to the siege of Ascalon writes inuectiue letters against the King of France for leauing him who likewise defames King Richard amongst his neighbours at home And it may be doubted whether the periurie of these two Kings did not adde more to their sinne then the action they vndertooke for the remission thereof could take away for that a good worke impiously managed meretts no more then an ill Ten moneths the King of England stayes behind in these parts consuming both his men and treasure without any great successe though with much noble valor and exceeding courage finding euer great peruersuesse in the Earle of Borgogne who according to his maisters instructions shewed no great desire to aduance the action where another must carry the honour but willing alwaies to returne home pretending his want drew backe when any businesse of importance was to bee done and at length falls sicke and dies at Acon Conrade who was so much fauoured by the King of France in his title for that Kingdome Conrade murthered was murthered by two Assassini whereof the King of England was but very wrongfullie taxed and the Earle of Champagne martying his Widdow Sister to Queene Sibilla was by King Richard preferred to the Crowne of Ierusalem and Guy of Lusignan the other pretender made King of Ciprus and so both contented During this businesse abroade in the East the state of England suffred much at home vnder the gouernment of Lonshamp who vsurping the whole authority to himselfe without communicating Longshamps traine and pompe any thing either with the Nobility or the rest of the Commissioners ioyned with him did what hee listed and with that insolencie carried himselfe as hee incurred the hatred of the whole Kingdome both Clergie and Lay. His traine was said to be so great and the pompe of attendants such as where hee lay in any religious house but one night 3 yeares reuenues would scarce suffice to recouer the charge Besides being a stranger himselfe and vsing only French men about him made his courses the more intollerable to the English in so much as at length the whole Clergie and Nobility oppose against his proceedings and the Earle Iohn taking aduantage vpon these discontentments to make himselfe more popular and prepare the way to his intended vsurpation ioynes with the state against this B. being the man that had euer crossed his courses hauing an especially eye vnto him as the most dangerous person of the Kingdome both in respect of the kings charge and his owne saftie And now there fell out a fit occasion to ruine the Chancellor by this meanes Geffrey 1191. Anno. Reg. 3. the Elect Archbishop of Yorke base sonne to Henry the 2. to whose preferment in Eng. King Richard was auerse therfore had confin'd him within Normandy during his absence had by great labour to Pope Celestine obtained a powre to bee inuested in that Sea whose comming into England being aduertised to the Chancellor Long shamp Geffrey the Elect of Yorke taken and imprisoned by the Chancelor he was at his landing at Doner apprehended and drawne by force out of the Church which hee had recouered and from the Altar in his Pontificall habit trailed into the Castle in most vile manner Of which violence the Earle Iohn and the Bishop taking notice they command the Chancellor not only to release him but also to answere the matter before the assembly of the Bishops and Nobilite at Pauls where they Article and vrge against him many hainous actions committed contrarie to the Comission giuen him and the Weale of the King and Kingdome The Archbishop of Roan and William Marshall Earle of Striguile shewed openly the Kings Letters pattents dated at Messena in Sicile whereby they were made Commissioners with him in the gouernment of the Kingdome which notwithstanding hee would neuer suffer them to deale in any businesse of the same but by his owne violent Longshamp the Chancellor deposed from his office and headlong will doe all himselfe wherefore in the end hee was by the Assembly deposed from his Office and the Archbishop of Rouen who would doe nothing without the Councell of the State instituted therein The Towre of London and the Castle of Windsor are taken from him and deliuered to the Archbishop And so this great Officer presuming to much in his place hauing enuie so neere him and a maister so sarre off was throwne downe from his State faine to resigne his Legantine Crosse at Canterbury and to take vp that for the Holy warre and priuily seekeing to escape ouer Sea was in the habit of a woman with a webbe of Linnin cloth vnder his arme taken vpon the shore at Douer and most opprobriouslie made a spectacle to the people and conducted with all derision to the Castle whence after He flies and is taken eight daies hee was by the Earle Iohn released and suffered to goe on his iourney wherein being the messenger of his owne misusage he had the aduantage of his aduersaries and preuailed against them with the Pope who tooke very tenderly the powre Legantine should be so vilified The Earle Iohn the Archbishop of Rouen and the other Iustices of the King grant vnto the Citie of London their Common or liberties and the Citizens Swore fealtie to King Richard and his haire and that if he died without issue they would receiue the Earle Iohn for their Lord and King and likewise swore fealty vnto him against all men reseruing their faith to King Richard In this forwardnesse was the Earle Iohn for his brothers Crowne whilst hee is beleagaring Ascalon and grapling with Saladin Sultan in the East But hauing notice of this proceeding in England and how the King of France had taken in Gisors and King Richards departure from Palestina the Country of Vexin contrarie to his Oath hee takes the oportunity of an offer made by Saladin of a truce for three yeares vpon condition that hee should restore Ascalon to the same State wherein hee found it before the siege which hee did by the Councell of the Templars and the whole Armie And presently leauing Wife Sister and people to come after him as they could prouide takes a shippe with some few followers and returnes from this action with as great precipitation as hee vndertooke it hauing consumed therein all that mightie Treasure left him by his father and all that otherwise hee could teare from his subiects and others by violent extortion or cunning practises Pardon vs Antiquitie if we miscensure your actions which are euer as those of men according to the vogue and sway of times and haue onely their vpholding by the opinion of the present wee deale with you but as posteritie will with vs which euer thinkes it selfe the wiser that will iudge likewise of our errors according to the cast of their imaginations But for a King of England to returne in this fashion cannot bee but a note of much inconsideration and had as pittifull
himselfe to enter into Dover Castle At Canterbury they bring him into the Chapter house where the Earle of Glocester standing forth in the middest calls out the Earle not by the name of King but Richard Earle of Cornewall who in reverent manner comming forth takes his Oath ministred in this manner Heare all men that I Kichard Earle of Cornewall do heere sweare vpon the Holy Evangelists The Oath of the King of Romanes that I shall bee faithfull and dilligent to reforme with you the Kingdome of England hitherto by the Councell of wicked persons overmuch disorded bee an effectuall coadiutor to expell the rebels and disturbers of the same and this Oath will inviolably obserue vnder paine of loosing all the Land I haue in England so helpe mee God In this manner deale the Lords to binde this great Earle vnto them supposing his power to haue beene more then it was which at length they found to be nothing but an Ayrie Title for having consumed all that mighty substance abroad in two yeares which with great frugality had beene many in gathering he returnes in this manner home poore and forsaken by the Germans without any other meanes to trust vnto but onely what he had in England Notwithstanding vpon his returne the King takes heart and seekes all meanes to vindicate his power dispatching first messengers secretly to Rome to be absolued from 1259. Anno. Reg. 44. his inforced Oath then sends into Scotland to the King and the Queene his daughter for aydes to be ready vpon his occasions And to haue the more assurance of the King of France and be freed from forraine businesse he makes an absolute resignation of whatsoever right he had to the Duchy of Normandie and the Earledomes of Aniou King Henry resignes his right to Normandy c. Poictou Tourene and Maine in regard whereof the King of France giues him three hundred thousand pounds some say crownes of Aniouine money and grants him to enioy all Guien beyond the river Garoune all the Country of Xantonge to the river of 1261. An. Reg. 45. Charentè the Countries of Limosin and Quercy for him and his successors doing their Homage and Fealty to the Crowne of France as a Duke of Aquitayne and a Peere of that kingdome The Lords likewise on the other side seeke to strengthen their association and hold in each other to their Oathes and observation of their orders which was hard to do for consisting of manifold dispositions there was daily wauering sometimes Pikes among themselues in so much as the Earle of Leicester the chiefe man that kept the fire of that saction in told the Earle of Glocester finding him staggering that hee cared not to liue with such men whom he found so mutable and vncertaine for said he my Lord of Glocester The Lords combine against the K. as you are more eminent so are you more bound to what you haue vndertaken for the good of the kingdome And as he incensed others so had he those that animated him as Walter Bishop of Worcester and Kobert Bishop of Lincolne who inioyned him vpon remission W. Rishenger of his sinnes to prosecute the cause vnto death affirming how the peace of the Church of England could neuer be established but by the materiall sword But now many being the temptations many are drawne away from their side especially after the sentence giuen against them by the King of France made Arbitor of the quarrell who yet though hee condemned the prouisions of Oxford allowed the 1262. An. Reg. 46. confirmatiō of King Iohns Charter by which distinction he left the matter as he found it for those prouisions as the Lords pretended were grounded vpon that Charter Howsoeuer his sentence much aduantaged the King of England made many to dispence with their Oath and leaue their party Amongst whom was Henry Sonne to the Earle of Cornewall on whom the Prince had bestowed the Honour of Tyckhill who comming to the Earle of Leicester told him hee would not be against his Father the King nor his allyes but said he my Lord I will neuer beare Armes against you and 1263. Anno. Reg. 47. therefore I craue leaue to depart The Earle cheerfully replies my Lord Henry I am not sorry for your departure but for your inconstancie go returne with your armes I feare them not at all About the same time Roger de Clifford Roger de Leiborn Hamo I Strange and many other wonne with gifts depart from the Barons Shortly after Roger de Mortimer of the Kings part breakes into open act of hostility makes spoyle of the lands of the Earle of Leicester who had now combined himselfe with Llewellin Prince of Wales and had sent forces to inuade the lands of Mortimer in The beginning of the warres those parts And here the sword is first drawne in this quarrell about three yeares after the Parlement at Oxford The Prince takes part with Mortimer surprises the Castle of Brecknock with other places of strength which hee deliuers to his custodie The Earle of Leicester recouers the towne and Castle of Glocester constraines the Citizens to pay a thousand pounds for their redemption goes with an Army to Worcester possesses him of the Castle thence to Shrewsbury and so comes about to the Isle of Ely subdues the same and growes very powerfull The King doubting his approch to London being not yet ready for him workes so as a mediation of peace is made and agreed vpon these conditions That all the Castles 1264. Anno. Reg. 48. of the King should be deliuered the keeping of the Barons the Prouisions of Oxford should bee inuiolably obserued All strangers by a certaine time should auoide the Kingdome except such as by a generall consent should be held faithfull and profitable for the same Here was a little pause which seemes was but a breathing for a greater rage The Prince had fortified Windsor Castle victualled and therein placed strangers to defend it and himselfe marches to the towne of Bristow where in a contention between the Cittizens and his people being put to the worse hee seends for the Bishop of Worcester an especiall partaker of the Barons to protect conduct him back When he comes neare Windsor he gets into the Castle which the Earle of Leicester was going to besiege being about Kingston the Prince meets him to treat of peace which the Earle refuses and laies siege to the Castle which was rendred vnto him the strangers turned out sent home into France The King to get time conuokes another Parlement at London wherein hee wonne many Lords to take his part with them the Prince Richard Earle of Cornwall Henry 19 Parlement held at London his sonne William Valence with the rest of his brethren lately returned hee marches to Oxford whither diuerse Lords of Scotland repaire to him as Iohn Comin Iohn Baliol Lord of Galloway Robert Bruce and others with many Barons of the
to palliat a wrong did but the more discouer it Within 5 daies after was he crowned at West by Walter Archbishop of Canterbury at which solemnity the Q. made shew of great sorrow hevinesse but being after pacified by the inlargement of her Ioynture which tooke vp three parts of the Kings revenewes she beganne to be of better cheere Twelue especiall The Queene hath her ioynture inlarged Twelue especiall men chosen for the government men are here appointed to manage the affaires of the Kingdome till the King were of fit yeeres to governe of himselfe the Arch-bishops of Canterbury and Yorke the Bishops of Winchester Hereford and Worcester Thomas Brotherton Earle Mareschall Edmond Earle of Kent Iohn Earle Warrein Thomas Lord Wake Henry Lord Percie Oliver Lord Ingham and Iohn Lord Rose but the Queene and Roger Lord Mortimer vsurped this charge and tooke all tooke all wholy to themselues And to busie the present and An expedition into Scotland vphold this Change an expedition instantly is vndertaken for Scotland wherein those strangers still retained which the Queene brought over with her are imployed vnder the conduct of the Lord Iohn Beaumont brother to the Earle of Haynault and at Yorke the whole Army were to meete where the English being not all of a party quarrell with those strangers and so great a conflict arose betweene them as cost some bloud and was hardly appeased an ill presage of that iourney At Stanhop Parke the English Army incounter the Scottish and though the English were thrice greater and might easily haue vanquished them yet by the treason of some great men as it was bruited they escaped all away and nothing was done so The Scots retyre from Stanhope Parke â—â— nothing done that the yong King borne for victories was deprived the honour of his first action which yet being not conducted by his own Spirit was held more dishonorable to others then to him Vpon their returne all the Hannowayes and Stipendaries are sent home into their own Countries During this businesse the deposed King remaines prisoner at Killingworth with the allowance of 100 markes a month for his expences deprived of all those comforts the world should yeeld him His wife whom he loved though now the author of all his misery sends vnto him letters and apparell but excuses her comming as being not permitted by the State Neither was he thought safe enough where hee was nor so straitly lookt unto as they desired to haue him being in the custody of his Vnckle the Earle of Lancaster And therefore they commit him to other guardians and men of the most rough Natures could be found the Lord Matrevers and Thomas Borrney who from thence removed him to the Castle of Berckley in Glocestershire where long hee The miserable estate of the imprisoned King staid not but was conveyed to Corfe Castle and thence to other places vp and downe to beguile and disappoint his friends by the vncertainety of his being if any plot were laid which they doubted to restore him Besides to disguise him the more and that hee might not be easily knowne they shaue his Head and Beard which as a servant of his Sir Thomas de la More a Knight of Glocestershire reports who wrote his life was done in the open fields by the commandement of Gourney who most barbarously caused the miserable King to sit on a Mole-hill whilst the Barbor shaved him and to take cold water out of a ditch to wash him withall which the patient King saith this Reporter seeing told them That yet in despight of them he would haue warms water at his Barbing and therewithall shed aboundance of teares Other vile reproches this savage Iaylor put vpon his annointed Soveraigne as here-conveyed him backe to Berckley He is murthered at Berkley Castle Castle where shortly after he and Matrevers caused him to be murthered in a most hideous manner by thrusting vp a hot Iron into his bowels thorow an hollow instrument whereby no outward Note might appeare to bewray how hee came by his death For the body being after laid forth and vewed by many substantiall Citizens of Bristoll and Glocester called thither for that purpose they could finde no signe either of wound or poyson so that their Evidence confirmed the report that was given out how he died of extreme greife This was the end of Edward the 2 within eight months after his deposing The deed-doers Matrevers and Gourney though they had commission and great hopes giuen them to do as they did yet being by those who were ashamed to avow it they durst not abide the triall but as Fugitiues fled presently their Countrey Gourney three yeeres after was taken at Merseilles and murthered on the Sea before he came to England that hee might tell no tales who set him on work But this was not all the bloud this deed cost the iudgement of God fell heavily not onely vpon the great contrivers but even vpon the whole Kingdome and what the yssue of this present Prince whose throne though without his guilt was thus set vp on his fathers bloud sustained in after times the many imbrued Scaffolds the divers bloudy fields the infinite slaughters in the civill discord of their divided families which the consumed race of the most part of all this present Nobility will testifie But now for the present the authors of this change vse all meanes to increase and fortifie their owne fortunes whilst the State in generall receiues no great satisfaction thereby Mens expectations are not answered in that manner as they were conceived The Queene mother and her Minion Mortimer lately created Earle of the Marches of Wales guide all and all that is not well done or amisse in the Governement is now attributed to them and their councell So that discontentments in gender new Factions according to the Nature of turbulent times The Kings marriage with Phillippa of Haynault is solemnized and a Parlement is 1328. Anno. Reg. 2. held at Northampton where a dishonourable peace is concluded with the Scots and confirmed by a match between David Bruce Prince of Scotland sonne to Robert Bruce and Ioane sister to the King of England which match by reason of the tender age of the Prince being but seven yeare old could promise little good Besides by the secret working of the Queene Mother the Earle of March and Sir Iames Douglasse The King surrenders by his Charter his Title of Soveraignety to the Kingdome of Scotland A Parlement at North. restores divers Deeds and instruments of their former Homages and Fealties with the famous Euidence called the Ragman Roole and many ancient Iewels and Monuments among st which was the Blacke Crosse of Scotland c. Moreover any Englishman is prohibited to hold Lands in Scotland vnlesse he dwelt there In consideration whereof King Bruce was to pay 30 thousand Markes Shortly after another Parlement is held at Winchester A dishonorable peace made with Scotl. where
though with much valour leauing behinde him but the fame of a Rebell after hee had serued the English about six yeares King Edward shortly after these supplyes sent into Brittaine goes himselfe in person with more and lying before Vannes lately recouered by the French Iohn Duke of Normandy eldest sonne to the French King sent to ayde Charles de Bloys with an Army of forty thousand came to giue him battaile and being vpon the point of incounter a mediation of truce is made by two Cardinalls sent from Pope Clement the fixt and concluded for three yeares vpon many conditions with a reference to the Pope and the Court of Rome to heare and examine the differences betwixt the two kingdoms but not to determine them without the consent of both Kings This pause againe giues them more time to worke for greater woundes and nothing is left vnpractised that might aduance the same And though the people now seemed to put off their Armour they left not off armes but had diuerse bickrings both in Brittaine and Gascony for which either side accused other King Edward returning makes an expeditiō into Scotland against K. Dauid whom he chased into the Ilands And here the Isle of Man is conquered by William Montacut Earle of Salisbury whom king Edward caused to be stiled King thereof and returning backe solemne Turneaments are held at Dunstable where hee is attended with 230. Knights For now all the pastime and exercise in England were Iustes and Turneaments held in Smithfield Winsor and other places A society of Knights of the Round table in imitation of King Arthur is designed a magnificent Chamber of 200. foot round erected for the same at Winsor and to this society many strangers of other Coūtries are allured The French K. also practises the like martial association in France Reg. 17 An. 1343. And about this time began the order of the Garter instituted at Winsor vpon a solemne feast there celebrated which held for many dayes and serued that time as an The institutio of the Order of the Garter Embleme of a tye and combinement in honour of such as were admitted thereunto which was the end of the constitution thereof Howsoeuer the Garter of the Countesse of Salisbury taken vp by the King in dancing with her was saide to haue beene the occasion But it were some derogation to that noble institution to impute the originall thereof to an act of Leuitie seeing with what a graue and religious ceremony it is performed Although we see oftentimes accidents of little consequence giue beginnings to things of great estimation which time makes venerable But besides these exercises of Armes this great and prouident King during this truce takes especiall care for the Gouernment of the Kingdome and reformation of the abuses thereof which daily grow as diseases in full bodies and must of necessity haue sometimes their cure otherwise there will be no health in a State A Parliament is called at Westminster wherein vpon the grieuons complaint exhibited by the Earles The Nobility write to the Pope concerning his collation of Benifices in England Barons Knights and Burgesses against the collation of Benifices on strangers a letter was sent to Pope Clement 6. in humble manner beseeching him to consider how inconuenient and derogatory it was to the state of the Kingdome of England that such reseruations prouisions and collations of Benifices as had beene formerly vsed should in such sort be continued For that the Churches of England had in times past bene indowed by noble and worthy persons to the end the people might be instructed by such as were of their owne language and how by the vsurpation of some of his Predicessors strangers and sometimes enemies to the Realme were preferred to many of them whereby the money and profits were transported the Cures vnfurnished almes and Hospitality vnused the edifices ruinated the charity and deuotion of the people deminished and many other grieuous inormities contrary to the will of the Founders occasioned which they could not suffer any longer and therefore besought his Holinesse wholly to reuoke such reseruations prouisions and collations that meete and natiue persons might exercise those Cures and without delay to signifie his intention therein otherwise they meant to imploy their dilligence that remedy and redresse might be had according to reason The date of these Letters was in full Parliament at Westminister the 28. of May 1343 with which were like wise sent the Kings letters to the same effect by Sir Iohn Shordich a graue person and of great vnderstanding in the Law whose message made Sir Iohn Shordich sent with these Letters him so vnwelcome to that Court as hee departed without leaue or answer which though the Pope afterward sent yet the King proceeded to the prohibition of all such prouisions collations within his Realme on paine of imprisonment or death to whom soeuer should in time to come present or admit any such person or persons who by the Pope were so preferred to the preiudice of the Kings royall prerogatiue And to this effect were Writs directed to all Arch-bishops Bishops others to whom it appertained inhibiting them in no wise to attempt any thing preiudial to this ordinance Here is the Arch-bishop Stratford with much adoe vpon his submission reconciled The Arch-bishop of Canterbury reconciled to the Kings fauour And much debating there is in this Parliament concerning Wools and the asseasement of certaine prices vpon the same more or lesse according to the seuerall parts of the Realme and concerning customes to be imposed on them as at three Markes and a halfe vpon the transportation of euery sacke but it seemes nothing was done in this businesse Ptince Edward about the age of 13 is created Prince of Wales and Commissioners Prince Edward created Prince of Wales are appointed to be sent to the Pope to treate of Peace betweene the two Kings according to the Articles concluded in the truce which were Iohn Bishop of Excester Henry de Lancaster Earle of Derby Hughle Dispensier Lord of Glamorgan Cousins to the King Rauph Lord Stafford with others The next yeare after another Parliament or the same proroged is held at London Reg. 18. An. 1344. wherin after much altercation a tenth was granted by the Clergie and a fifteenth by the Laytie for one yeate and a certaine Coyne of gold called the Floren of base alloy which had beene for the warres in Fraunce is decryed and Nobles of finer coyned to A Parliament the great liking of the subiects And for their better commodity the exchange of moneys at London Canterbury and Yorke is ordained Shortly after generall Musters are taken throughout the Kingdom and Certificate made of all sufficient and able Bowmen Generall musters and appointing of Armor and of all others fit to beare Armes Besides a Commission is sent into euery countrey to inquire of mens abilities and all of fiue pounds to teu
know not and thither the Duke himselfe brings Prince Richard of the age of 11. yeeres places him in the Kings Seat and taught him to Iohn Sow demaund a Subsidie Which was two Tenths to be payd in one yeere Or twelue The Prince motions a Subsidie in diuers kinds pence in the pound of all Marchandizes sold for one yeere and one pound of siluer for euery Knights Fee and of euery Fire-house one penie And this Demaund the Duke earnestly vrges Saying one of them ought of necessitie to be granted in regard the Enemie proclayming Warre purposed to inuade the Realme The Knights of the Parliament whom the Duke they sayd had by practise made The Parliament diuided and put by all of the last Assembly except twelue which he could not alter require respite to answere a day is appointed The maior part make choyce of one Hungerford a Creature of the Dukes to deliuer their answere The other would haue Sir Peter Dela Mare to be inlarged and deliuer theirs and also answere to what could be obiected against him before the Lords in Parliament and thereto submit himselfe Then the Duke demaunds ayd of the Bishops They refuse to treate therein without their Brother the Bishop of Winchester prohibited from comming to the Parliament Now there fell out an Accident that besides gaue interruption to this businesse A certaine Divine named Iohn Wicliff depriued by the Arch-bishop of Canterbuie of a benefice in Oxford which hee was found vniustly to holde had heretofore being discontented the humour that commonly breeds Scisme inueighed in his Sermons A dissention about Iohn Wicliffe and other actes in the Schooles against the abuses of Church-men Monkes and other religious orders which were not then so free from scandall but might well be taxed and had by his doctrine there and in London wonne many Disciples vnto him who after were called Lollards professing pouerty going bare-footed and poorely clad in russet which made them as extreames are the more noted and get passage into the opinion of the people apt to imbrace nouelties and vsually beguiled by disguises in regarde they rather belieue then iudge Amongst other his Doctrines he taught that neither King or other Secular Lord could giue any His doctrine thing in Perpetuitie vnto Church-men and that Temporall Lords if they neede might lawfully take the goods of such religious persons to relieue them in their necessities by the example of William Rufus c. A doctrine very pleasing to great men who commonly imbrace Sects either for ambition to get or for iealousie not to lose or for hatred to reuenge This man the Duke of Lancaster and Sir Henry Percy much fauour and cherishe The Duke of Lancaster fauours Wicliffe and why extolling him both for his learning and integrity of life which made him so farre presume as hee daily in one Church or other published his opinions without feare whereupon at length hee is cited to answere before the Archbishop the Bishop of London and others in Paules At the day appointed the Duke of Lancaster and the Lord Marshall goe to conduct him by the way hee is animated by his followers not to feare the Bishops and entring into Paules the presse is so great as hardly any passage could be made whereupon the Marshall vsing some violence thrust in vpon the people which Courtney Bishop of London prohibited him to doe saying The conuention of Wicliffe before the Bishops in Pauls If he had knowne he would haue behaued himselfe so in that place hee should not haue come into the Church The Duke hearing these wordes angerly replyed That the Marshall should execute his authority whether hee would or not When they were come to our Ladies Chappell the Duke and Barons with the Bishops sitting downe Iohn Wicliffe sent for in by the Lord Marshall was by him likewise willed to sit downe in regard hee sayd the man had much to answere and needed a conuenient seat The Bishop of London tolde him it was against all law and reason that hee who was there cited before his Ordinary should sit hereupon contumelious wordes arose betweene the Lord Marshall and the Bishop the Duke takes the Marshals part and sharply reprehended the Bishop the Bishop returnes the like to the Duke who in great rage seeing hee could not preuayle swore hee would pull downe the pride of him and all the Bishops of England You trust sayd hee in your Parents but they can profit you nothing I trust not in my Parents said the Bishop nor in any man liuing but in God in whom I ought to trust The Duke as if whispering in his eare tolde him hee had rather pull him out of the Church by the hayre of the head then suffer these indignities which wordes the Londoners ouer-hearing swore with a lowde voyce they would rather lose their liues then suffer their Bishop to bee thus iniuriously vsed and threatened to bee pulled out off The Citizens of London take their Bishops part his owne Church Their fury was the more incensed against the Duke for that the day before in the Parliament whereof hee was president it was required in the Kings name that from thence forth there should bee no more a Mayor of London but a Captaine appoynted for the gouernment of the City and that the Lord Marshall of England should arrest offenders within the Liberties as in other places About this businesse and this wrong offered to their Bishop the Citizens assembling The Citizens in vprore the morrow after to consult amongst themselues it happened the Lord Fitzwater and Guido Brian came into the City which the people seeing furiously ranne vpon them and were like to beate them downe for comming vnsent for at that time The Lord Fitzwater protested hee came for no other end but to offer his setuice to the City being by inheritance their Standard-bearer and was to take iniuries offered to them as to himselfe and therefore willed them to looke to their defence Whereupon they presently take Armes assayle the Marshals Inne breake open the gates brought forth a prisoner in his Gyues and let him at liberty but found not the Lord Marshall who with the Duke that day were to dine with one Iohn de Ypres Thence thus surious multitude ran to assayle the Sauoy which a Knight of the Dukes seeing hastes to the place whsre his Master dyned and acquaintes him with this vp-roare in the Citie The Duke leaps from the Table so hastily that hee hurt The Duke of Lancasier in danger slees to the Princesse both his shinnes in the Fourme and with Sir Henry Percie alone takes boar and away he gets to Kennington neere Lambeth where the Princesse with the young Prince lay to whom he complaines of this Ryot and the violence offered him In the meane time the multitude comming to the Sauoy a priest inquisitiue to know the busines was answered They went to take the Duke and the Lord Mashall and
in their pupillage besides the reproach of his birth which though his honour and vertue might get ouer yet lay it euer a barre in his way and hindred his standing cleere stood he neuer so high The Nobles of Normandie soone after his fathers death by much intreaty got him out of the French Kings hands thinking the hauing him amongst them would adde more to his Counsellors and such as were in office and the State of of a Court awe his State the better But soone they found the hauing his person without his power was but to put them out into more discord and faction For presently followed the murthering and poysoning of Gouernors displacing Officers intrusion supplantation surprizings and recouerings of his person by a Nobilitie stubborne haughtie and incompatible of each others precedencie or neerenesse But this was the least as being done all for his person Now followed more daungerous practises against him His right was quarrelled by competitors cleere in bloud and great in meanes Whereof the first though farthest off in discent was Roger de Tresny bringing a faire line from Roule and much proofe of his owne worth by hauing gotten great experience in the Sarazine warre in Spaine whereby vpon his returne entertayning and feasting the great and especiall men of worth hee was growen powerfull well followed and beloued of many in so much that at length measuring his owne heigth hee vrges What wrong it was that a Bastard and a Childe should bee preferred before him in the succession of the Dutchie his Auncestors had noblie gotten and what a shame the Normans a people of that worth would indure to bee so gouerned seeing they had others of the renowned race of Roule William and Richard Dukes of Normandie of a lawfull and direct line if they held him vnworthie to inherite the State And being impatient as is ambition that euer rides without raines of any long delay brings his claime to a strong battaile in the field which by the valiancie of Roger de Beaumount was vtterly defeited and himselfe with his two brethren slaine Whereby all feare that way was extinquished and the reputation of the Duke and his so much aduanced as the King of France notwithstanding his tutelarie charge tooke from him the Castle of Thuilliers and demolisht it pretending the insolencies committed there by the Garrisons vpon his subiects and makes shew as yet onely to keepe things euen But long it was not ere hee plainely bewrayed his minde aiding in person William Earle of Arques brother to Duke Robert and sonne to Richard the Second making his claime to the Dutchie brings a mightie army to succour Arques assieged by Conte Guiffard the Dukes Generall who by a stratagem so trayned the French into an ambush as hee ouerthrew their whole power and returnes the King to Paris with great losse and dishonor leauing Arques the first Arch of triumph to this Conquerour not yet ariued to seuenteene yeares of age and the discomfeited competitor to seeke his fortunes with Eustace Earle of Bologne finding vpon his returne little grace in Court where fortune euer alters credite and few regard men ouerthrowne This storme ouerpast another succeeds more dangerous there liued with Duke William a young Lord of like yeares named Guy sonne to Regnalt Earle of Borgogne and Alix daughter to Richard the second who comming to bee sensible of his interest was aduised by some stirring spirits to attempt for the Duchie which they said appertained to him in right and was wrongfully vsurped by the Bastard And to aduance his purpose there happens deadly hostility betweene two of the greatest Lords of Normandie Viconte Neele and the Earle of Bessin whose debate Duke William did not or could not pacifie This Guy lately made Earle of Bryorn and Vernon interposed himselfe to compose this discord and by the aduice of Grimoult de Plessis a principall mouer in this worke so wrought that either of these Lords turned the point of their malice vpon him who in their quarrell fauouring neither made both to hate him and easily conspire with Guy to murther him at vnawares which they had done had not a certaine Foole whom for being held a naturall they suspected not noting their preparations got away in the dead of the night to Valogne knocking and crying at the gate till hee was admitted to the Dukes presence whom he willed in hast to flie or he would bee murthered The Duke seeing the Foole in this affright thought dangers were not to be weighed by the A Conspiracie discouered strangely worth of the reporter but by their likelyhood and knowing his fortune was liable vnto all suddaine assasinations instantly takes horse and all alone postes to Fallaise his especiall place of strength on the way his horse being tyred about breake of daie he comes to a little village called Rye where by good fortune the gentleman of the place was standing at his doore readie to goe abrode of whom the Duke enquires the next way to Fallaise The Gentleman perceiuing who hee was though as then very vnwilling to be knowne humblie craues the cause of his so strange and vntimely riding alone The Duke seeing himselfe discouered tels the occasion the gentleman whose name was Robert de Rye furnishes him with a fresh horse and sends two of his sonnes to conduct him the neerest way to Fallaise No sooner was he gone out of sight but after post the conspirators enquiring of the same Gentleman whether hee saw the Duke who answered that hee was gone a little before such a way shewing them a diuers path and rode on with them offering his seruice to Conte Bessin where they made themselues so powerfull as the Duke withdrew him to Roan and from thence to the King of France to craue his aide putting him in minde of the faithfull seruice his father had done him how he was his homager vnder his tutelarie charge and had no other sanctuary of succour to flie vnto in this case of his mutinous and turbulent Nobilitie the effect whereof was of dangerous consequence to that Crowne And so farre vrged the importancie of reliefe as the King at length who seemes was yet content to haue him bee though not too strong and peraduenture rather him then his competitor Guy de Burgogne aided him in person with a puissant Army against these competitors whom they found in the vale of Dunes with as great power and resolution to bid them battaile as they to assaile them Here one Guilleson Vncle to Viconte Neel by the mother forced his horse into the battailion of the French and made at the King and strake him downe with his Launce which Conte Saint Paule perceiuing hastes to incounter him with that violence as both fell to the earth but Guilleson soone gets vp and though his horse was slaine vnder him by Chastillon hee escapes out of the presse and after fled into Apulia with others The King recouered and more inkindled with this affront spared not
of his mother Maude who was daughter to Waltheof Earle of Huntingdon and of Iudith Neece to William the first by whose guift hee had that Earledome and was the sonne of Syward Earle of Northumberland And for this the Prince of Scotland tooke his Oath of fealty to King Stephen which the father refused to doe as hauing first sworne to Maude the Empresse Though otherwise hee might bee indifferent in respect that Stephen had married likewise his Neece which was Maude daughter to the Earle of Bologne and of Mary Sister to this King Dauid who by this meane was Vncle both to Maude the Queene and Maude the Empresse The King returning from this voyage found some defection of his Nobilitie which presently put him into another action that intertayned him sometime After which hee falls daungerously sicke in so much as hee was noysed to bee dead by which sickenesse hee lost more then his health For his friends put in daunger thereby cast to seeke another partie to beare them vp it wakended Aniou and sets him on to surprize certaine peeces in Normandie to prepare for the recouerie of his wiues right and made all this Kingdome wauer Thus was his first yeare spent which shewed how the rest of eighteene would proue wherein wee are to haue no other representations But of reuolts beseeging of Castles surprizings recouerings loosings againe with great spoyles and destruction in briefe a most miserable face of a distracted State that can yeeld vs no other notes of instruction but such as are generall in all times of like disposition and therefore herein wee may the better forbeate the rehersall of manie particulars being all vnder one head of action and like Nature The King hauing recouered would make the world know he was aliue and presently 1137. Anno. Reg. 2. passes with forces into Normandie ouercame the Earle of Aniou in battaile after makes peace with him and vpon renouncing of the claime of Maude couenants to giue them 5000. markes per annum he intertaines amitie with King Louys the seuenth and causes his sonne Eustace to doe him homage for the Dutchy of Normandie wherein he was inuested besides to content his elder brother Theobald Earle of Blois hee giues him a pension of 2000 markes and so returnes againe into England to a warre against Scotland which in the meane time made incursions on this Kingdome where Robert Earle of Glocester the naturall sonne of Henry the first whilst he was held busie in worke Robert Earle of Glocester base sonne to Henry the first a man of high spirit great direction and indefatigable industry an especiall actor that performed the greatest part in these times for his sister Maude had surprized the Castle of Bristow and procured confederates to make good other peeces abroad in diuers parts as William Talbot the Castle of Hereford Paynel the Castle of Ludlow Louell that of Cary Moone the Castle of Dunstor Robert de Nichol that of Warham Eustace Fitz Iohn that of Walton and William Fitz Allan the Castle of Shrewsbury Stephen leaues the prosecution of the Scottish warres to Thurstan Archbishop of Yorke whom hee made his Lieutenant and furnished with many valiant leaders as Walter Earle of Albemarle William Peuerell of Nottingham Walter and Gilbert Lacies Himselfe brauely attended bends all his power to represse the conspirators which King Stephen represses the conspirators hee did in one expedition recouers all the Castles by reason of their distances not able to succour one another and draue the Earle of Glocester home to his sister into Aniou No lesse successe had his forces in the North against the Scots whom in a great battaile He defeited the Scots they discomfeited and put to flight which great fortunes meeting together in one yeare broughter foorth occasion of bad in that following for now presuming 1138. Anno. Reg. 3. more of himselfe he fell vpon those rockes that rent all his greatnesse He calls a Councell at Oxford where occasion was giuen to put him out with the Clergie that had onely set him into the State The Bishops vpon the permission of building Castles so out-went the Lords in magnificence strength and number of their erections and especially the Bishop of Salisbury that their greatnesse was much maligned by them putting the King in head that all these great Castles especially of Salisbury the Vies Shirburne Malmsbury and Newarke were onely to intertaine the partie of Maude whereupon the King whose feares were apt to take fire sends for the Bishop of Salisbury most suspected to Oxford The Bishop as if foreseeing the mischiefe comming to him would gladly haue put off this iourney and excused it by the debilitie of 1140. Anno. Reg. 5. his age but it would not serue his turne thither he comes where his seruants about the taking vp of lodgings quarrell with the seruants of the Earle of Brittaine and from words fall to blowes so that in the bickering one of them was slaine and the Nephew of the Earle dangerously wounded Whereupon the King sends for the Bishop to satisfie his Court for the breach of peace made by his seruants The satisfaction required was the yeelding vp the keyes of his Castles as pledges of his fealtie but that being stood vpon the Bishop with his Nephew Alexander Bishop of Lincolne were restrayned of their libertie and shortly after sent as prisoners to the Castle of the Deuises The King feizes vpon the Bishops Castles and Treasure whither the Bishop of Eley another of his Nephewes had retired himselfe before The King seizes into his hands his Castles of Salisbury Shyrburne Malmesbury and after three daies assault the Deuises was likewise rendred besides he tooke all his Treasure which amounted to forty thousand markes This action being of an extraordinary straine gaue much occasion of rumor some said The King had done well in seizing vpon these Castles it being vnfit and against the Cannons of the Church that they who were men of religion and peace should raise fortresses for warre and in that sort as might bee preiudiciall to the King Against this was the Bishop of The Popes Legat a Bishop takes part with Bishops against the King his brother Malmsburie Winchester the Popes Legat taking rather the part of his function then that of a brother saying That if the Bishops had transgressed it was not the King but the Cannons that must iudge it that they ought not to bee depriued of their possessions without a publique Ecclesiasticall Counsell that the King had not done it out of the zeale of iustice but for his owne benefit taking away that which had beene built vpon the Lands and by the charge of the Church to put it into the hands of Lay men little affected to religion And therefore to the end the power of the Cannons might bee examined hee appoints a Counsell to bee called at Winchester whither the King is summoned and thither repaire most of all the Bishops of the
of Power that the Kingdome may not miscarie for want of a Ruler I haue called you all hither by the power of my Legation Yesterday the cause was mooued in secret to the greatest part of the Clergie to whom the right appertaines to elect and ordaine a Prince And therefore after hauing inuoked as it is meete the Diuine aide Wee elect for Queene of England the daughter of the peacefull glorious rich good and in our time the incomparable King and to her wee promise our faith and allegiance When all who were present either modestly gaue their voyce or by their silence contradicted it the Legat addes The Londoners who are in respect of the greatnesse of their City as among the optimacie of England we haue by our messengers summoned and I trust they will not stay beyond this day tomorrow we will expect them The Londoners came were brought into the Councell shewed How they were sent from the Communaltie of London not to bring contention but prayer that the King their Lord might be freed from captiuitie and the same did all the Barons receiued within their Liberties earnestly beseech of my Lord Legate and all the Clergie there present The Legat answeres them at large and loftily according to his speech the day before and added That the Londoners who were held in that degree in England ought not to take their parts who had forsaken their Lord in the warre by whose Councell the Church had beene dishonoured and who fauoured the Londoners but for their owne gaine Then stands there vp a Chaplaine to Queene Maude wife to Stephen and deliuers a letter to the Legat which he silently read and then said allowd that it was not lawfull in the assembly of so many reuerend and religious persons the same should be publikely read containing matter retrehensible The Chapline not to faile in his message boldly reades the Letter himselfe which was to this effect That the Queene earnestly intreates all the Clergie there assembled and namely the Bishop of Winchester the brother of her Lord to restore him vnto the Kingdome whom wicked men which were also his subiects held prisoner To this the Legat answeres as to the Londoners and shortly after the Councel brake vp wherein many of the Kings part were excommunicated namely William Martell an especiall man about the King who had much displeased the Legat. Hereupon a great part of England willingly accepted of Maude in whose businesses her brother Robert imployes all his diligence and best care reforming Iustice restoring the Lawes of England promising releeuements and whatsoeuer might be to winne the people the Legat seconding all his courses But now shee being at the point of obtayning the whole Kingdome all came sodainly dasht by her ouer-hautie and proud carriage and by the practise of the Londoners who adhering to the other side began openly to inueigh against her who had displeased them and they had plotted to surprize her in their Citie whereof she hauing notice secretly withdrawes herselfe accompained with her Vncle Dauid King of Scots who was come to visit her and her brother Robert vnto Oxford a place of more The Legat leaues the Empresse securitie The Leagat himselfe takes or makes an occasion to bee slacke in her cause vpon her denying him a sute for his Nephew Eustaee the sonne of Stephen about the inheritance of his Earledome of Mortaine in Normandie Besides the Queene regnant watchfull ouer all oportunities found meanes to parle with the Legar Sets vpon him with her teares intreatie promises and assurance for the Kings reformation in so much as shee Is intreated with teares by the Queene regnant recalled him to the affections of Nature brought him about againe to absolue such of the Kings part as he had lately excommunicated The Earle of Glocester seeing this sodaine and strange relaps of their affaires striues by all meanes to hold vp Opinion and re-quicken the Legats dispofition which to keepe sound was all He brings the Empresse to Winchester setles her and her guard in the Castle where she desires to speake with the Legat who first delayes then denies The Empresse besieged at Oxford the Earle of Glocester taken prisoner to come Whereupon they call their best friends about them Queene Maude and the Lords incompasse the Towne and cut off all victuall from the Empresse so that in the end the Earle of Glocester wrought meanes to haue her conueyd from thence to the Vies but himselfe was taken and in him most of her This sets the sides both euen againe into the Lists of ther triall the two prisoners are to redeeme each other The disproportion of the quality betweene them shewed yet there was an euennesse of power and the Earle would not consent to the Kings deliuery who onely in that was to haue the precedence but vpon most secure cautions The Archbishop of Canterbury and the Legate vndertooke to yeeld themselues prisoners for him if the King released him not according to his promise But that would not serue the turne till they both had written their Briefes to the Pope to intimate the course that was taken herein and deliuered the same vnto him vnder their hands and seales So that if the King should as he might not care to hold the Bishops in prison yet the Pope if hard measure were offred might releeue them Which shewes the aduantage of credit in the businesse lay on this side and the King was to haue his fetters though at liberty The Queene and Eustace her sonne the Prince vpon the inlargement of Stephen 1142. Anno. Reg. 7. remaine pledges in the Castle of Bristow till the Earle were released which was done vpon the Kings comming to Winchester Where the Earle in familiar conference was by all art possible solicited to forsake the partie of Maude with promise of all preferments of honour and estate but nothing could mooue him being fixt to his courses and rather would hee haue beene content to remaine a perpetuall prisoner then that Stephen should haue beene released had not his sister wrought him to this conclusion The Legat after this calls a Councell at London where the Popes letters written vnto him are openly read which argue him but mildly of some neglect of his brothers Vide Append. releasing and exhort him to vse all meanes Ecclesiasticall and Secular to set him at libertie The King himselfe came into the councell complaines How his subiects to whom King Stephens complaint hee had neuer denied Iustice had taken him and reproachfully afflicted him euen to death The Legate with great eloquence labours to excuse his owne courses alledging How hee receiued not the Empresse by his will but necessitie that presently vpon the Kings ouerthrow whilest the Lords were either fled or stood in suspence attending the euent shee and her people came thundring to the walles of Winchester and that what pact soeuer hee had made with her for the right of the Church shee
before yet within their owne circle they held their owne iurisdiction and immunities and had since both by the Law ciuill warres and the occasion of forraine affaires much inlarged them So that any restriction or diminution of the powre they had could not but touch vaines that were very sensible in that part especially by reason of the vniuersall participation of the Spirit that fed them and therefore could not bee but a businesse of much trouble The King conuokes a Councell at Westminster and there first propounds to haue A Parliament at Westminster it enacted That all such of the Clergie as should bee taken and conuicted for any heinous offence should loose the priuiledge of the Church and bee deliuered to the ciuill Magestrate to be punished 1163. Anno. Reg. 9. for their offences as other the Kings subiects were For if after Spirituall punishment no secular correction should bee vsed there would bee no sufficient meanes to restraine them from doing mischiefe seeing it was not likely such men would much care for their degrading and losse of Order whom the Conscience of their calling did not hold in awe The Archbishop and his suffragans with the rest of the Bishops shewed the King how they were not to yeeld to any such Act being against the liberties of the Church which himselfe had sworne to defend and maintaine and therefore humbly besought him that hee would not vrge auything to the preiudice of their iurisdiction and such immunities as they had hitherto enioyed both vnder him and his Noble Progenitors The King not liking this aunswere demaunds Whether they would submit themselues to the Lawes and Customes which the Archbishops and Bishops in the time of his grandfather Henry the first did obserue they answered they would their Order the honour of God and holy Church in all things saued with which reseruation the King grew more displeased the Parliament brake vp and nothing effected at that time for hee saw the Bishops fast to themselues and the more by the animation of the Archbishop of Canterbury whom hee thought in regard of all those his graces bestowed on him to haue found more yeelding to his courses and therefore his indignation was most against him and because hee would make him see what the displeasure of so mightie a King was who could as well cast downe as aduance First denies him accesse then takes from him what hee could possibly countenances all such as were his opposites his businesses in any the Kings Courts goe against him the Earle of Clare is supported in a contestation hee had with him about his homage for the Castle of Tunbridge and preuailes nothing is left vndone that might bee thought to humble him And besides the King wrought so As hee vnties the knot gaines first the Archbishop of Yorke the ancient Competitor with Canterbury in dignity and after the Bishops of Lincolne Hereford and the especiall Prelates and seperates them both from the counsell and company of the Archbishop Becket Notice of this iarre being giuen abroad a Messenger is sent from the Pope and all the Cardinalls to reconcile it and to charge the Archbishop to make peace with his Lord the King and promise to obserue his Lawes without exception The Archbishop pressed with this message and the aduice of many great men repaires to the King at Woodstooke and there promises in good faith without any euell meaning to obserue the Kings Lawes so farre foorth as was required The King supposing now things better prepared for his purpose then before A Parliament at Clarendon calls a generall Assembly of the Bishops and Nobilitie at Clarendon where Iohn of Oxford the Kings Clerke was President of the Councell and a charge is 1164. Anno. Reg. 10. giuen from the King That they should call to memorie the Lawes of his Grand-father Henrie the first and to reduce them into writing which beeing done hee willed the Arch-bishoppe and Bishops to set their Seales thereunto Which when the rest were content to do The Arch-bishop Becket refused Yet at length by the perswasion of the Bishops vrging him to satisfie the Kings pleasure and appease his wrath in regard of his present danger which by the rushing vp and downe of the Kings seruants with threatning countenances they suspected themselues likely to fall The Arch-bishop Becket takes his oath to obserue the Kings lawes into He tooke his Oath to obserue the Kings Lawes without any reseruation And for the writing desired to haue a copy as if better to aduise thereof And taking it into his hand he turnes to the Clergie and sayd Brethren stand fast you see the malice of the King and of whom we are to beware So the Councell ended but not the Kings displeasure against the Arch-bishop whom onely he found durst beare vp against his power the rest all yeelding thereunto The king vseth all meanes to vex the Archbishop unto And therefore proceedes he by all meanes to vexe and disgrace him and to aduance his Concurrent the Arch-bishop of Yorke whom he solicites the Pope by his Agents Iohn of Oxford and Geffery Riddle to make his Legat of all England Which the Pope forewarned acquainted with this busines refused to do yet at the petition of those Agents granted that Legation to the King himselfe but so as he should do nothing to grieue the Archbishop which the King tooke as a great indignity and sent backe his Agents with the Popes Graunt The Arch-bishop Becket after his oath at Clarendon so repented as he suspended himselfe The Arch-bishop repents him of his oath from the seruice of the Altar and did sharpe penance till he had obtained absolution from the Pope Which vpon his information of the case was sent him After this as some write he attempts to depart out of the Kingdome contrary to a law made at Clarendon forbidding Arch-bishops Bishops and other Persons to depart out of the Realme without the Kings leaue Which although they obtained yet were notwithstanding to secure the King neither in their going returning or staying there to practise any thing preiudicious to his State or Person But being by contrary winds brought backe he more exasperates the King against him After this he is summoned to an Assembly at Northampton holden about the ratification of the Acts of Clarendon where to dispight him the more the Kings horses A Parliament at Northampton are placed in his Inne And there First had he a Case adiudged against him concerning a Mannor for which one Iohn the Kings Marshall contended with him in Law and besides the losse of the Mannor was cast in arrerages fiue hundreth Markes which the King was sayd to haue lent him but he alledged how it was giuen yet because he confessed the receit and could not prooue the gift he was condemned to pay it Then was he called to render an accompt to the King of all such receipts as in the time of his Chanceller ship he
an euent For hauing taken vp by the way three Gallies to conduct him to Ragusa for three hundred Markes of Siluer disguised vnder the names of Pilgtimes hee was by his lauish expences discouered to bee the His discouery King of England which note once taken it was impossible for him to lay anie couering thereon that could euer hide him more though vpon warning thereof he presently left all his company and with one man onely takes horse and through all the daungers of a wilde desart and rocky Country trauayling day and night passes into Austrich where Fame that was a speedier post then himselfe was before him And comming to a Village nere to Viena and reposing himselfe in a poore hosterie was taken a sleepe by meanes of his companion going forth to prouide necessaries for him King Richard taken prisoner who as hee was changing money was knowne taken and brought before the Duke of Austrich and vpon examination confessed where his maister was of which prise the Duke was most ioyfull in respect of his reuenge for the disgrace hee did him at the entring of Acon and presently sends him to the Emperour Henry the sixt whom likewise he had offended for ayding Tancredi the base sonne of Roger in the vsurpation of the Crowne of Sicilia against Constantia the lawfull daughter of the same Roger whom this Emperour had married Newes hereof is presently sent by the Emperour to the King of France that he might likewise reioyce at this fortune and hee tells him That now the Enemy of his Empire and the disturber of the Kingdome of France was fast in holde and all the manner how The State of England is likewise soone certified of this heauie disaster and great meanes is made to redeeme their King out of captiuitie who is sayd to haue borne his fortune with that magnanimitie and so cleered himselfe of the scandalls layd on him for the death of Conrade the Emperours kinsman other his actions in the East in such sort as he won the affection of the Emperor so that he professed a great desire to restore him and reconcile him to the King of France But yet wee finde That King Richard deposed King Richard deposed himselfe of the kingdome of England himselfe of the Kingdome of England and deliuered the same to the Emperour as his supreame Lord and inuested him therein by the deliuering vp his hat whch the Emperour returned vnto him in the presence of the Nobility of Germany and England to hold this Kingdom from him for 50 thousand pounds sterling to be payed as an annuall tribute And yet notwithstanding all this the King of France combining with the Earle Iohn preuailed so much with the Emperour as hee held him his prisoner a whole yeare and sixe weekes through their offer of mighty summes they made vnto him For he and the Earle Iohn fully accounted that he should haue beene held a perpetuall prisoner and vpon that reckning the Earle Iohn did his homage to the King of France for the Dutchy Earle Iohn doth homage to the King of France for Normandy of Normandy and all the rest of those transmarine territories and for England as it is sayd and besides resignes vnto him Gisors with the Country of Vexin sweares to marry his sister Alice and to bee diuorsed from his other Wise the Daughter of the Earle of Glocester The King of France couenants to giue him with his sister that part of Flanders which hee had taken from that Eareldome and sweares to ayde him in the attayning both of England and whatsoeuer else the Lands of his brother Then goes the Earle Iohn ouer into England carrying many strangers with him and presently the Castles of Wallingford and Windsor are rendred vnto him then comes hee to London and requires of the Archbishop of Rouen and other the Commissioners the Kingdome of England and that fealty bee made vnto him affirming his brother was dead but they not giuing credit vnto him and denying his desire with rage and strong hand hee fortifies his Castles and in hostile manner inuades the Lands of his brother finding many partakers to ioyne with him The Queene mother the Iustices of England and all the faithfull seruants of the King guard and defend the ports against the inuasion of the French and Flemings who in great numbers seeke to ayde the Earle Iohn and also they labour the redemption of the King whose ransome the Emperour rates at 100 thousand Marks with the finding of fiftie Gallies ready furnished and two hundred souldiers to attend his seruice in the holy warres for one yeare In Normandie the Officers and Seruants of the King of England defend with no lesse faith and courage the right of their Maister against the King of France who withall his powre labours to subdue them and by his large offers to the Emperour prolongs his redemption and inhaunces his ransome This toyle and charge is the world put into through the misfortune and weakenesse of their hardy King who onely in respect of his valour being otherwise not worth so much and the Holy worke hee vndertooke whereby hee obliged the Clergie which then managed all got the opinion and loue of his subiects in such sort as they straine euen beyond their ability to recouer and preserue him and so wrought in the end that the Emperour compounds with King Richard in this manner that hee should send his Commissioners to London and receaue an hundred thousand Markes of pure siluer of Cologne The Emperors composition with King Richard waight to be sealed vp and safely conducted to the bounds of the Empire at the perile of the King of England and other fifty thousand Markes of siluer whereof twenty thousand for the Duke of Austrich and thirty thousand for the Emperour to be payd at seauen monethes after and pledges to be giuen three score to the Emperor and seauen to the Duke Besides the King of England sweares to send his Neece the sister of Arthur Earle of Brittaine to be married to the Duke of Austrich c. And the Emperour granted to the King of England by his Charter the Soueraignty of the Prouince Vienne and Viennoys Merseilles Narbona Arls Lyons and whatsoeuer hee had in Burgogne with the Homages of the King of Arragon the Earles of Dijon and Saint Giles In which countries were fiue Archbishop-ricks thirty three Bishopricks but the Emperour could neuer haue domination ouer them nor they receaue any Lord that hee presented them So that this great gift consisted but in title which yet pleased King Richard that hee might not seeme to part with all his substance for nothing And the same wind he sends to Hubert the new Archbishop of Canterbury lately made his Vicegerent in England to be blowne ouet all the Kingdome by a letter he wrote vnto him wherein he hath these words For that sure I am you much desire our deliuerance and greatly reioyce therein we will that you be
partaker of our ioy and thought fit to signifie to your be louednesse that the Lord the Emperour hath prefixd the day thereof to be vpon Munday after the Feast of King Richards letters into England the Natiuity and the Sunday after we shall receiue theCrowne of the Kingdome of Prouince which he hath giuen vs whereof we send his Letters Patents vnto you and other our friends and well willers and doe you in the meane time as much as in you lyeth comfort those you know loue vs and desire our promotion Teste me ipso apud Spiram 22. Sep. The Emperour likewise writes to the Bishops Earles Barons and other the Subiects of England how he purposed to aduance and magnificently to honour his especiall friend their King and in this Coyne are they payd at home for what they were to lay out King Richard sends after this for his mother Queene Elionor who is still a trauailer and for the Archbishop of Rouen with many others to come vnto him about the time and businesse of his deliuerance for which There is imposed vpon euery Knights Fee twenty shillings the fourth part of all lay mens reuenues and the fourth part of all the reuenues of the Clergie with a tenth of their goods is inioyned to be payd The Chalices and treasure of all Churches are taken to make vp the summe the like is done in all his territories beyond the Seas so dearely cost the returne of this King from his Easterne voyage And this Queene Berenguela had likewise her part of affliction in this iourney for shee with her sister in law the Queene Dowager of Sicilia fearing the Emperours malice were a whole yeare in trauayling from Palestina and at length were conducted vnto Poictou The King of France hearing of this conclusion made betwixt King Richard and The King of France and Earle Iohn proffer great sums to hold King Richard prisoner the Emperour writes to the Earle Iohn how the Diuell was got loose willing him now to looke to himselfe and it vexed them exceedingly both being disappointed thus of their hopes And there vpon the Earle Iohn leauing his Castles in England well defended and incouraging his Soldiers to hold out and credit no reports departes into Normandy where he with the King of France whilest King Richard is yet in the Emperours hands solicites him with the proffer of a hundred and fifty thousand Markes or else a thousand pounds a moneth so long as he held him his prisoner But it preuayled not though it staggered the Emperour for a time who in the end shewed this letter to King Richard that he might see what care was taken for him and then deliuers him to his mother Elionor receiuing the pledges for obseruation of peace and the rest of the ransome vnpayd The Archbishop of Rouen the Bishop of Bath with the sonnes of many principall Earles and Barons And so in February King Richards returne into England one yeare and sixe weekes after his Captiuity in the fourth yeare of his raigne he returnes into England where the Bishops in whose grace especially he was had excommunicated the Earle Iohn and all his adherents and taken in his Castles of Marleborow Lancaster and a fortresse at Saint Michels mount in Cornewall defended by Henry de Pumeroy But his Castle of Nottingham though strongly assailed by Ralph Earle of Chester and the Earle Ferrers and the Castle of Tichill by the Bishop of Duresme held out for the Earle Iohn and found the King some worke to doe vpon his returne who presently without any stay otherwhere came before Nottingham Castle withall the shew of state and greatnesse he could make which yet could not so terrifie the defen dants as to make them yeeld confident either in their owne strength or in opinion that there 1193. Anno. Reg. 5. was no King euer to returne to assault them and supposiing it but a meere shew resolued to hould out for their maister which put the King to much trauayle and great expence of blood before they rendred themselues which was also vpon pardon Those of the Castell of Tichill yeelded to the Bishop of Duresme their persons and goods saued The King assembles a Parlement at Nottingham where Queene Elionor was present and sat on his right hand The first day of the Session he disserseth Girard de Canuile of A Parlament at Notingham the Castle of Lincoln and the Shriefwike of that Shire from Hugh Bardolph hee takes the Shriefwicke of Yorkshire the Castles of Yorke Scarborow and the custody of Westmerland and exposes them all to Sale The Archbishop of Yorke giues for the Shriefwicke of Yorkeshire three thousand Markes with one hundred Markes of annuall rent The second day of the Session the King requires iudgement vpon the Earle Iohn for hauing contrary to his Oath of fealty vsurped his Castles c. and contracted confederacy with the King of France against him And likewise iudgement against Hugh de Nauant Bishop of Couentry for adhering to the Earle Iohn and the Kings enemies And it was adiudged they should both appeare at a peremptory day to stand to the law Which if they did not the Earle Iohn to deserue banishment and the Bishop to vnder goe the iudgement both of the Clergie as being a Bishop and of the Layety being the Kings Shriefe But this Bishop two years after was restored to the Kings fauour and his Bishopricke for fiue thousand Markes The third day of this Session was graunted to the King of euery ploughland through out England two shillings besides the King required the third part of the seruice of euery Knights Fee for his attendance in Normandy and all the Wooll that yeare of the Monkes Cisteaux Which for that it was grieuous and insupportable vnto them they fine for money The fourth and last day was for the hearing of grieuances and accusations and so this assembly brake vp But here either to adde more Maiesty after calamity or else to nullifie his act done to the Eemperour is appointed the Kings recoronation to be solemnised Richard againe crowned at Winchester at Winchester presently vpon the Feast of Easter next following Whilest the king was in these parts William King of Scots repaires to him and required the dignities and honours his predesessors of right had in England and with all the counties of Northumberland Cumberland Westmerland and Lancaster To whom the King of England first answered that he would satisfie him by the aduice of his Councell with shortly after was assembled at Northampton where after deliberation he told him that his petition ought not in reason to be graunted at that time when almost all the Princes of France were his enemies for it would be thought rather an act of feare then any true affection and so put it off for that time with faire promises yet graunts he by the aduice and consent of the Councell vnder his Charter to William King of Scotts and his heires
his expences and debts in France he giues fiue thousand markes as if remayning The King calls his officers to accoumpt of the summe hee had promised And for the rest of the Poictouins their preferments and rewards were to be had by the displacing and spoyles of his Officers Receiuors and others whom now hee calles to accoumpt and castes for defrauding him in their offices of whom Ralph Breton treasorer of his Chamber is first who was committed to prison and grieuoulsy fined then Hubert de Burgh his chiese lusticiar a man who 1228. Anno. Reg. 13. had long ruled all vnder him in a place euer obnoxious to detraction and enuy is called to accoumpt for such treasure as passed his office which was then for all reliefes and subsidies whatsoeuer raysed on the subiect and notwithstanding he had the kings Charter for it during life yet is he thrust out of his office and besides accused of haynous crymes of treason No sooner was this great officer and inward councellor falne into the Kings displeasure but presently a whole volly of accusations which feare in time of fauour held in were discharged vpon him and euery act of his examined and vrged according to the passion of the complainers The city of London laies to his charge the execution of their citizen Constantine in the time of a ryot committed betweene their people and those of Westminster at a wrastling in Saint lames feilds Anno. Reg. 4. as done without warrant and law and craue Iustice for his bloud Hubert to auoyd this sodaine storme comming vpon him fled to the Church of Merton for Santuary whence by armed men sent to pursue him he is drawne out by force and committed to prison Of which violence done contrary to the priuiledge of that sacred place the Bishop of London in whose dioses it was complaines and so wrought that he is brought back againe to the same chappell But yet all that could not shelter him from the Kings wrath who giues strict commandement to the Shriefes of Hartford and Sussex to set a guard about the place that no sustenance be brought him Hunger inforces him to commit himselfe to the Kings mercy and away is he sent prisoner to the Vize his money left in the custody The King remoues his officers of the templars is brought forth and seazed into the Kings hands clayming that and much more as stolne out of his exchequer Stephen de Segraue is put into his office a worse minister for the common-wealth which seldome gaynes by such shiftings and who must shortly runne the same fortune Walter Bishop of Carliel is likewise thrust out of his office of Treasorer and William Rodon Knight of his place of Marshall of the kings house and all the chiefe Councellors Bishops Earles and Barons of the Kingdome are remoued as distrusted and onely strangers preferred to their roomes Peter Bishop of Winchester lately returned from the holy warres to be the author of most vnholy discord at home is charged to be the cause hereof and with him one Peter de Riuallis now the sepeciall minion about the King These straines of so strange and insufferably violences so exasperate the Nobility as many whereof Richard now Earle Marshall vpon the death of his brother William was chiefe do combine themselues for defence of the publique and boldly do shew the King his error and ill aduised course in preferring strangers about him to the disgrace and oppression The Lords combine for the publike defence against the K. of his naturall liege people contrary to their lawes and liberties and that vnlesse he would reforme this excesse whereby his crowne and Kingdome was in eminent daunger he and the rest of the nobility would withdraw themselues from his councell whervnto the Bishop of Winchester replies that it was lawfull for the King to callwhat strangers he listed about him for defence of his crowne and Kingdome thereby to compell his proud and rebellious subiects to their due obedience With which answere the Earle and the rest depart with more indignation vowing that in this cause which concerned them ail they would spend their liues Herevpon the King sodenly sends ouer for whole legions of Poictouins and withall sommons a Parliament at Oxford whether the Lords refused to come both in regard they found themselues dispised and holding it not safe by reason of those multitudes The Lords refuse to come to Parliament vpon summons of strangers Then was it decreed by the Kings Councell that they should be the second and third time sommoned to try whether they would come or not And here from the Pulpit whence the voyce of GOD and the people is vttered the King is boldly shewed the way to redresse this mischiefe of the Kingdome by one Robert Bacon a Fryer Predicant but more comically by Roger Bacon in pleasant discourse asking the king my Lord what is most nocent to Sea-men and what feared they most the King replies Seamen know that best themselues then my Lord I will tell you Petrae et Rupes alledging to Petrus de Rupibus Bishop of Winchester After this the Lords were summoned to a Parliament at Westminster whether likewise they refused to come vnles the King would remoue the Bishop of Winchester 1232. Anno. Reg. 17. and the Poictouines from the court otherwise by the Common-councell of the Kingdome they send him expresse word they would expell him and his euill councellors out of the land and deale for the creation of a new King Vpon this threatning pledges are required of the nobility to be deliuered by a certeine day for security of their alleagiance But no act passed in this Parliament though 6. Parliament though diuers Lords came thither as the Earle of Cornewall Chester Lincoln Ferrers and others in regard the Earle Marshall the Lord Gilbert Basset and other Nobles were not present Then are Writs sent out to all who held by knights seruice to repaire to the King at Glocester by a certaine day which the Earles Mareschall and his associates refusing the King without the iudgement of his court and their Peeres cause to be proclaimed outlawes seizes vpon all their lands which he giues to his Poictouines and directs out Writs to attach their bodies wheresoeuer in the kingdome The Bishop of Winchester to weaken the party of the Mareschall wonne the Eatles of Chester and Lincoln with a thousand markes and the King had so pleased his brother the Earle of Cornewall as hee likewise left them Wherevpon they withdraw them into Wales and confederat with Lewelin and other great men in that country whither also came Hubert de Burgh escaping out of the Vize Castle and ioynes with them taking their oath intermutually that no one without other should make their accord The King goes himselfe in person with an Army against these revolted Lords into Wales Where he had the worst of the busines and much dishonour returnes to Glocester The K. with an
circuit vnder pretext of Iustice to fleece the people That Robert de Passeleue had wrung from the borderers of Forests for incroachments or assarts great summes of money and therefore they wonder hee should now demaund reliefe from the impouerished commons and aduised him since his needlesse expences posquam Regni caepit esse dilapidator amounted to bee aboue 800 thousand pounds that he should pull from his fauourites inriched with this treasure of the Kingdome and reuoke the old Lands of the Crowne Then they reproue him for keeping vacant in his hands Bishoprickes and Abbayes contrarie to the liberties of the Church and his Oath made at his Coronation Lastly they all generally complaine for that the Chiefe Iusticiar Chancellor and Treasorer were not made by the Common Councell of the Kingdome according as they were in the time of his Magnificent Predecessors and as it was fit and expedient but such aduanced as followed his will in whatsoeuer tended to his gaine and sought not promotion for the good of the Kingdome but their owne The King patiently indures this reprehension in hope to obtaine his desire and giues them promises of redresse but nothing is effected after many meetings and much debate the Parliament is proroged till Midsommet following during which time they would with Patience expect how the King would beare himselfe towards them that accordingly they might obay and satisfie his desire But this delay wrought no good the King through ill Councell growes more obdurate and harsh to his people in so much as at the next Session he makes this speech Would you curbe the King your Lord at your vnciuile pleasure and impose a seruile condition The Kings speech in Parliament vpon him will you deny vnto him what euery one of you as you list may doe It is lawfull for euery one of you to vse what counsell hee will and euery maister of a famely to preferre to any office in his house whom he pleases and displace againe when he list and will you rashly deny your Lord and King to doe the like Whereas seruants ought not to iudge their Maister nor Subiects their Prince or hold them to their conditions For the seruant is not aboue his Lord nor the Disciple aboue his Maister Neither should hee bee your King but as your seruant who should so incline to your pleasures wherefore hee will neither remooue his Chiefe Iusticiar Chancellor nor Treasorer according to their motion In like manner findes hee answeres to the rest of their Articles and for the ayde he required it concern'd hee said their Right as well as his And so the Parliament brake vp in discontent The King is aduised to furnish his wants with the sale of his Plate and Iewells of the Calus An. 48. 49. Hen. 3. Beginneth first with sale of Land then of Iewels pawneth Gascoyne and after his crowne when hauing neither credit nor pawnes of his owne he layeth the ornaments and lewels of Saint Edwards Shrine giues ouer house-keeping Crowne being told that as all riuers haue reflux to the sea so all these things though sold and disperced would reuert againe vnto him and therfore it should not moue him and hauing with great losse receiued money for this ware hee inquires who had bought it answere was made the Citie of London that City said he is an vnexhaustible Gulph if Octauius treasure were to be sold they would surely buy it and therewithall inueighes against the City which had so oftne serued his turne and deuises all meanes to vexe the same causing shortly after a new faire to be kept at Westminister forbidding vnder great penaltie all exercise of Merchandize within London for 15 dayes and all other Faires in England and namely that of Ely This noueltie came to nothing the inconuenience of the place as it was then and the foulenesse of the weather brought more affliction then benefit to the Traders That Christmas also without respect of Royall Magnificence hee requires new yeares guifts of the Londoners and shortly after writes vnto them his letters imperiously deprecatorie to ayde him with money which with much grudging they doe to the summe of 20000 pounds for which the next yeare after he craues pardon of the City sending for them to Westminster Hall And not with standing his continuall taking vp of all prouisions for his house he so much lessens his hospitallity introducing 1249 Anno. Reg. 33. say they the Roman Custome of diet as was held very dishonourable and vnvsuall to the English Magnificence of Court Then whereas he could obtaine nothing of the States together he calls vnto him or writes to euery Noble man a part declaring his pouertie and how hee was bound The King requires New-yeares guifts by Charter in a debt of 30 thousand pounds to those of Burdeaux and the Gascogines who otherwise would not suffer him to depart home at his last being in France notwithstanding he required nothing but of fauour which where he found hee would returne with the like And fayling likewise herein hee addresses his letters to the Prelates where he findes as little reliefe By much importunitie and his owne presence he got of the Abbot of Ramsey 100 pounds but the Abbot of Borough had a face to refuse him the like sum Though the King told him it was more almes to giue vnto him then to a beggar that went from doore to doore the Abbot of Saint Albones yet was more kinde and gaue him 60 Markes To this lownesse did the necessity of this indigent King through his profusion decline him The Iewes euer exposed to his will feele the weight of these his wants and their Estates are continually ransackt One Abraham found a delinquent redeemes himselfe for 700 Markes Aron another Iew protests the King had since his last being in France taken from him by times 30 thousand Markes of Siluar besides hee had giuen 200 Markes in Gold to the Queene The Lords assemble againe at London and presse him with his promise made vnto 1250. Anno. Reg. 34. them that the Chiefe Iusticiar Chancellor and Treasorer might bee constituted by the generall Councell of the Kingdome but by reason of the absence of Richard Earle of Cornewall which was thought to bee of purpose they returne frustrate of their desire So that discontentment still gos on and neither side get any thing but by hard wrestings which became them both ill and shew vs the miseries of a disioynted time The King labors the Couent of Duresme to prefer his brother Athelmar to the Bishoprick the Couent refuses him in regard of his youth and insufficiency the King answeres that then he would keepe the Bishopricke 8. or 9. yeares more in his hand till his brother were of more maturity Shortly after the Bishopricke of Winchester falles voyd and thither hee sends presently his solicitors to prepare the Monkes of the Cathedrall The Kings speach to the Chapter at Winchester Church to elect his brother and
for that he would not haue also their repulse he sodainly goes thither himselfe in Person enters the Chapter house as a Bishop or Prior gets vp into the Presidents Chayre begins a Sermon and takes this text Iustice and Peace haue kissed each other and therevpon vses these words To mee and other Kings and to our Princes and Iusticiars who are to gouerne the people belong the rigor of Iudgement and Iustice to you who are men of quiet and religion peace and tranquillity and this day I heare you haue for your owne good beene fauorable to my request Iustice and Peace haue kissed each other Once I was offended with you for withstanding me in the election of William Rale your late Bishop a man I liked not but now I am friends with you for this and will both remember and reward your kindnesse As by a woman came distruction to the world so by a woman came the remedy I to satisfie my wife desirous to prefer her vnkle William Valentine disquieted and damnified you so now willing to aduance my brother by the Mother will reconcile my selfe vnto you c. And you are to consider how in this citty I was borne and in this Church Baptised Wherefore you are bound vnto me in a straighter bond of affection c. Then commends he the high birth and good parts of his Brother and what honor and benefit they should haue by electing him but concludes with some threatning So that the Monkes seeing him thus to require the Bishopricke held it in vaine to deny him and Athelmar is elected though with this reseruation if the Pope allowed thereof Shortly after followes the memorable cause of The cause of Sir H. Bath Sir Henry de Bath a Iusticiar of the Kingdome and an especiall Councellor to the King who by corruption had attayned to a mighty Estate and is said in one circuit to haue gotten 200. pound land per annum he is accused by Sir Phillip Darcy of falsehood in the 1251. Anno. Reg. 35. Kings Court and the King so incenced against him as in the Parliament about this time holden in London Proclamation is made that whosoeuer had any action or complaint against Henry de Bath should come and be heard one of his fellow Iusticiciats accused him of acquitting a malefactor for a bribe The King seeing the friends of the accused strong breakes out into rage protesting that whosoeuer would kill Hugh de Bath should be acquitted for the deed but afterward he comes pacified by the Earle of Cormwale and the Bishop of London who vrged the daunger of the time the discontentment 15 Parliament of the Kingdome aud how the proceeding in such a manner with one of his councell whom hee had vsed in so great businesse would discourage others to serue such a maister who vpon malicious accusations should so for sake them whose places were euer exposed to enuy and detraction And thereupon Sir Henry is released paying 2000 Markes and after restored to his former place and fauour The mariage of Margueret with Alexander K. of Scots solemnizedat at Yorke The King keeping his Christmas at Yorke the marriage is solemnised betweene Alexander King of Scots and Margaret his Daughter the ryot of which feast with the vaine expences of apparell the note of a diseased time is discribed by our author who amongst other things reports how the Archbishop gaue 60. fat Oxen which were spent at one meale besides that feast cost him 4000. Markes which shewes the pouerty of the Church was not so great as it was pretended to be seeing when they would shew their glory they could finde what they denyed at other times The Pope Sollicites the King to vndertake the Crosse and so doth Alphonsus King of Castile Offering to accompany him in Person to reskue the King of France Who The King of France prisoner with the Soldian hauing euen emptied his country both of Treasure and nobility was now taken prisoner by the Soldan and held in miserable captiuity A ransome collected for him in France with great vexation is by tempest cast away on the Sea other meanes are made for treasure which could not easely be had the captiue king offers to restore Normandy to the King of England so he would come to his rescue Which the nobility of France takes ill and disdaine the weakenesse of their King vpon the Popes sollicitation The King of England vnder takes the Crosse. the grant of a Tenth of the Clergy and Laytie for 3. yeares to come the king of England vndertakes the Grosse rather it seemes to get the money then with any purpose to persorme the iourny Which had it beene collected would saith Paris haue amounted to 600. thousand pound to the vtter impourishing of the Kingdome which was that they both sought but by seuerall waies for many now began to discouer that the Pope by this imbarking the Princes of Christendome in this remote and consuming warre to wast them their nobility and Kingdome was onely but to extend his owne power and domination The king by Proclamation calls the Londoners to Westminster and there causes 1252. Anno. Reg. 36. the Bishops of Worcester and Chichester to declare his intention and exhort the people to vndertake the crosse and attend him but few are moued by their perswation onely 3. knights and they of no great note are nominated whom the king presently in open view imbraces kisses and calls bretheren checking the Londoners as ignoble mercenaries for that few of them were forward in this action notwithstanding hee there takes his Oath for performing of the same and to set forth presently vpon Midsommer day next In taking this oath hee layes his right hand on his brest according to the manner of a Priest and after on the booke and kist it as a lay man A parliament about this tenth graunted by the Pope but not the people is called at London the Bishops are first delt withall as being a worke of piety to induce the rest they absolutely refuse the same then the Lords are set vpon they answere The Bishops and Lords deny the K. the Tenth granted by the Pope what the Bishops who were first to giue their voyce consented vnto they would allow the same this shufling put the King into so great rage as hee draue out all that were in his chamber as he had beene mad Then falls he to his former course to preswade them a parte sends first for the Bishop of Ely deales with him in all milde and kind manner recounting the many fauours he had receiued at his hands how forward hee had found him heretofore to supply his occasions and intreats him now to giue good example to others c. The Bishop replies he was glad at any time to haue done him acceptable seruice but in this for himselfe to goe from that forme the vniuersality of the state had determined he held it a dishonest act and therefore
deuise to doe The King with all the great Nobility of England all the Bishops and chiefe Prelates 1253. Anno. Reg. 37. in their reuerent Ornaments with burning candles in their hands assemble to heare the terrible sentence of Excommunications against the infringers of the same And at the lighting of those Candles the King hauing receiued one in his hand giues it to a Prelate that stood by saying it becomes not me being no Priest to hold this candle my heart shal be a greater testimony and withall layd his hand spread on his brest the whole time the sentence was read which was thus pronounced Autoritate dei omnipotratis c. which done he caused the Charter of K. Iohn his Father granted by his free consent to be Vide Append. likewise openly red In the end hauing throwne away their candles which lay smoaking on the ground they cryed out So let them who incurre this Sentence be extinct and stincke in hell And the King with a loud voyce said As God me helpe I will as I am a Man a Christian a Knight a King crowned and anoynted inuiolably obserue all these things And therewithall the Bells rung out and all the people shouted with ioy Neuer were lawes amongst men except those holy commandements from the mount established with more maiesty of Ceremony to make them reuerend and respected then were these they wanted but thunder and lightning from heauen which if prayers could haue procured they would likewise haue had to make the sentence gastly and hydeous to the infringers thereof The greatest security that could begiuen was an oath the onely chaine on earth besides loue to tye the conscience of man and humaine society together which should it not hold vs all the frame of gouernment and order must needs fall quite a sunder Now the busines of Gascoigne that required present care is in hand which the The K. resumes Gasoigny from his brother Richard giues it to his sonne Prince Edward better to know we must returne to the head whence it sprung 27. yeares past the King by the councell of his Lords freely granted to his brother Richard all that Prouince who is there receiued as their Lord with their oathes of Fealty made vnto him and so continues vntill the King hauing issue of his owne by motion of the Queene reuokes his guift confers it vpon his eldest sonne Edward Richard though he were depriued of the possession would not yeeld to forgoe his right and at the Kings last being in Gascoigny many of them stand doubtfull whom to attend the King in great displeasure commanded his brother to resigne his Charter and renounce his right which hee refusing to doe the King commands those of Burdeax to take and imprison him but they in regard of his high bloud the homage they had made him and the kings mutability who might resent his owne commandement would not aduenture there on Then he assayles them with mony which effected more then his commandement the Earle is indaunger to be surprised escapes out of Bnrdeaux and comes ouer into England The King assembles the nobility of Gasconie at Burdeaux invaighs against his brother a man hee saide was couetous and a great oppressor a large promiser but a spare payer and that hee would prouide them of a better gouernour with all promises them thirty thousand Markes as a price of their obedience and so nullifies the Charter of his former donation with their homage and takes their oath of Fealty to himselfe Which yet they would not make vnto him till hee had inwrapt himselfe Simon Monford Earle of Leicester sent into Gascony both by his Charter and Oath for this promised summe wherevnto they so held him as thereby afterward they lost his loue And to be reuenged on them he sends Simon Monford Earle of Leceister a rough and Martiall man to Maister their pride makes him a Charter for 6. yeares to come and furnishes him with 10000. markes the better to effect his command Monfort by his sterne gouernment so discontents the Gascoins as after three yeares suffring they send the Archbishop of Burdeaux with other great men to complaine of his hard dealing and accuse him of haynous crimes their greeuences are heard before the King and his councell Monfort is sent for ouer to answere for himselfe the Earle of Cornwall for his receiued wrong in those parts and the Lords of England for their loue to him take Monforts part and that so egarly as the King comes about to fauour and countenance the Gascons against Monfort not for his loue to them but to awe and abate the other Wherevpon Montfort enters into vndutifull contestation with the King vpraydes him with his expencefull seruice wherein he saies he had vtterly consumed his Estate and how the King had broken his word with him and requires him either to make it good according to his Charter or render him his expences The King in great rage told him no promise was to be Monforts contestation with the K. obserued with an vnworthy traytor Wherewith Monfort ryses vp protesting that he lyed in that word and were he not protected by his royall dignity hee would make him repent it The King commands his seruants to lay hold on him which the Lords would not permit Monfort therevpon grew more audacious saying who will beleiue you are a Christian were you euer confessed if you were it was without repentance and satissaction The King told him he neuer repented him of any thing so much as to haue permitted him to enter into this Kingdome and to haue honored and it stated him as he had done The Gascoignes after this are priuatly sent for by the king who giues them all comfort and incourages them against Monfort whom yet he would againe send ouer to his charge but with clipt winges whereby both himselfe and they might the better be reuenged on him and withall confirmes the state of Gascoigne to his sonne Edward whom he promised them shortly to send ouer wherwith they are much pleased and after they had done their homage to the Prince depart The effect of this confused and ill-packt Monfort returned to his charge businesse was such as all indirect courses produce Monfort returnes in flames to plague the Gascoignes and they in like manner him but he by his great alliance in France drawes together such a power as beyond expectation hee ouer matches the Gascoigne whose Estates he exposes to spoyle and therewithall intertaines his great collected army They againe send ouer their complaints and vnlesse they were speedely relieued they of force must put their country into some other hand that would protect them And in this state stood Gascoigne now at the time of this last Parliament whither the King vpon this late supply granted omitting his Easterne enterprise goes with The K. goes ouer into Gasc with 300. great ships 300. Sayle of great ships and lands at Burdeux in August
Oath without leaue of his father they plainely Cron. Lichfield Henry eldest sonne to the King of Romans refuseth to take his Oath told him that if his father would not consent with the Baronage in this case hee should not bold a Furrow of Land in England In the end the Kings brethren and their followers are dispoyled of all their fortunes and exiled by proscription vnder the Kings owne hand directed to the Earles of Hereford and Surrey with charge not to passe either their Money Armes or Ornaments but in such sort as the Lords appointed and after their departure Claus 49. hee enioyneth the Citie of Bristow and other ports not to permit any strangers or Hen. 3. kinsmen of his to ariue vnlesse they did so behaue themselues as both hee and the Lords should like The Poictouines retyring to Bolongne in France send to King Louys to craue safe passage Mat. Par. through his Countrie into Poictou which in regard the Queene of France had been informed how they had defamed her Sister of England was by her meanes denyed at that time and Henry sonne to the Earle of Leicester whose estimation was great in France followes them with all eagernesse thither to incense the French against them And as they whom Enuie tumbles downe from high places shall be sure euer to haue all the thrusts possible to set them headlong into disgrace with the world so now the death and sicknesse of diuerse great men and others happening in England soone after this fatall Parlement is imputed to poysons supposed to haue been prepared by those Gentlemen The Earle of Glocester in a sicknesse sodainely lost his haire his teeth his nailes And his brother hardly escaped death which made many to suspect their nearest seruants and their Cookes Walter Scotny the Earles Steward being one is strictly examined committed to prison and after without confession executed vpon presumptions at Winchester Elias a conuerted Iew is said to haue confessed that in his house the poyson was confected but it was when he was a Diuell not a Christian Any thing in the prosecution of malice serues the turne Euery man that had receiued any wrong by those great men now put vp their complaints and are heard to the agrauation of their insolence and iniustice Guido de Rochfort a Poictouin to whom the King had giuen the Castle of Rochester is banished and all his goods confiscat William Bussey Steward to William de Valence is committed to the Towre of London most reprochfully vsed as an especiall minister of his Maisters insolencies Richard Gray whom the Lords had made Captain of the Castle of Douer is set to intercept whatsoeuer the Poictouines conuayed that way out of England and much treasure of theirs and the elect of Winchester is by him there taken besides great sums committed to the new Temple are found out and seised into the kings hands And as vsually in such heates much wrong is committed in these prosecutions of wrongs But now as an amuzatory to make the ill gouerned people thinke they are not forgotten the new chiefe Iusticiar Hugh Bigod brother to the Earle Mareschall chosen this last Parlement by publique voyce procures that foure Knights in euery shire should enquire of the oppressions of the poore done by great men vnder their hands and seales certifie the same by a certaine day to the Baronage that redresse might be made Moreouer order was taken that from thence forth no man should giue any thing besides prouisions for iustice or to hinder the same and both the corrupter and corrupted to bee grieuously punished Notwithstanding this pretended care of the publike it is noted by the writers and records of that time how the Lords inforced the seruices of the Kings tenants which dwelt neare them and were totidem tyranni how they furnished the especiall fortresses of the kingdom with Regist. in Scace William Rishangar Guardians of their owne sworne to the Common state and tooke the like assurance of all Shirifs Baylifes Coroners other publike ministers searching the behauiour of many by strict commission vpon oath And to make their cause the more popular it was rumored that the Kings necessitie must be repayred out of the Estates of his people and how he must not want whilst they had it whereupon the King sends forth proclamation How certain malicious persons had falsly and seditionsly reported that he ment vnlawfully to charge his Subiects and subuert the Lawes and Liberties of the Kingdom and by these subtile suggestions altogether false auerted the hearts of his people from him and therefore desires them not to giue credit to such perturbers for that hee was ready to defend all Rights an Customes due vnto them and that they might rest of this secured he caused of his freewill his letters to be made Patents But now Monfort Glocester and Spencer who had by the late institution of the 24 Conservators drawne the intire managing of the Kingdome into their hands inforce 1258. Anno. Reg. 42. the King to call the Parliament at London where the Authority of the 24 is delivered vnto themselues and order taken that three at the least should attend in the Court to dispose of the custodie of Castles and other businesses of the Kingdome of the 18. Parlement at London Ordinat inter Record Civil Lond. Chancellor Chiefe Iusticiar and Treasorer and of all Officers great and small And heere they binde the King to loose to them their Legall obedience whensoever he infringed his Charter In this State stood the Kingdome when intelligence was given to the Lords that Liceat omnibus de Regno nostro contra nos insurgere ad gravamen nostrum open operam dare ac si nobis in nullo tenerentur Chart. Orig. sub Sigillo Richard King of Romans had a purpose to come ouer into England which made them greatly to suspect being ignorant of the occasion least he were sent for by the King to come with power to subvert them by the example of King Iohn Whereupon they send to know the cause of his comming and to require of him an Oath before hee should land not to preiudice the now established orders of the Kingdome which he sternely refuses to do saying Hee had no Peere in England being the sonne and brother of a King and was aboue their power and if they would haue reformed the Kingdom they ought first to haue sent for him and not so presumptuously attempted a businesse of so high a Nature The Lords vpon returne of this answere sends presently to guard the Ports and come strongly to the Coast prepared to incounter him if occasion were offered But finding The Lords require an oath of him his traine small accompanyed onely with his Queene two German Earles and eight Knights they vpon his promise to take their propounded oath receiue him to land but would neither permit the King who came thither likewise to meete him nor
themselues in regard of the many Leauies lately made vpon the estate Ecclesiasticall As in Anno Reg. 22. they paied the moietie of their goods of which the Abbay of Canterbury yeelded 596 pounds 7 shillings and 10 pence and besides furnished sixe horses for the Sea-coasts This Leauie as Stow notes in his collection amounted to sixe hundreth thousand pounds And in Anno Reg. 23. the King seized into his hands all the Priories Aliens and their goods Besides hee had a Loane of the Clergie which amounted to 100 thousand pounds whereof the Abbat of Bury paide 655 pounds Notwithstanding now vpon this their refusall the King puts the Clergie out of The King puts the Clergie out of his protection his protection whereby they were to haue no Iustice in any of his Courts a straine of State beyond any of his Predecessors which so amazed them being exposed to all offences and iniuries whatsoeuer and no meanes to redresse themselues as the Archbishop of Yorke with the Bishops of Duresme Ely Salisbury Lincolne yeelded to lay downe in their Churches the fifth part of all their goods towards the maintenance of the Kings warres whereby they appeazed his wrath and were receiued into grace But the Archbishop of Canterbury by whose animation the rest stood out had all his goods seized on and all the Monasteries within his Diocesse and part of Lincoln taken into the Kings hands and Wardens appointed to minister onely necessaries to the Monkes conuerting the rest to the Kings vse At length by much suite the Abbots and Priests giuing the fourth part of their goods redeeme themselues and the Kings fauour Thus will Martiall Princes haue their turnes serued by their Subiects in the times of their Necessities howsoeuer they oppose it During this contrast with the Clergie the King calls a Parliament of his Nobles at Salisbury without admission of any Church-men wherein hee requires certaine of the great Lords to goe vnto the warres of Gascoine which required a present supply vpon the death of his brother Edmond who hauing spent much treasure and time in the siege of Burdeaux without any successe retyres to Bayon then in possession of the English and there ends his life But they all making their excuses euery man for himselfe the The Lords refuse to goe into Gascoigny except the King went in person King in great anger threatned they should either goe or hee would giue their lands to others that should Whereupon Humfrey Bohun Earle of Hereford high Constable and Roger Bigod Earle of Norfolke Mareschall of England make their declaration that if the King went in person they would attend him otherwise not Which Answere more offends and being vrged againe the Earle Mareschall protested hee would willingly goe thither with the King and march before him in the Vantgard as by right of inheritance hee ought to doe But the King told him plainely hee should goe with any other although himselfe went not in Mat. West Person I am not so bound said the Earle neither will I take that iourney without you The King swore by God Sir Earle you shall goe or hang. And I sweare by the same oath I will neither goe nor hang said the Earle and so without taking his leaue departs Shortly after the two Earles assembled many Noblemen and others their friends to the number of thirty Bannerets so that they were fifteene hundred men at Armes well appointed and stood vpon their owne guard The King like a prudent Prince who knew his times prosecutes them not as then but lets the matter passe In regard that both his businesse in France and the pressing necessity of ayding his Confederats whereon his honour and whole estate abroad depended called him ouer into Flanders which the King of France had now inuaded pretending the same title of Soueraignty to that Prouince as King Edward did to Scotland And hauing had intelligence The French King inuites the Earle of Flanders to Paris and there imprisons him of the intended Alliance and other designes of the Earle Guy sends for him as if knowing nothing therof to come with his wife and daughter to make merry with him at Paris where in steed of feasting he makes him his prisoner and takes from him his Daughter in regard he sought being his vassall to match her to the Son of his capitall enemy The Earle excuses it the best he could and by much mediation is released and suffered to depart but without his Daughter of whose surprize and detention contrary to the Law of Nations he complaines to the Pope and other Princes who earnestly vrge the release of the young Lady but all in vaine and thereupon this Earle presuming on the ayde of his confederates takes armes and defies the King of The French King inuades Flanders France Who now comes with an Army of sixty thousand against him which caused the King of England to make what speed he could to releeue this distressed Earle and to leaue all his other businesses at home in that broken estate which hee did the Scots in reuolt and his owne people in discontent For which yet hee tooke the best order he could leauing the administration of the Kingdome during his absence to the Prince and certaine especiall Councellors as the Bishop of London the Earle of Warwicke the Lords Reginald Gray and Clifford and besides to recouer the Clegry receiued the Archbishop of Canterbnry into fauour And being ready now to take ship the Archbishops Bishops Earls Barons and the Commons send him a Roll of the generall grieuances of his Subiects Concerning his This roll of grieuances is recorded by Tho. Wal. viz. Append. Taxes Subsidies other Impositions with his seeking to force their seruices by vnlawsull courses his late impost layd of fortie shillings vpon euery sack of Wooll being before but half a marke estimating the Wooll of England to a fift part of all the substance thereof The King sends answere that he could not alter any thing without the aduice of his councell which were not Reg. 26. Anno. 1299. now about him and thereforè required them seeing they would not attend him in this iourney which they absolutely refused to doe though hee went in person vnlesse hee had gone into France or Scotland that they would yet doe nothing in his absence preiudiciall to the peace of the Kingdome And that vpon his Returne hee would set all things in good order as should bee fit And so with 500 saile eighteene thousand men at Armes he puts out for this iourney wherein Fortune shewed him how she would not be alwaies his For contrary to King Edward passes ouer into Flanders to the ayd of the Earle Guy his expectation he found the Country of Flanders distracted into popular factions a ritch proud people who though they were willing to ayde their Prince and defend their liberties which they respected more then their obedience yet would they not bee commanded otherwise then
it were denied him yet something hee had the King and hee deuiding it betwixt them The Pope graunted the King the Tenth of all the Churches of England for two yeares and the King yeelded that the Pope should haue the First fruits of those Churches And the better to effect this businesse the Pope makes an errand and sends Petrus Hispanus Cardinall a Latere to call vpon the King for consummation of the Marriage betweene Prince Edward and Isabell daughter to the King of France And this Cardinall gott something but not so much as he expected Whilest they were thus busie at Carliel about the opening of the Spring opens K. Bruce teeouers new forces himselfe the hidden King Robert Bruce and with some forces hee had gotten together soddainely assailes the Earle of Pembrooke at vn-awares and gaue him a great defeit and within Three daies after chases the Earle of Glocester into the Castle of Ayr where he besieged him till by the Kings forces hee was driuen againe to his former retire But this shewed that so long as hee was in what estate soeuer he was there would be no end of this warre Which caused King Edward to send out his strict commandement that whosoeuer ought him seruice should presently vpon the Midsommer after attend him at Carliel K. Ed. enters Scotland and dies there And withall hee sends the Prince to London about the businesse of his Marriage In Iuly although hee found himselfe not well hee enters Scotland with a fresh Army which hee led not farre for falling into a Dissenterie hee dies at Borough vpon the Reg. 35. An. 1340. sands as if to show on what foundation hee had built all his glory in this world hauing Raigned Thirtie foure yeares Seuen moneths Aged Sixty eight A Prince of a generous spirit wherein the fire held out euen to the very last borne bred for action and militarie affaires which hee mannaged with great iudgement euer wary and prouident for his owne businesse watchfull and eager to enlarge his power and was more for the greatnesse of England then the quiet thereof And this we may iustly say of him that neuer King before or since shed so much Christian blood within this Isle of Brittaine as this Christian warrior did in his time and was the cause of much more in that following He had issue by his first wife Queene Elionor Foure Sonnes whereof onely Edward His Issue suruiued him and Nine Daughters Elionor married to the Earle of Bar. Ioan to Gilbert Clare Earle of Glocester Margaret to Iohn Duke of Brabant Mary liued a Nun in the Monastary of Amsberie Elizabeth married first to Iohn Earle of Holland after to Humfrey Bohun Earle of Hereford the rest died yong He had by his Second wife Two Sonnes Thomas Surnamed Brotherton which was Mareschall Earle of Norfolke and Edmond Earle of Kent The end of Edward the First The Life and Raigne of Edward the second EDward of Carnaruan remoued more then one Degree from the Father in heigth of Spirit and nearer the Grandfather in flexibility and Reg. 1. Anno. 1307. easinesse of Nature which made him apt to be taken began his Raigne in Iuly 1307. in the Three and twentith yeare of his Age. A Prince which shewes vs what confusion and mischiefe attends Riot Disorder Neglect of the State and aduancing vnworthie or ill-disposed Minions to the preiudice of others the griefe of his people and the deminution of the Royall Maiestie And though his youth might somewhat excuse the first sicknesse of his priuate Fauours yet those often Relapses of his shewed it was an habituall indisposition in the whole state of his Minde not to be cured Neuer was Prince receiued with greater loue and opinion of all or euer any that sooner lost it For his very first actions discouered a head-strong wilfulnesse that was K. Ed. the first imprisoned his sonne and exiled Pierce Gaueston vncouncellable Whereof the intertaining againe his olde Companion Pierce Gaueston was one whom the Father had banished the Kingdome finding him to haue corrupted the youth of his Sonne and leade him to commit many ryots amongst which was the breaking of the Parke of the Bishop of Chester for which hee both Anno. Reg. 33 imprisoned his Sonne and exiled Gaueston Besides this prouident King as if fore-seeing the mischiefe might insue at his death charged his Sonne vpon his blessing neuer to recall or entertaine Pierce Gaueston againe about him and required the Lords who were present to see his Will obserued therein which notwithstanding hee Pirce Gaueston recalled and preferd by the King brake before his Fathers Funeralls were performed and not only intertaines but inuests Gaueston in the Earledom of Cornewale and the Lordship of Man being both of the Demaines of the Crowne and makes him his chiefe Chamberlaine Then to bee reuenged on the Bishop of Chester his Fathers Treasurer who had abbridged his expences and complained of him for his ryot hee caused him to be arrested committed to prison and seises vpon all his goods which he gaue to Gaueston makes a new Treasurer of his owne remoues most of his Fathers Officers and all without the aduice or consent of his Councell which gaue them their first discontent and bewrayed his disposition Before his Coronation a Parlement was held at Northampton wherein was ordained A Parlement at Northampton held before the Coronation that the Monies of his Father notwithstanding the people held them base should bee current and a Fifteenth of the Cleargie a Twentith of the Temporalty is there granted After the Funeralls performed at Westminster hee passes ouer to Bologne where his Nuptialls with Isabel Daughter to Philip le Bel are sumptuously The marriage of K. Ed. solemnized at Belogne solemnized at which were present the King of France the King of Nauare his Sonne the King of Almaine the King of Sicile and three Queenes besides the Bride with an extraordinary concourse of other Princes At which Feast Gaueston is sayde to haue exceeded them all in brauerie daintinesse of attire wherewith afterward he infected the Court of England A mischiefe the most contagious to breed a Consumption in a State that can be introduced For the imitation thereof presently distends it selfe ouer all and passes beyond the example and at length all meanes to maintaine it And had hee done no other hurt to the Kingdome then this it had been enough to haue made him as hee was odious therunto But besides hee afterward filled the Gaveston corrups the King Court with Buffons Parasites Minstrels Players and all kinde of dissolute persons to entertaine and dissolue the King with delights and pleasures Whereby he so possest him as hee regarded no other company no other exercise but continually day and night spent his time and treasure in all Wantonnesse Ryot and disorder neglecting the affaires of the State and the company and counsell of all the rest of the Nobles
the night and in approaching the walles the Guard asked Who goes there he answered The fortune of France His voyce being knowne the gates are opened and in is hee receiued with the teares and lamentations The French King flyes of his people when yet seekes to comfort all he could The number of the slaine on the place are certified to be 30. thousand The chiefe men were Charles d' Alanson Iohn Duke of Borbone Ralfe Earle of Lorraine Louys Earle of Flanders Iaques The number of the slaine Dauphin de Viennois Son to Imbert who after gaue Dauphine to the Crowne of France the Earles of Sancerre Harcourt brother to Geoffry and many other Earles Barons and gentlemen to the number of 1500. This memorable victorie hapned vpon the Saterday after Bartholomew day being the 26. of August 1346. All the Markes of an intire ouerthrowe rested with King Edward the field of the Battaile the bodies of the slaine and their spoiles The occasion of this great defeit according to humaine coniecture the French attribute to the choller rashnes and precipitation of their King and his brother and sure temeritie and presumption haue euer been the ruyne of great Actions especially in warre King Edward managed this victorie with as great moderation as he wanne it and first hauing imbraced his Sonne commending his valour shewed that day he renders thankes to God after as he had inuoked his ayde before at the beginning of the Battayle and earely in the morning being Sunday he sent out 300. Lances and 2000. Archers to discouer what was become of the enemie who found great Troupes of such as were comming from Abbe-uille St. Requier Roan and Beauvoys ignorant of what had hapned led by the Arch-byshop of Roan and the Prior of France whom they like wise defeited and slew 7000. Our Writers report that of Straglers which were fled from the Battaile or comming on hauing lost their way by reason of a thicke mist which hapned that morning were slaine many more then in the field the day before which sheweth vs the wonderfull losse this afflicted Countrie susteined at one fatall blow But this was not all the victories that fell to King Edward that yeere there was an other of more importance gotten in England by the Queene and his people at home against the K. of Scots who being set on by the French to diuert the warre there entred King Dauid ouerthrowne and taken prisoner vpon this Kingdome with 60. thousand men as our Writers report assuring himselfe of successe in regard as he supposed the maine strength thereof was now gone into France But he found the contrary the Lords of the North as Gilbert de Humfrivile Earle of Angos Henry Percie Ralph Nivile William Dayncourt with the Arch-byshop of Yorke the Bishop of Durham and others of the Clergie gathered so great force and so well ordered them by the animation of the Queene who was there in person as they vtterly defeited this great Armie tooke Dauid their King prisoner with the Earles of Fife Menteth Murry Sutherland the Lord Douglas the Arch-byshop of Saint Andrewes and others and put to the sword 15. thousand Scots This Victorie sell likewise vpon a Saterday and sixe weekes after that of Cressie And as if all concurred to make this yeere tryumphant The aydes sent to the Countesse of Monfert in Brittaine lead by Sir Thomas Dagworth ouerthrew and tooke prisoner Charles de Blois pretender to that Duchie and with him Monsieur la Val the Lords Rochford Beaumanoyr Charles de Bloys taken prisoner Loyacque with many other Barons Knights and Esquires there were slaine in the incounter the Lord De la Val father of him which was taken Vicont Rohan Monsieur de Chasteau Brian de Malestroit de Qnintin de Direval great Lords besides many other worthy men at Armes Knights and Esquires to the number of about 700. Thus all fell before the Sword of England Now King Edward without medling with the great Cities Amiens and Abbeville which were both neere marches on directly and sets downe before Calais a Towne of more importance for England and the gate to all the rest wherein Iohn de Vienne Marshal of France and the Lord d' Andreghen a great man in his time commanded All that Winter King Edward hauing sheltred his people as in another Towne furnished with all prouisions lay without any molestation of the French King who King Edward besiegeth Calais this while was likewise besieged with the affliction of his owne state Misfortune is euer held a great fault both in mightie men and meane and opens the mouthes of those whose hearts are peruerse The people of France were in extreame pouertie yet notwithstanding the necesitie of the Kings affayres must constraine fresh supplyes The ill managing the publique treasure the falshood of the Financiers the decrying of Moneys the deminishing of trafficke augmentation of impostes Subsidies Gabels c. were the causes of this publicke murmur and put the people in dispaire seeing no end of the troubles wherein their King was dayly more and more ingaged And now was no way to helpe him but by an assembly of the States Wherein the Financiers Receiuers and managers of monies are called to render an account and the treasure committed to the disposing of the Cleargy and the Nobles to take away suspition in the people of ill dealing Foure Bishops two Abbots and foure Knights are chosen for that businesse Pierre des Essars Treasurer of France is committed to The State of France prison condemned in a great Fine to the King Other Officers and accountants restore at once what they were long in gathering The Banquiers Lombards and other vsurers are put to the presse for their vnlawfull exactions the Intrests are proued to exceed the Principall which is confiscate to the King and the Intrest giuen to the Debtors Courses wherewith indigent Kings in expensiue times vse to serue their turnes and please their oppressed people Which I haue the rather noted though it lye without our circle to shew that other Kings likewise layd hand vpon what they could fasten as well as ours haue done and made benefite of mens offences onely this of the Vsurer is new to vs but yet like to that practised heretofore vpon the Iewes and might serue a turne with as much content to the people and as faire a shew of a iust correction as theirs did the nature of the Extortors being alike Ayded with this meanes and the ready seruice of his Nobles and ablest subiects the French king in the Spring hath an Army in the field approaches Callais but findes no way open to come to relieue it The King of England was both Maister of the Hauen and possest all other wayes whatsoeuer were passable and had the Flemings his friends who with a huge Army had besieged Ayre and did much mischiefe on the confines of France To oppose them is Iohn Duke of Normandy the Prince sent for out
Cambridge married also at the same time Isabell Anno Reg. 46. 1372. the youngest daughter of King Peter and both shortly after returned into England though without victory yet with wiues Lionell Duke of Clarence a little before marries Violanta the Duke of Millaines daughter in Italy where they feasted him so as shortly after he died The City of Rochell that yet held out for the English had indured a long siege both by Sea and land to relieue which important peece the Earle of Pembroke is sent with forty shippes well manned and victualled and besides furnished with twenty The Earle of Pembrooke taken prisoner by the Spaniards thousand markes to defrey the voyage who incountring the Spanish Armado sent to ayde the French in this siege by Henry now King of Castile after a long and cruell conflict is taken prisoner and his Nauy vtterly destroyed King Edward himselfe though now aged sets forth with a mighty Army to recouer these losses but thereby Anno Reg. 47. D. 1373. lost more the windes with his fortune beeing against him beat him backe hauing spent in this preparation Nine hundred thousand markes Shortly after Iohn Duke of Lancaster passes ouer againe to Calais with another Army which hee leads through France by the way of Auergne where amongst the mountaines he lost many of his people for want of victuals and almost all his horse so that hee came to Burdeaux with a starued and distressed company which after some time hee relieues and made certaine attempts vpon the enemy but effected nothing the date of victories was out all went ill with the English The Duke returnes the next yeare and all Gascoigne reuolts except Burdeaux and Bayon King Edward hath another supply by Parliament a Tenth of the Cleargy and a Fifteenth of the Laytie towardes these warres which now are sought to be ended Another Subsidie granted by Parliamēt by treaty an vnlikely way to doe any good Two yeares are spent therein at Burges and other places with great charge of Commissioners and much debate The French hauing now the aduantage of the time would make their owne conditions they require the Towne of Calais from whence King Edward had now remoued his Staple in regard of the danger of Marchants goods and restitution of great summes of money which were not to bee yeelded So that nothing but temporary Truces were to be gotten to serue present shifts wherein the English and their party had euer the worse And here at home besides the sicknesse of the Prince which grew desperate the State is diseased the Kings age is misled his treasure exhausted and his affaires Anno Reg. 50. 1376. ill managed A Parliament to cure these euils is called at Westminster the Kings wants are opened and supplyes required the whole body of the Assembly weary to beare these continuall burthens in steed of Contributions exhibit Complaints charging the Kings Officers with fraude and humbly craue that the Duke of Lancaster A Parliament at Westminster which was called the good Parliament The Duke of Lancaster with others banished the Court. the Lord Latimer then Lord Chamberlayne Dame Alice Peirce the Kings Concubine and one Sir Richard Sturry might be amoued from Court Their Complaints and desires are so vehemently vrged by their Speaker Sir Peter de La Mare as the King rather then not to be supplyed gaue way vnto them and all these persons are presently put from Court The Prince was held to fauour their proceeding for there seemes to bee no good correspondence betweene him and his brother the Duke of Lancaster who now managed all vnder his aged father and whose ambition might bee dangerous to his young Sonne Richard whom he was like to leaue to his mercie The King in this Parliament being the Fiftieth yeere of his raigne to gratifie his Subiects grants another generall Pardon as another Iubile wherein onely William Another Iubile Wicham Bishop of Winchester is excepted being lately by the procurement of the Duke of Lancaster fallen into the Kings displeasure and forbidden to come to the Parliament But this Iubile was soone turned to sorrow by the death of the Prince The death of the Prince of Wales of Wales which happened in this Parliament time A heauy losse to the State being a Prince of whom we neuer heard any ill neuer receiued other note then of goodnes and the noblest performances that Magnanimitie and Wisedome could euer shew inso much as what praise can bee giuen to Vertue is due vnto him His death changed the face of affayres The late excluded parties returne to Court and their former places This Parliament called the good Parliament now wrought ill effects The Duke of Lancaster returnes with the rest to the Court. S r Peter de la Mare at the suite of Allce Peirce an impudent woman working vpon the Kings impotencies is committed to perpetuall imprisonment at Nottingham An acte without example of former times and did no good in this especially being wrought by such a Subiect This woman presuming vpon the Kings fauour whom The reuenge and behauiour of Alice Pierce she had subdued grew so insolent the common euill of such fortunes that she intermedled with Courtes of Iustice and other Offices where she her selfe would sit to effect her desires which though in all who are so exalted are euer excessiue yet in a woman most immoderate as hauing lesse of discretion and more of greedinesse The Duke of Lancaster is come now to haue the Regencie and to manage all the The Duke of Lancaster gouerns all affayres of the Kingdom and might thereby presume farther But King Edward to preuent the mischiefes which by disordering the succession might grow in the Kingdome prouidently setled the same in this Parliament vpon Richard of Burdeaux Richard of Burdoaux created Prince of Wales creating him first Earle of Chester and Corne-wall and then Prince of Wales which made much for his present safetie least Iohn of Lancaster should supplant him as Earle Iohn did his Nephew Arthur in the like case For sure it seemes the Duke had his designe that way bent but this confirmation by the Parliament which hee had offended and shortly after a breach with the Citizens of London put him so by as he durst not now attempt that which his Sonne after effected But yet he behaues himselfe very imperiously in this state he had And first shews his authoritie on the Earle The Earle of March resigns his Office of Marshall which is giuen to Sir Henry Percie of March commanding him ouer to the guarding of Calais and the parts there about Which the Earle refuses and rather yeelds vp his Rodde with the Office of Marshall then obey his commandement therein The Duke takes the Rodde and giues it with the Office to Sir Henry Percie a man most inward with him Shortly after the Parliament is assembled againe at Westminster whether a new or the last prorogued I