with the French who in 140. ships arriued at Milford hauen to the aid of Owen hauing well neere first lost all their horses in the passage for want of fresh water The Lord Berkley and Henrie de Pay by what meanes appeares not burnt fifteen of that number in the harbour They made the entrance of their warre by laying siege to the Towne of Carmarden in South-Wales which the Garrison being permitted to depart with bagge and baggage was yeelded 45 The King being againe in need of money after long vnwillingnesse and delay the Parliament furnished him rather ouercome with wearinesse in contradiction then for any great good will Some of his treasure was employed as it seemes vpon secret practises with the Scots that the Earle of Northumberland and the Lord Bardolfe might bee deliuered into his hands in exchange for some Scots whereupon they fled into Wales and the Scots missing their purpose slew Dauid Lord Flemming for discouering their intention to his distressed guests as by the lawes of honour and hospitality he was obliged which filled Scotland with ciuill discords To auoide the dangers whereof and to better his education the King of Scots sent his sonne and heire by sea into France whom together with the Bishoppe of Orknay certaine Mariners of Cley in Norfolke surprized at sea and presented to the King who committed him prisoner to the Tower of London Meanewhile the French prosecuting their affaires in Wales sent thither eight and thirty shippes full of souldiers of which number the English tooke eight the rest escaping in great feare to Wales and not long after other fifteene saile laden with waxe and wine This fortune though good was nothing in regard of the seruice which Henry Pay with certaine shippes of the Cinque Ports and about fifteene other exployted vpon a great Fleet containing sixscore saile whose ladings were yron salt oyle and Rochel wine The same times was a felon put to death for hauing in many places of London dared secretly to set vp bils containing newes that King Richard was aliue The fearefull plague of pestilence slew multitudes of people through the Realm chiefly in London where within a short space it destroyed thirty thousand That most renowned Captaine Sir Robert Knolles who had led so many liuing men to their honourable deaths in battel was now captiued himselfe by death vpon the fifteenth day of
offer to him the Dutchy of Aquitaine entire and in as full a manner as euer his Predecessors enioyned the same without excepting any thing so as they themselues will hold and acknowledge to hold their lands in those parts directly of the said King and deliuer as much of them as they can into his possession and will doe their vtmost to conquer the rest for him Vpon condition on the other side 1. That the King of England and his Successors should assist the said Lords against the Duke of Burgundy for the murther committed vpon the person of the late Duke of Orleance 2. That he should assist against the said Duke of Burgundy and his fauourers till they had repaired all the losses which they their friends and tenants had susteined through that â—…ccasion 3. That he should help to settle the quiet of the realme c. 50 These Offers being put into the balance with the Articles vpon which the Duke of Burgundy had obteined succours ouerweighed them so farre that about the midst of August before all those which had beene sent with the Earle of Arundel to the contrarie part were returned into England aydes were decreed to the Duke of Orleance to the wonder of all men who vnderstood not the secret so that Thomas Duke of Clarence Edward Duke of Yorke the Earle of Dorcet and very many other principall men with a competent puissance were sent ouer to ayde the Duke of Orleance the Earle of Angolesme remaining hostage in England for the sure payment of one hundred and nine thousand Crownes for performance of the other Articles They came on shore in Normandy but whither the confederates moued with the perill into which their Country Nation should by these meanes be precipitated or for some other causes though none indeed so iust as the sorrow and shame for their so disloyall a combination with the Capitall enemies of France the Duke of Orleance contrary to agreement came not at the appointed time and place whereupon the English burnt spoiled and tooke much riches in the Castles Countrey and good Townes therewith to satisfie themselues till the Duke of Orleance should see them payd At last yet the Dukes of Clarence and Orleance came to a treaty after which the English campe rose peaceably and marcht into Aquitaine there to winter it selfe the Duke of Orleance returning to his owne While these matters were in hand the Lord of Heyle Marshall of France with many other Lords and about foure thousand men of armes layd siege to a certaine strong place in Gascoigne which Sir Iohn Blunt Knight with three hundred souldiers not onely defended but draue them also from the siege taking prisoners twelue of the principall and about sixe score other Gentlemen * The King liued not to see the carriage and fortune of these warres for falling sicke at Eltham in the Christmas time at which our ancient authors begin to draw the circles of their yeeres but recouering himselfe a little he repaired to London about Candlemas there to hold a Parliament the end whereof he liued not to see but vpon the twentieth day of March finished his short but politicke and victorious reigne in peace and honour had not the iniustice of his first entrance left a dishonorable stayne vpon his worthiest actions 51 The vulgar Chronicles tell vs a strange Story the truth whereof must rest vpon the reporters The King say they lying dangerously sicke caused his Crowne to bee set on a Pillow at his beds head when suddainely the pangs of his Apoplexie seizing on him so vehemently that all supposed him dead the Prince comming in took away the Crown which his father reuiuing soone missed and calling for his sonne demanded what the meant to bereaue him of that whereto hee had yet no right The Prince boldlie replied Long may you liue Soueraigne Father to weare it your selfe but all men deeming you were departed to inherite another Crowne this being my right I tooke as mine owne but now doe acknowledge for none of mine and thereupon he set the Crowne againe where he found it Oh sonne quoth hee with what right I got it God onely knoweth who forgiue me the sinne howsoeuer it was got sayd the Prince I meane to keepe and defend it when it shall bee myne with my sword as you by sword haue obtained it Which the King hearing hee entered discourse of aduise shewing him that hee feared some discord would arise betwixt him and his brother Thomas Duke of Clarence who with better respect had borne forth his youth then Prince Henry had done and whose distemper was like to breed great troubles if it were not in time stayed If my brethren quoth Henry will be true subiects I will honour them as my brethren but if otherwise I shall assoone execute iustice vpon them as on the meanest of birth in my Kingdome The King reioycing at this vnexpected answere both prudently and Christianly charged him before God to minister the law indifferently to ease the oppressed to beware of flatterers not to deferre iustice nor yet to be sparing of mercy Punish quoth hee the oppressors of thy people so shalt thou obtaine fauour of God and loue and feare of thy Subiects who whiles they haue wealth so long shalt thou haue their obedience but made poore by oppressions will be ready to make insurrections Reioyce not so much in the glory of thy Crowne as meditate on the burthenous care which accompanieth it mingle loue with feare so thou as the heart shalt be defended in the midst of the body but know that neither the heart without the members nor a King without his Subiects helpe is of any force Lastly my sonne loue and feare God ascribe all thy victories strength friends obedience riches honour and all vnto him and with the Psalmist say with all thankes Not vnto vs Lord not vnto vs but to thy holy name be giuen the laud and praise 52 Vpon what soile these most Christian true and excellent Councels fell the following life will shew being nothing else but a full representation in act of such things as are here in precept only shewing to the world how diuine a beautie Christian goodnes hath His Wiues 53 The first wife of King Henry the fourth was Mary one of the daughters and heires of Humfrey de Bohum Earle of Hereford Essex and Northampton Constable of England c. Shee dyed An. D. 1394. before he came to the Crowne 54 His second wife was Ioane Queene daughter to Charles the first King of Nauarre shee being the widow of Iohn de Montford Sirnamed Streani Duke of Britaine and died without any Children by King Henry at Hauering in the Bower in the County of Essex 1437. the tenth day of Iulie in the fifteenth yeere of Henry the sixt and was buried by her husband at Canterbury His Children 55 Henry the Prince of Wales Duke of Cornewall Earle of Chester and afterward King
the King replied that as the offence was capitall so should it bee examined by the Peeres and therefore willed him to rest contented vntill the next Parliament Thus by his great wisdome he satisfied his father from further suspition and recouered his loue that neerely was lost Hetherto of Henry as he was Prince some other of whose youthly actions we also touched in his fathers raigne and now to his Acts after he was King 11 Henry ordained successor and ouerseer of his dying Fathers Testament had in his entrance so fortunate proceedings as hee seemeth to exceed all his Predecessors his Nobles proffering the oath of their Alleagiance before himselâ—…e had made his for the iust gouernment of the Common-weale which so farre was from acceptation that hee desired God neuer to admit him to the Crowne vnlesse he should to his glory raigne and rule the Scepter to the good of the Subiect The day of his entrance and of his Fathers death being the twentieth of March and yeere of Christs Incarnation according to our account 1412. on the ninth of Aprill following hee was solemnly crowned at Westminster Thomas Arundel Archbishoppe of Canterbury performing the roiall Ceremonies which no sooner was ended but to beginne a good gouernment hee beganne with himselfe banishing from his presence and Court the vnbridleled youthes which had beene his consorts commanding them either to change their manners or neuer to approch within ten miles where hee lay Then chose hee worthy and prudent men for his Councell of Estate and aduanced his Clergie with dignity and power being himselfe as zealous in deuotion as liberall in building and indowing of places for deuotion of others His Iustice was found of all that sought it for euery day after dinner for the space of an houre his custome was to leane on a cushion set by his cupbord and there himselfe receiued petitions of the oppressed which with great equity he did redresse And for a further testimony of his tender and compassionate heart the slaughtered body of K. Richard ouer-meanely enterred at Langley in great â—…state he remoued into Saint Peters Church at Westminster and there laid him enshrined by Queene Anne his first wife as himselfe had desired and prepared founding a weekely memoriall to bee celebrated and six shillings eight pence thereon distributed vnto the poore and yeerelie twentie pounds giuen vpon his anniuersarie day besides foure tapers to burne before his monument day and night for euer And so neerely did his death touch this innocent King that hee sent to Rome to bee assoyled from that guilt of his fathers Act by the Popes holinesse then accounted another God whose penance enioined he willinglie performed and afterwards purposed to haue made warre in Palestina against the enemies of Christ for which end hee sent Sir Hugh de Lauoy of Henault to Ierusalem to discouer the state of things there but before his returne he was departed to the heauenly Ierusalem himselfe 12 The obsequies of his Father being solemnized at Canterbury and the King in person attending the Corps fitte occasion was giuen vnto Archbishoppe Arundell to complain of the Wicklifians then termed Lollards great rubs in the wayes of the Clergies pride and proceedings whereof Sir Iohn Oldcastle was thought a chiefe who by his marriage contracted with a kniswoman of the Lord Cobhams of Cooling in Kent obtained the title thereof a man strong and valourous and in especiall fauour with his Prince This Knight in their Synode assembled at London immediately after the Kings Coronation was accused by them to haue rent Christs seamelesse coat in maintaining VVickliffes doctrine to bee taught especially in the Diocesse of London Rochester and Hereford against whom also some choise Inquisitors at Oxford appointed for Heresies though that whole Vniuersity had formerly vpheld both Wickliffe and his doctrine informed and presented his name with two hundred forty sixe conclusions which they had collected to be hereticall 13 The King incensed by the Archbishoppes suggestions against these discontented discipliners was further made beleeue that they themselues had set vp billes in diuers places threatning that an hundred thousand persons were ready for armes against all that withstood their reformation and among these that Oldcastle his Knight was reputed the chiefe The King graciously inclined heard the Archbishops complaint and being at Kennington promised to conferre with the Lord Cohham himself which accordingly hee did instantly willing him to submit himselfe to the censure of the Church and obedience of the Archbishoppe but Cobham no turne-coate from his profession humbly told the King he owed his subiection only vnto his Maiesty whom God had placed in these his Dominions as his onely Vice-gerent to gouerne his people and Subiects and that himselfe forced nothing Romes leaden sword vnsheathed by the Pope that Antichrist against the Lords seruants nor would suffer the key of Canterbury to open the closet of his conscience where the spirite of God was residing bearing witnesse with his that hee stood in the truth for whose defence as his Champion he was ready to liue or die 14 This answere receiued was so deliuered vnto the Archbishoppe with power to cite examine and punish as their owne Canons in such cases had decreed The Lyon thus laid for whose paw they still feared was serued by processe to appeare in the Archbishops Court and the same deliuered by one Butler a seruant of the Kings Priuy Chamber for that the bold Sumner durst not doe it himselfe and the Archbishoppe diligent lest he should forget the day caused his letters citatorie to be set vpon the gates of the Cathedrall Church of Rochester which were presently torne down and others againe set vp were againe pulled off to the great offence of the Clergies eye and the rather for that the Actor could not be knowne The Knight not appearing as knowing their malice and his own danger was condemned of contumacie and afterwards in a Synode at Rochester was by the Archbishop pronounced an Heretike where himselfe then enacted that hereticall decree that the holy scriptures should not bee translated into the English tongue But marke the iudgement that fell vpon his own tongue whose rootes and blade shortly after as is recorded grew so big in his mouth and throate that he could neither speake nor swallow downe meat but in horror lay languishing till lastly he so dyed starued by famine 15 In the meane time the Lord Cobham wrote his Beliefe which was very Christianlike and presented it himselfe to the King who being much prepossessed in no wise would receiue it but suffered him to bee summoned in his presence and priuie Chamber when the Knight for his purgation offered an hundred knights and Esquires which would not be accepted then according to his degree of Order and law of Armes he required the single Combat to fight for life or death with either
foureteene mitred Bishops attended his approach vnto Saint Paules where out of the Censers the sweet Odours filled the Church and the Quier chanted Anthems cunninglie set by note in all which the honour was ascribed only vnto God the King so commanding it And so farre was he from the vaine ostentation of men that he would not admit his broken Crowne nor bruised armour to be borne before him in shew which are the vsuall Ensignes of warlike triumphes The Citie presented him a thousand pound in gold two golden basons worth fiue hundred pound more which were receiued with all Princely thankes 30 And now to doe the last office of a souldier for those two noblemen slaine at Azincourt hee willed the body of the Duke of Yorke to be interred in his Colledge at Fotheringhay in Northamptonshire and the Earle of Suffolke at Ewhelme in Oxfordshire commanding most of his Bishops and Abbots to celebrate the Exequies in London whereunto likewise resorted his vncle Dorset the Gouernor of Harflew whom for his good seruice done he created Duke of Exceter and gaue him a thousand pound by yeere out of his owne Exchecquer but in his absence some attempts were made by the French against the said Towne whereby he was enforced the sooner to returne 31 The calamities of these times by the stirred schismes of the Church and these bloody warres among Christian Princes Sigismund the Emperour a man of great wisdome and integrity much lamented at the Councell of Constance as another Constantine sollicited the three stiffe stirring Popes vnto vnity but failing of that purpose from those farre parts he trauelled into France and thence into England seeking to make peace betwixt these two Westerne Monarchs the better to withstand the common knowne enemie of Christendome the Turke King Charles he sollicited first finding him in words very forward with many faire shewes to imbrace the motion whereupon taking with him the Archbishop of Rheims as Ambassadour from the French King came vnto Callis where he was most honourably entertained by the Earle of Warwicke Deputy of the Towne and diuers other Lords sent thither by King Henry to attend him as also thirtie of his tallest shippes to waft him to Douer gallantlie rigged and manned with a noble traine The Duke of Glocester accompanied with many of the nobility was appointed to receiue him at Douer where they attended his comming 32 The Emperour arriued and ready to take land Glocester and the other Lords with their drawne swords entred the water and thus spake to the Emperour that if his Imperiall Maiesty intended to enter as their Kings friend and a mediator for peace they would receiue him with all willingnes accordinglie but if as an Emperour to claime any authority in England which was a free Kingdome they were there ready to resist and impeach his entrance Which rough demand being most mildely answered by Sigismund he had present accesse and by them was attended towards London 33 This worthy Emperour King Henry greatly respected as well for his owne worths and the amity held euer with the house of Beame as also for that he had married Barbara the daughter of the Earle of Zilie the Kings Cosen Germane remoued His entertainement was Princely and charges altogether borne by King Henrie who the more to honor him at Windsore solemnly enstalled him Knight of the Order of Saint George or Gartar with a most sumptuous fest purposely prepared at which the Emperour sate in his Collar and Robes but not foreslowing the cause for which he came hee instantlie vrged the peace for France wherein he was gentlie heard by the English King but vpon new displeasures for some losse of men in the Territories of Roane the motion at that time was dasht and would not proceed least as King Henrie alleaged the French should suppose that a small losse had weakened his spirits yet the Emperour continuing his intercession for peace had brought it to that passe by his pithy perswasions as had not the French at that verie instant besieged Harflew both by Sea and land it had beene effected 34 For not long before Thomas Earle of Dorset hauing made a roade into the County of Caux was set vpon by the Earle of Armigrace Constable of France with other strong men at Armes neere vnto Vademont who so distressed the English that Dorset tooke into a Garden for defence and hauing had priuate conference there with the Constable early before day departed with the losse of foure hundred men Armigrace puffed vp by his got victory with his French powers followed the English in a hasty march toward Harflew and vpon the sands intercepted their passage where betwixt them a cruell conflict was perfourmed with the ouerthrow of the French and flight of the Constable who retired to Monstreuillier for safety 35 This his vnlucky attempt he tooke greatly to heart and therefore purposing to repurchase again his honor he determined for Harflew where hee set downe his land siege before the English Garrison within were well aware when also the Vicount Narbon Vice-Admiral of France with a Fleete of tall ships entred the hauen so that the Towne was begirt on euery side as we haue said King Henry hearing of these newes called home his Ambassadours which were the Bishop of Norwich and Sir Thomas Erpingham in commission then at Beauuois and in conference for a Peace and the Emperour well perceiuing that the French plaid vpon aduantage and that King Henry was not of temper to turne edge at their strokes saw it vaine to prosecute the peace for France further and therefore sought to enter league with the English himselfe vnto the which King Henry was so willing as he confirmed the same vpon these Articles following 36 That the said Emperour King their heires successours should be friends each to other as Allies and Confederates against all manner of persons of what estate or degree soeuer the Church of Rome and the Pope for the time being only excepted for he was the Master Bee that then lead the swarme 37 That neither themselues their heires nor successours should be present in Counsell or other place where either of them their heires or successours might sustaine dammage in lands goods honours states or persons and that if any of them should vnderstand of losse or hinderance to be like to fall or happen to the others they should impeach the same or if that lay not in their powers they should aduertise the others thereof with all conuenient speed That either of them their heires and successours should aduance the others honour and commodity without any fraud or deceit That neither of them nor their heires or successours should permit their subiects to leauy warres against the others That it should be lawfull and free for each of their subiects to passe into the others Countrey and there to remaine and make
Nations The City is driuen to some miserie through the beginning want of all things for the siege had now endured about 60. daies not without much bloudshed on both sides The Earle of Salisburie impatient of such delay purposeth to giue a generall assault The better to consider vpon the course hee stands to take view at a window barred with Iron which ouerlookt the City toward the East Behold how God began to vncutte the knot of those bands with which the English held France bound a bullet of a great piece which lay ready leueld at that window discharged by the Gunners sonne a lad stroke the grates whose splinters so wounded the Earle and one Sir Thomas Gargraue that they both dyed of the incurable hurts within few dayes Heare now the common iudgement of Writers concerning this Earles losse Presently after the death of this man the fortune of the war changed Now both mortall and immortall powers beganne to looke fauourably vpon the State of France This to the English was Initium malorum for after this mishappe they rather lost then wanne so that by little and little they lost all their possession in France and albeit that somwhat they got after yet for one that they wan they lost three So that Polydor not without cause after many other great praises doth elsewhere call him the man in whom the safety of the English state consisted The vertue therefore of a fortunate Generall is inestimable 14 Howbeit the siege did not determine with his life William Earle of Suffolke the Lord Talbot the rest maintained the same all the winter The wants of the Campe were relieued from Paris by a conuoy vnder the guard of Sir Iohn Fastolfe and fifteene hundred souldiers who arriued safe in despite of all the attempts to distresse thē which the French made The City would yeeld it selfe but not to the English The Duke of Burgundie they were content should haue the honour A subtle stratagem rather then an offer of yeelding for there was likelihoode in it to breake thereby the amity betweene the English and him The Regent and his Counsell being sent vnto thought it not reasonable Aemylius erroniously makes the late Earle of Salisbury the Author of that refusall neither indeed was it theirs hauing beene the cost and labour The Duke of Burgundy construed this repulse sowerly which marred his taste of the English friendshippe euer after yet the Regents answere was iust and honest That the warre was made in King Henries name and therefore Orleance ought to be King Henries Among these difficulties stood the French affaires Charles of France vnderstanding the miserable straites of his deare City ignorant how to remedy so neere a mischiefe there presented herselfe vnto him at Chinon a yong maid about eighteene yeeres old called Ioan of Loraine daughter to Iames of Arck dwelling in Domremy neere Va◅caleurs a Shepheardesse vnder her father whose flockes shee tended bids him not faint and constantly affirmes that God had sent her to deliuer the Realme of France from the English yoake and restore him to the fulnesse of his fortunes Shee was not forthwith credited but when the wise of both sorts aswell Clerkes as Souldiers had sifted her with manifold questions she continued in her first speech so stedfastly vttering nothing but that which was modest chast and holy that honour and faith was giuen vnto her sayings An old woman directed her Ioan armes her selfe like a man and requires to haue that sword which hung in S. Katherines church of Fierebois in Touraine This demaund encreased their admiration of her for such a sword was found among the old Donaries or Votiue tokens of that Church Thus warlikely arrayed she rides to Blois where forces and fresh victuals lay for the reliefe of Orleance Shee with the Admirall and Marshall of France enters safe This did greatly encourage the fainting French Ioan the maide of God so they called her though some haue written that it was a practise or imposture writes thus to de la Pole Earle of Suffolke who succeeded Salisbury in the maine charge of that siege 15 King of England do reason to the King of heauen for his bloud royall yeeld vp to the Virgine the keyes of all the good Cities which you haue forced She is come from heauen to reclaime the bloud royall and is ready to make a peace if you bee ready to doe reason yeeld therefore and pay what you haue taken King of England I am the chiefe of this war wheresoeuer I encounter your men in France I will chase them wil they or no. If they will obey I will take them to mercy The Virgine comes from heauen to driue you out of France If you will not obey shee will cause so great a stirre as the like hath not beene these thousand yeeres in France And beleeue certainly that the king of heauen will send to her and her good men of Arms more force then you can haue Goe in Gods name into your Country bee not obstinate for you shall not hold France of the King of Heauen the sonne of S. Marie but Charles shall enioy it the King and lawfull heire to whom God hath giuen it Hee shall enter Paris with a goodly traine you William de la Pole Earle of Suffolke Iohn Lord Talbot Thomas L. Scales Licutenants to the Duke of Bedford and you Duke of Bedford terming your selfe ◅egent of the Realme of France spare innocent bloud and leaue Orleance in liberty If you doe not reason to them whom you haue wronged the French will doe the goodliest exploit that euer was done in Christendome Vnderstand these newes of God and of the Virgine Yet Charles had at this time no whole Countries vnder his obedience but Languede◅ and Daulphin against which both the Sauoyard and Burgundian prepared but miscarried the Prince of Orenge the third confederate being discomfited 16 This letter was entertained by the English with laughter Ioan reputed no better then a Bedlam or Enchantresse Though to some it may seem more honourable to our Nation that they were not to bee expelled by a humane power but by a diuine extraordinarily reuealing it selfe Du Serres describes this Paragon in these words Shee had a modest countenance sweete ciuill and resolute her discourse was temperate reasonable and retired her actions cold shewing great chastity without vanity affectation babling or courtly lightnesse Let vs not dissemble what wee finde written By her encouragements and conduct the English had Orleance pluckt out of their hopes after they had suffered the Duke of Alanson to enter with new force and with much losse were driuen to raise the siege Ioan herselfe was wounded at one sallie in which shee led being shot through the arme with an arrow Iudge what she esteemed of that hurt when shee vsed these admirable and terrible words This is a fauour let
same place Gentleman That hee and his complices did imagine the Kings death at his Coronation The combat was granted and in Smithfield the Duke of Yorke exercising the office of high Constable they fought in lists In the end the Kings name was vsed to part and forgiue them It is a vice to suspect too farre The Duke of Yorke a most subtle man seemes neuer in heart to haue beene a true subiect to King Henry yet no man saith hee was any author in this Henrie the common wealth hauing yeelded to liber all grants of money is now ready to enter Paris England remained vnder the gouernment of the Duke of Glocester 20 There is no doubt that the English there at their Kings presence set forth their greatnes to the full shew The yong King attended vpon with two English Cardinals Yorke and Winchester and great Princes of his blood Dukes Earles Barons Prelates and the flower of our nation with many aswel French and Burgonians as Normans and others excellentlie well appointed makes a triumphant entry into the head City of that most noble Monarchy There was no signe in the People but of ioy and welcome the showes were many and magnificent Vpon the seuenth day of December he was solemnely Crowned King of France by the Cardinall of Winchester his great vncle in the Chiefe Church of Paris called of our Lady The Duke of Bedford entertained the minds of the Assembly with a set speech wherein he declared King Henrie his Nephewes vndoubted title to that Crowne and commended the same to their fidelities adding ample promises of honour and emolument Such of the French Nobilitie as were present did their homage The people had good and gratious words giuen vnto them and certaine quantities of money Corne and wine in the nature of a donatiue liberally distributed among them Proclamations were made that all Frenchmen who came in by a day there named should be protected The Kings Patents and grants touching French matters passed vnder the seale and stile of Henry King of the Frenchmen and of England which Seale for variety we haue prefixed as we found it annexed * to a writing directed by the King to his Court of Requests in his Pallace at Paris but for English affaires he vsed another Seale being in euery point like vnto that of King Henry the fourth and as some thinke the very same stamp which therefore we haue here omitted as likewise some Charters of his there are whereunto he affixed the seale of his father Charles of France esteemed not himselfe the lesse a King for all this but pursues his affaire His people tooke the City of Chartres by a stratagem the Bishop whereof because a Burgundian they also put to the sword with others Neither were the English idle Iohn Duke of Norfolke Thomas Earle of Arundel Richard Beauchamp Earle of Warwicke the Earle of Suffolke and others made vp this losse with aduantage Their actions are placed by some as done before the Coronation which is likely The King hauing thus taken possession of France not long after tooke his farewell thereof His returne was by Roan and so ouer land to Callais from whence vpon the eleuenth day of February hee arriued safe at Douer His vncle the Duke of Glocester was able to giue an honest and good account of the Gouernment during the kings absence The suppressiō of an insurrection beginning at Abingdon in Oxfordshire was not the least seruice A weauer the Baliffe of the Towne was the vlcerous head to which that corruption gathered who had changed his own name and called himselfe Iacke Sharpe of Wigmores land in Wales The speciall colour of his attempt was to haue massacred Priests whose heads he said hee would make as cheape as Sheepes-heads that is two or three or ten for a penny But the mention of Wigmores lands the ancient inheritance of Mortimer then the possession of the fatall Duke of Yorke who afterward in the right of that name challenged the Crowne of England from King Henry insinuates somewhat further The varlet forfeited his head and foure quarters for his attempt It is to be wondred that the Councell of Estate vnder King Henry hearing that title so often glanced at prouided not better against the mischiefe But the eies and hearts of the wise are blinded when God hath a purpose to reserue a scourge or to hide the fire which shall afterward be vsed to consume a nation Vnquiet humors were aswell abroad as at home The souldiers of Callais discontented with their wages as to little began to be mutinously troublesome The Regent comes thither in person in Easter weeke where he exerciseth necessary discipline seuerely Foure the most faulty lost their heads one hundred and ten are cashered and banisht from the Towne as sixe score others had formerly beene Why dwell we vpon so petty accidents The losse of the Kingdome of France is imminent Let vs diligently note the degrees which God found out to depriue our Nation of that honor In this iourney of the Regent King Henries interest was not aduanced The Regent a widdower roade from thence to Turwin where without the Burgundians priuity he married the Lady Iaquet aged about seuenteene yeeres daughter to Peter of Lutzembourg Earle of S. Paul no friend to the Burgundian This was nothing prosperous to the English affaires For Anne the Regents former wife sister to the Duke of Burgundy being while shee liued a strong reason and assurance of amitie weakened the same by her death and this second marriage not pleasing the Burgundian did yet more diminish it These were but degrees In the meane space the accidents of warre between the English and French were manifold and perplext now wee now they leesing or gaining as opportunity serued which vncertainties brought forth their ordinary progenies fearefull outrages and s◅rcitie of all things needfull for the vse of man It would be wearisome and not much necessary to recount the particular lesser actions neitheir indeed is it easie for who can readily tell the sieges surprises skirmishes and the like being so confusedly set down by Authors wherein diuers of both Nations wanne to themselues much honour and serued the vses of those times and their owne The vttermost effect of those great labours was that the English Regency fell not forthwith into nothing Permanent leaders in those publike seruices were the Regent himselfe their maine Pillar and Chiefe life Thomas Earle of Arundel Richard Earle of Warwicke Henry his Sonne the Lord Willoughby the thrice noble Iohn Lord Talbot who was now at liberty the Lord Scales besides Knights Esquires and other valiant Captaines a multitude 21 The fortune of Renate Duke of Barre is not to be omitted for that afterward our King vnluckely married into his house He had to wife Isabell the daughter and heire of Charles Duke of Lorraine by whom he had issue two sonnes
their entrie was barred runne furiously to armes Cade endeauors to open his way by force but in despight of all his power the Citizens made good defended London-bridge against him though with the losse of many valiant and honest men for the conflict endured all night till nine in the morning Among such as were slaine on the Kings side were Iohn Sutton Alderman Mathew Gowgh himselfe and Robert Heysand Citizen This Gowgh an Esquire of Wales was a man of excellent vertue manhood and zeale to his Country and of great renown in the warre of France where he had serued with speciall commendations faithfully for the space of aboue twenty yeeres His deserts at this time deserued a Statue in the City for whose safety hee spent his last bloud To giue a quicke end to these miseries impunity is proclaimed for all offenders and sent to them in the Kings name by the Archbishoppe of Canterbury Lord Chancellour vnder the great Seale of England the rebels are scattred with this assurance of their safeties and euery man retires in peace from following so pestilent an Impostor A thousand Markes when Cade afterward attempted new troubles are promised to him who kils or takes this counterfeit Mortimer Alexander Eden a Gentleman of Kent had the happinesse to discouer and kill him at Hothfield in that County his wretched carkase was brought to London where his false head was set sentinell vpon London-bridge and his quarters were aduanced for terrour in seuerall parts of Kent There died also by the stroke of iustice twenty and sixe more whereof eight were executed at Canterbury and the rest elsewhere in Kent and Sussex The multitude it selfe came naked in their shirts to the King on Blacke-heath humbly praying mercy which they obtained 54 The Kentish rebellion thus pacified farre greater and farre more dangerous troubles ensued as it fareth in humane bodies which relapsing into sickenesses are shaken so much the more terribly These troubles had their fountaine and mediate Originall from Richard Duke of Yorke no degenerous sonne of that Richard whom King Henry the fifth had created Earle of Cambridge and enriched with much wealth honoring him aboue others in regard of his blood and parentage but no bountie nor benefits could change a treacherous disposition for as you haue heard before he conspired to murther his benefactor King Henry the fifth as the Duke of Yorke his true progenie labored to depose this King Henrie his aduancer The humors of the popular body were in the last commotion not obscurely discouered The Common weale had perhaps some few enormities through the abuse of Magistrates and men in place but yet such as the maladie was infinitely lesse pernicious then the remedy Vpon this intelligence the Duke comes sodeinely out of Ireland and to begin his vsurped censureship and dictature apprehends Iohn Sutton Lord Dudley Reignald Abbot of Saint Peters at Glastenbury and another whom he imprisoneth within his Castle of Ludlow Intollerable beginnings of more intollerable sequele Edmund Duke of Sommerset was the man who after Suffolks death most supported the Kings side by his vigilancie caresdangers and good Counsels endeuouring by all meanes to cleare the Realme from factions and to preserue the King and state in quiet 55 Yorke seeing this doth find that Suffolke perished in vaine if Sommerset held like grace against whose person he had a particular pretence of quarrell for that the City of Caen in Normandy which was the Duke of Yorkes charge was rendred vp to the French by him when the English affaires grew desperate in those parts Sir Dauid Hall Knight being at that time Captaine there for his Lord and Master the Duke of Yorke and not allowing it although the renowned Talbot himselfe was present at the render and became an hostage for performance of the Capitulations Yorke hereupon consults with his speciall friends Richard Earle of Salisbury and Richard his son who was afterward that most seditious great fighting Earle of Warwicke Thomas Courtney Earle of Deuonshire Edmund Brooke Lord Cobham and others how Yorke might get the Crowne of England and for that cause how to ruine or fret out the Duke of Sommerset who standing they were to looke for strong opposition In the end they conclude to take armes but yet to smother the mention of the Duke of Yorkes title giuing out to the world for the reason of their doings that they meant all honour and obedience to King Henry and only to remoue certaine bad men from about his person who afflicted the people and made a pray of the Common-wealth which to gaine the more credit and to blind the good King the subtile Duke declares by Proclamation wherein thus speaketh that Ambitious Hypocrite God knoweth from whom no thing is hid I am haue beene and euer will be his true liege man c. And to the very proofe it is so I offer my selfe to sweare that on the blessed Sacrament and receiue it the which I hope shall be my saluation at the day of doome c. In that it was the euill hap of the Duke of Sommerset that Normandy was lost during his Regencie his enemies had the more commoditie to incommodate him with the people who forbare not at his returne to offer to him sundry dishonours and iniuries till vpon paine of death they were restrained for breach of which Proclamation one had his head cut off in West Cheap London 56 The King notwithstanding all his Cosens arts and dissimulations seeing the hooke through the baite and the snake through the grasse by the aduise of his trusty friends chiefly of Edmund Duke of Sommerset thinkes not fit to relie vpon his enemies good nature but hauing a strong power and store of honorable men to conduct them he marcheth toward Wales against the Duke The King did herein wisely but not so much as the cause required Yorke hauing notice of the Kings approach turnes aside and with all speed marcheth toward London That City the vaine hope of all Rebellions would not harken Thereupon he slides with his people into Kent the nest of his hopes and at Brent-heath neere Dertford a towne about twelue miles from London encampeth meaning to fight The King is not slow but leauing his march toward Wales pitcheth vp his roiall pauilion vpon Black-Heath with a purpose to teach his cosen of Yorke more duty Behold the fortune of England God puts an excellent opportunity into the Kings hands of tearing vp the danger of his house by the rootes for the Duke was farre inferiour in numbers Such therefore as secretly fauoured him fearing his ouerthrow were willing to aduise a reconcilement Messengers goe betweene the hosts The Duke in his wonted manner pretends loialtie and particular iniuries as that the Kings seruants Sir Iohn I albot at Holt Castell Sir Thomas Stanley in Cheshire and others in other places were set to harken vpon him That by two
this so publike and solemne Oath and doth not tremble in euerie part Let vs hasten to their view least God perhaps may quietly seeme to haue beene mockt to his face by a vaine ambitious man 60 To diuert these home-breeding rancors and practises by employing the wits and bodies of men in other more honest things the Earle of Candal sonne to Captal de Budie who had vpon necessitie submitted his Seignouries to Charles the French King but reserued his person out of that obedience and the Lord L'Esparre come secretly from Burdeaux and pray an Armie for that Burdeaux and the Gascoigns would returne to the English if they might be supported An Armie is decreed for their reduction Iohn Lord Talbot the first Earle of Shrewsburie of his name as Generall in that enterprize lands in Gascoigne where he doth sundry exploits and the fame of his former cheualrie flying before with terrour makes many places the rather to yeeld Burdeaux her selfe secretly opens a gate vnto him which the French Garrison perceiuing fled out at a Postern but many being ouertaken were slaine by the Lord L'Esparre and the English New supplies and victuals arriue whereof the Earle of Shrewsburies yonger sonne Vicount Lile by his wife was a principall conducter Burdeaux thus throughly mand and fortified the Earle is aduertised that the French lay at siege before Castillion a place of importance vpon the riuer of Dardonne Thither the Earle marcheth and with too great a confidence charging the enemie vpon vnequall termes was there slaine together with his sonne the Vicount Lile and others Burdeaux receiued such as fled The English fortunes and hopes which began to quicken made this vnhappie Catastrophe in * Iulie to the infinite losse of our nation and griefe of the Gascoigns who generally misliked the French and inclined to the English hauing so honorablie and for so long a time gouerned those dominions This was the end of that great Earle after he had for the space of twentie and foure yeeres serued his Prince and Countrey in the French warres with highest commendation a most noble and most valiant man by whose vertue the English name did chiefly become terrible in France Burdeaux it felfe and all other places after this were by siege brought againe vnder the French King who prosecuted those affaires in person From that time forward the English neuer obtained there any hold or further footing the felicity of this attempt breaking all combinations of the Gascoignes This Dutchie of Aquitaine contained foure Archbishopriks foure and twenty Bishopriks fifteen Earledomes two hundred and two Barons and aboue a thousand Captainships and Bailywickes The losse of so goodly an inheritance which had continued English for almost three hundred yeeres the world may easily coniecture how iustly it was greeued and lamented for In this falne estate of the English the Queene vpon the thirteenth day of October was deliuered of her first sonne who was named Edward prouing the child of sorrow and infelicity 61 It were to be wished we might now rather number the following euils of England then describe them for what can we learne out of such vnnaturall and sauage destructions but matter of horrour and detestation but sith they must be handled the law and necessitie of our taske exacting it the sooner to be quit of so vnpleasing obiects it will bee best abruptly to thrust into the narration The Duke of Yorke wickedlie carelesse of an Oath so religiouslie and publikely taken to make his way to the Crowne more easie hath now procured his chiofe and most fearefull enemie the Duke of Sommerset to be sodeinely arrested of high treason doubtfull whether by any authority but his owne in the Queenes great Chamber and sent to the Tower of London vpon pretence that he had capitall matter to charge him with Yorkes principall friends vpon confidence of whom he dared so high things were Richard Neuil Earle of Salisburie second sonne of Ralfe Neuil Earle of Westmorland whose daughter the Duke of Yorke had married This Richard was Earle of Salisbury in right of Alice his wife sole heire to Thomas Montacute the famous Earle slaine at the siege of Orleance The Dukes other maine hope was Richard Neuil sonne of the former Richard Neuill who in right of his wife the Lady Anne sole sister and heire of the whole blood to Henry Beauchamp Duke of Warwick was by this King Henry the sixth created Earle of Warwick in a most vnhappie houre both for the King kingdome being inuicto animo c a man of an vndaunted mind but flitting faith 63 The King in the meane space while the Duke of Sommerset was thus endangered lay sicke and Yorke as Regent swayed and ouerswayed in Court but when the king perceiuing malice and practise to be the chiefe bases of Yorkes accusations had recouered his health and resumed the gouernment Sommerset is set at liberty and made Captaine of Calleis Yorke and his adherents repaire to open force They leuy their armie about the Marches of Wales with which they repaire toward London the maine obiect of Pretendents The King hearing of his enemies approach is accompanied with Humfrey Duke of Buckingham Edmund Duke of Sommerset Humfrey Earle of Stafford Henry Percie Earle of Northumberland Iames Butler Earle of Wiltshire and Ormond Beaufort Earle of Dorcet Iasper Theder Earle of Pembroke the Kings halfe-brother Thomas Courtney Earle of Deuonshire the Lords Clifford Sudley Berners Rosse and others and with them enters into Saint Albans in warlike manner hauing certaine thousands of common souldiers Thither also the Duke of Yorke and his adherents came This was toward the end of May The Dukes request to the King was that he would deliuer such persons to be deseruedly punished as he would name The King to let them know who he was returnes this confident answere That hee and the rest were Traitors and that rather then they should haue any Lord from him who was with him at that time hee himselfe would for their sake in the quarrell vpon that day liue and die 64 The Yorkists hereupon assaile the Kings people within the Towne and Warwicke breaking in through a Garden a sharpe battell is begun The losse fell lamentably vpon King Henries side for besides the Duke of Sommerset there were slaine the Earles of Northumberland and Stafford the L. Clifford with sundry worthy Knights and Esquiers of which forty and eight were buried in Saint Albans there being slaine aboue fiue thousand of K. Henries party and of the Yorkists about sixe hundreth The King himselfe was shot into the neck with an arrow other of his chief friends were likewise sore wounded and taken The Earle of Wiltshire and Thomas Thorpe Lord chiefe Baron of the Exchequer with others saued themselues by flight The Duke of Yorke the Earles of Salisbury and Warwicke with the King whome they in shew did vse most reuerently and as if they had
discontented shew The King as wary as Warwicke was cast no eye of dislike or of any suspition gaue him countenance in Court and in familiar conference heard him before others yet lest the stem of his greatnesse should ouertop his crown and his brethren the spreading branches shadow his designes hee tooke the Chancellorshippe from George Neuill the one of them then Bishoppe of Excester afterward Archbishoppe of Yorke and from the other Iohn Neuill Baron Montacute the Earledome of Northumberland bestowing the same at the suite of the Northumbrians set on by himselfe vpon Henry Percy whose father was slaine at Touton and himselfe at that present fled into Scotland for safety Whereupon Montacute was remoued and to auoid suspition was created Marquesse a greater name but farre lesse in power And to haue a stake in store howsoeuer the dice chanced to turne hee sought to ioine friendshippe with forraine Princes hauing offended France for the refusing of his Queenes sister so as hee sought and obtained the amity of Henry King of Castell of Iohn King of Arragon and tooke a truce with his neighbour the Scotish King for fifteen yeers following 27 But these confederates for the more part too farre to be called for by whistle fortune beyond expectatiō set him another euen at his elbow which was Philip Duke of Burgundy Prince of Flanders Brabant and Zealand whose onely sonne legitimate Charles Earle of Charoloys a widdower and without any sonne hee sought to conioine to King Edwards faire sister not so much for any loue hee bare to the house of Yorke himselfe being a Lancastrian by his mothers side as to bandy against Lewis King of France whom he had lately ouercome in a battell at Montleherry and as then stoode vpon his defence as hee was sure King Edward did This motion king Edward and his Councell well liked only Warwicke withstoode it in fauour of the French but the Lady Margaret sent ouer according to her estate and Warwicke left fuming with a discontented mind after some complements of mirth with his brethren the Archbishoppe and Montacute at his Towne of Warwicke brast forth into warlike consultations for the deposing of Edward and restauration of Henry whose wrongs as he alleadged did crie for right at their hands The Bishoppe lightly consented to side for King Henry but the Marquesse would hardly bee drawne from King Edward which Warwicke perceiuing laid his lime twigges yet another way 28 For being à man of a deepe reach and witte hee well saw that George Duke of Clarence the Kings second brother bare not the best liking to the sway of the times him therefore hee sought to allure to his fist which once mand Edward should loose the best Faulcon for his game him therefore by Problemes hee meant first to proue and according to their digest purposed to proceed So falling in familiar conference with Clarence beganne to complaine of some vnkindnes in the King both in breach of some promises and staine of his honour in the French Court The Duke as discontented as Warwicke interrupted his tale before it was told why my Lord quoth Clarence doe you looke that a Leopard should haue no spots in his skinne or a Camelion no colours but one in faith you are deceiued and loose but your labour to wash the naturall Blackamore for will you haue him kind that is by nature vnkind and to be respected of him that respects not his owne bloud or thinke you a Cosen and Allie to be raised by him that seeth if not seeketh his owne brethrens fals For the heire of the Lord Scales you see hee hath married to his wiues brother the heire of the Lord Bonuill and Harington to his wiues sonne and affianced the heire of the Lord Hungerford to the Lord Hastings marriages indeede more meete for his two brethren and kinne then for such new fondlings as hee hath bestowed them vpon But by my George I sweare if my brother of Glocester would ioyne with mee wee would make him know that wee are all three one mans sons and of one and the same mother 29 Earle Warwicke hauing that which hee greedily sought after seconded the resolution with his owne assistance imparting now boldly what confederates he had made and to ioine more faithfully in this his designe hee proffered Clarence his eldest daughter Lady Isabel in marriage faire and well qualified with the one halfe of his wiues inheritance she being sole heire vnto Henry Beauchampe Earle of Warwicke her brother and nothing inferiour to any of those whom Edward had bestowed vpon others which no sooner was spoken but was as presently embraced and the plotte conferred how to proceed which was concluded forthwith to saile vnto Calleis whereof the Earle was Captaine and where the virgine Lady lay aswell to confirme the contract betwixt them as to be absent whē the commotion should beginne as the safer from suspition and the surer to strike when the Ball came to hand to stir which the Archbishoppe and Montacute were appointed for the North. 30 The occasion pickt to make Malecontents was the abuse of Charity vnto an hospitall dedicated to Saint Leonard in the City of Yorke whose reuenew stood most vpon corne yeerly receiued from Farmers in the Country as an oblation of their first graine This the factious made their onely ground vnder a holy pretext forsooth that the poore were defrauded and the Master and Priests onely fed waxen fat To redresse which one Robert Hulderne entred in action and with fifteene thousand strong enterprised for Yorke in which City the Lord Marquesse Montacute was President for King Edward who with a small number but well chosen issued out against the enemy put them backe and stroke off the head of their Captaine before the gates of Yorke but whether hee did it in policie to grow more in trust with the King or else of duety of oblige not moulded throughly to the commotion is vncertain But certaine it is the Rebels were nothing daunted at Huldernes death but rather made resolute to continue what they had begunne 31 To which end they choose them two Chieftaines of greater account and eminent calling which were Henrie sonne and heire to the Lord Fitz-hugh and Sir Henrie Neuill sonne and heire to the Lord Latimer the one of them being Nephew the other Cosen-germane vnto the Earle of Warwicke these but young and not altogether experienced in Armes choose for their Tutor Sir Iohn Conyers a Knight of such courage skill and valiantnes as in the North-parts few were his like who meaning to strike at the head determined to march forthwith to London proclaiming in his way that Edward was neither a iust Prince vnto God nor a profitable King vnto the Common-weale 32 King Edward hearing of these Northern proceedings and that his brother and Warwicke were preparing against him sent for the Lord Herbert whom
he had created Earle of Pembrooke to be his Generall in the North who partly to deserue the Kings liberality in aduancing him to such honour and partly in emulation he bare toward Warwicke being the sole obstacle as he tooke it why he obtained not the wardship of the Lord Bonuils daughter and heire for his eldest sonne did not a little reioice of that his imploiment And therefore accompanied with Sir Richard Herbert his brother and eighteene thousand well furnished Welshmen marched towards the enemie and after him was sent Humfrey Lord Stafford with sixe thousand Archers to second him in his warres These Lords meeting together â—…ad notice by espials that the Northern made forwards towards Northampton to intercept whom the Lord Stafford lately made Earle of Deuonshire was imploied and Sir Richard Herbert who with two thousand horse laid themselues couertly by the side of a wood and sodeinely set vpon the rereward the rest hauing passed but the Northern verie nimbly turned about and bad the Welshmen such welcome as few of them returned to tell of their entertainement 33 The King vnderstanding of this hard beginning mustred his subeicts on euerie side intending to cope with the Northern himselfe And Earle Warwicke as forward to forward his fortunes gathered his friends with purpose to encounter with Pembrooke and his Welsh But before any supplies came to either of both it chanced the Armies to meete at vnawares vpon a faire plaine called Danes more neere to the Towne Hedgecot three miles from Banburie and presently fell to a bickering wherein Sir Henrie Neuill Knight sonne of the Lord Latimer vpon a lusty courage venturing somewhat too farre was taken prisoner and notwithstanding he yeelded himselfe to his Takers was cruelly slaine which vnmartiall act rested not long vnrepaied with the losse of most of the Welsh the next day For the field withdrawne the Lord Stafford repaired to Banberie and there tooke his lodging where his affections were much enamoured vpon a faire damsell in the Inne But the Earle of Pembrooke comming to the same Towne tooke into the same Inne and commanded the Lord Stafford to prouide him elsewhere contrary to their agreements made before whereat Stafford was displeased and departing thence with his whole Band left the Earle naked of men in the Towne and disabled the field of the Archers whereby the day was lost vpon the kings part for which he shortly lost his owne head 34 The Northern enflamed for the death of young Neuill the next morning most valiantly set vpon the Welshmen and by the force of Archers draue them from their ground of aduantage which Pembrooke wanting supplied with his owne prowesse and Richard his brother with his Pollaxe twice made way through the battell of the Northern without anie mortall or deadly wound so that by their valours it was verily supposed the field had beene wonne had not Iohn Clappam an Esquire and seruant to Warwicke displaied his Lords Colours with his white-beare and from an eminent place cried a Warwicke a Warwicke whereat the Welsh were so terrified as they turned and fied leauing their General and his brother alone in the field who valiantly figh ting were incompassed and taken with the 〈◊〉 of fiue thousand of their men The Earle with hâ—… brother Sir Richard Herbert were brought to Banbery where with ten other Gentlemen they lost their heads Conyers and Clappam being their Iudges 35 This second victory thus got and the Northern now fleshed vnder the leading of Robbin of Riddisdale hasted to the Kings mannor of Grafton where the Earle Riuers father to the Queene then lay whom with his sonne Iohn they sodeinely surprized and in Northampton strucke off their heads without any iudgement The deathes of these Lords the King greatly lamented and sought to reuenge first therefore writing his Commissions for the apprehension of Lord Humfrey Stafford of Southwicke who by diligent search was found at Brentmarch and beheaded at Bridgewater as he worthily deserued next he prepared a mighty Armie and with the same marched towardes Warwicke his company increasing euer as he went 36 King Edward set downe his tents at Wolney foure miles from Warwicke where the Duke and the Earle of Warwickes host lay readie for Battell but by the mediation of friends a peace was intreated and letters written from either parties expressing the griefes and wrongs sustained with proffers of redresse in amending all and in shew so farre it proceeded as the King conceiuing a certaine hope of peace rested secure not fearing any foule-play which politique Warwicke by his spiall perceiuing thought it not wisdome to loose the aduantage and thereupon in the dead of the night with a selected Company he entred the Kings Camp killing them that kept the watch tooke the king in his bed and brought him his prisoner to his Castle of Warwicke and thence by easie iourneys in the night had him conueyed to Midelham Castle in Yorkeshire not farre from Richmond where vnder the custody of his brother George Neuill Archishop of Yorke hee was reteined 37 His vsage was Princely and according to his estate which he often acknowledged to the Archbishop with all kind thankes and complements of wordes whereby he wrought himselfe into such trust and fauour as he had the Forrests to hunt in and the parkes for his pleasure whose pales are well knowne vnsufficient wals to pen the lyon in as appeared by this King who being abroad and on hunting Sir VVilliam Stanly with Sir Thomas Burgh brought him fresh horse and such a crew of followers that his keepers more feared their owne liues then were forward to force him backe againe to prison and so let the game goe without further chase King Edward thus escaped VVarwicke like a wild man furiously raged but seeing no remedy made vse of necessity and gaue forth that himselfe so caused it hauing power to make Kings and to vnmake them againe 38 The King forthwith repaired to Yorke where with great honour hee was ioifully receiued and abode certaine daies which made him well hope of a further supply of friends and men but fayling thereof and fearing the Archbishops pursuite with a small traine he posted to Lancaster where he found the Lord Hastings his Chamberlaine well accompanied for his Conuey his spirits then reuiued and traine daily increasing with speedie iourneyes hee came vnto London where all his studies and consultations were how to be reuenged vpon these disloiall Lords his brother and Earle VVarwicke and they againe fretting at the Archbishoppes follie sought to make stronger their factions against the King 39 The Land thus rent by these vnnaturall diuisions and no estate sure to enioy what was theirs the Nobles anew began to sollicite the parties vnto a Peace hauing first obtained libertie to post to and fro without their impeachments and so effectually laid downe the state of the Land whose ruines now
a damsell belonging as shee said to the Dutches of Clarence who signified vnto Monsieur Vawclere that shee came from King Edward with a declaration of peace which hee fearing to impart the conditions to other had made her the instrument the better to passe without any suspect and he glad to heare for the Earles sake whom he entirely affected gaue her his safe conduct vnto the Duke of Clarence then at Amboys where hauing priuate accesse vnto him shee told that it was neither naturall nor honourable for him to take part against the house of Yorke that the house of Lancaster was not onely by the whole Court of Parliament debarred to bee the indubitate Heire of the Kingdome but that K. Henrie himselfe had discharged his Issue from claime as it standeth said she vpon Record to be seene contrary to which as he might well perceiue this marriage of Prince Edward with the Earles daughter did onely aime and intend to the vtter extinct of the house of Yorke whereof himselfe was one and in neere possibility of the Crowne Edwards Issue young and not many and the King very wanton a sinne commonly punished with want of posterity which if it so chanced then hee or his were the next These reasons wayed so ouer-wayed the Dukes further designes that hee promised thereafter a more brotherlike affection as saide hee Edward should find with which good newes shee returned into England Warwicke vtterly ignorant what was said or done 47 All now in a readinesse for the return ships money and men supplied by the French King the Admirall of France was sent to secure them from the Duke of Burgundies Fleet which with an extraordinary number and power lay in the mouth of Seyne to fight with Warwicke when he should loose out of Harborow but see how the heauens fauoured and frowned vpon the parties for the night before they should hoise saile such a stormy tempest tooke the Dukes Fleete lying more remote from the Lee that they were scattered asunder some into Scotland some into Denmarke and many of them drowned But the Seas calmed and the wind seruing faire the English set saile and landed at Dartmouth whence they had shipped into France almost six moneths before 48 King Edward relying vpon Burgundy abroad and thinking all friends who fawned at home gaue himselfe daily to follow the hound and the hawke and nightly to his court pleasures in dancings and daliances with damsels little minding their approach that meant to marre his mirth for Warwicke now landed proclaimed King Henry commanding all from sixteene to sixty vpon a great penalty to take Armes against Edward Duke of Yorke the most vniust vsurper of Henries rightfull Crowne and vncredible it was to see the confluence of them which came armed to him who ere-while applauded approued none but King Edward Thus making towards London his company daily encreased which the youthfull King seemed little to regard but verily supposing hee had now Warwicke in his trappe wrote to Burgundie to secure the seas lest he should escape againe into France and to his Lords of England to attend him in his wars but very many neglected his commaund and few or none made their repaire Which when Edward perceiued hee was strucke into a great feare and with his brother of Glocester the L. Hastings his Chamberlaine and the Lord Scales the Queenes brother hee hasted towards Nottingham there to determine what was to be done 49 In the mean while the bastard Faulconbridge in the west and the Earle of Pembroke in Wales euery where proclaimed King Henry and to forward the matter D. Godard preaching at Pauls Crosse declared by reading of Billes and diuers other proofes that King Henry was the vndoubted and true heire vnto the English Crowne Neither is the L. Montacute now the man that he was who hauing mustered sixe thousand in the name of King Edward and brought them forward almost to Nottingham on the sodaine drew backe his forces alleadging that Edward was vngratefull regardlesse of his friends as himselfe said himselfe was the example who hauing serued him in many bloudy battels was rewarded with a verball word Marquesse without any maintenance at al no not so much as Pyes poor nest therfore he had iust cause neuer to draw his sword in his quarrell any more and them that did hee assured them should receiue the like reward in the end 50 These with the like distastures diuulged among the rude multitude it was a world to see the face of this new World for in euery streete Bonfires were made in euery Church bels rung Ditties were sung at euery meeting and euery man cried K. Henry King Henry whose Eccho likewise redoubled a Warwicke a Warwicke and indeed all so applauded the passage now on foot as King Edward hearing the rumor thought it not safe any longer to stay therefore with those trusty Lords and some others hee fled from his hoast besides Nottingham passing the Washes towards Lynne with greater difficulties then was befitting a Prince to aduenture and thus without any order taken for his Realme in two Hulkes of Holland and one English shippe destitute of all necessary prouisions set sayle toward Burgundy and in the way was encountred by the Easterlings Englands great Enemies hauing much adoe to cleare himselfe from their surprise 51 In these times of misery the Queene whose marriage was the onely cause of all these stirres vpon the first of October had stolne out of the Tower and taken Sanctuary at Westminster where like a woman forsaken shee solitarily remained and on the fourth of Nouember following was deliuered of a sonne which without all pompe more like a priuate mans child then a Prince was there also baptized by the name of Edward who after his fathers death a while was King of England as shall be said other Sanctuaries were full of King Edwards friends that praied deuoutly for his prosperous health and well hoped the world would againe turne as shortly it did One King thus fled and the other in prison the Kentish whose conditions are mutable at the change of Princes came to seeke prey in London where they knew it was to bee had Ratcliffe S. Katherins and Southwarke they robbed and within the City did some hurt besides yea and surely more had done had not Earle Warwicke in good time come to the rescue which encreased his name that was great enough before 52 Earle Warwicke accompanied with his brother the Archbishoppe of Yorke the Prior of Saint Iohns the Duke of Clarence the Earle of Shrewsburie Bastard Faulconbridge Lord Stanley and other Gentlemen some for loue some for feare some to gaze at this wauering world vpon the sixt of October entred the Tower of London wherein King Henry had beene retained prisoner almost the space of nine yeeres and there again elected him for their lawfull King and
Oxford with eight hundred fled the field leauing the chance to be cast for the Crowne which when Warwicke perceiued with words like a souldier he incouraged his men and seeing the fresh supply of his enemie draw now vnto fight he furiouslie rushed into the midst of their Battell wherein he aduentured so farre as he could not be reseued but valiantly fighting was strucke downe and among them slaine hauing repaid his danger with many a wound The Marquesse Montacute made forward to second his brother who till then had beene the Mars and Make-King of England but was so ouerlaid by his Opposites that they sent his soule likewise from his bodie whereby was ended that bloody daies taske 65 In this Battell vpon King Edwards part died the Lord Cromwell the Lord Bourcher the Lord Barnes sonne and heire to the Lord Say and Sir Iohn Lisle Knight In the quarrell of Henrie died Richard Neuill Earle of Warwicke and Iohn Neuill Marquesse Montacute his brother and vpon both sides of common souldiers saith Hall ten thousand Stow saith foure thousand as Fabian farre lesse all which were buried vpon the same Plaine where afterwards a Chappell was built the Duke of Excester being left for dead in the field recouered and tooke Sanctuarie at Westminster Edmund Duke of Sommerset and Iohn Earle of Oxford escaped the field and fled into Wales where with Iasper Earle of Pembrooke they still plotted to set vp King Henry whom God and destinie would haue to be cast downe 66 The same King Edward vpon the same day as an absolute Conquerour lead the vnfortunate Henry his Captiue to London and entring the City in triumph wise offered his roiall Standerd in the Cathedrall Church of Saint Paul whither the slaine bodies of Warwicke and Montacute in two Coffins were brought and lay there bare faced and vnburied the space of three daies least a false Brute should be made that they were not dead After which they were conueied to Bilsam Abbey and interred in that Priorie among their Ancestors 67 Edwards affaires thus farre prospered at London the windes that had crossed Queene Margaret before came fauourably about to fill her Sailes for England indeed to accomplish the decree which heauen had appointed shee with her sonne Prince Edward and their French followers landed vpon Easter Eue at Weymouth and the Countesse of Warwicke at Portesmouth who hearing the sorrowfull newes of her husbands death tooke Sanctuary within the Abbey of Beaulieu And Queene Margaret vnderstanding of the losse of Barnet-field withdrew as◅de to the Abbey of Ceerne vnto whom presently resorted Edmund Duke of Sommerset with Lord Iohn his brother Iohn Courtney Earle of Deuonshire Iasper Earle of Pembrooke Iohn Lord Wenlock and Iohn Longstrother Prior of Saint Iohns 68 These with many words of hope comforted the sorrowfull Queene and proffered her their assistance to erect Prince Edward her sonne though it were done with the losse of their owne liues requiring her only to vndertake the authority of the war and themselues would vndergo the charge and burden thereof by whose valor and power they doubted not to daunt the pride of the vsurping Edward who now held himselfe sure and beganne to grow carelesse To these their resolutions the warlike Queene most gladly consented and gaue all encouragements vnto them shee could when falling in counsell how to proceed her care according to the naturall affection of a mother was most vpon the safety and life of her sonne and theresore aswel for their owne parts if fortune should faile in this their first attempt as for the feare which the Yorkist would possesse who whiles Prince Edward his corriuall hued could not account the Diadem his Bride shee thought it best to send him backe againe into France till God had set the Crowne where it should stand whence hee might supply them with new forces or at least wise ouer-awe Edward for tyrannizing too farre But the Lords contrariwise alleadged that Prince Edward being the morning Sunne of the Lancastrians hopes and the rayes very splendent to most English eyes was to be present in field himselfe whose sight would both heat the courage of his owne Souldiers and attract the glance of his aduersaries hearts either to fight faintly or else and that rather to come to his side Thus their counsel at that time preuailed and thus resolued euery man departed to make ready his power the Queene with her French repairing to Bath 69 But Edward in London had not sate two daies in rest before hee heard of Queene Margarets arriuage and the confluence of people out of Cornwall Deuonshire and of the Westerne parts which hourely flew to giue her assistance wherefore committing to the Tower King Henry and George Archbishoppe of Yorke with a selected company he marched to meet them intending to cut off many springs before they should ioyne to the body of a riuer whose streame without danger could not be passed therefore from Windsor Abington Chichester and Malmesbury hee proceeded seeking and vrging his enemies to battell but the Queene and her forces fearing to abide in Bath remoued to Bristow Berkeley and Glocester and lastly at Tewkesbury Duke Sommerset her Generall pitched down his Tents not staying the comming of the Earle of Pembroke his battell he marshalled into three fights whereof himselfe and his brother Iohn Lord Sommerset lead the foreward the middle Battalion was commanded by Edward the young Prince vnder the conduct of the Lords Saint Iohn and Wenlocke and the Rereward gouerned by Iohn Courtney Earle of Deuonshire a mortall enemy against the house of Yorke 70 King Edward who was come now within sight of his enemies diuided likewise his Army into 3. Battalions cōmitting the Foreward vnto the guidance of his brother Richard D. of Glocester a good Souldier and of a deepe reach and policy the Main hee vndertooke to gouerne himselfe and the Rereward was commanded by the Lord Hastings his Chamberlaine The field thus marshalled and the signe of battell being giuen a most bloudy fight beganne the King had planted his Ordinance at most aduantage which Glocester frankly bestowed among the Dukes men and they lodged betwixt ditches bushes and hedges with their showers of arrowes galled Glocesters followers so as by his command his battell gaue backe as though they would shrinke which Sommerset no sooner perceiued but that he came on and ouercome with courage came out of his strength when by a certaine passage before hand prouided he came vnto the place where King Edward was embattelled thinking verily that Wenlocke had followed at his backe who as it seemed meant nothing lesse 71 The aduantage espied Duke Richard made good his retreat and with fresh supplies of two hundred speares so charged Sommerset as his battell was disordered and put to fearefull flight himselfe recouering the Midle-ward found there the L. Wenlock idle whilest others were thus working
for their liues whom he most opprobriously reuiled in the termes of a Traitor with his Battell-axe stroke his brains out of his head when presently Glocester and after him the King entred the Trench wherein all of the Queenes part went to wracke for there were slaine in this battell on her side Iohn L. Sommerset Iohn Courtney Earle of Deuonshire the Lord Wenlocke in manner as wee haue said Sir Iohn Delues Sir Edward Hampden Sir Robert Whittingham and Sir Iohn Lewkener with three thousand others besides 72 Among them that fled Prince Edward was one whome Sir Richard Crofts apprehended before hee got to Tewkesbury but Edmund Duke of Sommerset Iohn Longstrother Prior of Saint Iohns many Knights and Esquiers tooke Sanctuary in the Abbey and other places of the Towne notwithstanding they were taken forth and arraigned before Richard Duke of Glocester who that day sate Constable of England where they were condemned and had iudgement of death which they immediatelie suffered vpon a Scaffold set vp in the Town With these two Lords died twelue worthy Knights besides others of inferior degrees 73 Then was Proclamation made for the apprehension of Prince Edward promising to his taker an annuitie of an hundred pounds during his life if the Prince were liuing his life to be spared vpon which promises Sir Richard Crofts presented young Edward vnto the King whom with a sterne countenance hee a while beheld and as sternely demanded how he durst so presumptuously with Banner displayed enter into his Realme wherunto the Prince made this reply to recouer said hee my fathers Kingdomes and his most rightfull inheritance possessed by his Father and Grandfather and from him immediately belonging vnto me how darest thou then which art his Subiect display thy colour against him thy Liege-Lord which answere moued King Edward so much as with his Gantlet hee dashed the Prince on his mouth whom Richard Duke of Glocester with others of the kings seruans most shamefully murthered euen in his presence and at his feete whose body was buried without all solemnity among other poore and meane persons in the church of the Monastery of the Blacke-Fryers in Tewkesburie 74 Queene Margaret in this fatall day of battell fled towards Worcester and by the way tooke into a poore religious house in that her present distresse but three dayes after shee was apprehended and brought vnto Worcester to King Edward who committed her to sure and straite keeping in which City she a while remained But sodain news brought him that the Northern men were in Armes and meant to aduenture for her liberty the Conquerour marched to Couentrie and there made preparation further to proceed which when these hote spirits pefectly vnderstood their courages grew colder their weapons cast away they came thronging to Edward to offer him subiection yet the Lancastrians were not so minded but rather inâ—…ended once more to trie whether fortune would afford them her smile 75 A fitte instrument they had to forward the enterprise namely Thomas Neuill bastard Fanconbridge sonne of Lord Fanconbridge Earle of Kent a great supporter of King Edwards Crowne howbeit this Bastard being a man of a turbulent spirit and forward for action Earle Warwicke had made him his Admirall to keepe the narrow seas that none should haue way to strengthen King Edward which his office he executed beyond his Commission and became a taker of all Merchants goods being aided with 300. Malecontents from Calleis 76 His enterprise desperate and his name growne fearefull at sea hee meant to make it no lesse on the land for putting in at Douer many misgouerned and loose persons dayly drew to him so as his power grew to bee seuenteene thousand strong with these through Kent he made his way towards London meaning to doe much the land so molested with intestine warres and lodging his hoast on the Southside of London commanded the Citizens to giue him accesse that with King Henry whom hee meant to release from the Tower he might passe through their streetes to meet and encounter the vsurping Edward But the Londoners knowing the rudenesse of these Rakehels kept their gates shut and garded the same with sufficient strengthes whence some Lords of the royall bloud therein residing sent vnto Edward of their present danger who presently sent them fifteene hundred of his best Souldiers after whom in person hee warily marched leading with him his prisoner Queene Margaret whose bounds hee well knew gaue him the full scope of liberty 77 Fauconbridge in the meane while thirsting after spoile with his shippes secured the Thamesis aboue S. Katherines purposing with his land Forces to passe the Riuer at Kingston but hearing that Edward was on his March and fearing to bee cut off from the benefite of his ships hee altered his mind when to open his way into London hee caused the Bridge to bee fiered and three thousand of his men being set ouer Thamesis by his ships diuided themselues into two Companies the one assaying to enter at Algate and the other at Bishopsgate both which they likewise set on fire so that the Citie was in three places fired and assaulted at once but with such euill successe to the assailants that seuen hundred were slaine and the bold Bastard driuen to his ships 78 Vpon the twentieth of May the Conquerour Edward with his Captiue Queen Margaret entred London and so into the Tower the one in pomp commanding the place at his pleasure the other in teares to remaine a most pensiue prisoner where her husband the downcast King Henry was kept in hard durance The place being thus charged with the presence of two Kings and their Queens the Crokebacke of Glocester intended to cleare by taking him away that stood in his brothers way whose successor as is thought hee then meant to bee and making his inward mind more deformed then were his outward lineaments without regard of bloud-defiled hands stabbed the most innocent Henry to the heart with his dagger in which act at once beganne the ones happy rest and the others foule guilt which accompanied his conscience to the day of his death 79 The body of this murthered King was vpon the Ascention Eue laide in an open Coffin and from the Tower guarded with many bils and glaues was so carryed through the streetes vntâ—… 〈◊〉 Cathedrall Church of Saint Paul where it rested vncouered one day and beganne to bleed againe afresh a sorrowfull spectacle to most of the beholders and thence was it carried to the Blacke-Fryers Church where it likewise lay bare faced and bled as before all men being amazed at the sorrowfull sight and lastly it was put in a boat without Priest Clerke Torch or Taper singing or saying and was ferried vnto the Abbey of Chertsey in Surrey there without pompe enterred But afterwards King Henry the seuenth translated his body vnto his Castle of Windsor
Needle both of them very short to supply her great wants This vnmercifull and almost vnhumane vsage was the more extremely followed for that Oxford himselfe his father and brother had euer sided with the Lancastrians And her selfe being sister vnto Richard Duke of Warwicke the Capitall obstacle against king Edwards proceedings was held either dangerous if her wealth ballanced her birth and estate or else vnworthy of his fauour whose good fortunes as was suggested shee euer maligned 86 But much more miserable was the estate of Lord Henry Holland Duke of Excester and Earle of Huntington who flourished so long as king Henries pillar stood crowned on his base and the Lancastrians of whose house himselfe was ouerswaid the times he being the sonne of Lady Elizabeth the second daughter of Iohn of Gaunt and hauing married the sister of Edward the then raigning King was notwithstanding driuen to such want as he may serue an example to all how vncertaine Adams sons are of any continuing greatnes For saith Philip Comines I once saw the Duke of Excester runne on foote bare legged after the Duke of Eurgundies traine begging his bread for Gods sake but he vttered not his name he being the neerest of the house of Lancaster and brother in law vnto King Edward and being knowne what he was Burgundy gaue him a small pension to maintaine his estate 87 But when King Henrie was againe restored the Title of the Crowne laid vpon the successe of Barnet-field this man Lord Henrie bare himselfe most brauely against king Edward and in fight was strucke downe and left for dead where in his bleeding woundes he lay most part of the day but yet recouering and got to Westminster he there tooke Sanctuary to saue his life for which he became Suiter vnto the king but his wife Lady Anne sister vnto king Edward sued as earnestly for a diuorce which with great instancy shee lastly obtained against him How he released himselfe from the wrath of the king is vncertaine and how he came by his death no man can tell for his body was found cast vpon the shoare of Kent as though he had perished by shipwracke vpon the Sea 88 Now Edward to finish all factions thought best to lop off both bough and branch that gaue any shadow to the Lancastrians designes to which end he rather picked then found occasion of treason in George Neuill Archbishop of Yorke whose goods lands and Lordships he seized vpon got possession of his rich plate and Iewels whereof one in his Miter was of such valew as the King caused it to be set in his Imperiall Crowne and the Archbishop to be sent ouer Sea to the Castle of Hames where he remained a Prisoner a long time after with no such curteous intertainement as himselfe had vsed to Edward when he was Prisoner 89 But the escape of Pembrooke and Earle Richmond troubled the King not a little the onely men now left to bandy against them and therefore were most followed with a suspicious eye In somuch as Edward wrote vnto the Duke of Britaine their receiuer with promises of heapes of gold to haue them sent backe and deliuered vnto his hands but the Duke that had giuen them his safetie before answered the English Ambassadors that it stood not with honour so to betray these distressed Princes fled to him for relief yet he faithfully vndertook that they should be so followed as King Edward should sleepe quiet from their molestations which being no better Edward notwithstanding made the best of it 90 All now in quiet and Edward raigning without any Competitor or malignant disturber caused a high Court of Parliament to be assembled at Westminster wherein he reestablished those Acts which Henrie had abrogated and abrogated those that were made against his fauourites at which season the Duke of Burgundie sent his Ambassadors vnto Edward crauing his aide against the French King which was the more willingly heard and granted as well for his fauors receiued of the Duke in time of his necessitie as for spleene against Lewis who had aided Warwicke 〈◊〉 dispossesse him of his Crowne And indeed this â—…s a sparke that was likely to set the hearts of the English on fire to recouer France lost by Henrie the last King 91 All things in a readinesse King Edward repaired to Douer and there embarked himselfe for Callis â—…with the greatest Army that euer from England set sailes into France for he had in his Companie fifteen hundred Noble-men and men at Armes all of them mounted and most of them barbed who with the Archers on horsebacke also made vp the number of fifteene thousand besides a great number of footemen and others to pitch Tents to attend the Artillerie and inclose their Campes Before the Kings departure from England he had sent Gartar King at Armes vnto King Lewis with a letter of defiance whose contents demanded no lesse then the whole Realme of France which if he refused â—…ee threatned to inuade his dominions with 〈◊〉 and sword 92 The letter receiued and read in secret by Lewis himselfe he priuately sent for and conferred with the Herald telling him that it was not Edward but Burgundy that raked abroad these dying sinders who as a man discomfited vnfurnished for warre would draw in the English by his slie dealings to their inestimable Charges to supply his defects that Burgundy being of the house of Lancaster hated most deadly the family of Yorke and more for feare then loue married Edwards sister As touching the Constable he told him though Edward had married his Neece yet hee would deceiue him as he had done his owne Master of France who had heaped manie and extraordinary benefits vpon him And lastly with the gift of three hundred Crownes and the promise of a thousand more he instigated the Herald to worke a peace Gartar very thankefullie tooke the French gold and counselled Lewis to send a Herault vnto his Master King Edward to demand a safe-conduct for conference and so openly rewarded with thirtie Elles of Crimson-veluet he departed 93 King Lewis nothing so pompous as other Princes are nor attended with Heraulds continually in his Court was therefore inforced vnto this present shift he caused a seruant of the Lord Hales to be arraied like an herauld in a trumpets banner and sent him in hast into King Edwards Camp where hauing audience he shewed the great desire the King his Master had of peace whose amity with England he had euer held excusing his receit of Warwicke with the necessity of time whom he aided not against Edward but against Burgundy who as he instantly alleaged had now drawne the English to this excessiue charges that he might thereby conclude a better composition for himselfe and to amend the broken state of his owne affaires lastly he desired that the King of England would grant a safe-conduct vnto the Ambassadors
a Parliament begun at Westminster the fifteenth of Ianuary he was attainted of high treason but whether guiltie or guiltles to men saith Grafton that haue made large inquisition yea and of such as were of no small authority in those daies the certaintie thereof was hid and could not truly be disclosed but by coniectures which as often deceiue the imaginations of fantasticall folke as declare truth to them in their conclusions 105 I am not ignorant that some haue alleaged the cause of this Noble mans death to arise from a foolish prophecie whereof saith Comines the English-men are neuer vnfurnished this as the Cabâ—…sts who vsed to make an art of their letters gaue forth forsooth that a G. should raigne after an E. which must needes be George Duke of Clarence though Gloucester more craftie lay in winde for the game This indeed troubled the King not a little but the Queene and her blood much more and therefore of both King and Queene Duke George was mistrusted and greatly maligned in all that he did Who now a widower for Warwicks daughter was dead sent vnto his sister Margaret the Dutchesse of Burgundie to worke a marriage for him with her husbands daughter the Lady Marie Against which the Queene most earnestly interposed her selfe and sollicited the Ladie in the behalfe of Lord Anthonie Earle Riuers her brother whereby great discontent was ministred to the Duke and new iealousies daily bred in the Kings breast 106 Iohn Serres the French Historian interlacing the life of King Lewis with the Acts of K. Edward and his brethren saith confidently that the English King so much affected the league and alliance with France as that he caused his brother Clarence to be put in prison because he intended to haue past the Seas to succour the Dowager of Burgundie Ladie Margaret his sister vpon whose Territories King Lewis encroached after the death of Duke Charles her husband slaine at the battell of Manâ—…y 107 But howsoeuer Clarence had offended certaine it is that he was found guilty by the foresaid Parliament and the eleuenth of March following after he had offered his Masse-penny in the Tower of London was drowned in a But of Malmesey whose body was buried at Tewkesburie in Glocestershire by the bodie of his Dutchesse Ladie Isabell Countesse of Warwicke who being with Child died of poison a little before And although the King had consented to his death yet no sooner was it done but that he wished it againe vndone and was so greeued at the remembrance as when anie made suite for the life of a condemned he would openly say Oh â—…fortunate brother for whose life no 〈◊〉 would make â—…ite This good Duke for so was he called left issue behind him Edward Earle of Warwicke and Margaret afterwards Countesse of Salisbury both of them infants and followers of their fathers fortunes he a continuall Prisoner at foure and twentie yeeres of age vnder Henry the seauenth was beheaded vpon the Tower-hill and shee at sixtie two lost hers within the Tower and time of King Henrie the eight 108 But how dainty soeuer King Edward was of the breach of amitie betwixt him and the French King in regard whereof he suffered Mary the yong Dutchesse of Burgundy the daughter of his owne sisters husband to bee molested by 〈◊〉 of the French and all in fauour of the contract commenced betweene the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Lady 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 daughter yet did 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ouâ—… 〈◊〉 For Ambassadors â—…ploied 〈◊〉 accomplishing â—…of they of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 without 〈◊〉 oâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…he new were sent without 〈◊〉 while indeed Lewis 〈◊〉 working for his sonne another way First to match him with Mary Dutches of Burgundy but that refused with Margaret of Flaunders daughter to Duke Maximilian sonne to Fredericke the Emperor and to hold the world from suspition in the meane while Ladie Elizabeth the Infanta of England was in the French Court vsually called Madame the Daulphin and all things in France so soundly carried as Edward suspected no leake in the Caske for now growne fat and vnable for paines he both gloried in his nine famous victories at home atchieued and seemed sufficientlie satisfied that his yeerely tribute from France was so truly paied 109 At the same time Iames the third of that name King of Scotland sent his Ambassadors vnto Edward to obtaine the Lady Cicelie the Kings second daughter to be ioined in marriage with his sonne Iames the young Prince which was well listened vnto by Edward and his Counsell and least the motion should goe backe a great summe of money lent to the Scottish King with this condition that at a certain time appointed it should be at K. Edwards choise whether his daughter should match with that Prince or else to haue the said summe againe repaid Against which alliance and league as Lesly reporteth Lewis of France much repined and to annihilate the same sent Dr. Ireland a certaine knight and another religious man to moue King Iames to make warre against England 110 These no Peace-makers for Christ but firebrands of Belial blew the smothered sparkes of dissention into a flame of bloody warre which fell the more heauy vpon Scotland for that K. Iames much wedded vnto his owne will and altogether ruled by men of meane worth whom himselfe had aduanced from nothing had not only neglected by their instigations the loue of his Nobles but also banished the Realme of Scotland Alexander Duke of Albany his second brother and had caused the veines of Iohn Earle of Marre his other brother to be opened whereby he bled to death these and other discontents alienated his Subiects hearts from him which laid the land more open vnto the English Inuaders and yet to draw them more deadly against him relying vpon his ownevalor and the assistance of France he sent word vnto Edward that he should not aid his owne sister of Burgundy against K. Lewis being the Scots Allie as also with threats of warre commanded him to deliuer to his Ambassadors the Duke of Albanie then residing in the English Court and lastlie to make good and repay dammages done vpon the Scottish Borders 111 King Edward not a little inraged at these double dealings euen in the winter season mustered his men prepâ—…ed his artillery and rigged his ships that nothing should be vnready at the next Spring which no sooner was come but that he ordained for his Lieutenant his brother Richard Duke of Gloucester who with Henrie Earle of Northumberland Thomas Lord Stanley the Lord Louell Gâ—…stock and others the Duke of Albany marching vnto Gloucesters banner with twenty thousand strong repaired into the North and first â—…sieged the strong Towne Berwick then enâ—…ing the chiefe City Edenborough vrged K. Iames to performe his couenants concerning the marriage betwixt Prince Iames his sonne with Lady Cicely before agreed vpon
of all offences committed against him for confirmation whereof hee sent for one Fogge whom he deadly hated who for feare of him had lately taken Sanctuary at Westminster and there in sight of the people with semblance accordingly tooke him by the hand saying that hee would bee thence forth his assured in affection whereat the Commons greatly reioyced and with applauses extolled though others wiser among them tooke it to bee but fained to serue his owne turne And in his way homeward whomsoeuer hee met hee saluted for a mind that knoweth it selfe to bee guiltie is in a manner deiected to a seruile flattery 7 King Richard whose guilty heart was full of suspition had sent for fiue thousand Souldiers out of the North to bee present in London at his Coronation these vnder the leading of Robin of Ridsdale came vp both euill apparrelled and worse harnessed in rusty Armour neither defencible for proofe nor scowred for shew who mustering in Finesburie Fields were with disdaine gazed vpon by the beholders But all things now ready for his Coronation and much the sooner in that young Edwards prouision was conferred vpon his vpon the fourth of Iuly he with his wife by water came to the Tower where he created Estates ordained the Knights of the Bathe set at liberty the Archbishoppe of Yorke and the Lord Stanley more for feare then for loue whose sonne the Lord Strange was then said to be gathering of men in Lancashire where those Lords haue great command 8 But Morton Bishop of Ely a firme man vnto King Edward and vnpossible to bee drawn vnto the disinheriting of his children as was well perceiued by the Protector among others at the Councell held in the Tower was left there prisoner and accused of many great but vnlikely treasons This man borne in Dorsetshire and brought vp in the Vniuersity of Oxford was from a Doctor of the Arches made a priuy Councellour vnto King Henry and after his death allured by King Edward to serue him was sworne likewise of his Councell and made one of the Executors of his will whose insight into the intended designes the Protector much feared and therefore hauing him fast minded so to keepe him when hee released others laide in the Tower for the like feare But the reuerence of the man or vndeseruednesse of his wrongs moued so the affection of the Oxford Academians that they directed to the King who professed much loue to that Vniuersitie a petitory latine Epistle no lesse eloquent pithy then circumspect and wary wherein they thus pleaded for his liberty 9 Though many important motiues wee haue most Christian King earnestly to recommend to your princely clemency the Reuerend Father in Christ the Lord Bishoppe of Ely as being not onely one of the most eminent Sonnes of our Vniuersity but also a singular Patrone and indulgent Father to vs all yet could not these inducements howsoeuer very ponderous with all gratefull mindes perswade vs to become intercessors for his pardon but euer with due regard both to your owne honour and safety the greatnesse of your princely fauours hauing more obliged vs then of any your royall Predecessors whiles therfore wee stood in some doubt how hee stood affected towards your Highnesse wee held it an high offence if by tendring his safety wee should any way hazard yours but now vnderstanding that his offence proceeded not of pertinacy but humane frailety and that hee hath alwayes humbly sued for pardon thereof the bowels of our mother Vniuersity like Rachel weeping ouer her Children were moued with compassion ouer the deplored distresse of this her dearest sonne wherein yet as wee hope her affection deserues no iust reprehension For if a pious affection be prayse-worthie euen in an enemy much more is it in this our Academy full of due obseruance towardes your Maiesty and professing the study of all vertues These things so being wee thought fitte without longer delayes to flie vnto your clemency as humble Suppliants that your Highnes already hauing in part inflicted thogh mildly som chasticemēt on his fault would turn your roial aspect towards him impart to him the bounty of your gracious clemency wherein you shal not onely perform an act most acceptable to him to vs and the whole Church but very honourable aduantagious also as we hope to your own person For vpon notice of the readmittance of so great a Prelate into your grace who is there that will not extoll with prayses vnto the skies your so great and euen diuine clemency Thus gloried the Romans to haue it marshalled amongst their prayses that Submissiue wights they spared but crusht the proud and this also they challenged as their peculiar honour that they were readier to remit then to reuenge wrongs Now if you will aspire to this high honour as easily you may by being gracious to this man you shall surmount the Romanes themselues by so glorious a deed As for the great benefite which may hereby accrue to your highnes albeit as we suppose we can sufficiently conceiue thereof especially if wee call to minde his singular vertues yet had we rather leaue that point wholly to your secret considerations then pursue it with a discourse tedious to you and enuie-breeding to him least happily by insisting in his praises it may be thought that we seeke rather by violence to extort then by submissiuenes to beg his pardon and or else to relie more on the greatnesse of his vertues then of your Clemency or lastly to appeale rather to your Iustice then to your mercy Wherefore most puissant Prince thus perswade your selfe of vs that whatsoeuer we haue spoken in the Bishops behalfe we doe it rather out of a sense of our dutifulnes then any diffidency of your Gratiousnes and therefore omitting all things which might be alleaged either to lessen his offence or augment his vertues it is your sole mercy wherein we repose all our hopes vowing how soeuer other meanes of gratitude may be wanting to vs yet we shall neuer suffer the remembrance of so great a fauour conferred on vs to be extinguished amongst vs. 10 King Richard after this intending some easier restraint though not liberty vnto the Bishop was content to release him out of the Tower and committed him to the custody of Henry Duke of Buckingham who sent him to his Castle of Brecknocke in Wales there safely to be kept vntil himselfe should come thither 11 The next day with great pompe state and attendance of the Nobility the King rode through London so as a more royall had not beene seene at any Kings Coronation for there attended him three Dukes nine Earles two Vicounts twenty Lords seauenty eight Knights all of them most richly furnished whereof the Duke of Buckingham so farre exceeded that the caparison of his horse was so charged with embroydered worke of gold as it was born vp from the ground by certaine
hath continued what gouernour we now haue and what ruler wee might haue for I plainely perceiue the Realme being in this case must needes decay and be brought to confusion but one hope I haue that is when I consider your noble personage your justice and indifferencie your seruent zeale and ardent loue towards your naturall Countrey and in like manner the loue of your countrey towards you the great learning pregnant wit and eloquence which so much doth abound in your person I must needs thinke this Realme fortunate which hath such a Prince in store meete and apt to bee Gouernour But on the other side when I call to memory the good qualities of the late Protector and now called King so violated by-tyranny so altered by vsurped authoritie and so clouded by blind ambition I must needs say that hee is neither meet to bee King of so noble a Realme nor so famous a Realme meet to be gouerned by such a tyrant Was not his first enterprise to obtaine the Crowne begunne by the murther of diuers personages did hee not secondarily proceed against his owne natural mother declaring her openly to be a woman giuen to carnall affection and dissolute liuing declaring furthermore his two brethren and two Nephewes to bee bastards and to bee borne in adultery yet not contented after hee had obtained the Garland he caused the two poore innocents his Nephewes committed to him to bee most shamefully murthered the blood of which little babes daily cry to God from the earth for vengeance What surety can be in this Land to any person either for life or goods vnder such a cruell Prince which regardeth not the destruction of his owne blood and much lesse the losse of others But now to conclude what I meane towards your noble person I say affirme if you loue God your linage or your natiue countrey you must your selfe take vpon you the Crowne of this Realme both for the maintenance of the honour of the same as also for the deliuerance of your naturall countreymen from the bondage of such a tyrant And if your selfe will refuse to take vpon you the Crowne of this Realme then I adiure you by the faith you owe vnto God to deuise some wayes how this Realme may bee brought to some conuenient regiment vnder some good Gouernour When the Bishop hap ended his saying the Duke sighed and spake not of a great while so that night they communed no more 26 The next day the Duke sent for the Bishop to whom hee said My Lord of Ely I must needs in heart thinke and with mouth confesse that you bee a sure friend a trustie counsellor and a very louer of your countrey And sith that at our last communication you haue disclosed the secrets of your hart touching the now vsurper of the crown also haue alittle touched the aduancement of the two noble families of Yorke and Lancaster I shall likewise declare vnto you my priuie intents and secret cogitations And to beginne when King Edward was deceased I then began to studie and with deliberation to ponder in what manner this Realme should be gouerned I perswaded with my selfe to take part with the Duke of Gloucester whom I thought to be as cleane without dissimulation as tractable without iniurie and so by my means he was made Protector both of the King and Realm which authoritie being once gotten he neuer ceased priuily to require mee and other Lords aswell spirituall as temporall that he might take vpon him the Crowne till the Prince came to the age of foure and twenty yeres and were able to gouerne the Realme as a sufficient King which thing when hee saw me somewhat sticke at hee then brought in instruments authenticke Doctors Proctors and Notaries of the Law with depositions of diuers witnesses testifying King Edwards children to bee bastards which depositions then I thought to be as true as now I know them to bee fained When the said depositions were before vs read and diligently heard he stood vp bare headed saying Well my Lords euen as I and you would that my Nephewes should haue no wrong so I pray you doe mee nothing but right for these witnesses and sayings of famous Doctors bee true For I am onely the vndubitate heire to Richard Plantagenet Duke of Yorke adiudged to be the very heire to the Crowne of this Realme by authoritie of Parliament Which things so by learned men for veritie to vs declared caused mee and others to take him for our lawfull and vndoubted Prince and Soueraigne Lord. So againe by my ayde hee of a Protector was made a King but when he was once crowned King and in full possession of the Realme hee cast away his old conditions For when I my selfe sued to him for my part of the Earle of Hertfords Lands which his brother Edward wrongfully deteined from me and also required to haue the office of the high Constableship of England as diuers of my noble ancestors before this time haue had and in long discent continued in this my first suite hee did not only first delay mee and afterwards deny me but gaue mee such vnkinde words as though I had neuer furthered him all which I suffered patiently But when I was informed of the death of the two young Innocents O Lord my heart inwardly grudged insomuch as I abhorred the sight of him I took my leaue of the Court and returned to Brecknocke to you but in my iourney as I came I had diuers imaginations how to depriue this vnnaturall vncle First I fantasied that if I list to take vpon me the Crowne now was the way made plaine and occasion giuen For I well saw hee was disdained of the Lords Temporall and accursed of the Lordes Spirituall After diuers cogitations of this matter as I rode betweene Worcester and Bridgenorth I encountred with the Lady Margaret Countesse of Richmund now wife to the Lord Stanley who is the very daughter and sole heire to Iohn Duke of Sommerset my Grandfathers elder brother so that she her sonne Henry Earle of Richmund be both between me and the gate to enter into the Maiestie roiall getting of the Crowne and when wee had a little communed concerning her sonne and were departed I then beganne to dispute with my selfe whether I were best to take it vpon me by the election of the Nobility and Communalty or to take it by power Thus standing in a wauering ambiguity I considered first the office duety and paine of a King which surely I thinke that no mortall man can iustly and truly obserue except he be elected of God as K. Dauid was 27 But further I remembred that if I once took vpon me the Gouernance of the Realme the daughters of King Edward and their Allies being both for his sake much beloued and also for the great iniurie done to them much pittied would neuer cease to barke at
Inuenters of this enterprise shee likewise sent Hugh Conway an Esquire into Britaine with a great summe of money giuing him in charge to declare to the Earle the great loue that the most part of the Nobility of the Realme bare towards him willing him not to neglect so good an occasion offered but with all speed to setle his mind how to return into England and therewithall aduising him to take land in Wales When the Earle had receiued this ioyfull message hee brake to the Duke of Britaine all his secrets aduertising him thathe was entred into a sure stedfast hope to obtaine the Crown of England desiring him of help towards the atchieuing of his enterprise which the Duke promised afterwards performed wherupon the Earle sent back again Hugh Conway Th. Ramney to declare his cōming shortly into Englād 32 In the meane season the chiefe of the conspiracy in England beganne many enterprises which being neuer so priuily handled yet knowledge therof came to King Richard and because hee knew the Duke of Buckingham to be the chiefe head and aide of this combination he thought it most necessarie to plucke him from that part and thereupon addressed his louing letters vnto the Duke requesting him most earnestly to come to the Court whose graue aduise for counsell hee then stood much in need of with many words of kind complements to bee vttered from the mouth of the messenger but the Duke mistrusting those sweet promises proceeded out of a bitter intent and knowing K. Richard to speak most fayrest when he meant foulest play desired the king of pardon excusing himself that he was sickly not wel able to trauel which excuse the king would not admit but sent other letters with checking wordes commanding him without delay to repaire to his presence vnto which the Duke made a determinate answere that hee would not come to his mortall enemy and immediately prepared war against him Whereupon Thomas Marquesse Dorset came out of Sanctuary and gathered a great band of men in the County of Yorke Sir Edward Courtney and Peter his brother Bishoppe of Excester raised another Armie in Deuonshire and Cornwall and in Kent Sir Richard Guilford and other Gentlemen raised a Company and all this was done euen in one moment 33 King Richard rouzed from his pleasures in progresse sent forth commission to muster his men and with a great preparation from London marched towardes Salisbury thinking it not best to disparkle his power into small parts in pursuing his enemies euery way at once and therfore omitting all others with a great puissance went to set vpon the Duke of Buckingham the head of the spring The Duke hearing of the Kings approach made out to meet him before hee came too farre accompanied with a great power of wild Welshmen whom hee had enforced to follow him more by his Lordly commandement then by liberall wages which thing indeed was the cause that they fell off and forsooke him His march was through the forrest of Deane intending for Glocester where hee meant to passe Seuerne and so haue ioined his Army with the Courtneys other Western men which had he done no doubt K. Richard had been in great ieopardie But before hee could attaine the Seuerne side by force of continuall raine the riuer rose so high that it ouerflowed all the country adioyning and was not againe bounded within his owne bankes for the space of ten dayes so that the Duke could not get ouer nor his complices any wise come vnto him during which time the Welshmen lingring idle without wages or victual sodainelie brake vp Campe and departed whereupon the Duke was wonderously perplexed not knowing how to recouer this vnfortunate chance and destitute of power to shew himselfe in field sought to secure himselfe in secret till destiny assigned him a better day 34 A seruant he had in especiall fauour trust brought vp tenderly by him and risen to great wealth and esteeme his name was Humfrey Ba◅ister and place of residence neere vnto Shrewsburie whither the distressed Duke in disguise repaired intending there to remain secret vntil he might either raise a new power or else by some meanes conuay himselfe vnto Britaine to Henry Earle of Richmund but as soone as the others which had attempted the same enterprise against the King had knowledge that Buckingham was forsaken of his Company and could not be found as men strucke in sodaine feare shifted euery one for himselfe many of them taking Sanctuary but the most of the chiefest took into Britaine among whom were Peter Courtney Bishoppe of Excester with his brother Edward Earle of Deuonshire Thomas Marquesse Dorset the Queenes sonne and his young sonne Thomas being a Childe Edward Wooduile Knight brother to the Queene Iohn Lord Wells Sir Robert Willoughby Sir Iohn Bourchier Sir Giles Daubeney Sir Thomas Arundell Sir Iohn Cheinie with his two brethren Sir William Barkley Sir Richard Edgecombe and Sir William Brandon Edward Poinings an excellent Captain and others 35 Richard thus farre proceeded and no enemy seene his hopes were encreased and feares daily lesse yet being a Prince politicke and vigilant he commanded the Ports to be securely kept knowing that Buckingham was not fled with the rest made proclamation for the apprehending of that Duke promising a thousand pound to the man that could bring him forth with pardon of his faults to enioy the Kings fauour and if hee were a bondman presently to bee made free Banister minding the present and forgetting what was past spread his lappe first to receiue this golden shower and in hope of this gaine made no conscience to betray his own Lord who had now laid his life vpon trust in his hands hee therefore repayring to the Shiriffe of Shrewsbury reuealed the Duke who disguised like a poore Countriman and digging in a groue neere vnto Banisters house was apprehended and with a great guard of men was brought vnto Salisbury where King Richard then lay and where without arraignement or iudgement vpon the second of Nouember he lost his head whose death was the lesse lamented for that himselfe had been the chiefe Instrument to set the Crowne wrongfully vpon Richards head and yet the treachery of Banister was most seuerely punished as many haue obserued not onely in the losse of his reward promised which he neuer had and infamy receiued neuer after shaken off but also in himselfe and children as are thus reported his eldest sonne and heire fell mad and dyed so distracted in a Boares Stye his second sonne became deformed in his limmes and fell lame his third sonne was drowned in a small puddle of water his eldest daughter was sodainely strucke with a foule leprosie and himselfe being of extreame age was arraigned and found guilty of murder and by his Clergy saued his life 36 An other Commotion at the same time was in Kent where George Browne
yeeres were yet added to her life but whether in conceit for sorrow or of poison I cannot say she died shortlie after and was solemnely buried in the Abbey of Westminster 43 The King thus deliuered from the bands of Matrimony and now a widower at liberty to choose where he would cast glances of loue towards the Lady Elizabeth his owne brothers daughter and began to court her for his second Queene but the thing was so offensiue to the law of nature and so directly against the Law of God as all men abhorred the motion and most of all the maiden her selfe which Richard perceiuing hee forbare ouer earnest pursuite to gaine his time and all fit occasions but most especially hauing no leasure to woo his subiects on al sides daily reuolting and his Nobles more and more had in suspect among whom one was Lord Thomas Stanley Earle of Darby who had married Lady Margaret Countesse of Richâ—…nd Earle Henries owne mother him therefore hee most mistrusted and before he would admit his departure from Court he commanded him to leaue his sonne and heire George Stanley the Lord Strange for his hostage which he did though it little auailed to binde Darbies affection vnto his side 44 In this while King Richard hearing that Oxford had escaped out of the Castle of Hammes and that he with the Captaine thereof Iames Blunt were fled into France and ioined with Richmund thought it high time to quench the sparkes in those parts before they should rise to a higher flame and therefore hee appointed which was presently accomplished the Garrison at Callis to strait the said Castle with a hard siege being well assured that many welwillers to the Earles proceedings lay there harboured who vpon the least aduantage would be ready to play But Henry not vnmindfull of his distressed friends nor Oxford forgetting his kinde Hostesse Captaine Blunts wife made vnto the Peece and on the sudden put Thomas Brandon with thirty approued Souldiers into the Castle who from the walles plaied vpon the beseigers whiles Oxford annoied them vpon their backes so that presently they offered and came to a composition which was that they within should safely depart but the Castle to remaine in Subiection to the King 45 Hammes thus restored in danger to be lost and nothing had thence besides a woman and a few suspected persons King Richard thought himselfe now sure of all and fearing no inuasion at home imagined that much harme could not bee done abroad for Henry in France as he thought found very few friends and was fully perswaded that the French Kings assistance stood more of words then in deedes And indeed some occasion of such suspition was ministred for King Charles but young and the Princes at variance Earle Henry was enforced to make suite vnto them man by man Besides Thomas Marquesse Dorset sent for by his mother the Queene suddenly in the night made an escape from Paris with purpose for England which stroke great feare among Earle Henries part chiefely for that all their Counsels were knowne vnto the Marquesse which if he should reueale their designes were made desperate To preuent which hee was posted after and brought backe againe though much against his will These things considered King Richard to lessen his great charges discharged his Nauy at seas commanding the Welsh to watch the shoare Beacons to be built and armour to bee ready at euery call then giuing his affections leaue to entertaine more security saw not the sword that hung ouer his head 46 But Earle Henrie deliuered from the feare of the Marquesse thought it not best to prolong time lest others vpon like purposes should bewray his intents and thereupon obtaining a small aide of the French with a certaine summe of money for which the Lord Marquesse whom he much mistrusted and Sir Iohn Bourchier were left in pledge hee set forward to Roâ—…n and prepared his shipping in the mouth of Seyn whither tidings was brought him of Queene Annes death that King Richard purposed to marry Lady Elizabeth a feare indeed farre exceeding the former shee being the Princesse by whom hee must claime whereupon much distemperature arose euery mans braine working vpon the newes But after much consultation it was held the best to make ouer into England to interpose the proceedings ere the match was fully made whereupon Earle Richmund with two thousand men onely and a small number of ships set sayle from Harflent the fifteenth of August and the seuenth day following arriued at Milford hauen in Wales where taking land hee came vnto Dale and thence the next day marched to Hereford west ten miles into the Maine from thence he marched to Cardigan where he had newes that the Countrey was forelaid against him but finding that vntrue he made still forward beating downe such Houlds as held against him then sending secretly to Lady Margaret his mother to the Lord Stanley Talbot and others signified vnto them he meant to passe Seuerne at Shrewesbury and thence to march directly towards London In his way to Shrewesbury there mette him Sir Rice ap Thomas a man of great command in Wales with a number of men to side in his quarrell which Henry afterwards requited in making this his first aider the Gouernour of Wales 47 The Earle more boldly from Shrewsburie held on his march to the Towne of Newport whither Sir Gilbert Talbot with two thousand strong from the young Earle of Shrewsbury gaue him his aide Then passed he forward to Stafford and had conference there with Sir William Stanley and proceeding forward was honourably receiued into the City Lichfield where Thomas Earle of Darby with fiue thousand armed men had beene some few daies before but hearing of Earle Henries approach remoued to Anderson to auoide suspition of the jealous King that kept his sonne Hostage for his further truth 48 King Richard at this time helde his Court at Notingham where being informed that Earle Henrie with a small company was landed in Wales made small account of what he could doe altogether relying vpon the Lord Walter Herbert and Sir Rice ap Thomas two principall men in whom hee conceiued no little trust yet lest this new risen spring might gather in more heads he sent to Iohn Duke of Norfolk Henry Earle of Northumberland and Thomas Earle of Surrey willing them with a selected power to represse the insolency of this head-strong Earle moreouer he sent for Sir Robert Brakenburie Lieutenant of the Tower Sir Thomas Bourchier and Sir Walter Hungerford Knights all of them in great iealousie and mistrust commanding them with their forces to come and attend vpon his person which accordingly they set forward to doe meane while sending his Spials to know the way Henrie went had intelligence that hee was past Shrewsbury without any impeachment whereat storming in choller and cursing their vntruthes whom hee had
put in trust craued vengeance from heauen and instantly intended to reuenge it himselfe then hauing notice the Earle was at Lichfield and his partie increased by daily repaire incontinently hee marshalled his followers and like a valiant Captaine and politike leader set forward his Battailes fiue and fiue in a rancke In the middest of his troopes he bestowed the Carriages belonging to his Army and himselfe mounted vpon a white Courser inuironed with his Guard followed by his footmen and the wings of Horsemen ranged on euery side with a frowning sterne countenance but yet in great Pompee ntred the towne of Leicester after the Sun was set being full of indignation and swelling in anger which somewhat he asswaged with threats of reuenge 49 Earle Richmund from Lichfield departed for Tamworth and in the way met Sir Thomas Bourchier and Sir Walter Hungerford going towards the King who vpon this vnlooked for occasion and knowing themselues in what suspition they stood secretly left the company of their Captaine Brakenbury the night following and wandring in waies vnknowne with much adoe gotte safely vnto the Earles Companies 50 In the like danger through darkenesse of night Henry himselfe chanced to come for albeit he was a man both valiant and forwad and by his owne wisdome could manage his weightiest affaires Yet now hauing notice that King Richard with a strong army was neere and that his father in law the Lord Stanley stood as a Neuter he was strucke deepe in his dumps and with twenty light Horse-men lingering behind so seriously musing what was to bee done as lastly he lost the sight of his Host and by the darkenesse of night missed his way neither durst he for the Kings Scout-watch demand direction to Tamworth but lay in a small village about three miles distant to his no little griefe and his whole Armies great amasement the one prognosticating it to be a presage of an ill beginning and the other doubting some detriment of their Lord but in the dawning of the next morning cōducted by good fortune he came to his Host excusing that his absence was to haue conference with his secret friends and then priuily departing to the Lord Stanley had conference with him and was put in good comfort 51 But contrariwise King Richard was wrapped and perplexed with feare not onely with the departure of Sir Iohn Sauage Sir Brian Sanford and Sir Simond Digby in whom he had reposed great trust but also in the dreadfull dreames which nightly he suffered wherein to his seeming terrible diuels so pulled and haled him as by nomeanes he could take any rest which fearefull imaginations strucke so deep an impression vnto his heart that the signes thereof appeared in his countenance howsoeuer hee sought to put them off in shew 52 But being determined to put himselfe to the triall of battell or else and that rather enforced by diuine Iustice to pull the reuenging hand of heauen against him in the morning he marched toward the enemy and vpon a faire plaine called Redmore neere vnto Bosworth about seuen miles west from Leicester he pitched downe his Tents and thence sent a Purseuant to the Lord Stanley commanding him to aduance ◅orward with his companie and to come to his presence which if hee refused to doe he sware by Christs passion his sonnes head should off before that he dined The Lord Stanley answered the Purseuant that if the King did so he had more sonnes aliue but to come to the King hee was not at that time determined This answere declared King Richard commanded the Lord Strange incontinent to be beheaded at the very season when the two Armies came in sight each of others but his counsellors tolde him that the time was now to fight and not to execute which might better bee done when the field was fought whereupon the Lord Strange was deliuered prisoner to the keepers of the Kings Tents and the Kings holy vow thus broke the Lord Strange escaped with life by this bad tyrants too good a death 53 But now the time and houre of Battel being come he drew out his Army vpon the plaine whose order for fight he thus placed the foreward he ordered of a maruellous length to strike the more terror in the Beholders hearts in whose forefront he placed his Archers as a Bulwarke to defend the rest the leading whereof was committed to Iohn Duke of Norfolke with whom was Thomas Earle of Surrey his sonne his owne Battaillion was furnished with his best approued men of warre hauing Horsmen for wings on both sides of his battel and being thus ordered for their further incouragement King Richard mounted in place to bee heard thus said to his Souldiers 54 My faithfull followers friends and selected Chiefetaines I confesse by your puissant valours I first aspired to the top of this royal estate in obtaining wearing this Diademe of Imperiall Maiesty and maugre the seditious attempts of all cankered aduersaries by your prudent politike counsels I haue so gouerned the Realm People and Subiects as I haue omitted nothing I hope appertaining to the office of a iust Prince nor you pretermitted any thing belonging to the parts duties of most prudent Counsellors And albeit that in the getting of the Garlād I was prouoked by sinister Counsell and seduced by a diabolical temptation to cōmit a most wicked detestable Act yet with salt teares and straite pennance I haue I trust expiated that hainous offence which abominable crime I desire you as clearely to forget as I daily remember to deplore and lament If you will now vouchsafe to call to minde in what case we al stand and in what doubtfull perill wee are intrapped I doubt not but that you will with me confesse that if euer amity preuailed betwixt the raised and the raisers betwixt the Prince and his Subiects this day requires as much in vs both For if wise men say true that there is not so much power in getting as there is pollicy in keeping the one meere fortunes chance the other wisdoms deepe insight then I with you and you with mee this day must needs take labour and paines to keepe that preheminence possession by force which by your prudent labour I haue obtained The diuel you know a continuall enemy to humane society a disturber of Concord and a sower of sedition hath entred into the heart of an vnknowne Welshman whose father I neuer knew nor him euer personally saw exciting him to aspire and couet our Realme and Crowne to the disheriting of vs and of our posterity you see further how a company of Traitors Theeues Out-lawes and runnagtes of our owne Nation besides a number of beggerly Britaines and faint hearted Frenchmen are ayder◅ and partakers of this his wicked enterprize ready at hand to oppresse and spoile vs our lands our wiues and children which eminent mischiefes if we then will withstand and resist wee must
finally in establishing by a solemne Act the Crowne vpon him and his heires for euer 10 After dissolution of which Parliament the King redeemes such pledges as he had left in France for money borrowed and assumes into his Councel those two renowned agents in aduancing his fortunes Iohn Morton and Richard Foxe as the most necessarie parts and supports of his State the former of which not long after Thomas Bourchier dying was elected and enthronized Archbishop of Canterbury the latter was foorthwith aduanced to be Lord Keeper of his Priuy Seale successiuely preferred to the Bishoprickes of Exeter Bath and Welles Durham and Winchester 11 The most wished and most welcome day of marriage betweene King Henry and the Princesse Elizabeth being now come was celebrated by them with all religious and glorious magnificence and by the people with fires of ioy dancings songs and bankets through London all sorts and sexes beseeching Almightie God to send the King and Queene most prosperous successe and an infinite encrease of the common ioy by bestowing vpon them a young Prince and other Issue at his good pleasure Which prayers saith Andreas our Lord Iesus Christ vouchsafed to heare the Queene within a while after prouing with Child of whom shee was happily deliuered in the moneth of September following at Winchester which to the most fortunate King was a new happinesse to the Queene a great reioycement to the Church a soueraigne delight to the Court an exceeding pleasure and in briefe to the whole kingdome an incredible contentment Nor that without reason as it afterward appeared for if God had beene pleased to haue granted longer life not England onely but the whole world should in such a pledge haue had cause of eternall reioycement But God who gouernes all thinges and in whose hand are aswell the Scepters of Princes as dates of their liues disposed otherwise 12 Meanewhile there were not a few who did enuie to King Henry this vnexpected height of felicitie but they who first discouered themselues were certaine remaines of the late ouerthrow at Bosworth whose diffidence or euill will was greater then to relie vpon King Henries clemencie oâ—… to behold the dazeling brightnes of his new atchieued glorie and for that cause refused to forsake the Sanctuarie which they had taken at Colchester These were the Lord Louell Sir Humfrey Stafford and Thomas Stafford his brother Who while the King secure of dangers behind him was in his Progresse at Yorke meaning by affability bountie and other his wisest courses to gaine the good wils of the Northern people with whom the memory of King Richard was very deare and so to weaken the strengths and hopes of all future conspiracies forsooke their refuge and secretly in seuerall places gathered forces therewith to surprize and dethrone the King The Lord Louell raised his forces with such speed that the King who at Lincolne first heard of his escape and lightly regarded the same was no sooner setled in Yorke but certaine intelligence came that he approched fast with an Armie and withall that the Staffords had assembled forces in Worcestershire meaning to assault the City of * Worcester The extremity of the King who neuer dreamt of such a darling was not small for neither had he any sufficient numbers about him of his sure friends nor could iustly repose confidence in the Northern men whose loue to King Richard their late slaine Lord made them still suspected But danger quickeneth noble courages and therefore vpon due recollection of himselfe hee armes about three thousand men if tanned leather whereof the most of their breast-pieces for want of other stuffe were framed may be called armour and sends them vnder the leading of Iasper Duke of Bedford with commission to pardon or to fight The Duke offering pardon the Lord Louell fled by night to Sir Thomas Broughton into Lancashire where hee lurked certaine monthes the headlesse multitude yeeld without stroake and the felicity of King Henry preuailes in euery place for the Staffords hearing what had hapned to their Confederates disperse their Cloude of rebels and speedily take refuge at Colnham a village about two miles from Abingdon in Oxfordshire But the priuiledges of that place * being iuridically scand in the Kings Bench they were found vnable to afford protection to open traitors whereupon they were forceably taken thence and conueighed to the Tower of London from whence Sir Humfrey Stafford was drawne and executed at Tiburne but his brother Thomas by the Kings mercy had his pardon These short dangers and troubles by reason of their suddainty did worthily make the King wakefull euen ouer smaller accidents this blaze being kindled from so neglected sparkles But there followed deuises which in their owne nature were so strangely impudent and in their vent so strongly Bolstered that if Louels enterprise made him suspitious these other might iustly fill him with innumerable iealousies 13 The records are immortall which testifie that the erection of Idols and Counterfeits to dethrone them who are in possession is a verie olde Stratagem What troubles a Pseudo-Nero wrought by support of the Parthians who wonderfully fauoured Nero liuing the Romane writers teach vs. Neither hath the Diuell Father of Impostures any so solemne practise as Personation and Resemblances of true whether men or things Insomuch that some Diuines haue thought that as he can and often doth trans-shape himselfe into the forme of a Celestiall Angell so that he also deceiued our first mother vnder that resplendent but assumed habit And what mischiefs he wrought in this very kind of thrusting out into the world false pretenders the speech of wise Gamaliel testifieth who rehearseth the names of Theudas and Iudas Galilaus but the world hath since had more woefull experience hereof in that execrable Impostor Mahomet pretending to bee the Messiah In England it selfe before the time of this Henry what strange practises and conspiracies were set on foote vnder the title of a Pseudo-Richard in the raigne of Henry the fourth the former Histories haue sufficiently opened so that this Prince encountred nothing new in the Generall howsoeuer pestilent and extraordinarie in the particular Indeed his raigne more perhaps then any other of his predecessors afforded plentifull matter for such deuises to worke vpon there being many then who hauing beene conceaned as it were in the bowels of Sedition and nourished with the bitter and pernicious milke of dissention were not onely apt to embrace but also where they were not offered euen there to beget occasions of confounding all Men who could neither endure warre nor peace long nor any lowes in either as desirous to enioy the licentious violences of ciuill warre a misery which all wordes how wide soeuer want compasse to expresse The strange attempts of which kind of men or rather Monsters wee shall see exemplified in the subsequent tragedies Richard Simon an ambitious and
it were obliged to them both could acknowledge no lesse Charles more ambititiously then iustly desired exceedingly to annex Britaine to the Crowne of France taking occasion of the time and other circumstances which all seemed to conspire with his affections The Duke old and the father of one onely daughter suruiuing till marriage Maximilian King of Romans and riuall of King Charles in the same desires aswell for the Dutchy as the daughter feeble in meanes and King Henry aswell obnoxious to the French for benefits as busied in his particular at home and the Duke of Britane by succouring Lewis Duke of Orleance and other French Lords whom King Charles reputed his aduersaries ministred to the French an occasion or colour at least of warring vpon Britaine and so by the apt concurrence of circumstances to annexe it by conquest if by treaty hee could not Henrie of England now knowne to bee victoriously setled seemes worth the Courting Ambassadors come from the French who lay open the wrong offered by the Britaines in succouring the enemies of France put Henrie in minde of passed benefits and pray his assistance or at the least a neutrality but altogether concealing the mystery of this warre which was to annexe Britaine to the Crowne of France Howsoeuer Henry though he well enough knew that a King must euer bee the best part of his Councell for what are others opinions if himselfe want the happinesse or iudgement to choose the best propounds the points to his priuy Councell whereupon he Christianly offers himselfe a Mediatour betweene the French and Britaine an office in which it was apparant he might best satisfie all obligations and duties both to God and them The French pretend liking but in the meane time follow their designe hard Henry sends his Chaplen Master Christopher Vrswicke a man * whom he very often imploied The French maske on Things come to some extremities It becomes manifest that King Charles abused the King of Englands credulity for the City of Nant's in Britaine was brought by siedge to point of yeelding while messengers and packets outwardly osled with the name of peace slide to and fro and the French doubt nothing so much as lest the English should stirre before their victorie had made Britain irrecouerable The Lord Wooduile as without the Kings will or priuity slips ouer into Britaine with three or foure hūdred choise men to assist the Duke and came time enough to bee slaine with almost all his Souldiers at the battel of Saint Albin where the French wanne the day notwithstanding that the Britains the rather to appall their enemies had apparelled seuenteene hundred of their owne Souldiers in white Coates with redde Crosses after the English manner and made thereby a shew of two Regiments of English The Britaines had a great losse in that battel wherein they were made fewer by sixe thousand The Duke of Orleance and Prince of Orange who then were British in faction were taken Prisoners in the same fight The French lost about twelue hundreth and their Generall an Italian So that the state of Britaine seemed ripe for a fall 25 But King Henry hauing long since suspected and foreseene what the vttermost marke of the French might be and seeming to haue enough suffered the interest which they might expect in him as a man to be abused by their practises to the preiudice of his other friend the Duke of Britaine who forgate not to sollicit and vrge that point had made the quality of this affaire known to the body of State in open Parliament for that purpose assembleb as meaning by authority thereof to purge himselfe from all imputation if as a King he did that which the reason of Gouernment required which would not assent that Britaine should be made French lest by that accession their Neighbourhood might grow intollerable Britaine hauing so many Sea-townes and Out-lets to mischiefe the English trafficke Himselfe was otherwise also sufficiently resolued that the general good ought to predominate the particular and that his priuate obligations ought not to entangle or preiudice the publike seruice The Parliament therefore considering that which stood for the Common-weale decrees aide of men and money on behalfe of the Duke of Britaine it being besides all other respects a perillous example to suffer the great to deuoure the lesser Neighbour States vpon pretences of iustice or reuenge Forces are leuied but for respect of King Charles and in hope that the shew of preparations would stoope him to equall conditions not yet so roundlie as the Britons necessities expected Meane while that no formality or Princely Ceremony should be vnaccomplished King Henry by his Ambassadours certifies King Charles of his Parliaments decree praies him to desist from farther Hostilitie otherwise that he must assist the Duke but yet for the French Kings sake with this reseruation of pursuing his subiects no where but in Britaine Charles made small account of these ouertures because hee truly perswaded himselfe that the English aides would not arriue in season which fell out accordingly for before that time the French had gotten that victorie whereof euen now wee spake at the Battell of Saint Albin Vpon newes whereof the English Regiments were immediatly sent ouer vnder Robert Lord Broke Generall Sir Iohn Cheiney Sir Iohn Midleton Sir Ralfe Hilton Sir Richard Corbet Sir Thomas Leighton Sir Richard Lacon and Sir Edmund Cornewall Knights and Coronels The whole Army contained eight thousand men These march toward the enemy who acquainted with the temper of the English whiles they are fresh as being then almost inuincible containe themselues within their Campe but yet molest the English with continuall skirmishes on horsebacke in seueral places at once smally to the profit of the French who were alwaies put to the worse the Archers receiued them with such perpetuall stormes In the meane space Francis Duke of Britaine dies leauing in effect one only daughter the Lady Anne for the other being the younger deceased not long after This altered the whole state of the case The British Nobility vnder their young Mistresse immediatly fall at variance among themselues and the English thereby were on euery hand in danger so that God as it appeared by the sequele had destined Britain◅ to bee annexed to the Crowne of France for the English after fiue moneths stay were in wisdome compelled to returne the rather for that Winter now was come vpon them and Britaine destitute of competent defence her Rulers disagreeing among themselues was finally by the marriage of King Charles with the Lady Anne made a parcell of the French Monarchy as heereafter will appeare 26 King Henry the while was againe in danger to haue had present vse of Souldiers at home Wee shewed what care was heeretofore taken by him to weede the North and free it from lurking enemies That notwithstanding when the Earle of Northumberland Lieutenant of
the North signified at an assemblie according as the truth was that the King though the Northern people had besought it would not remitte one penny of such Subsidy as was granted in Parliament for supportation of the warres in Britaine left the Acts of State should bee reuersed at the rude peoples pleasure but that on the contrary Commission and warrant was sent downe for him to see the same leuied by distresse or otherwise the desperate multitude falsely supposing that the Earle was the occasion of such an answere did suddenly set vpon him at the incitement of one Iohn à Chamber and furiously murdered him with certaine of his seruants in a place called Cocklegge by Thrusk eighteene miles from Yorke They to carry their wicked attempt through make head vnder Sir Iohn Egremond a discontented Knight of those parts openly declaring where they came that their meaning was to fight with the King in defence of their liberties as if the causelesse killing of a most noble Lord had beene one of them Thomas Howard Earle of Surrey sent from Court with some forces to represse their increase skirmisheth with a route of these Rebels beats them away and takes Iohn a Chamber prisoner The whole swarme flockes to Yorke where they roosted about three or foure daies when hearing of the Kings approach who was euer one of the first in the necke of such occasions they scattered themselues but the ring-leaders were hanged and quartered and Iohn a Chamber with some others were executed at Yorke after an extraordinarie manner Sir Iohn Egremond escaping fled to the common Center of all King Henries dangers and enmities Margaret Dutchesse of Burgundy so that though the colour of rising was about money yet Egremond at lest had reference it seemes to the generall perturbation of the Kingdome vpon the old ground of quarrell hatred of the Lancastrian Familie and this to bee but a sparke or flash of that great and troubleous fire which afterward brake foorth and blased so prodigiously The Earle of Surrey is left by the King hauing seuerely punished the murtherers Lieutenant of the North and Sir Robert Tonstall Knight as chiefe Commissioner for leuying the taxe or subsidie 27 The vnworthy death of the Earle of Nerthumberland was seconded by a more vnworthy of Iames the third King of Scotland so as King Henrie lost at home a most honourable stay of his Northerne affaires and a sure Ally abroade This vnfortunate Prince hauing by some irregularity of life and partialities and errors of gouernment amplified perhaps by the constructions and reports of his malignant Subiects incurred extreme hatred with many of the Nobility and people laboured with King Henry as also with the Pope and King of France to make an accord betweene him and his Mutinadoes for that they had compelled Prince Iames his sonne to be the titular and vnnaturall Head of those armes which traiterously as pretending to haue a right on behalfe of the Common-weale to depose an euill King they assumed against him The Kings accordingly interposed their mediations by earnest Ambassadors but could obtaine no other then this outragious answer That there was no talking of peace vnlesse he would resigne his Crowne King Henry and King Charles vehemently protested against these their whole proceedings declaring by their Ambassador that they thought the same to be as a common iniury done vnto themselues the example to be very wicked and pernicious and not sufferable by Princes that Subiects should be permitted to put hands vnto their Soueraigne Hereupon it came to a Battell at Banocksborn by Striuelin whereat K. Iames rashly fighting before his whole numbers were come was notwithstanding the contrarie commandement of the Prince his sonne slaine in the Mill of that Field whither he fled after the battel ended By reason of this infortunate precipitation of the Scotish King Hadrian de Castello an Italian Legate whom Pope Innocentius the eight had sent to take vp the cruell quarrell came too late for he arriued not in England till the battell at Banocksborne was passed but not too late to receiue honour at the hands of King Henry who respecting his wisdome and excellent learning vpon the speciall commendations first of Iohn Morton Archbishop of Canterburie but afterward vpon his owne experience of the man in sundry emploiments to the Roman Sea bestowed vpon him the Bishoprike of Hereford and after resignation thereof the Bishopricke of Bath and Welles who was also at the length created Cardinall by Pope Alexander the sixth But who is hee among many thousands saith Polyd. that vseth not to admire these outward honours which may alike be giuen to the vnworthy aswell as to the wel-deseruing and may alike be taken away from either But the praise of this Hadrian is of another farre more noble kinde and eternall for he was the man who first reuiued the glory of the ancient Latine eloquence and of all other sorts of abstruse and exquisit learnings as in which himselfe excelled Thus doth Polydor himselfe an Italian celebrate the learning of his Country-man of whose other qualities yet others write more harshly as that out of meere ambition to be Pope without any other grudge hee conspired with Alphonso Petruccio and other sacred Cardinals to murther Pope Leo the tenth induced thereto by suggestion of a Witch who foretold him that one Hadrian an old man of meane parentage of great Learning and wisdome should succeed in the Papacy The man thought it must needs be himselfe as being though of very base Parentage yet of some noble qualities but another Hadrian the sonne of a Dutch Brewer and instructer of Charles the fifth the Emperour prooued to be the man and this our Hadrian lost by depriuation all his promotions whatsoeuer for his nesarious attempt Into quch extreeme folly is learning and wisdome metamorphosed where it is tainted with Ambition or wants a Religious discretion to manage it aright 28 And albeit the King himselfe could verie gladly haue spent his time in the studies of peace as those which were farre more apt for the seruice of God and for attaining of knowledge then in martiall tumults yet the quality of his supereminent place enuied vnto him that felicitie for he was necessarily drawne into a warre with France vpon lesse occasions Anne the young Dutchesse of Britaine by their aduise who affected to preserue the liberty of that Dukedome which by vnion with France would be absorpt extinguished had so farre entangled and engaged her selfe with the Procurators of Maximilian King of Romans that shee was not only publikely cōtracted but cōtented for vttermost performāce of those rites whereof marriage by proxie was honorably capable to take vpon her the Bride and being solemnly bedded to permit Maximilians Deputie in the presence of sundry Noble witnesses aswell men as women to put in his legge stript naked to the knee betweene
the which the late honours of her house conspicuous in three Princes which altogether made not twenty and fiue yeeres of raigne did so perpetually houer as her soule could neuer take contentment but in the hope that the house of Yorke should againe be the dwelling place of Maiesty 33 Her offence against Henry wanted not many seeming reasons but none so great as that hee had slaine her own brother King Richard who albeit he was there reputed murtherer of her Nephewes yet were they a degree more remoued from her and so lesse deere in likelihood then a brother and howsoeuer shee might secretly detest or belieue the commitmēt of that parricide yet could she neuer brooke seeing they were gone that the reward of her brothers death and that euen to him who slew him should bee the Crowne of England whereby not onely her brother but the whole male-line of her family was for euer to bee excluded much lesse could shee a Plantagenet abide that Henry who brought to the Crowne the surname of a newly raised Familie These and other considerations in the breast of a Lady bred vp in a dominating Family her selfe a Dowager in such a fortune as in which shee was Paramount for the time and absolute without controlment being carelesse withall of sauing for posterity because shee was without a child and in that regard the more abundantly stored with treasure all which made her spirits ouer-boile with impatience and virulency so farre forth that hauing infused al her principles into Peter her creature vnder the Title of Richard Plantagenet second son of King Edward the fourth she most couertly sends him into Portugall from thence to take his Icarean flight as elsewhere is related Neuerthelesse there will not perhaps want some who in defence of the Dutchesse had rather referre it to Magnanimity and Noblenesse of Spirit in seeking the honour of her house which if it might passe for such among the heathen yet can it not among Christians much the lesse for that her duty to England the royall flourishing estate of her own Neece the right heire exacted at her hands a greater tendernesse 34 That Peter Warbecke should bee inflamed by her fauours and encouragements to dare in earnest the personation of a Kings sonne seemes not a thing to bee admired for there is in humane nature which ties not her self to Pedigrees nor Parentages a kind of light matter which will easily kindle being toucht with the blazing hopes of ambitious propositions He therefore vpon the first disclose of himselfe did put on so excellent a seeming as might iustly moue King Henry to bee iealous whereunto the pernitious practise might come at last for there wanted nothing in the whole forme of the young vpstart but onely the conscience of a truth and truth it selfe which makes me call to mind what one hath written of a goodly white Saphyr in Venice made by art so neerely to resemble a true Diamond that with much difficulty and but by one onely lapidary it was discouered which if it had beene graced with some great Princes wearing what could want to haue made it passable for a very Diamond of greatest value Perkin came such from out of the Burgundian forge and if his parentage bee respected assumed the image and resemblance of a king being otherwise not so much as a meane Gentleman Neither can it be maruelled at if such a Phantasme as this did abuse and trouble the common people of that time for euen to such as do write thereof it begets a kind of doubt which without some little collection of their spirits doth not easily vanish it seeming almost incredible that such a bloudy play should meerly be disguised and fained the discouery therefore was worthy such a wit as King Henries and the push it gaue to his soueraignty did throughly try his sitting being of force enough to haue cast an ordinarie rider out of sadle 35 Therfore it was the Dutchesses misfortune that her inuentions if they were hers had to encounter so politicke and constant a man as King Henry whose prudence searcht into the abstrusest secrets and whose diligence ouercame all difficulties Yet the Lady Margarets course to vent her Creature at the first was exquisite for she as in a Magicke practise hauing kept him secret till shee saw her time causeth him to bee closely conuayed into Portugall from whence attended with fitte associates and Priuadoes hee sailes into Ireland the Foster-place and nursery of immortall good will to the house of Yorke where notwithstanding their late calamities he so strongly enchanted that rude people with the charmes of false hopes and mists of seemings as he was sure of partakers in great plenty Charles the eight King of France hearing and perhaps beleeuing that the Duke of Yorke was aliue and glad to haue so probable an occasion of doing mischiefe to Henry of England in regard of these flagrāt enmities which as then remained vnquencht betweene them inuites Duke Richard most officiously to Paris and besides all other honours assigned him at his comming a guard for his person whereof the Lord Congreshall was Captaine Afterward there repaired to this new Duke Sir George Neuill Knight a bastard of the noble house of the Neuils Sir Iohn Taylor Rowland Robinson and about an hundreth English to whom as a principal wee may adde Stephen Frion French Secretary to King Henry himselfe all which together with the whole Strategeme was smoakt out of France with the first graine of incense sacrificed vpon the Altars of Peace at Boloign after the same was once made and ratified as you haue heard between the French and vs. The Dutchesse then seeing her artificiall creature thus turned againe vpon her hands pretends an extreame ignorance that euer shee had seene him before that present and an excessiue ioy for his miraculous escape and preseruation which seemed such to her as shee pretended as if hee had beene reuiued from death to life and that the fable might want no quickning which her personall countenancing or her Court could afford shee openly salutes him by the delicate Title of the White Rose of England and questions him of the manner of his escape with such like to beget a firme beliefe in the hearers that she neuer had seene him before that time and that he was indeed her Nephew Richard Duke of Yorke The Nobility of Flanders accordingly doe vnto him all honour and shee enuirons his person with a guard of thirty men in murrey and blew Neither was hee in any point wanting to his part but fitted such likely answeres to all questions and such princely behauiours to all occasions as made fame bold to publish him with the fullest blast of her Trumpet for no other then a true Richard Plantagenet and as it is so obserued of some that by long vsing to report an vntruth at last forgetting themselues to bee the Authors thereof beleeue it
in earnest so these honors making our Peter to bury in vtter obliuion his birthes obscurity he seemed to bee perswaded that hee was indeed the selfe partie whom hee did so exactly personate Nouelty and impudency were scarce euer knowne to haue found more applause or beliefe euen among many verie wise and otherwise worthy men who moued in conscience and not onely vpon discontent inclined to partake with this new Plantagenet as the onely right heire of the English Diadem as if whether he had beene the true one it was past dispute This intoxication abusion of the world was wonderfully encreased by the secret reuolt of Sir Robert Clifford Knight whom as one that had seene and knowne the true Richard the cunning conspirators in England had sent ouer to informe himselfe and them whether he was indeed as hee seemed Sir Robert whose presence and errand were to the Dutchesse most welcome being brought to his sight did forthwith giue credite and constantly signifie that this was indeed Richard Plantagenet the true Duke of Yorke and that he well knew him for such Money and encouragements were hereupon sent out of England from such as fauoured him among whom was Sir William Stanley Lord Chamberlain to King Henry by whose punctual reuolt from K. Richard he had principally atchieued the Crowne of England Iohn Ratcliffe L. Fitzwalter Sir Simon Montfort Sir Thomas Thwates Knights and others but the maine countenance of the cause in forraine parts was Sir Robert Clifford a knight of an honourable fame and family which moued the secret friends of the new Duke to set the rumor so cunningly on foot among the English that sooner might a cloud which causeth thunder bee caught or knowne then the Author thereof and multitudes beeing weakened therewith store of humor dangerously prepared to mutation did euery where discouer it selfe 36 For preuention therfore of all those effects which might issue out of these causes being in their proper nature most generatiue of sedition and of all sorts of ciuill furies King Henrie diligently causeth the coasts of England to be well and strongly watcht aswell to empeach the landing of enemies as the escape of fugitiues but aboue all he writes letters to his best friends in forraine parts also emploies nimble wits with seueral instructions some to assaile the constancy of Sir Robert Clifford the maine stay and credite of Perkins cause with promise of immunity and fauour if hee would returne into England in quiet others to find out the truth of Perkins quality being furnished with treasure to draw and requite intelsigences and all of them as occasion should serue to pretend themselues vehement fauorers of the new Duke These necessary hypocrites and double faced Ambidexters called Spies whose seruices howsoeuer conducible to such as sets thē on worke yet their perfidious quality cōmonly partakes with that of Iudas Iscariot and often meetes with like reward doe plie their charge so roundly that Sir Robert Clifford is secretly drawne off the new Duke is discouered aswell by them as by sundry letters from friends abroad to bee but Perkin Warbecke and many other mysteries are reuealed This gaue to the wise King great satisfaction who to weaken the enemies practise the more not onely diuulgeth the fraud but sends ouer sea Sir William Poinings Knight and Sir William Warham his Ambassadors to the Arch-Duke Philip Duke of Burgundy then gouerned by others by reason of his tender age who promised not to assist the said Perkin but if the Dutchesse Dowager would doe any such thing to the preiudice of King Henry it was not in him to hinder her for that she might dispose of her owne A maine argument vsed by these Ambassadors before the Archdukes Counsell to conuince that Richard the very Duke of Yorke was murdered as well as King Edward his brother German as Polydor who seemes to haue had good means to vnderstand these times rehearseth it was That their vncle Richard should in vaine haue made away the elder brother if the younger had beene suffered to suruiue for that the right of the elder was immediately vpon his death in the younger and that consequently during his life King Richard could haue no more assurance then if the elder were still aliue which Argument notwithstanding doth at most proue nothing but this That their vncle the Vsurper might intend that both his Nephewes should bee murdered and that hee knew nothing perhaps to the contrary Whereas facts are to bee proued by confessions of parties by witnesses or vehement presumptions though vehement presumptions are said to constitute but an half proof al which are otherwhere so supplied as leaus smal cause to doubt of both their deathes But Warham a learned Priest and Doctor in the lawes the mouth of that Ambassage sent to the Arch-Duke in the end of his oration vsed this bitter scoffe and Sarcasme against the Lady Margaret That shee in her old age brought forth two Monsters within the space of a few yeeres and both of them not in the eight or ninth moneth after their conception as naturall mothers but in the one hundred and eightieth moneth and whereas other women brought forth Infants vtterly vnable to helpe themselues these birthes of hers were tall striplings and as soone as they were borne offered battell vnto mighty Kings And albeit the Arch-Dukes answere seemed reasonable yet was not King Henry so satisfied but that within a while after for that the Arch-Duke had secretly furnisht Perkin with leaders hee tooke occasion to banish all Flemings and Flemish wares out of his Dominions and inhibited his Subiects to trade in any Countries within the obedience of Maximilian King of Romans or of the Archduke Philip his sonne who by way of talio and requitall did the like against the English 37 Let vs come now from the addresses of things to their doing The high prudence and industry of Henry hauing thus discouered the foundations of Perkins hopes in England and the humors which were most vnsound made it his first worke to raze those groundworks and purge the veines of his Realme from that corruption by needfull Phlebotomie The Lord Fitzwalter a principall conspirator being condemned and sent to Caleis liued there in hope of pardon but for practising with his Keepers to escape hee finally payed his head for satisfaction Sir Simon Montfort Robert Ratcliffe and William Dawbeney Gentlemen of noble houses as Captaines and Authors of the conspiracy were beheaded but all the rest aswel Clerkes as Lay-men had their pardons Not long after these executions and pardons the King vpon sure intelligence that Sir Robert Clifford in whose bosome the secret of all Perkins plot lay was arriued entred the Tower of London and there continued that so if Clifford should accuse any of the great and whom hee then would accuse it is probable King Henry knew they might without suspition or tumult bee
Church though vnsufficient for so great a worke doe powre forth the cogitations of our heart that the Catholike faith without which no man can attaine to saluation may receiue continuall increase and that those good lawes and constitutions decreed by the wisdome and learning of such as are in authority especially the faithfull in Christ for restraining the attempts of all that labour to oppresse the same or by wicked lyes fictions seeke to peruert and obscure it may prosper with perpetuall increase doe bestow our paines and vtmost endeuour in our office and Ministery And like as the Romane Bishops our Predecessors were wont to shew especiall fauour to Catholike Princes according as the quality of matters and timesrequired especially to them that in troublesome times when the madnesse and perfidious dealing of Schismatikes and heretikes most of all abound did abide constant and vnmoueable not onely in soundnesse of faith and pure denotion to the holy Romane Church but also as the most legitimate sonnes and valiant Champions of the same opposed themselues both with mind and body against the furious madnes of Schismatikes and heretikes so likewise also doe wee desire to extoll your Maiesty with worthy and immortall praises for your high and immortall deserts and labours towards vs and this holy See wherein by Gods permission wee sit to grant vnto it those things for which it ought to watch and driue away the Wolues from the Lords flocke and to cut off with the materiall sword rotten members which infect the mysticall body of Christ and to confirme the hearts of the faithfull in soundnesse of beliefe Now where of late our beloued sonne Iohn Clarke your Maiesties Orator with vs being in our Consistory before our venerable brethren of the holy Romane Church the Cardinals and many other Prelates of the same exhibited a booke vnto vs to bee examined and allowed of vs which booke your Maiesties selfe who doth all things with diligence and nothing amisse enflamed with charity and zeale to the Catholike faith and with ardent deuotion toward vs and this holy See hath composed as a most worthy and soueraigne Antidote against the errors of diuers heretikes often condemned by this holy See and of late stirred vp and brought in by Martin Luther And your said Orator hath also largely declared vnto vs that your Maiesty is ready and purposeth like as you haue confuted the notorious errors of the said Martin by true reason and inuincible authorities of sacred Scripture and Ancient fathers so you will punish to the vttermost of your power all those of your whole Kingdome that shall presume to follow or defend them and we haue diligently and exactly perused and viewed the admirable doctrine of your said booke watered with the dew of heauenly Grace and doe heartily thanke Almighty God from whom euery good and perfect gift doth come who hath vouchsafed to inspire your Noble mind inclined to euery good thing and to endue you with so great Grace from heauen as to write those things whereby you are able to defend his holy faith against such a new Innouator of damned errors and also incite by your example all other Christian Kings and Princes to be willing to fauour and further with all their best aides the Orthodoxall faith and Euangelicall truth whensoeuer it bee brought into danger or doubt And wee thinke it also meete that they who haue vndertaken such godly labours for the defence of the faith of Christ should haue all prayse and honour of vs and wee are desirous that not onely the things themselues which your Maiesty hath written being both of most sound doctrine and no lesse eloquence should bee extolled and magnified with condigne commendations and allowed and confirmed by our authority but also that your Maiesty should bee graced with such an honour and such a Title as that both for our time and euer hereafter all men might perceiue how gratefull and acceptable this gift of your Maiesties hath been vnto vs especially offered vnto vs now at this time Wee who be the true successors of Peter whom Christ at his ascension into heauen left his Vicar on earth and to whom hee committed the care of his flocke We I say who sit in this holy seate from which all dignities and titles doe flow vpon mature deliberation had with our said brethren about these things haue by the generall agreement and consent of them decreed to bestow vpon your Maiestie this title namely THE DEFENDER OF THE FAITH And accordingly by these Presents doe instile you with such a title commaunding all faithfull Christians that they name your Maiesty with this Title and when they write to you that after the Word KING they adioine DEFENDER OF THE FAITH And truely wee diligently considering and weighing your singular merits were not able to bethinke vs of a name more worthy and conuenient for your Maiesty then the excellency and dignity of this Title which so often as you shal heare and reade so often you may call to mind this your singular vertue and great desert nor may you by this Title puffe vp your self in pride but according to your wonted prudence become more humble and bee more valiant and constant in the faith of Christ and in denotion to this holy See by which you haue beene exalted reioycing in the Lord the giuer of all good things leauing this as a perpetuall and immortal monument of your glory to your children shewing them the way vnto the like that if they shall desire to be graced 55 Whilest these things were in working at Rome arose great troubles in Ireland the Kerns casting off all obedience and killing the Kings subiects where they found them against whom Thomas Howard Earle of Surrey Lord Lieutenant of that kingdome made foorth his power and followed them himselfe with such danger of life that the visor of his Helmet was shot off as hee pursued the enemy through the desert woods but these Rebels cut off by his high valour and warres proclaimed at one time against Scotland and France the Lord Lieutenant was recalled into England and Piers Butler Earle of Osorie made Deputie of Ireland in his stead betwixt whom and Girald Fitz-Girald Earle of Kildare whose sister hee had married arose no little strife and debate which grew to that height as King Henry sent Commissioners to trie and examine the differences which was so cleered on Kildares behalfe that Osorie was discharged of his Office and the Lord Fitz-girald sworne deputy in his place whereat Cardinal Wolsey whose hand chiefly steered all states affaires a deadly enemy to the Earle of Kildare was highly offended and to vndermine the foundations of this his new Gouernment gaue eare vnto Osorie who accused the new deputie of many misdemeanors among which these were the principall that he winked at Desmonds escape whom he should haue attached by order from the King that he grew ouer familiar with the natiue Irish
Sauage bearing her Traine * and Doctor Lee doing the rites of their coniunction who was afterwards consecrated Bishop of Chester Couentree and Lichfield and President of Wales 83 The Romanists much fearing that Babel would downe if Queene Anne might bee heard against wicked Haman sought to vnderproppethe foundations thereof with certaine deuises of their owne and that the same might passe without note of suspition they laid their forgery euen vpon Heauen it selfe whose pretended Oracle Elizabeth Barton commonly called the holy maide of Kent was made to bee and the pillers of this godlesse Fabricke were Edward Bocking a Moncke by profession and doctor of Diuinity Richard Masters Parson of Aldington the Town wherein she dwelt Richard Deering a Monke Hugh Rich a Frier Iohn Adestone and Thomas Abell Priests put to their helping handes and Henrie Gould Bachelour of Diuinity with Iohn Fisher the Reuerend father of Rochester imploied their paines to daube these downe-falling walles with their vntempered Morter The Scribes that set their pens for her Miracles were Edward Thwaites Gentleman and Thomas Lawrence Register besides Hankherst a Monke who writte a letter that was forged to bee sent her from Heauen and Richard Risby and Thomas Gould were the men which dispersed her Miracles abroad to the world This holy maide Elizabeth made a Votarisse in Canterbury was taught by Bocking her Ghostly Father and suspected Paramour to counterfeit many fayned trances and in the same to vtter many vertuous words for the rebuke of sinne vnder which more freely shee was heard against Luthers Doctrine and the Scriptures translation then desired of many neither so onely but that shee gaue foorth from God and his Saints by sundry suggestiue Reuelations that if the King proceeded in his diuorce and second marriage he should not raigne in his Realme one moneth after nor rest in Gods fauour the space of an houre But the truth discouered by Gods true Ministers this Oracle gaue place as all other such did when Christ by his death stopped their lying mouthes for her selfe and seuen of her Disciples were executed for Treason at Tiborne and the other sixe put to their fines and imprisonment With the like counterfeit reuelations and fained predictions this Generation of Hypocrites had brought Edward Lord Stafford Duke of Buckingham vnto his vnhappy ende when as by the working of Iohn de la Court his own Confessor together with Nicolas Hopkins a Monke of the Carthusian Order in the Priorie of Henton in Somersetshire who by his visions from heauen forsooth heartned him for the Crown but before his owne Coronet could aspire to that toppe hee worthily lost both head and all vpon Tower-hill for his treason Ann. Dom. 1521. Vnto such sinnes the world was then subiect and into such conceites their reputed holines had brought them not onely among the simple and vnlettered but euen with them that seemed to bee learned indeed for by certaine predictions foreshewing a great deluge Prior Bolton of Saint Bartholmewes in London was so fearefull that hee built him a house vpon the height of Harrow hill storing it with prouisions necessary to keepe himselfe from drowning in A. D. 1524. 84 But the Popes Holinesse fearing the euent of the game if euery man might set and cast at his Crowne thought it high time to lay hand on his own State and to keepe what was left lestal would bee gone to which end he sollicited many Christian Princes to stand on his part and among them sent his Brief vnto Iames the fift king of Scotland desiring his assistance against King Henry of England whom in his Consistory hee had pronounced to bee an Heretike a Schismatike a manifest Adulterer a publike murtherer a committer of Sacrilege a Rebell and conuict of Laesae Maiestatis for that hee had risen against him who was his Lord. And therefore he had iustly depriued him of his said Kingdom and would dispose the same to him and other Princes so as they would assist to recouer the same a very good prouision and very well foreseene for notwithstanding these boisterous blasts from Rome the King kept his Crowne and was rather feared of the Popes best Abetters then did feare any potent power that the world could afford whose thoughts were now busied for the Coronation of his Queen 85 For Queene Anne conceiued and perceiued with Child her royall Coronation was forthwith prepared which with all royall obseruances vpon the first of Iune being Whitsunday was performed and the seuenth of September following shee bare into the world that excellent Princesse which afterwardes proued the mirrour of the world euen Lady ELIZABETH our late and most famous Queene 86 True it is that the zealous conuersation of this godly Queene gaue great encouragements vnto many more publikely with boldnes to professe the Gospell so that the Ministers formerly fled in case of Religion returned againe into England where the new Testament translated by Tyndall was read but with such dislikes to the Bishoppes that they got it to be burnt Notwithstanding to tickle the Kings eare they preached against the Popes supremacy and tooke the oath for the King themselues abolished his authority by Act of Parliament and suppressed many Monasteries leauing their reuenewes to the Kings will faire introductions indeed for what they intended as the sequell of the sixe Articles by them procured doth manifestly shew and those purposely made against the maintainers of the Gospell whereof Queen Anne was the chiefe who first was most fauourable to those learned Diuines that laide mans saluation vpon the Rocke Christ next in procuring a tolleration from the king for them whose doctrine did daily vndermine the Papall foundation lastly she by no means would consent to marry the King vntill a lawfull diuorce was had for his separation from Lady Katherine his brother Arthurs wife which thing this Pope greatly withstood these were causes sufficient to moue his Holinesse to bend his brow and by his Instruments in Court to cutte off the principal mouer who foreslowing no time tooke the Ball before his rebound 87 For the Queene deliuered of a dead Child and the Kings affection wandring elsewhere gaue them occasion to worke on that Subiect which God in his wisdome would haue downe lest his deliuerance from the bondage of darkenesse should be attributed to any fleshly arme or that shee who then sate in the throne of the worlds full felicity should fixe her senses on so fickle a Center who hauing had experience what it was to bee a Prince must henceforth practise the patience of a poore prisoner which in the third yeere of her marriage and second of May to act the wofull Scene of her Tragedy shee came vpon the Stage being sent to the Tower of London and charged with high Treason against the King at whose first entrance shee fell on her knees before
of Nouember at a place beyond Carliel called Solem-mosse where were taken Prisoners the Earles of Cassils and Glencarne the Lords Maxwell Flemming Summerwell Oliphant and Grey Sir Oliuer Sinclere and others to the number of one and twenty men of account who were conueighed to London and committed to the Tower For griefe of which losse and suspition of his Nobility King Iames fell into a melancholy Passion which the birth of his new borne Princesse rather increased then gaue him any coÌ„fort so as hee deceased the foureteenth day of December following foreshewing saith Leslie great troubles to follow in Scotland 119 Newes brought neere at one instant of the death of King Iames birth of the Princesse his daughter King Henry intended to doe that by the match of a marriage which long had beene assayed by the sword of Mars all things so consorting as it did he hauing one onely sonne then aboue fiue yeres of age and Scotland no heire beside this new borne daughter their yeeres suiting a consent for marriage the whole Iland offering both the ioynter and dowry and that which most moued their chiefe Nobility in his owne hands to be moulded for this designe as if heauen it selfe had bid the banes 120 Those Prisoners therefore which had remained in the Tower only two daies vpon the twenty one of December he sent for to Westminster the Earles and Lords all suited in Gownes of blacke damaske furred with Cunny whereafter some words of friendly reproofe they were bestowed among the English Nobility who vsed them according to their estates and the third day in Christmas were inuited to the Court at Greenewich where they went before the King to 〈◊〉 Chappell were royally feasted and the motion then made for the establishing of peace by the Coniunction of the two Princes whereunto the Scotish were as willing as the English proffered all forward assistance to haue it accomplished So that these Nobles were deliuered without other ransome and richly rewarded at their departure from Court 121 These returned into Scotland declared what they had done and so effectually followed the busines that in a Parliament assembled of the three Estates the marriage was confirmed and a peace proclaimed to continue betwixt the two Realmes the space of tenne yeeres which agreements were sent into England by honourable Ambassadors and there interchangeably sealed betwixt these Potent Estates But Cardinall Betâ—… Archbishop of Saint Andrewes fearing least Scotland would change the Church Orders 〈◊〉 England had done the Bible already read in their owne language and the Popes vsurped power called in Question as then it began to be by the feruent preaching of Friet Guiliam to the great liking of most of the Lord made some exceptions against the Earle Arraine the new chosen Gouernour and second person in the Land being neerest in blood to the young Queene And the French King not liking this vnion with England sought by all meanes to 〈◊〉 the same match to effect which he sent the Eaâ—…le of Lennox to perswade with the Gouernour with great proffers and promises of assistance but finding him faithfull vnto King Henry presently made faction for the French wherein hee drew the Queene mother the Earles Huntly Argile Mâ—…trosse Menteith and many more Peeres the Cardinall amongst them euer the chiefe 122 Earle Lennox thus growne into credite with the Queene mother 〈◊〉 made strong by her adherents that fauoured the French presently claimed to be Gouernour of Scotland being the second person of degree in the Realme and withall to haue the custody of the young Queene who with heâ—… mother were forth with taken from 〈◊〉 vnder the charge of the Gouernour Arraiâ—…e and brought vnto Striueling strongly guarded with the continuall presence of the Lords 〈◊〉 Erskâ—… Fleâ—…ing and Ruthwen least Queene Mary should be conueyed into England vnto King Henry These violent courses caused great Emulations among the Scotish Nobility each of them siding as their affections were setled but lastly agree to set the Crowne on their young Queenes head prepared for the solemnity whereunto all the Lords came excepting those that stood for England and from them the Gouernour with much adoe was drawne to be present at the Coronation but that accomplished and the state affaires consulted vpon it was agreed that the French Kings suite should be fauoured and that the Earle Arran should be Gouernour still whereat Earle Lennox conceiued such displeasure as he became wholy for King Henrie ioined himselfe with the Earles of Augus Gleâ—…carne and Cassils the Lords Maxwel Summeruell Gray and others that stood with the English for the match with Prince Edward 123 King Henry then hearing what was done and intended sent presently into Scotland to demand the Custody of the young Queene and that certaine Scotish Noblemen might be appointed to guarde her in England vntill shee came to yeeres of consent according to Couenants formerly concluded which no waies would be granted and thereupon he prepared an Army thetherward vnder the Conduct of Lord Edward Seiâ—…er Earle of Hertford Lieutenant Generall by Land accompanied with the Earle of 〈◊〉 and a Fleete of two hundred saile by Sea whereof Sir Iohn Dudley Vicount Lisle was Admirall 124 To the aide of the Scots the Peopes holinesse was very forward who sent them the Patriarch of Venice as his Legate Orator to perswade their Resolutions with whom the French King sent Monfieur la Broche and Monfieur Menager to lead them to fight and fifty thousand Crownes of the Sun to suâ—…taine the Charge with munition worth ten thousand Crownes more It seemeth by Lesly that part of this siluer fell into the Earle Lennâ—… his hand and that therewith he made head against the Gouernor but not able to match him sent vnto King Henry for aide with proffer of his seruice against the French side which so well was accepted of Henry as he made him his Nephew by giuing the Lady Margaret his sisters daughter to be his wife 125 Thâ—… English thus seconded with this vnlooked for Allyance Cardinall Beton thought good to binde all to the Gouernour who with the Authority of the Queene Dowager proclaimed Lennox an Enemy to the State But in the meane while the Admirall of England was entred the Frith and at new Hauen landed his men where ioining his to the land Seruice they altogether marched thence towards Lâ—…th himselfe leading the Vaward Shrewsbury the Rereward and the Lord Lieutenant the maine Battell These comming to Lieth spoiled the Town and thence to Edenbrough burnt the City and wasted the Country for seauen miles about this done they set fire vpon Haddington and 〈◊〉 and then the whole Army returned vnto Barwicke 126 Whilst things thus passed in Scotland and the maine purpose resting in suspence King Henry well knew where the greatest rub did lie in his way which was the French
1540. shee was his wife sixe moneths after which time certaine Lords of the vpper House of Parliament came into the nether and alleaged cause for which that marriage was vnlawfull whereunpon shee was diuorced and by Statute enacted that shee should no more be taken for Queene but should be called the Lady Anne of Cleâ—…e See remained in England long after the Kings death though small mention is made of her by any of our Writers only we finde that she accompanied the Lady Elizabeth through London at the solemnizing of Queene Maries Coronation 140 Katherine the fifth wife of King Henry the eight was the daughter of 〈◊〉 and Neece vnto Thomas Howard his brother Duke of Norfolke Shee was married vnto him the eight of August and yeere of â—…race 1540. being the thirtie two of his Raigne at Hampton Court and continued his Queene the space of one yeere sixe moneths and foure daies and for her vnchaste life was attainted by Parliament and for the same beheaded within the Tower of London the twelfth of February and her body buried in the Chauncell of the Chappell by Queene Anne Bullen 141 Katherine the sixth and last wife of King Henry was the daughter of Sir Thomas Parre of Kendall and sister to Lord William Parre Marquesse of Northampton shee was first married to Iohn Neuill Lord Latimer and after his decease vpon the twelfth of Iuly maried vnto the King at Hampton Court the yeere of Saluation 1543. and thirtie fiue of his Raigne Shee was his wife three yeeres sixe months and fiue daies and suruiuing him was againe married vnto Thomas Seimer Lord Admirall of England vnto whom she bare a daughter but died in the same Child-bed the yeere of Grace 1548. His Issue 142 Henrie the first sonne of King Henry by Queene Katherine his first wife was borne at Richâ—…d in Surrey vpon the first of Ianuary and the first of his fathers Raigne whose Godfathers at Font were the Lord Cranmer Archbishop of Canterburie and the Earle of Surrey his Godmother Lady Katherine Countesse of Deuonshire daughter to King Edward the fourth This Prince liued not fully two months but died in the same place wherein he was borne vpon the two and twentieth of February and his body with all due obsequies buried in Westminster 143 A sonne not named was borne vnto King Henrie by Lady Katherine his first Queene in the month of Nouember and the sixth yeere of his Raigne who liued not long and therefore no further mention of him can bee made the deathes of these Princes King Henrie tooke as a punishment from God for so he alleaged it in the publike Court held in Blacke-friers London they being begot on his owne brothers wife 144 Marie the third childe and first daughter of King Henrie by Queene Katherine his first wife was born at Greenewich in Kent the eighteenth of Februarâ—… in the yeere of Christs humanity 1518 and the eighth of his Raigne Shee was by the direction of her mother brought vp in her Childe-hood by the Countesse of Salisbury her neere kinswoman for that as some thought the Queene wished a marriage betwixt some of her sons and the Princesse to strengthen her Title by that Aliance into Yorke if the King should die without issue Male. In her yong yeeres shee was sued to be married with the Emperour the King of Scots and the Duke of Orleance in France but all these failing and shee succeeding her brother K Edward in the Crowne at the age of thirtie sixe yeeres matched with Phillip King of Spaine to the great dislike of many and small content to her selfe hee being imploied for the most part beyond the Seas for griefe whereof and the losse of Calice shee lastly fell into a burning feauer that cost her her life 145 Elizabeth the second daughter of King Henrie and first childe by Queene Anne his second wife was borne at Greenwich vpon Sunday the seuenth of September the yeere of Christ Iesus 1534 and twenty fiue of her Fathers Raigne who with due solemnities was baptized the Wednesday following Archbishop Cranmer the old Dutches of Norfolke and the old Marchionesse of Dorset being the witnesses at the Font and the Marchionesse of Excester at the confirmation Shee succeeded her sister Queene Marie in the Monarchy of England and was for wisdome vertue piety and Iustice not onelie the Mirrour of her Sexe but a patterne for Gouernment to al the princes in Christendome whose name I may not mention without al dutiful remembrance and whose memory vnto me is most deare amongst the many thousands that receiued extraordinary fauours at her gracious and most liberall hand 146 Another man childe Queene Anne bare vnto King Henry though without life vpon the nine and twentieth of Ianuary and twenty seuen of his Raigne to the no little griefe of the mother some dislike of the King as the sequel of her accusation and death did shortly confirme 147 Edward the last childe of King Henry and first of Queene Iane his third wife was borne at Hampton Court the twelfth of October the yeere of Grace 1537. and twenty nine of the Kings Raigne being cut out of his mothers wombe as is constantly affirmed like as Iulius Caesar is said to haue been his Godfathers at the Font was Thomas Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury and the Duke of Norfolk his sister Lady Mary being Godmother saith Grafton Sixe daies after his birth he was created Prince of Wales and at the death of his Father succeeded him in all his Dominions of whom more followeth heereafter His Naturall Issue 148 Henrie Fitz-Râ—…ie the naturall sonne of King Henrie the eight was begotten of the Lady 〈◊〉 called Elizabeth Blunt and borne in the Mannor of Blackâ—…moore in Essex about the tenth yeere of his Raigne at the age of sixe yeeres he was created Earle of Nottingham and in the fiue and twentieth of his Fathers Raigne vpon the eighteenth of Iune in the Kings Pallace of Bridewell was made Duke of Richmond and Sommerset Lord Warden of the East West and Middle-Marches against Scotland and Lieutenant Generall of all the parts of England Northward he was a Prince very forward in Marshal Actiuities of Good literature and knowledge in the tongues vnto whom the learned Antiquary Leland dedicated a Booke He married Marie daughter of Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolke Earle Marshall and Lord high Treasurer of England with whom he liued not long but died at Saint Iames by Westminster the two and twentieth of Iuly in the yeere of Christ Iesus 1536. and was buried at Framingham in Suffolke THe tempestuous 〈◊〉 in the Raigne of this King Henrie the eight and the violent deluge raised against the Church-state of his times bare downe so many religious strong foundations and were the destruction of so many beautifull Monasteries as the onely relation of their numbers and names would haue much interrupted the narration of his history Wherfore to reteinâ—… their memorials though their walles are laid
wastâ—… aswell for the reuerence we owe vnto venerable Antiquity as for the example of their Founders holyzeale we haue inserted a Catalogue of their names orders and true valuations as in the originall Booke thereof taken by Commission and giuen vnto the King we finde them set down though at their dissolutions their values were fauourably and farre vnder rated Some Founders and times of foundations wee want the rest Tablewise to auoid prolixity wee haue set downe in this present following CHAPTER A CATALOGVE OF THE RELIGIOVS HOVSES VVITHIN THE REALME OF ENGLAND AND VVales with many their Orders Founders and Values most of them being suppressed by King Henry the eight Together with such other sacred places as either then wereby him left standing or since haue been erected BARKESHIRE Places Dedication Founder and Time Order Value     l. s. d. ob q. Reeding Saint Iacob By Queene Alfrith By King Henry the first First Nunnes after Blacke Monks Cluniacenses 2116 03 09 oo q Abingdon Saint Mary M Cissa King of the West-Saxons Blacke Monkes 2042 02 08 ob q Bromhall in Windsor Forrest S. Mary Magd. N Edward the Blacke Prince Blacke Nunnes      Bistleham now Bisham Christ Iesus our Lady M William Montacute the first Earle of Salisbury A. 13. E. 3. Canons 0327 04 06 oo o Donington F Richard de Abberbury Knight Ordinis Sancta Crucis 0020 16 06 oo o Donington H Richard de Abberbury Cheualier      Hamme S. Mary Magd. N Blacke Nunnes      Hurley Saint Mary M Blacke Monks Westmonast 0134 10 08 ob o Murresley P 0014 03 01 oo o Poghley M The Predecessors or Ancestors of the Abbesse of Almesburie 0071 10 07 oo oâ—… Shottesbroke C 0033 18 08 oo o Wallingford Saint Trinity P Edmund sonne of Richard King of the Romans and Earle of Cornwall Blacke Monks of Saint Albans      Wallingford castle C Edward the Blacke Prince      Wallingford Saint Iohn H 0006 00 00 oo o BEDFORDSHIRE Places Dedication Founders and Time Order Ualue     l. s. d. ob q Bedford F. Lady Margaret de Patteshall Friers Minors alij Grey Friers 0005 00 00 oo o Bedford Saint Iohn H 0021 00 08 oo o Bedford Saint Leonard H 0016 06 08 o q Bigleswade Sancta Trin. in Ecc Sâ—… Andrea C 0007 00 00 o o Bosco M. 0143 18 03 o o Bushemede alias Bissemed P Hugo de Bello Campo and Roger his brother Canons Augustines 0081 13 05 ob o Caldewel S. Iohn Baptist. P The Lord Latimer Alij Iohn de Byddysley Blacke Canons 0148 15 10 o o Chicksand Saint Mary P Paine de Beauchamp White Canons Nunnes 0230 03 04 ob o Eaton Corporis Christi C 0007 16 00 o o Dunstable Saint Peter P King Henrie the first Blacke Canons 0402 14 07 ob o Dunstable F Friers Preachers 0004 18 04 o o Fraternitas ibidem 0009 08 07 o o Elnestowe alias Helenstow now Elstow N Iudithâ—… wife to Waltheof E. of Huntingdon Blacke Nunnes 0325 02 01 ob q Harwold alias Harewood Saint Peter P Samson surnamed Fortis Blacke Nunnes 0047 03 02 o o Markeyate Saint Giles N Gilbert de Clare Earle of Glocester and Hertford Anno 6. E. 1. Nunnes      Newenham P Roise the wife of Paine de Beauchampe Canons Augustines 0343 15 05 o o Northyle C 0061 05 08 ob o Sanctingfield iuxta Whitsand H King Henrie the second      Wardon Saint Marie M King Henrie the first and Walter Espeâ—… White Monkes 0442 11 11 o o Woburne Saint Mary M Hugo de Bolbick Alij Robert de Uâ—…re Earle of Oxford by licence of King Richard 2. White Monks 0430 13 11 ob o BVCKINGHAMSHIRE Places Dedication Founder and Time Order Value     l. s. d. ob q. Ailesburie F Edith daughter of Frewald Friers Minors alibi Grey Friers 0003 02 05 o o Ankerwicke N Nunnes 0045 14 04 o o Asheridge Saint Augustine C Edmund Earle of Cornewall sonne to Richard King of the Romans Bonorum virorum Eremits 0447 18 00 ob o Bordesley Saint Marie Maude the Empresse Cistertians      Bradewell Saint Mary P Manefâ—…lmus Black Monkes      Burnham M  0091 05 11 ob o Byttelsden Saint Mary M Arnald de Bosco A. D. 1127 CistertiaÌ„ white Monks 0142 01 03 o  Eaton C King Henrie 6. Praefectus Socy 8. CaÌ„tores Scolares 60.      Laueden Saint Marie M Iohn de Bedon White Canons 0091 08 03 ob  Luffeld Saint Mary P Robert Earle of Leicester White Canons      Medmenham alias Mendham M The Ancestors of the Earls of Suffolk 0023 17 02 o  Merlowe parua M Blacke Nunnes 0037 06 11 o  Myssenden Saint Mary M D'Oiles â—…ue Doily Blacke Canons 0285 15 09 o  Newport painel Saint Leonard H Iohn Peynton of Newport 0006 06 08 o  Noteley Saint Marie M Walter Giffard Earle of Buckingham A. 1112 Blacke Canons 0495 18 05 ob  Paretrendune P Blacke Canons      Raueneston M Domini Regis Progenitor 0066 13 04 o  Sandewell M The Ancestors of Thomas Stanley of Safford 0038 08 04 o  Snelshall P 0024 00 00 o  Stoke-Pogeis H Edward Baron Hastings of Loughborrow Poore people      Tekeford Saint Marie P Fulco Paganell Alij Domini Regis progenitor Blacke Monkes 0126 17 00 o  Wicombe or high Wickham H 0007 15 03 ob   S. Margaret P 0022 06 07 o  CAMBRIDGESHIRE Places Dedication Founder and Time Order Ualue     l. s. d. ob q. Cambridge F K. Edward the first and Sir Guy Mortimer Thomas de Hertford a great Benefactor White Friers    Cambridge F King Edward 1. Friers Minors alibi Grey Friers    Cambridge F Friers Augustines    Cambridge F Blacke Friers    Cambridge Saint Radegund N Black Nunnes    Cambridge P Canons    The Colledges in Cambridge         Peterhouse Hugh Balsham Bishop of Ely An. Dom. 1â—…84    Clare-hall Rich. Badew and Elâ—… Clara Countesse of Vlster Anno Dom. 1340.    Pembroke-hall Maria de Sto Paulo Countesse of Pembroch A. 1347.    Corpus Christi or Bennet Colledge Societas fratrum Corporis Christi A. D. 1346.    Trinity-hall William Bateman Bishop of Norwich 1353.    Gonâ—…ill and Caius Colledge Edmund Gonâ—…le and Iohn Caius A. 1348.    Kings-Colledge Chappel King Henry the sixth A. D. 1441.    Queenes Colledge Queene Margaret wife of H. 6. A. D. 1448.    Katherine-hall Robert
M      Manchester C The Grelleyes Ancestors to Thomas West Lord La Ware tempore H. 5.      Penwortham M 0114 16 09 oo o Whalley M The Ancestors of the Lacyes Earles of Lincolne Anno Dâ—… 1296. White Monkes 0551 04 06 oo o LEICESTER-SHIRE Places Dedication Founder and Time Order Ualue     l. 〈◊〉 d. â—…b q. Leicester Saint Mary M Robert de Bossu Earle of Leicester Blacke Canons or Friers Preachers 1062 00 04 ob q Iuxta Leicester Castle Saint Mary C Henry Duke of Lancaster 0023 12 11 o o Bredon A Cell to S Oswald M Fundator Domini Regis Progeâ—…tor Alij Alâ—… Earle of Cornwall Blacke Canons 0025 08 01 o o Bradley P 0020 15 07 oo o Burton Mowbrayes and by a common contribution ouer all England Leprosi 0265 10 02 o q Canwell M. The Ancestors of the Lord Lizle 0025 10 03 oo o Croxton M The Lord Barkleyes Ancestors Pramonstratenses 0458 19 11 ob q Castledonington S. Iohn Baptist. H 0003 13 04 o o Cumbe Saint Mary M White Moâ—…kes      Cale P Blacke Canons      Dalby-Rothley Heyther Praceptoria 0231 07 10 oo o Garradon M Fundator Antecessor 〈◊〉 Comitissa Oxford 0186 15 02 ob o Gracedew nee re Donington N Roisia wife of Bertram de Verdon Nunnes â—…01 08 02 ob o Gerewerdon Saint Mary M White Monkes      Hinkley P Alien      Kirkby Bellers P Roger Belâ—…rs and Aâ—…yse his wife 0178 07 10 oo q Launda M Richard Basset Diâ—…c Lincoln Blacke Canons 0510 16 05 ob q Langley Fundator Antecessor Uxoris Frane Bigot Mil. 〈◊〉 Vxoris Sâ—…rum Nunnes 0034 06 02 oo o Litterworth Saint Iohnns H 0â—…26 09 5 o o Noui-Operis C 0595 7 04 o o Olneston or Oselneston M Robert Grimbald 0173 18 09 oo q Staue N Blacke Nunnes      Vlneserost P Roger Quiney Earle of Wintâ—…n 0101 03 10 ob o Werewerdon M Blacke Canons      Saint Ursula H 0008 00 00 oo o LINCOLNE SHIRE Places Dedication Founder and Time Order Value     l. s. d. ob q Lincoln EpaÌ„tus Saint Marie M Secular Canons      Lincolne F M. Odo de Kilkenny a Scotish mam A. D. 1269. Carmelites or White Friers      Lincolne Saint August F Friers Eremites      Lincolne F Iohn Pickering of Stampwike Friers Minors      Iuxta Lincolne S. Katherine P Robert de Caneto Bishop of Lincolne Gilbertines 0270 01 03 oo o Aluingham Saint Mary P Anthony de Bec Bishop of Durham and Patriarch of Ierusalem White Canons and Nuns Gilbertines 0141 15 00 oo o Balwatus Aquilae 0124 02 00 oo o Bello-vero siue Beauuoir Saint Marie Ralph de Todeney Blacke Monkes of S. Albans 0129 17 06 o o Berlingâ—…s M Radulphus de Haya 0307 16 06 oo o Bolyngton Saint Marie M White Canons and Nuns Gilbertines 0187 07 09 oo o Boston M S. Botolph in the Saxons time      Boston F Sir Orby A. D. 1300. Carmelites or white Friers      Boston luxta Mare Saint Mary P T. Morley Knight Iohn Bacon Esquier Iohn Hagon Thomas Hoke de Shynham and Iohn Hyrd of Boston      Boston Beatae Mariae C 0024 00 00 oo o Boston Corporis Christi C 0032 00 00 oo o Boston Saint Peter C 0010 13 04 o  Bradney Saint Oswald M Confirmed by William de Gannt sonne and heire of Gilbert de Gannt Anno Dom. 1115. 429 07 00 oo o Brunne Blacke Canons      Bryggerd P 0101 11 00 ob o Cateley or Catlin Saint Marie M Iohn Spaule Esquier White Canons Nuns Gilbertines 0038 13 08 o o Croyland or Crowland M Aethelbald King of the Mercians Anno Dom. 716. It was new built at the benenolence of the whole land giuen vpon pardon for their sinnes Blacke Monkes 1217 05 11 oo o Elsham P William Dyne Blacke Canons 0083 17 10 oo o Eppworth in the Isle of Axholme A Conuentual House Thomas Mowbray Earle of Nottingham Marshall of England Carthusians 0290 14 07 ob q Fosse N Nunnes 0008 05 04 oo o Frisetun Mauritius de Creon Baron Blacke Monkes      Glamfordbridge in Parochia de Wrawby H William Tirwhit      Goykewell N Nunnes 0019 18 06 oo o Greenfeild Saint Mary N Dudon de Groâ—…esby Blacke Nunnes 0079 15 01 o o Grimmysby Saint Leonard N Robert Grosted Bishoppe of Lincolne and Thomas Hesterton Knight Blacke Nunnes 0012 03 07 o  Grimmesby S. Augustine S. Toloss Fundator Domini Regis Progenitâ—…r Blacke Canons      Hagneby M Herbert of Orbeâ—… or Orreby 0098 08 04 oo o Hauerholm Saint Mary M Alexander Bishoppe of Lincolne White Canons Nuns Gilbertines 0088 05 05 oo o Heuings N 0058 13 04 oo o Hunston or Humberston Our Lady S. Peter M Fundator Domini Regis Progenitor 0042 11 03 oo o Irford M 014 13 04 ob o Kirksted Saint Marie M Hugh Britay White Monkes 0338 13 11 ob q Kyme M Philip de Valisby 0138 04 09 oo o Letherstoke Iohn Gifford Clerke      Leyborne Our Lady M Robert Fitz Gilbert 0057 13 05 o q Louthparke Saint Mâ—…ry M White Monkes 0169 05 06 ob o Markeby P 0163 17 06 ob o Newebo M 0115 11 08 o o Newhouse S. Martiall Peter de Gaâ—…lia White Canons the first house of the Order Prmonstratenses in England      Newnersby or Nun-ormâ—…by P White Canons Nuns Gilbertines 0098 00 00 oo o Newsom M 0114 01 04 ob o Newsted neere Stansford M Gilbertines 0042 01 03 oo  Newsted neere Axholâ—…e P 0055 11 08 oo o Noton or Nâ—…cton-Parke S. Mary Magd. M Robert D'Arciâ—… Blacke Canons 0052 19 02 ob o Nun-Cotton Saint Mary P White Canons and Nunnes 0046 17 07 oo o Oxeneyes Blacke Canons      Raueston Saint Augustin C      Reuesby or Reuyswy M William Romare Nunnes 0349 04 10 oo o Sempringham Saint Gilbert M Saint Gilbert beginner of the said Order White Canons Nuns Gilbertines 0359 12 07 oo o Sixle Saint Marie Whit Canons Nuns      Spalding Saint Mary and S. Nicholas M Iuo Talbois comes Andegauensis and William de Romara and Lucy Countesse of Chester and Lincolne Audegauenses Monachi 0878 18 03 oo o Iuxta Stansford Saint Michael M Blacke Monkes 0072 18 10 ob o Stanford Saint Mary Saint Nicholas Blacke Monkes 0065 19 09 o o Stanford F King Edward the third Carmelites or White Friers      Stanford H William Browne Citizen there   Â
M Sancti Leonards King Henry the second Nuns or white Monkes 0121 16 00 oo o Syon M King Henry the fift Ann. 2. of his raigne Nuns Priests Augustines 1944 11 08 o q Vxbridge M Saint Mary Hugh Rowse      NORFFOLKE Places Dedication Founder and Time Order Value     l. s. d. ob q Norwich produced froÌ„ the Abbey of Feschamp in Normandy Ecc. Cat. Saint Trinity Elbert de Losing Bishop Herbert of Thetford Anno Dom. 1096. in the raign of King William Rufus Black Monks Benedictines 1061 14 03 ob o Norwich F Philip Cowgate Citizen Maior of Norwich A. D. 1268. Carmelites or White Friers      Norwich F Iohn Hestynford Grey Friers      Norwich F Blacke Friers      Norwich F Remigie or the King Austine Friers      Norwich H Saint Egidius 0090 12 00 oo o Linne F Lord Bardolf Lord Scales and Sir Iohn Wignhall Anno Dom. 1269. Carmelites or white Friers 0001 15 08 oo o Linne F Thomas Geduey Blacke Friers      Linne F T. de Feltsham White Friers      Linne H Saint Iohn 0007 06 11 o o Attilburgh C Sancta Crucis Robert Mortimer 0021 16 00 ob o Beeston P 0050 06 04 ob q Blakburgh N Nunnes 0076 03 09 ob o Blakeney F Lord Rosse Sir Robert Bacon and S. Iohn Bret Knights A. D. 1321. Carmelites or White Friers      Bokenham alias Bukkenham P Saint Iacob Blacke Canons 0131 11 00 oo o Bromhall in Windsor Forrest P Edward the Blacke Prince      Bromholme P S. Sepulchers G. Glamnile Blacke Monkes Cluniacenses 0144 19 00 ob q Bromholme Saint Andrew William Glamnile Benedictines      Brunham Sir Ralph Hempnall and Sir William Calthrop Anno Dom. 1241. Carmelites or white Friers 0002 05 04 oo o Budham Saint Mary Blacke Canons      Carow N Saint Mary King Stephen Blacke Nunnes 0084 12 01 ob q Carbroke C S. Iohn Ierusalem 0065 02 09 ob o Castell-acre M Saint Marie Black Monks Clunic 0324 17 05 ob q Crobbehouse N Nunnes 0031 16 07 oo o Flytham A Cel to Walsingham N Nunnes 0062 10 06 ob o Hempton or Hompton P Our Lady and Saint Stephen Richard Ward Chanon here 0039 00 09 oo o Heringby C 0023 06 05 oo o Hilderlands H 0000 14 00 o o Horsseham P Saint Fidis Robert Fitz-Walter Blacke Monkes Benedictines 0193 02 03 ob o Hulme M Saint Benedict King Kanute the Dane After K. Edward Confessor Blacke Monkes 0677 09 08 oo q Hyckelyng P 0137 00 01 ob q Kockesforth or Cokesford M Sir William Cheyney Knight Blacke Canons 0153 07 01 oo o Langley M Fundator Antecessor vxoris Francisci Bigot Militis eiusdem vxoris Sororum Vide Hertf. Leicest Nunnes 0128 19 09 ob o Marmound N White Nuns Gilbert 0013 06 01 ob o Markham Barbara M 0042 04 07 ob q Pentney and Wormegay M S. Mary Magd. Reginald de Warenna Blacke Canons 0215 18 08 oo o Rushworth C Sir Robert Wingfeild Knight 0085 15 oo ob  Shuldeham P Sancta Crucis S. Marie White Nunnes Gilbertines 0171 06 08 oo o Thetford F Sancta Trinitatis Bishoppe Arfast of Elâ—…ham in the raigne of King Edward Confessor made it a Bishoppes See After Henry Duke of Lancaster made a Society of Preachers Friers Preachers      Thetford F Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster Augustine Friers      Thetford F S. Sepultur The Earle of Warren Blacke Friers      Thetford P S. Mary S. Iohn Roger Bigod Earle of Norffolke Blacke Canons 0049 18 01 oo o Thetford N Saint Gregory Blacke Nunnes 0050 09 08 o o Thetford M Saint Andrew Hugh Bigod Steward to King Henry Blacke Monkes Clunicenses 0418 06 03 ob o Thetford C Beata Mariae 0109 00 07 oo o Thetford S. Mary Magd S. Iohn Bap. Iohn Warren Earle of Surrey      Tomeston C Thomas de Shardelow and Iohn his brother A. 23. E. 3. 6. Chaplens 0052 15 07 ob  Wabburne P 0028 07 02 oo o Walfingham M Saint Marie Edmond Earle of March and Elizabeth de Burgo Blacke Canons Friers Minors 0446 14 04 ob q Wendling F William de Wendling Priest Austine Friers 0055 18 04 ob q Westacre P S. Mary alSaints Blacke Canons 03â—… 19 11 ob q Westdereham M VVhite Canons 0252 12 11 ob o Weybridge or Wexbridge P Saint Margaret Robert Oliuer Thomas Munday Iohn Palmar and Iohn Barford 0007 13 04 oo o Wirham P VVinewald Black CanoÌ„s de martial      Wymondham Saint Marie William D'Albiney Butler to King Henry the first Blacke Monks of S. Albans 0072 05 04 oo o Yarmouth F King Edward the first Anno Domini 1278 Carmelites or white Friers      Yarmouth F Galfridus Pilgrim and Thomas Fastolfe Blacke Eriers      Yarmouth F Sir William Gerbrigge Grey Friers      Iuxta Yarmouth in Castretleg C S. Iohn Baptist. First Robert de Castre after by Iohn Fastolfe Esquier father to Sir Iohn Fastolfe      Yngham P Saint Marie Blacke Monkes of Saint Albans 0074 02 07 ob o F Friers Preachers 0000 18 00 o o F Austine Friers 0001 04 06 oo o NORTHAMPTON-SHIRE Places Dedication Founder and Time Order Value     l. s. d. ob q Northampton M Saint Iacob Blacke Canons 0213 17 02 ob o Northampton P Saint Andrew Simon de Sancto Licio first E. of Northampton Blacke Monkes 0334 13 07 oo o Iuxta NorthaÌ„p ton N S. Mary de pratis or de laprey Simon de Sancto Licio second Earle of Northampton Nunnes 0119 09 07 oo q Northampton F Friers Minors or Grey Fricrs 0006 17 04 o o Northampton F Friers Preachers 0005 07 10 oo o Northampton F Simon Mountfort and Sir T. Chitwood Knights A. D. 1271. Carmelites or white Friers 0010 10 00 oo o Northampton N Saint Mary Blacke Nunnes      Northampton F Iohn de Glannile Augustine Friers      Asheby P 0127 19 00 oo o Catesby N S. Tho. S. Mary Nuns of Sempringham 0145 00 06 oo o Chacum P S. Peter S Paul William Knowles Sir Hugh Awresey Blacke Canons 0093 06 03 ob o Cotherstoke C Iohn Gifford Clerke A. 22. E. 3.      Dauintree P Saint Austin Angl. Apost Fundator Domini Regis Progenitor Blacke Monkes Clunicenses 0236 07 06 oo o Fynneshed the Church of Saint Maries of the Castel of Hyuiell M S. Mary the Virgin Richard Engaigne 0062 16 00 oo o Foderinghay C Edmund de Langley Duke of Yorke King H. 4 and Queen Ioan
Earle Roger of Montgomerie A. D. 1081. Blacke Monkes 0434 00 01 oo o Womebridge P 0072 15 08 oo o Wygmore M Hugo de Mortuâ—…-Mari A. D. 1172. White Canons 0302 12 03 ob o STAFFORD SHIRE Places Dedication Founder and Time Order Ualue     l. s. d. ob q. Lichefeild Eccles. Cath. Oswy King of Northumberland made it a Bishoppes See Pope Adrian made it an Archbishops See Grey Friers and lately Canons      Lichefeild P S. Iohn Baptist. Roger B. of Couenâ—…ree and Lichefeild      Lichefeild H Saint Iohn 0008 15 00 oo o Stafford P Saint Thomas Martyr Ralph Earle of Stafford and Richard Bishop of Chester Blacke Canons Augustines 0141 13 02 oo o Stafford C Saint Marie Grey Friers 0035 13 10 oo o Brewood N Blacke Nunnes 0011 01 06 oo o Briuerne P Saint Marie Blacke Monkes      Briuerne N Saint Leonard White Nunnes      Burton vpon Trent P S. Mary Saint Modwen Ulfricke Sprot Earle of Mercia Blacke Monkes 0356 16 03 ob o Catune P Blacke Nunnes      Chetwood P Iohn Chetwood Chidlet T. Conell William Gardiner Parson of Somerton Iohn Parson of Godyngton      Croxden P Barons Uerdon 0103 06 07 oo o Delacresse M Ranulph the third of that name E. of Chester White Monks 0243 03 06 oo o Dudley A Cel to the Priorie of Wenlocke P Iohn the sonne and heire of Iohn lare Baron de Dudley Blacke Monkes      Faireweld N Saint Mary Blacke Nunnes      Ferburge H 0050 00 00 oo o Hulton M The Ancestors of the Lord Audley 0076 14 10 ob o Lappele P Saint Remigij Blacke Monkes      Meriuall 0199 14 10 oo o Penchriche C      Renton P The Noels Ancestors of Sir Simon Harecourt 0090 02 10 ob o Roceter M 0111 13 07 oo o Stone P Saint Wolphade Ralph Earle of Stafford Blacke Canons 0119 14 11 oo o Tameworth N Edith King Edgars daughter Veiled virgins or NuÌ„s      Tameworth Eccles. Colleg. Marmions of Normandy      Iuxta Tameworth H Saint Iames. 0003 06 08 oo o Trentham P Ralph Earle of Chester Canons 0106 03 10 oo o Tricingham M Saint Werburg      Tutbury P Saint Mary Henry de Fâ—…rrars a Nobleman of Normandy in the raigne of William Conqueror Blacke Monks 0244 16 08 o o Woller-hamptonC Clement Luson Chaplen and William Waterfall      SOMERSET-SHIRE Places Dedication Founder and Time Order Ualue     l. s. d. ob q. Bristow M Saint Augustine King Henry the second and Lord Robert the sonne of Harding the King of Denmarkes sonne In our time King Henry the 8. made it a Cathedrall Church Blacke Canons Uictorines 0767 15 03 oo o Bristow P Saint Iacob or Saint Iames. Robert Earle of Gloucester the base sonne of K. Henry the first Blacke Monkes Benedictines      Bristow F King Edward the first A. D. 1267. White Friers      Bristow Eccl. Colleg. now a Hospitall The former by Sir Henry Gaunt knight The other by Thomas Carre a wealthy Citizen Orphanes      Bathe M Saint Peter and Saint Paul King Edgar Edwyn Ethelred and Wolstan Afterward Iohn Bishop of Welles made it a Cathedrall Church temporâ—… H. 1. Blacke Monkes 0695 06 01 ob o Bathe Reginaldus Bishop of Bath 0022 16 09 ob o Welles M S. Iohn Bap. or Saint Andrew King Iâ—…a built the Church and Colledge King Kinewolph gaue it great possessions Aâ—… 766. King Edward senior made it a Bishops See Robert and Iocelinus Bishops and Ralph of Shrewsbury Secular Canons 0041 03 06 ob q Welles H Nicholas Bubwith Bishop 24. Poore      Glastenbery M Saint Marie Ioseph of Arimathea Deâ—…i Bishoppe of S. Dauids Twelue Northerne men King Ina. Dunstane changed these Monkes into Benedictines this Order continued 600. yeeres Blacke Monkes 3508 13 04 ob q Athelme M Saint Peter S. Athelwin King Alfred Blacke Monks 0209 03 00 oo q Barlynch P Fety-places 0098 14 08 ob o Bearwe N S. Mary S. Edwin Blacke Nunnes      Bridgewater P Grey Friers 0120 19 01 ob o Bridgewater H Saint Iohn William Briewer iunior      Buckland P Amice Countesse of 〈◊〉 0223 07 04 ob o Bruton M Saint Mary The Moâ—…s there entombed Benedictines 0480 17 02 oo o Cadbury or North-Cadbury C Saint Michael Elizabeth Botreaux and her sonne William Botreaux A Rector 7 Chaplaines 4 Clerks      Cliue M VVhite Monkes 0155 09 05 oo q Conington N Saint Marie William de Romara Cosen to the Earle of Lincolne Blacke Nunnes 0039 15 08 oo o Dunkeswel P William Briewer iunior      Dunster P Iohn de Mohun de Dâ—…ster 0037 04 08 oo o Fareley P S. Mary Magd. Humfrey Bohun Blacke Monkes      Henton Ela Countesse of Salisbury Carthusians 0262 12 00 oo o Keynsham M Saint Mary William Earle of Gloucester Blacke Canons 0450 03 06 oo o Montague M Saint Peter Saint Paul Earle Moriton brother by the mothers side to K. W. Conqueror confirmed by H. 1 Blacke Monkes Cluniacenses 0524 11 08 ob o Moundroy C 0011 18 08 oo o Muchelney M Saint Peter King Athelstane Blacke Monkes 0498 16 03 oo q Mynchinbarrow P 0029 06 08 ob o Stoke vnder Hamden C Saint Andrew Gornays Blacke Monkes      Tauâ—…ton N Saint Peter and Saint Paul William Giffard and Henry de Blâ—…is Bishop of Winchestâ—…r Blacke Nunnes 0438 09 10 oo o Temple-Combe Commendary 0107 16 11 ob o Westbury C William Canings Maior of Bristow      Worspring P 0110 18 04 ob q Wytham Saint Mary S. Iohn Bapt. All-Saints King Henry the third Carthusians 0227 01 08 oo o H Saint Katherine 0021 15 08 oo o Yeueley or Iuell Iohn Woborne Petty Canon of Paules and Richard Hewet      SVF FOLKE Places Dedication Founder and Time Order Value     l. s. 〈◊〉 ob q. Ipswich P Saint Trinity Norman and Iohn de Oxenford Blacke Canons 0088 06 09 o o Ipswich M Saint Peter and Saint Paul Cardinall Wolsey but before him Thâ—…as de Laey and Alice his wife Blacke Canons 0088 06 10 oo o Ipswich F Henry de Manesby Henry Redred and Hen ry de 〈◊〉 Frieâ—…s Preachers      Ipswich F The Lord Bardeley Sir Geffrey Hadley and Sir Rob. Nortâ—…n knights A. D. 1279. Carmelites or White Friers      Ipswich F Robert Tilbot Grâ—…y Friers      Ipswich F Iohn Hares gaue ground
 Brodesey M Saint Mary White Monkes 0392 08 06 oo o Cokehill N White Nunnes 0034 15 11 oo o Elnecester P Blacke Canons      Euesham M S. Mary S. Aedburg Egwin Bishoppe of VVorcester first Abbot there with king Kenred the sonne of Wolpher king of the Mercians and Kâ—… Offa A. D. 700. Blacke Monkes 1268 09 09 oo o Places Dedication Founder and Time Order Value     l. s. d. ob q Stokekyrke Cella 0008 00 00 oo  Sutton Ecclesia Collegiata 0013 18 08 oo o Swinhey N The Ancestors of Sir Iohn Melton knight Nunnes 0134 06 â—…9 ob o Thyâ—…kehead or Thikenhead N The Ancestors of Iohn Aske Nunnes 0023 12 02 oo o Tickhill F Iohn Clarrel Deane of Paules Fricrs Augustines      Warter P Saint Iacob Galfridus Trusbut knight and William Rosse de Hamela About king Henry the firsts time Blacke Canons 〈◊〉 Augustines 0221 03 10 oo o Watton M Eustach the sonne of Fitz-Iohn with one eye in the raigne of King Stephen White Canons and Nunnes 0453 07 08 oo o Whitby M Saint Peter Saint Hilda Saint Hilda Enriched by Edelfleda King Oswins daughter and himselfe destroyed by the Danes it was reedefied by William Perey about the comming in of the Normans Black Monks 0505 09 01 oo o Woderhall Cella Sanctâ—… Trinitatis 0128 05 03 ob o Woodkirke A Cell to S. Oswald Earle VVarren 0047 00 04 oo o Wycham M The Kinges Ancestors White Canons and Nunneâ—… 0025 17 06 oo o Wylberfosse M The Ancestors of the Archbishop of Yorke Nunnes 0028 08 08 o o Yedingham N The Ancestors of the Lord Latiâ—…er Nunnes 0026 06 08 oo o N Saint Clements Nunnes 0055 11 11 oo o H Saint Nicholas 0029 01 04 oo o M Sancta Sepultura 0011 18 04 oo o Montis Sancti Iohannis Commendariâ—… 0102 13 10 oo o Chappell Sepulchers 0138 19 02 ob o S. ASAPH DIOCES Places Dedication Founder and Time Order Ualew     l. s. d. ob q Basingwerke in Flintshire M 0157 15 02 oo o Conway or Aber-conway in Carnaruonshire M Saint Marie Kenelme sonne of Geruaise once Prince of North-Wales 0179 10 10 oo o Hawston Commendarie 0160 14 10 oo o Lanllugen or Wanligan in Montgomereshire N Nunnes 0022 13 08 oo o Strata-Marcel la or Stratmarghill in Montgomereshire M Owen the sonne of Gryffin and confirmed by his sonne 〈◊〉 Annâ—… Dom. 1202. 0073 07 06 oo o Valla de Cruce in Denbighshire M 0214 03 05 oo o BANGOR DIOCES Places Dedication Founder and Time Order Value     l s. d. ob q. Bangor F Blacke Friers      Bardesey in Carnaruonshire M Saint Mary 0058 06 02 o ob Beaumarys in Anglesey F Grey Friers      Bethâ—…ylhert M 0069 03 08 oo o Castr. Cubij Ecclesia Collegiat 0024 00 00 oo o Holyhead in Anglesey C      Kynner in Merionâ—…thshire M Saint Mary Lewellyne the sonne of Geruais 0058 15 04 oo o Penmon P 0040 17 09 ob o Siriolis M 0047 15 03 oo o S. DAVIDS DIOCES Places Dedication Founder and Time Order Ualue     l. s. d. ob q Abeâ—…guylly C 0042 00 00 oo o Alba-launda in Carmardenshire M 0153 17 02 oo o Brechon P S. Euangelist 0134 11 04 oo o Cardigan in Cardigansh P 0013 04 09 oo o Carmarden in Carmardensh F Grey Friers 0174 00 08 oo o Combehyre M 0024 19 04 oo o Iuxta S. Dauids in Pembrokesh C Saint Mary Iohn Duke of Lancaster 0106 03 06 oo o Denbigh in Denbighsh F Iohn 〈◊〉 Annâ—… 〈◊〉 1339. Carâ—…elltes or White Friers      Saint Dogmaâ—…lls in Peâ—…brokshire M Martiâ—… de Turonibus Lord of Keâ—…ys after by Williaâ—… Ualence 〈◊〉 H. 3. 0068 01 06 oo o Hauâ—…fordwest in Pâ—…brokeshire P 0135 06 01 oo o Kydwelly in CarmardeÌ„sh Cella 0029 10 00 oo o Llanleyre in Carmardesh M 0057 05 04 oo o Newport F Austine Friers      Pulla P 0052 02 05 oo o Slebach in Bembrockshire Praeceptoria 0184 10 11 ob o Strataâ—…lorida oâ—… Stratflower in Cardiganshire M Griffith Rhese and Meredith 0122 06 08 oo o Swansey Gardianatus 0020 00 00 oo o Talleia M Saint Mary and S. Iohn Bapt. Restus 0153 01 04 oo o Tyronense Robert Martin tempore Hen.      LANDAFFE DIOCES Places Dedication Founder and Time Order Value     l. s. d. ob q Landaffe Eccles. Cath. Saint Telean German and Lupus â—…rench Bishops      Abergeuenny in Monmouth shire P 0059 04 00 oo o Brecknocke a Cell to Battell Abbey F S. Iohn Euang. Barnard de Newmarch Miles and Roger Earles of Hereford in the raigne of H. 〈◊〉 Blacke Friers      Cardiffe F Grey Friers      Cardiffe F Blacke Friers      Chepstow in Monmouthsh M 0032 04 00 oo o Gods-grace or Gratia Dei in Monmouth shire M Beata Maria Virginis 0019 04 04 oo o Goldcliffe in Monmouthsh P Chandos      S. Kynmercy with a Chappell P 0008 04 08 oo o Lanterna in Monmouthsh M 0071 03 02 oo o Malpas by Newport neer the Riuer of Uske Cel la. 0014 09 11 oo o Monmouth in Monmouthsh P S. Katherine Saint Florence Blacke Monkes 0056 01 11 oo o Morgan in Glamorgansh M William Earle of Gloucester 0188 14 00 oo o Neth in Glamorgansh M Beata Maria Virginis Richard Granâ—…ils 0150 04 09 oo o Tinterna in Monmouthsh M Waltâ—…rus filiâ—…s Richards Comitis de Ogi frater Gâ—…berti Comitis Pembrochia 0256 11 06 ob o Vske in Monmouthsh P 0069 09 08 ob o The Totall Number and Valevv of these and all the Promotions Spirituall certified at the Taxation in King Henry the eight his time of the first Fruites and Tenthes are by the Record as followeth Promotions NuÌ„ber particular Number totall Value totall Archbishoprickes and Bishoprickes 21.    Deaneries 11.    Archdeaconries 60.    Dignities and Prebends in Cathedrall Churches 394.  l. s. Benefices 8803. 12474. l. 320180. 10. Religious Houses 605.    Hospitals 110.    Colleges 96.    Chauntries and free Chappels 2374.    Taken from the possession of the Clergy by Henry the eight and conuerted to temporall vses out of the former summe 161100. l. 9. s. 7. d. q. Since in this precedent Table wee haue laide to the Readers view a great part of this Kings ill the waste of so much of Gods reuenewe howsoeuer abused let him not holde it in curiosity out of season since it may in charity fall well in sequence by setting downe the Churches either erected or restored by him or by him which is the now state of our Clergy continued to redeem
was borne of the Virgine Mary and was giuen vpon the Crosse for our Redemption therefore we will haue Masse celebrated as it hath beene in times past without any man communicating with the Priests for asmuch as many rudely presuming vnworthily to receiue the same put no difference betweene the Lords body and other kind of meate some saying that it is bread before and after some saying that it is profitable to no man except hee receiue it with many other abused termes Item we will haue in our Churches reseruation Item wee will haue holy bread and holy water in the remembrance of Christs precious Body and Blood Item we will that our Priests shall sing and say with an audible voice Gods seruice in the Quier of the Parish Churches and not Gods seruice to be set forth like a Christmasse play Item for asmuch as Priests be men dedicated to God for ministring and celebrating the blessed Sacrament and preaching of Gods word we will that they shall liue chast without marriage as Saint Paul did being the elect and chosen vessell of God saying vnto all honest Priests be yee followers of mee Item we will that the sixe Articles which our Soueraigne Lord King Henry the eight set forth in his later daies shall bee vsed and so taken as they were at that time Item we pray God saue King Edward for we be his both body and goods 23 To these their Demands the King sent this answere therein pittying their ignorance and blaming their folly and therewithall his Generall pardon to as many as would desist whiles it was time First he reproued them for their presumptions thus contumeliously to rise against their dread Soueraigne to the disturbance of his loyall Subiects peace whose simplicity they had notoriously abused in vsing his name to draw them into action of Rebellion and no lesse likewise in the grounds of their demands As in their first Article for Baptisme where it was well knowne the same was admitted as necessity required or rather commanded by the Booke of Common praier published by authority of Parliament and as themselues knew in present practise But touching the Sacrament in their second Article how impudently they did belie the true receiuers thereof was manifest who make so much difference in that holy administration that they account no profit in Common bread besides the nourishment of their naturall Bodies but this blessed bread to be the food of their soules vnto eternall life And as you are seduced in these saith the admonition so in confirmation also they carrie your simplicities captiue for the truth teacheth no otherwise then themselues beleeue namely that a Child baptized and dying before confirmation is nethelesse in state of Grace else are themselues causers of their childrens damnation so the seruice of God brought from an vnknowne tongue cannot surely offend any reasonable man which is onely to make him vnderstand that which before he knew not and to giue his consent to those prayers whereof he hath most need and giueth the neerest touch to his owne feeling conscience for God requireth the heart onely which with an vnderstanding seruice we must sacrifice vnto him But most of all saith this good King we maruell at your demand for the sixe Articles restored to haue them in power as formerly hath beene Doe you know what you aske or in obtaining doe you know what you get They were lawes indeed lately made but quickly repented too cruell for you and too mercilesse for vs who would haue our Raigne written with milke and not with blood and because they were bloody we took them away with the same authority by which they were made least reteining them our sword should be too often drawne and rigour extended vpon our true and well-deseruing subiects We for our parts seeke no longer to liue then to be a father vnto our people and as God hath made vs your rightfull King so hath he commanded you vnto obedience by whose great Maiestie we sweare you shall feele the power of the same God in our sword which how mighty it is no subiect knoweth how puissant it is no priuate man can iudge and how mortall no English heart can thinke therefore embrace our mercy while it is offered least the blood spilt by your meanes cry vengeance from the Earth and be heard in the eares of the Lord in Heauen 24 All this notwithstanding the Rebels persisted in their traiterous attempts against whose seditions Sir Iohn Russell Lord Priuy Seale was appointed Generall of the Kings Army vnto whose assistance was ioined the Lord Grey of Wilton vnder whom serued a band of Italians intended against Scotland these lay at Bristow attending the comming of the Lord Generall who now was marched Westward to Honiton where daily looking for more supply those which he had began to shrinke away whereby the Rebels were emboldned to make towards him and came as far as Fenington-bridge within three Miles of Honiton and in a faire Meadow there spread their Colours The Lord Russell though weake in comparison of them holding it more honour to assaile then to be assaulted made forward euen vnto the Bridge at whose sight the Enemies prepared themselues to fight and with a strong guard maintained the Bridge besides which there was passage ouer the Riuer that held his course betwixt the two Armies 25 Great were the attempts the Lord Lieutenant gaue and manfull was the resistance that the Rebell made yet lastly the way was wonne and followed vnto the battell of the disloyals where presently beganne a most cruell fight and a while was maintained to the losse of their blood but the false hearts failing and the true subiects courage increasing the Cornish immediately gaue backe and fled whereat the Kings souldiers out of Order fell to the spoile minding nothing lesse then that which presently ensued for the Cornishmen perceiuing their disordered carriage suddainely returned and began a new fight when the Lord Russell likewise ordered a new his Army these furiously ioining a sharpe and cruell encounter ensued with the losse of much blood and the liues of three hundred Rebels who lastly tooke to their heeles and left the field the chase a while followed and the souldiers scattered a fearefull crie suddainely arose that all the Commons were vp which caused the Lord Generall to returne vnto Honiton whether shortly came the Lord Grey of Wilton hauing in pay Spiniola an Italian Captaine with three hundred shott 26 The Lord Russels forces augmented his greatest care was to releeue the City Excester whither vpon the third of August he hasted from Honiton being a thousand strong and passing ouer the Downes toward Woodbury lodged his Campe that night neere to the Wind-Mill whereof the Rebels hauing intelligence raised themselues from Saint Mary Clift and made amaine vnto the Downes thinking to surprise the Lord Generall before hee was ready but
then was Guilfords Bride Iane the elder daughter of Suffolke whose mother Lady Francis then liuing was the daughter of Mary the French Queen the younger sister to King Henry the eight vnto whom King Edward ouer-wrought in his weakenes ordained his Crowne by Will at the suggestions of such Politiques as mount to disherite the two lawfull Princes Mary and Elizabeth and to impugne the Statute in case prouided for the succession of K. Henry the eight his children vnto which Will O griefe to heare subscribed all the Kings Councell most of the Nobility the reuerend Bishops and all the Iudges of the land one onely excepted ouen Sir Iames Halles knight a Iustice of the common Pleas vpright in iudgement a fauourer of the Gospell he I say neuer would write or consent to the disheriting of the Lady Mary 76 The King thus accomplishing what his Statists had wrought lay languishing in his faintnes the end wherefore could not be expected but onely by death and now being worne almost to nothing his last 〈◊〉 drawing to the limits of Nature he lift vp his eyes with a prepared heart and prayed as followeth Lord God deliuer me out of this miserable and wretched life and take me among thy Chosen howbeit not my will but thy will be done Lord I câ—â—â—iâ—… my spirite to thee O Lord thou knowest how happy it were for mee to be with thee yet for thy chosen sake if it bee thy will send me life and health that I may truly serue thee O my Lord blesse thy people and saue thine inheritance O Lord God saue thy chosen people of England O my Lord God defend this Realme from Papistrie and maintaine thy true religion that I and my people may praise thy holy 〈◊〉 for thy sonne Iesus Christs sake So turning 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and seeing some by him saide I thought you had not beene so nigh you said Doctor Owen wee heard you speake to your selfe then said the King I was praying to God O I am faint Lord haue mâ—…rcy 〈◊〉 me and reuiue my spirit 〈◊〉 so saying gaue vp the Ghost to the g 〈…〉 of â—â—glâ—â—d in whom they had conceiued most hopes 77 His vertues were rare and many exceeding most Princes and vices so few that none can be taxed with lesse very learned according to his yeeres he was in the Latine and Greek tongues the French Spanish and Italian yea and saith Hieronymus Cardanus he was adorned with the skill of Logicke naturall Philosophie and Musicke and for Astronomy saith he my selfe had experience whom he learnedly opposed of the cause and course of Comets for Humanity he is the very Image of Morality and in princely graue Maiesty best beseeming a King briefly hee may well seeme to be a miracle in Nature nor doe I speake thus Rhetorically to amplifie things or to make them more then truth is for the truth is more then I do vtter and in this hee was most admirable that hee could tell and recite all the Ports Hauens and Creekes not within his owne Realme onely but also in Scotland and likewise in France what comming in there was how the tide serued in euery of them what burden of Shippe and what winde best serued the comming in into them 78 Of all his Nobles Gentry Iustices and Magistrates he tooke speciall name of their Hospitality and religious conuersations and that which is best accepted of a Prince hee was very liberall louing mercifull meeke and gentle towards his people and so farre from bloud as hee euer fauoured and spared as much as might bee the life of man yea euen of Rebels as wee haue seene neither was hee willing to put Heretickes to death as in a certaine dissertation had once with M. Cheeke it appeared insomuch that when Ioan Butoher should be burned for her heresie all the Councell could not moue him to set his hand to the warrant of her execution vntill D. Cranmer his Godfather Archbishoppe of Canterbury laboured to induce him vnto whom â—…ee said what my Lord will you haue me to send 〈◊〉 quicke to hell and taking the pen vsed this speech I will lay all the charge hereof vpon Cranmer before God Then how his hand had beene gotten for his vncles death is to bee admired 79 But his constancy vnto Christs Gospell with the abandoning of all superstition was very admirable one example among many wee will not let to declare Lady Mary his sister through the suit of Charles the Emperour made great meanes to haue Masse said in her house and that to bee done without all preiudice of law the greatnesse of her Person being the immediate successor and the might of the Emperour in amitie with England moued the Councell to giue their consent to the suit to forward which Cranmer Archbishoppe of Canterbury accompanied with Ridley Bishoppe of London were imployed from them to the King who hearing their message gaue the replication so grounded vppon Scripture as they gaue ouer to vrge more that way but like Politicians alleadged the danger in breach of amity with the Emperour to which the King answered hee would rather aduenture the hazard of his own life then to grant that which was not agreeable to the truth The Bishops yet vrged him with the bonds of nature and submissiuely said they would haue no nay the King seeing himselfe so importunated burst into weeping and sobbingly desired them to be content whereat the teares so abundantly burst from their eyes as they departed his presence not able to speake And for a further testimony of this yong Kings zeale reade if you please a letter sent vnto his sister the Princesse Lady Mary out of the originall 80 Right deare and right entirely beloued sister we greet you well and let you know that it grieneth vs much to 〈◊〉 no amendment in you of that which wee for good cause your soules health our conscience and common tranquility of our Realme haue so long dâ—…sired assuring you that our sufferance hath more demonstration of natâ—…r all loue then contentation of our conscience and fore-sight of our safety Wherefore although you giue 〈◊〉 â—…sion asmuch almost as in you is to diminish our naturall lode yet bee wee loath to feele it decay and meane not to bee so carelesse of you as wee bee prouoked And therfore meaning your weale and therewith ioyning a care not to be found guilty in our own conscience to God hauing cause to require forgiuenesse that wee haue so long for respect of loue towards you omitted our bounde duety we do send at this present our right trusty right welbeloued Counsellor the L. Rich our Chancellor of England our trusty and right well beloued Counsellor Sir Anthony Wingfield Knight Comptroler of our Houshold and Sir Will. Peter Knight one of our two principall Secretaries in message to you touching the order of your house willing you to giue theÌ„ firme credite in those things they shal
1346. * Grafton * Serres King Edwards Charity The French deuise to succour Calais The English victory at Potiers 19. Sep. 1356. * Serres Polyd. Vergâ—… saith his name was Innocentius * Serres The French king taken prisoner * Froissard * Serres * Fabian out of the French Chronicles * Ypod. Neust. * Serres The Prince doth things more commendable then his victory * Paul Aemyl * Poly. Verg lib. 19. * Holinsh. omnes * Bolyd Verg. lib. 19. * 5 Mâ—… A. D. 1357. Ypod. Neust. A Lord Maior feasted foure kings at once The two Prisoner kings lodged * Adam 〈◊〉 King Dauid set at liberty after 11 yeeres durance * Fourdon A. D. 1357. * 27. Nouemb. * Guil. Tilliâ—… * Serres Tillâ—… An. D. 1358 A. reg 32. * VVals in Edward 3. fol. 173. * Armacâ—… in Defensoriâ—… curatorâ—… Fox Martâ—…log in Edward 3. * 〈◊〉 iâ—… * Sabelli Ennead 9 l. 6. * Tho. Wals. in Edward 3. King Edward 2. gaine in France 24. October * Paul Aemil. * Serres * Paradiâ—… in les Annals de Burgo * Froissard Paulus Aemilius saith 100000. crownes * Iud. 19. 11. 25. and 26. * Tho. Wals. * Polyd. Verg. lib. 19. * Tho. VVals An. D. 1360. The English before Paris Foure hundred Knights made at one time * Polyd. Verg. * Serres and Polyd. Verg. * Paul Aemyl * Tho. VValsing * Serres Paul Aemyl * Tho. Wals. Ran. Cestr. * Fabian * Tiâ—… Articles of peace * Paul Aemyl 〈◊〉 Iohan. 〈◊〉 * Serres Fabian Holinsh. Paul Aemyl * Tho. Walsing * Paul Aemyl Polyd. Uerg. Froissard The huge ransome of Iohn King of France * Tho. VVals Fabian The City of Paris gaue toward this ransome one hundreth thousand roialâ—… Edw. Griâ—… his English Serres * 24. October 1360. * 〈◊〉 par 7. Caxton * Inuentorie of France in Charles the 5. Serrâ—… Paul Aemyl in Car. 5. * Serres rashly affirmes he did * Pol. Virg. in E. 3. The points charged vpon the English In Charles 5. Serres The dealings of the English defended against P. Aemilius An. D. 1369 Iohn Duke of Lancaster sent to inuade France * Polyd. Verg. in Edw. 3. Froissard * Ypod. Neust. * Polyd. Verg. l. 19 Holinsh. in Edw. 3. An. D. 1370 Sir Robert Knolles sent Generall into the parts about Britaine * Tho. Walsing in Edw. 3. * Paul Emyl in Car. 5. * Paul Emyl Iac. Meir Holinsh. * Tho. Walsing in fine Edw. 3. * Tho. Wals. in Edward 3. * Holinsh. * Serres * Holinshed * Serres an Author distrusted An. D. 1372 * Holinshed The Flemish Name distressed by the English * Ypod. Neust. Rochel besieged by the French The English Nauie distressed by the Castilian * Polyd. Verg. l. 19 King Edward at sea to relieue Rochel is blown backe * Tho. Walsin * Polyd. Verg. lib. 19. A. D. 1373 Rochel continueth English * Tho. VVals * Tho Wals. lib. 19. * 1. Tillius Chron. * Miller p. 992. * Idâ—… ib. * Lib. Eliens * Cambd. Erit in Essex * Milles. p. 381. Idem p. 428. * Milles. p. 441. * Idem p. 689. Monarch 50 Richard II. A. D. 1378. The Coronation of the King 〈◊〉 MS. apâ—…d Dâ—… Rob. Cotton Seruices by â—…a on of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Coroâ—…ion found and â—…ed in that 〈◊〉 The Court of higâ—… Sâ—…wardship A. D. 1379. The Britons dislike of the French Gouernment matter of new troubles The commons spared in the subsidie * Siâ—…plex Capellaâ—… Walsing A mâ—…morable example of a noble young gentlemans faith keeping Aids sent into Britain drowned Other aids pierce into Britaine from 〈◊〉 by land An. D. 1380. * Io. Tilâ—… in Chron. French troubles profitable to the English The Earle of Northumberland countermanded from pursuit of the Scots The Parliament at Northampton A. D. 1381. The Earle of Cambridge sent with an Armie into Portugall * Râ—…der Santiâ—… part 〈◊〉 hist. Hisp. cap. 2â—… * Polyd. Vergil 〈◊〉 l. â—…0 The dangerous rebellionâ—… of Wat. Tyler Iacke Straâ—… others * L. S. Alban MS * Hist. Ang. l. 20. * Ioh. Stow. VVat. Tyler the Idol of the Clownes Iohn Cumber-towne once Lord Maior of London confined and confiscated * Thoâ—… VValsing Ypod. p. 539. Polyder Vergil not to be rashly beleeued Sir Iohn Aâ—…eys reputation redeemed from slander * Reâ—… hee is called Ypod. Neust. Aâ—… 13â—…0 * Henry Knightoâ—… Can. of Lâ—…c Aâ—… apud Holinsh. * Thâ—… UUals. in Richard 2. Hatred increaseth betweene the Duke and Count Northumberland Berwick recouered by the Earle A. D. 1385. The Souereignty of Flanders offeâ—…red to king Richard by the Flemmings * Iohn Tylliâ—… in Chron. * Paul Aemyl saith 40000. in in fight and in â—…ight and that in those whole ciuill warres there perished â—…00000 * In Rich. 2. ad A. D. 1386. The Duke of Lancaster stands vpon his keâ—…ping Thâ—… VValsing in Rich. 2. ad â—…unc ann The French prepare an inuasion against England * Ex Record apâ—…d Tiliuâ—… * Paul Aâ—…myl * Polyd. Uerg. lib. bist Angl. 20. Paul Aemyl Frâ—…issard Iâ—… Meir * Paul Emyl Three hundreth thousand English men in armes together * Seruientes ad arma * Paul Aemyl in Carol. 6. The Kings mother dyeth being denied a pardon for her sonne the Lord Iohn Holland * Ypod Neust. The Duke of Lancaster suspected for perswading the King to passe the Scottish Sea The vertue of priuatâ—… men in the publikâ—… cause * Iohn Tilliâ—… The Portugeseâ—…â—…d the English * Iâ—… 〈◊〉 â—…xal S. Crâ—… 14. Septemb. The bad euent of this French designe for an inuasion The attempt of the Laity to dispossesse the Clergie of their temporall estates * Tâ—…o VVals King Richard the Clergies friend The first Marquesse made that euer was in England * Ex libr. Monast. de Melsa ex Record apud Guil Cambd. in Torkesh A. D. 1386. A. reg 6. * Ypod. Neust. * â—…olinsh * Tho. VValâ—… p. 321. The noble army of thâ—… Duke of Lancaster for Spaine * Heur Knighton Oklands Ang. prael * Holinsh. ex Hen. Knigh. p. 449. * Uigil S. Lauren. The Lord Henry Percie by-named Hotspur sent to Calis * Magister Gunnarius A Parallelization of the English and French States in these times * Paul Aemyl * Ypod. Neust. The first seeds of the ciuil wars * Sam. Dan. in his ciuill warres * Remaines * Tho. Walsing in Rich. 2. * Ypod. Neust. * Marâ—…al The Lord Maior of London refuseth to be of conspiracy against the Duke of Gloster An. D. 1387. * Aprilis 24. * Ypod Neust A description of King Richards chiefe fauorites Tho. VValsin in Richard 2. ad A. D. 13â—…6 The malignant construction made of the Earle of Arâ—…dels seruice The Duke of Ireland puts away his wife the Kings cosen * Tho. Walsin in Rich. 2. * Sellarij Filia a Sadlers daughter some aay a Ioyners Walsing A new â—…tion of the King how to bring the popular Lords to a triall The
The King excuseth his vncle The King is brought backe to Northampton The Duke of Glocester sends a dish of meat vnto the Lord Riuers The L. Riuers others beheaded Queene Elizabeth taketh Sanctuary The L. Chamberlaine sendeth the newes to the L. Chancellor The great heauinesse and confusion of the Queene and her seruants The Archbishops comforts to the Queene The L. Chancellour giues the great Seale to the Queene Great feare conceiued of the ouermuch murmuring made The L. Chancellour sendeth for the great Seale to the Queene Perswasions of the L. Hastings that nothing was extreamly meant L. Hastings somewhat dissembleth False imputation cast vpon the Lords of the Queenes bloud How soone the Commons are brought into fooles Paradise King Edward met by the Citizens and accompanied by them into London Richard Duke of Glocester made Protector of the King and Realm The great Seale is taken from the Archbishop of Yorke The Protectors perswasion to take out of Sanctuary the yong Duke of Yorke A â—…e â—…ch to fetch out the Duke The Protector would haue the Queene sent vnto If the Queene refuse to deliuer the Duke what is to be done All the Counsell allow of the Protectors speech A great offence to breake the Sanctuary S. Peters owne Cope was to be seen in Westminster The Duke of Buckinghams speech Queene Elizabeth held to haue a shrewd wit Not feare but frowardnes kept the yong Duke in Sanctuary A great feare without any great cause Buckinghams opinion of the Sanctuaries Much abuses suffered in Sanctuaries Westminster S. Martins The true vse of the Sanctuary The Duke of Yorke vncapable of Sanctuary Neither Pope nor King can allow Sanctuary men to consume other mens substance A man may take his wife out of Sanctuary without any offence to S. Peter Buckinghams conclusion The generall consent of them all The Cardinall doth his errand to the Queene The Queenes answere to the Cardinall Queene Elizabeth yeeldeth to deliuer the yong Duke The ambitious desire for a crowne Richard Duke of Yorke deliuered to the Cardinall A Iudâ—… kisse Buckingham priuie to the Protectors ploâ—… Suspicion without cause The couenants betwixt the Protector and the Duke of Buckingham Two counsels to diuers ends The mistrust of the times All flocke to the Protector Lord Stanleyes speach to the Lord Chamberlain * Catesby Catesby the cause of much mischiefe Catesby set to sound the Lord Hastings Lord Haestinge speeches concerning the plot Catesby false to his founder The counsel sate in the Tower for the ordering of the yong Kings Coronation The Protectors dissimulation The Protector now another man Lord Hastings speech to the Protectors question The Queene accused of Sorcery The withered aâ—…ne of the Protector by nature and not by 〈◊〉 The L. Chamberlain arrested The L. Staley wounded at Councell Table The L. Chamberlaine beheaded The L. Stanleys dreame The L. Hastings answere to the L. Stanleye meâ—…age Predictions towards the Lord Hastings The Lord Hastings speech to a Purseuant The vaine and suddain state of man The description of the Lord Hastings Citizens sent for into the Tower to the Protector The fained feare of the Lord Protector A Proclamation made to publish the Lord Hastings treasons The Protectors subtilty further knowne by his Proclamation The Schoole-masters opinion The Sheriffes of London carrie Shores wife to prison Shores wife did pennance All commend and pitie Shores vvife The description of Iane Shore Shee died the eighteene yeere of King Henry the eight saith Iohn Harding Shores wife did much good but no man hurt The Subiect not vnworthy to bee written The state of the world The Lords of the Queenes bloud beheaded at Pomfrait The Protector sought to strike whiles the yron was hote The Maior of London made of the Protectors counsell Shaa and Pinker two flattring Preachers Pinker preached at S Marie Hospitall and Dotor Shaa at Pauls Crosse. The plot and deuice how to entitle the Protector to the Crowne The sonne maketh the mother an adultresse K Edward and his children made bastards The text and contents of Doctor Shaas sermon Shaas shamlesse assertions TheÌ„ Preachers intention preuented Gods heauy punishment vpon the false flattering Preacher The Duke of Buckingham commeth to the Guildhall Buckinghams oration to the commons of London The fine glosings of the Duke of Buckingham King Edwards exactions made more then they were His tyranny towards his subiects exemplified by Burdet and Others No safety of goods or life as he falsely alledged The rage of ciuil wars cost EnglaÌ„d more blood then twice the winning of France had done Great dangers alledged and slenderly proued King Edwards wantonnesse set out to the full London the kings especiall Chamber The end of the Dukes errand The great modesty that the Duke pretendeth An author like the subiect The marriage oâ—… King Edward imputed a great mischiefe The Protector must be the only true heire to his father and so to the Crowne Scriptures abused The Dukes pithy perswasions vnto the Citizens The Londoners are mute and astonished at Buckinghams Oration Buckingham goeth ouer his lesson againe The reward of flattery The Recorder commanded to speake to the peopleâ—… The great silence of the people The Duke speaketh once more Prentices and Seruingmen the first proclamets of K. Richard The affection of the election seene by the faces of the Assembly The Nobles and Citizens assemble at Baynards Castle The Protector made it strange to speake with such a multitude Palpable dissembling betwixt the Protector and Buckingham The Protector intreated to accept of the Crowne The Protector saith nay and would haue it Buckingham vrgeth and threatneth the refusall Th Protor fauourably accepteth the Crowne Diuers opinions of the people The Raigne and age of King Edward Monarch 56 Richard III. All the Richards and Dukes of Glocester came to vntimely deathes Richard 1. flaine with an arrow Richard a murthered at Pomfrait Tho. Woodstocke 〈◊〉 herâ—…d to death Humfrey murdered aâ—… S. Edmondsbury Richard slaine at Bosworth held Duke Richard subtilely complotteth for the Crowne The Duke of Buckingham the onely raiser of the Protector By Persal Buckinghams secrete seruant The degrees by which the Protector ascended into the throne The Protector fitted himselfe to the peoples affections A Petition exhibited to the Protector to accept of the Crowne An Act of Parliment passed to establish K. Richards election All doubts taken away of King Richards election The petition of the kings election made lawfull and authorised by Parliament The forme of he 〈◊〉 exhibiâ—…d vnto the Protector Faire gloses vpon soule preteâ—…ses O time how dost thou turne and art turned Flattery feares not how to report How can Princes rule to shuâ—… reproach when they are dead The Queene her mother falsly standered K. Edward accused to haste been contracted to the Lady Elienor Butler The tongue of slander is a sharp arrow They haue taught their toâ—…gs to speake lies Ier. 9. 5. George Duke of Clarence and his heires made vncapable of
thâ—… Tragicall effects * Polyd. Verg. A counterfeit Earle of Warwick executed * Addit to Fab. * Holinshed The true Earle of Warwicke designed to die * Stowes Annal. Perkin condemned executed A. D. 1499. An. Reg. 15. The Earle of Warwicks ruined by Perkins conspiracie Io. Sotw Annal. The Earle confesseth the enditement * Sir F. B. MS. Edward Earle of Warwicke last Male Plausageâ—… beheaded * Ioh. Stow. Annal. * Sir Fr. B. MS. * Polyd. Verg. A. D. 1501. An. Reg. 17. The Lady Katherine of Spaine landed in England Polyd. Verg. in Henirc 7. * Add. to Feb. * Res edmirabiles opera 〈◊〉 * Franc. Tarapha de Reg. Hisp. The briefe of 〈◊〉 and â—…bellas greatest actions * Luc. Marin Sic. Lib. 10. Isabella Queene of Spaine descended from our Edward the 3. King of England * Auton Hebriâ—… Decad I. lib. 1. * Polyd. Verg. 〈◊〉 Hen. 7. * Luc. Marin Sic. Prince Arthur married * Addit to Fab. saith on a Sunday the feast of S. Erkenwald * 10. Stows Annal. Prince Arthur dieth * Bern. Andr. MS. Prince Arthurs bookes and learning A. D. 1501. An. Reg. 17. * The coÌ„tract betweene Iames King of Scots and Lady Margaret published * Ioh. Stow Annal. in Iac. 4. * Polyd. virg Episc. Ross. Bishop Fox his presence desired by the Scotish King * Episc. Ross. ex Polyd. verg King Henries answere to an obiection against the match with Scotland A. D. 1502 An. Reg. 18. King Henry a Widdower and Henry his sonne created Prince of Wales * See in the life of Henry the 8 * 〈◊〉 Stow Ananl K. Henry brings his daughteâ—… the Lady Margares on the way to Scotland * Epis. Ross. The Earle of Northumberlâ—… deliuers her to King Iames within Scotland * Iâ—… Iac. 4. The immediate happy effect of this marriage * A. D. 1506 A. R. 21. * Addit to Fab. cals him Duke A Prince of the bloud roiall arraigned for murther of a priuate person The Earle of Suffolke causeth troubles Polyd. Verg. Edw. Hal. Hollinsh * Io. Stow. Annal. * Polyd. Verg. Apprehensions of persons for the Earle of Suffolkes cause * Polyd. Verg. The misery of great subiect and a lesson for theÌ„ Executions for the Earle of Suffolkes cause * Stowes Annal. * Add. to Fab. * Addit to Fab. The Earle or Duke of Suffolke and Sir Robert Curson others accursed Antiquit. Britan. in Mortons life names Innocentius and not Alexander * Polyd. Uerg. Antiquis Brit. in vita Morton Antiquit. Britan. Ibidem Philip the first King of Spaine and his Queene driuen by tempests into England A. D. 1506. An. Reg. 21. * Ioh. Stow. Annal. Polydor saith Wayâ—…outh * Io. Sotw Annal. The Kings of England and Spaine at Windsore Polyd. Verg. The Earle of Suffolke deliuered vp and sent to the Tower The ominous fall of the weather cocke of Pauls * Suet. in Ang. cap. 97. King Henries gathering of treasure * Nâ—…n tam seueritatis quam anaritia tela esse clamabant * Sir F. B. MS King Henry giues way to the needlesse molestation of his people * Sir Fr. B. MS Addit to Hard. The foule practises vsed to empouerish the subiect * Cor. Tacit. * Polyd. Verg. * 10. Stow Annals A. D. 1508. A. R. 23. The King falleth sicke Pol. Verg. King Henry seeks to assure his daughter Mary to Charles King of Castile The French King sends for aduise to the King of Scots * Epis. Ross. * Polyd. Verg. The Lade Mary promised to King Charles A. D. 1508. A. Reg. 24. K. Henry the 7. dies * Iohn Stowe Generall pardons granted by the King * Sir Fr. B. MS. Io. Stow. Annal. The yeere of his age and raigne A Saint lost for want of pay * Cambden in Surrey See more Supra in Edward 4. §. 79. 80. * Addit to Fab. King Henry saluted Defensor of Christs Church by three Popes Monarch 58 Henry VIII A. D. 1509. King Henry his birth place Polydor. The most learned King of Christendomâ—… King Henry and Queene Katheâ—… crowned Edw. Hall King Henry vsed to sit often in Councell him selfe in person Dudley Empson Ioh. Stow. Hollinsh pag. 791. Edw. Hall In Yocester Northamptonshire Edmund Dudley condemned Io. Sotw Annal. K. Heâ—…ies iustice and charity commended Holinsh. Henry a goodly man of shape and stature K. Henries great strength The Popes letters vnto King Henry K. Henry demanded France Iohn Lesly Bishop of Rosse A. D. 1510. K. Henry maketh league with many Princes Guiccardin King Henry entreth France An. Reg. 1. Edw. Hal. Sleidans Com. The Emperour serueth K. Henry Anglorum praelia Paulus Iouius Battell of Spurs A. D. 1513 August 24 Terwin wonne and the Citâ—…zens sworne vnto Henry Edw. Hall Turnay befieged by K. Henry The strength of Turnay A. D. 1513. Octob. 2. King Henry in triumph entred Turnay Ioh. Lesly K. Iames of Scotland incited by the French King Edw. Hal. Holinsh. See the contents of this letter in Ioh. Leslie Bishop of Rosse dated at Edenbrough the twenty sixt of Iuly in A. D. 1513. Lions terrified at K. Henries answeres See the contents of this letter in Holinshed dated from the Campe at the fiege of Terwin the 12. of August A. D. 1513. Iames King of Scotland enters England Thomas Earle of Surrey King Henries Lieutenant maketh towards the Scots Lord Howard profereth battel vnto K. Iames. King Iames accepteth of battel Iohn Lesly The fight begun Paulin 〈◊〉 The Scots at the first encounter be at the English backe The battels ioin The Scots put to flight The valiant courage of K. Iames. 〈◊〉 king of Scots slaine with 12. Earles and 17. Lords The Honourable receiuing of Cardinall Campiut Matth. 21 9. The Cardinals rich treasures shewed in Cheap side Charles the Emperour cometh into England Iohn Stow. Rich. Turpin King Henrie goeth into France Rich. Grafton Edw. Hall A. D. 1521. An. Reg. 13. Variance betwixt England and France Iohn Stow. R. Grafton Taken out of the Cardinals owne letters dated Ianuary 16. Anno. 1524. Duke Burbon made King Henries Captaine General Instructions of King Henry dated in Anno 1524. Rich. Pace Secretarie The English Embassages into forraine States The wrongs done by the French vnto the English Iohn Lest. The Queenes Dowry vapaid A. D. 1522. A generall muster Io. Stow. Charles the Emperour commeth againe into England Holinsh. in Anno 18. Henrie 8. The Emperour affianceth Lady Mary Iohn Sleidan Com. K. Henry wrote against Martin Luther The Popes Oration at the deliuery of K. Henries booke Ex Original Troubles in Ireland Holinsh pag. 84. Discention betwixt the Lord Deputies of Ireland Kildare accused to the Cardinall The Cardinals speech at the Counsell Table against Kildare Kildare interrupteth the Cardinals tale The Lords tender Kildare He answereth the Cardinals obiection In what ease stand the Noblemen of Ireland with Rebels Kildare committed to prison Kildare accused for suborning of Traitors Kildar committed to the Tower Kildares noble
courage Holinshed Hist. of Ireland Kildar receiued into Dublin with procession The French king imprisoned at Madril Gâ—…ard Queene mother soliciteth King Henry Dislikes 〈◊〉 the Emperour and K. Henry Peace betwixt England and France Signed with 〈◊〉 ovvne 〈◊〉 in Ann. 1526. The great Dominions of the Emperour Guicchard Rich. Turpin G. Câ—… A. D. 1528. The Kings Oration to his Nobility Edward Hall The Kings complaint The commendation of Queen Katherine George Couen Learned men assembled to decide the Kings marriage The testimonies of many Vniuersities sent vnto Rome Iohn Stow. pag 9â—…1 Cardinall Campeiu commeth into England The King and Queene summoned to appeare personally in the Court at Blacke Fryers Queene Katherines speech to the King Queene Katherine departed the Court. The Kings report of his Queene The King excuseth the Cardinall King Henries conscience and care The Bishoppe of Rochester contradicteth the Archbishop of Canterbury Cornelius Agrippa yeeldeth to the proposition The Popes vsurpation forbid by Parliament â—…x Parl. 24 H. 〈◊〉 K. Henries marriage dissolued by Parliament Fox Mart. 1197. Katherine Dowager Holinsh. pag 93â—… Pope Clement 7. adiudgeth the marriage lawfull The thunderings of Pope Clement 7. Sleidan com li. 9. The discent of Anne Bullen Sir Godfrey Bullen Lord Maior of London Anne 1457. Sanders in Schis Angl. Anne Bullen religion Sleid. com lib. 9. Anne Bullen Created Marchionesse of Pembrooke A. D. 1532. Octob. 11. K. Henrie complaineth of the dull Pope King Henrie allowed the Pope 60000. Angels monethly Iohn Stow pa. 946 Anne Dom. 1533. Nouâ—…mb 14. Vpon S. Erkenwalds day saith Hollinshd and Groston King Henry maried Anne Bullen * The Pope Elizabeth Barton the false Oracle or the Romanists The assisters of this false Propheâ—…esse Read Statue in Anne 25. of King H. 〈◊〉 The counterfetings of Elizabeth Barton Edward Hall Ioh. Stow. Holinsh. Cranmer Cromwell Latimer * Elizab. Barton Edward Bocking Richard Deering Richard Risby Richard Maister Henry Gould Two Monkes Iohn Stow. Edward Duke of Buckingham beheaded Holinshed The vaine feare of Prior Bolton The Pope inciteth Iames King of Scotland against England Iohn Lesly High treason The Pope giues England to him that could get it Queene Anne crowned Lady Elizabeths birth A. D. 1533. Fox Martyr 1366. Statut. Parl. H. 28. cap. 10. Queene Anne a great louer of the Gospell A. D. 1536. Ian. 29. Queene Anne deliuered of a deaâ—… Child Queene 〈◊〉 sent to the Tower Mâ—…ch Sandt The 〈◊〉 of Queene Anne Cromwels letter to the King vnder his own hand Archbishop Cranmers let 〈◊〉 to the King Sleidans Com. l. 10 L. Rochford Noâ—…is West 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Marks beheaded May 15. Queene Anne condemned and beheaded Robert Greene. Queene Annes speech at her death Ex MS. The audacious dealings of the Rebels Slanderous vntruths against the King The oath of the Pilgrims The Earle of Shrewsbury maketh against the Rebels Ex MS. R. Coe Thomas Duke of Norfolke Lord Lieutenant of the North. Pardon and peace offered to the Rebels Ex Original MS. The demands of the Commons The whole drift was to down with the Gospel An vncharitable and vnchristian motion Holinsh. pag. 944. Aske executed Luk. â—…2 36. Spirituall men Commotioners Monkes hanged for rebellion Idols and Monasteries suppressed by Parliament A. D. 1538. The Roode of Grace broken at Pauls Crosse. Lamb. Peram in Boxeley Our Lady of Walsingham and other Images burnt Cambd. Brit. 645. Monasteries in England 90. Colledges 110. Religious Hospitals 2374. Chaunteries and free Chappels Eras. Dialogue W. Lamb. Peram The state and opinion of Tho. Beckets Shrine Iohn Stow. The great riches of Beckets Shrine The great reuenewes of the Monasteries Supplication of Beggars The great reuenewes of the Friers 2. Cor. 12. 14. Dâ—…ut 25. 4. Apoca. 9. Iere. 13 26. Many suffered death for the Gospell before that Martin Luther wrote Queene Anne Bullen a fauourer of the Gospell staied the rage against the Professours King 〈◊〉 doings displeased many Chriâ—… Princes Camb. Brit. Lord Marquesse and others beheaded A. D. 1539. Ian. 9. Ioh. 〈◊〉 King Henry married Anne of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 6. An. 1540. 〈◊〉 Mart. 1296. The sixe Articles deuised 32. H. 8. chap. 10 35. H. 8. cap. 5. Lord Cromwell imprisoned In a letter writâ—… ten by himselfâ—… Ex MS. Anâ—… 32. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cap. â—…5 Queene 〈◊〉 diuorced by Parliament Cromwell affect his death 〈◊〉 ted by 〈◊〉 ment Ex MS. D. 〈◊〉 No such things as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 poseth 〈◊〉 Cromwell Nâ—… 〈◊〉 by 〈◊〉 well to cause 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Lady 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A. D. 1540. 〈◊〉 A. D. 1541. May 17. Margaret Coun tesse of Salisbury beheaded Lord Dacres hanged Stat. in 33. of H. 〈◊〉 cap. 21. Since the eight of August 〈◊〉 Queene Katherine and the Lady Iane Rochford beheaded The 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cted Sâ—…t H. 8. 28. c. 10. 〈◊〉 H. 8. 3â—… c. 4. The fixe bloody Articles enacted Iohn Fisher. Sir Thomas Moore beheaded Fox Mart. pap 1363. Anne Askew her story Io. Bale Cent. 8. â—…ol 669. Rom. 1. 16. Three conuersions by N. D. pag. 495. Anne accused by no rule of Christianity 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 compared The Counter Newgate and the Tower 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ned in Smithfield 〈◊〉 as 〈◊〉 suppose Three 〈◊〉 on s pag. 493. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Queene 〈◊〉 rines life laid 〈◊〉 Ibid. coâ—… p 494. 〈◊〉 three conâ—…ersions The Lord Chancellor lost his commission The Queene seeth the sentence of her death Queene Katherine visiteth the King who falleth in conference with her about 〈◊〉 Act. and Mon. Queene Katherines wise answer The Lord Chancellors purpose to apprehand the Queene Henry assumeth the name of King of Ireland A. 154 confirmed by Parl. 35. Hen 〈◊〉 Iohn 〈◊〉 The Kings of England and Scotland appoint to meet at Yorke A. D. 1542. An expedition into Scotland The Scotish noblemen refuse to inuade England The Lord 〈◊〉 of the Weâ—…-Borders yâ—…eld to the Kings perswasions * Williâ—… 〈◊〉 saith Stow. The mistaking of thâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Kings 〈◊〉 Generall The Scotish Noâ—… in 〈◊〉 of their generall 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Solem-mosse Graâ—…n saith foure and twentie The death of K. 〈◊〉 of Scotland A marriage intended betwixt Prince Edward and the young Queene of Scotland The Scotish prisoners honourably entertained The Scotish Prisoners released without Ran. some Ioâ—… 〈◊〉 The marriage of Prince Edward and Queen Mary concluded by Parliament Cardinill 〈◊〉 against the 〈◊〉 ringe with England The French King setâ—… faction in Scotland The Queene and Queene mother conueyto ed 〈◊〉 Queene Marie of Scotland crowned The Earle of Lennox falleth from the Queene mother King Henry dâ—… mandeth the young Scotish Queene An Army 〈◊〉 into Scotland Ioâ—…n Leslie Iohn Leslie The Pope and French King send aide into Scotland Math. Earle of Lennox marrieth Lady Margaret Earle Lennox proclaimed an enemie to the state The English enâ—… Scotland A. D. 1544. Defiance sent into France Ioâ—… Stow. Bolloigne besieged Ioâ—… Sleidâ—… 〈◊〉 Bolloigne wonne R. Graâ—…con Iohn Serres
The French inuade the I le of Wight and the coasts of Sussex A Roade made into Scotland Lord 〈◊〉 slaine A. D. 1546. A great losse of English in France 〈◊〉 Serres 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lib. 7. Peace concluded betwixt England and France Holinshed Chastiâ—… raiseth a fort neere â—…nto Bolloigne King Henries comand against his own writing The Lord Grey flaâ—…teth Chatillâ—… â—…ort A. D. 1547. King 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Iohn 〈◊〉 in Suruey London 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 of December and 〈◊〉 of his raigne King Henries death A. D. 1533 A. D. 1532 A. D. 1536. A. D. 1540. 〈◊〉 p. 183. Iohn Stow. A. D. 1519. Iohn Stow. 〈◊〉 Thomas Milleâ—… Holinshed saith 〈◊〉 Thetford in Norfolke p. 1237. Monarch 59 Edward VI. A. D. 1547. R. Graston Edward created Prince of Wales presently after his birth Alluding to the Crest of her father a Phoenix in flames within a Crowne By his will dated the 30. of December A. D. 1546. Salomon and Henry compared in their sinnes and in their Issue Articles of the Rebels Sacrament of Baptisme Confirmation Consectation of the Lords body Holinshed Reseruation of the Lords Body consecrated Holy Bread and Holy water Priests ' not to be married The sixe Articles The Kings answere and generall pardon The first article answered The second article answered The third article answered Their other obiections answered Answere to the sixe articles King Edwards lawes written in miâ—…ke and not in blood Spoken like a King Forces sent against the rebels Iohn Hooker in description of Excester The rebels make toward the Lord generall The valiant attempt of the Lord Russell The rebels put to flight The rebels returne and maintaine the fight And againe put to flight The Rebels againe ouer-throwne M. Fox in Act. and â—…on The Crucifixe brought in a cart into the field The Rebels againe ouer-throwne The Captaines of the Rebels executed The Maior of Bodmin hanged A Millers man hanged for his master Commotions for Inclosures A. D. 1549. Commotions in Norfolke Grene. Iohn Flowerdew and Robert Ket the caulers of the commotions Ket made Captains of the Commotion Sir Edmund Windam in danger Monshold the place of the randeuoâ—… The inhumanities of the Commotioners Supplies of the commotioners Many good subiects forced to attend vpon the Rebels The tree of Reformation The Kings pardon contemned Norwich 〈◊〉 by the Rebels * George Stradlon George Stradlon his Oration Iohn Stow The L. Protector committed to the Tower M. 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Articles drâ—…wne against the Lord Protector The Protector released from the Tower Vlpian Fulwell A combate fought betweene two Scottishmen before the Lord Grey The English forced out of Scotland The French intend to surprise Bulloignoberge The good seruico of Carter an English souldier A great slaughter of the French The French assault the Isles of Garnesey and Iersâ—…e 〈◊〉 vpon composition deâ—… liuered to the French Iohn Caixâ—… A. D. 1550. The sweating sickenes A sained reconcilement Iohn Stâ—… The Duke of Sommerset priusly armed Rich. Grafton The Duke of Sommerset sent to the Tower Stow. A. D. 1551. * Sâ—…w saith the first The Duke of Sommersets inditement * Of 〈◊〉 William Herbert The Duke condemned of 〈◊〉 Rich. Graf Iohn Stow. Holinsh. The Duke of Sommersets speech at his death A great feare without any cause Ioh. Stow in Annales The Duke entirely beloued of the Commons The Dukes second speech vpon the Scaffold Duke of SoÌ„merset soone mist and sore lamented King Edward falleth sicke Rich. Grafton Three marriages entended to reuert the succession Lady Iane made successor by sicke King Edward Vide Stat. in an 35. de R. â—… â—… M. Fox in all Mâ—… Sir Iames Halles refused to subscribe to K. Edwords Will. K. Edwards prayer The vertues of King Edward The report of Hieronymus Cardanus ex Fox His learning His Memory His Care His Mercy K. Edwards zeale to Christs Gospell K. Edwards letter to Lady Mary D. Ridleies sermon before King Edward The conference betwixt the King and Bishoppe Ridlay K. Edwards great care for the poor King Edwards 〈◊〉 deliuered to the L. Maior The Kings great liberality for the poore in London
chiefe seat to consult for remedies dismissed thence all the Students by reason of their multitude being aboue 15000 saith William Rishanger who then liued of those only whose names were entred into the Matriculation booke amongst whom being so many young Nobles the King doubted how they might bee affected to the Barons Whereupon many of them went to Northampton where then the Barons were strong and thither the King comming with his hoast and breaking in at the Towne-walles vpon Passion Sunday encountred his enemies amongst whom the Students of Oxford had a Banner by themselues aduanced right against the King and they did more annoy him in the fight then the rest of the Barons which the King who at length preuayled had vowed sharpely to reuenge but that his Councellors told him those Students were the sonnes and kindred of the Great-men of the Land whom if hee punished euen the Nobles who now stood for him would take Armes against him The King there tooke Simon Montfort the younger and foureteene other principall Barons and Knightes Banerets forty other Knights besides Esquiers c. Encouraged with this successe hee aduanceth the Standard royall toward Nottingham burning and wasting the Barons lands wheresoeuer hee came To diuert this tempest Simon Montfort hastneth to London and attemptes the taking of Rochester Castle which Iohn Earle of Warren defended for the King who comming to raise the siege takes Kingston Castle which belonged to the Earle of Gloucester then vnexpectedly falling vpon such as maintained the siege of Rochester while Simon was absent kils verie many and scatters the rest Then seiseth hee the Castle of Tunbridge and therein the Countesse of Gloucester whom notwithstanding he nobly set at large as professing not to warre against Ladies from thence the Cloud of power borne vpon the winges of indignation speedes to Winchelsea and receiues the Cinque-Portmen to grace setling at last in Lewis where himselfe rested in the Priorie and his sonne in the Castle whither the Barons sent letters to him protesting their loyall obseruance to his person but all hostisity to their enemies which were about him 100 But the King flaming with desire of reuenge sets slight by these vowed but fained fidelities and returnes a full defiance as to Traitors professing that hee takes the wrong of his friends as his owne and their enemies as his The King of Almaine Prince Edward with other of the Kings chiefe friends sent their like letters of defiance The Barons loath to let it come to the hazardous and vnkind triall of steele though they then encamped about sixe miles from Lewis not acquitting themselues in this repulse iterate their message with an offer to pay to the King thirty thousand pounds in satisfaction of such hurts as their people had done through the Realme so as the Statutes of Oxford might stand The king of Almaine whose honour they had toucht and spoild part of his inheritances hindred all harkening to any their offers 101 It came to a battel wherein Simon de Montford commands his traiterous Army to weare white Crosses on breast and backe to shew they fought for Iustice great was the effusion of bloud on both parts chieflie of the Scots vpon the Kings side of the Londoners vpon the Earles side whose Battalion lead by the Lord Segraue Prince Edward most furiously charged and had the execution of them for about foure miles which he pursued the more bloudily in reuenge of the extreame disgrace which they had offered vpon London Bridge to the Queene his Mother and after that the Garrison of Tunbridge followes and slew many at Croyden But while the Prince spent himself in that reuenge his Father who hauing his Horse slain vnder him had yeelded himself prisoner to Simon de Montfort his vncle the king of Romans and others great Peeres were taken and the whole hope of that day lost There fell in all on both sides about fiue thousand Prince Edward returning from the slaughter of the Londoners ed at Westminster on the Northside of the high Altar vnder a faire monument of stone with his Portraiture and the armes of him and others of his house and manie noble houses of that time 108 Richard the third sonne of King Henry and Queene Elenor bearing the name of his vncle Richard King of Romans Almaign deceased in his youth and lieth at Westminster enterred on the south-side of the Quire 109 Iohn the fourth sonne of King Henrie and Queene Fleanor bearing the name of King Iohn his grandfather deceased yong and at Westminster his bones lie enterred with his brother Richard 110 William the fift sonne of King Henry and Queene Eleanor is mentioned by Thomas Pickering a Priest of the monastery of Whitby in Yorkeshire who liued in the time of King Henrie the sixt and wrote a large Genealogie of the Kings of England and their issues ' and that he dying in his childhood was buried within the new Temple by Fleete-streete in London 111 Henry the sixt sonne of King Henry and Queene Eleanour is also reported by the same Pickering to haue died yong and to be buried at Westminster 112 Margaret the eldest daughter of King Henry and Queene Eleanor borne the twentie sixt yeere of her Fathers raigne 1241. was the first wife of Alexander the third King of Scotland married to him at Yorke An. 1251. by whome shee had issue Alexander and Dauid who died both before their Father without issue and Margaret Queene of Norway wife of King Erike and mother of Margaret the heire of Scotland and Norway that died vnmarried shee was Queene twenty two yeeres liued thirtie three deceased before her husband in the twenty third yeere of his Raigne the first of her brother Edwards in England and was buried at the Abbey of Dunferinling in Scotland 113 Beatrice the second daughter of King Henrie and Queene Eleanor was borne at Burdeaux in Gascoigne Iune 25. An. 1242. of her Fathers raigne 27. At the age of eighteene yeeres shee was married to Iohn the first Duke of Britaine sonne of Iohn the last Earle of the same and had issue by him Arthur Duke of Britanny Iohn Earle of Richmont Peter and Blanch married to Philip sonne of Robert Earle of Artoys Eleanour a Nunne at Amsbery and Marie married to Guy Earle of Saint Paul when shee had beene his wife twelue yeeres and liued thirty yeeres shee deceased in Britany in the first yeere of the Raigne of her brother King Edward and was buried at London in the Quire of the Grey Fryers within Newgate 114 Catherine the third daughter of King Henry and Queene Eleanor was borne at London An. 1253. of her fathers raigne 37. Nouemb. 25. being Saint Katherines day whose name was therefore giuen vnto her at the font by Boniface Arch-Bishop of Canterburie her mothers vncle who christened her and was her Godfather Shee died yong and at Westminster her bones lie enterred with her brother Richard and Iohn
in the space betweene the Chappels of King Edward and Saint Bennet EDVVARD THE FIRST LORD OF IRELAND AND DVKE OF AQVITAINE c. THE FORTIE-SEVENTH MONARCH OF ENGLAND HIS RAIGNE ACTS AND ISSVE CHAPTER X. EDward who followed K. Henry in wearing the English Crowne but far out-went him in all regall vertues was abroad at the time of his fathers death still pursuing his high desires for the Holy Warres wherein what he performed being yet but a Prince against the publike enemies of Christians it shall not bee impertinent to touch before wee come to his actions as a King hauing already remembred with what valour and felicity hee had subdued his Fathers domesticke enemies setled the peace of his Kingdome and reestablished the raines of Soueraignty in his Fathers hands which those potent Rebels had formerly extorted 2 King Lewis of France whose perswasions had enflamed this noble-spirited Prince to associate him in this glorious quarrell hauing first set forth for the enterprise lay now in siege of Tunis in Africa where Prince Edward with all his forces arriuing the French King greatly reioycing in his wished presence together with the King of Nauarre and other Princes of his Army went forth to meet him and receiued him in the kisse of Peace This place which they beleaguered was as then not great yet by reason of the situation it greatly impeached the Christians in their passages through those Seas being built out of the scattered ribs and wasted ruines of that mighty and famous City Carthage riual once in Maiesty and Ambition with ancient Rome as contending with her about the Empire of the World Therefore to secure the Mediterranean Seas it was thought necessary to beginne that enterprise for Asia with this in Africa but not long after Lewis yeelding vppe his holy Soule to God at the siege and sicknesse by reason of the heates in those Regions for it was August raig of homage to seize vpon the whole Fee of the said Prince marcht with an Armie into Wales his good fortune there was accidentally augmēted by a prize which foure shippes of Bristol tooke about the Isles of Sillie wherein the daughter of Simon Montfort late Earle of Leicester who according to a secret contract betweene their friends went to be giuen in marriage to Lewelin and Aimericke her brother were surprised but shee found honourable vsage of the King her neere kinsman 11 Meanewhile Lewelines affaires by the manhood and diligence of Pain de Canusijs and others who had takē West-Wales in broght it to the Kings peace thriuing but poorely and the saide Prince feeling the foundations of his safetie beginning manifestly to faile and shrinke from vnder him sued for peace and had it vpon such termes which in likely-hood were not as Polydor Virgil would haue it seeme granted by King Edward lest he should leese his cost and care by warring against bogs and mountaines In the conditions of Peace which was procured with great difficulty the most remarkeable as carrying the shew of a farre greater riches in the possession of the Welsh euen at that time then some preiudicated can easily beleeue were these 1. That the Prince should pay to the King for his peace and goodwill fifty thousand pounds sterling the payment whereof should bee in the Kinges will and grace that is as wee conceiue it how much thereof the Prince should pay or not pay and when 2. That the said Prince should haue the Isle of Anglesey in Fee-farme of the King to him and to the lawfull issue of his body in generall taile for fiue thousand Marks readie money for gressom or a fine in hand paid the yeerly rent of a thousand Marks The rest of the articles being about eight amounted to so much as a plain Conquest or dissolution of the Principality of Wales after Lewelins death who was to enioy the same during his time vpon conditions 12 Now whereas the said Lewelin had three Brethren Dauid whom King Edward fauoured Owen and Rodericke it was enioyned to him at this conclusion made by the Lord Robert Tiptoft and certaine other Commissioners vpon eyther side appointed that hee should appease and satisfie his said Brethren but because Dauid was afterward a principall Actor in the calamities which fell vpon himselfe his house and his Country we must not neglect to speake somwhat particularly of him This Gentleman for some causes flying into England from his Brother Lewelin for his faithfull seruice to the State of England was there honoured contrary to the manner of his Nation with the order of Knighthood and receiued also by the bounty of King Edward for his maintenance the Castle of Denbigh with lands to the yeerly value of one thousand pounds and the Daughter of the Earle of Derby being then a Widow to wife with all which bounty the King did but entertaine a reuealer of his secrets as some not improbably doe affirme The State of Wales thus composed and the Castle of Aberistwith which seemes to bee the same that by another is said to haue beene built in West-Wales at Lāpader Vaur being built by King Edward for assuring those parts the King as he was munificent and roiall the more to tie Lewelins faith gaue vnto him the Lady of whose surprise at Sea we haue mentioned to be his consort honouring the Nuptials with his owne presence and his Queens And whereas Alexander King of Scots came about the same season into England to treat with Edward concerning important affaires and had formerly sent to the Welsh warres certaine aides of the Scots the said Alexander being iealous on his Countries behalfe that those aides might bee interpreted to haue beene sent vpon duty obtained letters testimoniall from King Edward declaring that they were not sent of duty or in respect of seruice due 13 Though King Edward were thus desirous to gaine the Welsh-Nation rather by his largesse then puissance hauing so honourably vsed Lewelin hee could not yet retain their hearts for whether it were which some to amoue the note of ingratitude turbulency from them affirme for that there was partiality vsed by the English officers in distribution of iustice vpon the Marches or which seems to some as likely for that they aspired in vaine to their ancient liberty being miserably seduced with certaine blind prophesies the Welsh betooke themselues afresh to Armes for Dauid himselfe whom the King had laden with so many benefites and graces became to them a principall leader and to giue them full assurance of his fastnesse to their cause reconciling himselfe to his brother the Prince he sodainely and treacherously vpon Palme-Sunday seised the Castle of Hawardin surprising Roger de Clifford a noble famous Knight whom the King had dispatched into those parts as Iusticiar of all Wales and slaying such vnarmed men as offered to resist that violence whence
any of aboue fifteene The great number of the slaine is not the measure of a victory but the vse and effects which it drawes The Duke of Alanson himselfe was taken prisoner with about two hundred others of speciall worth The English paid for this noble victory the bodies of about two thousand of their souldiers which lost life there for it was fought vpon faire termes in the open fields and carried by meere manhood That which followeth till the siege of Orleance Paul Aemylius comprehendeth in some few lines The fierce Conquerour besiegeth Mants in Main and with Ordinance beates downe part of the wals It yeelds heereupon The English Garrison left therein after the taking not being sufficient to containe the Towne in due subiection is compelled to flie to a Tower for their safetie the enemies which were admitted into it by the Burgers enioying the rest The Lord Talbot the most noble Captaine of the English presently arriues to the rescue and puts the malefactors to death The English Empire extends it selfe to the Riuer of Loyr Charles they call in scorne the King of Berry Thus roundly he In nine Articles and capitulations drawne and concluded at the yeelding of Mâ—…nts this was one as perhaps it was in euery like occasion That if any persons were found within the City which had beene consenting to the murther of Iohn Duke of Burgoin father to Philip Duke of Burgoin in full reuenge whereof he had hither to adhered to the English that they should simply bee at the Regents mercy 8 The chiefe things which passed in England during these happy proceedings in France were briefly these Iames Steward the young King of Scots hauing beene casually taken vpon the Sea in the reigne of King Henry the fourth and after his fathers death not sufficiently tendered nor respected by the Scots remained still a Prisoner The rather therefore to hinder the Scots that was the hope from aiding the French it was now thought fit by the Councell of England to enlarge him Which was accordingly done vpon pledges Not long after the which he married the Ladie Iane daughter to Iohn Earle of Sommerset neere cosen to King Henry Principall setters forward of this marriage as by likelihood of his liberty also to honour their family with a Kingly alliance were the Earle of Sommerset and the Bishop of Winchester both of them Beauforts who together with sundry other of the English Nobility conducted the new married Couple to the Scottish Borders Much of his ransome was abated and his new kinsemen bestowed vpon him store of plate gold and siluer among other gorgeous Ornaments suit of hangings in which the labors of Hercules were most curiously wrought But this wise King hauing had the benefit of excellent and Princely education in England did not suffer any obligations contracted in the time of his durance to preponderate with him the Generall state of Scotland whose freedome did much depend vpon the fortune of France whereby the maine drift of his enlargers was not much aduanced The reason notwithstanding which lead this action was probable and so much the more commendable for that it was tempered with humanity The forreine mischiefe thus howsoeuer intended hereby to be auoided or qualified Sir Iohn Mortimer a dangerous firebrand at home being Prisoner in the Tower was arraigned for many treasonable speeches vsed to a yeoman seruant to Sir Robert Scot keeper of the Tower of London to draw the said yeoman to let him escape promising him great matters The points of his speeches were as that fellow charged vpon him in open Parliament 1. That the said Mortimer meant to flie into Wales to the Earle of March and with an armie of forty thousand men to enter England and strike off the Protectors head and the Bishop of Winchesters 2. That the Earle of March ought by right to bee King of England and if the Earle would not that then hee himselfe was next heire 3. That if he could not safely reach to the Marches he would saile to the Daulphin of France and there serue with honor which he was assured of For these ouertures of escape and conspiracie the Knight was drawne hanged and headed Of whose death no small slander arose Perhaps he that writes so doth meane that the whole was but a stratageme to rid him out of the way Edmund Lord Mortimer Earle of March the party whom the said knight mentioned was sent not long after with many other Lords and competent numbers of men into Ireland where he deceased without issue whose great patrimony descended to Richard Plantagenet Earle of Cambridge the fatall disturber of the Realme of England vpon the pretence of Mortimers title to the Crowne 9 The amity with the Duke of Burgoin which the English had hitherto found so auailable toward their Conquests hauing otherwise receiued some few slight flawes was now in danger of vtter breaking vpon this occasion Humfrey Duke of Gloucester Protector of the Realme following councell vnworthy of his person and place contracted himselfe with the Lady Iaqueline of Baâ—…aria Inheretrix of Holland Zeland Henaâ—…lt and many other faire dominions in the Netherlands notwithstanding that Iohn Duke of Brabant her former husband was then liuing and that the suit of diuorce commenced by Iaqueline depended still betweene them The Duke of Burgoin held with Brabâ—…t This bred bitter humor in the Duke of Glocester who being not vsed to meet with any rubs or confrontments and now when in person he came with an armie to take seison of Henault in right of his supposed wife finding himselfe hard set vnto by the aids which Burgoin ministred to the Duke of Brabant he challengeth Combat of the Duke of Burgundy calling him traitour It was accepted and the lie strongly thrust vpon Gloucester who leauing the light Lady at her Towne of Monts in Henault returned into England doing nothing of that for which at that time he came Mediation tooke vp the quarrell afterward betweene the Duke of Burgundy and him Not long after the returne of the Duke of Gloucester into England the first marriage which had beene made and consummated betweene the Duke of Brabant and the said Lady Iaqueline was pronounced lawfull by Pope Martin the fifth Hereupon the Duke of Glocester hauing susteined many losses aswell of friends as treasure in punishment of that great sinne in taking anothers wife forthwith marries Eleanour daughter to Reignald Lord Cobham of Sterborough whereby he made her amends for that vnlawfull familiarity which had formerly passed betweene them Meanewhile the Court of England doth well shew that the King was an infant for it was full of dangerous emulations and sidings the Duke of Gloucester whose high office it was to tender the welfare of the King and State laying sundry grieuous accusations against the Cardinall Beaufort sonne of Iohn Duke of Lancaster Bishop of Winchester and Lord
Chancellor as being a person very dangerous vnto both 10 The news of these home-contentions comming to the Duke of Bedford into France easily drew him home though the state of that Realme could not well want his presence For Iohn Duke of Britaine notwithstanding his late renouation of league with the Regent at Amiens iealous of the English greatnes turned sodeinely to Charles and with him Arthur Earle of Richmond his brother This puts fresh spirit into the drooping Prince Arthur is by Charles made Constable of his France in place of the Scottish Earle who was slaine at the bloody Battell of Vernoil The Duke of Britaine ouerliues this reuolt but a small time Arthur to declare his forwardnes on the behalfe of Charles assembleth about twenty thousand men and with them sodeinely besiegeth S. Iean a Towne of Normandy vpon the frontier of Britaine which Edmund Duke of Sommerset Gouernour of Normandy had lately fortified and stuft with souldiers The vnexpected arriuall of the French did greatly at the first perplex the English but vpon better aduise they valiantly sallied out vpon them both before and behind which stroke so great terrour into the enemy that with losse of their Artillery and many of their people they forsooke the siege To redeeme this dishonour he turnes his fury vpon the Countrey of Angioâ—… which in many parts he depopulates and spoiles The Regent being resolued to returne into England leaues behind him Beaâ—…champ Earle of Warwicke as lieutenant who was lately arriued in France hauing six thousand fresh Souldiers in his company 11 The presence of the Duke of Bedford Regent of France was to the State of England very necessary For the wisdome and authority of so great a Prince being eldest vncle to the King and one whom many great deedes made famous allaied the distemper which he found at his arriual It was a worke worthy of his labour and he also found it to be a worke indeed and not easily effectuable The differences were debated first at Saint Albans then at Northampton lastly in a Parliament at Leicester which continued there till toward the end of Iune The Duke of Bedford himselfe to auoid the note of partiality for that his brother of Glocester was a party did not intermeddle otherwise then as in Generall words to perswade amity but the whole cause was referred to arbitrators of greatest Nobility and prudence by whose endeuours all those differences and greeuances were equally thrust into one sacke to be sealed vp for euer by obliuion and without mention of amends on either side the Duke and Bishop the one hauing sworne by his Princehood the other by his Priesthood truly to obserue the award shooke hands and were fully for that time reconciled After which holy and necessary worke of priuate attonements ensued acts of festiuitie and honor For in the same Towne of Leicester the young King not then fiue yeeres of age was at the high feast of Pentecost dubbed Knight by the Regent of France Immediately whereupon the King honored Richard Earle of Cambridge who by the fatall errour of the Counsell was at this Parliament created Duke of Yorke the same who was father to Edward the fourth with the order of knighthood and about forty more with him This Richard Duke of Yorke was hee who brought vpon this Kingdome and nation most dolefull diuisions to the vtter extirpation of all the male lines of either house that is to say his owne and that of Lancaster whereof the young King was head From Leicester the King was conueighed to Killingworth and Thomas Duke of Excester dying Beauchamp Earle of Warwicke was constituted Guardian and Tutor to the King 12 The Regent hauing thus worthily prouided for the quiet estate of the King and Country returns to his charge in France There went ouer at the same time a choise and great number of fresh men vnder the conduct of that immortally renowmed the L. Talbot whose victories saith Polydor were so many that his name was not onely most dreadfull to the French but most famous through the world euen at this present That yee may know the man not to haue beene studious of fine Phrases vpon the one side of his sword-blade was engrauen Sum Talboti and vpon the other this boisterous blunt sentence Pro vincere inimicos meos The Duke of Alanzon taken at the Castell of Vernoil was set at liberty vpon payment of two hundreth thousand Scutes of gold At Mountarges about Orleance the English receiued an ouerthrow with the losse of about fifteene hundreth of their numbers and in Britaine the French sustained great dammages by a Captaine of the Duke of Sommersets These were petty matters They of Mantz in Maine had drawne in the French by night who massacred the English William Earle of Suffolke Captain of the place sends to Iohn Lord Talbot for succour It came and that so vnexpectedly that the French were alike distrest All but souldiers were spared and many also of them though thrust into prisons The Traitours which had caused so much mischiefe had their deserts by death From hence the Lord Talbot marched to other enterprises The quality of our taske cals vs to the maine 13 Thomas Lord Montacute Earle of Salisbury being with the Regent at Paris and considering what forces of men and all prouisions the English then enioied bethought himselfe of some action which might answere the greatnesse of his owne name and of the publike meanes The siege of Orleance is by him propounded to the Councell The credite of the Motioner was alone an argument of power to conuince the possibility His desires were therefore furnished with all competent prouisions They of Orleance hearing what a storme was comming for the name of this Earle was worthily terrible with great diligence ordaine for their defence The Suburbes answerable in bignesse to a good City they leuell with the earth that the enemie might not from thence annoy them Men victuals munition and constant intentions to fight for their liberty and safegard abounded The Earle of Sarisburie the Lord Talbot and a dreadfull puissance vnder most expert commanders present themselues before it Orleance was and is an Episcopall See a Parliament Towne and Vniuersity richly scituate vpon the riuer of Loir whose best glory it is being the chiefe City which that renowned streame watereth No enemies appearing abroad he approacheth close to the walles Assaults prouing vain he entrencheth about it and to secure his Campe casts vp ramparts and other works one of which by reason of the hugenesse thereof was called London by the name of the chiefe-City of England The Fort which stood at the Bridge foot beyond the Loyr hee seiseth vpon and closeth them vp on euery side Charles of France could minister no sufficient succor God when mans helpe failes interposeth his hand which as all of vs daily feele so is it most conspicuous in the deliuerance of