both voluntarily resigne and also solemnly bee deposed by consent of all the States of the Realme For resignation would bee imputed only to feare deprivation to force whereof the one is alwayes pitied and the other envied But if both concurre and his desire be combined with his desert being willing to forsake that which hee is adjudged worthy to forgoe Then it will appeare that he is neither expelled his kingdome by meere constraint nor leaveth it without just cause this advise generally pleased And for execution thereof upon the Feast of Saint Michael which was the day before the Parliament should begin there assembled at the Tower Thomas Arundell Archbishop of Canterbury Richard Scroope Archbishop of Yorke Iohn Bishop of Hereford Henry Duke of Lancaster Henry Earle of Northumberland Radulph Earle of Westmerland Lord Hugh Burnell Lord Thomas Berckley Lord Rosse Lord Willowbigh Lord of Abergany the Abbot of Westminster the Pryor of Canterbury William Thirmings and Iohn Markham chiefe Iustices Thomas Stokey and Burbacke Doctors of the Law Thomas Herpingham Thomas Gray Knights William Ferly and Dionise Lophane Notary publicks and divers others neither noted nor remembred When all were set in their places King Richard was brought forth apparelled in a royall Roabe the Diadem on his head and his Scepter in his hand and was placed amongst them in a chaire of State never was Prince so gorgeous with lesse glory and more griefe To whom it was not thought disgrace sufficient to lose both the honour and ornaments of a King But hee must openly to his greater scorne renownce the one and surrender up the other After hee had sate a while and pawsed he used these words to the assembly I perswade my selfe that some here present and many more hereafter will account my case lamentable eiâ—…her that I have deserved this dejection if it be just or if it bee wrongfull that I could not avoyd it I confesse with shame and griefe that many times I have appeared both lesse provident and lesse painfull for the benefit of the republicke then I should or might or would have beene hereafter and have in many actions more respected the satisfying my owne particular humour then either in justice to some private persons or the common good of all yet did I not at any time either altogether omit dutie or commit grievance upon supine dulnesse or set malice but partly by abuse of corrupt Counsellors chiefely by error of my youthfull rash conceit without true judgement The remembrance of these oversights are to no man so unpleasant as to my selfe and the rather because I have no meanes left either by injuries done or to testifie to the world my reformed affections which experience and maturitie of yeares had already begun to correct and would I assure my selfe have growne to a more perfect frame if but permitted to have continued But whether all imputed to mee be true either in substance or qualitie according as they are suggested or whether being true they be so exorbitant as to enforce these extremities or whether any other Prince especially in youthfull blood and in the space of two and twenty yeares the time of my unfortunate raigne doth not sometimes either for advantage or displeasure in as deepe manner grieve some particular subject I will notnow examine it bootes not to use defence nor much availeth to make complaint there is left no place for the one nor pitie for the other And therefore I refer all to Gods pleasure and your more collected considerations I accuse no man I blame not fortune I complaine of nothing There is no pleasure in such ayrie comforts it may bee if I had had will to have stood upon termes I could have procured great favours abroad and presume some good friends at home who would have beene ready it may be too forward on my behalfe to set up a dangerous and doubtfull war But I estimate not worldly dignitie at so high a rate to hazard the spilling of so much Christian blood and the spoyling of so flourishing a Country as thereby might have beene occasioned in my quarrell Therefore that the Common-wealth may rather rise by my fall then I stand by the ruine thereof I willingly submit to your desires and am here come to dispossesse my selfe of all Regall and publike authoritie or title And to make it free and lawfull for you to Elect and Create for your King Henry Duke of Lancaster my Vncles son whom I know to be as worthy to take that place as I see you willing to conferre it upon him Then hee read openly and distinctly the forme of his cession wherein hee did declare that he had discharged his Subjects from their obligations of Fealtie and homage and all other tyes whatsoever And of his owne will and free motion did repudiate the title dignitie and authority of a King and rendred up the possession of the Realme with the use and title thereof and all the rites thereunto appertaining and thereunto subscribed and made oath for the performance And then with his owne hands delivered the Crowne Scepter Roabe and ornaments to the Duke of Lancaster saying Cousin I wish you more happinesse herewith then ever hapned to my selfe Then did hee Constitute the Archbishop of Yorke and the Bishop of Hereford his Procurators to intimate and declare this his resignation to all the States of the Parliament Lastly hee gave all his Treasure to the summe of three hundred thousand pounds in coine besides his jewels and Plate for satisfaction of injuries done desiring the Duke and those present severally by their names not altogether to forget that hee had been their King nor yet too much to thinke upon it but to retaine a moderate remembrance of him and in recompence of the ease hee had done them by this voluntary resignation to permit him to live safely in a private life with the contemplation whereof he was so taken that from thenceforth hee would preferre it before any worldly preferment This was done with voice and countenance so consonant to his present passion that not any present not unmindfull of humane instabilitie which was not in some measure moved thereat insomuch that some few teares secretly dropped from many eyes there present in whose thoughts a confused but obscure alteration already began to take rising so prone is man-kinde to pitie misery though by themselves procured and to envie prosperitie even in those themselves have raised The Munday following the Parliament began at Westminster and there the Archbishop of Yorke and the Bishop of Hereford the late Kings Attorneys for this purpose openly declared to the States there assembled the Kings voluntary resignation and demanded whether they would assent and agree thereunto The Barons of the Realme by particular assent the Commons with generall voice accepted and admitted the fame Then it was thought requisite that some defects and misdemeanours in point of government should bee objected against the late King for which hee might
bee adjudged as unworthy as hee seemed unwilling to retaine the Soveraigntie whereupon certaine Articles were ingrossed and publikely read in which was contained how unprofitable he had beene to the Realme how unjust and grievous to the Subjects repugnant both to his oath and honour The principall of which Articles were 1. That hee had wastfully spent the Treasure of the Kealme and had to unworthy persons given the possessions of the Crowne by reason whereof many great and grievous taxes were daily layd upon the Commons 2. That whereas divers Lords aswell spirituall as temporall were by the high Court of Parliament appointed to treate of matters concerning the State of the Kingdome they being busied about the same Commission hee with others of his accomplices went about to appeach them of high Treason 3. That by force and threats hee enforced the Iudges of the Realme at Shrowsbury to condiscend to his way for the destruction of the said Lords That thereupon hee raised warre against Iohn Duke of Lancaster Thomas Earle of Arundell Richard Earle of Warwicke and others contrary to his promise in derogation of the honour of the King That hee caused his fathers owne brother the Duke of Glocester without law to be attached and sent to Callice and there without reason secretly murthered That notwithstanding the Earle of Arundell at his arraignment pleaded his Charter of pardon hee could not bee heard but was shamefully and suddenly put to death That hee assembled certain Lancashire and Cheshire men to make warre upon the foresaid Lords and suffered them to robbe and spoyle without reproofe or prohibition 4. That though hee dissembled and had made Proclamation That the Lords were not attached for any crime of Treason but for oppression done within the Realme yet hee objected against them in the Parliament treason and rebellion 5. That notwithstanding his Pardon granted to them hee enforced divers of the Lords partakers to bee againe intollerably fined to their utter undoing 6. That contrary to his promise in Parliament hee to his great dishonour kept away divers Rowles and Records which by agreement should have beene showne to certaine Commissioners appointed to treate of the affaires of the Common-wealth 7. That hee commanded that no man upon paine of death should entreat for the returne of Henry now Duke of Lancaster 8. That whereas the Realme is immediately holden of God he after he had obtained in Parliament divers Acts for his owne particular ends procured Bulls and heavy censures from Rome to compell his Subjects under heavy censures from Rome to observe and performe them contrary to the Honour and antient priviledge of this kingdome 9. That though the Duke of Lancaster had done his devoyre against the Duke of Norfolke in defence of his quarrell yet hee banished him the land without showing just cause contrarie to equitie and the law of Armes 10. That having under the great Seale given leave to the said Duke of Hereford to make Proxies and Attornies to prosecute and defend his causes The said King after the Dukes departure would not permit any to appeare for him 11. That hee had put out divers high Sheriffes having beene lawfully elected putting into their roomes some of his Favourites subverting the course of the law contrary to his oath and honour 12. Hee borrowed great summes and bound himselfe for repayment but no peny thereof payed 13. That hee layd taxations upon his Subjects at his pleasure consuming the Treasure in idle expences but not paying the poore subject for his owne viands 14. That hee affirmed all the Law lay in his head and brest by which phreneticall conceit divers of the Nobilitie were destroyed and the poore Commons fleeced 15. That hee procured by his Solicitors in the Parliament an Act to bee established that no Act of Parliament should bee more prejudiciall to him then it was to his Predecessors through which proviso hee did what he list and not what the law did allow 16. That for his ends hee would keep Sheriffes of shires longer then two or one yeare in the office 17. That hee put out divers Knights and Burgesses legally elected and put others of his owne choice in their roomes to serve his owne turne 18. That hee had spies and informers in every Countrey to heare and observe the words and demeanours of the people And if any reproved his loose and licentious courses they were convented and grievously fined 19. The spiritualitie objected against him that at his going into Ireland hee squeesed out many summes of money besides jewels and Plate without Law or Custome contrary to his oath at his Coronation That divers Lords and Iustices being sworne to speake the truth in divers things concerning the honour and safetie of the Realme and profit of the King hee did so threaten them that no man would or durst deliver the truth 20. That without the assent of the Peeres hee carried the Iewels and Plate of this Kingdome into Ireland to the great impoverishing of the Realme many of them being there lost 21. That hee caused all remembrances of the great exactions and extortions by him used and safely deposited amongst the Parliamentary Records to bee privily imbeazeled and carried away 22. That in all his Letters to the Pope and other Princes his stile was cunning and obscure that neither they nor his owne Subjects were certaine of his true meaning 23. That hee forgetfully affirmed that all the lives of his Subjects were in his hands to dispose at his pleasure 24. That hee contrary to the great Charter of England procured divers able men to appeale aged people upon matters determinable at Common law in the Marshalls Court because in that Court there is no tryall but by battaile whereby such Appealers knowing their insufficiencie submitted themselves to his mercie whom he at his pleasure unreasonably fined 25. That hee devised strange formes of oathes contrary to law and enforced divers his subjects to take and observe the same and to that end bound them by Recognizance to the great hinderance of many poore men and the dishonour of God 26. That where the Chancelour upon good grounds denyed a Prohibition to a certaine person moving for the same yet hee granted it to the same persons under the privie Seale with a grievous paine if not obeyed 27. That hee banished the Archbishop of Canterbury without just cause or judgement and kept him with armed men in the Parliament Chamber 28. That hee granted all his goods to his successors conditionally that he should maintaine all the Statutes made Anno 21. at Shrousbury and the 22. yeare of his Raigne at Coventrie 29. That upon the first convention of the Bishop of Canterbury he cunningly perswaded the Archbishop to make no answer for hee would bee his warrant perswading him to decline the Parliament And so without answer hee was condemned to be exiled and his goods seized on foure other Articles in behalfe of the Bishops were layed against him by whose
Saint Albones and Waltham without presence of the Nobilitie or confluence of the Commons and without the expence of a dinner after the celebrating of the Funerall But Henrie the fift caused his body to bee taken up and removed to Westminster and there interred amongst the Ancestors with Queene Anne his first wife in expiation of his Fathers violent and unfaithfull dealing it was not amisse in regard of the Common-wealth that hee was dead yet they who were actors in his death had small reason to reckon it among their good deeds These accidents attend such Princes as being absolute in power will bee too resolute in will and dissolute in life Humphry the Sonne and heire of the Duke of Glocester in his returne out of Ireland where King Richard had left him prisoner dyed of the plague at Chester the newes whereof kild the Dutchesse his Mother about this time dyed Thomas Mowbray the exiled Duke of Norfolke who had outlived his honour hee married two wives both named Elizabeth the first the Daughter of the Lord Strange who dyed without issue the second Sister and coheire of Thomas Fitzâ—…llayne Earle of Arundel by whom hee had issue Thomas and Iohn Margaret and Isabell. In this yeare also deceased Iohn Duke of Britaine who had taken a Wife Mary Daughter to King Edward the third but by her hee had no issue Also this yeare dyed Edmond Duke of Yorke surnamed of Langley the first sonne of Edward the third his reputation hee kept unblemished and honour untainted hee was not carelesse of good fame nor greedy of greatnesse wary and circumspect in his behaviour not desirous of other mens wealth nor too parcimonious of his owne hee did not by obstinate opposing himselfe against the torrâ—… of the time rashly hazard his fame or fall but by moderation attained safely that degree of praise which others aspiring unto by desperate courses wonne an ambitious death without further profit Hee married two Wives the first was Isabell second Daughter and coheire of Peter King of Castile by whom hee had issue Edward Duke of Albemarle Richard Earle of Cambridge and Constance first married to Thomas Spencer Earle of Glocester and afterwards to Thomas Holland Earle of Kent his second Wife was Ioane Daughter of Thomas Holland Earle of Kent and Sister and coheire of Edmond Earle of Kent but by her had no issue King Charles though Lucidus per intervalla yet sensible of dishonour moved with his Daughters disgrace made preparation to invade England and brought downe his Army into Piccardy but upon the certaine relation of King Richards death hee gave over the enterprise and sent over Embassadours into England to treate or rather intreate that his Daughter with her Dowry might bee restored to him againe King Henry gave them audience and answer that hee would speed Commissioners to Callice to commune and conclude with them both of this and other waighty affaires concerning both the Realmes whither hee sent Edward Duke of Yorke and Henry Earle of Northumberland The French King sent the Duke of Burbon and certaine others to Bulloigne These Commissioners often met sometimes at one place some-times at the other The Frenchmen instantly required their Kings Daughter to bee restored without the doing whereof they had no order to treat of any thing The Englishmen made a proffer to have a match betwixt Prince Henry and the Lady alleaging that there was no disparagement of birth nor disparitie of yeares betwixt them but thereto they would give no consent neither would they agree to the proposition of a perpetuall amitie But in the end it was concluded that Queene Isabell should bee redelivered to her Father but sauns Dowry because the marriage betwixt her and King Richard was never consummate by reason whereof she was not Dowable upon the Treatie of the marriage the surcease from Armes was agreed upon in King Richards dayes for thirtie yeares which was now mutually confirmed for the terme of these yeares unexpected Shortly after King Henry sent the Lady Isabella under the conduct of Thomas Lord Piercy Earle of Worcester in royall estate to Callice being accompanied with a brave troope of honourable Personages of both sexes shee carried with her all the Iewells and Plate which she brought into England with a great surplusage of rich gifts bestowed upon her by the King At Callice shee was received by Valerian Earle of Saint Paul Lieutenant in Picardy and by him conducted to her Father who afterwards gave her in marriage to Charles sonne to Lewis Duke of Orleans and so was rest or rather respite of warre in France procured But the fire and fury of the late sedition was hardly quenched when the Welchmen upon advantage of the doubtfull and unsettled estate of King Henry brake forth into a defection before the King could either lay the groundworke of his Authority or the people frame themselves to a new obedience and having beene taught that common causes must bee maintained by concord they sought by assemblies to establish an association and to set up their owne principalitie againe They Created for their Prince Owen Glendor a fellow of a turbulent spirit and factious disposition and apt to stirre up sedition and strife and though hee was of no great estate by birth he was stout in stomacke of an aspiring spirit and wit somewhat above the ordinary ranke of those untrained people bold crafty agile and as hee liâ—…t to bend his minde mischievous or industrious in equall degree in desires immoderate and rashly adventurous more desirous to doe then circumspect what to doe in his younger yeares hee was a student at the Innes of Court at London and being incensed by a verdict given against him for tithe of land betwixt him and the Lord Gray of Ruthin and by nature being a man not of the mildest disposition by this provocation hee was made savage and rough and determined either to repaire or revenge his losse by setting the whole State on fire Also his expences had beene too excessive for a great man to continue which brought him to barenesse too base for a meane man to endure and therefore hee was necessitated to doe or dare something more then ordinary And more danger hee thought there was in orderly dealing then in hazarding rashly and now opportunitie is presented for troublesome times are most fit for such attempts And some likelihood there was whilst the King and his Nobles were at variance that harme might bee easily wrought to them both upon these causes his desires were founded and upon these troubles his hopes But that his ambitious humour might beare some pretext of honest meaning hee pretended to his Countrymen the recovery of their freedome the desire whereof is so naturally pleasing That birds will rather live hardly abroad in the cold fields then bee daintily dieted in a warme cage and that now occasion was fitly offered or else never to bee expected to ridde them of their servilitie falsly entituled peace whilst the Kings
Garter and sate in their Stalles at the solemnitie of the Feast The Emperour after the departure of the Duke stayed to mediate a peace betweene England and France which the King being advertized of the hard escape of his men in Normandy would not listen unto Neverthelesse the Emperour very politickly awaited his time where to take his best hint to perswade an agreement which might fortunately have beene found had not newes come of the besieging of Harflue so all was dasht The new Constable with a great power suddenly clapt downe before the Towne when the Viceadmirall of France brought up the whole Navy with intent whilst the Constable should assaile it by land to have entred the Towne by the water side But the Duke of Exceter defended the Towne valiantly by whose valour and indefatigable diligence they were defeated of their expectation King Henry in person was preparing to Sea with all speed but being by the Emperour disswaded he sent his Brother the Duke of Bedford accompanied with the Earles of March Oxford Huntington Warwicke Arundel Salisbury Devonshire and divers Lords and Barons with two hundred sayles to the reskue of Harflue they made sayle for Rye and not without some crosses at Sea upon the feast day of the Assumption of our Lady came to the mouth of the river Seyne Vpon notice of the approach of the English Navy Narbon set forward and got the mouth of the Haven The Duke sent before his strongest Ships two French Ships advancing too forward were layd aboard and taken The fight was continued and resolutely maintained untill the English having sunke five hundred vessels one and other and taken three great Carricks of Genoa wonne the harbour and notwithstanding some opposition made by the Gallies which had the advantage with oares to runne out of the reach of the Artillery of the English they relieved Harflue Vpon notice hereof the Duke of Arminacke raysed his siege and departed to Paris leaving somewhat more then a little provision of amunition behind him which they of Harflue tooke and stowed up for them The Duke of Bedford having finished what hee came about returned to the King who with the Emperour gave him great but no more then deserved commendation Whilst these broyles were honourably managed abroad two too uxorious husbands the Lord Strange and Sir Iohn Trussell of Warmingham in Cheshire who had married the Daughter of Sir Iohn Strange most dishonourably fought in maintaining their wives folly forgetfully striving for place at a Sermon in Saint Dunstons Church in the East by occasion whereof there was much partaking on both sides whereby the Congregation was much disturbed a great tumult raysed some slaughter and more bloodshed done the delinquents were committed to the Counter the Church suspended and upon examination the Lord Strange was found guiltie and by the Archbishop of Canterbury adjudged to penance which was thus performed all the Lords servants in their Shirts from Saint Pauls Church where the sentence was given followed the Parson of Saint Dunstons after them the Lord bare-headed with a waxe Taper in his hand the Lady bare-footed the Archdeacon Reignold Renwood following last went to Saint Dunstons in the East where at the rehallowing thereof the Lady filled all the vessells with water and according to the sentence shee offered to the Altar an Ornament of the value of tenne pounds and the Lord a Pixe of silver of five pounds There was then belike in use no commutation of penance Surely I am perswaded that if they might have bought out their penance for money they would have trebled their offerings I could wish that such severitie of discipline might now bee practised against such delinquents wee should then have devotion with more humilitie and lesse striving for places in the Church The Emperour desisteth from further mediation of peace with France and entreth in a League defensive and offensive with King Henry wherein only the Pope is excepted which concluded upon the the nineteenth of October Anno 1416. hee returned towards Germany King Henry accompanied him to Callice whither the Duke of Burgondy came to confirme the League concluded onbefore by the Earle of Warwicke and other the Kings Embassadours and him concerning Flaunders and Arthoyes only from Midsommer 1416. untill Michaelmasse following where it was prolonged further till Michaelmasse 1419. which gave occasion of suspition to France that the Duke was no firme friend of theirs The Emperour takes his journey to Holland the Duke returnes to Graveling and King Henry to Dover where he landed on Saint Lukes Eeve upon his arrivall hee sent new Embassadours viz. the Earle of Warwicke the Bishops of Salisbury Bath and Hereford the Abbot of Westminster and the Pryor of Worcester to the Councell of Constance whither the Emperour in person likewise went in this Councell it was decreed that England should have the title of the English nation and should-bee accounted one of the five principall Nations which often before had beene moved but never granted till then and herein were all Wickliffes positions condemned At this Councell the Antipope Iohn was prescribed and all his goods and Treasure amounting to the summe of 750000. were seized The Parliament by reason of the Emperours being in the Land prorogued began againe the nineteenth of October wherein towards the prosecution of warres in France was voluntarily granted unto the King from the Clergie two whole tenthes and from the Laitie a whole Fifteene In this Parliament during the Kings absence Iohn Duke of Bedford was made regent of the Realme having out of the Kings coffers allowance of one thousand pounds per annum and fourty pounds a year out of the fee farme of Exceter Whilst King Henry is preparing for invasion the French-men had waged divers Carricks and other great Ships of the Genoaes and Italians which jpyning with the French fleet lay at the mouth of the River of Seyne under the command of Iaques Bastard of Burbon to barre all succour from Harflew Iohn Earle of Huntington Son to the Duke of Exceter beheaded at Ciceter is sent to Sea to skowre the Coasts who encountring with the Bastard Burbon after a long fight took the said Bastard three of his great Carricks with all the money for the halfe yeares pay for the fleet and bowged three other Carricks and dispersing the rest cleered the mouth of Seyne and returned to the King at Southamton And upon the 23. of Iuly the King with the Dukes of Clarence and Glocester the Earles of Huntington Warwicke Devonshire Salisbury Suffolke and Somerset The Lords Rosse Willoughby Fitzhugh Clynton Scroope Matrevers Bourcher Ferrers of Groby and Ferrers of Chartley Fanhope Gray of Codnor Sir Gilbert Vmphrevile Sir Gilbert Talbot and a brave well-furnished Army from Portsmouth tooke shipping and upon the first of August landed in Normandy neere to the Castle of Foncke The Kings Army consisted of five and twentie thousand five hundred and eight and twenty fighting
succeeded in the Earledome 2. Iohn the second was Created Marquesse Mountague 3. Thomas married the Widow of the Lord Willoughby 4. George was Archbishop of Yorke and Lord Chancellor 1. Ioane the eldest Daughter was married to William Fisz-Allen Earle of Arundell 2. Cecily was married to Henry Beuchamp Duke of Warwicke 3. Alice was married to Henry Lord Fitz-Hugh 4. Elianor to Thomas Stanley Earle of Darby 5. Katherine to William Bonvile Lord Harrington and 6. Margaret to Iohn Vere Earle of Oxford Richard Plantagenet Duke of Yorke tooke to wife Cecily Daughter of Ralph Nevill first Earle of Westmerland and had issue eight Sonnes and foure Daughters 1. His eldest Sonne Henry dyed young 2. Edward afterwards King of England 3. Edmond Earle of Rutland slaine with his Father 4. Iohn dyed young 5. William 6. Thomas 7. George after Duke of Clarence 8. Richard surnamed Croutchbacke after King of England 1. Anne his eldest Daughter was married to Henry Holland Duke of Exceter 2. Elizabeth married to Iohn de la Poole Earle of Suffolke 3. Margaret married to Charles Duke of Burgundie 4. And Vrsula The Earle of March having tidings of his Fathers death encreaseth his Army and borne up with two wings desire of revenge and expectation to raigne hee tooke his leaue at Shrowsbury of the Inhabitants intimating to them at his departure the murther of his Father and Brother the destruction intended of himselfe and Familie and downfall of all that wisht well to his part if not heedfully prevented hee craved therefore their utmost assistance and their neighbours which they accordingly performed and then with some good strength presently tooke the field and having advertisement that Iasper Earle of Penbrooke with the Earles of Ormond and Wiltshire with a great power of Welch and Irish did follow after him hee suddenly marcheth backe againe and in a plaine neere Mortimers Crosse on Candlemasse day in the morning hee gave them battaile and with the slaughter of three thousand and eight hundred put the Earles to flight Owen Teuther who had married Queene Katherine Mother to Henry the sixt and divers Welch Gentlemen were taken and at Hereford beheaded The Queene encouraged by the death of the Duke of Yorke with a power of Northerne people with an intent to undoe what was done in the last Parliament marcheth towards London but when her souldiers were once South of Trent as if that River had beene the utmost limits of their good behaviour they did most licentiously forrage the Country harrowing burning and spoyling the same as if they had beene in the most barbarous land of heathens Approaching Saint Albones they were advertised that the Duke of Norfolke and the Earle of VVarwicke were ready to give them battaile The Queenes Voward hasteth to passe thorow Saint Albones but were saluted from the Market place with such a showre of arrowes that they were for safeguard glad to retire and sought to passe by another way which but not without some blowes they did and encountred with their enemies in the field who perceiving the maine battaile to stand and not to move by the trechery of Lonelace who with the Kentish men led the Van. the Southerne men turned afide and fled and by the Northerne prickers were slaughtered untill night saved their backes When night was come the residue despairing of each others well-meaning shifted away The Nobles about the King perceiving how the game went withdrew themselves The Lord Bonvile comming in a complementall manner to the King saying It grieved him to leave his Majestie but necessitie for safeguard of his life enforced it was importuned and Sir Thomas Kiryell like wise by the King to stay hee passing his royall word that their stay should not endanger their bodyes upon which promise they stayed but to their cost for such was the inplacable fury of the Queen that hearing Baron Thorpe was by the Commons beheaded at Highgate she the day after the battell being Ashwednesday caused both their heads to bee smitten off at Saint Albones whose death reckoned with the rest maketh up of the slaughtered the number of three and twentie hundred The King was advised to send one Thomas Hoe that had beene a Barrester to the Victors to thanke them for their paines and to tell them that hee would gladly come to them if with convenience it might be done The Earle of Northumberland appointed divers Lords to attend him to the Lord Cliffords Tent where the Queene and young Prince met to their great joy it was now observed that victory alwayes fled from where the King was present At the Queenes request he honored with the order of Knighthood thirty that the day before fought against the part where hee was the Prince likewise was by him dubbed Knight Then they went to the Abby where they were entertained with Anthems and withall an humble Petition to be taken into the Kings protection thereby to bee freed from the tiranny of the loose souldiers which was promised and Proclamation accordingly made but to small purpose for the Northerne men said it was made in their bargaine to haveall the spoyle in every place after they had passed the River of Trent and so they robbed and spoyled all they could come at which gave just cause of dislike to the indifferent-minded which only wisht the quiet and peace of the Country not respecting which Rose the red or white prevailed for now began that distinction by those Badges for the factions of Yorke and Lancaster to bee worne The Londoners hearing of this disorder were warned to looke to themselves and they were resolved since there was no more assurance in the Kings promise to keepe the Northerne men out of their gates The gentlenesse and tendernesse of a King not accompanied with courage and severitie is both hurtfull to himselfe and his estate In the Kings name the Londoners are sent to to send over to the Campe certaine Cart-loades of Lenton provision The Maior accordingly provides and makes all things ready but the Commons rose about Cripplegate and by strong hand say or doe what the Maior or his officers can they kept the Carts from going forth of the Citie The Maior sends the Recorder to the Kings Councell and knowing the predominancy of the Queenes passion if never so little troubled they entreat the Dutchesse of Bedford and the Lady Scales with all the Fathers of the Church resiant about London to intercede for him and excuse his not using force considering how apt the multitude was to take fire upon the least flash and how dangerous it might bee in these doubtfull times to raise their fury that would not easily bee allayed it was well advised to send women to entreat women for they so prevailed That some of the Lords of the Councell with a guard of foure hundred good souldiers were appointed to goe for London to enquire and certifie the truth of these things But before they set forth divers
newes of these proceedings set wide open the gates of the rebellion gave courage to the Northamptonshire men who prepared before to that purpose tooke this opportunity to make a commotion under the conduct of one Robert Hiliard by them stiled Robert of Risdate came to Grafton and there tooke the Queenes father Earle Rivers and his Son Sir Iohn VVoodvile and at Northampton without trial or judgement courses out of use amongst unruly rebells caused them to be beheaded Richard Woddevile Baron of Wymington married Iaquiet daughter of the Earle S. Pauls the widdow of Iohn Duke of Bedford for which not having the kings license he was fined to K. Henry the sixt in one thousand pounds he was installed knight of the Garter 30. Octob. Anno. H. 6. 28. And 4. of K. Ed. 4. he was created Earle Rivers made high Constable of England he had issue by the said Iaquet 7. sons and 6. daughters 1 Anthony that succeeded his father 2. Lewis dyed young 3 Iames dyed young 4 Iohn with his father taken at Edgcote and with him beheaded at Northampton as afore 5 Lionell Bishop of Salisbury that begat upon his Concubine Stephen Gardner afterwards Bishop of VVinton 6 Edward who died without issue 7. Richard that succeeded his brother Anthony in the Earldome but dying without issue left it to his sisters all living 1 Elizabeth at first married to Sir Iohn Gray of Groby and afterward to Edward the fourth 2 Margaret married to Thomas Fitzallan Earle of Arundel 3 Anne married to William Burcher sonne of Henry Earle of Essex first and after to George Gray Earle of Kent then to Sir Edw. Wingfield knight 4 Iaquet was married to Iohn Lord Strange of Knocking 5 Mary was married to William Harbert Earle of Huntington and 6 Katherine first married to Henry Stafford second Duke of Buckingham and then to Iasper of Hatfield Duke of Bedford The Lord Stafford having long lurked without discouery about Devonshire is apprehended for his base departure from the Earle of Pembrook beheaded at Bridgwater The Northerne men haue opportunitie to joyne with the Earle of Warwicke The whole body of the common-wealth thus fearefully groning under the fearefull expectation of unchristian cruelty The effects whereof divers of the nobility Clergy endevored by all means possible to prevent to that end on both sides mediated for some pacification But whilst it is in agitation both parts having drawne their forces together a generall preparation is made for an unauoydable banquet for death whilst King Edward the lesse circumspect by reason of some overtures of submission Cautelously tendred gave advantage to the Earle of Warwick who had secret intelligence of the order in the Kings camp in the dead of the night to fall upon it where with some small slaughter having slaine the sentinells they tooke the king prisoner in his bedwho was presently conveied to Midleham Castle in Yorkeshire to be kept safely by the Archbishop of Yorke The Earle of Warwicke relying vpon his brothers care of his charge considering that he was the Key of their worke And being perswaded that the brunt of the warres was past dismist most of his army but as one that reckoned without his host must make a new account so to that exigent he was driven For whilst he made search and diligent enquiry after King Henry whose place of imprisonment was not knowne King Edward escaped but whether by over-great promises seduced or through guilt of Conscience induced thereunto it is questionable But howsoever The Archbishop permitted him to have so much liberty by way of recreation on hunting that by the contrivement and assistance of Sir William Stanly and Sir Thomas Burgh he was both rescued from his keepers and in safty conducted to Yorke such is the instabilitie of occurrences in this world That therein is certaintie of nothing but incertaintie the secrets of Gods providence being inscrutable King Edward that in the morning was a prisoner at the Earle of VVarwicks devotion is now at liberty to provide how to question his mitred keeper and his late triumphant committer for their undutifull presumption From Yorke he posteth to Lancaster where his Chamberlaine the Lord Hastings had raised some forces with those he marcheth to London the love of whose Citizens he mainly relied upon and thereof found himselfe not deceived for they with willing readinesse receive him The Earle of VVarwick having information of what was past makes a vertue of necessitie and dispatches letters and Messengers to all his friends and confederates to draw to an head which they accordingly did But by the earnest solicitation and industry of those good patriots which before had laboured to have the sword of civill dissention sheathed Now an interview Vpon interchange of oathes for safety and faire returne on both sides is had betwixt the king the Duke of Clarence and the Earle of VVarwicke in VVestminster-Hall But the Earle like one endevoring to infect the ayre takes poyson into his mouth and spits it into the wind makes repetition of former courtesies done to Edward and for requitall thereof indignities returned which with such peremptory phrase he urged that they savoured so much of exprobration that the King unable to endure such harsh ill-becomming language from a subject in a scornefull fury departed the Hall and went to Canterbury And the Duke and Earle to Lincolne whither they had preappointed their powers to repayre under the conduct of Sir Robert VVells sonne and heire of the Lord VVells a valiant Gentleman and of approved sufficiency The King with intent to take off Sir Robert from VVarwicks part sends for Richard Lord VVells who with his brother in Law Sir Thomas Dymock comming to attend the kings pleasure received information from some of their friends in Court that the King was much incensed against them whereupon they take Sanctuary at VVestminster From whence upon the kings promise of generall pardon they came to his presence who gave command to the Lord VVells effectually by letter to solicite his son Sir Robert VVells to leave the Earle of VVarwick come to the kings service which was accordingly done but because it procured not desired effect the king not without blemish to his Honor in his rage caused both their heads to be strooke off The report wherof so enraged the young knight that no perswasion could prevaile with him to abide the Earle of VVarwicks cōming which was every day expected but passion having blinded his judgement led on by fury the inevitablenes of his fate he with his forces charged the kings army And whilest he laboured to go beyond man in doing his valour not checkt by discretion he proves lesse then a sucking child and for sinking under an oppressing multitude he was taken prisoner which so discouraged his men that they fled and the lighter to runne away they cast of their coates And thereby gave a name unto the place from whence
his teeth with haire on his head and nayles on his fingers and toes with a viperous strength enforcing as it were his passage through his mothers wombe whom afterwards he shamed not to accuse of adultery but as one that then wrought journy-worke with the Divell his manners and qualities seconded the feature and lineaments of his body and members which were much deformed being hooke shouldred splay footed and goggle eyd his countenance sower the composure of his face little and round his complexion swarfie his left arme from his birth drye and and withered Nature supplied these deformities of the body with a strong brayne a quicke apprehension a good memory and a most fluent tongue which he seldome exercised but to the abuse of credulitie And with the sweetnesse of his delivery hee could so prevaile with such whom he ment to worke upon that he would ofentimes as it were infatuate them and enforce their beliefe of his oathes and protestations which were by Saint Paul and wishing God to damne him if hee did not performe his word which at the time of the speaking was no part of his thought sometimes against the hearers knowledge and conscience hee was neither morally honest nor religiously good He usd to make authority the stawking horse to his will and his will the sole commander of his conscience the largenesse whereof could without any scruple swallow murther of brother Nephewes wife and neerest friends nay attempt rape and incest with his owne brothers daughter yet did with artificiall dissimulation so cover his dishonest and abhominable intentions that not many could discover them Who or whatsoever opposed his aspiring pride or profitable pleasure was by his plotting cunningly and covertly taken away or removed Hee was so throughly perfect in the Hypocriticall art of simulation and dissimulation that hee would use most complement and shew greatest signes of love and courtesie to him in the morning whose throat he had taken order to be cut that evening He held it for a maxime in policy that halfe doing in any thing was worse then no doing And therefore whatsoever he once attempted hee went through with it howsoever it seemed to others unnaturall and unchristian He used the instruments of his bloudy plottes as men doe their Candles burne the first out to a snuffe and then having lighted another tread that under foote yet howsoever his birth were proaigious and life monstrous yet his death was not dishonorable For though his cause were bad he fought bravely and dyed fighting leaving behind an ample testimony of his great valour and little grace with the end of his raigne by the sword which he had used for the moving of civill dissention betwixt the two houses of Yorke and Lancaster which had beene so long drawne and so often bathed in the blood of Christians was happily sheathed And the passage to concord prepared whilst this poore Island that had beene imbroyled with warre and her companions had leasure to call to minde the many murthers stratagemes slaughters overthrowes and calamities which through their unnaturall division of the two Roses she had sustained and thereby she found that from the time that Richard Duke of Yorke who was slaine in the battaile at Wakefield seeking to anticipate the time allotted unto him by authoritie of the Parliament whereby the Crowne was entayled to him and his issue to gaine the possession thereof and from whence all those praerecited miseries did proceed untill the death of the usurper there were slaine fourescore Princes of the blood royall and twice as many natives of England as were lost in the two conquests of France The dissension that fell was betwixt the house of Yorke descended from Lionel borne at Antwerpe Duke of Clarence second sonne of Edward the third and the house of Lancaster issued from Iohn of Gaunt the third surviving but otherwise fourth sonne of the same King the first giving for his cognizance the white Rose the other the Red. Lionell Duke of Clarence married to his first wife Elizabeth daughter heire of William Burgh Earle of Vlster and to his second wife Violenta of Galens Viscount of Mislaine by his first wife he had issue Philip sole only childe which Philip was married to Edmond Mortimer Earle of March and Vlster who had issue by her 1 Roger March the fourth Earle of March 2 Sir Edmond Mortymer that married the daughter of Owen Glendore 3 Sir Iohn Mortymer beheaded 3. H. 6. 1 Elizabeth married to the Lord Percy stiled Hotspur Philip first married to Iohn Hastings Earle of Pembrook and afterward to Richard Earle of Arundel and lastly to Iohn Lord Saint-Iohn dyed without issue Roger the fourth Earle of March 1387. nominated by King Richard the second successor to the Kingdome of England who married Elianor daughter of Thomas Holland Earle of Kent by whom he had issue two sonnes and two daughters 1 Edmond his eldest sonne who succeeded him in the Earldome 2 Roger died leaving his father 1 Anne who was married to Richard Earle of Cambridge sonne of Edmond of Langley Duke of Yorke 2 Elianor married to Edward Courtney Earle of Devonshire Richard of Conisborough married Anne sister and heire of Edmond Mortymer and had issue Richard Duke of Yorke This Richard was the first mover of the faction against the the house of Lancaster the bearer of the red rose He married Ciceley the daughter of Ralph Nevill first Earle of Westmerland and had issue 1 Henry that dyed before his Father 2 Edward of that name the fourth King of England 3 Edmond Earle of Rutland slaine at Wakefield by the Lord Clifford 4 Iohn that all dyed young 5 William and 6 Thomas 7 George Duke of Clarence murdered as afore 1 Anne the eldest daughter was first married to Henry Holland Duke of Exceter and after to Sir Thomas Sayntleoger 2 Elizabeth married to Iohn de la poole Duke of Suffolke 3 Margaret married to Charles Duke of Burgundy 4 Vrsula never married and thus was the title of Yorke derived Iohn of Gaunt so named of the place where he was borne fourth sonne of King Edward the third married three wives the first 1 Blaunch daughter and coheire of Henry first Duke of Lancaster by whom he had issue 1 Henry Plantagenet borne at Bullingbrooke 1 Philip married to Iohn King of Portingall and 2 Elizabeth married to Iohn Duke of Exceter 2 The second wife was Constance daughter and one of the Coheires of Peter king of Castile by whom he had issue Katherine afterward married to Henry sonne of Iohn the King of Spaine 3 His third wife was Katherine daughter of Payne Ruet aliàs Guyen King of armes and the relict of Sir Otes Swinford knight by whom hee had issue but before marriage 1 Iohn surnamed Beauford Earle of Somerset 2 Henry Bishop of Winchester 3 Thomas Branford Earle of Dorset 1 Iohan Branford first married to Ralph Nevill first Earle of Westmerland and then to Robert Ferrers Lord of Ousley This
Iustice of the Kings bench Belknapp chiefe Iustice of the Cōmon pleace Holt Stil◅urpe Burgh Iustices of the Cōmon-pleas men learned in Court-law to please those in highest place these were charged upon their alleageance particularly to answer these propositions 1. Whether the Statute Ordinance and Commission meaning that granted against the Duke of Suffolke set out the last Parliament did derogate from the royall prerogative of the King 2. How they were to bee punished that did procure that Statute to bee inacted 3. How they were to bee dealt with that provoked the King to consent thereto 4. What punishment did they deserve that compelled the King to yeeld consent 5. What did they merit that resisted the King to exercise his regall authoritie in remitting or releasing any penalties or debts due to him 6. When a Parliament is assembled and the affaires of the State and cause of convoking the Parliament declared and Articles limited by the King upon which only the Lords and Commons should meddle the Lords and Commons will proceed upon other and not those by the King appointed untill the King hath given answer to the other by them propounded whether in this case the King ought to have the rule of the Parliament and so to order the fact that the Lords and Commons upon the Articles limited by the King or that they should first have answer of the King to the Articles by them propounded before they proceed any further 7. Whether may the King at his pleasure dissolve the Parliament and command the Lords and Commons to depart 8. Since the King may at his pleasure remove any Officers and Iustices and punish them for their offences whether may the Lords and Commons without his leave accuse his Officers and Iustices in Parliament yea or no 9. What punishment have they deserved who moved a Parliament that the statute whereby King Edward Carnarvon was deposed should be brought forth by view whereof the last Statute and Commission aforesaid were framed 10. Whether the judgement given in the last Parliament against Michael de la Poole Earle of Suffolke were erroneous and revocable yea or no These propositions which were drawne by the direction of the chiefe Iustice Tresilian to which the afornamed Iustices answer as followeth 1. They did derogate from the Honour of the King because extorted against his will 2. 3. That they deserved to bee punished by death except the King in mercy would remit 4. 5. Worthy to bee punished as Traytours 6. Whosoever resisteth the Kings rule in that point was punishable as a Traytour 7. That the King may at his pleasure dissolve the Parliament and who so afterwards shall presume to proceed against the Kings manifest will as in a Parliament is worthy the punishment of a Traytor 8. That they cannot whosoever doth the contrary deserveth a Traytors punishment 9. Aswell the mover as the bringer of that Statute to the house are worthy the same death 10. And lastly that the said judgement seemed erronious and revocable In witnesse whereof they with Iohn Lockton the Kings Sergeant at Law subscribed and so under their Seales at armes sent it When those hard sentences of death and treason were under generall and large termes thus fastened upon the Lords the King supposed his attempts against them whether by violence or colour of Law sufficiently warranted but his power both wayes as it was terrible against weake resisters so against such mighty defendants was of small force to effect that which he so much affected yet hee did not omit his best endevours and first accounting the Lords as condemned persons hee made division of their lands and goods amongst those he favoured Then hee waged souldiers to bee in readinesse for his assistance and sent the Earle of Northumberland to arrest the Earle of Arundell at his Castle in Rygate where hee then lay but he either upon advertisement or suspition of the Kings intent bandied himselfe so strong that when the Earle of Northumberland came thither to him hee dissembled his intent and left his errand untold The Duke of Gloucester having secret intelligence of the Kings displeasure and of his projects sent the Bishop of London to perswade the King to entertaine a more favourable opinion of him solemnly swearing unto the Bishop that hee never intended any thing against the King either in person or state The Bishop not unskilfull to joyne profitable perswasions with honesty declared to the King that the ground of his displeasure against the Lords was either by false suggestions of their enemies or misconstruction of some of their actions by himselfe Then declared hee how desirous they were of his grace and favour how faithfull and forward they promised to persist in all dutifull service and further intimated how honourable this agreement would bee to the King and how profitable to the kingdome nay which was above both how pleasing it would bee to God and how displeasing to him and dangerous it would be to both sides if these troubles should increase The King by this speech seemed inclinable to attonement But Delapoole a turbulent person against quiet counsell standing neere the King quickly hardned his minde against all impression of friendship by meanes whereof contention arose betwixt the Bishop and the Earle which violently broke out into heate of words The Earle reproched the Lords with the ordinary objection against great men popularitie and ambition sparing no spight of speech but using all rethoricke to aggravate matters against them The Bishop replyed the Earle was thus fiercely bent not upon any necessity of his owne or respect unto the King but only to satisfie his bloody and ambitious humour wherein he was so immoderate that rather then the Lords should not be destroyed he would overwhelme them with the ruines of the State For tumults might bee indeed raysed by men of little courage like himselfe but must bee maintayned by hazard and ended with the losse of the most violent that neither his counsell against what was desired in this cause was to bee followed being the principall firebrand of the disturbance nor his complaints against any man in any thing to bee regarded being himselfe a condemned person and one that held his life and livelihood of the Kings favourable mercy wherewith the King was so exceedingly wroth that hee commanded the Bishop out of his presence The Duke of Gloucester hearing this signifies the danger to the Earles of Arundel Warwicke and Darby inciting them to armes and thereupon they confederate themselves for a common defence For in so doubtfull and suspected peace open warre said they was the better safety The King having intelligence of their courses indevoured to prevent the Lords in joyning their forces and to that end sent some power either to set upon the Earle of Arundel in his lodging or to intercept him in his passage to the Duke But the Earle had marched all night before their comming and so unencountred came to the Duke with whom
hold of the opportunitie the Kings absence presents unto us For in enterprizes which never are commended before atchieved delayes are dangerous And safer it is to bee found in open action then private Counsell For they that deliberate only to rebell have rebelled already Hereupon the Confederates returne for England to provide armes and prepare necessaries against the Dukes arrivall who presently acquaints the King of France that hee intended to goe to visit his kinsman Iohn Duke of Britaine and obtained from him Letters of safe conduct there hee waged some souldiers with whom from Callice he made for England giving forth at his comming aborde that hee only endevoured to regaine the Dutchy of Lancaster and the rest of his lawfull inheritance which King Richard wrongfully detained from him with him came Arundel Archbishop of Canterbury and Thomas heire to Richard late Earle of Arundel the residue of his retinue exceeded not twenty launces so that it is hard to judge whether was the greater marvaile either that hee durst attempt or that hee did prevaile with so small a company But his confidence was in the favour and assistance of the people in the Realme Hee for a time did beare up for England but not in a straight course but hulling about the shore making show to land sometimes on one coast sometimes on another thereby to discover what forces were in readinesse either to receive or resist him In the meane time Edmond Duke of Yorke the Kings Vncle and Vicegerent having intelligence of the Duke of Herefords designe Convoked Stafford Bishop of Chichester Lord Chancelor William Scroope Earle of Wiltshire the Lord Treasurer Sir Iohn Bushy Sir Henry Greene Sir William Bagot Sir Iohn Russell and others of the Kings privy Councell and entred into Counsell what was best to be done Where it was concluded deceitfully by some unskilfully by others and by all pernitiously for King Richard to quit the Sea coasts to leave London and to make the randevow at Saint Albones to gather forces to oppose the Duke who was lately landed about the Feast of Saint Martine without any resistance or rub at Ravenspur in Holdernesse whose side was by nothing more advantaged then by that dissembling and deceitfull deliberation of the Kings Councell upon his arrivall Henry Piercy Earle of Northumberland and Henry surnamed Hotspur his sonne the Earle of Westmerland the Lords Nevill Rosse and Willoughby and many other personages of honour came unto him whose accession both increased reputation to their cause and was a great countenance and strength to the Dukes further purposes But first they tooke an oath of him that hee should neither procure nor permit any bodily harme to bee done to King Richard and thereupon they pawnd to the Duke of Hereford their honours to joyne with him in all extremitie to prosecute the Kings mischievous Councellors The Common-people desperate upon new desires head and headlong flocked to these Noblemen The better sort for love to the Common-wealth some upon lenitie and itching desire of change others to repayre their distressed and decayed estates who all setting up their rests upon a generall disturbance were in conceit then most safe when the common state was most unsure So betweene the one and the other the number in short time increased to thirty thousand able souldiers The Duke finding successe to favour him not only beyond expectation but even above his wish Hee followed the chanell whilst the current went strong and cutting off unnecessary delayes with all celeritie he hasted to London that possessing himselfe thereof being the chiefe place within the kingdome for strength and store hee might best there make the seat of Warre and be easiest accommodated with provision and amunition In this expedition no opposition was seene nor hostilitie showne but in his passage the Gentlemen of best ranke and qualitie joyned themselves unto him som for affection others for feare but most in hope of reward after victorie every one though upon causes dislike yet with like ardent desire contending lest any should seeme more forward then they In every place also where hee made stay rich gifts and pleasant devises were presented unto him with large supply of necessaries farre above his necessitie The common people with showtes and acclamations gave their applause extolling the Duke as the only man of courage saluting him King with contumelious termes depraving Richard as a simple and sluggish man a dastard a niddie and altogether unworthy to beare rule without rule rayling at the one and without reason flattering the other The Duke was no niggard of his complement nor negligent of popular behaviour knowing the common people are much delighted with affable gestures accounting that for courtesie which the severer sort reckon abasement At London hee was richly and royally entertained with Processions and Pageants and many triumphant devises and showes and the unable multitude who otherwise could not by their words wishes and wills did testifie their loving affection towards him At which time there appeared not any memory of faith or allegiance to King Richard But as in sedition it alwayes appeareth as the most swayd all went The Duke of Yorke was mustering at Saint Albones for the King But as the people out of divers Countries were drawne thither many of them protested that they would doe nothing to the prejudice of the Duke of Lancaster who they affirmed was unjustly expelled his Country and unlawfully kept from his inheritance Then the Earle of Wiltshire Sir Iohn Bushy Sir William Bagot and Sir Henry Greene forsooke the Duke of Yorke and fled to Bristol intending to passe the Seas iâ—…o Ireland to the King These foure were they that were supposed to have taken of the King his kingdome to farme and therefore were so odious to the people that their presence turned away many of the Subjects hearts Nay it is probable that more for displeasure taken against them then against the King the revolt was enterprised For they being the only men of credit and authoritie with the King under false cover of obedience they wholly governed both the Realme and him abusing his name either against his will or without his knowledge insomuch that hee was cleerely innocent of many things which passed under his Commandement But the people could not indure that two or three should rule all not because they were not sufficient but because they were in favour and they distasted the King in that hee permitted them whom hee might have bridled or to runne without respect at least for that hee was ignorant of that hee should have knowne and by conniving at their faults made them his owne and opened thereby the gappe to his destruction For it is as dangerous to a Prince to have hurtfull hatefull Officers in eminent places as to bee hurtfull and hatefull to himselfe The Duke of Yorke either amazed at the sudden change or fearing his adventure if hee should proceed to resistance gave over the cause and
King Henries armes and plucked away his Cognizance from those that as his servants attended upon her and having there with somewhat eased her swolne heart shee with the Lords departed to Wallingford and from thence to Abington stirring up by the way the people to take armes in ayde of King Richard At length they came to Cicester and there tooke up their lodgings The Duke of Surry the Earle of Salisbury in one Inne the Duke of Exceter and the Earle of Glocester in another Inne the Army encamped in the fields The Bayliffe of the Towne suspecting what was true that these guests were no good subjects besets the house where the Duke of Surry lay who with his retinue growne desperately bold made strong defence against the assaylants The Duke of Exceter and his Company had not force enough to rescue their Companions Whereupon a Priest of their consort supposing thereby to divert the Townsmen from the assault set divers houses on fire but the fire more inflamed the townsmens furie and made them insist more obstinately in the attempt swearing not to rescue their losses but revenge them and quench the flames with the Traytors blood The Earle of Exceter and they that were with him perceiving the force of the assaylants to increase and that it was impossible for a few so to sustaine the fury of so many obstinately bent they fled out of the backside towards the Campe intending to bring the Army to the reskue But the souldiers having heard the alarum and seeing the fire within the Towne supposing the King was entred with his forces were strucke with a sudden and causlesse feare and wanting Commanders of courage to confirme them they disbanded and fled and whilst every one sought to save one they brought themselves all to confusion The Duke of Surry and his company manfully maintained the fight with great bloodshed on all sides from midnight untill three of the clocke the next after-noone and then being inferiour in number and fortune the Duke and the Earle of Salisbury were both wounded to death and taken and that evening dying their heads were strooke off and sent to the King to London There were then taken prisoners Sir Bennet Sherley Sir Bernard Brockas Sir Thomas Blount and twenty eight Lords and men of note who were afterwards upon King Henryes comming to Oxford sent thither unto him and there executed The Duke of Exceter with Sir Iohn Sherley fled into Essex from whence many times they attempted to have escaped to France but by contrary windes were driven backe againe and then lurking in secret places the Duke was taken and lead to Plashey and there beheaded There wanted not some in those times that made conjectures that now the Duke of Glocesters death was brought to bee reckoned for who by Exceters counsell and contrivance in the same place had beene wrongfully apprehended An example for those which square out their actions by the crooked line of their pleasure or power to other mens disprofit or disparagement but punishment of such impietie though it bee prolonged doth never faile but commeth at length and then surely though perhaps slowly This Duke of Exceter was a man of high Parentage great power and honourable Alliance Created Earle of Huntington in the eleventh yeare of King Richard now deposed in the one and twentieth hee was Created Duke of Exceter and upon the resignation of the place and release of the right thereto by Aubery de Vere Earle of Oxford was made that yeare Lord Chamberlaine of England and married Elizabeth the Daughter of Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster and Blaunch his wife by whom hee had issue Richard that dyed young Iohn afterwards Duke of Exceter Earle of Huntington Edward that dyed without issue and a Daughter named Constance first married to Thomas Mowbray sonne and heire of Thomas Mowbray Duke of Norfolke and after to Iohn Lord Gray of Ruthyn hee was popular and openly praise-worthy but his secret actions were hardly censured hee was partaker of all his brothers vices and of counsell to many of them yet somewhat more circumspect and close and not so much partaker of his prosperitie as violently carried with the torrent of his misery Thomas Spencer Earle of Glocester fled toward Wales but in the way was taken and beheaded at Bristoll hee married Constance Daughter of Edmond of Langly Duke of Yorke and had issue Richard that dyed young Elizabeth dyed young and Isabell who was borne seven moneths after her Fathers death and was first married to Richard Beauchamp Earle of Worcester by whom shee had issue Elizabeth her second husband was Richard Beauchamp Earle of Warwicke cosin german to her first husband by whom she had issue Henry afterwards Earle of Warwicke The counterfeit of King Richard flying into Scotland was apprehended committed to the Tower and from thence drawne and hanged and quartered and one Ferby and an other of K. Rich. Chaplaines with him divers others of all sorts Lords and Gentlemen with a great number of common souldiers were in other places put to death insomuch that the King though otherwise of a moderate and peaceable disposition seemed in this too too vindicative of his owne injurie or rather in maintaining the injury that hee had done The heads of the chiefe Conspirators were pitched upon poles and set over London bridge lamentable spectacles of heads and quarters of unfortunate dismembred wretches were visible in many parts of this Realme putrifying above ground not all for desert but many to satisfie either the malice or want of King Henryes friends Insomuch that some of those of deepest apprehension openly gave forth That in short time there would be just cause to wish King Richard againe as being more tolerable to indure the crueltie of one then of many and to live where nothing then where any thing might bee permitted was most safe The Abbot of Westminster in whose house and head this Conspiracy tooke life and light hearing of these disasters going from his Monastery Grange neere Westminster was taken with a dead Palsie and suddenly dyed speechlesse And although in this enterprise accident gave policie the checke and by a strange fortune which wisdome could not prevent overturned the project yet it is apparant that this Abbot first moved the stone that rowling along was likely toturne King Henry out of his Chaire The Bishop of Carlile was condemned for his treason but the extremity of his passion closed up his dayes and prevented the violence and shame of publicke execution King Richard as afore having abdicated his Regalitie did but a short time injoy that sweet securitie wherewith hee so flattered himselfe For first his goods which hee had given in satisfaction of the wrongs by him done were shared amongst his enemies and hee removed first to the Tower of London and then from thence to the Castle of Leeds in Kent and from thence to Pomfret where being kept in straight Prison innocent and ignorant of this offence
to challenge and recover his Inheritance and his wives and not to intermeddle with the King nor with his Crowne by reason of which oath divers loyall and good Subjects to King Richard resorted unto him not having any treasonable intent But after when hee saw his power so much increased that hee might doe what hee pleased hee wickedly brake his oath and without any right or colour-like right procured himselfe to bee made and Crowned King 2. Item That not only as an arch-Traytor hee had imprisoned his owne Liege Lord and undoubted Master King Richard but had caused him to bee barbarously murthered that so with the grearer securitie hee might enjoy his Masters Crowne and Kingdome 3. Item that eversince the death of King Richard hee had unjustly kept the Kingdome and the Crowne from his Kinsman Edmond Mortymer Earle of March who was the Sonne and heire apparant of Philip the Daughter and heire of Lionel Duke of Clarence elder brother to Iohn of Gaunt Father of the new usurping King 4. Item That when neither present occasion or need compelled him hee had imposed divers Taxes and Subsidies upon the people to their great griefe and impoverishing whereof they willingly would but durst not complaine 5. Item That no justice could bee expected at his hand because that contrary to the oath which hee had taken when hee was Crowned hee had by Letters sent into sundry Shires and thereby procured certaine Burgesses of the Parliament and Knights of the Shire to bee chosen whom hee knew would not faile to serve his turne as occasion should bee offered 6. And lastly That where in honour and for affinities sake hee ought to have ransomed or redeemed his said Cousin the Earle of March from his lothesome imprisonment being by some of his Privie Councell thereto often solicited hee not only denyed the said request but falsly and untruly published and declared that the Earle himselfe was of his owne accord become a voluntary Prisoner to the end that Traitors and Rebells joyning with him might have somewhat wherewith to colour such Treasons as they would conspire or plot against him For which causes and many other as bad they defied him as an usurping Traytor and as an utter enemy they vowed his destruction and the restoring of the said Earle to his right The King perceiving that nothing but strength of blowes could end this strife and being perswaded that if hee could victoriously suppresse this rebellion hee should bereave his enemies from future hope to prevaile in the like attempts with a great and well-composed Army hee marched towards the Lords forecasting in his March how to prevent the English from joyning with the Welch which with a provident care hee prevented and about Shrowsburie on Saturday Saint Marie Magdalens eve hee encountred the Piercies the Scots gave a brave onset on the King but hee so welcommed them that scarce one was left unhurt but most of them slaine yet the Conspirators stoutly maintained the fight and pursued it with that courage and resolution that they were confident of good successe untill the King with the young Prince Henrie and some young branches of honourable stockes in their company bravely resolving rather to die honourably then to live disgracefully put to their strengths to joyne with Valor and with a noble emulation to give faire example each to other They so shooke the enemies vauntguard that Hotspur and some other chiefe Commanders on his side and many thousands more were slaine The Earle of Worcester was taken Prisoner in the field together with Sir Richard Vernon Sir Theobald Trussell and the Baron of Kindarton and the rest fled On the Kings part besides the Earle of Stafford who had but that morning revolted from the other side were slaine Sir Hugh Sherley Sir Iohn Clifton Sir Iohn Cockayne Sir Nicholas Gansell Sir Walter Blunt Sir Iohn Calverley Sir Iohn Massey of Puddington Sir Hugh Mortymer and Sir Robert Gausell all which had beene but that morning before Dubbed Knights with Sir Thomas Wendesley who afterwards died of the wounds there received This Edmond Stafford was third Sonne of Earle Hugh and after the death of Thomas and William who dyed without issue was Earle of Stafford and Lord of Tunbridge hee married Anne the Daughter of Thomas of Woodstocke Duke of Glocester by whom hee had issue Humphry afterward Duke of Buckingham and Philip that dyed young and Anne first married to Edmond Mortymer Earle of March but had no issue by him and after was married to Iohn Holland Earle of Huntington by whom shee had issue Henry Duke of Exceter of common souldiers the King lost about sixteene hundred but had made slaughter of above sixe thousand of the Conspirators whereof thirty sixe fell by his owne sword neverthelesse Dowglasse once unhorsed him and in his presence slew Sir Walter Blunt who with divers others that day were in all things habited alike to the King for which so brave exploit after Dowglasse by the unfortunate fall of his horse having broken two of his ribbes being taken Prisoner was by the Kings speciall command carefully dressed and attended and ransomelesse with great commendation set at liberty so farre can vertue prevaile with a grievous foe The day following the King with the whole Army with great show of zeale gave God thankes for this victory by his assistance so happily atchieved and then caused the Earle of Worcester to be beheaded many of the Ring-leaders of that rebellion to bee drawne hanged and quartered and their heads placed on London bridge This Thomas Piercie Earle of Worcester and Lord high Admirall of England married Elizabeth eldest Sister and coheire of David Earle of Athol by whom hee had issue Henrie Earle of Atholl After this the King sent Henry Prince of Wales with the whole Army into that Countrey But before his comming Owen Glendor was abandoned by all his Company and lurking in the Woods was there famished many of his associates were taken and there put to death and the Prince joyfully returned to the King Whilst the Prince was in Wales Henry Piercy the Earle of Northumberland of his owne accord came and submitted himselfe to the King with many oathes and protestations of his innocency as not being once acquainted with any intent of Treason and rebellion And though the King conceived not the least thought that might excuse him yet for that time hee gave him a seeming show of faire entertainment and for that time with gentle language and kind countenance as it was thought for that hee had the possession of Barwicke Castle and other places of strength in his power permitted to goe free and come at his pleasure The Britons under the leading of the Lord of Castiles spoyled and burnt the Towne of Rlimmoth and returned unfought with his speed was the more and his fortune the better but lest hee should boast too much of his conquest the Westerne men under the command of William Wilford Esquire by order from the
which they were hid the sparcks thereof were afresh discovered For envy which alwayes lyeth beneath staring upward had so infected their eyes that they could not endure to looke upon King Henryes so great prosperitie so that by the watring therof the sorenesse was discovered amongst whom Henry Piercy Earle of Northumberland Richard Scroope Archbishop of Yorke Thomas Mowbray Earle Marshall the Lords Hastings Fawconbridge Bardolfe and divers others conspired at a time appointed to meet upon Yorkeswould downts with all the forces they could raise and that under the leading of old Northumberland they should bid defyance to King Henry The Earle Marshall invented and the Archbishop contrived divers Articles of grievances both generall and particular wherewith they spared not to calumniate the King these first they covertly showed amongst themselves but afterwards sent Copies of them to their friends further off with these protestations that to vindicate such injuries and to redresse such oppressions they would if need were not spare the last drop of their best blood Then these Articles are set up in the publicke streetes and upon the gates and entrances into Churches and Monasteries That thereby all men might be throughly informed what they would endevour to reforme and what they were thus resolved by force of armes to undertake hope of reformation of some and desire of innovation of others drew on multitudes of all sides to bee partakers of this enterprise to whom the Archbishop clad in abiliments of warre presents himselfe and first giving them his benediction and plenary indulgence to all such as should dye in the exploit hee exhorted some and encouraged others to undertake and proceed with him in this enterprise The gravitie of his countenance the perswasion of his integritie of life and the opinion of his deepe learning were motives sufficient to induce many to accompany him and all men to reverence him His fervor erected his zeale but discretion did not direct his fervor for hee too suddenly discovered their projects so that the King about to make an expedition into Wales upon notice of these passages turned his march Northwards Ralph Nevill Earle of Westmerland with Lord Iohn the Kings second sonne having had intelligence of this insurrection assembled what forces they conveniently could and with the ayde of the Lords Henry Fitz-Hughes Ralph Eevers and Robert Vmphrevile They made head against the Rebells and comming into a plaine in the Forrests of Galtree they sate downe right against the Archbishop and his retinue who were twenty thousand strong Westmerland perceiving the enemies forces to exceed theirs endevoured to sowe the Foxes taile to the Lyons skin and by a politicke devise to circumvent the Archbishop to this end hee sent a messenger unto him demanding the cause why hee a Churchman and a grave Prelate should drawe so great a confluence of people together and in that manner in armes to fright the Kings subjects and disquiet his peaceable government The Archbishop returned answer That hee neither had or would doe any thing that should tend to the breach of the Kings peace but that hee alwayes had and ever would pray for the continuance of the same without violation And that the cause of his being armed was for his owne defence whom the King had without just cause threatned by the instigations of such sycophants as in too too great multitude swarmed daily about him whereby his accesse unto him without such forces could not bee obtained and herewith hee sends unto VVestmerland a scrowle of the Articles desiring his patience to reade them which upon the messengers returne When VVestmerland had read hee made show of approving the Archbishops pious purpose promising with his assistance to prosecute the same and desired some conference privately to be had betweene them In the meane time acquainting Lord Iohn the Kings Sonne with his intention The credulous Archbishop though a great Clerke none of the wisest men was so forward to beleeve what was proposed that hee perswaded the Earle Marshall though most unwilling to doe so to goe with him to the place appointed to conferre where with equall company they met The Articles are read and allowed of and reformation resolved on all hands to bee endevoured Whereupon VVestmerland seemed to commiserate the souldiers being in armour all day and weary wisht the Archbishop to acquaint his partie as hee would his with the mutuall agreement and so shaking hands in most courtly friendship dranke unto him Whereupon the souldiers were willed to disarme and to repaire to their lodgings which they willingly obeyed but were no sooner gone when a troope of horse which in colourable manner seeming to depart wheeled about but afterwards returned and being now in sight the Earle of VVestmerland arrested both the Archbishop and Earle Marshall and brought them both prisoners to Pomfret to the King who was advanced so farre with his power and from thence marched to Yorke whither the Prisoners likewise were brought and the next day both the Archbishop and the Earle Marshall who dyed a batcheler were beheaded The Archbishop tooke his death with that patience and constancie that the common people did not feare to affirme hee dyed a martyr From Yorke after the Citizens had beene put to their fines and ransomes the King departed thence thirty seven thousand strong every way well appointed and furnished and marched towards the Earle of Northumberland At Durham the Lords Hastings and Fauconbridge with two other Knights being convict of the Conspiracy were executed Northumberland hearing his plots discovered with three hundred horse sped him to Barwicke from whence after hee heard that the King followed him and had taken the Castle of VVareworth hee with the Lord Bardolfe fled into Scotland where they were entertained by David Lord Fleming The King gave summons to the Castle of Barwicke which they refused to obey hee planted a great peece which being discharged against one of the towers of the battlement so shook the same that presently they within yeelded without composition Whereupon William Greystocke Henry Baynton and Iohn Blinkinsop Knights and five others were put to present execution and many other put into severall prisons In his returne hee tooke in all such Castles and peeces of strength as had beene belonging to the Earle of Northumberland or any other his partakers who were all proclaimed Traytors Iames Sonne and heire of Robert King of Scotland attended on by the Earle of Orckney and a mitred Prelate sayling towards France whither the Prince being an Infant of nine yeares old was sent by his Father for to bee instructed in safetie was taken by certaine Mariners of Norfolke and presented to the King at Windsor the thirtieth of March 1408 from whence the Prince and Earle were sent for safe keeping to the Tower of London but the Bishop escaped Roger de Walden the tennis ball of Fortune who had lived to turne the wheele of chance about its circle dyed this yeare who from
and love of thy Subjects who whilst they have wealth so long shalt thou have obedience but being made poore by oppression will be ever ready to stirre and make insurrections And so turning about said God blesse thee and have mercy on mee and so hee gave up the ghost in a Chamber of the Abbot of Westminster which the servants there called Ierusalem the twentieth of March 1412. in the fortieth sixe yeare of his age when hee had raigned thirteene yeares sixe moneths lacking ten dayes His body with all Funerall pomp was conveyed to Canterbury and there solemnly buried Hee had beene twice married his first wife was Mary Daughter and coheire of Humphry de Bohan Earle of Hereford Essex and Northampton and Constable of England shee died anno 1394. and was buryed at Canterbury hee had issue by her Henry his eldest Sonne who succeeded him Thomas Plantagenet his second sonne who was Created Duke of Clarence in the eleventh yeare of his Fathers raigne hee was slaine at Bongy bridge in France by the Duke of Orleance this Thomas tooke to Wife Margaret Daughter of Thomas Holland Earle of Kent and Widow of Iohn Beuford Earle of Pomfret who dyed without issue Iohn Plantagenet his third Sonne was made Duke of Bedford the eleventh yeare of his Fathers raigne and Earle of Richmond and Lord of Kendall hee married to his first Wife Anne Daughter of Iohn Duke of Burgondy who dyed without issue his second Wife was Ioquellyne Daughter of Peter Earle of Saint Paul and by her had no issue shee was after married to Richard Woodvile Earle Rivers and had issue Elizabeth Wife to King Edward the fourth This Iohn as Constable of England determined the Controversie betwixt Reignold Lord Gray of Ruthen and Sir Edward Hastings for the bearing of the armes of Hastings and at Vernoyle together with the same Towne tooke the Duke of Alanson prisoner and with the losse of two thousand one hundred private souldiers slew of the advers part five Earles two Vicounts one and twenty Barons seven thousand French and two thousand five hundred Scots and dyed at Paris and the fourteenth of September 1435. was buried at Roan under a sumptuous Monument which when Lewis the eleventh King of France being advised by some of his Nobles to deface Hee said What honour will it bee to us or you to demolish the Monument aâ—…d pull out thereof the bones of him whom in his life-time neither my Father nor your Progenitors were of abilitie to make budge one foote backward wherefore let his body now rest in quiet which if hee were alive would have disquieted the proudest of us all such respect to well-got honour hee obtained in the mindes of his enemies Humphry Plantagenet fourth Sonne who was stiled Humphry by the grace of God Sonne Brother and Vncle to Kings hee was Duke of Glocester Hennalt Holland Zealand and Earle of Penbrocke Lord of Freezland great Chamberlaine of England Protector of the Realme and Defender of the Church of England Hee had two Wives the first was Iaquet Daughter and heire of William Duke of Bavaria who being before betrothed to Iohn Duke of Brabant was divorced from this Humphry before issue His second Wife was Elianor Daughter of Reignold Lord Cobham of Sterburghe in Surry who for Sorcery and poysoning was much defamed hee was found murthered in hss bed at Bury in Suffolke and was buried at Saint Albones in Hartfordshire Blaunch King Henryes eldest Daughter was married as afore at Collen to William Duke of Bavaria after his death shee was married to the King of Arragon and afterwards to the Duke of Barre but dyed without issue Philip second Daughter of King Henry was married to Iohn King of Denmarke but dyed without issue King Henry was of a middle stature well proportioned and formally compact of a quicke conceit and active spirit of great resolution and courage In his later dayes with courtesie and affable cariage hee purchased a great deale more love and respect amongst the Nobilitie then hee had in all the beginning of his raigne with his austeritie and rigorous courses and redeemed from the common people a great portion of good opinion which he by his impositions and taxes had formerly lost among them But if their payments had beene more and his exactions greater in my opinion they were not undeserved that were so ready to alter the due course of succession to joyne hands with him in the deposing of the rightfull and naturall Leige-Lord whose only fault that could bee truly objected was this that hee had beene too bountifull to his friend too mercifull to his foes but most unrespective of himselfe THE LIFE AND RAIGNE OF KING HENRY THE FIFT HENRY the Fift surnamed of the place of his birth which was a Towne in Wales upon the River of Wye Monmouth tooke upon him the Regality over England the twentieth day of March and the next day was proclaimed King and the ninth day of Aprill hee was Crowned King at Westminster by Thomas of Arundell Archbishop of Canterbury with all usuall rites and Ceremonies After the solemnitie past the next day hee caused all his wonted Companions to come into his presence to whom hee used these words It is sufficient that for many yeares together I have fashioned my selfe to your unruly dispositions and have not without some reluctation in the very action followed you in your debosht and swaggering courses I have to my sorrow and shame I may say to thinke of it irregularly wandered in all rude and unseemely manner in the vast wildernesse of ryot and unthriftinesse whereby I was made almost an alian to the hearts of my Father and Allyes and in their opinions violently carried away by your meanes from grace by keeping you company therein I have so vilified my selfe that in the eyes of men my presence was vulgar and stale and like the Cuckow in Iune heard but not regarded One of you being convented before the Lord chiefe Iustice for misusing a sober-minded Citizen I went to the publike Sessions house and stroke him on the face and being by him deservedly committed to the Fleet for which act of justice I shall ever hold him worthy the place and my favour and wish all my Iudges to have the like undaunted courage to punish offendors of what ranke soever it occasioned my Father to put mee from my place in Councell appointing it to bee supplyed by my younger Brother how often have I by your animation committed thefts even on my Fathers and my owne Receivers and robd them of the mony provided for publicke appointments to maintaine your midnight revellings and noone beselings But it is time now to give a period to these exorbitant and unbefitting courses and to salve the wounds my intemperance hath made in my reputation and to turne over a new leafe and not only to decline the company of such misleaders of yours but desert their conditions of all
and the like was granted to the Queene of Ierusalem and her sonne Lewis for Anjou and Mayne the Duke of Britaine being their Proxie for the obtaining the same From Alanson the Earle of Salisbury was sent to Falays to view the strength thereof and to keepe the inhabitants from comming forth the King with his Army followed and entrenched themselves to avoide excursions and incursions The King made his approaches to his best advantage and though it was in the hard of Winter made provision sufficient for his men both against cold and hunger whereupon the besieged concluded if succour came not before the second of Ianuary next following to yeeld the Towne the succour not comming the Towne was yeelded but the Castle held out into which the Governour and most of the best able men were gotten but being fiercely followed and kept in continuall action by assaults and myning they were driven to make composition of surrender if not reskued before the sixt of February the souldiers to depart with their lives only and the Captaine to bee ransomed The prefixed time come the Castle was surrendred and the Captaine detained prisoner untill the Castle was sufficiently repaired his name was Oliver de Many The King leaving for Captaine there Sir Henry Fitzhugh returned to Cane to put in execution a Proclamation formerly made that if the inhabitants of Normandy that were fled returned not by a day to them prefixed to grant their lands to his souldiers thereupon hee gave to the Duke of Clarence during life the Vicounties of Ange Orber and Pontinz Oe Mere with all the lands of those that were not returned according to Proclamation All the whole Lent the King lay at Bayeux with part of his Army but the residue were volant upon exploits abroad The Kings Navy still kept the seas scowring the Coasts daily taking the French Bottomes they met but upon the sixteenth of Iuly such a storme took them that had they not by Gods good favor falne in with Southampton the whole Navy had beene in great danger yet in that Haven two Ballingers and two great Carrickes laden with Merchandize were drowned and the Mast of one of the great shippes was with the storme blowne over the Towne wall when the fury of the tempest was past the Earles of March and Huntington waâ—…ted over to Normandy and landing there marched up the country to the King The Earle of Warwicke and the Lord Talbot besieged the strong Castle of Dampfront The Duke of Clarence at that time tooke Courton and Burny and in the first placed Captaine Aubyn and Captaine William Houghton in the other hee likewise appointed in Chombis Captaine Iames Nevill in Bechelovin for Captaine the Earle Marshall in Harcourt Captaine Richard Woodvile in Fantgernon for Captaine Iohn Saint Albon in Crevener Sir Iohn Kirby to whom the same was after given for ever in Anvillyers Captaine Robert Hornby in Bagles Sir Iohn Arthure was made Captaine and also of Fresny Sir Robert Brent lately made Vicount was Captaine The Duke of Glocester with the Earle of March and the Lord Codnor march into the Isle of Constantine wherein hee likewise placed Captaines of such places as hee tooke in as at Corentine the Lord Botreux at Saint Lowe Captaine Reignold West at Valoignes Captaine Thomas Burgh at Pont done Captaine David Howell at Hay de paps Sir Iohn Aston at Saint Savior Sir Iohn Robsert lately made Vicount at Pantarson Sir Robert Gargraus at Hambery the Earle of Suffolke to whom afterwards the King gave that and Brokevill at Auranchos Sir Philip Hall at Vire the Lord Matreius who was likewise Captaine of Saint Iames de Bumeron And so having taken in the whole Iland except Chereburg hee returned to the King but was sent backe to the siege thereof which held out about the space of five moneths though in the meane time all warlike stratagems and meanes were used to take it at last they made composition that if not rescued within threescore and two dayes to surrender and stand to the mercy of the King In the meane time the Duke caused his Campe to bee strongly fenced with Rampiers and Bulwarkes leaving nothing for the safeguard thereof either unforeseene or unprepared And whilst hee was providing thus the Dolphin and the Duke of Burgoigne by the mediation of the Pope and his Cardinalls were fully reconciled and began to consult about the relieving their besieged Friend The King to prevent any danger that might betide his brother had taken order with the Lieutenant in the West-country of England to send over two thousand men out of those parts whom when the besieged at Chierburgh perceiued at Sea to approach they presumed of succour but their hope failing they surrendred both the Towne and Castle whereof the Lord Gray of Codnor mas made the Kings Lieutenant for the time but afterwards the King made Captaine thereof Iohn Bromley Esquire and for his hardy valour and commendable forwardnesse both at this siege and other places hee gave him the order of Knighthood gave him faire possessions in the Iland and made him Constable of Bossevile de Rosse This was the same partie that at Corby by his valour recovered the Lord Staffords Colours from the French and for the remembrance of that service had an honourable adjunct to his armes The King intending to prosecute his intendments to the full being of equall spirit to dare and power to doe had sent for his Vncle the Duke of Exceter who with fifteene thousand men within few dayes of Trinity Sunday came to the King by whom hee was commanded to besiege the Citie of Eureux which hee tooke in and appointed Captaine thereof Sir Gilbert Halsall The Earle of Ryme then also tooke in the strong Castle of Milley le Vesko The siege of Roan was the next thing attempted which place was now fully fortified and furnished for defence both with men and amunition Thither for the more safetie had all the neighbours conveyed all their riches as being their sole place of refuge now The King to have his passage cleere layed siege to the Citie of Loveirs which upon these conditions that if they were not relieved within seven dayes then the souldiers to serve King Henry the inhabitants to remaine there as subjects to England only all such Gunners as had discharged any piece of Ordnance to bee hanged no succour appearing at the day the Covenants were performed accordingly The King marched to Pont de Larch where hee arrived the seven and twentieth of Iune There was a stone-bridge which hindered the approach to Roane being exceeding strongly guarded King Henry devised therefore floates of wicker covered with beasts hides by which the Duke of Clarence with his quarter passed the River and then layd siege to the Towne on that side but to prevent the inconvenience that might come by the River dividing the Army there were more such Floates made and other devises with
hogsheads and Pipes fastened to firre powles and Barges and such like conveyances with which hee past over his men at pleasure in the meane time hee caused divers souldiers that could swim to make show of passing the River three mile of another way to which place the French-men drew all their forces but were deluded whereupon presently the Fort at the bridge-foot was surrendred and the souldiers taken to the Kings grace From thence the Duke of Exceter with certaine horse was sent to view the places about Roane and with him Windsor the Herrald which sommoned the Citizens to surrender the Towne and to submit themselves to the Kings mercy but they proudly returned answer they received none from England nor none they would give the English and instantly made a sally forth but were beaten in with the losse of thirtie of their men The Towne of Loviers the King gave to his brother Clarence who made his Deputie there Sir Iohn Goddard after the returne of the Duke of Exceter the Roanions fired the Suburbes demolished all Churches Chantryes and Hostells leaving nothing without the Citie which upon the last of Iuly the King straightly besieged The Kings quarter was the Charteux the Duke of Clarence at Saint Gervays the Duke of Exceter at Port Saint Dennis Betweene the Duke of Exceter and the Duke of Clarence lay Earle Marshall to whom were joyned the Earle of Ormond the Lords Harington and Talbot from the Duke of Exceter towards the King were encamped the Lords Rosse Willoughby Fitz-Hugh and Sir William Porter with the Northerne Prickers the Earle of Salisbury and Mortaignes quarter lay at the Abbay of Saint Katherine Sir Iohn Gray was lodged against the Chappell of Mount Saint Michael Sir Philip Leech Treasurer of the Army kept the hill next the Abby and the Baron Carew held the passage on the river of Seine with whom was Squire Ienito Dortoyes on the further side the river were quartered the Earles of Warraine and Huntington the Lords Nevill and Ferrers Sir Gilbert Vmphrevile with his Company lay before the Port de Ponte A great chaine of iron set upon piles and a new forced bridge for passage from one Campe to the other was made over the River The Earle of Warwicke was sent to Cawdbecke standing betwixt Roane and the Sea The Earle of Warwicke sent Sir Iohn Bromley and George Vmphrevile with an hundred Archers and two hundred Bill-men to a little Castle called the Strowe and in the way were met by eight hundred French Whereupon Sir Iohn Bromley casting his Bow-men in a limasson or loose ring and his Bill-men in two squares which in close order marched towards the enemy who seeing the number to appeare so small gave on in that disorderly manner that their Captaine the Lord of Estrisles was slaine before any of his company could come to the reskewes The Bow-men opening their order delivered such a shole of arrowes even in the middest of their enemies that they stood amazed untill they were awakened with a second The Bow-men as long as the arrowes lasted kept the enemy aloofe but at length they were enforced to make use of their slaine enemies weapons with which they closing to the Bill-men made it appeare that they could make use of more weapons then one and after three houres fight the French fainted and gave the English leave to take the spoyle of two hundred that were slaine and the ransome of two hundred more taken prisoners in this fight was slaine George Vmphrevile and thirtie more all the rest being hurt more or lesse amongst whom Sir Iohn Bromley was hurt in the face and body They were not able to goe forth of the field but continued there all night and in the morning some fresh men being come to them they marched to the Castle and so plyed them with assaults and minings that at length the besieged were glad to suffer the English Navie to passe by to Roane whereof one hundred Sayle passed by and likewise they gave hostages that they would not inter-meddle to ayde or assist Roane any way but to follow her fortune to render if shee did wherewith Sir Iohn Bromley went into the Castle with two Esquires and a Surgeon and the Company backe to the King by this time the Duke of Glocester was come to the Campe and quartered before the Port Saint Hillary neerer the enemy by fourty roades The Earle of Kilmayne with sixteene hundred Irish armed after their fashion came from Harflew where they landed to the King who were by him assigned for quarter the North side of the Armie upon the way that commeth from the Forrest of Lyons This charge the Earle joyfully accepted and as proud of the employment did many brave exployts to the more damage of the enemy then all the troopes of Horse The Kings Cousin-german the King of Portugall likewise sent a Navy of well appointed Shippes to the mouth of the River of Seine to stoppe all passage of succour to Roane There were in Roane two hundred and tenne thousand persons at the beginning of the siege which made them so confident that they sware each to other never to deliver up the Citie as long as they could hold Sword or handle Pike The King acquainted herewith stopped all passages both by land and water casting deepe Trenches and raysing Bulwarckes to hinder all sallyes or receipt of reliefe The French in the meane time made many attempts upon divers pieces in the Kings hands as upon Kilbuife Eureux and Loviers but were repulsed with great losse but more disgrace Before Roane no enterprise is left unpractised no pollicie unattempted how either partie might indamage other But now the many mouthes within the Citie had devoured a great part of their provision and for the better saving of the rest a great number of aged impotent creatures were turned out of the Gates whom the English would not suffer to passe the Trenches betwixt which and the walls the miserable people starved and dyed without helpe of friend or foe Vpon Christmasse day in honour of the birth of our Saviour the King relieved and suffered to passe as many as were at first put out but suffered others that were thrust out a second time to famish except relieved by the Towne The unwonted noyse of Bells ringing gave the King occasion to expect an enemie at his backe for prevention therefore of that danger hee gave order to Sir Robert Bapthorpe Controller of the Army to provide a deepe Trench well staked and with bastils to round the Campe and to make defences both behinde and before to withstand all sudden approaches The Famine began now to rage pittifully within the Citie and the Dolphins promise to relieve them now past hope of performance a Parlie is desired and obtained but fruitlesse at the first the demaunds of the besieged being more then stood with the Kings honour or pleasure to give consent unto but upon the Commissioners returne into
thirteenth of Iuly the Captaine whereof was Barbason a Gascoyne a skilfull souldier and of approved valiancy And as Hanniball in warre was not more ready to invent stratagems then Quintus Fabius to prevent them so King Henryes counsell could not bee more wily to winne then Barbason was warie to defend The King by land and water stopped all passages making use of his before-mentioned floates to passe his souldiers over the River yet Barbason sallied out and fell upon the Earle of Warwickes quarter where if hee had not beene the more valiantly resisted The Duke of Burgoynes men had tasted of their fury The Duke of Bavier another of King Charles Sonin-lawe but his Dutchesse was dead with seven hundred well-appointed Horse-men came to the Campe which were presently listed under the Kings pay Barbason countermined some and stopt other mines made by the English and fought hand to hand in the Barryers with King Henry yet notwithstanding all his circumspect care and praise-worthy diligence when hee found hee was to fight against the two bitter arrowes of Gods wrath Famine and Pestilence hee humbled himselfe to the King who pardoned all that were not guilty of the forenamed murther whereof Barbason being suspected and others that were found faultie were sent to Paris under the conduct of the Duke of Clarence whom King Charles made Captaine of Delea that Citie and was accordingly admitted into the possession of all the strength thereof And presently thereupon both the Kings with their Queenes the Duke of Burgoyne and his Dutchesse with a royall traine came thither where they were most magnificencly entertained the French King was lodged in the house of Saint Paul and the King of England in the Castle of Louer Here the three States of France anew under their hands and seales in most authenticke manner ratified the former agreement the instruments whereof were delivered to the King of England who sent them to bee kept in his Treasurie at Westminster Now King Henry began to exercise his Regency and as a badge of his authoritie hee caused a new coyne which was called a Salute to bee made whereon the armes of France and England were quarterly stamped Hee there heard the Appeale of the Dowager of Burgoine against the Dolphin whose Advocates in his behalfe made large offers for satisfaction but they were adjourned to another day Hee placed and displaced divers officers and appointed the Duke of Exceter with five hundred men to the guard of Paris Sir Gilbert Vmfrevile was made Captaine of Melun and the Earle of Huntington of Bloyes de Vinces King Henry awarded out Processe against the Dolphin to appeare at the Marble table at Paris which hee not obeying sentence was denounced against him as guilty of the murther of the Duke of Burgoyne and by the sentence of the Parliament the Dolphin was banished the Realme The King with his beloved Queene Katherine the sixt of Ianuary left Paris and came to Roane where hee received homage of all the Nobilitie aswell such as were enobled by descent of the French as such as were dignified by desert of the English And making Thomas Duke of Clarence Lieutenant generall of France and Normandy and his Deputie in Normandy the Earle of Salisbury Having finished his Christmas he with his Queene went to Amiens and from thence to Callice and thence landing at Dover came to Canterbury and afterward thorow London to Westminster where the Queene upon Saint Mathewes day the fourth of February with all ceremonies rites and accustomed solemnities was Crowned The King of Scots sitting at dinner in his Estate but on the left hand of the Queene the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Kings Vncle the Bishop of Winchester being on the right hand all were serued with covered messes of silver but all the Feast was fish in observation of the Lent season King Henry by his ghostly father being instructed that the surest stone that can bee layd for the foundation of future felicitie must bee digged out of the quarry of Pietie first visited many places for devotion by way of Pilgrimage and then tooke his Progresse thorow the Land and knowing that great evills may grow out of the smallest causes if neglected hee by the way reformed all misdemeanours whereof he received notice hearing with a diligent eare the complaints of his poore subjects taking order for the administring of Iustice to high and poore neither sparing the great for might nor the meane for misery And shewing that Examples are the best Lectures and Vertue the best example after hee had set his ministers a copy thereof Hee gave meeting to the Queene at Leicester where they kept their Easter In the meane time the Duke of Clarence making a road into Aniou with the garrisons of Normandy came to the City of Ampers where hee knighted Sir William Rosse Sir Henry Goddard Sir Rowland Vider Sir Thomas Bewford his naturall Sonne And retutning home laden with prey was advertised that the Duke of Alanson intended to intercept his passage hee therefore sent the skowt-Master Andrew Fogosa to discover the face of the enemy who being a trecherous Lombard and having beene corrupted by the enemy at his returne reporteth their number to bee but small meanly armed and worse ordered so that if presently charged there could bee no resistance The Dukes credulitie caused him to draw all his horses together leaving the strength of the field his Bowes and Bills behind with them hee makes towards the enemy the traitour leading to a straight where by his appointment an ambush was layed that the Duke could neither retreat nor flee which perceiving the Duke with a valiant courage told the Earle of Tanckervile that their chance was very hard when no meanes was left but to sell their lives at the dearest rate to their enemies and so setting spurres to his horse charged upon the enemy but over-layed with multitude and over-wearied with fight The Duke of Clarence the Earle of Tanckervile the Lord Rosse the Earle of Angus Kyme Sir Iohn Lumley and Sir Iohn Verend with above two thousand English slaine The Earles of Somerset Suffolke and Pearch Sir Iohn Berckley Sir Ralph Nevile Sir William Bowes and threescore Gentlemen were taken prisoners The Bastard Clarence having an inckling of the Lombards treachery brought on his Archers whom the French perceiving to approach fled with their Prisoners leaving the dead undispoyled by which meanes the Lord Fitzwater and some others were found wounded and almost stifled amongst the carkasses The bodyes of the dead were by the foot-men buried except the Duke of Clarence who by Sir Iohn Beauford his base sonne the Duke dying without other issue wac conveyed to England and buried at Canterbury besider his father This happened upon Easter Eeve The King was at Beverly when he had notice of his brothers death and presently thereupon hee dispatced away Edmond Earle of Mortaigne into Normandy making him Lieutenant thereof Then calls hee his
end of August following In which time the truce began to be forgotten for the French awaiting all occasions of advantage by secret plots and devises had cunningly possessed themselves of divers Castles places of strength justifying their actions and affirming that what was politickly obtained without blows was no infringement of the Truce And afterwards they perfidiously conveyed 200. men at armes into the Castle of Roan presuming to have surprized it but being discouered they were all taken and either executed as traytours or ransomed The Regent knowing these coles would quickly kindle speeds him to his charge and preparation on both sides is made for war wherein he found the Duke of Burgoine lesse forward then he had used to be whereby the Regent found his affection did slacke but would not seeme to take notice thereof The Lord Talbot having payed his ransome commeth to the Regent bringeth with him 700. tryed souldiers They take the field on both sides in warlike manner making shews of encounter but twice together being provoked by the Regent to fight the French slunke away in the darke as not daring to abide the hazard of a battell The Peasants of Normandy pretending to shake off the English yoke which never had beene made insupportable rudely armed themselves and in outragious manner drew towards Cane but having neither power to command nor honesty to obey they were by the Earle of Arundel and the Lord Willoughby encountred and easily overthrowne with the slaughter of 1000. of them the rest were all taken whereof the chiefe Leaders were executed as traytors and the baser sort upon submission and acknowledgement of their errours permitted to depart to their severall homes But the Earle and the Lord Willoughby being now in the field and having intelligence that le Hire had besieged the Castle of Gorbury drew thither with intent to have succoured it but finding themselves too weak they made account to have retired to Beavoys but being descried they were pursued by le Hire who having advantage charged the Earle perceiving no safetie but not to hope of help resolved to win or dye fought valiantly but the Earle is dangerously wounded by the shot of a Culvering which caused the Lord Willoughby to retyre and convey the wounded Earle to Beavoys where within three dayes hee dyed say the Historians but the Harrolds say he dyed and was buried at Lewis in Sussex he married Mawd the Daughter of Sir Robert Lovell and had issue Humphry that succeeded him and Avitie married to Iames Butler Earle of Ormon and Wiltshire After the death of Arundel the Lord Willoughby dispierced his forces to their former garrisons but stayed himselfe there The Duke of Burbon taken at the battell of Agincourt after eighteene yeares imprisonment paying 18000 pounds for his ransome the same day hee was enlarged dyed at London Charles his Son who had married the Sister of the Duke of Burgoyn succeeded his Father Betwixt the two brother-in-lawes an unnaturall jarre was raysed but by the mediation of Mary Dutchesse of Berry they are reconciled by whose labour and industry with the helpe of the Duke of Burbon a reconciliation is likewise wrought betweene the French King and Burgoyne The jealousie between the Regent and the Duke of Burgoyne now was publickly discerned Whereby those that cald to mind the great charge that Henry the Fift gave on his death-bed carefully to retaine that Dukes amity laboured an enterview betwixt them to remove all scruples on either part which was obtained and Saint Omers was the place agreed upon where both Dukes being arrived they both standing too punctually on points of Honour who should give prioritie of visitation the Duke of Bedford as the Sonne Brother and Vncle of a King and Regent of France pretended it dishonourable for him to begin and the other challenging the same as of right belonging to him to have the first place the same being within his own Dominions The wisest in some points are foolish they both departed more discontented then before the haughtinesse of the spirit of the one and the great stomacke of the other being unable to give way to their unruly passions And hereupon the Duke of Burgoyne made choice rather to enter league with him that had murthered his Father then to keepe his oath with the King of England or the bond of love so often plighted with the Regent his friend and Brother-in-law And upon the receipt of a blancke Charter under the French Kings Seale to insert what Conditions of peace hee would hee proved renegado and falsified his faith to England lost his reputation to the world and sold himselfe slave to perpetuall ignomy The Towne of Saint Dennis by the perfidiousnesse of Mathew Gougley was betrayed to the Bastard of Orleance but the Lord Talbot presently beguirt the same with a siege to raise which the bastard Orleance drew great forces together but before their approach the Towne was given up and beatento the ground The inhabitants of Pontoys neverthelesse rebell and thrust out the English garrison whose examples did set the Parisians mindes on worke to tread the same steps but the Regents vigilancie over them hindred their intentions But now began the bright light of Englands glory to be ecclipsed those glorious beames of victory which they formerly had obtained every day more and more to decline The triple twine being cleane untwisted for the thrice renowned wise and circumspect Iohn Regent of France Duke of Bedford Aniou and Alanson Earle of Mayne Harecourt Dreux Richmond and Carlile and Vicount Beamond the Atlas whose shoulders kept the realme of France from sliding from their allegiance sworne to King Henries Father and Sonne upon the fourteenth of September 1435. at Paris exchanged all his glory here for the fruition of a more sempiternall felicitie in another place he was buried at Roan in our Ladies Church Whereat the Nobilitie of Normandy much repined as seeming desirous to have had some place of their owne territories to have been honoured by giving sepulture to so nobly deserving a Patriot unto them Yet such was their levitie that within few yeares after in the Raigne of Lewis the Sonne of Charles they instantly desired to have the Monument erected over him to bee demolished alleaging it was dishonourable to have so arch an enemy to France interred in the Metropolitan Citie of that Province But Lewis answered God forbid I should give way to so dishonourable an act as to molest the quiet of his dead bones that living would if offended have molested all here and it savours of too much basenesse to insult upon a dead Lyon Hee had two wives the first was Anne Sister of the Duke of Burgoyne the second Iaqueline daughter of Peter Earle of Saint Paul but had issue by neither No sooner was his death divulged but infinite alterations followed aswell in England as France Edmond Duke of Somerset as much affecting Soveraigne command underhand laboured to
Gravelin wherefore the King came the Bishop of Winchester Iohn Duke of Norfolke with Humphry Earle of Stafford and others For the Duke appeared his Dutchesse the Bishop of Arras and the Lord of Croys where truce for a very small time is concluded on and for lesse kept This yeare was memorable for the death of three great Princesses Katherine Queene of England and Sister to the King of France The old Dowager of Henry the fourth King of England Daughter of the King of Navar and Mother to the Princes of Britaine And the old Countesse of Armanacke Daughter to the Duke of Berry and Mother to the Duke of Savoy which all dyed within eight and fourty houres the one of the other The fury of fighting growing cold Traffick for townes was againe set on foot and Harflew sold For the recovery whereof the Duke of Somerset with the Lord Talbot and a brave company of souldiers beset it both by land and water there being within to defend it Sir Iohn Estontvile and his brother with six hundred men and upward the Earles of Ewe with the Bastards of Orleance and Burbon with foure thousand men came to the reskue but so well were the English entrencht that the French could neither succor their friends nor annoy their enemies and so as they came they returned Whereupon the towne was surrendred upon composition About this time the Dutchesse of Bedford followed Queen Katherines example making election for an Husband of a gallant young Gentleman but of small meanes yet fortunate only enough by being affected one Sir Richard Woodvile whom she took to Husband to the great discontent of her French friends but especially her Vncle the Bishop of Terwine but she cared not who was vext so her selfe was pleased and God not offended who blest her and made her Mother of many children and amongst the rest of the Lady Elizabeth afterwards married to King Edward the fourth Iames King of Scots which before had bin fifteen yeares prisoner in England and from thence released with a Wife a great dower and many honourable presents yet proved ingratefull was murthered by certaine his traiterous subjects in his bed-chamber by night who being found out were cruelly tortured The Duke of Burgoine having attempted the unworthy traffick of bartering for Callice with mony but not able to compasse it being infinitely desirous to bee Master of it when neither force nor fraud could prevaile attempts it by a strange pollicy but of like successe to the former for hee was perswaded by a rediculous practise so to cut a ditch that hee might at his pleasure drowne both the Towne and Countrey about this hee imployed much labour and more cost but this fantasticall fancy of a flood vanished away like his Flemmish army at the siege there of like a vapour The Lord Talbot besieged Tanckervile and hath it after foure moneths lying before it simply rendred unto him In leiw whereof the French King in his owne person layes siege to Monstrew fault Yonne Whilst the Duke of Yorke was providing for the reskue of this Towne hee was discharged of his office by which meanes Sir Thomas Gerrard had the more colour to sell not lose the Towne which the King of France making his owne contract with him bought of him for rewards and preferment both promised but how performed I know not only having sold his honour with his charge hee lived disgraced and discarded in much discontent an exile in France where hee died This yeare is a Parliament holden at Westminster in which were made many good and profitable acts aswell for the preservation of peace at home as for provision to maintaine the warres abroad Arthur Constable of France and Iohn Duke of Alanson besieged the Towne of Auranches whither the Lord Talbot came and offered them battell which they refusing hee marched in despight of them none daring to make resistance into the Towne from whence next morning he sallyed out and having made a greatslaughter amongst them tooke divers prisoners and retreated at pleasure the French being well contented so to bee rid of him The French the next morning were called from the siege pretended for Pautou de Santrelis for the Hire had sent Letters unto them that they had the promise of divers Bourgers of Roan when their watch-night came to let them in they wisht therefore the Constable to meet them at Rize a place within foure leagues of Roane here of the Lord Talbot having notice covertly marcht to Roan and from thence though wearied with a bad journey marcheth before day to Rize where he surprizeth the French taketh the Lord Fontaines Sir Allaine Geron and many other the Hire by the helpe of his horse though not unwounded by him that pursued him escaped and so Talbot returneth to Roan with a faire bootie and full instructions to discover the Traitours who convicted had the reward of their treason The sixtday of November the Earle of Warwicke who seven times having beene abourd and still beat backe by tempestuous and contrary winds landed at Hoinflew with a thousand fresh souldiers came to Roan whither the Duke of Yorke was come downe and from thence returned for England The Duke of Burgoine taking advantage as hee thought of a still water with tenne thousand men besiegeth the Towne of Crotoy to relieve whom the new Regent sent the Lord Talbot with five thousand men whereof the Duke having notice upon their approach retyreth with his power except foure hundred with whom hee had manned a Bastileo by him there erected to Abvile but the Bastilio is soone gained and all the souldiers either taken or slaine The valiant Talbot sent the Duke word that if hee would save his Countrie of Piccardy from vastation that hee should come into the field where hee attended him and would give him if he dared to come battell But the Duke of Burgoine was not in the fighting humour neither loved to bee too neere so cholericke an enemy that would strike if hee might come at him and therefore from Abvile secretly conveyes himselfe to Amiens Twenty dayes together did the Lord Talbot with fire and sword passe thorow Piccardy and Arthoys destroying all that stood in his way and so returneth unencountred Sir Thomas Kiryel seized upon the Dukes Carriages and Ordnance and having left in Crotoy victual enough for six hundred men for a whole yeare hee brought the rest to the Earle of Warwicke who thankfully received them Henry Earle of Mortaine sonne to Edmond Duke of Somerset arrived with three hundred Archers and three hundred Speares and past thorow Normandy to Mayne and tooke in his March by assault the Cattle of Saint Anian wherein were three hundred Scots and French-men the Scots hee slew all and hanged the French-men for that they had sworne fealty to England and broke it hee tooke likewise the Castle of Algarche and by meanes of an Ambush taketh the Lord of Camerois comming
to the reskue thereof on the other side the Townes of Neux in Bry and Susan were sold and delivered to the French by the trecherous Burgers All manner of graine in England in respect of the scarcity thereof was at exceeding high prices and had not the care and industry of the then Maior Stephen Browne beene such that hee had caused provision of corne especially Rye to bee bought and brought from farre Countries thither the famine would have raged as much in London as the fearefull Pestilence did in Paris where those that dyed in the streets lay unburied untill the ravenous Wolves made their mawes the sepulture of their flesh but God in his mercy ceased the plague in Paris and replenished London with graine in abundance to the great reliefe of remoter parts of the kingdome which before that time were driven to make their sustenance of Fearne rootes and Ivy berryes In Iune the Earle of Huntington with two thousand Archers and foure thousand Speares was sent into Gascoyne whither the Earle of Danoyes was lately come throughly instructed and provided to buy the best penny-worths of Townes â—…nd Castles hee could compasse but the Earle of Huntington upon his comming thither changed all the Captaines and Officers and put others in their roomes whereby hee warily prevented the Bastards chafferours This strumpet Bribery and whore covetousnesse began to spread their wings so farre that in Normandy the English Captaines had small confidence in the Natives and not too much in some of their owne Nation Whereupon Sir Richard Woodvile Sir William Chamberlaine Sir William Peto with a thousand men were sent thither to stoppe the current of French crownes from corrupting the yet faithfull souldiers with them They according to their directions narrowly sifted all and where they found fault or cause of suspition they punished or removed and having settled all things in good order returned A gap began this yeare to bee opened whereby the English might have entred to have made a reduction of those pieces the French had bought or conquered but the wisdome of the Councell of France stopped it by reconciling the King and his sonne the Dolphin betweene whom by the sinister perswasions of base Sycophants on both sides there were discurtesies taken before given and discontent without any ground the sonne deeming his Fathers grave deportment too too much austerity and the Father the Dolphins youthfull countenance to a kind of contempt beyond filiall dutie neither having just cause of jealousie yet both suspitious of each others countenance But the knot of seditious faction tyde betweene the Dukes of Burgoyne Alanson and the Dolphin is dissolved and the King and his Sonne in show reconciled Some small peeces were in this time regayned but Paris for which provision was making for the reduction thereof was left off upon the notice of the reconcilement In a great bend of Frost with a deepe snow the English under the conduct of Iohn Lord Clifford having covered their armour with white shirts and their heads with white Alman skulls come to Ponthoys by night and undiscovered past the ditches skaled the walls slew the guards and tooke the Towne with many good prisoners and a great spoile presently upon the regaining of which Towne the Earle of Warwicke died in the Castle of Roan and was from thence conveyed to England and buried in his Colledge at Warwicke hee was the sixteenth Earle of Warwicke and Lord Lisle in the right of his Wife hee married two wives the first Elizabeth Daughter and heire of Thomas Lord Barckley and Margery his Wife Daughter and heire of Warren Lord Lisley and Tyes by whom hee had issue three Daughters Margaret the eldest married to Iohn Talbot Earle of Shrewsbury who had issue Iohn Talbot Vicount Lisley Elianor married with Thomas Lord Rosse of Hamlocke and after to Edward Bewford Duke of Somerset Elizabeth maried to George Nevill Lord Latimer Earle Richard Beauchampes second Wife was Isabell Daughter of Thomas Spencer Earle of Glocester by whom hee had issue Henry Duke of Warwicke and Anne married to Richard Nevill Earle of Salisbury who in her right was after Earle of Warwicke To reduce Ponthoys the French King in person layeth siege thereunto and useth all possible meanes hee can to enforce it but the defendants but flowt him for his paines and many times send his assaulting souldiers haulting home with fleaes in their eares Richard Duke of Yorke being the second time made Regent being arrived with the Earle of Oxford and the Earle of Ewe levies a power to raise the siege and arriving there giveth notice to the King that the next morning hee would bid him battell But the King not liking the breath of Talbot leaves his Ordnance and best provision in the Bastile of Saint Martins and in the midst of the night stole to Poysy The English possesse his tents furnish the Towne with the provision therein left and thereof make Sir Gervoys Clifton Captaine with a thousand souldiers for the defence thereof and then marched to Poysy where he braved the French King and thought with taunts and revilings to have put valour in him but hee was too patient to bee provoked to fight wherefore hee left him there and returned to Roan A motion of parlie is moved the place appointed Callice by the mediation and solicitation of the Dutchesse of Burgoyne shee being a Portugall by birth very solicitous of the safetie of her husband and the quiet of France a woman of no ordinary capacitie but of an extraordinary understanding by her meanes the King of France sendeth the Archbishop of Reimes and Narbon and the Earle of Dunoys For the King of England the Cardinall of Yorke and the Duke of Exceter with whom came Charles Duke of Orleance who having beene long kept Prisoner was in good hope of enlargement but the successe of the meeting not answering the expectation nothing was done for his enlargement for in such treatises such as have the possession of strong holds doe commonly use policie and delayings the stronger giving lawes to the weaker so that the English would not bate an ace of what they had gotten to keepe and would have for the ransome of the Duke their first asking which was more then his meanes could any way compasse and the French King not very forward to give him any assurance so that the disconsolate Duke patiently returnes but his misery so moved the heart of the Dutchesse of Burgoyne that shee prevailed so farre with her husband that hee passeth his credit for the payment of three hundred thousand Crownes for his ransome at Callice at a day prefixt at which time and place the Duke of Orleance in person and the Duke of Burgoynes money meet where the one being received the other after five and twenty yeares imprisonment is released and by his sonne that had slaine his Father and sought the ruine of his house but now a firme league of
the point of beliefe for the most of the Councell suggested his innocencie first by his voluntary submission when he had power sufficient either to have kept the field or to have assured his retraite then by his request made not for himselfe but for the ease of the poore Commons next his carefull and honourable endevours both in France and Ireland where if he had had any such traiterous intent he had the pan by the stale and might have kept it But while the Councell are debating this at the very instant the Earle of Kendall and the Lord Lespar crave present admission to the Borde and audience as Embassadours from Burdeux for businesse of great import and speedy dispatch they being admitted declare to the Kings Councell how readily and really the inhabitants of Burdeux are to submit their obedience to the Crowne of England if they might but bee assured to bee defended by it they therefore offer upon the appearance of an Armie in Gascoygne if come before the plot bee discovered to yeeld all up unto them To second this commeth a constant urged report that Edward Earle of March Sonne and heire to the Duke of Yorke with a great power of March-men made a speedy march towards London These newes troubled the Queene those the Councell it is therefore resolved on That the Duke of YORKE lest private dissention should hinder publicke designes of such consequence as the reduction of GASCOIGNE should in the presence of the KING and his Nobilitie and all the Congregation at the high Altar at Pauls take his oath of submission and allegiance to the King of England which he accordingly did and so had liberty to depart to his Castle of Wigmore After his departure the Earle of Shrewsbury with about three thousand men was sent to Gascoyne who arriving in the I le of Madre passed forth with his power and tooke Fronsacke and other pieces But having received in the nightinstructions from Burdeux hee makes all speed thither and was entred therein before the French had notice of his comming so that many of them were slaine by the Lord Espar in their beds shortly after the destruction of Burdeux there arrived at Blay the Earle of Shrowsburies Sonne Sir Iohn Talbot with the Bastard of Somerset with divers others with two and twenty hundred men furnished and victualed by whose meanes Burdeux is well mand with English and provided for at full whilst the Earle was not idle but went from place to place to receive the offred submission of all places whither hee came and having taken Chattillon he strongly and sufficiently fortifieth and furnisheth the same The French King rayseth an Army and forthwith besiegeth by his Commanders Chattillon to the reskue wherof the Earle maketh all possible speed with eight hundred Horse appointing the Earle of Kendall and the Lord Lespar to follow with the foot In his way hee surprised a Tower the French had taken and put all within it to the sword and meeting five hundred French-men that had beene forraging hee slew a great number of them and chased the rest to the Campe upon whose approach the French understanding which way the enemy came they left the siege and retired to a place which they had formerly trenched and fortified whither the Earle followeth them and resolutely chargeth them so home that he got the entry of the Campe where being shot thorow the thigh with a Harquebush and his horse slaine under him his sonne desirous to relieve his Father lost his owne life and therein was accompanied with his Bastard brother Henry Talbot and Sir Edward Hall and thirty other Gentlemen of name the Lord Molynes with threescore others were taken prisoners the rest fled to Burdeux but in the way a thousand of them were slaine Thus on the last day of Iuly at Chattillon the thrice honourable Earle of Shrowsbury the first of that name gave the last testimony of his true service to his King after hee had employed the same to his never-dying Honour in the parts beyond the Seas by the space of foure and twenty yeares hee had married two wives The first was Matild daughter and sole heire of Thomas Nevill Lord Furnivall by whom he had issue Iohn that succeeded him in the Earledome Sir Christopher Talbot and Sir Humphry Talbot Knights His second wife was Margaret elder Daughter and Coheire of Richard Beuchamp Earle of Warwicke by whom hee had issue Iohn Talbot in right of his Wife Vicount Lisle slaine with his Father Sir Humphry Talbot slaine at Mount Sinay Elizabeth married to Iohn Mowbray Earle of Norfolke and Elianor Wife to Thomas Boteleer Lord of Sudley Castle And a naturall sonne slaine as afore with his Father his body was buried in a tombe at Roan in Normandy with this inscriptioa Here lyeth the right noble Knight Iohn Talbot Earle of Shrowsbury Weshford Waterford and Valence Lord Talbot of Goodritch and Orchenfield Lord Srange of Blackmere L. Verdon of Acton L. Cromwell of Wingfield L. Lovetoft of Worsop L. Furnivall of Sheffield L. Fauconbridge knight of the noble orders of St. George St. Michael and the golden Fleece great Marshall to K. Henry the sixt of his Realme of France The Earle of Kendall the Lords Mountferrat Rosayne and Dangladas entred into the Castle of Chattillon which they made good against the French by the space of ten dayes and then without hope of succour delivered it upon composition to have liberty to depart to Burdeux Now the tyde turned againe the Gascoynes levitie being as ready to open the gates to the French as they were but little before to the English by meanes whereof in short time the French recovered againe all Gascoyne except Burdeux which the French King in person layeth siege unto and at length hath it surrendered upon condition that both garrisons and inhabitants with all their substance might safely depart for England or Callice and that the Lords Lespar and Durant with thirty others whose names were expressed upon paine of death should never after be found in the territories of France the neglect of which oath within few yeares after caused Lespar to leave his head behind him there whilst the rest in safetie came to England this losse of Aquitane was palliated by the happy delivery of the Queene of a Sonne who was Christened The King and the Dukes beginning to bandy one against the other gave a beginning to that faction whose end was not procured without the deplorable losse of so many thousand Englishmen and now as a praeludium to that tragedy upon Saint Bartholmewes day an antient custome being that the Maior of London and the Sheriffs should be present in giving prizes to the best Wrastlers at the wrastling place neere More-fields The Prior of Saint Iohns being there to see the sport a servant of his not brooking the disgrace to bee foyled before his Master against the custome of the place would have wrastled againe and with foule
In the meane time as it was before agreed upon The Earle of Salisburie with about five thousand men marcheth through Lancashire to passe that way to the King and to acquaint him with the affront offred to his sonne and the inveterate malice discovered in the Queene against him The Queene with the Dukes of Somerset and Buckingham gave order unto the Lord Audley to apprehend Salisbury sending to him as to that end she had provided many badges of a white Swan for a publick expression of being firme to her and her sonne one badge thereof for himselfe and divers other to bestow on such well deservers as should by him be approved of whereupon he levieth of Cheshire and Shropshire ten thousand men with which about a mile from Drayton in a plaine called Bloreheath he attended the Earle there being a small brooke but of some depth between them Earlie in the morning the Earle made a seeming retreat which the Lord Audley observing he presently causeth his troopes to passe the river but before they could be reduced againe in order the Earle with his whole strength falls upon them and with the slaughter of the Lord Audley and most of them that had past the river he discomfited the residue there were slaine about foure and twenty hundred of them Sir Iohn and Sir Thomas Nevil Knights the Earles sonnes are sore wounded who with Sir Thomas Harrington travayling into the North Country were apprehended and sent as prisoners towards Chester But upon a message sent from the March-men their keepers quickly released them The Duke of Yorke now begins to resent these proceedings and resolveth no longer to be looker on but like a free gamester to venter a Cast for all he levies men makes preparation to take the field sends to Salisbury to doe the like who sends to Warwicke and all resolue to set up their rest amongst others of approved valiancy that Warwicke had brought from Callice with him were two principall noted men for direction and policy Andrew Trollop and Iohn Blunt The armie in the marches of Wales neere Shropshire are strongly encamped The King with the Dukes of Somerset and Exceter the chiefe of the Lancastrian family draw their forces to Worcester from whence Richard Beuchampe Bishop of Salisbury is sent to offer the Yorkists a full and generall pardon if they would give over this enterprise and become loyall subjects this message was answered that there was no trust in the Kings pardons as long as the hen crowed therefore they durst not submit unto them but if any course might be given them of assurance of their safety they would expresse their loyaltie and render themselves at his service The King thereupon advanceth neerer and approching the Lords army he causeth Proclamation to be made that whosoever would abandon the Duke of Yorke should be received to mercy and have pardon whereupon the night following Andrew Trollop with all the Callicians submit to the King and by him are all the counsels of the Duke of Yorke discovered which so much discouraged the Duke of Yorke that he with his young sonne the Earle of Rutland fled first into Wales then into Ireland the Earles of March Salisbury and Warwicke got into Devonshire where by the meanes of Iohn Dinham they were shipt from Exmouth to Gernsey and so to Callice where they were well entertained The King pardons all the common Souldiers makes some exemplary punishment of few Captains sendeth the Dutches of York her two younger children to the Dutches of Buckingham her sister to be safely kept then having spoyled the town and Castle of Ludlow he dismist his Army A Parliament is convoked at Coventry in which amongst other things the Duke of Yorke and all his confederates are convict of treason all their lands goods seized on to the Kings use Henry Duke of Somerset the inheritour with his fortunes of his Fathers favour with the Queen by her means is made Captain of Callice whither comming to take possession of his new charge he was forced to retire out of the harbour the Ordnance from Ricebank playing so hot upon him The Queen herewith much incensed in heat of passion giveth order to furnish and make ready all the Kings ships lying at Sandwich to give assistance to Somerset but the before-mentioned Iohn Dinham with his Westerne Mariners who all well affected the Earle of March bourded those ships in the harborand tooke the Lord Rivers who was designed Admirall for that service and carried both him and the ships to Callice from whence the Earle sayled to Ireland to the Duke of Yorke where having conferred and concluded what course to take he returned to Callice the new Admirall the Duke of Exceter not daring to stop his course in his returne Sir Simon Momford was appointed to guard the Cinque-ports having divers ships under his command to bar the Earle of Warwicks entrance but the Earle by his espialls having perfect intelligence of all passages fell suddenly upon Sir Simon before his ships were full ready tooke him prisoner ransackt the Towne of Sandwich and carried his Prisoner and the ships to Callice by the way he understood how much the Kentish-men desired his speedy returne and to come on shore in their Country where they were ready to give him all assistance Whereupon the second time the Earle came to Sandwich to whom presently resorted the Lord Cobham and divers Gentlemen insomuch that now they were 25000 strong with which the Earle of VVarwicke marched towards London against whom the Lord Scales was appointed to oppose and with some convenient troopes to assure London but the Lord Maior utterly refused to admit him entrance saying he was able enough without his counsell or helpe to keepe what the King had committed to his charge Whereupon the Lord Scales resorted to the Tower from whence afterward he did the Londoners many discourtesies VVarwicke well pleased with the Londoners promise not to impeach his passage having notice that his Father was upon march to meet him passeth over his men and without impeachment joyned with his Father and his friends neere Exceter The King with the Dukes of Somerset Buckingham with a great Army marcheth towards them neere unto the town of Northampton both armies meet The Earle of March with the advise of the Earle of VVarwick prepares for the fight The Queen the King more intentive of devotion then fighting did the like The fight began and continued on uncertaine termes above two houres In the meane time were slain on both sides above 10000 men But upon the fal of Humphry Duke of Buckingham by the good policy of the Earle of VVarwicke and the Lord Gray of Ruthens joyning with them who led the Vantgard of the Kings part withdraw to the Lords side the Earles party prevailed and Iohn Talbot Earle of Shrowsbury Thomas Lord Egremond Iohn Vicount Beamont and some others of Marke were slain The
Northerne men that long looked to have the ransacking of London came unto the gates and would have entred had not the Citizens valiantly repelled them and with the slaughter of some three or foure they were sent to carry word to the Campe that the Earle of March with a great Army was marching towards them neither was it a fiction For at Chipping-Norton by Cotsall the Earle of Warwicke having drawne together as many of his scattered troopes as hee could find met with the earle of March and his victorious troopes which being joyned they hasted towards London and were joyfully received upon the eight and twentieth day of Februarie and upon Sunday the second of March the Earle of Warwicke mustered all this Army in Saint Iohns fields and having cast them in a ring the Leader read unto them the agreement of the last Parliament and then demanded whether they would have King Henry to raigne still who all cryed No no then they were askt whether they would have the Earle of March eldest Sonne of the Duke of Yorke by that parliament proclaimed King to raigne over them and with a great clamour they cryed yea Then went there certaine Captaines and others of the Common Councell of the Citie to the Earle of March to Baynard Castle whom they acquainted with what was passed whereof hee expressed himselfe in some termes as unworthy of the place and unable to execute it yet hee thanked God for the gift and them for their good wills And by the advise of the Archbishop of Canterbury and theanimation of the Bishops of London Exceter and the Earle of Warwicke he resolved to take it upon him And the next morning he went in Procession at Pauls and offered there and after Te deum sung he was with great royalty conveyed to Westm. and there in the great Hall seated in the Kings seat with the Scepter of Saint Edward in his hand And then the people whereofthere was a great Concourse were alowd demanded if they would acknowledge him to bee their King to which with great willingnesse they cryed Yea yea Then taking homage of divers Noble men then present hee was with Procession and great State conveyed to the Abby there and placed in the Quier as King whilst Te deum was singing that done hee offered at Saint Edwards shryne and then returned by water to Pauls and was lodged in the Bishops Pallace Vpon the fourth of March hee was generally proclaimed King by the name of Edward the fourth THE LIFE AND RAIGNE OF KING EDVVARD THE FOVRTH EDWARD Earle of March borne at Roan in Normandy Sonne and Heire of Richard Plantagenet Duke of Yorke by Cecily Nevill Daughter of Ralph Earle of Westmerland and Ioane Daughter of Iohn of Gaunt by Lady Katherins Swinford upon the fourth day of March rode in State to the Church of Saint Paul in London and there made his Oblation And after Te Deum sung hee was with great solemnitie attended to Westminster and there being placed in the great Hall with the Scepter Royall in his hand before a confluence of people there assembled well knowing with what baite to angle to catch the many Hee makes a solemne declaration of his right to the Crowne of England challenging it to belong unto him by a double Title The first as Sonne and heire to Richard Duke of Yorke the rightfull Heire of the same The second as elected by Authority of Parliament upon King Henryes forfeit hereof Neverthelesse he was resolved to wave both Title and right by either except the people would willingly approve of his proceeding therein and lovingly allow of his Claime Whereupon it was againe publickly demanded of the assembly if they would unanimously admit and acknowledge the said Earle to bee their King and Soveraigne Lord whereupon all with one voice cryed Yea yea King Edward King Edward Thereupon hee went from thence to Westminster Abby and entred the same with solemne Procession and there as King offered and afterward by the name of Edward the Fourth was proclaimed King throughout the Citie of London In the meane time King Henry in the North was raising what powers hee could to stopthis Torrent But the Earle of March great in the favour of that great beast of many heads the multitude presuming of their ready willingnesse to assist him makes preparation to encounter King Henry To Edward resort men of all ages and condition the one making tender of their persons the other of their patrimonies to be spent at his devotion and for the support of his cause by which meanes he suddainly was furnished with a puissant and well accommodated army And being perswaded that no other meanes would serue for direction of his claime but the sword he resolued to set up his rest and by battaile to give a certaine determination to the question Vpon the twelfth of March his forces marched from London and by easie journeys came to Pomfret Castle where he rested and from thence the Lord Eitz-walter with some companies was sent by him to guard the passage at Ferry-brigg to stop the enemies approch that way King Henry likewise advanceth forward and sends his power under the conduct of the Duke of Somerset the Earle of Northumberland and the Lord Clifford Whilst himselfe Queene and sonne stay at Yorke The Lord Clifford very early on Palme Saterday in the morning with a troope of Northerne Prickers falls upon those that had the guard of the passage at Ferry-brig and defeated them with the slaughter of the Lord Fitzwalter and the bastard of Salisbury The Earle of Warwicke hearing of this defeate postes to the Earle of March his Campe and in his presence killing his horse said Sir I pray God have mercy on their soules which in the beginning of your enterprise have for your love lost there lives The enemie hath won the passage at Ferrybrigg There is no hope now but in God yet let him flye that will flye when kissing the Crosse of his sword he sayd by this good signe I will stand by him that will stand by me fall backe fall edge The Earle of March no whit amated but somewhat moved with Warwicks resolution presently made Proclamation that all such of his company as were unwilling to stay or afraid to fight should at their pleasure depart But to those that would abide he promised good reward Adding withall that if any that stayed should after turne his backe or flee That he that should kill such a Changeling should have double pay Then gave he order to the Lord Fauconbridge and Sir Walter Blunt to lead on the Vowarde who in their March about Dindingdale encountred with the Lord Clifford who formerly in cold blood had slaugtered the young Earle of Rutland him with Iohn Lord Nevill sonne and heire of the Earle of Westmerland they slew with most of their companies putting the rest to flight The next day likewise the Duke of Norfolke being dangerously sicke
to whom that place was assigned Fauconbridge and Blunt continue the leading of the vantguard And on Palme-Sunday by breake of day they came to Saxton from whence they made a full survay of King Henryes army and certified the Earle of March that the enemie was threescore thousand strong whereupon a second Proclamation was made through the Campe That no quarter should be kept nor prisoner taken a Course more savoring of policie then Religion yet by so much the more excusable by how much his number was so far short of his adversarie The armies being both in sight The Lord Fauconbridge gave direction to the bowmen upon a signall by him to be given to shoot every man a flight arrow for that purpose provided and then to fall backe three strides and stand which they accordingly did The Notherne men hereupon plied their bowes untill their sheaves were empty But all their arrowes fell short of the marke and turned to their owne disadvantage For their arrowes being spent hasting to ioyne to come to hand-blowes Their owne arrowes did themselves much hurt that had done the adversary no harme at all The works of those sticking galling their shinnes and the splinters of those broken piercing their feete whilst the Southerne men shot at their bodyes as if they had beene shooting at butts policy prevailing beyond strength Ten houres in doubtfull termes of victory The battaile continued when the Earle of Northumberland being slaine with the Lords Beamond Gray Dacres The Earles of Exceter and Somerset fled left the conquest to the Earle of March but the bloodiest that ever England felt for on that day fell there thirty six thousand seven hundred threescore and sixteene persons besides those that dyed of the hurts then received all of one nation no prisoners being taken but the Earle of Devon This Henry Earle of Northumberland now slaine was the third Earle of the familie of Peircyes he married Elianor Daughter and heire of Richard Lord Poyning by whom he had issue Henry that succeeded him in the Earldome and three daughters Elizabeth married to Henry Lord Scroope 2 Elianor married to West Lord Laware 3 Margaret married to Sir William Gascoyne The victor hasts to Yorke where he is readily admitted entrance when presently he causeth The heads of his father and his friends to be taken downe and buried with their bodyes setting in their places the heads of the Earle of Devon and three others there then executed This Earle of Devon was Thomas the xvi Earle and Lord of Ockhampton he married Margaret daughter of Iohn Beawford Earle of Somerset by whom he had issue three sonnes and two daughters Thomas who was taken with his father and presently by reason of the Proclamation slaine Henry the second sonne who was after beheaded at Salisbury and Iohn who was after slaine at Tewkesbury The father and the three sonnes with the losse of their best bloods witnessing their true affection to the house of Lancaster Iohan his eldest daughter was married to Sir Roger Clifford Knight and Elizabeth was married to Sir Hugh Courtney Knight The Earle of Somerset being the messenger of the late overthrow perswades and prevailes with King Henry his Queene and sonne from Yorke to flye to Barwicke where leaving the Earle of Somerset they slye further for succour to the King of Scots who comforteth them with promise of reliefe but maketh a sure bargaine and receiveth in liewe of a pension to be assigned to King Henry during his aboad there from him upon Saint Markes day the Towne and Castle of Barwick to such poore shifts was this potent King driven to pawne his best fortresse for bare food Queene Margaret and her sonne are sent to France to labour there whilst those that stayed with the King himselfe being onely intentive to devotion fayled not to solicite friends and make preparation for a second encounter The Queene upon her arrivall obtayned of Lewis the eleventh her Cousin that those of the house of Yorkes favorites were prohibted trafficke or stay in the French Kings dominions But all such as loved the Lancastrian line were permitted freely In triumphant manner the Earle of March commeth to London where he is by the Maior and Citizens gloriously entertained being by them upon the xxvi day of Iune from Lambeth attended to the Tower of London who upon his first entrance therein invested foure and twentie with order of Knighthood and upon the next day he did the like to foure more Vpon the xxviii day of Iune he rode through London from the Tower to Westminster where he was Crowned in the Abby there A Parliament is summoned which began at VVestminster upon the fourth of November in which all acts of Henry the sixt formerly made which might see me any way preiudiciall to Edw. title or profit were repealed And therein Iohn Earle of Oxford a learned valiant wise man he who in a former Parliament disputed the question concerning the precedency betweene the temporall and spirituall Barones a bold attempt in those dayes and by force of whose arguments iudgment was given for the Lords temporall with his sonne Aubry de Vere Sir Thomas Tiddenham Kinght William Terrill and VValter Mongomery Esquires were without answer convict of Treason and beheaded This Iohn Earle of Oxford married Elizabeth the daughter and heire of Sir Iohn Howard and had issue five sonnes and three daughters 1 Aubry de Vere beheaded with his father 2 Iohn de Vere that succeeded in the Earledome 3 George Vere Knight that died living his father 4 Richard Vere and 5 Thomas Vere Knights 1 Mary a profest Nunne at Barking in Essex 2 Ioan married to Sir VVilliam Norris and 3 Elizabeth married to VVilliam Bourcheir sonne and heire of Henry Bourcheir Earle of Essex King Edward to encourage others to obtaine like favour by well deserving at his hands after that he had created his two younger brethren George and Richard the one Duke of Clarence the other Duke of Glocester he maketh Iohn Lord Nevill first Vicount then Marquesse Mountacute Henry Bourcheir whose brother was Archbishop of Canterbury Earle of Essex and VVilliam Lord Fauconbridg Earle of Kent enobling many others with dignities and honorable titles To hansell their new Honors Essex and Kent with the Lord Audley and divers other of the nobility with ten thousand souldiers are sent to skowre the narrow Seas these land in Britaine and by force enter the Towne of Conquet and the Isle of Ree which having pillaged and the Coasts cleered they returne Henry Duke of Somerset Sir Ralph Peircy with some others come in and submit themselues to King Edwards mercy who gratiously receiveth and entertaineth them protesting his propension of free pardoning them and as many others as would follow their example of submission The distressed Queene with five hundred French a small stake to play an aftergame of Reputation with came to the Coasts of Scotland and from thence sailes to Timmothe where
shee went on shore but speedily resorted againe to shipbord and by tempest was beaten to Barwicke Erom whence with the encrease of some few Scots leaving the Prince at Barwicke she with the king her husband marched into the Bishopricke of Durham having by the way in Northumberlaine somewhat more encreased their army To them resorteth the so late reconciled and now newly revolted Duke of Somerset Sir Ralph Peircy and divers of King Henryes welwishers who altogether made shew of a competent army But their disorderly burning and spoyling wheresoever they went whatsoever they could come at lost the goodwill of many and purchased the ill will of more King Edward to be prepared to meet the enemie at every turne makes preparation both by Sea and Land he sends Vicount Mountacute into Northumberland with Commission to raise forces whom King Edward in person followeth with his whole power leasurely but hasts some Companies after the Vicount to prevent any attempt of the Bishopricke men in case they should prove trecherous with these the Vicount marcheth towards King Henry and by the way encountreth the Lord Hungerford at Hegley-More but he with the Lord Rosse upon the first charge ran away leaving Sir Ralph Peircy alone with his owne regiment who there with them died valiantly fighting Mountacute having intelligence that King Henry was encamped in Levels plaine neer the River of Dowell in Hexamshire marcheth thither by night and set upon him in his Campe. The Northerne men with a desperate resolution receive the charge But were in the end with great slaughter overthrowne Henry Bewford Duke of Somerset the Lords Rose Mollins Hungerford Wentworth Hussey and Sir Iohn Finderne Knight with many others are taken prisoners King Henry escaped but very hardly The Duke of Somerset was presently beheaded at Exham he was never married but had a naturall sonne named Charles Somerset who was afterward created Earle of VVorcester The other prisoners were sent to New-Castle and there beheaded Thus was the White Rose in every place dyed red with the blood of the Nobilitie and the red Rose turnd pale with the horror to view the calamities occasioned by this dissention King Edward came to Durham and from thence sent the Earle of VVarwicke and others into Northumberland to reduce such Castles and forts as yet held out for King Henry which effected King Edward marched to Yorke King Henry shifting from place to place is at length discovered and in the manner of a notorious offender with his legges tyde under the horse belly without other company then Doctor Manning Deane of Windsor taken with him is by the Earle of Warwicke brought to the Tower of London a suddaine and strange alteration of estate when he that was the most potent Monark for Dominions that ever England had was not now the Master of a Molehill nor owner of his owne liberty so various are the changes and chances of this transitory life His distressed and disconsolate Queene with her sonne are driven once againe to fly for shelter into France K. Edward to raise some with ruine of others distributeth the Lands and Possessions of those that held with King Henry amongst his owne favorites and followers having the better to palliate his proceeding therein first made Proclamation that whosoever of the contrary faction would come in and submit should be received to grace and restored to their patrimonies King Edward having as it were a breathing from martiall imployments knowing that he was to deale with a people more easily to be drawne then driven addicted his courses altogether to endeer himselfe to their good affections and the better to settle in their minds a good opinion of his after-government he applied himselfe to accomplish those things whereof report had given out his predecessors have beene neglective in And first he began to set the beame even that was to carrie the scale of Iustice in equall point of right and to that end in Michaelmas terme in the second yeare of his raigne three dayes together hee sat publickly with his Iudges in Westminster-Hall on the Kings-bench to acquaint himselfe with the orders of that Court and the proceedings therein and to observe what deserved reformation in that Court either at bench or at barre He likewise ordered the Officers of his Exchequor to take more moderate fees and to be more intentive of their duties for the benefit of the subject then their owne unjust gaine And not under colour of preserving the Kings revenewes to enrich themselues and undor the subjects thereby wronging both King and people Then he complies himselfe to the multitude and publickly with such extraordinary shewes of unusuall congies and complements from a Soveraigne entertaines them That he thereby tyes their pliable tongues to set forth his uncessant commendation drawing out their loves to the largest extent He daily frequentes the Councell Table which he furnished for the most part with such as were most gracious amongst the Citizens and were most facile either to give dispatch or Court holy water to petitioners These he imployes about references and businesses of private consequence whilst misteries of state were intimated only to such whom he selected to be of his more private Cabinet Councell with whom now he adviseth how to encrease his forraine correspondence and advance his estate with some linck of faire alliance with such that might stand him instead and be a comfort or countenance in his proceedings as occasion should fall out For which purpose the fittest meanes is concluded to be some match to be made with France By which all meanes of succour might be withdrawne from his femall persecutor Queene Margaret and assistance drawne to persecute her husband and such as should oppose his Soveraignty For the better effecting whereof the Earle of Warwick is made choice of and imployed by the King into France to treate of a match betwixt King Edward and the Lady Bona daughter to Lewis Duke of Savoy and sister to the Lady Carlote Queene of France Vpon the first proposition this motion was readily embraced and was willingly assented unto on all parts And Mounseir Dampmortyn with some others are incontinently sent into England for the full accomplishment thereof but before his arrivall the game is changed and a new triumph turned For upon the first of May the King had taken to wife the Lady Gray the widdow of Sir Iohn Gray of Groby slaine at the last battaile of Saint Albons a Lancastrian she was daughter of Richard VVoodvile Baron of VVymington and Iaquet daughter of Peter of Luxenborough Earle of Saint Paul the widdow of Iohn Duke of Bedford sometimes Regent of France a sharer with her daughter of troubles to ensue upon their marriage for as the marriage of the mother gave the first cause of distast to the Duke of Burgoyne whose severing after from the English was partly if not principally the overthrow of our Conquest in France so this match of the daughter
when hee found his souldiers thorugh wearinesse begin to faint and the Kings battaile came on and that the Lord WENLOCKE which had the conduct of the battaile on the Queenes part moved not So nerset rode unto him and upbraiding him with Cowardise with his Pollax beare out his braines But before hee could bring in his men to the reskues their Voward was rowted and Iohn Earle of Devon who had no issue with three thousand and odde of the Queenes part were slaine Queene MARGARET Iohn Beauford the Duke of Somersets Brother the Prior of Saint Iohns Sir Jervis Clifton and divers others were taken Prisoners which all except Queene MARGARET were beheaded the next day At which time Sir Richard Crofts presented to King EDVVARD Prince EDVVARD whom hee had taken Prisoner King EDVVARD did at first receive him with a kind of countenance expressing more signes of reioycing to see a friend then triumph of taking an enemy and began to move familiar questions unto him but not receiving such submissive satisfactory answers as hee required and it may bee some of riper yeares upon the like occasion would have done hee disdainfully thrust him from him when presently the Dukes of Yorke and Clarence Thomas Marquesse Dorset and the Lord Hastings the Kings backe being but turned with their Poniards barbarously stabd into the breast and inhumanly murdered against the law of God Nature and Nations which occasioned the revenge of his bloud afterwards in generall upon them all and in particular upon every one of them The King having made conquest now in twenty dayes of what great Warwicke had done before in eleven with Queene MARGARET his prisoner triumphantly marcheth towards London from whence as being assured as long as there remained any of the partakers of King Henry at liberty and in life his death should bee alwayes plotting hee sent Roger Vaughan a potent Gentleman and much reckoned of in his owne Countrey to entrap Jasper Earle of Penbrooke who had escaped with the Earle of Somerset from the last encounter But Penbrooke having premonition of the plot prevented the mischiefe by giving Vaughan meanes to taste the same sauce and strooke off his head King EDVVARD lingreth about Coventry expecting newes from Vaughan but at once received notice both of Vaughans defeate and newes that Thomas Bastard Fauconbridge employed by King HENRY at the appointment of great Warwicke to skowre the narrow Seas had irritated new sedition And true it was that this Fauconbridge having at Sea encountred with many that had escaped from Tewkesbury battell and were making for France and by them being informed of the murther of Prince EDVVARD and the incarcerating of Queene MARGARET hee made all fish that came to net and robbed and spoyled all that hee could come at of amunition and able men aswell Natives as Aliens and had perswaded many of the old garrison souldiers of Callice to the number of three hundred under the conduct of Sir George Brooke to joyne with him and had now drawne from all parts all such as had escaped the former encounters or were willing to purchase boote and pillage and now did intend to worke some stratagem against King EDVVARD and the kingdome And with a well accomplisht Army of seventeene thousand men came to London and in hostile manner commanded admission into the Citie and the releasement of King HENRY out of prison But was resisted and denyed by the Maior and Citizens on the one side and the Lievtenant of the Tower on the other King Edward upon the first newes knowing how dangerous delayes are in matters of this nature presently dispatched Marquesse Dorset with some competent troopes of Horse to secure London whilst himselfe upon the sixteenth day of May followes with his owne power laying all the wayes to intercept any intelligence that might bee sent or received betwixt the Bastard and Penbrooke Fauconbridge thus denyed entrance brings up his shipping to Saint Katherines and leaving in them but men sufficient to receive the boot brought takes out the most desperate and dangerous and with them marcheth to Kingstone bridge promising his souldiers by the way to give them the plundering of Westminster for their dinners and of the Suburbes of London for their suppers but London it selfe should bee their breakfast in the next morning But finding King stone bridge broken downe and all the places of passage guarded ascertained of the Kings approach and doubting to bee enclosed hee altered his resolution and with all his forces withdrew into Saint Georges field from whence hee prepared to assault the Citie of London For the effecting whereof hee landed all his ship Ordnance and planted them all alongst the bankes side and therewith battered downe many houses and much annoyed the Citie but having some religion in his rage he gave order to the Cannoneeres to spare Churches and houses of religion From Saint Katherines by Boat hee past over three thousand men giving them directions to divide themselves and with one moitie to assault Algate and with the other Bishopsgate whilst he with the residue laboured to gaine entrance by London bridge The houses round about which he fired all these places at once were desperatly attempted threescore houses being fired upon the Bridge they followed the fire and recovered the draw-bridge and then hee brought on his desperate Sea-men that inured to the water would adventure farre in the fire but by the directions of the Earle of Essex who with divers Gentlemen were come in ayde of the Citizens and were there quartered with their men they had so barricadoed up the Bridge-foot and planted great Ordnance to scowre the entrance that way that the forward Bastard seeing no possibilitie of further approach without apparant destruction having wit in his anger made a faire retreate The Marquesse Dorset in the meane time from the waters side had droven the Cannoneeres from their Ordnance But Captaine Spicing at Algate wonne the Bulwarke and drove the Citizens from the Gate entring pel mell with them untill the Portcullis was let fall when those had adventured too farre payed the price of their folly Alderman Basset and the Recorder Vrswicke who with a volant Regiment awaited to succour where need should require came to the reskew and causing the Portcullis to be drawne up made a brave sally forth and drove the Rebells backe beyond Saint Buttolphs Church which Earle Rivers Lieutenant observed well having all the day awaited with his men for advantage to give assistance issued out of the Posterne with five hundred well-appointed Bow-men who saluted the Rebells at their backes with such a showre of Arrowes that they all amazed fled to their shippes but were pursued and seven hundred of them were cut off in their flight Those that assayled Bishopsgate hearing of their fellowes ill successe shrunke disorderly away having first fired the Citie in many places the stay to quench the rage of the fire gave the assaylants the quieter meanes of retreate The fire
Duke of Yorke Then he begins to solicite me and sometimes by entreaties he endevoreth to perswade and then againe with minatory words to enforce me and the Lords present by constraint as it were to permit him to take upon him the execution of the Regall state and government of this Kingdome untill the young King were ripe and able to undergoe the burden thereof and beare the loade upon his own shoulders at least wise untill he should attaine to the age of foure and twentie yeeres which project of his in regard the example was without president And that would be as strange if not more to have an ambitious mind to disinantell himselfe of a place of that eminent power of Command one obtained as for him at that instant to effect it I seemed not well to relish it and the rather for that I found by the countenance of all there present he was as then unprovided of seconds at the table to backe his proposition He thereupon not altogether unprovided of his baytes to fish with to give some colourable pretext of reason for what he had moved he produced many seeming authenticke instruments and resolutions upon depositions of credible witnesses subscribed by the Civilians and Canonists the most famous in these times for judgement and learning by whom it was resolved and so adjudged that the children of Edward the fourth were to be reputed illegitimate and no way capable of the inheritance of the Crowne which overture then unfeinedly I speake it I thought as reall and true as now I know the deponents names were counterfeited and the whole businesse forged These depositions and resolutions thus by him produced were read and thoroughly by us at the Councell table debated and long discussed upon untill the Protector himselfe stood up and sayd My Lords as on the one part I and your Lordships are most willing that King Edwards children should receive no injury so on the other side I beseech you doe not you bethe occasion that I suffer apparant wrong For this point being thus cleered that my brothers sonnes are not inheritable behold me the unquestionable and undoubted heire of Richard Plantagenet Duke of Yorke my deceased but deere father who was by authoritie of the Parliament adjudged and so proclaimed lawfull heire of the Crowne of England whereupon we silly seduced men thinking all had beene Gospell that had beene delivered gave consent that in regard the Duke of Clarence his son by reason of the former attainder of the father besides the obtruded illegitimation of him too was likewise disabled too carry the inheritance to accept of the bramble for our King and Soveraigne Lord the which I was rather induced to doe by how much he had often with solemne protestations both publike and private given me his faithfull promise that the two young infants should no way be abused but that they should have sufficient assurance for maintenance such as I and the rest of the nobility should well like and approve of which how well he hath perfomed judge you when he was no sooner by my procurement from a private person made Protector and from a subject sole Soveraigne but he cast the ladder by by which he had climed to this preferment changing his manners with his honours And not onely denied me to enjoy the liberty of my undoubted right as touching the Earldome of Hertford unjustly detained from me by his predecessor King Edward And which at our first conference about these proceedings this Richard with many execrable oaths and promises had assured me but kept touch in nothing with me of what was formerly concluded betwixt us But in liewe thereof I was entertained with flowtes and uncurteous language giving out as though I had never furthered but rather hindred his most waighty designes yet this foule Ingratitude and his undeserved unkindnesse I patiently for a seasonunder-went But when I had received certaine notice of the unnaturall murther of his two naturall Nephewes I was so transported with scorne and indignation that I had very much to doe to temper my passion from publicke revenge of their death and my owne disgrace in his owne Court untill weighing the doubtfulnesse of the event I deemed it the safest way with patience to waite a fitter opportunity and in the meane time to take out a coppy of his dissimulation and that I might with the more safty worke upon his owne scene I framed my cariage and countenance at all times towards him in that manner as though I knew no pipe to dance after but his never crossing him in any point nor seeming to dislike or distast though much against my nature any thing he moved or did And by this meanes I obtained libertie to retire my selfe to this place But in my journey homewards by the way I had many strong conflicts in my mind which way to begin to worke that I might make this usurper to acknowledge his error and to pull of the lyons skin from his hoglike backe First I thought with my selfe that there was a faire path beaten for me he being now by the murther of his tender Nephewes growne despicable to God all good men to lay hold of the Garland in regard there was not one whom I could then call to remembrance either of power or pretence sufficient to debar me from enioying it being no way unprovided of meanes men or mony for imployment And in this Conceit I continued a while untill that afterwards that came into my mind that to come in by way of conquest would prove both hard and hazardfull In regard that most of the Nobilitie and Gentlemen would oppose me therein if for no other end or reason but onely for the preservation of their tenures and titles which in a conquerors hands are liable to his disposall And then and there that embrions conceit of Conquering continued so formles Then my fancy suggested to me that the Lord Edmond Duke of Somerset my grandfather was within degrees lineally descended from Iohn of Gaunt for Edmond Beuford Earle Moryton was sonne of Iohn surnamed Beauford of Beauford in France which came to the house of Lancaster by Blaunch of Arthoyes wife to Edmond first Earle of Lancaster sonne of Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster That my mother being his eldest daughter I was next heire to Henry the 6. And hereupon I set up my rest thereon to lay a foundation whereupon to erect my building But as God would have it whilst my braines were busie and as I rode debating with my selfe how to the best advantage I might set my engines going betwixt Worcester and Bridgnorth I accidentally encountred Margaret Countesse of Richmond the true and only heire of my Grandfathers elder brother Iohn Duke of Somerset who married Margaret daughter and heire of Sir Iohn Beauchamp of Bletsoe kinght By whom he had issue one onely daughter Margaret who married Edmond of Haddam sonne of Owen Tewder by Queene Katherine and halfe brother by the mother
marriage betwixt Iohn of Gaunt and Katheryne Swinford was approved of and the issue borne before the espousalls made legitimate by act of Parliament and confirmed by a Bull from Rome This is the Catalogue of the pedegree of the two houses of Lancaster and Yorke betwixt whom the competition for the Crowne of England was the occasion of expence of so much blood Although the Crowne of England upon the decease or deposition of Richard the second without issue was jure haereditario to descend to Edmond Mortimer the younger the Sonne of Philip Daughter and heire of Lionel Duke of Clarence the third Sonne of Edward the third yet his cosin Henry of Bullingbrooke Duke of Hertford and Sonne and heire of John of Gaunt the younger Brother of Lionell of Clarence taking advantage of the peoples forwardnesse and his kinsmans being generally distasted was Created and Crowned King From the yeare of our Lord 1399. untill the fourth of March 1460. In three Descents the slips of the red Rose in the line of Lancaster did beare sway but not without some interruptions and hazard For though Edmond Plantagenet Duke of Aumerle Sonne and heire of Edmond of Langley set not the White Rose claime on foot yet as maligning the prosperitie of Henry the fourth hee was a maine stickler in the conspiracie against him intended to have beene executed at Oxford But the eruption of Yorke never was manifest untill Richard Plantagenet Sonne of Richard of Bonysborough Anno 1455. drew his Sword to make good his claime to the Crowne of England And from his time I shall endevour to drawe a Compendiary of the times and places of the severall battells betweene these two houses strooke and the slaughter on both sides made The three and twentieth day of May at Saint Albones in Hertfordshire Richard Duke of Yorke gave battell to King Henry the sixt on whose side was slaine Edmond Duke of Somerset Henry Earle of Northumberland Humphry Earle of Stafford Thomas Lord Clifford say some others John with divers Knights and Esquires to the number of 37. with five thousand common souldiers and Henry himselfe was taken Prisoner on the Dukes part only sixe hundred in the totall 5641. A Battell was fought at Bloarheath in Shropshire the thirteenth day of September betweene the Lord Audly Lieutenant to Henry the sixt and the Earle of Salisbury in which Audly was slaine and his Army overthrowne at this battell was slaine in all two thousand foure hundred men with Sir Thomas Dutton beside six other Cheshire Knights and two Esquires thereof in all 2411. Sir Osbert Mountfort with twelve Gentlemen of his company was taken at Sandwich and carried to Ricebanke and there beheaded by the Lord Fauconbridge The Earle of Wiltes at Newbery causeth twenty Yorkists to bee hanged and quartered The tenth of Iune in the thirty eight yeare of the King at Northampton was a battell fought wherein was slaine Humphry Duke of Buckingham John Talbot Earle of Shrowsbury Thomas Lord Egremond John Viscount Beamond and Sir William Lucy with tenne thousand and thirty men slaine The Lord Skales is slaine upon the Thames seeking to escape by the Earle of Warwicks men The thirtieth of December at Wakefield was a battell strooke wherein the Queene prevailed with the slaughter of two thousand eight hundred persons not numbring Richard Duke of Yorke Edmond Earle of Rutland a child and the Earle of Shrowsbury taken prisoner but afterwards beheaded Sir John Mortimer and Sir Hugh Mortimer the Dukes base Vncles Sir Davy Hall Sir Hugh Hastings Sir Thomas Nevill Sir William Parry Sir Thomas Parry Sir Richard Limbricke Knights then likewise slaine on Candlemasse day vpon the plaine neere Mortimers crosse in Hereford-shire a field was fought betwixt the new Duke of Yorke and the Earles of Penbrooke and Wiltes wherein the Duke prevailed with the slaughter of 3800. men but no man of qualitie but Sir Owen Tyther that had married Queene Katherine Vpon Shrovetuesday the seventeenth of February at Saint Albones the second Battaile was fought betweene Queene Margaret and the Duke of Norfolke and others wherein were slaine two thousand three hundred men besides the Lord Bonvile Sir Thomas Keryell Sir John Gray and Baron Thorpe The most cruell and deadly Battaile of all others during the rage of this unnaturall division was fought at Towton or betweene Towton and Saxton within foure miles of Yorke the nineteenth day of March being Palme Sunday wherein were slaine of English-men Thirty five thousand ninetie and one and of strangers one thousand seven hundred fourty five besides two hundred and thirty slaine the day before at Ferry Brigge with the Lord Fitzwater and the base brother of the Earle of Warwicke The most remarkable men that fell in this bloody fight were Henry Piercy Earle of Northumberland The Earle of Shrowsbury The Earle of Devon John Lord Clifford The Lord Beamond The Lord Nevill The Lord Willoughby The Lord Wells The Lord Rosse The Lord Gray The Lord Dacres The Lord Fitz-Hugh The two base Sonnes of Henry Holland Duke of Exceter Sir Thomas Mollineux Sir Otes Beckingham Sir Aubrey Trussell Sir Richard Piercy Sir William Heyton Sir Jervoys Clifton Sir Foulke Hamys Sir Thomas Crackenthorpe Sir James Crackenthorpe Sir William Throllop Sir Andrew Throllop Sir Walter Harle Sir John Ormond Sir William Mollyns Sir Thomas Pigot Sir William Norborough and William Burton Knights The Earle of Devonshire there taken Prisoner with three other Knights were beheaded at Yorke and so may be reckoned amongst the slaine so that the account of the whole number besides those that died after of hurts then received thirty seven thousand fourty and six At Hegley More the Lord Mountacute charged and put to flight two thousand Lancastrians who were on foot to march to Henry the sixt at which time Sir Ralph Piercy with one hundred and seven were slaine the residue flying gave alarum to the Kings Army and upon the 15. of May in a plaine called Livels neere the water of Dowill in Hexam shire the battaile was fought against Henry the sixt by the Lord Mountague Generall for Edward the fourth wherein were taken Prisoners Henry Duke of Somerset The Lord Rosse The Lord Mollins and The Lord Hungerford Sir Thomas Wentworth Sir Thomas Hussey Sir John Finderne and sixteene Knights more executed at Hexam and Yorke Sir William Talboys titulary Earle of Kime or Angus and not Kent as Master Martin relateth Sir Ralph Nevill Sir Ralph Gray and Sir Richard Tunstall were taken afterwards but beheaded The number slaine is uncertainly set downe the most of our common Writers not naming any only faabian saith about two thousand so that I make that my skale to reckon by At a place called Danes more neere the Towne of Edgcot within foure miles of Banbury was a great Battaile fought upon Saint Iames his day the five and twentieth of Iuly wherein were slaine
both with bad language and worse blowes where they apprehended as hee was performing the ceremonies of the Church the Reverend Simon Arch. B. of Canterbury who formerly had convented their proloquutor Iohn Wall for promulgating his dangerous if not damnable positions and strooke off his head they broke up all the Prisons and set at liberty all the malefactors there and then came to meet the King at Mile end The King demanded what it was that was with such hostile manner required with a confused noyes some cryed manumission others maintainance others to have their lands freed from service every one what hee thought would most conduce to his owne particular end The King promiseth to call a Parliament and thereby which now hee granted promised to establish what to that purpose should bee set downe in writing and further gave a generall Pardon and safe conducts for their returne every man to his owne habitation whereupon the most of the seeming best of these bad rebells disbanded and went homeward and the Londoners returned But Tyler whose ayme was the robbing of the Citie of London and the extirpation of all any way noted for learning with twenty thousand of the dregges and skum of his rakehells came to Smithfield To whom the King guarded with a small strength attended on amongst others by William Wallworth Maior Iohn Philpot the darling of the Mariners and Nicholas Brember Aldermen of London and Sir Iohn Newton and some few others men of resolute and brave spirits presented himselfe but was by that traytourly Tyler received in that base and scornefull manner and with so many affronts to his followers that Iohn Philpot told the King the abuses were insufferable and so please him but to command his Lieutenant meaning the Maior to arrest the Traytor hee would lose his life if it were not accordingly performed Neverthelesse the King doubting the sequell was unwilling to provoke a maddâ—… dogge and with faire speeches and pleasing countenance hee began to expostulate with Tyler and was willing to condescend to some dishonourable conditions being betwixt soveraigne and subject to content him but the more hee found the King pliable the more arrogantly did hee insult and the more unreasonable were his demands and too too insolent his behaviour amongst other this was one of his demands to have all law abolished affirming with an execrable oath before night all the Law of England should passe through this straight clapping his hand to his mouth in the meane time Philpot had sent into the Citie to Sir Robert Knowles who was left behind to keepe the multitude quiet to make knowne the Kings danger and his owne conjuring them by their duty to the King and love to him to make all possible speed to their reskues and afterward prompting the Maior what to doe having by Sir Iohn Newtons helpe covertly drawne close together as many of the Kings followers as were present hee attended the sequell Tyler persisting in his insupportable arrogance demanded the Kings dagger of his Esquire that held it which being by the Kings conivance delivered him hee further presumed to command the Esquire to give him the Sword also to whom the young sparcke bravely said a Kings Sword would but ill become a knaves hand wherewith Tyler rising up offering to approach towards the Kings Page the Maior of London that only awaighted the occasion of hazzarding his life in surprising so proud a traytor snatcheth the Kings dagger out of the sheathe in Tylers hand and then sheathes the same in Tylers body whereupon Philpot with his sword saluted him on the cockscombe that he fell to the ground slaine This sudden action at first dismayd the King but being assured of present succour of the Cittizens hee tooke courage and being rounded by his Nobles they gave defyance to the headlesse tombe which wanted nor will nor meanes to revenge their Captaines death but each one expecting when another should begin they stayed looking one upon another untill newes was brought that the Londoners under the conduct of Sir Robert Knowles in battayle aray approached and then they fling downe their weapons and every one shifted for himselfe and quit the field at which the King wonderfully rejoyced and in the same place made William Walworth Iohn Philpot Ralph Standish Iohn Laund Nicholas Twifield and Nicholas Bramber Knights whilst these tumults were thus in agitation by the procurement of one Iohn Wall that pernitious priest one Iohn Wraw a whelpe of the same litter a Chaplaine for the Divels good grace was sent into Norfolke and the adjacent countries to incite upon the like motives the Commons to insurrection and to joyne with Tyler which tooke so suddenly that in Hartfordshire about Saint Albons and at Saint Edmonds-bury in Suffolke upon Corpus Christi day to the number of fifty thousand were assembled and under the conduct of one Robert Westborne an Inne-keeper They outragiously destroyed and demolished all the Noble and Gentlemens houses of note And put to death all the professours of law they could finde They tooke Sir Iohn Cavendish Lord chiefe Iustice of the Kings bench strooke off his head and placed the same upon the Pillory in Saint Edmonds bury They beheaded likewise Iohn of Cambridge the Pryor thereof and Iohn de Lakingâ—…uith one of the Pryors Commoignes carrying them in triumph and placed them on poles upon the said pillory They caused the Covent to surrender up all Obligations and writing obligatory in their custody and all their Charters of priviledge which Canutus their founder had bestowed upon that house which the more to endeere themselves to their favour they delivered cancelled to the Townesmen In like manner in Norfolke under the command of Iohn Litistar a Dyer of Norwich the like outrages are committed from whose fury the Earle of Suffolke narrowly escaped at Northwaltham in Norfolke they styled their Captaine King of the Commons and enforced the Lords Scales and Morley with divers worshipfull Knights to attend upon him at the table which for that Sir Robert Saul refused to doe they beate out his braynes Henry Spencer Bishop of Norwich to suppresse these insolents by his example drew the Knights and Gentlemen residing thereabout to arme themselves and to take the field who afterwards rowted the Rebells and tooke their Captaine whose head hee caused presently to bee strooke off and their Chaplaine Wraw prisoners from thence Wraw was sent to London to receive his tryall where hee was afterwards according to his demerits hanged drawne and quartered Like wise upon the Saterday following Corpus Christi day the Towns-men of Cambridge by threats enforced one Iames Grancester to be their Leader exacting an oath from him and his brother Thomas to be loyall to their encorporation and to joyne with them in execution of any their designes And presently they fell upon Corpus Christi Colledge which they miserably ransackt tearing burning or spoyling whatsoever writing charters and bookes they
could come at and did take away all the plate vestments treasure they could finde enforcing the Seniors and students of that Colledge by oath to renounce and disclayme all and whatsoever Charters grants priviledges and franchises had beene formerly bestowed upon that house and to acknowledge from thence forth subjection to the Maior and Burgesses of Cambridge From thence they went like a torrent to Saint Maries Church where they broke up the chests and from thence tooke out all the treasure and Church ornaments fury being on foot left nothing undone that was barbarous and passion having drownd reason they cared not what mischiefe they did nor to whom so as they might make their malice sufficiently perspicuous to the Clergie from Cambridge they went to the Priory of Bernwell a mile off which they like Sarazens defaced felling downe the trees spoyling the walkes and setting fire to what remained there undefaced Tired with doing but not sorry for having done so many crimes they retyred to Cambridge where in the Market place they consumed with fire all rhe ordinances constitutions and statutes of the Vniversitie and all other the particular bookes rowles parchments and leidgers they could come at taking up the ashes and flinging them in the ayre cryed away with these Clerkes cunning and then in the darke of the night every one shifted for one and stole away The King for punishment of these and other like offenders sent the Lord chiefe Iustice Tressilian and Sir Roger Sales and other Commissioners into all-those parts where insurrection had beene made From Coventry Iohn Ball who had seconded Wall and Wraw in inciting the multitude to insurrection is sent to the King against whose frowardnesse in practise towards authoritie and forwardnesse in profession to sowe such seeds of sedition in his sermons that thereby the people were both incited and incouraged to rebelliou such sufficient information was given that hee was executed for high Treason This generall flame of combustion being extinct the King studyeth the advancement of his Favourites so that within short time after Michel de la Poole sonne and heire of Sir William de la Poole Knight and Banneret say some but others one of that name a Merchant in London was made Lord Chancellor of England and created Earle of Suffolke and Robert Vear Earle of Oxford the fourth of that name and ninth Earle thereof was created Marquesse of Dublin being the first man within this Realme that was enobled with that title But they grew in hate as they did in honour for many of antient nobility did stomacke their undeserved as they deemed it advancement and with these the votes of the people generally went But the Kings intemperate affection was peremptory and violent not regarding envy untill he could not resist it The yeare following the new Marquesse was Created Duke of Ireland The lower house of Parliament exhibited a Bill of grievances against the Chancellor desiring his answer thereto and tryall thereupon the particulars 1. Whereof were for that hee had abused the King in farming the profits and revenewes of the Crowne 2. For profusely wasting the treasure in ryotous prodigalitie and unnecessary expences 3. For being dived deepe into the Kings debt 4 For being carelesse and corrupt in his Office 5. For deceiving and discrediting the King in his accounts and disbursement the particulars whereof were annext to the Bill with divers objections of both dishonesty of body and dishonour in his private actions and publike Office This Earle from London sent a student to Oxford returned well clothed to the Court and there suddenly growne great could not moderate his change but in his height of prosperitie layed open the basenesse of his inclination and condition which before were either cunningly covered or craftily cloked from being discovered And serving a weake Ruler in an eminent place with an ill minde hee made open sale of his Princes honour But the King willing to connive at or remit the offences silently let the complaints slip with a short audience and no examination expressing himselfe thereby neither much grieved at the offences nor well pleased with the complaint A Subsidie is required but answer was made there was no need of it since the Kings wants might bee furnished and supplyed with his owne debts due from the Chancellour if called in neither was it if otherwise to any purpose to bee graunted so long as the moneys should bee issued by such persons as formerly had beene and was likely to bee againe The complaints against the Chancellour are recontinued with that earnestnesse that the King is perswaded that it is neither for his Honour or safetie to justifie him for to private men it is sufficient if themselves abstaine from wrong but Princes must provide that none doe wrong under them For by conniving and abetting the faults of their Officers they make them too often seeme their owne and they will bee objected against them upon the first occasion The importunitie of both houses wrought the Kings consent to a Commission to authorize divers noble men to heare and determine all grievances and objections against the Chancellour Thereupon a Subsidie is granted but with proviso that the money bee disposed of by the Commissioners agreed upon to the benefit of the Realme The King moved that the heires of Charles Bloyes who laid clayme to the Dutchy of Britaine should be delivered to the French upon the receipt of 30000. Markes by them to that purpose offered the same to bee delivered to the Duke of Ireland for the recovery of those possessions the King had given him in Ireland which was assented unto so as before the feast of Easter following the Duke should depart thither and there remaine at so high a rate they valued his riddance out of the Realme The charge of the Subsidie was committed to Richard Earle of Arundle The Duke of Gloucester and the said Earle were made Commissioners concerning the Earle of Suffolke who by the Kings absence is left to himselfe to answer the objected misdemeanours whereof hee made the Kings blind favour his priviledge and protection presuming never to see that either altered or over-ruled Hee is convict of many crimes deposed from his Office his goods are confiscate to the King and himselfe adjudged to execution which was submitted to the Kings pleasure and under sureties was permitted to goe at large Iohn Fourd B. of Durham another minion of the Kings is removed from being Lord Treasurer hee was a man of little depth either in learning or judgement only one that had the art of seeming making a formall shew of whatsoever he spake or did and rising from a poore estate to so high a pitch of honour hee too excessively exercised his ryot and ambition not able to qualifie the lusts and desires his former wants had kindled This businesse blowne over the King returnes to London and presently receives the Earle of Suffolke the Duke of Ireland and
that end desired the Lords to come to him into the Tower but they refused that place of meeting upon feare of false measure untill the King permitted them to search diligently and come as strongly as they thought meet then they came to the King well guarded and after a few cold complements and strange salutations they layd before him his proceedings against them at Nottingham his Letters which hee sent to the Duke of Ireland contrary to his word for the raysing of armes against them his agreement with the French King for the yeelding up of Callice and other strong houlds which hee had in possession in those parts with divers other poynts of dishonourable dealing and negligent government What should the King then have done or said all these objections were so evident and evill that there was no place left either for deniall or defence Therefore ingenuously first with silence and patience afterwards with teares and dejected countenance hee confessed his errors And certainely the stiffe stomacks of the Lords more relented to those luke-warme drops then they would have done to his greatest violence A meeting was concluded the next day at Westminster there to treate of these and other necessary affaires of the Realme Then the Duke and the rest of the Lords departed except the Earle of Darby who stayed supper with the King and all that time kept him in his proposed resolution But when he was also gone some of the abusers of the Kings eare suggested that his going thither was neither seemely nor safe and would not only bring to his person present danger and contempt but afterwards abasement and abridgement to his authoritie whereupon the Kings minde turned But the Lords being now nettled feeling the Kings hand weake to governe the raynes became the more violent and sent him word that if hee did vacillate with them and not come according to agreement that they would choose a new King who should bee more respective to his Nobilitie This peremptory message so terrified the King that hee not only went thither but permitted the Lords to take their pleasure they caused him much against his liking to remove out of the Court Nevil Archbishop of Yorke Foord Bishop of Duresme the Bishop of Chichester the Kings Confessor the Lord Souch the Lord Harmyworth Lord Burnell Lord Beamont Sir Alberick Uear Sir Baldwyne Bereford Sir Richard Alderbury Sir Iohn Worth Sir Thomas Clifford and Sir Iohn Lovell taking caution of them for their appearance at the next Sessions of Parliament And certaine Ladies likewise were expelled the Court and went under sureties the Ladyes Mowen Moling Poynings wife to Sir Iohn Worth They put under arrest Simon Burly William Ellingham Iohn Salisbury Thomas Trivet Iames Bernis Nicholas Dagworth and Nicholas Bramber Knights Richard Clifford Iohn Lincolne and Richard Motford Clerkes Iohn Beacham the Kings private Purse-bearer Nicholas Lake Deane of the Chappell and Iohn Blake Barrister were all committed to diyers Prisons to be forth-comming at the next Parliament The Parliament began at London though the King used many meanes to dash or deferre the same to which the Lords came attended with full strength pretending to represse any ryot that might arise but in truth by terror thereof to draw all the mannage of affaires to themselves The assembly continued from Candlemasse untill Whitsontide with great feare of some and hope of others and expectation of all There Tresilian by the Councell of the Lords against the Kings minde was condemned to bee drawne and hanged which judgement was presently executed the like passed against and upon Nicholas Bramber Iohn Salisbury Iames Barnes Iohn Beauchamp and Iohn Blake Robert Belknap Iohn Holt Roger Fulthorpe and William Burgh which last foure were condemned to perpetuall exile though they opposed not but intermedled by constraint to subscribe their opinions against the Lords Sir Simon Burly Captaine of Dover Castle was beheaded for conspiring to deliver the same to the Frenchmen hee was infinitely proud equall to the meanest in vertue but in port and bravery not inferiour to any Duke Divers others were put to death or exile and some as it hapneth when the reines of fury are let loose without any great cause The Earle of Darby promoued no mans punishment but did labour the life and liberty of many insomuch that harsh language did passe betwixt the Duke of Gloucester and him for so doing whereby hee purchased a favourable opinion amongst those of the contrary part There was then also an oath exacted from the King an example without president to stand to the government of the Lords and an Oath of the Subjects to bee loyall to the King The King in taking this oath of the Lords discovered his inward conceit by his overt countenance looking pleasantly on those he favoured and frowningly on others by which untimely discovery he made them more heedfull and himselfe more hatefull which was the occasion that afterward the revenge was prevented which hee so desired and the mischiefe was procured which hee so little feared Lastly a Subsidie was granted and so the King comming as it were to capitulation had allowance of the name of a King and the Lords the authoritie and Majestie so the contention for that time ceased The yeare following the King began to take upon him more libertie and rule and upon extreame disdaine that both his power and pleasure were thus restrained hee bore a hard conceit against the partaking Lords and having assembled them in the Councell chamber he demaunded of the Lords of what yeares they tooke him to bee being answered that hee was somewhat above one and twentie then replied hee I am of lawfull age to make use of any birth-right and to have the regiment in my owne hands and therefore you doe me wrong to hold me still under tutelage as though the condition of a King were harder then that of a subject This the Lords were unwilling to grant and more unable to deny and therefore they either kept silence or spake to little or no purpose Well said the King since I am no longer an infant I here renounce your rule and take upon mee such free administration of the Iustice of thâ—…â—…alme as the Kings thereof my Predecessors heretofore lawfully used And then commanding the Bishop of Ely then Lord Chancellour to resigne the great Seale which received the King put it up and departed out of the Chamber but returning delivered the same to William of Wickam Biâ—… of Winchester thereby constituting him Lord Chancellor other officers he likewise displaced placing others in their room partly to manifest his authoritie partly to satisfie his displeasure he suspended Glocester Warwick others from his privy Councell and tooke in their roomes such as humoured him more but honoured him lesse He 10. Octob. An. Regni sui 11. Created Iohn Beauchamp of Holt Baron of Kedermister by letters Patents before which time all Barons were chosen by Writ it was suggested to the
preferred present securitie before dutie with danger giving occasion thereby to bee suspected to favour the Duke of Lancasters proceeding and thereupon all the other Councellors either openly declared for the Duke or secretly wished his welfare And abandoning all private directions and advise adjoyned themselves to the common course hoping thereby of greater safetie In the meane time Duke Henry being at London entred into consultation with his Confederates what way was best to take amongst whom it was then concluded finally to uncrowne King Richard and constitute Duke Henry King in his stead And to that end open warre was proclaimed against King Richard and all his partakers as enemies to the peace and quiet of the kingdome Pardon also was promised to all those that would submit themselves to follow the present course otherwise no favour to bee expected Not one of the Nobilitie durst oppose himselfe in these designes some unwilling to play all their estate at one cast kept themselves at libertie to bee directed by successe of future event others consented in termes of doubtfull construction with intent to interpret them afterwards as occasion should change But the most part directly and resolutely entred into the action and made their fortunes sharers with Duke Henryes in the danger though not in the Honour to whom Duke Henry used this speech I am as you see at your procurement returned and by your meanes have undertaken armes to vindicate our common libertie hitherto wee have prosperously proceeded But in what termes we now stand I am altogether unacquainted As a private man I would bee loath to bee reckoned being by you designed to bee a King a Prince I cannot bee esteemed whilst another possesseth the Crowne your Title likewise is in suspence whether to be termed Rebells or Subjects untill you have made manifest that your Allegeance was bound rather to the state of the Realme then the person of the Prince Now you are they that have both caused this doubtfulnesse and must cleere the point your part still remaineth to bee acted your vertue and valour must adde strength to this action Wee have already ventured so farre that all hope of pardon is drowned so that if wee shrinke backe and breake this enterprise no mercy is to be expected but butchery and gibbets if wee delay the enterprise wee shall lose the opportunitie that now is offered and give occasion of advantage to our adversaries The peoples blood is up now on our sides and nothing is wanting but our care and your diligence let us therefore now not trifle more time in talking but let us strike whilst the iron is hot let us resolutely set forward and possesse our selves speedily of all parts of the Realme so shall wee be either able to keepe out our concurrent or else to entertaine him little to his liking Hereupon troopes of men are speedily sent into all quarters of the kingdome to keepe King Richards partie from drawing to an head The vulgar as men broken with many burthens readily entertained the first commers and were not over-curious to side with the stronger Duke Henry pursued the Treasurer and his complices to Bristoll where hee found the Castle fortified against him but in foure dayes hee forced it and therein surprised the Lord Treasurer Sir Iohn Bushy and Sir Henry Greene whom the common people eagerly pursued to execution no defence could bee admitted no excuse heard no respite obtained but still their rage continued crying against them that they were Traytours blood-suckers that had abused the King and undone his Subjects to enrich themselves And through their clamorous and importunate instance the day following the Earle of Wiltshire with the rest were beheaded This Earle of Wiltshire was William Lord Scroope in the twenty one yeare of Richard the second Created Earle of Wiltshire and made Lord Treasurer hee purchased the Isle of Man and dyed without issue Sir William Bagot whilst the other went to Bristoll posted to Chester and pursuit being made after the most hee alone escaped into Ireland This execution partly because it pleased the people and partly because it excluded all hope of the Kings pardon caused them to cleave more firme unto the Duke which greatly increased both his hope and glory as having offers of so large ayde and so little need In the meane time the newes of the Dukes arrivall and occurrences thereupon part true part false and all enlarged by many circumstances as fame increaseth by going was related to the King hee then being intangled with other broyles in Ireland at the receipt whereof hee caused the Sonnes of the Dukes of Glocester and Lancaster to be imprisoned at the Castle at Trim and for the speedier dispatch to goe into England left most of the provision behinde hasting and shuffling together as his present hast did enforce being both unskilfull and unfortunate himselfe and voide of all good direction from others and with more haste then good speed he tooke shipping and within the space of three nights with the Dukes Aumerle Exceter and Surry the Bishop of London Lincolne and Carlile and some others hee arrived at Milford haven in Wales in which countrey-men he reposed his chiefe trust for safetie But when hee saw that contrary to expectation that as well there as in all other places the people flocked to the Duke and fled from him and those that were with him were all wavering and some revolted all his devises were disturbed and hee resolute what course to take on the one side he was confident his cause was right his conscience being cleere from any great bad demerit on the other side hee saw the adversaries great strength and the whole power of the Realme bent against him And being more abashed by the one then incouraged by the other hee was perplexed in uncertaine termes either where to stay or whither to stirre wanting both knowledge and resolution himselfe in cases of such difficultie and obnoxious to unfaithfull counsell Some advised him to march further into the land before his owne forces fell from him alledging that fortune seconds valour That in all places hee should finde some who of dutie for favour or hire would joyne with him others perswaded him to returne into Ireland and from thence to returne when sufficiently strengthened But the King unacquainted with martiall affaires rejected both counsells and in taking a middle course which alwayes in extremes of that kinde is the worst hee resolved to stay in Wales to attend to what head this humour would rise The Duke upon advertisement of the Kings landing with great power speeds to Chester whereupon Thomas Piercy Earle of Worcester steward of the Kings houshold to vindicate the proclayming his brother the Earle of Northumberland traytor openly in the Hall before all the Kings servants broke his staffe of office and departed to the Duke willing the rest to shift for themselves in time hereby hee lost his reputation on
right to the Crowne of England The King likewise made Sir Iohn Shirley Lord Chancellor Iohn Norbury Esquire Lord Treasurer Sir Richard Clifford Lord privie Seale Vpon the fourth of October the Lord high Steward by his Fathers command sate in the Kings Hall at Westminster and caused Proclamation to bee made That any that could claime any Office at the solemnization of the Kings Coronation should preferre their Petitions whereupon divers claimed Offices and Fees And those to whom the rights of such clayme 's appertained were admitted accordingly The Parliament was prorogued to the morrow after Saint Edwards day upon their reassembly it was enacted that the inheritance of the Crowne and Realme of England and of all the Dominions to the King of England appertaining should bee united and remaine in the person of King Henry and in the heires of his body lawfully begotten And that Prince Henry his eldest Sonne should be his heire apparant and Successor in the premisses and if hee should die without issue then they were entayled to his other Sonnes successively in order and to the heires of their bodyes so that nothing was left undone that the wit of man could invent and authoritie refulcitate for the setting of the right to the Crowne in him and his heires In this Parliament were deprived of their dignities the Dukes of Surry Aumerle and Exceter The Marquesse Dorset and Earle of Glocester underwent the like sentence The Inheritance of the kingdome settled and some exemplary punishments of some the late Kings ill counsellers made A motion was made in Parliament what should bee done with the deposed King Thomas Merckes the Bishop of Carlile a man that used both libertie and constancie in a good cause In his private judgement having never allowed these proceedings but dissembled his dislike till fit time to declare it being in a place to bee heard and by the order of the House not to be interrupted of any rose up and with a grave countenance and settled courage sayd This question right Honorable concerneth a matter of great consequence and waight the determining whereof will assuredly procure either quiet or turmoile both to the publike State and our particular consciences Therefore before any resolution thereof bee given I beseech you to take into your more serious consideration these two things First whether King Richard bee sufficiently deposed or not secondly whether King Henry bee by Iustice and good advisement seated in the succession In the first point is to be examined whether a King by lineall succession being Crowned annoynted and lawfully invested may upon imputation either of negligence or tyrannie bee deposed by his Subjects secondly what Richard had omitted in the one or committed in the other that might deserve that heavy judgement I will not dispute what may bee done in a popular or consular estate in which though one beareth the Title and honour of a Prince yet he hath no Supreame power of a King But in the one the Nobilitie and chiefe men of state in the other the people have greatest prerogative in neither the Prince of the last sort was the Common-wealth of the Lacedemonians who by that forme of government which Licurgus framed oftentimes fined sometimes fettered their Princes sometimes put them to death such were the petty Kings in France in Caesars time who were oftentimes arraigned and executed and as the Prince of the Leodienses Ambiorix confessed had no greater power over their subjects then their subjects had over them and of the second condition were the Roman Emperors at the first being subject to the censure of the Senat And such are now the Emperours of Germany whom the other Princes by their Aristocraticall power doe not only restraine but sometimes remove such are the Kings of Denmarke and Sweveland who are many times by their Nobilitie dejected either into prison or exile Such are the Dukes of Venice and some other free States of Italy And the chiefest cause why Lewis Earle of Flaunders was lately expelled was for assuming unto himselfe the Cognizance of life and death which authoritie was never incident to his dignitie In these and such like governments the Prince hath not absolute Regalitie but is himselfe subject to that power which is more transcendent then his whether it bee in the Nobilitie or multitude But if the Soveraigne Majestie bee in the Prince as it was in the first three Emperours and in the kingdomes of Iudea and Israel and is now in the kingdomes of England France Scotland Spaine Muscovia Turkie Tartary Persia Ethiopia and almost all the kingdomes of Asia and Africa although for his vices hee bee unprofitable to the Subjects yea hurtfull yea untolerable yet can they neither hazard his power nor harme his Person either by judiciall proceedings or by force for neither one nor all Magistrates have any authoritie over the Prince from whom all Authoritie is derived and whose only presence doth silence and suspend all inferiour jurisdiction and force And for power what subject can assist or counsell or conceale violence against his Prince and not incur the high heinous crime offensonry or treason it is a common saying thought is free free indeed from punishment of secular Laws except byword or deed it break forth into action yet the secret thoughts against the sacred Majestie of a Prince without attempt without endeavour have bin adjudged to death And somewho in auricular confession have discovered their treacherous devises against the King in person have for the same bin executed All laws do exempt a madd man from punishment because their actions are not governed by their will and the will of man being set apart all his deeds are indifferent neither can the body offend without a corrupt or erronious minde yet if a mad man but draw his weapon upon his King it hath beene adjudged worthy death And lest any man should surmise that Princes for the maintenance of their owne safetie and soveraigntie are the only authors of these judgements Let us examine with consideration the patternes and precepts to this purpose set forth in the Sacred text Nabucadonezer King of Assyria wasted all Palestine with fire and sword oppugned the holy Citie a great while and at the last expugned it slaughtered the King burnt the Temple carryed away the holy Vessells and Treasure and permitted the souldiers with unmercifull crueltie to spoile and ransacke all the people with fire and sword and whom from thence had escaped and the pestilence had spared hee led captive into Chaldea and there erected his golden Image commanding those that refused to worship it to bee cast into the fiery Furnace notwithstanding God calleth Nabucadnezer his servant and promiseth him wages for his service And the Prophets Ieremiah and Baruke did write unto the Iewes to pray for the life of him and of Balthazar his sonne that their dayes upon earth might bee as the dayes of heaven and Ezechiel with bitter termes upbraideth the disloyaltie of Zedechiah
King sent forth a Fleet which arriving in Britaine tooke fourty Shippes laden with Oyle Sope and Rochel Wines and burnt about fourty more and then landed at Pennarch burning Townes and Villages sixe leagues within the Countrey together with the Town of Saint Mathew and all the building there three leagues about the same and returned laden with spoyle and bootie sufficient with advantage to recompence the losses received at Plymmouth A Parliament was called at Coventry about the feast of all Saints but at Saint Andrewes tyde for want of good accommodation then the same was prorogued to London untill the Feast of Epiphany The Frenchmen about that time attempted to have ransacked the Isle of Wight and to that end set on land one thousand footmen who having got together a great booty of cattell the Ilanders enforced them to their Shippes and to leave their prey behind them with many of their men to helpe pay the damage done An unaccustomed surcharging Subsidy of every Knights fee whether the same were held by Mesnaltie or otherwise twenty shillings to the King every one that could dispend twenty shillings per annum ultra reprises and so upward of what holding soever twelve pence the pound and aboue twenty pounds in goods according to the rate twelve pence in the pound is in this Parliament granted but with this caution and protestation that it should not hereafter bee drawne for a President and that no Records thereof should be kept in the Treasurie or Exchequer but that presently upon the account made all the Rowles thereof to be burnt This yeare there dyed that ever to bee reverenced with gratefull remembrance William of Wickam Bishop of Winchester who more affecting by workes of Piety and Charity to doe good unto his Countrey then to propagate Posteritie left behinde him many monuments of his zeale to Religion and love to the Church howsoever his primitive name is uncertaine and disputable For the discordancie of Writers of those times have left too many scrupulous questions about his descent and originall surname I have therefore as neere as God hath enabled mee endevoured to cleere the point and what with some search I have found hereof to set downe the truth And though to some it may here appeare impertinent yet I presume it will not altogether prove unprofitable In the yeare of our Lord God 1324. William the sonne of Iohn Long was borne at Witkham in the Countie of Southampton This Iohn was Parish Clerke of Wickham aforesaid in which place hee taught Children to write and amongst others his owne sonne who profited so well that hee attained to the writing of a very faire hand a qualitie in those dayes much respected and by the better sort greatly desired From Wickham this Iohn with his wife and family removed to Litchfield there as afore-time he continued the course aforesaid And thither amongst others did one Nicholas Woodall then Constable of the Castle of Winchester send a Sonne of his to be instructed who upon his returne making relation to his Father of this William his skill of faire writing was a meanes that this Constable of the Castle procured the said William of his Father and kept him together with his owne child at Schoole in Winchester where hee learned his Latine French tongues in both which he profited exceedingly From Winchester at Master VVoodhalls charge hee is sent to Oxford where hee applyed himselfe to the study of the Cannon lawes but from them before any degree in Schoole taken hee by his Patron was sent for who being made Surveyor generall of his Majesties workes a place in those dayes of more then ordinary regard hee is by him imployed as his Clerke and in short time grew so expert therein that hee farre surpassed all others in orderly keeping the Account booke and faire engrossing of the same Insomuch that King Edward the Third about that time much addicted to reaâ—…ing magnificent sttructures comming in Progresse and lodging at the Castle heard a large commendation from the Bishop of VVinchester Adam de Orleton of this VVilliam Longs sufficiency who affirmed unto the King that hee had divers times by his Masters leave imployed the young man and upon full proofe found him every way of sufficiencie to doe his Majestie any requirable service Whereupon the King told the Bishop That if without doing wrong to his Master hee might obtaine it hee was desirous to have this VVilliam to serve him The Bishop thereupon perswadeth and prevaileth with Master VVoddall to preferre this his servant to the King who more tendring his Clerkes preferment then his owne ease or service a course not over frequent in this Age accordingly tendreth him whom the King gratiously entertaineth and presently imployeth him in contriving and overlooking his Fortifications at Doven and Quinborough Castles and afterwards made him Surveyor of his buildings at VVindsor Castle and his Houses of Henley and East-Hamstead in all which his imployments hee so dexteriously behaved himselfe that hee not only got the generall good will of his contemporary officers and workmen but also the favour of the King and his Councell and all the Courtiers of whom by discreet observation he had sufficiently learned to make use of the time to his best advantage And having sufficiently seene proved by others experience that service is no certaine heritage And that only to depend on the Kings favour and the peoples praise was a brittle and slippery course to run in wisely therewithall observing that spirituall promotions the wind blowing as it did was easily to bee obtained presuming the King would not bee offended if hee should enter into Orders when thereby preferment was every day promised no doubt inwardly feeling himselfe to bee sufficiently called hee entred into holy Function And according to the custome of the Clergie men of those times bee was from thence forth written and called by the name of William of Wickham and by that time was instituted first Parson of Saint Martins in the field Then made Minister of Saint Martins le grand afterwards Archdeacon of Lincolne Provost of Wells and Rector of Manyhent in Devonshire But within short time after notwithstanding his watchfull care in his deportment to give no occasion of offence as neere as possible to any much lesse to the King yet hee was falne into the jawes of Envie a common plague to Court favourites and by some or others be traduced to the King For over-ambitiously affecting vaine-glory as arrogating the renowne of the Kings choice-peece of building to bee the worke of VVickham only and for an instance thereof they produce a sculpture in a stone of the wall in VVinchester Tower in VVindsor Castle set up at that time when hee was imployed in that worke which imported This made VVilliam of VVickham And this upon the first relation gave just cause of indignation to the King as derogating much from his honour to have a subject to attribute the building of
the wall to his Soveraignes house to bee done at his charge For which so saying the King sharply reprehendeth VVickham To whom VVickham modestly replieth that it was farre from his thought to ascribe by that inscription the Honour of building that tower to himselfe but his owne good hap for being preferred to that worke for not by any indifferent construction the words may seeme to import that VVickham built that Tower But his imployment thereabouts was the cause of making and preferring of Wickham for thereby hee had gained his Majesties gratious favour and countenance By this answer the King was pacified and as it were to make VVickham amends and deterre his calumniators from further persisting in such their envious courses the Kings favour is daily increased towards him and hee is enriched with many faire preferments Insomuch that within few yeares by the assistance and plotting of Iohn Buckingham Bishop of Lincolne and Sir Simon Burleigh Knight two of his antient and most intimate acquaintance in Oxford hee had gotten into his possession besides the spirituall livings before remembred twelve severall Prebendships and by dispensation from Pope Vrban and qualification by being the Kings Chaplaine hee held at one time in his hands so many Ecclesiasticall livings and promotions as the valew of them did amount in the Kings bookes to the summe of eight hundred seventy sixe pounds thirteene shillings and foure pence in those dayes a great summe such was his behaviour that hee held the Kings favour firme unto him and the Nobilitie for the most part did well approve his courses besides these Spirituall promotions the King had likewise honoured him with many temporall places of both profit and respect as being his principall Secretarie Keeper of the Privie Seale Master of the Wards and Liveryes Treasurour of the Kings Revenewes in France and some other Offices of lesse eminencie Now whilst his wealth and worship every day increased in Anno 1356. VVilliam Edendon Bishop of VVinchester departed this life leaving the sea void whereupon the King desiring the same the Monkes of Saint Swithins in VVinchester elected VVilliam of VVickham to that sea But Vrban the then Pope being sufficiently informed of the Elects little learning but great livelyhood deferd by the space of a whole yeare the confirmation of the Election in which time VVickhams good Angells interceding for him in the Court of Rome hee is permitted to take the benefit of the spiritualties and to have the temporalties in the meane time sequestred The King hearing how much the insufficiencie of schollership was obtruded upon VVickham began to expostulate with him to surcease further suit for the place which required to bee supplied by a man of more sufficiencie in Clerkship then hee was to whom VVickham replied that so please his Majestie to continue his gratious favour towards him so that hee might obtaine his desire therein hee doubted not but by Gods speciall assistance so to behave himselfe that hee would supply all defects of schollership in himselfe by providing for others meanes and maintenance to make and keepe able persons for the service of the State and the good of the kingdome wherewith the King was so taken that hee wrought so effectually That in the yeare 1367. hee was consecrated Bishop of VVinchester and was restored to all profits of that Bishopricke during the vacancie Within short time after hee was made Lord Treasurer and was imployed and trusted with all the affaires of the kingdome and had the disposition of all the Kings Treasure which was the occasion to advantage his enemies to strike the more easily at him For the King by the new Bishops care being rid of many troubles yet tooke a further benefit thereby for whatsoever was done that displeased the Councell or the Commons that was objected to the Bishop whereby when the Kings wants were pressing it was held the best pollicie at that time to give the King a supply by squeezing the full moistned spunge of the Bishops coffers And to yeeld some colour for their so doing The Bishop is charged to give account for eleven hundred ninetie sixe thousand pounds received during the time of his being Treasurer besides a hundred thousand Francks delivered him by Galeaze Duke of Millaine which must bee suddenly performed and the more to puzzle him at that very instant divers untrue and feyned cavillations by way of complaint are put up against him at the Councell boord to the answering whereof hee is instantly convented where whilst hee is intentive to save the bye hee hazarded the losse of the maine for whilst hee indevoureth to give satisfactory answers to the foresaid calumniations Iudgement is through the earnest importunitie of the Duke of Lancaster by William Skipwith Lord chiefe Iustice upon an information of deceipt suggested awarded in the Kings bench against him by meanes whereof all his temporalties were seized upon taken into the Kings hands and given to the Prince of VVales And for a further addition to his affliction by Iohn of Gaunts meanes hee is in the Kings name commanded upon paine of his Majesties high displeasure not to come within twenty miles of the Court The Bishop with a cleere conscience and a constant resolution awaits a fitter time to crave review of this sentence against him and like a discreet Pilat playeth with the wave which if hee should meet might indanger him and by giving way thereto escapeth the hazard Accesse to the King hee knew not how to obtaine to pacifie the Duke of Lancaster hee saw no possibilitie and how to procure any course to bee taken for his benefit hee was altogether ignorant His trayne therefore hee dismisseth expecting some few of whose honest fidelitie and otherwayes sufficiencie hee had made sufficient proofe these he imployeth to write out and ballast his accounts and such answers as hee had made to the accusations and informations which as aforesaid were exhibited against him which perfected the Copyes thereof hee privately disperseth amongst his brethren of the Clergie and such other as hee presumed would without prejudice to his cause vouchsafe the reading of them And therein amongst other things hee at large setteth forth the ground or occasion of the Duke of Lancasters irreconciliable malice against him which was thus Queene Philip wife to Edward the third upon her death-bed by way of Confession delivered unto VVinchester That Iohn of Gaunt was not the lawfull issue of King Edward but a suppositious sonne For when she was brought to bed at Gaunt of a maiden childe knowing how much the King desired to have a male issue shee consulted with one of her maides of honour by whose industry the Daughter was exchanged with a Dutch woman for a boy whereof shee had beene delivered about the same houre with the Queenes Thus much shee confessed and withall conjured the Bishop that if the said Iohn of Gaunt should at any time directly or indirectly attempt or affect the wearing of the Crowne or
entertaines them royally and tooke order with the Archbishop of Canterbury to give them answer to this effect That if the King of France would not give his Daughter and with her the lands and Seignioryes demanded that he would not disband but with all extremities that follow warre prosecute his right and never give over till hee had recovered his Patrimonie the King avowing the Archbishops speeches promising by the word of a Prince to performe the same and to visit them sooner then they should have cause to bid him welcome and so hee dismissed them All things prepared and in readinesse for France as the King having shipt his men was ready to goe on shipboord himselfe a plot of treason is discovered plotted by Richard Earle of Cambridge Henry Lord Scroope of Masham Lord Treasurer Sir Thomas Gray of Northumberland and plotted and procured by the French agents These hee caused to bee apprehended and upon examination they confessed the treason and the summe of money by them for that end received and were immediately executed This Richard of Connesburgh second Sonne of Edmond of Langley married Anne Sister and heire of Edmond Mortymer Earle of March and had issue Richard Earle of Cambridge Duke of Yorke and Isabel married to Henry Lord Burcher Earle of Essex Some gather and I must confesse it is very probable that the Earle of Cambridge was not so mercenary as to commit Treason for money but would have confessed the cause had it not beene for feare to bring the Earle of March in question That his Title was by him and others intended to have beene set on foot and strongly backt by Sir Iohn Oldcastle and others if not as afore prevented but hereby were the sparkes discerned that afterwards blazed so ragingly over the Lancastrian family The windblowing a faire gale King Henry weighs Anchor and with his whole fleet puts to Sea and on our Lady Eeve landeth at Caux where the River of Sayne runneth into the Sea without resistance being come on shore hee caused Proclamation to be made that none upon paine of death should take any thing out of any Church or Chappell or offer any violence to any that should bee found unarmed and that no quarrell should bee renewed whereby any affray may bee made Then layes hee siege to Harflew the Lords of Toutevile and Gaucourts being within the same The French King advertised of the arrivall of the English sent the Constable the Seneschal and Marshall of France with others to the Castle of Candebecke from thence as occasion should bee offered to relieve Harflue But the English ceased not daily to forrage whilst the Duke of Glocester to whom the ordering of the siege was committed ceased not to plye the battery and so kept them in the Towne waking with continuall assaults The Captaines of the Towne perceiving that they were not able long to hold out the walls being undermined and the Earles of Huntington and Kent possest of the brest and thereon had pitcht their Colours about midnight sent to crave parlie Whereupon the Duke of Exceter the Lord Fitzhugh and Sir Thomas Erpingham were sent with this instruction that if they would not instantly surrender the Towne without condition there should no time bee sâ—…ent in communication yet upon the Lords importunitie the King gave themâ—…ve dayes respite in which time if no reskue came they should surrender the Towne into the Kings hand and for their lives and goods to stand to the Kings mercy Hereupon the Lord Bacquevile was sent to the French King to acquaint him with the composition but no reliefe comming they surrendred within three dayes the souldiers were ransomed and the Towne sacked The Duke of Exceter was appointed Captaine thereof who left there for his Lieutenant Sir Iohn Falstaffe with fifteene hundred men The dead of Winter approaching the King caused all those souldiers that had not payed their ransomes to sweare to render themselves prisoners at Callice at the feast of Saint Martine following Whereupon two Forts which stood on the North side of Harflue which till then expecting aydé stood out rendred likewise and then having repayred the Bulwarcke and furnished it with all things necessary hee marched to Porthouse intending to passe the River there before the Bridges were broken The Dolphin had taken order to carry into places of safetie all kinde of provision which might bee usefull for the reliefe of the English But King Henry kept on his way enforcing the Townes as hee went to supply his wants and comming to the river of Soame hee found all the Bridges broken and the fourds stakt hee marched to Arams in that orderly manner that the enemy durst not offer to impeach passage untill hee came to the Bridge of Saint Maxenae where thirtie thousand French appearing hee pitcht his Campe expecting to bee fought with where the more to encourage his men hee gave the order of Knighthood to Iohn Lord Ferrers of Groby Reignold Graystocke Percy Tempest Christopher Morisbye Thomas Pickering William Hadvesten Iohn Hoshalton Henry Mortymer and divers others But not perceiving the French to have any great will to come on hee marched by the Towne of Amiens to another place of strength called Bowes and there stayed two dayes expecting battell and from thence marched to Corby where the Peasants in multitudes relying upon their numbers and the ayde of the garrisons of Corby gave the King a Camisadoe and having forestald the passage in a straight with certaine men of armes sent from the Dolphyn they charged the right wing of the English which was led by Sir Hugh Stafford Lord Bourchier so hotly that they wonne away his Standard But the same was againe recovered by Iohn Bromley of Bromley who being a Commander in Staffords Regiment not only made the retiring troopes to stand but renewing the fight with his owne sword slew him that had the Lord Bourchiers Colours and taking them up displayd the same with sight whereof the English were so much encouraged that they fell in with that vehemence upon the French that they presently rowted and fled the Lord recompenced the valiant exploit of his kinsman and for the same gave to him an annuitie of fiftie pounds per annum assigning out of all his lands in Staffordshire as by the enrolment of that deed is extant the Seale is a Cheuron charged with a Mullet about the same engraven Signa Hugonis de Stafford militis The same night after the retreat sounded the King found a shallow fourd betwixt Corby and Peron never spied before at which the night following he passed safe making what march hee could without Alte towards Callice Notwithstanding the extremities which attend his Army marching through an enemies Country where no forrage could be found and small store of pillage yet did the King so strictly observe the due performance of his first Proclamation against Church-robbing that hearing one complaynd of to the Marshall for having stolne or as
by craftie subtiltie to accomplish first they worke upon the inconstancy of the Duke of Britaine and his Brother Arthure by King Henry the fift Created Earle of Yewry these two by gifts had promises things that blind the eyes of the treasonally minded wife they suborned perfidiously to deliver over into their possession the Castle of Crotoy and Yernye and what the English had wonne by true manhood and valour they stole away with craft and trechery but little to their praise or profit for the English before the garrisons were settled fell upon Crotoy and tooke the prey out of the Leopards jawes and like unkind hosts made them pay too deere a price for their lodgings Crotoy thus regained the Regent straightly begirts Yenrye and by secret myning fierce assaults and violent batteryes so shooke the walls that composition was made to yeeld it up if not relieved by a certaine time The Regent was throughly resolved to set up his rest and to abide battell what forces soever should appeare and thereof permitted the besieged to send notice to the French King The Duke of Alanson thereupon with sixteene thousand French approached but when he perceived the English were ready prepared to receive him according to the French fashion at that time to bragge much and doe little hee wheeled about to Vernoyle whereas perjury is the concomitant of every other sinne hee joyned it to his cowardise swearing to the Townsmen that hee had put the Regent to flight and had beaten him out of the field and reskued Yenrye by this false report hee got Vernoyle Whilst the Regent had Yurye surrendred unto him which being strengthened and furnished hee followed the cowards to their conny-borrough at Vernoyle who by the encouragement of some fresh companies of Scots come unto their succour came to a battell in the field where the English with the losse of two thousand one hundred common souldiers and two of the Nobilitie Lord Dudley and Lord Charleton got the glory of the day and slew of their enemies five Earles two Vicounts and twenty Barons and above seven thousand other of the French besides two thousand seven hundred Scots lately arrived The Duke himselfe with the Bastard of Alanson the Lord of Hormyt and divers other French and Sir Iohn Turnbull and two hundred Gentlemen besides common souldiers were taken prisoners This battell was strooke the twentie eight day of August Vernoyle hereupon without battery or assault upon promise of safetie of life only was delivered and there of Sir PHILIP HALL made Captaine and sufficient garrison left him from thence the Armie marched to Roan and from thence to Paris both which places were at strife which should exceed other in freedome of welcome and loving entertainment to the Regent This overthrow so weakened the new King that hee was enforced to quit the country and went to Poyteers where hee established his high Court of Parliament and laboureth his owne establishment The valiant Earle of Salisbury with ten thousand men taketh in the strong Towne of Maunts the towne of Saint Susan le fort St. Bernard and others from thence hee went into Angeou where hee performed such heroicke acts that his very name grew terrible in all France for instance The new high Constable perfidious Richmond in hope to doe some what to advance the reputation of his new Office with fourty thousand men layeth siege to the good towne of Saint Iames in Bevion the garrison whereof consisted but of six hundred English who being droven to some extremitie bravely I might say desperately at one time sallied forth crying Saint George a Salisbury the French men fearing that they had some token given that Salisbury was come to the reskue or that hee was behind in the Towne with more forces were so suddenly affrighted that the craven cowards casting away their weapons ranne all away saving some few that yeelded themselves prisoners leaving all their tents fourteene peeces of Ordnance fourty barrells of Powder three hundred Pipes of wine two hundred Pipes of Bisket and flower two hundred pieces of Raisins and Figges five hundred barrells of Herrings much Armour and some Treasure At this time Sir Iohn Montgomery and Sir Iohn Falstaffe with two thousand men entred into Ainon and Mayne and tooke the Castles of Beamont Vicount Teune Sillye Osce Courceriers Ronsey Vasike Couetenement and very many others so that it appeareth at that time it was but for the English to aske and have so pittifully were the French Cowde with the Regents prosperitie The French were come to their old course of fraud and had compounded with a Gascoyne Captaine there for the delivery of Alanson to the enemy notice being given hereof the Lord Willoughby and Sir Iohn Falstaffe with two thousand men were sent to spoyle she Market who encountering with the chiefe Merchant Charles de villiers who with two hundred horse and three hundred foot were come to the place appointed for their entry tooke and slew them all except some few horse which saved themselves by flying away The Lord Willoughby with his troopes returned to the Earle of Salisbury who victoriously proceeded taking in and demolishing above fourty Castles and strong piles the newes thereof in England caused publike Processions and generall thanks-giving to God in London and other places Neverthelesse an unkind variance and a jarre betwixt the Protector and the Bishop of Winchester Lord Chancellour arising endangered the quiet of the Common-wealth for the appeasing whereof the Regent having substituted the Earle of Warwicke Lieutenant generall in his absence came into England where a Parliament being convoked hee therein discreetly arbitrated and compounded all differences betwixt the Protector and Winchester and to the comfort of the Councell and content of all stinted the quarrell In honour whereof the King of England kept a solemne feast at which time the Regent dubbed the King Knight who invested with that dignitie many of his servants and Created Richard Sonne of Richard late Earle of Cambridge Duke of Yorke and restored Iohn Mowbray to the Dutchy of Norfolke In the meane time the Earle of Warwicke conquered many strong pieces in Mayne and made preparation to fight a set battell whereunto hee was challenged by the French but they said never the sooner for a hasty word their hearts were in their heeles and in stead of comming on to fight they tooke their flight another way a day before the prefixed time of battell All things peaceably settled in England the regent with the Bishop of Winchester returned into France where at the intercession of the Duke of Burgoyne the Duke of Alanson was ransomed for two hundred thousand Crownes The Bishop of Winchester returned to Callice where hee was invested with the Hat habit and dignitie of a Cardinall I dare not thinke because hee was a Clergie man that hee ambitiously affected or otherwise contracted for that place But the advantage of a Bull from the Pope was
the space of five miles round spoyled whatsoever might helpe or advantage the English hee himselfe undertaking the defence of the great Fort built upon the East-bridge from whence making a French bravado in show more then a man at first hee retired weaker indeed then a woman with losse of many his souldiers to the Towne leaving the English in possession of the Fort. From an high Tower in this Bulwarcke out of a window therein the besiegers observed the passages of the Townesmen about two moneths after the siege began the noble Duke of Salisbury thinking to informe himselfe of the state of the Towne unhappily looking out of this Window with Sir Thomas Gargrave a great shot from the Towne striking the barres of the Window the splinters whereof were driven into his head and face of which wound within eight dayes after hee dyed Hee married Elianor Daughter of Thomas Holland Earle of Kent by whom hee had issue only Anne married to Richard Nevill one of the younger sonnes of Ralph Nevill Earle of Westmerland hee had a base sonne named Iohn This Earles death was a second weakening of the young Kings expected triumphs for two limmes of his budding tree of carefull protection and thriving direction are lopt off by death and a third began to bee putrified The Earle of Suffolke succeedeth in the charge of the siege who finding necessaries wanting sendeth Sir Iohn Falstaffe for supplies the Regent furnisheth him speedily and in his returne the Lord de la Brets nine thousand strong endevours to intercept him but being discovered Sir Iohn resolved to abide the charge placeth his carriages behind the horse next and the foot before lyning his Bowes with Bill-men pitching stakes behind the Archers who having loosed their first volley retired behind the stakes on which the French forgetting their former defeats that way ranne and gored their horses and were forced to light against their wills with a knocke on the crowne with a brown Bill layed on with a strong arme by which their Voward being disordered the battell made a stand which Sir Iohn perceiving cryeth out Saint George they flye which was no sooner spoken then it proved true for there with they fled and in the fight and chace the French lost two thousand five hundred men with the Lords de la Brets and William Steward and eleven hundred were taken prisoners with whom and a rich booty they came to the Campe before Orleace Hereof the besieged having notice hopelesse of helpe from the French King they offered to submit themselves to the protection of the Duke of Burgoyne who was contented to accept them upon the Regents consent This motion pleased many of the Councell of warre but the Generall and the rest more considerate did mislike it Whereupon the Generall returned this answer That since the King his Master had bestowed so long time and exhausted so much Treasure and spent so much victuals besides the uncomparable losse of the Earle of Salisbury slaine there hee could not but thinke it would much redound to his owne dishonour and the disparagement of the renowne of the kingdome of England If now the besieged were driven to that extremity that they were not able to subsist of themselves that any other then those that had beaten the bush should have the birds Then made the besieged meanes to the Duke of Alanson who used such diligence that taking advantage of too much slacknesse of watch in the Campe being secured as they thought from danger of sally from within or approach of enemy from without hee furnished the Towne both with fresh provision and forces under the coverture of a dark most tempestuous night which put such fresh spirit into the citizens that they made a brave salout and by fine force carried the Bulwarcke upon the bridge and another Fort and slew sixe hundred English and adventured upon the Bastile in which the Lord Talbot commanded who not being used to be coopt up valiantly issued out and bravely repulsed them backe with great slaughter and confusion into the Towne But the next day the Earle of Suffolke left the siege and dispersed his Army to their severall places of garrison and in his returne the Lord Talbot surprized the Towne and Castle of Lavall But now the wheele of fortune began to turne and disasters and disgraces fell hudling one upon the necke of another on the English part And first the Duke of Alanson having raised a great power tooke by assault the towne of Iargeux and therein the Earle of Suffolke and one of his brothers and slew Sir Alexander Pole another of their brothers and many other Prisoners in cold blood because of the contention among the French to whom the Prisoners did belong Then the Lords Talbot Scales and Hungerford with five thousand men going to fortifie the towne of Meum were encountred by the said Duke and Arthure of Britaine and three and twenty thousand men who fiercely assayled them The English Lords for a time endured the shocke and enterchanged some blowes but opprest with multitude the three Lords are taken prisoners all sore wounded twelve hundred of their company slaine the residue hardly escaping to Meum where they used their best forces to fortifie themselves against future assaults These disasters were seconded by the perfidious surrender of many Townes and strong holds to the French King who now encouraged by these good successes marched into Champaigne where by Composition hee tooke the chiefe Citie thereof Troyes Chaltons rebelleth and enforceth their Captaine to yeeld it up by whose example the Citizens of Reme do the like wherein the French King is a new Proclaimed there with accustomed Ceremonies annointed and crowned and is thereby furthered with the voluntary submission of many Townes Castles strong holds who from every part sent their subjective messages unto him The Duke of Bedford with tenne thousand English besides Normans marched out of Paris sending Letters of defiance to the French King affirming therein that hee contrary to the accord betwixt King Henry the fifth and King Charles Father to him that was but an usurper by the instigation of a feminine divell had taken upon him the Title and dignitie of King of France and by deceitfull and unjust meanes had surreptitiously stolne not conquered and kept divers Cities and places of import belonging to the Crowne of England for legall proofe whereof by stroke of battaile hee was come into that part and thereby would justifie his Chartelâ—… true and cause just leaving allowance to his enemy to make choice of the place and in the same hee should bee sure of battaile The new King howsoever perplexed set a good countenance on the matter and told the Harrold that hee would sooner seeke his Master then his Master should need to seeke him and without further answer dismissed him The Regent thereupon maketh towards him and making choice of an indifferent place encampeth in sight of the French And though
more dishonour leaving his slaine and maimed souldiers behind him all save the Pusil impostor who being hurt in the leg and almost stifled with mire in the ditch was by Guisio Thierborne a servant to the Duke of Alanson drawne up and conveyed after the King to Berry who in the way received the submission of the Inhabitants of Laigny The Regent returning to Paris so effectually with words and gesture expressed his true acknowledgement of thankfulnesse for their good service generally and every ones faith in the particular that the Parisians publikely professed Friends to King Henry Friends to Paris enemies to England enemies to the Parisians Philip Duke of Burgoine commeth to Paris where it is concluded in Councell that hee shall remaine for the safeguard of the Citie whilst the Regent infinitely desirous to affront King Charles in the field makes head against the usurper but no certaine newes could be brought where he was in prison the Regent in his March regained Saint Dennis with divers other Fortlets adjoyning The Bastard of Clarence layd siege to the Castle of Sorsy which after sixe moneths siege was yeelded unto him Sir Thomas Kiryel with foure hundred English-men issued out of Gourney in Normandy and wasted the Country to the suburbes of Clerimont all along The Earle of Britaine with his forces meet them neere Beavoys who not liking to charge them with his horse observing some disadvantage in the place or fearing their stakes caused his men to dismount and to charge them on foot but their entertainment was such that the English made shift with their owne horses to follow them flying taking two hundred prisoners and slaying six hundred and so victoriously returned The Duke of Suffolke having payed his ransome and set at libertie besieged the place whereof the Lord Rambures was chiefe which after foure and twenty assaults hee caused to be rendred simply unto him Sir Stephen le Hire with Captaine Franquet with three hundred men marching toward Champayne which was beleagred by the Duke of Burgoyne the Earles of Arundell and Suffolke were encountred by Pusil Ioane and foure hundred with her who fiercely charged them but being by the close order of the English debard from breaking in shee like a Masty curre not daring come too neere stood baying untill shee had drawne out the garrisons of Laigny and other Forts which all fell upon the English and made a great slaughter amongst them and tooke the Captaine prisoner who being presented unto her for shee was reverenced as a Commander in chiefe because hee would not humble himselfe unto her upon the knee like her selfe against law of armes and rule of reason shee caused his head to bee cut off and all his souldiers taken prisoners cruelly to bee slaine From thence shee sped her to Campayne into which with her company shee entred the same as yet not being besieged round Vpon Ascention day at night this Amazonian Virago sallyed out upon the Lord Bawdoe de Noyels quarter where shee did but little hurt and was repulsed though her plot was to have fired his lodgings two nights after by the same place the Bridge towards Montdrider with five hundred men at armes shee sallyed out againe but being discovered by Sir Iohn of Lutzenborough her company was defeated and shee taken and presented to the Duke of Burgoyne who sent her to the Regent who sent her to the Bishop of the Diocesse who after judiciall proceeding against her as a Sorceresse and deceiver of the King and his subjects by her seeming show of sanctitie and her inhumane cruelty against the King of England and his subjects was after her many delayes of promise of discoverie of secret practises and lastly of her fained pregnancie burned at Roane The siege still continued before Campaigne whither the Regent sent the Earle of Huntington and Sir Iohn Robsert who brought fresh supplies of all things But Philip the Duke of Brabant being dead and the Duke of Burgoyne going thither to take possession of the Dutchie as undoubted heire Sir Iohn of Luxborough was left in his stead to prosecute the siege who contrary to the wills of the English and against the opinion of the major part of the Councell raised the same and departed whereby hee left the besieged meanes how to have therewith famine relieved but the Pestilence raged very hot in the Towne The game at Chesse amongst the souldiers playd gave checke sometime to the French and sometime to the English the one in one place prevailing the other doing in another place the like and so it continued wavering in doubtfull ballance a long time The young King of England was by his Councell advised for it was by them resolved that his presence would be a good motive to retain his friends in their former fidelity and reduce the backsliders to their sworne allegiance to goe with armed power in person into France To this end upon St. Georges eve he took shipping at Dover and landed on Sunday being St. Georges day at Callice with a wel-appointed Army from thence by easie marches went to Roan and from thence to Paris where he was by his Vncle the Bishop of Winchester and Cardinall of Eusebius with all wel-beseeming Ceremonies and observances Crowned King of France receiving the oathes of homage and Fealty of all the Nobilitie of France present and all the Citizens and inhabitants of that Citie and of the places adjacent It was very observable amongst strangers and not without some admiration that so small an Iland as England under the governance of so tender an infant should so long and upon so good termes contend with so large potent and populous a kingdome as France But such at that time was the vertue martiall valour of the English Nation That they knew no meane betwixt death and victory alwayes preferring an honorable death before a lingring servitude This moved Eugenius the Pope and all the Christian Princes so often to make Overtures of reconcilement betwixt these two kingdomes but could effect nothing but an imperfect truce for six years which agreed upon King Henry returnes for England and landeth at Dover the 11. of February The six yeares truce was scarce openly proclaimed when an unexpected accident gave occasion of breach thereof and which was worse of the amitie betwixt the Regent the Duke of Burgoyne For his Sister the Lady Anne being dead without issue he too suddenly married the young Lady Iaqueline Daughter to Peter Earle of St. Paul at Terwyâ—… from whence before the solemnitie of the Feast were fully finished he posted to Callice to punish the insolency of some of the garrison there who pretending want of pay had restrained the Merchants from venting their Woolls foure of the faulty souldiers he executed 110. he banished the Towne and many more hee punished by imprisonment from whence with his new Bride on Midsommer eve hee departed for London where he stayed untill the
two wives Anne daughter of Edmond Earle of Stafford by whom he had issue Henry that succeede in the Dukedome his second wife was Anne daughter to Iohn Mountacute Earle of Salisbury by her he had issue a daughter Anne married to the heire of Westermerland Iohn Nevill by whom she had no issue Then she was married to Thomas Nevill brother of Ralph the father of her first husband by whom she had issue Ralph the third house of Westmerland and her third husband was Iames Earle Dowglasse by whom she had no issue Before the time of truce was expired the divell cast a bone by meanes of an overforward Curre that set all on snarling For Sir Francis Suryens and Araganois thought worthy to be admitted into the honourable societie of the Garter taking advantage of the securitie the French Garrisons did sleepe in sodainely upon our Lady day eve in Lent at night surprised a Frontier Towne belonging to the Duke of Brittaine called Fougeirs ransaking it killing the inhabitants and caried away all the spoyle the Duke advertiseth the French King lying at Râ—…unes thereof who by his Embassadors complaine both to the King of England and the regent Somerset the fault is all layd upon the Aroganoys who did it without warrant or wit the King or Councell nether advising or approving what was done neverthelesse for restitution or satisfaction a meeting is appointed at Lanveirs where the Commissioners treat of the businesse But whilst they talke of this newes are brought to the regent That the French by a stratagem of a Carter that with a load of hay comming over the draw-bridge caused the axeltree to breake and whilst the porter was ready to helpe the Carter the Porters braines were beaten out and the Towne of Ardes surprised and the Lord Fauconbridge Captaine thereof taken prisoner restitution is demanded by the English they are answered with their owne language what was done was neither by the privitie or porcurement of the French King or any of his Councell so they hold fast on both sides their ill gotten bargaines and from thence forward the truce on both side is broken all things grow worse and worse The French King assembleth a mightie army and dividing it into three parts imployeth every one in a severall quarter who according to direction get possession of Louviers Gerbury and Vernuele all which by composition attended twenty dayes to be reskued but none came This warre is begun before the terme of truce expired the English gave the first occasion and are payed with their owne coyne whilst the new Regent which like the sonnes of Zebede presumed of more abilities then he had knowes not where to begin nor what to say or doe makes ready to recken the Townes lost but newes is brought of a conspiracie against him in the same Towne he goes about to suppresse that whilst the enemie is at another towne ready to carry it without speedy succor whereupon he giues Command to such troopes to march as he thinks fit but they in steed of putting his Command in execution expostulate the reason of such directions then calls he to Councell but there is more time spent in chiding and finding fault then in debating for the amending of what is out of square whereby his proceedings as it were make a parenthesis to a discourse betweene the good government of the Duke of Yorke and the bad event of the murthered Duke of Gloucester Thus perplexed the regent in a desperate case complaines of want of Councellors talkes much to no purpose does many things to as little proofe or profit so having tir'd himselfe to no end retires himselfe to his Chamber and there with more deliberation then discretion debates with himselfe what is best to be done The Cocks now begin to ctow upon their dunghill which but a while before were cowed by the English if staying or Cravend by themselves if they fell a running Constance Guisard Gahard Pontean sa meare S. Loe Festampo Newcastle Tongue Moleor Argenton Lisseux and some other peices in Normandy are reduced to the Crowne of France Maulisson in Guyen upon notice of their defections arme against their Garrison and set open the gates to the Earle of Foys who enters and taketh it This is seconded by the Citizens of Roan who vexed the regent and the Earle of Shrousbury more within then the French army abroad and enforced them to make composition to have liberty with bag and baggage to march to Cane and to procure by a certaine day divers adiacent strong peices to be surrendred unto the French and untill the same were delivered the Earle of Shrousbury and the Lord Butler the heire to the Earle of Ormond to remaine pledges who were sent to be safely kept in the Castle of Eureux Succors are sent for into England but an unexpected occasion diverted the passage of them for the necessitie of present meanes to suppresse an insurrection made by rebells in Ireland for the effecting whereof the Duke of Yorke is with an army sent thither where he so behaved himselfe that he not only suppressed the insurrection but purchased the good will and affection of the Irish nation firme to him and his for ever after The Frenchmen now throughly flesht assault Harflew but are by Sir Robert Curson for along time valiantly repelled but in the end fearing to be forced he makes composition to depart with body and goods Fougers and Sir Iames de Benron are likewise received by the Duke of Britaine A fresh supply of fifteene hundred men under the conduct of Sir Thomas Kiryell are sent over who did as much as with so small an handfull could be expected taking in some Townes but marching with the rest of the army towards Bauguenx at a place called Formigney he was encountred by the Earle of Cleremont and seven thousand French and Scots at first the French were driven to recoyle and lost two peeces of their ordnance but the Constable of France with foure hundred men at armes and eight hundred archers came to the reskew and being fresh so beat upon the tyred English that they with the losse of three thousand seven hundred threescore and thirteene besides divers prisoners gave proofe that it was not altogether unpossible but that the English might be overcome which hitherto in France for many yeares they never had been Sir Thomas Vere and Captaine Goughe escaped to Roven The French King with an army royall besiegeth Cane which is bravely defended till the Dutches importuneth her husband to take pitie of her and his children to give over the Towne her entreaties his childrens teares so far prevaile that he moves the surrender to Sir David Hall whowas there in right of his Master the Duke of Yorke owner of Cane who knowing that there was no great Correspondency betwixt the Duke of Somerset and his Colonel boldly told the Duke that he had the charge of that Citie delivered to
his Care that he would give a good account of the keeping of it or leave his life as a testimony of his good will to have done it the Duke of Somerset vrged his authoritie which so incensed the old Captaine that he sayd that he could never better have expressed his insufficiency then ambitiously having affected so iminent a place now durst not abide the hazard to stay in it this so moved the Regent that he complaineth hereof to the rest of the Captaines to whom hee maketh show of more danger then there was and so farre prevailed with them that they for the most part agree to make composition for their departure with bagge and baggage which being granted Sir David with some few of his retinue departed into Ireland where to his Colonell hee related all the passages betwixt him and the Duke which set a roote of rankor in the heart of the Duke of Yorke against Somerset that the seeds were never after dead till drowned in blood The French triumphed in Normandy having cleerely gotten it after an hundred yeares possession out of the English mens hands and finally wonne all France to the obedience of Charles their King the reasons of this totall reduction of these Provinces are diversly delivered Some affirme that the English had grasped more with their hand then they could well hold joyning more Townes then they could man and having more lands then they could manure so that their store bred their povertie Others say that the Captaines kept not halfe the number in their Companies that they received pay for Others affirme that Somerset was blinded with French-crowne dust that hee could not discerne danger till the souldiers tasted destruction But it is most agreeable to truth that the triple-headed Gerion in England presumption in government by some unmeet to rule the inveterate malice and insufferable pride of the last created Nobilitie and the universall distaste of the Commons too much oppressed with exactions and burdens was the originall and finall cause of the ill successe our Armies had in France Yet by the way consider but the deportment of the English Nation the concurrence of martiall men their counsell discipline designes from the beginning of Edward the first untill this time and you will acknowledge that they were men of worth and prowes and caried the palme of victory before them wheresoever they went But Suffolke must beare a share and a great one of the blame for this businesse for hee is not only exclaimed against as the cause of the surrender of Anion and Mayne The chiefe procurer of the Duke of Glocesters death The occasion of the losse of Normandy but they accuse him further to have wilfully wasted the Kings Treasure for being a meanes to remove sufficient men from the Councell borde and admitting of Favourites that were only to serve his turne his ambition ayming at the advancement of his faction though with the destruction of the King and the subversion of the Common-wealth The Queene taketh notice of these aspersions and too well knowing how farre they were guiltie that were thus toucht doubting the Dukes destruction and her owne downefall if this current were not stopt so wrought that the Parliament assembled at the Black-Fryers is adjourned to Leicester and from thence to Westminster In the meane time all meanes possiblie are used to stop the mouthes of those that were incensed against the Duke but it prevailed not For the Lower house exhibited their Bill of grievance against the Duke of Suffolke to this purpose 1. That hee traiterously had incited divers the Kings enemies as namely the Bastard of Orleance the Lord Presigny and others to levie warre against the King to the intent that thereby the King might bee destroyed and that Iohn the Duke of Suffolkes Son who had taken to Wife Margaret Daughter and sole heire of Iohn Duke of Somerset whose Title to the Crowne the Duke of Suffolke had often declared in case King Henry should die without issue might be King 2. That by his sinister practises Charles Duke of Orleance notwithstanding the many cautions upon great reasons by King Henry the fift to the contrary given obtained his liberty 3. That through his trecherie by the abetment of the Duke of Orleance the French King hath gotten possession of all the Dutchy of Normandy and taken prisoners the valiant Earle of Shrewsbury the Lord Fauconbridge and many other brave Commanders But to all these hee affirmed himselfe not guilty neither in thought or deed Then was further allegations made against him to this purpose 1. That being with others sent Embassadours into France hee transcended his Commission and without privitie of his fellow Commissioners presumed to promise the surrender of Anion and the deliuery of the Countie of Maunts and the Citie of Mants to Duke Rayner which accordingly was performed to the great dishonour of the King and detriment of the Crowne 2. That hee had traiterously acquainted the Councell of the French King with all the affaires of State and passages of secrecie by whose trayterous information the enemy was througly instructed in all the designes of the King and Councell 3. That hee had received rewards from the French King whereby all succours sent to the Kings Friends in France were disappointed and frustrate 4. That by his wicked practises the good Duke of Glocester was deprived both of Protectorship and life 5. That by his labouring such only were made of the Kings privy Councell that more respected the Dukes particular profits then the good of the King or Realme 6. And lastly that hee had underhand fraudulently enriched himselfe with the Kings Treasure and revenewes and had possessed himselfe by abusing the Queenes favour of all Offices of charge and credit about the King All these hee faintly denyed but could not acquit himselfe of them But to bleare the eyes of the people and to keepe them hoodwinckt during the time of Parliament The Duke is committed to the Tower but the Parliament is no sooner dissolved but hee is set at liberty which so much incensed the vulgar people that they could not be restrained within the limits of obedience but in many places after they had vented their swolne spleenes in garrulent exclaiming against the corruption of times and the wrongs the Common-wealth sustained by the misgovernment of the Queene and her Favourite They fell to an insurrection and under the leading of a desperate Commander stiling himselfe Blewbeard they began to commit some outrages but by the diligence of the Gentlemen of the Country the Captaine was apprehended and the rebellion ceased The Parliament is againe assembled and great care taken of the Election of moderate-minded men for Citizens and Burgesses presuming thereby to stop any further proceedings against Suffolke But his appearance gave such a generall distaste in the House that though hee came in the company of the King and Queen they would not forbeare but begin the assembly with
A report is secretly raised but upon what ground unknown that this wel-intended charitable contribution went not the right way But that the givers were abused the poore people defrauded the benefit of the gift going to certaine officers of the house that made a divident therof amongst themselues allowing little or none at all thereof to the poore people This rumor once on foot spread it self far neer in the Country The husband men willing enough to take any advantage to with-hold their charity which in that age began to wax cold but in this is quite frozen when the Proctors according to the accustomed maner came to make collection of the charitable devotion of the people they were sent empty away but not without in some places either foule language or someblowes sometimes both which orcasioned retortion partakers are found on both parties sides The religious better sort of people helping to defend the collectors whom with great fury the ploughmen followed This sparke thus appearing is fed with combusable stuffe but underhand by the Archbish. so that it tooke flame rose to a great height Neverthelesse the Marquesse Mountacute more out of policy then piety seeming not to approve of what was done speeds with some forces to York whither the unruly multitude to the number of 15000. drew giving forth speeches by the way That they would utterly demolish the hospitall fire the City The Marquesse with his power taking advantage of the darknes of the night and the ignorance or negligence of the watch sallies out upon them takes their Captaine strikes of his head putting the rest with some little losse to flight whom he followeth no further as not intending their further hurt but retreated to Yorke which he carefully made show to man and fortifie The more to endeere his service he sends the newes therof post to the K. who being certified of the proceedings was well pleased with what was done howsoever he had smal reason to think himself assured of the integrity of the doer but as yet the actions of the Marquesse like the countenance of Ianus carried two faces which his cunning yet covered In the mean while the rebells have reallied their dispersed troopes and encreased their numbers Instead of Robert Huldron their Captaine by the Marquesse beheaded they had new conductors Hen. son of the Lord Fitz-Hugh and Hen. Nevil son heire of the Lord Latimer The one being Nephew the other cosin german to Marquesse Mountacute These having received full instructions from the Archbishop of Yorke ioyntly take upon them the command being assisted by S. Iohn Conyers a kinght of great courage and good direction By his councel in regard they wanted engines where with to force the walls of Yorke which they had but disorderly beleagred The rebels left the siege And directedtheir march towards London giving out by the way according as they were instructed by their leders their private directions That K. E. was but a tirannous vsurper And that they like good subjects only endevored the restauration of their lawful soveraigne K. H. adding withall that if any mischiefe were done to the body of K. H. before his being restored to liberty That they would not leave a live any of the house of Yorke K. Ed. hereupon gives order to Wil. L. Harbert the new created E. of Pem. to stop this Northerne storme to leavy power to withstaÌ„d their further approaching he both in obedience to K. E. coÌ„mand willing to revenge some former ashe conceived affronts unto himby the sticklers in this coÌ„motion Fitz hugh Nevil accoÌ„panied with his brother Rich. about 7000. Welsh men to whoÌ„ the L. Stafford of Southwick with some 800. bowmen ioyned embraced the occasion willingly undertooke the charge Sir Rich. Harb with 2000 horsmen neere Northam charged the rere of the Northern men in which was Sir Iohn Conyers who coÌ„manding faces about so entertained them That the Welsh men with some losse made more hast backe then good speed forward hereupon the Northern men having to that end received letters of direction shape their course towards Warwick whither the E. with his son in law Clarence were come had levyed forces to ioyne with them The K. rather sullen for anger then amated with feare upon the tydings of his brothers unnaturall backsliding related unto him by his other brother Rich. stood a while silent but having made recollection of his spirits he sayd brother yet I am beholding to you that have made a full expression both of your love and duty in acquainting me with the danger staying loyally on any side But time permits not discourse we must prepare our selues to withstand their fury and to that end take order to second Pemb. And accordingly he makes preparation But before his succors could come the Nothern men did reach Warwick upon S. Iames even some distast having bin given by the E. of Pemb. to the Lord Stafford either for dispossessing him of his usuall Inne at Banbury or withholding from him some light commodity in that Inne which he formerly had made use of Stafford with his Archers departed Sir Hen. Nevill having intelligence therof the next morning gave a camisad with some horse to the 〈◊〉 Pembrooks Camp and charged so home that his seconds unable to releive him he was enclosed with the multitude and miserably slaine which so incensed the Northern men that they all gave on and so feircely assayled their opposites that though for a time the Welsh stood close and kept order yet when a suddain rumor was spread That the E. of Warwick was come with his power to charge them in the rere they rowted fled True it was that Iohn Clopton a retainer of the E. of Warwicks having drawn together about 500 men weakly armed worse disciplind he brought them to the top of an hilâ—… sight of both armies displaying theron the Beare ragged staffe the E. of War colors and making shew to descend was the occasion those the Welsh turned their backe in the flight 5000. were slaine besides that were taken prisoners wherof the E. of Pemb. Sir Rich. Harbert his brother who for their valour and sound direction that day shewed had successe followed their attempts deserve to be enrowled amongst the best commanders with ten other not by the law of the field but by the unbounded will of the victors were beheaded at Banbury This VVilliam E. of Pemb. married Anne daughter of VValter L. Ferrers of Chartley by whom he had issue three sons VVilliam that succeeded him in the Earledome Sir VValter Harbert Knight and Sir George Harbert Knight and six daughters Cicely Baronesse of Greystock Mawd married to Henry Percy Earle of Northumberland Katherine married to George Earle of Kent Anne married to the Lord Powes Isabel married to Sir Thomas Cooksey knight and Margaret married to Vicount Lisley first and then to Sir Henry Bodringham kinght The
That hee would rather die like himselfe then live and have to doe with such usurping disloyall and ill-conditioned base Turne-coates The King taking notice of his head-strong resolution with his two Brothers and all their forces Vnited marcheth towards London where after some little show of resistance the Weathercocke Citizens moving like the eares of standing corne altogether which way soever the wind blew received him with great applause and lowd acclamations of welcome delivering up unto him the miserable King Henry like a ball to bee bandied with the racket of his pleasure into what hazard he pleased The Earle of Warwicke with all his forces warily followed them at the heeles but could never find opportunitie as hee expected either upon advantage to cut off their rere or hinder their approach to London And having certaine intelligence that King Edward was entred London and King Henry reimprisoned hee encamped at Saint Albones aswell to refresh his souldiers as to take counsell what course to take and how to dispose of their journey King Edward being advertised of the Earle of VVarwicks approach thinking it not fit to have him to advance too neere London drew out his forces and with them marcheth to meet his Adversary The resolution was equall on both parts to set up their rests upon the hazard of that encounter upon Easter eve the King with his power lodged in Barnet towne the Earle of VVarwicke encamped upon the hill betweene Saint Albones and Barnet the Campes each in sight of other Early on Easter day in the morning an unfit day chosen for so unpleasing a service to God The souldiers on both sides are put in array The Earle of Warwicke appointed the command of the right wing which consisted of horse to his Brother the Marquesse Mountacute and the Earle of Oxford The least wing likewise consisting of horse was led by the Duke of Exceter and the battell consisting of Bills and Bowes was conducted by the Duke of Somerset The Voward on the Kings part was commanded by the Duke of Glocester The battell in which was King Henry was led by King Edward himselfe and the Lord Hastings brought on the rere There wanted on neither side befitting encouragement to incite the souldiers to show themselves valiant and each one to doe his endevour to conquer the exhortations ended the fight began and with great valour and resolution on both sides maintained by the space of six houres without any disadvantage on either part appearing untill King Edward gave order to certaine fresh troopes of Rutters for that purpose reserved to charge the now wearied battell of the enemy which the Earle of Warwicke observing alighted from his horse with a desperate courage hee entred amongst his Adversaries whom his brother the Marquesse Mountacute in hope to reskue followed and so were both enclosed and slaine And with their fall fell the victory to King Edwards part who being assured thereof leaving his Brothers to Marshall the field and to take order for the quartering the souldiers he with King Henry in his company went on the spurre to London and there at Evening-song in Saint Pauls Church offered his Banner and the Earle of Warwicks Standard On King Edwards part was slaine no man of extraordinary note but the Lord Cromwell Sonne and heire of the Earle of Essex and the Lord Barnes Sonne and heire of the Lord Say On the other part were slaine the Earle of Warwicke the Marquesse Mountacute and three and twenty Knights on both sides fell foure thousand six hundred and odde The bodyes of the Earle of Warwicke and his brother were stripped starke naked and put in one coffin and the next day brought to London where in the body of Saint Pauls Church they lay by the space of two dayes bare visaged This Earle of Warwick commonly stiled the Great Earle of Warwick whose usuall phrase was That hee had rather bee able to set up or pull downe a King then bee a King was Richard Nevill Sonne and heire of Richard nevill Earle of Salisbury who married the Daughter of Richard Beauchampe the sixt Earle of Warwicke in whose right hee was Earle of Warwicke and in his owne Earle of Salisbury and Lord Mounthermer hee was great Chamberlaine and Lord high Admirall of ENGLAND Lord Warden of the North-Marches towards SCOTLAND and of the Cinque-ports Captaine of Callice and high Steward of the Dutchy of Lancaster hee had issue two Daughters ISABELL married to GEORGE PLANTAGGNET Duke of Clarence and ANNE first married to EDVVARD titulary Prince of Wales and after to Richard the Vsurper Iohn Nevill Brother to the said Earle was first Created Lord Mountague after that Earle of Northumberland upon the attainder and banishment of Henry Piercy Earle thereof But upon his returne into England and restoring in blood Nevill surrendred his graunt of the Earledome of Northumberland and was Created Marquesse Mountacute hee married Isabell Daughter and heire of Sir Edmond Inglesthorpe Knight and had issue George Nevill Created Duke of Bedford but aftere degraded by Act of Parliamhnt and five Daughters who after their Brothers decease which dyed without issue were Coheires of his estate Anne married to Sir William Stonhurst Knight Elizabeth married to Thomas Lord Scroope of Risdale Margaret married to Sir John Mortimer Knight Lucy married to Sir Thomas Fitz-Williams Knight Isabell married to Sir William Huddleston Knight and all these Daughters had issue After these Brothers had beene made a spectacle of mortalitie and the subject of their spectators spight scorne or pitie three dayes in that manner they were permitted to be carried to the Monastery of Bissam and there in one grave buried amongst their Ancestors Queene Margaret when it was too late with some French forces landed at Waymouth where having unwelcome tidings of this disastes znd that the Duke of Excester supposed slaine was strangely recovered and had taken Sanctuary at Westminster shee with her Sonne conveyed her selse to Bewly in Hampshire where shee tooke Sanctuary having sent her souldiers into Wales to Jasper Earle of Penbrooke who with the Duke of Somerset Thomas Courtney Earle of Devon Iohn Lord Wenlocke and some others repaired thither unto her Amongst these it is resolved once more to bring their forces together into the field and hazard one stroke more From Bewley the Queene and the Earle of Somerset speed towards Bristoll intending with what powers they could raise in Glocestershire to march to VVales to joyne with Penbrooke who was gone thither to make preparation accordingly The King made acquainted with these overtures resolves if possible to crosse the conjunction and followes Queene Margaret with a great power so close that neere Tewkesbury in Gloucestershire hee overtakes her forces who resolutely turne and make head against the Kings power where Somerset on the Queenes part leading on the Van did performe the part of a good Commander and a stout souldier maintaining the fight for a long time resolutely and bravely But
garde the Carriage came downe to Dover whither the Duke of Burgoine had sent five hundred skutes or flat bottombd boates to transport the horse to Callice yet notwithstanding that helpe it was above two and twenty dayes before the Kings forces were all past over to Callice Before the Kings departure from Dover because hee would witnesse to the world his faire and legall proceeding hee sent an Harold named Gorter a Norman by birth with a letter of defiance in faire and fitting termes requiring the French King to yeeld unto him the Crowne of France his unquestionable inheritance by the French King unjustly detained from him which if he should dare to deny that then he was to expect from England but what the extremity of the sword and the Calamities of warre could bring upon him and his Country This letter the French king read and withdrawing himselfe caused the Harold to be brought to his presence to whom in private he gave this answer That the Duke of Burgoyn and the Constable by whose trayterous instigation and not of his owne inclination he knew the King of England intended to visite France would but delude him for they were dissemblers and impostors And therefore said it would conduce more to the honor and content of the King of England to continue in league with mee though an old adversary then to hazard the fortune of the warres upon the promised assistance of new-come deceivers such as those two will prove And so Commend me to the King thy Master and say what I have told thee and so with an honourable reward dismissed the Harold who returned to the King of England to Callice And there returned the French Kings answer This advise though from an enemie if followed had saved the King of England a great deale of mony For the Duke of Burgoyne notwithstanding his promise in the word of a Prince not to faile was not at the time and place appointed ready with his forces which should have beene by pact and promise two thousand Lanceers and foure thousand stradiots or light horse Whereupon the Lord Scales is by the King of England sent to the Duke to put him in minde of his promise and to hasten his comming with his promised forces But the journey was to little purpose onely it occasioned the Duke with a small Troope of horse to come unto the King of England formally to excuse himselfe for beeing so backward in that he having with his forces beene embroyled in the siege of Nants could not depart thence without infinite disgrace if neither Composition or submission were enforced which now notwithstanding because hee would not too much trespasse upon his brother in lawes patience to have longer expected hiscomming he was by the obstinacy of the besieged enforced to do But promised to supply all defects both with his presence and power and that speedily The Constable likewise by letters perswades the King of England to proceed in the action and not to doubt from the Duke and himselfe but to be sufficiently accommodated every way and seconded King Edward thus encouraged marcheth on But in his way found no performance of promises either on the Dukes or Constables part For the first did not at their comming to Peroone accommodate the souldiers with victuall or lodging in that manner as was requisite and expected And the other in steed of surrendring up of S. Quintayns according to the agreement made a sally out upon such as were sent from the King of England to receive the same playing upon them with their great ordnance Whereupon King Edward comparing the last dayes words with this dayes actions began to suspect the truth of the Kings description of the Duke Constables condition and from thence forward stood upon his own gard and gaveno further credence to any of their protestations which the Duke of Burgoyne resenting pretending earnest occasions for the hasting forward of his forces and promising speedy returne with them taketh his leave and departeth wherewith the English are displeased and King Edward not a little disquieted The French King having intelligence of the Dukes departure forcasting the worst suspecteth that the Duke was with an intent to returne gone to bring on his power well knowing that if they should unite their forces his Crowne was in great hazard to be pluckt from him Neverthelesse hee thought that winter being so neere they could not well keepe the field howsoever being his crafts Master and politicke enough to worke his own ends which hee seldome fayled in he resolved with himselfe to assay what might be done to mediate a peace with the English in Burgoins absence And yet so to retreate that if it tooke not effect he might disclaime the knowledge of the overture he therefore privately dispatcheth a messenger in show of an Herhought indeed hee was a fellow neither of Office or estimation and not knowne to any of the Kings houshould but to Villeers the Master of the horse who onely was acquainted with the plot and partie This Counterfeit pursevant at armes with a Coate made of a Trumpets banner rowle ad dressed himselfe to the King of England and upon admission to his presence insinuates the French Kings desire which was to have Commissioners on both parts consigned to conferre of the means to reconcile the differences betwixt the two Kings at least-wise to conclude the cessation from warres for some time and so well this messenger delivered his arrand That it was credited and his request granted and with a reward and a letter of safe conduct for such as should be imployd from the French King in this businesse is returned and an Herhaught likewise from King Edward is sent to King Lewis for the like letter of safe conduct to bee sent for those that from the English Campe should be imployed in this negotiation which is accordingly granted and at a village neere Amiens the Commissioners meete For King Edward appeare the Lord Howard Sir Anthony Chalenger and Doctor Morton after made Lord Chancellor of England For King Lewis came the Admirall of France the Lord S. Peirs and Heberg Bishop of Eureux After long conference the Articles of peace were concluded on to this effect 1 The French King was to pay presently to the King of England threescore and fifteene thousand Crownes And from thence forth annually pay fifty thousand Crownes during the life of King Edward 2 That within one yeere the French King should send for the Princesse Elizabeth the king of Englands daughter ioyne her in marriage to the Dolphine And for their maintenance for nine yeeres the French King agreed to allowe them fifty thousand crownes per annum and that time expired they should peaceably be invested in the possession of the Dutchy of Gayen for the better supportation of their estate 3 That the Lord Howard and Sir Iohn Cheney Master of the horse should remayne in hostage there untill
the army had altogether quitted France and were returned into England and a generall peace for nineyeers wherin Burgoine and Brittaine are included if they will accept thereof The way made the easier for the compassing this so profitable a conclusion by Lewis his offring to every Saint a Candle for he distributeth sixteene thousand crownes amongst King Edwards Councellors and favorites two thoutwo thousand Crownes to Hastings the Kings Chamberlaine and to the Lord Howard Sir Iohn Cheney Sir Arthur Chauenger or Sellinger and Mountgomery theresidue besides great store of Plate and jewels distributed amongst inferior officers of the Court. The motives that induced King Edward the sooner to condesend to this accord were 1 The vacillation and instabiltie of the Duke of Burgoyne and the Constable they never performing any the agreements really concluded on 2 The extremitie of winter approching the present want of fodder and the not having any strong place or fort to shelter the souldier in The impossiblitie of raising any more great forces for reliefe if necessitie should require to be seconded the late Civill warres having almost eaten out the most and best souldiers in England 4 The emptinesse of the Treasury and alwayes of supply being taken off The Duke of Glocester onely whose braines were busie at worke about great designes the easie compassing whereof hee deemed unpossible in case the warres with France were not pursued opposed this accord neverthelesse it proceeded and notice therof is presently sent to the Duke of Burgoyne who thereupon onely with fifteene hundred horse posts to the English Campe At his first arrivall he discovers his inward passion by his outward countenance But he came to late too prevent what was done King Edward perswades him to enter into the peace according to the reservation But Charles reprocheth K. Edward for entring into such a truce saying that K. Edwards predecessors had with their armies performed many brave notable exploites upon the French purchased thereby fame and reputation and that he had brought his souldiers but to show them the Country returne as they came adding therwithall That to make it appeare to the world that he was able without the helpe of the English to subsist of himself he disclaimed any benefit by that truce or any other reconciliation with the French untill three months after the English had remained in their owne Country But when King Edward not well pleased with this French bravado retorted unto him the base and forgetfull neglect both on the Constables part and his of not being their words Masters The Duke in a great snuffe returnes to Luxenburg from whence he came For the better confirmation of what was agreed upon and setling of amitie betwixt the two Kings an interview is desired but before the same is effectuated the French King sends unto the English armye an hundred Tun of Gasooyne wine to be drunke out amongst the private soulders and therewith free licence at pleasure for Commanders and Gentlemen of ranke and qualitie to recreate themselues in Amiens where they were freely and fairely entertained by the Burgers at the kings expresse commandement The commanders in chiefe at their returne were well rewarded with jewels and plate for their faire deportment and the orderly carriage of their Souldiers during the aboad there and not without good cause for hadnot their behaviour bin the better the number of those that were there had bin sufficient to have done much mischiefe or made themselves Masters of the town A place of interview of these two Kings is agreed on against the time appointed all things are orderly prepared readily fitted at the charge of the French king by the English Carpenters foure of the bed Chamber on both sides are appoynted to search the contrary end of the roome to prevent traps or instruments of trechery lest any thing might bee pottedor practised to the preujudice of their Masters They returne certifyingl mnia bene the Kings advanace themselves K. Edward being come in sight of the place maketh a stand as being told the omission of any circumstance in point of honour might reflect upon not wisely forecasting all passages of state and knowing to attend the first offer of the ceremony would much take of frō the dignity of his state which although King Lewis perhaps did apprehend yet hee would not stand to straining of curtesie and fearing to loose the faire opportunity to give two blowes with one stone free himselfe from their presence whose breath was to hot for his company weaken therby the arme of an overweening neighbour he gave the K. of England the advantage to come at his pleasure whilst first to the bar appointed for conference And there did attend King Edwards leasure he had in his company Iohn Duke of Bourbon with his brother the Cardinal and was attended with 800. men at armes King Edward comes with his brother the Duke of Clarence Glocester wanting moderation with patience to admit a Court complement in the sight of an army with a French man excused his not comming the Earle of Northumberland the Lords Chamberlaine and Chancellor and at his backe his whole army in battaile aray The kings lovingly embrace each other court cringes complements of courtesie reciprocally passe which finished they with their nobles then present all take their oathes upon the holy Evangelists in all things pro posse to observe the articles of accord concluded on as afore Then all were cōmanded to withdraw themselves whilst the two kings fall into private conference concerning the Dukes of Burgoyne and Britany Lewis leaves not a string untoucht that might make muficke for his profit And having felt the K. of Englands pulse not to beate over strongly on behalfe of his brother in law that on his part he desired but respit until he might receive answer of a message he would send to the D. that if he refused to accept of the benefit of the accord he would leave him to the French K. pleasure he leaves further speech of him earnestly importnes that Britayn might be left out of their articles which K. E. utterly denies affirming that he had found the D. an open hearted opehanded friend to his in his extremity therfore would not now leave him unregarded Lewis observing Ed. countenance in delivery of those words thought it no policie to strain that string any higher but with all curtesie takes his leave giving many kind words some tokens of favour to some noblemen all the officers so departeth yet after he was gone not throughly disgesting the K. of Englands defence of the D. of Britaine he makes a second motion unto him to the former purpose by letter from whom he received this resolute answer that if the French K. desired the friendship of England he should not molest the D. of Britayne for he was resolved in person to come at any time for his defence
our so humble entreaty accept of this so presently proffered prefermēt But if as we shall be most unhappy and disconsolate to heare it your grace will refuse us we must then seeke and hope not to faile to find one that shall and not unworthily with halfe these entreaties undertake to undergoe the danger or hazard which you may be pleased sinilterly to suppose is in the acceptance These words in the apprehension of the auditory from Buckingham were so emphaticall and patheticall that they wrought so feelingly upon his passions That the Protector could not but be contented to expatiate his desire yet with some change of countenance and not without seeming reluctation he did say Since it is manifestly demonstrated unto men that the whole realme is so resolved That they will by no meanes admit my to me in my particular conceite most deerely respected Nephewes my intirely beloved new deceased brothers children and your late Kings sonnes being now infants to reigne over you whom no earthly creature without your good approbation can well governe And since the right of inheritance of the Crowne justly appertaineth to me as to the truly legitimate and indubitate heire of Richard Plantagenee Duke of York my illustrious father To which title your free and faire election is conjoynd which we chie◅ly embrace as effectuall and operative we are contented to condescend to your importunities and to accept of the royall government of this kingdome And will to the uttermost of our poore abilities endeuor the good and orderly managing thereof And therewith all descended from the upper Gallery where all the while before he had stayed and came downe and formally saluted them all where-with the gyddy headed multitude made the streets ecchoe with their loude acclamation of long live King Richard our dread Soveraigne Lord. And so the Duke of Buckingham tooke his solemn leave and every man departed to make a descant at home of the playne song abroad as every ones severall fancies did minister occasion All this time the two innocent infants are entertained with sports and pastimes but unacquainted with any thing that had passed as afore to their prejudice THE LIFE AND RAIGNE OF KING RICHARD THE THIRD THe next day the late Protector with a great traine rode to Westminster Hall and seating himselfe in the Kings bench where the Iudges of that Court in the terme time usually sit he sayd that it was the principall duty of a good King carefully to looke to the due administration of the municipall lawes of the kingdom in which part he would not be defective And then proceeding with a well compact oration in Commendations of peace and discovery of the discommodities of dissention He caused a generall Proclamation to be made for abolition and pardon of all injury wronges and enmity past And to give it the better colour He caused one Fogge which had formerly given him occasion of just exception for abusing him with a tale of truth to be sent for out of sanctuary at Westminster whither to prevent the Protectors anger he was fled and set presently at liberty and caused him in publicke to kisse his hand In his returne from Westminster his affable complement in the streets was so free and frequent That by the discreeter sort it seemed to savour more like fawning servility then courtly courtesie rather base then welbehaved After his returne home by the faire helpe of a fowle but close covered plot he had wonne an unconstant woman and procured the consent I dare not thinke good will or affection of the Lady Anne the youngest daughter of great Warwicke the relict of Prince Edward to be his wife howsoever she could not be ignorant that her sutor had bin the instrument if not the author of the tragicall murthers of both her husband and father But the reason of most womens actions are as indiscoverable as Reason in most of them is undiscernable To prevent had I wist and to secure his coronation five thousand men are sent for out of the Northern parts The guilt of a biting conscience like an atturny generall ever informing against the soule alwayes suggesting unto him feares and causes of suspition where no need was These souldiers ill clad and worse armed being come and all things prepared for the Coronation at least wise those put in use or action that were intended for the investiture of Edward the fifth in the regalitie the but late Protector now King Richard upon the fourth day of Iuly together with his new bride came from Baynards Castle to the Tower by water where he created Thomas Lord Howard Duke of Norfolke his sonne Sir Thomas Howard Earle of Surry William Lord Barckley Earle of Nottingham Francis Lord Lovell Vicount Lovell and Chamberlaine to the King and the Lord Stanley who had beene committed prisoner to the Tower in regard that his son was reported to have levied forces in Lancashire was not onely that day released out of prison but made Lord Steward of the kings houshold The Archbishop of York was likewise then delivered but the Bishop of Eley was committed to the custody of the Duke of Buckingham who tooke order to have him sent to his Castle of Brecknock in Wales The same night were made seventeene Knights of the Bath Edmond the Duke of Suffolks sonne George Gray the Earle of Kents sonne William sonne to the Lord Zouche Henry Aburgaveney Christopher Willougby Henry Babington Thomas Arundle Thomas Boloigne Gervois of Clifton William Say Edmond Beding field William Enderby Thomas Lewkener Thomas of Vrmon Iohn Browne and William Berckley Vpon the fift day of Iuly the King in great state rode thorough the City of London from the Tower to Westminster and on the morrow following the K. the Queene came from the Pallace to the great hall from thence barefooted upon cloth of raye they went to S. Peters Abby at Westminster every one of the nobles officers of state attending according to their several ranckes places The Cardinall sang Masse after Pax the king Queene descended from before S. Edwards shrine to the high altar before which they were both howseled having but one host divided betwixt them Then returned they both and offred at the shryne where the king left the Crowne of S. E. and tooke his own Crown And then in order as they came they returned All ceremonies of solemnitie finished the King gave licence to all the nobility and others that were thereof desirous to depart to their severall habitations except the Lord Stanley respectively giving unto them strict commandement at their departure from him To be carefull to maintaine the truth of Religion to preserve the peace and quiet of the kingdome and to prevent extortion and wrong that otherwise through their negligence might happen unto his subjects setting them forth a lesson himselfe never meant to learne at least wise practise For like Sylla he commanded others under great penalties to be vertuous and modest when
all places provide such as had Castles or Piles of strength furnish them with men and amunition And others use their best meanes that money and men may bee got in readinesse against the Earles arrivall Bishop Morton who had gained opportunitie against the Duke of Buckinghams will to convey himselfe into the Lowe-Countryes is not slacke by Letters and private messages to conjure all such as hee knew either to hate or envy King Richard or to have loved King Edward to lay to their helping hands with all their might in this conjuration Now whether amongst so many through some false brothers treachery or out of his watchfull jelousie over Buckingham it is uncertaine But King Richard hath intelligence of the designe and politickly dissembleth it but secretly giveth order as it were but to take a muster to draw his forces together amongst whom hee suddenly comes and having appointed his carriages to follow him hee marcheth away without acquainting any of the Commanders with any particular place whither hee lead these forces In the meane time first by proffer of friendship by faire termes the King did solicite the Dukes presence at London where the King kept his standing house But receiving from him but delatory put offs The King then sent a peremptory message by the tye of his alleageance to come away which was returned with this resolute answer That hee would not if hee could avoid it have any conversation with an ungratefull per jured inhumane butcher of his owne flesh and blood so that now preparation to offend and defend by the sword is made on both parts The King holds on his march whereupon all the conjurators in every quarter are in overt commotion Thomas Marquesse Dorset preserved from slaughter by the only favour of Sir Thomas Lovell against the Kings will forsaketh Sanctuarie and in York-shire laboureth to raise forces The two Courtneys in Devon and Cornwall take the same course and they are seconded in Kent by Guilford and Rame so that civill combustion is in every quarter of the Realme King Richard notwithstanding severs not his forces but keepes on his march towards Buckingham who having notice thereof both readily and willingly setteth forward bending his course thorow the Forrest of Deane intending at Glocester to have passed Severne and so to have joyned forces with the two Courtneys and the Westerne Confederates but by the long continuance of wet weather the waters thereabouts were risen so high that Severne was broken out and had overflowne all the Countries so that it was a thing impossible for the Dukes forces to bee transported which the Welch-men drawne thither more for feare then love tooke advantage of saying it was a prodigious token of their ill successe in the enterprise and secretly by night slipt away from him whose example the residue followed so that the Duke upon this disbanding was left to shift by himselfe whereupon hee dismist all his followers and without or Page or Foot-man repayred to the house of one Humphry Bannister who dwelt neere Shrowsbury presuming there he might safely lodge in obscurity untill better fortune should smile the rather for that the many extraordinary favours formerly done to the said Bannister and his father before him might justly challenge willing entertainment during his secret stay there if not more The newes of this disaster added wings to the other conjurators to disperse their powers and flye some to Sanctuary others to unknowne places all of them making the best shift they could to escape but they sped best which conveyed themselves into Britanny Amongst whom the Marquesse Dorset John Lord Wells the Bishop of Exceter and his brother Sir John Bourchier Sir Edward Woodvile brother to Queene Elizabeth Sir Robert Willoughby Sir Giles Daubeney Sir Thomas Arundell Sir John Cheney and his two brethren Sir William Barckley Sir William Brandon and his Brother Thomas Sir Richard Egmond Hollowell and Poynings Captaines were chiefe King Richard having intelligence that the enemy was fled sent order presently to lay all the Ports with strict charge that none should goe on borde or come on shore without especiall warrant Hee likewise made publick Proclamation that if any one could bring tydings of the Duke of Buckingham who was now proclaimed Traitour and all his lands and goods seized into the Kings hands so that the Duke might bee apprehended if the person were a bondman hee should bee manumitted if a freeman hee should have a generall pardon and a thousand pound currant English coyne Whilst these things are thus in agitation King Richard hath information from Hutton his Leiger Embassadour in Britaine That the Duke thereof not only refused to keepe the Earle of Richmond in restraint of libertie Bu was seeming forward to give him his assistance to prosecute his intendmentt which was to worke some exploit in England Wherefore the King tooke especiall order for the present rigging and preparing his Navy to stop if possible the Earles landing in any Port of England In the interim whether feare to offend the law or greedy Covetousnesse to gaine the thousand pounds it is yet disputable but Bannister like an ungratefull servant perfidiously discovered his Master the Duke of Buckingham to Iohn Mitton then high Sheriffe of Shropshire who thereupon apprehended him in a little Grove neere Bannisters dwelling house and conveyed him to Shrowsbury where King Richard lay from whence upon All-Soules day hee was conveyed to Salisbury and then and there without arraignment or legall proceedings in the Market-place beheaded Whether Bannister received his proclaimed reward is uncertaine but that Gods judgements appeared afterwards against him and his is very remarkable for hee was afterwards hanged for man-slaughter his eldest daughter is debauncht by one of his Carters and his sonne and heire in a desperate lunacy became his owne butcher and was so found by the Coruors inquest This Henry Duke of Buckingham was Earle of Stafford Hereford Northampton Lord of Brecknocke Kimbolton and Tunbridge and high Constable of England Hee married Katherine Daughter of Richard Woodvile Earle Rivers by whom he had issue three Sons and two Daughters 1. Edward who by Henry the seventh was restored to blood and succeeded in his Fathers honours 2. Henry the said King Created Earle of Wilts 3. And Humphry that dyed young 1. Elizabeth married to Robert Radcliffe Lord Fitz-Waters 2. Anna married first to Sir Walter Harbert and afterwards George Lord Hastings Earle of Huntington Vpon the twelfth day of October the Earle of Richmond with fourtie ships and five thousand waged Britons tooke the Seas But that evening by the rage of an impetuous tempest the whole Navy was dispersed The ship wherein the Earle was with one only little Barke after they had endured the rage of the tempest eight and fourty houres was driven upon the coast of Cornwall where hee giveth expresse commandement that none should dare to take land untill the fleet were drawne together But after hee had huld up and downe the shore
his retinue were upon the way to joyne with the Earle of Richmond Richard Griffith likewise with a band of of brave Welch-men and John Morgan with the like number encreased Earle Henryes forces who with them fairely and easily marched towards Shrowsbury The Earles skowts bring in word that Sir Robert Harbert and Rice ap Thomas were ready with a great power to stop his passage Whereupon hee dispatched messengers with Letters to his Mother and Friends to certifie them of all occurrences since his safe arrivall and to acquaint them with his intention to passe Severne at Shrowsbury and from thence to march directly for London and then prepares himselfe for the encounter And in his march is saluted by Rice ap Thomas who with a valiant crew of souldiers offers their service so as Earle Henry will pledge his faith to performe his promise formerly intimated by Letter which was that after hee had obtained the Crowne Richmond should make and appoint Rice sole governour of Wales which was assented unto and accordingly afterwards performed Sir Gilbert Talbot that evening with all the Earle of Shrowsburyes tenants the Earle himselfe being the Kings Ward with about two thousand well appointed men came and joyned with Richmond The Lord Stanly in the way with 5000. men had taken his lodging at the towne of Leicester But hearing of Earle Henryes march that way he quit the Towne and went to Adderton where hee quartered his men King Richard all this time lay at Nottingham slighting any intelligence that was given him of the Earle of Richmonds proceedings and as it were contemning their weaknesse would often aske of their Courtiers what they thought a poore company of fugitive raskalls were able to doe to impeach his pleasure Although at first hee did neglect to stop their proceedings yet when hee understood that those forces which hee had appointed to impeach their passage had only suffered them uninterupted to passe but were now joyned unto Earle Henry King Richard began when it was somewhat with the latest to looke about him posted directions to the Duke of Norfolke the Earles of Northumberland and Surry with Sir Thomas Brackenbury the Lieutenant of the Tower of London and some others his well-willers with all speed and forces possible to repaire unto him to Lutterworth King Richard is informed by his vaunt-curriors that Richmond was encamped at Liechfield and from thence would remove to Leicester wherefore hee upon the arrivall of his power marched towards his enemies The Earle of Richmond likewise with his forces make towards Tamworth and by rhe way is encountred by Sir Walter Hungerford and some others who had that night withdrawne themselves from King Richards part And they gaue Richmond true information both with the number and order of King Richards army The Earle of Richmond hereupon by night and secretly repayreth to his Father-in-law the Lord Stanley with whom and his Brother having consulted of those things that might conduce most to his better proceedings hee returneth but not without some hazard to his company which he found much encreased and encouraged by the accession of Sir John Savage Sir Bryan Stanford and Sir Simon Digby with their severall Companies of valiant and expert souldiers King Richard tooke the advantage of a large plaine a commodious place neere Bosworth adjoyning to a hill called Anne Beame where hee encamped And observing by his Adversaries manner of approach that they were prepared to give him battaile hee the next morning drew his forces with what convenient speed hee could out of the Campe and put them in order The forward that was led by the Duke of Norfolke which consisted of one thousand two hundred Bow-men flancked with two hundred Curasseires under the conduct of the Earle of Surrey The battaile King Richard led in person which consisted of a thousand Bill-men empaled with two thousand Pike The rereguard was led by Sir Thomas Brackenbury consisting of two thousand mingled weapons with two wings of horse-men containing fifteene hundred all of them cast into square manuples still expecting the Lord Stanleys presence who with two thousand most of them horse-men were not set out of their quarter when the forlorne hope of the Earle of Richmond had begun to skirmish the foot-men under the leading of Sir William Stanley being upon their March were enforced as hee pretended to avoid a myrie bogge that lay betwixt them and the King and to avoyd the danger of being charged before they should have opportunitie to joyne with hime to fetch a compasse about by that meanes casting a mist before the Kings eyes that hee might not palpably perceive their intention to give assistance to the Earle of Richmond For if that should have beene discovered it might have cost the life of little George Stanley The Earle of Richmond very early in the morning had sent unto his Father-in-law desiring his present repaire And the rather for that hee wanted his more able direction to deraigne his battaile But hee was answered from him that no ayde or direction must bee expected from him more then that hee advised him with all possible speed to give the onset and aftet the battaile should bee joyned hee and his Brother would second the battell Earle Henry somewhat staggering at the first at the answer made a vertue of a necessitie and tooke counsell of his owne Commanders And by their advise because the weaknesse of their body should not bee presently discerned for their numbers did but little exceed the halfe of the Kings Their Voward was made very open and thin of which John Earle of Oxford had the leading The Earle of Richmond in person led the battell Sir Gilbert Talbot commanding the right wing and Sir John Savage the leaft whose souldiers being all alike clad in white coates of cloth or frize and hoods of the same by the reflection of the Sonne upon them made them appeare in the view of their Adversaries double their number The rereguard was governed by the Earle of Pembrooke which consisted most of horse and some Pike and blacke Bills King Richard having drawne his chiefe Leaders about him And placing himselfe in that manner as that hee might bee the better heard saith My faithfull friends and fellow souldiers you by whose true policie I at first obtained and by whose as true prowesse I have hitherto defended my Crowne mauger all the rebellious machinations and tumultuarie seditions of my so many Adversaries you by whose Prudence and provident circumspection nothing that might further the prosperitie of this kingdome hath beene omitted nothing might impeach or impaire the honour of it hath beene committed so that without adulation I may say it By your only advise I am what I am And if now by your aide and assistance I doe not this day subsist I shall not bee so fortunate to enjoy as I have beene happy to obtaine But I am confident of your loves and loyalties and thereupon set up my rest What should move this
it so home that the adverse part not able or at lest not willing to endure the shock for the cause of quarrell in a Souldier encreaseth the courage or abateth the edge of resolution gave grownd which moved King Richard to bring on the maine battaile And with a desperat resolution entred so farre into the enemies battaile that with his own hands hee slew Sir William Brandon Richmonds chiefe standard bearer and unhorst Sir Iohn Cheney a strong and stout man at armes And at length encountring with the Earle of Richmond enterchanged some buffets But Henry ayded by the divine helpe and favoured with the uprightnesse of his cause with stood Richards forceable assault But whilst the armies on both sides stood striving in a doubtfull hazard who should win the price Sir William Stanley with three thousand fresh men crying S. George a Richmond joyned with his brothers Souldiers brake into King Richards battayle who thereupon fled incontinently leaving their King behind to make a bloody catastrophe of his slaughterly raigne who throughly enraged furiously fighting without discretion or ability to prevaile he fell under the sword of his enemies The rumor of his death and the rowting of the battaile gave occasion to the reregard Commanded by Henry Earle of Northumberland who rather wished then expected what did befall to submit without striking stroke whereby the victory fell to the Earle Richmonds part who upon certainty thereof instantly in most religious divotion gave order for publicke thanks giving to God for their happy preservation and he himselfe that gave the precept made himselfe the patterne therein alighting from his horse and kneeling upon his knees first privatly to himselfe and then publickly with the rest gave glory to his maker There were not above one thousand slaine on both sides the cheife of whom was Iohn Duke of Norfolke who was often warned and much laboured that day to forbeare the field in regard there was found written upon his tent-dore Iack of Norfolke be not to boold For Dickon thy Master is bought and sold. But what God had before appointed could not be prevented This Iohn Howard was the sonne of Sir Robert Howard knight and Margaret eldest daughter and coheire of Thomas Mowbray Duke of Norfolk in whose right he was created Duke of Norfolk the five and twentieth day of Iune in the yeare of our Lord 1483. He married two wives the first was Katherine daughter of William Lord Mullyns by whom he had issue one sonne and foure daughters Thomas that succeeded him and was created Earle of Surry in the first yeare of King Richard the third and was restored to grace and made Lord Treasurer in the sixteenth yeare of Henry the seventh and 1 Anne married to Sir Edmond Gorge knight 2 Isabell married to Robert Mortymer of Essex knight 3 Iane married to Thomas Tymperley Esquire and Margaret married to Iohn Windham of Cowtherck in Norfolk knight This Dukes second wife was Margaret daughter of Sir Iohn Chadworth knight by whom he had issue Katherine married to Iohn Bourcheir Lord Berners and no more Walter Lord Ferrers Sir Richard Ratcliff and Sir Robert Brackenbury knights with William Catesby an utterbarrister with some others were taken flying And shortly after executed at Leicester Francis Vicount Lovell and the two Staffords escaped and tooke Sanctuary in S. Iohns at Glocester Henry Earle of Northumberland submitting himselfe was not onely pardoned but received into favour whilst Thomas Howard Earle of Surry eldest sonne of Iohn Duke of Norfolk that then and there rendred himselfe as the other did to the conquerors mercy was committed close prisoner in Leicester and from thence sent to the Tower of London There were not on the Earle of Richmonds part above one hundred slaine the principall whereof was William Brandon This battaile was fought at Rodner neere Bosworth the two and twentieth day of August in the yeare of our Lord God 1486. After publicke thanks giving was as before prescribed orderly and religiously performed Earle Henry gave order to search amongst the slaine for such as were but wounded commanding those carefully to be drest and the other to be with decency on both sides buried The body of King Richard being amongst the slaughtered carkases found the whole armie gave a generall shoute and with loud acclamations of long live King Henry made the field ecchoe againe The Lord Stanly having in his custody King Richard the usurpers Crowne which amongst the spoyles his souldiers had found and brought to him placed the same on Earle Henryes head wherewith the souldiers reiterated their joyfull acclamations making the fields resound with long live King Henry of that name the seventh as if by their onely suffrages he had bin elected and confirmed King of England Here with the tent-keepers of the usurper came and submitted themselves to the Lord Stanly and brought with them young George Strange whom the usurper upon the Lord Stanlyes refusall presently to draw downe his forces to joyne with him had sworne before he went to dinner by the life of S. Paul to have had beheaded But was perswaded by his councell to forbeare the execution untill the battaile should be determined now being brought to the presence of his father The young Gentleman being thereto by his keepers instructed before craved the help of his mediation to the king for their pardon which was willingly undertaken and as easily procured From thence the camp presently removed and King Henry marched to the Towne of Leicester where for the more refreshing of his men and the better accommodation of himselfe for his journey towards the City of London he remained two dayes In the meane time the body of the usurper starke naked all mangled and besmeared with blood and dust without so much as the lest ragge to cover his privities was trussed behind Blanch Senigleer his owne Pursevant of armes like butchers ware his heads and his armes hanging on the one side of the horse his legs on the other and so was brought to Leicester where for a spectacle of hate and scorne by the space of two dayes he lay bare and uninterred At last by the Charitie of the Gray Fryers there without solemne funerall pompe scarce with ordinary solemnitie he was inhumed in their Monastery there he reigned two yeares two moneths and one day This Richard married Anne second daughter of Richard Nevill commonly stiled great Earle of Warwicke by whom he had issue Edward whom at twelue moneths old he created Prince of Wales but happily dyed before his father This Richard was borne at Fodringhay Castle in Northamptonshire the third sonne of Richard Duke of Yorke younger brother of George Duke of Clarence by him murdred in the Tower After the death of his brother King Edward the fourth he procured himselfe to be made Protector and guardian of his two Nephewes of whom he made himselfe the execrable murtherer For a fuller expression of his Character he was borne a monster in nature with all
five thousand men William Harbert Earle of Penbrooke Sir Richard Herbert and eight Knights more are taken and beheaded at Banbury The Earle Rivers and Sir John his Sonne are beheaded at Northamton The Earle of Worcester John Tiptoft at London The Lord Willoughby at Doncaster The Lord Stafford at Bridgewater The Lord Wells and Sir Robert Dymocke were beheaded in the march but uncertaine where Neere Stamfort in Lincolnshire was a Batraile fought the first of October wherein were slaine ten thousand men but no men of note but Sir Robert Wells and Sir Thomas de land those that were put to flight for their more ease to escape cast away their coates whereupon it was called Losecoate field Vpon the fourteenth day of Aprill being Easter day upon a Plaine talled Gladmore Heath betweene Barnet and Saint Albones The Earles of Warwicke Oxford and the Marquesse Mountacute Commanders in chiefe on behalfe of Henry the sixt against Edward the fourth there was a terrible battell fought wherein were slaine ten thousand three hundred men amongst whom were the Earle of Warwicke the Marquesse Mountacute the Lord Cromwell the Lord Say the Lord Mountjoy Sir Henry Bourchier Sir William Terrill Vpon the fourth of May being Saterday Prince Edward with his Mother Queene Margaret to redeeme Henry the sixt gave battaile to King Edward wherein Queene Margaret was taken Prisoner and Prince Edward was slaine in cold blood There were slaine at this incounter John Somerset Marquesse Dorset Thomas Courtney Earle of Devon Thomas Lord Wenlake Sir Joâ—… Delves Sir Edward Hampden Sir Robert Whittingham Sir John Lewkner and three thousand others Edmond Duke of Somerset John Lonstrother Lord Prior of Saint Johns Sir Thomas Tresham Sir Jervoys Clifton Sir Richard Vaux Sir William Harvye Sir Thomas Fielding Sir Robert Lewknor Sir Thomas Lirmoth Sir William Vrman Sir John Seymor Sir Thomas Roose Sir Thomas Fitzhony Sir Robet Flamden were taken and executed in Tewkesbury the one day and Sir Humphry Audley Sir William Crymby Sir William Cary. Sir William Newbourgh were likewise with Henry Tresham VValter Courtney Iohn Flory Lewis Miles Robert Iackson Jame's Gower Iames Delves heire of Sir Iohn Delves beheaded there the next day This was the last battell that was fought in the dayes of King Edward the fourth but not all the bloodshed about this quarrell For at London by the treason of Bastard Fauconbridge there were seven hundred and eighty of his partakers and three hundred and twelve Citizens Londoners slaine Vpon Redmore Downe neere Bosworth in Leicestershire on the twentie two of August was the twelfth set Battaile in this unkind quarrell fought wherein King Richard the Vsurper was slaine and with him on his part John Duke of Norfolke Walter Lord Ferrers Sir Richard Radcliffe and Sir Robert Brackenbury with foure thousand and eight And on Richmonds side Sir William Brandon and 180. with him After this Battell there was a conjunction of the so long severed Rose branches Neverthelesse the enemy to Englands quiet would not suffer the gate of concord to stand quite open but raised up Impostors and counterfeits to interrupt the same But since the cause of the dissention by the Vnion of the Red and White in Henry the seventh and the Lady Elizabeth their so happy enter-marriage was taken away what occasion of expence of blood did after fall out within the Realme ought under favour bee it delivered rather to bee imputed to the effect of treasonable machinations then to any just occasion of the Roses Title And therefore I purposely omit to intermix the number of those that were slaine since Bosworth field amongst those that are to bee reckoned up in the generall slaughter in the twelve Battells and the occasions of expence of blood intervening by skirmishes and accidentall meanes and content my selfe with the only recapitulation of the severall numbers of Kings Princes Dukes Marquesses Earles Barons Vicounts Bishops Mitred Prelates Knights Esquires Gentlemen and private souldiers That during the rage of these civill warres which followed that breach of the due course of succession attempted by the intrusion of Henry the fourth fell under the alternate fortunes of the Victors sword untill that ever to bee blessed reuniting the two houses of Lancaster and Yorke whereby righteousnesse and Peace did kisse each other and Mercy and Truth which I pray God ever to continue established the Crowne of England in an hopefull and happy descending Line And as Henry the seventh conjoyned the Roses so hath King James of ever-blessed memory united the predivided kingdomes of England and Scotland espousing their Vnion to our Soveraine Lord King Charles to Gods glory the Churches good and his Subjects great comfort HENRY the Roses IAMES the Kingdomes knit And CHARLES of both partakes the benefit Oh! thou of Iesse flower of Iudah Lyon In his dominion plant the peace of Syon And never let hearts quiet follow those That shall the holding of this Knot oppose But let thy best of blessings wait on them That zealously shall guard his Diadem The totall of private souldiers that perished in the time of these civill warres and suffered the punishment of immature death for taking part on the one side or the other is Fourscore foure thousand nine hundred and ninetie eight persons besides Kings two Prince one Dukes tenne Marquesses two Earles one and twentie Lords twentie seven Vicounts two Lord Pryor one Iudge one Knights one hundred thirty nine Esquires foure hundred forty one The number of the Gentrie is every way so uncertainly reported that if I should endevour to set downe a generall of what is particularly related I should but give occasion of further question then I am willing should bee moved for a thing of so little moment and therefore willingly omit it And the rather for that they are for the most part included in the number of the private souldiers as aforesaid set downe to bee slaine to which but adde the number of six hundred thirty and eight the totall of all the persons of eminencie not therein accounted and then there appeareth in all to have beene slaine Fourescore five thousand six hundred twenty and eight Christians and most of them of this Nation not to bee repeated without griefe nor remembred without deprecation that the like may never happen more Pax una triumphis innumeris potior FINIS An. 1377. R. 1. Ann. 1378 R. 3. Anno. Dom. 1376. R. 2. An. 1380. R. 2. Anno 1381. R. 3. The Earle of Warwicke made sole Tutour to the King Scroop Lord Chancellor removed Ann. 1381 R. 3. Ann. D. 1382 R. 4. An. 1382. R. 4. In 〈◊〉 celebratione deprâ—…ersum Digito â—…abijs admoto c. Ann. 1382 R. 5. The Maior slayeth Wat Tyler Perditus pernitiosus praesbyter The Lord chiefe Iustice slaine by rebells The Bishop of Norwich suppresseth the rebells in Norfolke Cambridge spoyled by the rebells Ann D. 1382 R. 5. Anno. Dom. 1384. R. 6. An.
1384. R. 6. A subsidy demanded and denyed Commissioners appointed to receive the Susibdie The Lord Treasurer removed by Parliament Ann. 1386 R. 6. Anno. Dom. 1387. R. 9. An. 1387. R. 9. The King accompanieth the Duke of Ireland towards Wales A good office of the Bishop of London The Bishops sent to the Barons Ann. 1388 R. 10. The Lord Chancellors speech to the Lords Ann. D. 13â—… R. 10. Proceeding in the Parliament against Favourites The modesty of the Earle of Darby An oath exacted from the King An. 1389. R. 11. An. 1390. An expedition into Barbary Ann. 1392 R. 14. The priviledges of London seized into the Kings hands are abridged and part restored An. 1393. R. 15. An intervenew between the Kings of Fraâ—…ce and England An. 1396. Reg. 18. The Earle of Saint Pauls advise to the King Ann. 1396 R. 18. The Duke of Glocester betrayed Glocester murthered not executed The Earle of Arundel supposed a martyr An. 1398. Reg. 21. 5. Dukes created Ann. 1397 R. 21. Herefords complaint of the government to Norfolke An. 1397. R. 22. An. 1398. Reg. 22. 1. 2. 3. Ann. 1398 R. 22. An. 1399. R. 23. Archbish. Arundels speech to Henry Earle Henries answer The Duke of Hereford setteth forward The Duke of Hereford landeth in Holdernesse The Duke of Heref. sworne not to doe or suffer any violence to bee done to King Richard The Duke of Herefard entreth into Councell at London Warre proclaimed against King Richard Lancasters Oration The Lord Treasurer pursued to Bristoll The Treasurer with Sir Iohn Bushye surprised in Bristol Castle and afterwards executed The Sons of the Duke of Glocester and Lancaster imprisoned in Trim Castle in Ireland King Richard arriveth at Milford Haven Discouraged His Councellors disagree Lancaster marcheth towards the King The Lord Steward dissolveth the Kings houshold King Richard expostulateth with himself Consulteth with his followers A Parliament summoned by the Duke in the Kings name King Richards speech Lancasters easie conquest A fainâ—…d Title D. Lancaster layeth his claime to the Crowne The Duke of Lancaster accepted for King The Commissioners acquaint King Richard with the resolution of the House Edward the fourth crowned Ann. 1399 R. 1. The Bishop of Carliles Oration Deut. 17. 12. Rom. 13. 12. Sap. 6. Ann. 1399 R. 2. The Bishop committed Nobles degraded of then Titles Officers removed Ann. 1400 Reg. 2. Burbon soliciteth the inhabitants of Guyan to revolt The Earle of Worcester sent to Guyan The Abbot of Westminsters proceedings The Duke of Exceters perswasions to rebell The Conspirators plot The Duke of Yorkes speech to his Son The Duke of Aumerle discovereth the Conspiracy The King leaveth Windsor The Maior of London furnisheth King Henry with Archers Queen Isabels womanish course The Inhabitants of Ciceter assault the conspirators An. 1401. R. 2. An. 1401. R. 3. An. 1403. R. 3. The King married An. 1403. R. 3. An 1â—… 04. R. 4. A byting Subsidie Archiepisc. Parker fol. 257. In regist Simonis Larg fol. 12. Fox Martir fo 1100. Godwyn fol. 184. Continuator histo Ranulphi Antiquitates Britt fol. 257 Vbi supra Stowe 562. Isa. Worke fo 90. In the Colledge Libraty Ann. 1404 Reg. 5. The French Kings brothers challenge The French attempt Dartmouth and are repulsed The Kings third sonne with some forces land at Sluice Three Carricks of Genoa taken Northumberland and others with him rebell The Archbi Yorke perswades the people to rise against the King Westmerland circumvents the Archbish. of Yorke He is beheaded at Yorke Northumberland his partakers proclaimed Traytours Anno 1408. The Prince of Scotland taken prisoner and sent to the Tower 1408. An. 1408. R. 9. The Lord Camoys arraigned for treason is acquit by his Peetes 1408. 1410. A Petition by the Commons against the Bishops Meanes to maintaine Earles 150 Knights 1500 Esquires 6200. and an hundred Hospitalls of new to bee erected Sir Robert Vmphrevill tearmed Mend-market An. 1411. R. 11. The Prince of Wales removed from being President of the Councell From hence was the honorable ornament of the coller of S. S. worne by these in eminent places in remembrance of this Princes reconcilement to his Father devised The Prince presents himselfe to the King The King Prince reconciled The King having taken upon him the Crusado prepareth accordingly The death of Henry the fourth An. 1412. R. 12. 1. 2. 3. An. 1412. R. 13. 4. 2. Daughters Ann. 1413 R. 1. King Henry taketh leave of his antient companions The forwardnesse of the Nobilitie to tender their homage The Lord Oldcastle convented Oldcastle escapeth out of the Tower Ann. D. 1414 R. 1. Punishment of treason and heresie Ann. 1414 Reg. 1. An. 1414. R. 2. Motives for the King to lay claime to the Crowne of France Embassadors sent into France Embassadors sent to the Councell at Constance The King armes in France Harstew besieged Harstew taken The Peasants assayled King Henry Pro recuperatione sigilli sui The order of the battell of the French The Duke of Yorke leads the English Voward The beginning of the sight The disorder of the French The English having rowted the van charge the battaile of the French The French submit An. 1415. R. 3. Edward Plantagenet Duke of Yorke maried Philip daughter and coheire of Iohn Mahun Lord of Dunster but dyed without issue Michael de la Poolâ—… Earle of Suffolke died without issue also Ann. 1416 R. 4. The Duke of Glocester entertaineth the Emperour at Dover Harstew besieged by the French Relieved by the Duke of Bedford Penancâ—… done King Henry accompanieth the Emperour to Callice The Duke of Bedford made Regent The Earle of Huntingtons fortune at Sea Cane taken Boyeux taken The Kings good pollicie to allure the French Courfey Castle yeelded An. 1418. R. 4. Sees submits to K. Henry Falays taken 1418. A great storme 6. Reg. Ann. 1416 Reg. 6. Captaines made over severall places The Dolphin and Duke of Burgoigne reconciled Eureux besieged Loveirs besieged and rendred An. 1418. R. 6. New inventions for passage over waters Roane besieged The English Navy passeth the river The good service of the Irish. King Henryes charitie Ann. 1418 R. 9. Roane comes to composition Surrendred An Overture for an interview crossed by the Dolphins default An. 1419. R. 7. A Conspiracie in Roane discovered Ponthoys surprised by the English The English army severed into three parts French Embassadours sent to King Henry An. 1420. R. 8. King Henry sends to the Duke of Burgoyne King Henry giveth meeting at Troyes to the Queen King Henry affianced to the Lady Katherine The Duke of Burgoynes oath The Articles of agreement certified A League with the Duke of Burgoyne The creation of Garter principall King of armes The ratification of the agreement layed up in the Treasury at Westminster An. 1421. R. 9. Queene Katherine Crowned King Henryes Pietie The Duke of Clarence betrayed Robert Vmphrevile here slaine was both Earle of Argus and Kime 1421. A Parliament at Westminster King Henry returnes to France Dreux
engratiated he not only supplanted him from the place but procured it for himselfe to the no little hart-burning of the Duke of Yorke and his friends but hee had wit in his anger and rested silent The towne of Mauns according to the agreement is not given up The King of France prepares to besiege it but upon the motion of the Marquesse order is given for the present surrender thereof now no man in grace with the King but hee none can have any favour from the Queene but by him the extent of his power over-reacheth all the Councell hee gets of the King the Wardship of the body and lands of the Countesse of Warwicke and of the Lady Margaret sole Daughter and heire of Iohn Duke of Somerset afterward Mother to King Henry the seventh The Kings facile nature and flexible condition was the occasion that many enormities encreased and many things made worse that might have beene better if observed and stopt in the beginning The Duke of Glocester for his moderation and provident care in all things stiled good and for his paines in delivery of his mind honest is an eye-sore to an ambitious minion and an imperious woman shee will no longer admit any curbe to her vast desires of empery shee is as well able to advise the King as all his Councell to what purpose then needeth a Protector The Duke of Glocester must therefore bee removed and excluded not only from command but Councell and to adde to affliction shee permitted if not procured divers sinisterly affected to informe against him whereof the new Marquesse and the Duke of Buckingham were not the most backward and the Cardinall Bishop of Winchester and Archbishop of Yorke would not bee much behind one objection was made against him that he had caused divers persons to be executed contrary to the judgement of the Court denounced and against the law of the land in these cases provided his too much zeale of execution of justice if zeale in that point may be justly termed a crime made him subject to be censured to have perpetrated a criminall offence But to avoid tumultuary partakings for he was generally well esteemed howsoever by purblind observers deemed worthy taxe it was concluded by those that maligned his sincere and just proceedings that hee should without any publicke denuntiation of his offence bee privately convicted and condemned to which end a Parliament by the procurement of his enemies unwitting to the King is called at Bury to which the Duke of Glocester resorting is on the second day of the Session by the Lord Beamond then high Constable abetted by the Duke of Buckingham arrested and put to Ward all his followers without exception sequestred from him whereof thirty two are committed to severall prisons the next day after his commitment hee is found in his bed murthered yet shewed the same day being the foure and twentieth day of February publickly making show as though hee had dyed of an impostume but all indifferent persons that saw his corps could not but deeme he dyed of an unnaturall cause his corpes were the same day conveyed to Saint Albones and there buried five of his meniriall servants Sir ROGER CHAMBERLAIN Knight MIDDLETON HERBERT ARTZIS Esquire and IOHN NEEDHAM Gentlemen were condemned to bee drawne hanged and quartered But the Marquesse of SVFFOLKE to make a show to the world of his having no finger in the businesse brought their pardon and delivered it at their proposed place of execution some criticall observers have affirmed the stile of Gloucester as ominous and make instance of Hugh Spencer Thomas of Woodstock and this Duke Humphry but it may be well collected that this Dukes death gave a prodigious presage of the ensewing Calamitie of the Common-wealth sometimes in quenching of smoke men burne their fingers in the fire so the Queene casting to preserue her husbands honor and her owne regalitie in making away this honest Duke affected that which discretion should have most labored to prevent which was the decay of the house of Lancaster which was vnlikely to have chanced if this Duke had lived For his primogeniture would haue kept backe the Duke of Yorkes claime to the Crowne this Richards father being but the fift sonne of Edward the third Humphry Plantagenet was the fourth sonne of Edward the third Duke of Gloucester Earle of Hennault Holland Zeland and Pembroke Lord of Frisia great Chamberlaine of England he married two wives Iaquet from whom he was divorced and Elianor daughter of Reginald Lord Cobham by whom before marrage he had a daughter called Antigona married to Henry Gray Lord of Tanckervile but no issue legitimate The new Marquesse of Suffolk by the great fauour of the King But more desire of the Queene is created Duke of Suffolk which brought him within the compasse of Contempt of the Kings surviving Vncle The Duke of Yorke who now beginning to sucke the venome of his kinswoman the Lady Cobhams sorcery and awakened with his brothers losse her disgrace and his owne disrepute having by consanguinitie and affinity a faire meanes to draw a partie observing that they onely sat at the stearne that were vnable yea vnworthy to use the oare of the common-wealth and that all affares of state were meerly managed by the Queene and her fauourite the Duke of Suffolk the King being as a Cipher but at their pleasure to make a number did amongst his familiars privily whisper his title and right to the Crowne and afarre off as in a landskip to make a show of desire to see the flourishing encrease of the white Rose And so politikly carried his intent that all things were provided to further his proiect ere his purpose was published during this plotting Henry Bewford the rich Cardinall Bishop of Winchester takes his leave of this world and leaves more riches behind him then either good deeds or glorious name he was more noble in blood then notable in learning of high looke and haughty stomacke constant in nothing more then malice and mischiefe and that chiefly employed against good Duke Humphry his desires were insatiable for mony still coveting more but misimploying nothing in expence for he only horded to make others rich and himselfe poore what his ends were except he was perswaded never to dye no living man did know and had he desired to have measured his greatnesse by his goodnesse he had never been administrator to his owne good name for that dyed long before him without which we leave him to be seconded in the Bishopricke of Winchester by a more deserving Prelate which was William Wanfleet so stiled of the place he was borne in but his name was Pattern of the worshipfull family whereof he was descended The fifth of August following dieth Iohn Holland Duke of Exceter Earle of Huntington and Iuory in Normandy Lord of Sparr Leivetenant generall of the Dutchy of Aquitaine Admirall of England and Constable of the Tower of London he married