Castle but rather offend them to the best of their Power till they were reduced After this the Earl having proclaim'd that none should presume to do any the least harm to the Town or Inhabitants of Reole made his entry into the Place and immediately began to invest the Castle round about as much as he might and then raised his Engines which cast against the Walls Day and Night but to little purpose they were so thick and strongly cemented of most hard stone molten-lead and morter It is thought that this Castle of old time had been wrought by the hands of the Saracens who made their Works so strong that the later Buildings were no way comparable to them Wherefore the Earl seeing that with his Engines he could do no good called unto him the Captains of his Pioneers and gave them Command to make a great Mine under the Walls which yet was not expected to be done under many Days VI. Now q Frois c. 110. fol. 54. during this Siege and while the Mine was carrying on the Lord Walter Manny remembred that his Father who had been heretofore Assassined in his Return from a Pilgrimage to St. James of Compostella was buried as he had heard in his Youth in Reole or thereabout Wherefore now being desirous to find where his Bones lay he enquired about the Town offering an 100 Crowns to any Man that could shew him his Tomb. Within a while there came an old Man of the Town to Sr. Walter who said Sir I believe I can bring You to the very Place where my Lord your Father was buried Sr. Walter told him if his Words proved true he would keep his Promise with him and something more The Lord Manny's Father is reported to have been slain upon this Occasion Almost 24 Years before this there was a Gascogner of the House of Mirepoix Bishop of Cambray in whose Days happen'd a Solemn Tournament before the City of Gambray in which on both Sides there were no less than 500 Knights It was the Fortune of the Lord of Manny an Hainalder Sr. Walter 's Father to just with a certain Knight of Gascogne who was near of Kin to the said Bishop But the young Gascogner was so roughly handled by him that he lived but a few Days after Wherefore the Lord Manny incurr'd the heavy Indignation of the Bishop and all his Kindred But two or three Years after some Pious Men by their great Diligence labour'd to compose Matters and to make a Reconciliation between the Lord Manny and his Enemies So that the Bishop and his Relations either did or at least pretended to pardon all and a Friendship was made only the Lord of Manny was enjoyned by way of Penance to go on Pilgrimage to St. James of Compostella In his going thither he passed by Reole where he then found Charles of Valois Father to King Philip that now reigned laying his Siege to that Town which then together with all Guien and Gascogne belonged to King Edward II of England Having ended his Pilgrimage and returning the same way he gave a Visit to the said Earl Charles in the Town of Reole which by that time r Giovan. Villan l. 9. c. 169. was upon Composition yielded up to him by Edmund Earl of Kent He was entertain'd at Supper that Night by the said Charles Earl of Valois but going home late to his Lodgings he was set upon as was thought by some of the Kindred of that Gascogner whose Death he had occasion'd and there barbarously murder'd The Authors of the Murther could no ways be clearly proved thô the said Bishops Kindred were generally suspected But they were as then so high and the Truth was so dark especially the Lord of Manny having no Friend there to pursue his Quarrel that the matter was hush'd and by degrees quite put up However the Earl of Valois caused him to be decently interred within a little Chappel in the Field then without the Town but afterwards the Lord Charles having won the Place enlarged the Walls and so took in that Chappel also into its Compass Thus was Sr. Walter 's Father slain and the Old Man remembred all very well as one who then belonged to Charles of Valois and was at his Burial Sr. Walter therefore followed this old Man and went with him into the Chappel aforesaid where he shew'd him a little plain Stone of Marble which his Servants had laid over him and said Sir most certainly my Lord your Father lies buried under this Stone Then the Lord Manny drew near to view the Tomb and there he found a Latin Inscription which imported that the Lord of Manny's Body lay there He could not forbear Weeping to find this poor Remembrance of his Dear Father whom he could scarce remember to have seen alive for he was but young at his Death The old Man he rewarded as he had promised and two Days after took up his Fathers Bones and putting them in a rich Coffer sent them to Valenciennes in his native Country of Harnalt and there caused them to be deposited in the Church of the Fryars and his Obsequies to be kept Annually with great Solemnity which for many Years after were commemorated VII All this ſ Frois c. 111. while the Earl of Darby held his Siege before the strong Castle of Reole and now when it had held out near 11 Weeks the Miners were at last come under the Base Court but under the Dungeon they could not get by any means for it stood on an hard Rock Sr. Agoust de les Baux the Captain of the Castle perceived how he was undermined and told his Officers their Danger Then they said Sir the Peril is common to us all and we fear now inevitable unless you in your great Wisdom contrive a Remedy You are our Chief whom as hitherto we have obey'd so now will we follow your Determination But surely we have so long and so worthily held out already that if we could now come to any good Composition no man could blame us for Yielding at last Try if you can get the Earl of Darby to grant us our Lives and Goods and so to accept the Castle Upon this the Captain went down from the High Tower and looking out at a little Window made a sign that he desired to speak with some Body Being demanded what he would have he answer'd how he would gladly speak with the Earl of Darby or the Lord Walter Manny The Earl hearing hereof took along with him the Lord Manny and the Lord Stafford saying Come let us go to the Fortress and know what the Captain has to say now So they all rode to the Castle and when Sr. Agoust de les Baux saw them he took off his Cap and saluting them all three in their Order said My Lord of Darby I must confess the French King sent me hither to defend and keep this Town and Castle to my Power And you know very well how I have
on the Vambrace of his Sword Arm that the Lord Thomas his Weapon not being chained fell out of his Hand to the ground Whereupon he alighted suddainly from his Horse at the place where his Sword lay but as he stooped to take it up the French Esquire pricked at him from his horse with his Rapier and thrust him thrô both the Thighs in which he was not armed so that he fell down not being able to help himself Then John alighting first seised the Englishman's Sword which lay still on the ground and therewith came to him demanding whether he would yield or no Sr. Thomas said Who are you that I may know whether 't is fit to yield and what is your Name Sir said he I am called John de Helenes and am an Esquire of Picardy but who are you Truly replied the Knight my Name is Thomas and I am Lord of Barkley a fair Castle on the River of Severn in Gloucestershire upon the Marches of Wales Well Sir said the Esquire then you shall be my Prisoner and I shall take care to heal you of your Hurts and bring you to my House in safeguard I am content said the Knight for you have won me by the Law of Arms and so he sware to be his Prisoner Rescue or no Rescue Then the Esquire drew forth his Sword out of the Knights Thighs and the Wounds being open he carefully wrapped and bound them up and set him on his Horse again and so brought him fair and softly to Chastelleraut about four Leagues farther where he tarried above a Fortnight for his sake till the Cure was pretty forward And then he hired him a Litter and so brought him at his ease to his own House in Picardy Here he tarried more than a Year till he was perfectly whole and upon his Departure he engaged to pay for his Ransom six thousand Nobles for the payment of which Summ r Ex Aâ—tographo apud Castrum de Berkley vid. Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 358. Henry Duke of Lancaster and the Lord Frank van Hall became his Sureties and so this Esquire was made a Knight by the Profit he had of the Lord Berkley Surely the Rencounters of Love and War as Froisard observes are very variable But especially this Battle of Poictiers was so full of sundry strange and memorable Circumstances that it is as difficult to recite them as no doubt it would be pleasant to read them But we shall pursue the end of the Matter since we cannot attain to many more Particulars at this Distance but what we have already drawn from Writers of that Age and other Good Authorities All this while the Battle endured thô apparently now enclining to the English for notwithstanding all those Great Men fell in Defence of the King their Master as became Valiant Souldiers and Loyal Men yet still the French King had a Knot of gallant Souls about him who disputed the Point so well as if they alone intended to attone for the Baseness of those who by turning their Backs had lost the Day But now the English and Gascogne Lords by their importunate Valour had beat down the Standard-Royal of France and slain the Bearer thereof as we said before and while many of the Enemies discouraged hereat fled away toward Poictiers they push'd on the Victory so home that now they won the last Stake also In the first Breaking of the Press near the King were taken the Lord James of Bourbon Earl of Ponthieu the Lord John of Artois Earl of Ewe and Charles of Artois his Brother Earl of Tancarville these were taken under the Banner of the Lord John Greilly Captal of Busche and Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter there were taken also the Captain of Poictiers and the Seneschal of St. Omers the Lord of Bodenay the Lord of Ventador the Earl of Vendosme the Earl of Mons and the Lord Arnold Cervoles commonly called the Arch-priest most grievously wounded and many other Knights and Esquires At which time a great part of this Battail fled away but were closely pursued by a Party of Gascoigners and English even unto the Gates of Poictiers Here many were slain and beaten down Horse and Man for those who defended the City when they beheld the Enemy so near closed their Gates upon their Friends for fear of being lost themselves Wherefore in the street before the Gate was horrible Murther so that the Frenchmen being now neither able to fly nor to resist Å¿ Frios c. 164. yielded themselves as far as they might discern an English Man whereby several Archers had four five or six Prisoners apiece The Lord of Pons a great Baron of Poictou was there beaten down in the street and slain with many other Lords Knights and Esquires The mean while the Kings Battail was grievously handled and there were taken about the Kings Person the Earl of Rochechoüart the Vicount of Narbon the Lord of Xaintogne the Lord of Montendre the Lord John Santerre who had the repute of one of the best Knights in France but he was so very much hurt that he never had his Health after There fell among the Dead the Lord Guischard D'Angle who was afterwards recover'd and leaving the French Side became a Valiant Servant to King Edward and at the Coronation of his Successor was made Earl of Huntington and in King Edwards Time Knight of the Garter But this Day he fought with singular Valour even to the hazard of his Life by the French Kings side But the Lord Geoffry Charny before he dy'd had an whole Tempest of War thundring upon him till he fell beneath it for all the Force of the English press'd upon him because he bare the Kings Standard-Royal and besides he had in the Field a Banner of his own which was Gules Three Eschutcheons Argent But now the French Kings Battail was quite open'd whereby the Frenchmen were so mingled among their Enemies that sometimes one Gentleman of France had four or five Men upon him at once There the Lord of Pompador was taken Prisoner by the Lord Bartholomew Burwash and the Earl of Dammartin was slain by the Lord Reginald Cobham and among 'um the Valiant Lord Geoffry Charny was there wounded to Death with whom the Standard of France also fell to the ground Then every Man press'd hard to take the King and such as knew him cry'd out Sir yield your self or You are but Dead There was then among the English a Knight of Artois retain'd for Wages in the King of England's service called Sr. Dennis of Morbeque who had served King Edward about five Years because in his Youth he was fain to fly the Realm of France for a Murder that he had committed at St. Omers It happen'd so well for this Man that he was near the King when he was e'n ready to be taken wherefore he stept forth into the Preass and by the strength of his Body and Arms made way up to the French King
seen in me that You should not give me leave to be one of the foremost of those that are to Fight our Enemies this day The Lord Chandos who well knew his own Reasons reply'd Sr. Hugh I do not appoint You to command this Rereguard because You are not as good a Knight as any other No certainly that was never in my mind But I choose You for this purpose because I know You to be a prudent and well-advised Gentleman And Sir believe me it is absolutely necessary that either You or I take this Office if We intend to survive this day Wherefore once again I heartily require You to do it and I dare engage that if You undertake it You will not only do a very notable piece of Service but also obtain to your self much Honour thereby And yet over and above I here faithfully promise to grant You the first reasonable request You shall ever desire of me But all these Words could not Work upon Sr. Hugh for he did not as then imagine any such necessity of a Reserve and he thought it reflecting upon his Honour to stand in a manner idle when others should be adventuring their Lives in the heat of Action Wherefore again he desired him for Gods sake holding up his hands That he would please to give this Charge to some other since he for his part desired nothing more than to fight among the foremost The Lord Chandos was ready to weep at these Words but he added seriously Sr. Hugh consider well what I say For to be short this matter is of such concern to Us all that either You or I must undertake it and then think with your self who of Us can best be spared But don't trouble your self about a false Notion of Honour For he fights best who is most serviceable to his Friends althô he stands still all the while At this Sr Hugh began to reflect upon the Matter for with these last words all his former thoughts were dashed and confounded and then he said Certainly my Lord I know well You are too much my Friend to put me upon any thing which may redound to my dishonour Since therefore it can be no otherwise I accept of your Commands with all my heart and to my Power shall obey your Orders And with that he took upon him the Charge and drew out his Men aside on a Wing where he set them in very good Order to give or receive an Onset His Banner waving aloft in the Front which l True Use of Armory p. 66. GF Dom. Lit. was Argent a Fess Gules between Three Calves Sable Thus on a Saturday which was the 28 of October in the Year of our Lord MCCCLXIV were both these Rival Dukes embattail'd each against other in a Fair Plain near to Auray in Bretagne which no doubt was a delectable sight to behold For there were many embroider'd Banners and Penons waving in the Wind and Rich Surcoats of Sattin diapred with Gold and Silver and bright Armour shining against the Sun But especially the Frenchmen were so well armed at all Points and so Richly beseen that it was a great pleasure to view them And in this manner they fronted one another neither Party as yet making offer to begin VI. Now there was at this time with the Lord Charles of Blois a Great and Potent Baron of Bretagne called the Lord of Beaumanoir who was at that time a sworn Prisoner to England and so was not to bear Arms but being otherwise at liberty might go too and fro between the two Armies or elsewhere as he pleased Of which Power he made this Advantage to endeavour to accommodate Matters between the two Powerfull Competitors All Saturday Morning he went in and out frequently till Noon so that at last he obtain'd a Respite between both Parties for the remainder of that day and for the Night following untill the Sun-rise next Morning Whereupon on both sides they drew to their respective Lodgings and took their ease and refreshed themselves with what they had by them That Evening the Captain of Auray issued out of his Garrison peaceably because the Truce also extended unto him and went to the Lord Charles his Camp who received him joyfully His Name was Henry of Tintineac an Esquire and a good Man at Arms who brought 40 Spears well Horsed and Armed of those who had holpen him to defend the Fortress When the Lord Charles saw him he asked him all smiling of the Condition of his Castle and the Esquire answer'd him Sir blessed be God We have Provision enough to hold Us two or three Months longer if need were Well Henry said the Lord Charles to morrow You shall be wholly rid of the trouble of a Siege either by Peaceable Agreement or the Decision of open Battle God give Grace Sir said the Esquire By my Faith continued the Lord Charles I have here in my Company 4500 Men of Arms besides others all as well provided and as likely to acquit themselves Nobly as ever yet did any Company that came out of France And my Lord said the Esquire that is a great Advantage for which You are to thank God and Sr. Bertram of Clequin and those other Barons Knights and Esquires of France and Bretagne that are come with so much Zeal to your Service Thus the Lord Charles passed his time in discoursing with One or Other about the present State of Affairs But on the other hand the Lord John Chandos was that same Night earnestly desired by the Officers of the English Companions then in his Service by no means to admit of any Accord or Agreement to be had between the Earl of Monford and the Lord of Blois For they said they had already spent all that they had and were almost reduced to Poverty wherefore they resolved now to win something by fighting or to lose all together Upon which account it is said that Sr. John promised them that whatever Treaty he might hold not to yield however to any Agreement otherwise than what the Sword shall appoint From whence there arose a Proverb m John Haâ—ding c. 184. fol. 185. True Use of Aâ—â—â—ory c. Chandos his Treaty spoken when Men make or receive many Overtures in order to an Agreement thô at the same time they are determin'd to decide all by Battle VII On the Sunday Morning early both Armies drew again into their former Field in their appointed Order having first heard Mass and shrived themselves but about Sun-rise the Lord of Beaumanoir came again toward the English Army with a design to renew the Treaty and compose Matters if possible to avoid the Effusion of Christian Bloud which was his earnest Desire He took his way directly to the Lord Chandos where he saw his Banner next to that of the Earl of Monford At his approach my Lord Chandos stept aside to speak with him because he would not have the Earl of Monford hear what was said At the first
meeting the Lord of Beaumanoir gave a reverent Salute to the English General and said Sir John Chandos I desire you for Gods Sake that you would seriously endeavour to bring these two Parties to an Agreement For 't is a great Pity that so many Gallant Men as are here in the Field on both Sides should engage together in Mortal Battle upon their Accounts The Lord Chandos replied Monsieur de Beaumanoir it will not be Wherefore I advise you as a Friend to ride no further about these Matters for our Men are resolved if they can get you in among them to destroy you Your best way is to turn back and tell the Lord Charles of Blois from me that whatever be the Event Earl Monford is resolved to come to Battle and renounces all Treaty of Peace For he says he will either be Duke of Bretagne this Day or else die upon the Spot When the Lord of Beaumanoir heard Sr. John say these Words he was extreamly offended in his Mind and shaking his Head said Ah! Chandos Chandos my Lord hath as great a Courage to fight as your Lord hath and so have all his Men but yet he is ready like a good Christian Knight to offer Terms of Peace if you had not thus rejected them And so without any more Words he parted and rode back to the Lord Charles of Blois and the other Lords of Bretagne who tarried for him and said aloud to the Lord Charles Sir Sir by my Lord St. Yves I have heard just now the proudest Word from Sr. John Chandos that ever I heard in all my life For he said that the Earl of Monford should be this Day Duke of Bretagne and declares plainly that you have no Right unto the same At which Words Sr. Charles changed Colour and said As for the Right God above knows it is mine and the same said all the Barons of Bretagne And therewithall he commanded his Banners to be advanced in the Name of God. The mean while the Lord Chandos also returned to the Earl of Monford who enquired of him how Affairs went and what his Adversary said the Lord Chandos to encourage him the more pretended the Matter otherwise than it was and answer'd Sir he sent you Word by the Lord of Beaumanoir from whom I parted but now that whatever comes of it he is resolved to give you Battle and either be this Day Duke of Bretagne or else to leave his Body in the Field This the Lord Chandos fained thereby to divert the Earl from all Hopes of Peace and so to enflame his Courage the higher and then he continued Now therefore consider Sir quickly what you intend to do and whether you will put all to the hazard of a Battle or no Sir said the Earl in the Name of God and St. George let us then go to it with a good Courage and God help the Right Cause our Banners to advance So the Banner of Bretagne which was Ermins went forward and the Guidon n True Use of Armory in the life of the Lord Chandos p. 67. of the Lord Chandos being Or a Pile Gules was bore next unto it VIII Thus a little before the hour of Prime the Armies approached near together all so well order'd that it was a delightfull Terrour to behold them For some that were there present declared unto my o Frois c. 225. f. 122. b. Author that the Frenchmen were in manner of a Phalanx so close knit together that a man could not cast a Glove among them but it should have fallen on the Point of a Spear or Helmet For every Man bore his Spear of five foot length upright before him and they had all short Axes hanging by their sides and thus they came against the English fair and softly all in good Array after their Banners breathing War and Slaughter and all well instructed how to behave themselves Nor was the Order of the English less to be commended who marched forth to meet them being led by as bold and expert Commanders as any living First Sr. Bertram of Clequin and his Troops of Bretagne encountred with the Battail of Sr. Robert Knolles Sr. Walter Hewet Sr. Richard Burley and the Lord Nereford at which time the Lords of Bretagne on both Sides set up the Banners of their Lords who both claim'd the Dukedom directly one against the other both being Ermins which are the Arms of Bretagne At the first Encounter there began a cruel and terrible Battle especially when they joyn'd hand to hand For thô the English Archers at the beginning shot most fiercely yet as then they did but little Execution the Frenchmen were all so well arm'd and defended with broad Shields and Targets Which p Frois c. 225. f. 122. b. when the Archers saw who were big and lusty Men thrô great Disdain that they should do nothing now who at other times had a chief stroke in all Victories they flang away their Bows and Empty Quivers and ran up to the Frenchmen that bare the Axes and at the first Meeting they began to wrestle and trip with them and laid hold on their Weapons so that they wrested several Axes out of their Enemies Hands with which they slew several of their Owners and fought couragiously the remainder of that Day But now the Men of Arms meet on both sides and begin a Fight full of Horrour wherein many a notable Feat of Arms was done and many a Man taken and rescued again but he that was once down was never like to rise again without some suddain and extraordinary Succour The Lord Charles of Blois his Battail was engaged with that of the Earl of Monford where the Fight was very cruel beyond Imagination and first the Earl began to have the Worst of it But at that Instant Sr. Hugh Calverley who stood on a Wing with 500 Chosen Men of Arms heedfully observing every Circumstance when he saw his Friends begin to disorder rode up immediately to the Place and with his fresh Men held the Enemy at Play till the Lord Chandos had repaired the Breaches and set his Men in Order again and then Sr. Hugh retreated to his former Post and the Lord Chandos returned to the Battail Surely this Device of that Noble Captains proved of no small Advantage to him that Day For no less than four times were his Men broken and yet as often restored again by Sr. Hugh and his Troops While thus the two Rivals were contending with each other the Lord Oliver Clisson the Lord John Bourchier Sr. Eustace Dambreticourt and Sr. Matthew Gournay and their Men were matched with the Earls of Auxerre and Joigny who had a great Battail and well furnished with Chosen Men And long and couragiously this Fight was menaged with Spears Swords and Axes that no more could be expected from Men of Valour However this tough Resistance was no way pleasing to the Lord Oliver Clisson who raged in the Head of his Men like a
toward the Higher Bretagne however and lay down before the Town of Jugon which had been in the Hands of Sr. Charles of Blois almost 22 Years for it was taken by him b Vid. Lib. 1. c. 20. §. 17. p. 266. in the latter end of the Year 1342 as we have shew'd in due place Here he tarried Three Days in which time he gave two terrible Assaults wherein many were hurt on both sides But when the Besieged saw with what Vigour they were attacked and that there was no prospect of any Succour they thought not to drive Matters to the extreamity but on the Third Day accepted the Earl of Monford for their Right and Lawfull Lord and so without any further Tryal open'd their Gates unto him and sware to continue his true Liegemen for ever Then the Earl removed all the Officers in the Town and set new Ones in their Places and so proceeded and went and sat down before Dinant where he lay'd a Siege which lasted far in the Winter to his great Inconvenience For Dinant was of it self a strong Town well fortifi'd and sufficiently furnished with Provision and Men of War Besides the Duke of Anjou by his Letters exhorted the Inhabitants and Garrison to hold out a while boldly promising to send them speedy Relief These Words of the Duke animated them to endure so long and to undergo so many hard Assaults but when they saw their Provisions almost spent and not the least appearance of any Duke of Anjou to relieve them they requested to be admitted to the Earl's Peace And he for his part freely granted their Request for he demanded nothing else of them but that they should acknowledge him for their Lord and so they did and he entred the Place with great Solemnity and there received all their Oaths and Homages Soon after he marched to Quimpercorentin which he presently began to Invest saying He would not stir till he was Master of that City to which intent he had brought thither several great Engines from Vannes and Dinant II. Now all this while the Lord John Chandos and other Englishmen and Bretons on Monford's side who had taken any Prisoners at the Battle of Auray had all firmly agreed on good deliberation to keep them still in their Hands and by no means to put them to any Ransom till the Earl had subdued all his Enemies lest they should raise New Forces and put him to any more trouble Wherefore they sent all their Prisoners into the parts of Poictou and Sainctogne to Rochelle and Bourdeaux there to be secur'd the mean while the Bretons of Monford's side on one hand and the English on the other rode about and reduced all Bretagne For c Frois c. 229. fol. 124. b. during the Siege before Quimpercorentin which was sufficiently alarum'd with Assaults and Batteries several Detachments being daily sent from the Army went ravaging all over the Country and left nothing which they took not away with them except it were too hot or too cold or too Heavy for them to use Froisard's expression But the Spoil was only done among those who refus'd to yield to Monford those who acknowledg'd him were taken into his Protection III. Of all this the French King was well informed and frequently advised how he should bear himself as to this Matter For it was plain that at this time the Country of Bretagne and the Lord Charles of Blois his Widow were in hard Circumstances and yet he saw he could not well apply a Remedy without raising a Royal Army and thereupon engaging in a War with England for the sake of Bretagne But this he was advis'd by no means to do and after many great and weighty Considerations and Reasons canvas'd on both sides this was the opinion of his Council Sir You have a long while sustain'd the Quarrel of your late Cousin the Lord Charles of Blois as did also the King your Father and King Philip your Grandfather who gave him in Marriage the Dutchess of Bretagne Whereby innumerable Mischiefs and much Desolation and Bloodshed have since befell in Bretagne and the Countries adjacent But Sir now it is so that your Cousin the Lord Charles in keeping and maintaining his Right to Bretagne hath lost his Life and many a Gallant Soul with him And on this side the Sea there is none either to prosecute his Claim or to make a just War upon Monford for this Dukedom For his two Sons the next Heirs John and Guy are both Prisoners in England And Sir You hear daily how he Conquers and takes in Towns and Castles and reckons them his own true Inheritance So that at this rate You may at last lose your Right of Homage that You ought to have of Bretagne which is a Matter both of Honour and Advantage to your Realm wherefore it would become your Majesties Wisdom to be very jealous of losing that For if this Earl of Monford once become Liegeman to King Edward and hold the Dutchy of Bretagne of the King of England as his Father once did You cannot recover it again without great War and Contention between You and the said King whereas at this time God be thanked there is perfect Peace and Amity which we would not advise Your Majesty to break by any means But Sir We think all things consider'd and well weigh'd that it were good for Your Majesty to send certain Messengers in order to a Treaty between You and the Earl of Monford and to try how far he is inclinable to agree with the Lord Charles his Relict and whether he will be content to hold that Dutchy of your Majesty or no And Sir as your Messengers feel him dispos'd in these things you may take your Measures accordingly For if the worst come 't is better for him to remain Duke of Bretagne provided he will hold of Your Majesty and do unto you all those services that a subject ought to do unto his Sovereign Lord than that you should endanger losing all by exasperating his Mind too far before you have made Tryal of Milder ways This safe Advice agreed best with the Disposition of that Prince and so he appointed the Lord John de Craon Archbishop of Rennes and the Lord of Craon his Cousin with the Lord Bouciquault Marshal of France to go to Quimpercorentin to Treat and Discourse with the Earl of Monford and his Council on the Premises So these Three Lords being furnish'd with full Instructions how to behave themselves rode from Paris till they came to the Siege where the English and Bretons lay before Quimpercorentin and presently they gave notice to the Earl that they came unto him as Messengers from the King of France The Earl of Monford with the Lord John Chandos and his Council received them joyfully and gave them audience presently At which time the French Commissioners declared the substance of their Business When the Earl of Monford had fully understood what they had to say he told them
Philip heard first of this Loss Arrows prefer'd to Guns The Armies of France and Hainalt break up from before Thine l'Evesque King Robert of Sicily procures the Pope to write to King Edward to move him to Peace From p. 177. to p. 186. Chap. XVII King Edward in a Council of his Foreign Allies resolves to besiege Tournay and St. Omers He sends a Challenge to King Philip with Philip's Answer He sits down before Tournay where he is joyn'd by his Allies The Earl of Hainalt's Exploits and an Assault of the Flemings upon Tournay King Philip prepares to raise the Siege and encamps near the Town The various Rencounters during the Siege A Parliament at Westminster Scotland recovers Breath The English Allies before St. Omers possest with a Panick Fear The Difficulties of both the Kings The Pope and the Lady Jane de Valois procure a Treaty and that a Truce Both Armies break up The Truce prolonged for 2 Years The Death of sundry Great Personages The King of Spain's Victory over the Moors Queen Philippa deliver'd of a Daughter From p. 187. to p. 211. Chap. XVIII King Edward comes over in great displeasure into England where he displaces and imprisons several of his Chief Ministers of State. The state of his Quarrel with the Archbishop The Archbishops Letters to the King and to the Lord Chancellor His Remonstrance to the King and Council His Letter to the Bishop of London His Articles of Excommunication The King justifies his Proceedings in a Letter to the Bishop of London The Archbishop makes his Defence to the King. The King's Reply to the Archbishop's Defence A Parliament at Westminster The Archbishop pardon'd The Revocation of a Statute From p. 212. to p. 235. Chap. XIX King Philip brings over the Emperour to his side The Emperours Letters of Revocation to King Edward His Answer The Duke of Bretagne dying without Issue John of Monford and Charles of Blois lay claim to the Dutchy Earl Monford seises his Fathers Treasure calls a Parliament and takes in many places He goes into England and makes Homage to King Edward thereby to gain his Protection Being summon'd to appear in the Chamber of France he comes to Paris but steals away again The Dukedom adjudged to Charles of Blois King Philip confiscates the Earldom of Monford which King Edward requites with the Earldom of Richmond Charles of Blois takes his Rival and sends him to Paris The Countess of Monford renews the War. Queen Philippa deliver'd of her Fifth Son Edmund of Langley Francis Petrarch crown'd Laureat Poet. The Lord Douglas takes Striveling King Edward marches into Scotland brings the Scots to Conditions King David of Scotland returns home invades England lays siege to Newcastle but rises King Edward prepares to oppose him Durham destroy'd King David lies before the Castle of Werk The Story of King Edward's Love with the Countess of Salisbury exploded The Captain of the Castle passes by night thrô the Scotch Host to acquaint King Edward with the matter On knowledge whereof the Scots retire King Edward comes before Werk and follow the Scots A Truce between the two Kings The Earls of Murray and Salisbury acquitted From p. 236. to p. 255. Chap. XX. Charles of Blois lays siege to Rennes The Countess of Monford sends to King Edward for Succour Charles takes Rennes and besieges the Countess in Hennebond A famous Exploit done by the Countess Charles leaves half his Army with Don Lewis before Hennebond and goes with the other half to Auray Sr. Reynald of Dinant's Success against those of Rosternan Just as Hennebond is upon the point of Yielding the Lord Walter Manny arrives with the English Succours The Bishop of Leon falls off from the Countess The Lord Manny breaks the Enemies biggest Engine and beats up their Quarters Don Lewis rises in despair and goes to Charles of Blois who sends him to Dinant He takes Comper in his way The Lord Manny having retaken Comper returns to Hennebond The Men of Dinant having murder'd their Captain Sr. Reynald of Dinant yield to Don Lewis who takes and sacks Guerande Auray taken by Charles of Blois He takes Vannes and besieges Karhais The Lord Manny routs Don Lewis He attacks Rosternan the Captain of Favoet carries away two English Knights whom the Lord Manny follows but cannot recover He takes Gony en la Forest and returns to Hennebond The Countess sends to England for a Reinforcement Karhais yields to Charles of Blois who renews his siege before Hennebond Don Lewis vows to cut off the Heads of the two English Knights who were taken by the Captain of Favoet But the Lord Manny rescues them Charles leaves the Siege in despair but takes Jugon A Truce being taken between Charles and the Countess the latter comes with her Son into England The Earl of Salisbury is made King of Man by King Edward Pope Benedict XII dies Clement VI. succeeds From p. 256. to p. 267. Chap. XXI King Edward provides for the Campaign Sends the Lord Robert of Artois along with the Countess of Monford And resolves himself to pull down the Scots He enjoyns his Clergy to pray for the Success of his Arms. A Biennial Truce between England and Scotland The Lord Robert of Artois engages with Don Lewis of Spain but a storm parts them The Lord Robert of Artois lands in Bretagne and takes Vannes by stratagem The English lay Siege to Rennes The Bloisian Lords retake Vannes by storm The Lord Robert of Artois dies of his Wounds King Edward vows to revenge his Death A Parliament King Edward creates his Eldest Son Prince of Wales The Commons in Parliament complain of the Pope's Reservations The two Houses Address to the Pope The Pope writes to the King and his Council The King 's Notable Answer King Edward goes into Bretagne lays siege to Vannes Charles of Blois prepares to oppose him The King besieges him in Nantes and takes in divers Towns. The Lords of Clisson and Leon taken by the English before Vannes Don Lewis distresses King Edward's Navy John Duke of Normandy comes with an Army against King Edward The two Armies confront A Truce taken King Edward returns into England The Treaty fully ratified The Death of King Robert of Sicily of King Philip of Navarre and others The Foundation of Trinity-Hall Pembroke-Hall and Gonvill and Caius College in Cambridge From p. 267. to p. 287. Chap. XXII The Agents of France and England meet at Avignon Some Heads of the two Kings several Pleas which yet are more fully handled in the Fourth Book the fifth Chapter Paragraphs the VI VII VIII IX à p. 747. ad p. 758. but nothing done The Pope gains ground in the matter of Provisions King Edward begins his Round Table at Windsor With the Description Antiquity and gradual Encrease of that Castle King Philip sets up another Round Table at Paris But King Edward's Round Table being the Seminary of the Order of the Garter which was instituted Anno 23. Ed. 3. The
said Order is here enquired into its Original as vulgarly given exploded and one more Antient and Mystical asserted The time of this First Round Table with the manner of its Solemnity William Montagu Earl of Salisbury dies his Praise Pedigree Issue King Edwards Buildings at Windsor his Institution of the Most Noble Order of the GARTER The Names of the XXVI Founders A short View of the said most Noble Order and how many Foreign Princes c. have been thereof King Edward hears how King Philip had put to death sundry Lords of Bretagne his Friends King Philip's Cruelty to the Messenger of these News King Edward's Raillery on his Tax upon Salt. King Edward sends a Defiance to Philip But is alarm'd from all Parts to look to himself The Pope makes Don Lewis of Spain Prince of the Fortunate Islands King Edward sends Forces into Gascogne Bretagne and the Frontiers of Scotland He makes his Remonstrance to the Pope who endeavours to pacifie him A Parliament at Westminster The Earl of Darby lands in Gascogne His Acts. His Return to Bourdeaux He takes King Philip's Lieutenant before Auberoche Queen Philippa deliver'd of a Daughter named Mary John Earl of Monford acquitted his Prison The Lord Oliver Ingham dies his Issue From p. 287. to p. 312. Chap. XXIII King Edward tells the Pope that unless King Philip gives him Satisfaction he will renounce the Truce The Earl of Northampton commissioned to defie the French King. King Edward's Manifesto touching the Dissolution of the Truce His New Commission to the Earl of Darby An account of his Actions in Gascogne this Year The Lord Walter Manny finds his Fathers Bones in Reole The Castle of Reole yielded The Earl of Darby's Victorious Progress and Return to Bourdeaux From p. 312. to p. 320. Chap. XXIV Henry Earl of Lancaster dies The motives and manner of Jacob van Arteveld's Fall. The Flemings appease King Edward The young Earl of Hainalt slain The Lord John of Beaumont brought over to the French side The Lord Godfry of Harcourt revolts to England John of Monford amidst his Victories in Bretagne dies The Earl of Northampton combats Charles of Blois and routs his Army The Scots discomfited by the English whereon ensues a Truce The Death of one Lord and two Bishops From p. 321. to p. 330. BOOK II. CHAP. I. KIng Philip sends the Duke of Normandy against the Earl of Darby aliàs the Earl of Lancaster Duke John sits down before Angoulesme the Earl of Lancaster new Garrisons Ville-Franche and reinforces Aiguillon The Seneschal of Beaucaire wins Ancenis Sr. John Norwich escapes the Duke of Normandy by a quaint device The Duke of Normandy comes before Aiguillon with the Particulars of that Siege The French King's Seneschal of Guienne beaten by the Earl of Lancaster which Earl holds the Duke of Normandy short From p. 331. to p. 337. Chap. II. King Edward resolves to succour his Friends in Aiguillon calls a Parliament settles the Realm sets Sail for Gascogne but lands in Normandy and Knights his Eldest Son Prince Edward c. King Philip strengthens Caën against him A Cruel Execution done at Paris upon a Frenchman for Asserting King Edward's Right to France King Edward marches thrô Normandy King Philip prepares to encounter him King Edward takes St. Lo and Caën Rejects the Cardinals Endeavours for Peace stays at Poissy to repair the Bridge and sends a Defiance to King Philip who goes to his Army King Edward gets over the Seyne receives and replies to an Answer of King Philips to his Challenge His Progress thrô France His Princely Carriage to two Fair Ladies that were taken at Poix The Inhabitants of Poix being found treacherous are put to the Sword. King Edward endeavours to get over the Somme A French Prisoner shews him the Passage at Blanchetteaque which yet he finds guarded but goes over and discomfits Godmar du Fay who kept the Passage King Philip rests at Abbeville King Edward encamps in the Fields of Cressy and prepares to receive him From p. 338. to p. 353. Chap. III. The Number and Order of King Edward's Forces the Names of his Chief Captains He creates 50 Knights King Philip goes out of Abbeville against him The Order of the French. King Philip advances his Oriflambe and King Edward his Burning Dragon The Battle of CRESSY The Earl of Warwick sends to the King for Succour with the King's Answer The Prince of Wales having overcome several Bodies of the French marches forward against their Main Force routs the Marquess of Moravia kills the Old King of Bohemia and wins his Banner of the Ostrich Feathers King Philip flies and leaves the Victory to the English The Number of the slain on both sides An Enquiry into the Antiquity of Guns King Philip retires to Broye thence to Amiens and so to Paris The Behaviour of the English after the Victory Two Bodies of the French defeated The Conquerour takes the Spoil of the Field and care for the burial of the Dead King Edward marches from Cressy and lies down before Calais From p. 354. to p. 365. Chap. IV. The Description of Calais The strength of King Edward's Navy He lays a formal Siege to the Place Plenty of Provision in his Camp. The Earl of Warwick takes Teroüenne The Flemings besiege St. Omers Seventeen Hundred poor People being thrust out of Calais are relieved by King Edward The Copies of two Letters containing the summe of this Expedition from the Winning of Caën to the Siege of Calais The Duke of Normandy makes another attempt upon Aiguillon but to his Loss King Philip commands his Son to rise from before Aiguillon and perswades the King of Scotland to invade England The Duke of Normandy leaves the Siege of Aiguillon the Lord Manny cuts him off at the Reer His Agreement with a Prisoner of Quality The Prisoner brings him a safe Conduct and is set free The Lord Manny riding towards Calais in Confidence of this Conduct is seised by King Philip's Order But the Duke of Normandy saves his Life The Earl of Lancaster upon the Duke of Normandy's Departure takes the Field and Conquers in Sainctogne Rochellois and Poictou An Instance of this Earls Liberality and Munificence He wins Poictiers leaves it Desolate and Returns to Bourdeaux An Army of Poictevins discomfited by the English Garrison of Lusignan From p. 365. to p. 375. Chap. V. King Philip by his Ambassadors perswades the King of Scots to break with England King David resolves on a War Raises an Army and begins to march His Cruelty to an English Knight in cold blood He encamps near Durham Queen Philippa makes her Musters at York and sends an Expostulation to King David The Order and Number of the Scotch Army Also of the English with the Names of their Chief Leaders Queen Philippa encourages her Men. She beats Douglas and Graham before the Battle Robert Stuart Prince of Scotland begins the Fight but is obliged to Retreat King David is taken Prisoner by
John Copland an Esquire of Northumberland The Third and last Battalia of the Scots discomfited The time and place of this Battle certainly Assign'd A Gross Mistake of Hector Boëtius the Scotch Historian How long the Fight lasted the Loss on both sides The Names of the Scotch Nobility slain and taken John Copland bears away the King of Scotland the Queen sends to him for the King She returns to York and King Bailiol and the English invade Scotland John Copland being sent for to Calais by King Edward is Knighted and Royally rewarded King David secur'd in the Tower of London The Earls of Menteith and Fife executed The Earl of Lancaster returns into England and the Queen goes over to the Siege at Calais The Pope endeavours for Peace in vain From p. 376. to p. 385. Chap. VI. A Parliament at Paris Another at Westminster The Pope writes to King Edward to perswade him to Peace King Edward's answer Odoricus Rainaldus refuted King Philip seeks to bring over the Flemings but misses his Aim The Earl of Flanders confin'd by his Subjects because he will not match with a Daughter of England King Edward reinforces the Siege of Calais The Earl of Flanders escapes into France Two Frenchmen put to Death for favouring King Edward's Right The Duke of Normandy receives a Foil before Cassel The frequent Attempts to relieve Calais frustrated The Losses and Difficulties of the English Camp. Sr. Robert of Namur enters King Edward's service before Calais An account of the Scotch Affairs since the Battle of DURHAM An account of the Affairs of Bretagne Sr. Charles of Blois taken Prisoner at the Battle of ROCHE D'ARIEN by Sr. Thomas Dagworth Roche d' Arien taken by the French and the English Garrison murder'd by the Commons of the Country The French Navy defeated Five hundred more poor People thrust out of Calais The Calisians send an Account of their Case to King Philip. The Earl of Lancaster leading a Detachment towards Amiens upon News of King Philip's March returns to Calais The French Kings strength he desires leave of the Flemings to pass thrô their Country but is refused The Flemings Besiege Aire but upon King Philip's approach rise King Philip comes to Sangate and demands Battle of King Edward with the Answer Two Cardinals obtain a Treaty which comes to nothing King Philip goes off in Despair The manner how Calais was yielded Calais settled by King Edward A Truce between the two Kings King Edward returns for England A Brush between the English and Scots of the Borders Lewis the Emperour dies King Edward chosen Emperour refuses Charles King of Bohemia succeeds The Death of William Occam and Walter Hemingford A Law-Case From p. 385. to p. 415. Chap. VII The Glory and Prosperity of King Edward's Reign corrupts the Nation A Parliament Justs and Turneaments How Avignon came to belong to the See of Rome Philip of Valois and Edward of England could cure the Kings Evil. An Order concerning the Kings Purveyors The Truce between England and France prorogued for another Year King Edward solemnises the Translation of St. Thomas c. The Earl of Flanders does Homage to King Edward but afterwards rebelling is beaten King Edward being inform'd of a Design to betray Calais goes over privately and beats the Frenchmen He presents a Rich Chaplet to the Lord Eustace de Ribemont and sets him free Having settled Calais he returns for England The Death of the Queen of France and of the Dutchess of Normandy The two Royal Widowers Marry again From p. 416. to p. 428. Chap. VIII Treats of the Great Plague that happen'd in the Year 1348. From p. 428. to p. 442. Chap. IX King Edward Founds the Chappel of St. George at WINDSOR with the Copy of his Letters for that purpose The Pope furthers the Matter by two Bulls The Progress in Building Enlarging and Beautifying the Castle of WINDSOR The Institution of the most Noble Order of the GARTER Henry Earl of Lancaster Leicester and Darby made Earl of Lincoln and sent into Gascogne The Lord Thomas Dagworth slain in Bretagne Earl Henry's Exploits in Gascogne He brings the French to Terms A Famous Combat between 30 English and 30 French. Of certain who arrived to Great Wealth and Splendour by the Wars Of Sr. Thomas Rokeby Deputy Lieutenant of Ireland and of Sr. Robert Savage and his Son Henry Savage who lived in Ulster A Grant of the Black-Prince's to the Lord Henry Eam of Flanders confirmed at this time by the King he being then newly chosen one of the First Knights of the GARTER From p. 442. to p. 448. Chap. X. Pope Clement reduces the Bonifacian Jubilee from the 100th to the 50th Year The Original of Jubilees King Edward forbids his Subjects to go to Rome on that occasion with his Answer to the Pope's Expostulation thereon The Sect of Whippers rises and is supprest King Edward's Victory over the Spaniards at Sea. King Philip of France dies King John succeeds A Duel fought before King Edward between a Knight of Cyprus and the Bastard of France King John puts the Bastard of France and the Earl of Eu and Guisnes to Death Some steps towards a Peace with Scotland in Order to King David's Redemption From p. 449. to p. 455. Chap. XI A Parliament wherein King Edward advances sundry of his Grandees to Honour The Lord John Beauchamp Captain of Calais being taken Prisoner is succeeded by Sr. Robert Herle Sr. Robert's Acts. A Truce with France Another with Spain The Lord Guy de Nesle taken Prisoner Twenty four Christians Martyr'd by the Governour of Damascus who is therefore put to Death by the Soldan of Babylon King John of France renews the Order of the STAR The Castle of Guisnes taken by the English King John seeks to recover it in vain Sr. Charles of Blois set at Liberty upon his Parole The Lord Guy de Nesse slain by Sr. Walter Bentley The Earl of Stafford Lieutenant of Gascogne beats the French. The Death of Sr. Thomas Wale Knight of the GARTER King Edward provides for the Defence of the Seas William Earl of Hainalt Marries Mathilda Daughter of the Duke of Lancaster The Duke of Lancaster gets Honour of the Duke of Brunswick King Edward prepares against the French. Pope Clement dies and the Earl of Kent Two Malefactors beheaded at London From p. 455. to p. 467. Chap. XII An Hard Winter Storms Drought and Dearth A Riot at Chester The Black Prince's Munificence King Edward Founds a College at Westminster A Treaty with Scotland A Treaty and Truce with France A Parliament The Names of the Lords summon'd thereto Another Parliament A Treaty at Avignon which begets a short Truce The Foundation of Trinity-Hall in Cambridge A Quarrel between the Town and Vniversity of Oxford Two Fryars burnt at Avignon And a Third recants at Paris From p. 468. to p. 477. Chap. XIII The King of Navarre Murders the Constable of France and Invites the Duke of Lancaster to his Assistance
Skirmishes at the Barriers A Remark on Mr. Stow. The King resolves for Bretagne intending to return to the Siege before Paris at a better season The Great Miseries of France whereby the Dauphin finds himself obliged to make certain Offers to King Edward for Peace The King being moved by a strange Tempest accepts the French Offers A Treaty ensues A Copy of the Famous Peace made at Bretigny The two Eldest Sons of England and France sworn to uphold the Peace King Edward returns for England and sends King John over to Calais The Pope quickens him to finish the Peace which he does The Copies of both the Kings Letters The Names of the Grandees sworn on both sides Other things relating to the Consummation of the Peace Endeavours to reconcile the two Pretenders to Bretagne The Mutual Friendship of the two Kings King John goes to Boulogne King Edward returns to England The Death of the Earl of Oxford of the Earl of Northampton also of the Earl of Hereford and Essex of the Earl of Kent of the Earl of Warwick's Brother and of the King of Cyprus From p. 575. to p. 607. Chap. VII The Methods of the two Kings to establish the Peace King John's Reception at Paris The unwillingness of the Frenchmen to admit of the English Government King Edward makes the Lord John Chandos his Lieutenant in Aquitaine The said Lord's Praise and Character The Disbanded Souldiers turn Robbers and overthrow the Lord James of Bourbon The Pope gets them to be drawn off into Italy A second Plague in England The Death of the Good Duke of Lancaster of the Lord John Moubray and others with six Bishops and the Archbishop of Armagh The Black-Prince Marries the Countess of Kent Prince Lionel made Lieutenant of Ireland with his behaviour there King Edward restores unto the Priors Aliens what he took from them in the Eleventh Year of his Reign From p. 608. to p. 619. Chap. VIII Ambassadors from the Kings of Armenia and Cyprus entertain'd by the King with Justs and Tourneaments King Edward Creates his Son the Black-Prince Prince of Aquitaine The Copy of his Charter The Prince prepares to go over with his Family An occasional Prophesie concerning King Edward's immediate Successor The Prince his Reception in Aquitaine He settles his Court at Bourdeaux A Parliament at Westminster The Jubilee of King Edward's Age. He Creates his Son Lionel Duke of Clarence John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster and Edmund Earl of Cambridge His Acts of Grace to all his Subjects He holds a Solemn Hunting The Lord Fauconberg dies Sr. John Copland Murther'd From p. 620. to p. 626. Chap. IX King John of France on the Death of the Duke of Burgundy without Issue takes Possession of that County and goes to visit the Pope at Avignon Pope Innocent VI dies Urban V succeeds The King of Cyprus comes to Avignon A Combat fought there A Croisade proclaimed The King of France being the Head thereof The King of Cyprus visits the Emperour The Emperours Opinion concerning the Holy War. The King of Cyprus goes to other Christian Princes The Duke of Anjou being one of the French Hostages makes an Escape The Kings of Cyprus and Denmark and the Duke of Bavaria come into England King Edward's answer to the King of Cyprus when he ask'd his Company to the Holy War. A Parliament at Westminster A Convocation which retrenches the Excessive Number of Holy Days The Death of the Dutchess of Clarence of Edward Bailiol once King of Scotland and of the Bishop of Bath and Wells A Man who after Execution at the Gallows recover'd is pardon'd by the King. The King of Cyprus rob'd King David of Scotland comes into England A long and hard Frost From p. 626. to p. 633. Chap. X. King John comes into England King Edward welcomes Him. An Alderman of London entertains Five Kings at once The King of Cyprus returns into France and visits the Black-Prince then Prince of Aquitaine King John sickens and dies in England The King of Navarre stirs again Sr. Bertram of Clequin sent for to oppose him A Story of his Original He takes Mante and Meulan by stratagem The King of Navarre sends the Captal of Busche against Him. Sr. Bertram reinforced The Lord Beaumont de la Val taken Prisoner by Sr. Guy of Granville King John's Funeral Rights performed in England His Body buried in France A Day appointed for the Coronation of the Duke of Normandy The Famous Battle of COCHEREL wherein the Captal of Busche is overthrown and taken Prisoner by Sr. Bertram of Clequin Sr. Guy of Granville redeems his Father by Exchange for the Lord Beaumont de la Val. Charles Duke of Normandy Crown'd King of France at Rheims He makes his Brother Philip Duke of Burgundy Sr. Bertram of Clequin buys the Castle of Rolebois The Duke of Burgundy sent to reduce the rest The Army divided Acts separately Prince Lewis of Navarre grows strong about Bourbonnois A Party of his surprises la Charité The Duke takes in several Places Prince Lewis and his Garrison of la Charité do as they please The Duke of Burgundy goes to oppose the Earl of Monbelliard La Charité besieged and taken From p. 634. to p. 650. Chap. XI The King of France helps Charles of Blois and the King of England John of Monford both who prepare for Battle The French Order their Men. The Lord John Chandos orders the English and gives a Reserve to Sr. Hugh Calverley The Lord of Beaumanoir obtains a short Truce in order to an Agreement The Lord Chandos breaks off the Treaty The Famous Battle of AURAY in Bretagne with the Death of Charles of Blois and the Number of the slain and Prisoners on both sides Earl Monford weeps over Charles his Body the Character and Praise of the said Charles Earl Monford gives a Truce to the Country and returns to the Siege of Auray which he soon takes A Treaty for a Match between the Daughter and Heiress of Lewis of Flanders and Edmund Earl of Cambridge is dash'd by the French King's subtlety The Christians obtain a Cadmaean Victory against the Turks From p. 651. to p. 661. Chap. XII John of Monford reduces all Bretagne With King Edward's leave he holds the Dukedom of the French King. Peace made between the French King and the King of Navarre The Captal of Busche set at Liberty Is tempted to renounce the English Interest in vain The Death of the Lord Lewis of Navarre A Parliament at Westminster King Edward's Buildings and Foundation of Kings-Hall in Cambridge now called Trinity-College The Pope demands King John's Fee-Farm Rent King Edward refers the Matter to his Parliament The Lady Isabella Daughter to the King given in Marriage to the Lord Ingleram de Coucy The King punishes sundry of his Judges for Male-Administration The King of Cyprus takes Alexandria in Egypt but leaves it again Dr. Thoroton twice corrected The Earl of Warwick returns into England with the King of Lithuaniâ—'s Son to
lived but Miserably The Principal Authors in due Season we shall see brought to Condign Punishment VIII The young b Walsing hist p. 109. n. 20. Fox Acts and Monuments p. 345. King in his return to London was heartily welcomed by the Mayor and Aldermen and the whole City For he was a Prince of great hope and had much vivacity in his Countenance and courage in his Breast upon which account all his Subjects lov'd him entirely The gratefull Prince to set a Mark of his Royal favour upon that famous Metropolis in a Parliament held at Westminster c Joh. Tinemouth Aur. hist p. 229. a. in Bibl. Lambeth which began on St. Brices Day of his own accord confirmed unto them their former Liberties and granted new ones which they never had before Ordaining that the Mayor of London for the time being should sit in all Places within the Liberties as the Kings Chief Justice and that every Alderman who had been Mayor should while he continued true to the King and his Laws be always Justice of the Peace within his own Ward He also granted unto the Citizens the Fee Farm of London for three hundred Pounds per annum And that the lawfull Franchises of the City should not be seized into the Kings Hands but only on Occasion d Inst par 2. f. 20. Mirror c. 5. §. 2 Fleta l. 2. c. 48. Plowd com fol. 40. Instit par 4. f. 253 Rich. Grafton p. 217. of Abuse or Misuse e Stow's Survey London p. 248. p. 604. or for Treason or Rebellion countenanced or done by the whole City Further he ordain'd that Southwark should be under the government of the City and that the Mayor of London as Bailiff of Southwark should depute after his own pleasure the Bailiff of that Burrough under him About the same time also he made the Company of Skinners in London a Corporation as they have ever since honourably continued even to this day Himself for their greater Honour vouchsafing to be of their Brotherhood as afterwards other Kings did in imitation of so great a Precedent namely Richard the Second Henry the Fifth Henry the Sixth and Edward the Fourth Nor hath this Honourable and Ancient Company been ungratefull to the Memory of this their Glorious Founder but take all occasions to testifie their Respect to his Name and to preserve his Glory to Posterity Particularly of late they have at their own proper costs and charges erected his Statue among the Kings of this Land in the Royal Exchange in London To accompany the late unhappy King of England to his Grave there died about this time many other Potentates Princes and Prelates thô none so unfortunately and by such treacherous Cruelty as our Edward of Caernarvon And first there died Charles Earl of Valois younger Brother to Philip the Fair late King of France and Uncle to Charles the Fair then King of France and Father to Philip of Valois afterwards in Opposition to King Edward the Third made King of France He had been all his time a right Frenchman that is an inveterate Enemy to the English Nation Nor did his Nephew Charles King of France himself long survive him But departed this life without Issue being then about 32 years of Age on the Kalends of February Anno Dom. MCCCXXVIII when he had Reigned six Years and one Month leaving his Queen big with Child which notwithstanding died shortly after the Birth So that the Right to the Crown devolved thereupon to our King Edward the Eldest Son and Heir of Isabella the said Charles his only Sister surviving and the Daughter of Philip the Fair. But the French Nation either despising King Edwards Youth or moved by their own evil Genius for it was afterwards the occasion of unspeakable Calamities to that Kingdom prefer'd Philip of Valois the Nephew of Philip the Fair before King Edward the Son of Philip's Daughter to the Throne of France Accordingly on the 29 day of May following * Lit. Dom. CB. Pascha 3 April being then Trinity-Sunday he was Crowned at Rheimes f D'Avila l. 2. ad An. 1561. where the Holy Oyl wherewith Cloüis their First Christian King was anointed is still kept with great Veneration But the ill consequences of this his Coronation will abundantly appear hereafter There died also this Year the Lord g Buchan p. 277. Walter Stuart of Scotland Son in Law to King Robert Bruce and by the Lady Margaret Father to Robert Stuart who was afterwards King of Scotland the First of that Glorious Family From whom is descended our Present Gracious Soveraign King James the Second whom God grant long and happily to Reign About the same time Elizabeth Queen of Scotland deceased and not h Id. Junii An. 1328. long after there departed this life the King himself Robert Bruce that valiant Captain very old and as was said infected with the Leprosie leaving behind him David his only Son and Heir a young Prince of about Eight Years old of whom we shall say much in the Process of this History This King i Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 447. Robert Bruce was by birth an English Baron as was also John k Id. ibid. p. 523. Baliol his Competitor thô by Marriages of their Houses with the Royal Line of Scotland they Both at last had a Title to the Crown of that Kingdom King Robert beside his Brother l Speed p. 558. §. 33. Edward who was slain in battle by the English in Ireland had a younger Brother named Bernard Bruce from whom descended the Noble Edward Bruce of Kinlosse in Scotland a Person of great esteem and Merit in the Court of our English Solomon King James the First His Son m Wright's Hist of the Antiq of Rutlandshire p. 50. c. Thomas Lord Bruce was by Letters Patents dated the 21 of June in the Ninth of the said King James created Earl of Elgin in Scotland and on the First of August the Seventeenth of King Charles the First advanced to the Degree of a Baron of this Realm as his Ancestors for many Ages before had been by the Title of Lord Bruce of Wharlton in the County of York Whose Son and Heir Robert Lord Bruce was a Person of such eminent merits as well for his signall Loyalty in the late unhappy Defection as since the Happy Restoration of Monarchy that for a further addition of Honour King Charles the Second of Blessed Memory by Letters Patents bearing Date the 18 of March in the Sixteenth Year of his Reign advanced him to the Titles of Lord Bruce of Skelton in the County of York Vicount Bruce of Ampthill in Bedfordshire and Earl of Aylesbury in the County of Buckingham And being also Hereditary High Steward of the Honour of Ampthill Lord Lieutenant of the Counties of Bedford Huntington and Cambridge Lord Chamberlain of the Kings Houshold and One of the Lords of His Majesties most Honourable Privy Council he lately departed
to Favour and seemingly pardon'd but the Lord Henry Beaumont Sr. Thomas Rosselin Sr. William Trussel and Sr. Thomas Withers as not being included in this Pardon or not daring to trust to it were fain to fly the Land till the Death of Mortimer For to these Men he was implacable they being the first Persons who began boldly to challenge him for the Death of the Old King tho some of them had been concern'd in his Deposal for which this new Earl of March would gladly have had a full Revenge upon them But however upon this their flight he got many good parcels of their Lands and Possessions to be siesed on for the King's Use in name but for his own in reality V. Here because the foresaid Henry Lord Beaumont is not only mention'd on these great Accounts already but must challenge much more to be said of him hereafter as also that it may be seen what kind of Men this proud Mortimer levell'd his aim at and that I may at the same time do right to the Posterity of that Noble Personage I shall not here think it amiss briefly to touch at his Original Most of those that mention his Pedigree bring his Descent from Lewis Son to Charles Earl of Anjou t Dugd. Bar. 2 Vol. p 50. 〈◊〉 a younger Son to Lewis the Eighth King of France which Lewis Son of Charles being Lord of Beaumont in France begot of his Lady Agnes de Beaumont this valiant Lord Henry Beaumont and his Sister Isabell who was wife to John Lord Vesci of Alnwick in Northumberland and is called Kinswoman to Queen Eleanor that vertuous Consort of King Edward the First This Lord Henry married the Lady Alice one of the Cozens and Coheirs to John Cumin Earl of Boghan or Bucquain and Constable of Scotland in whose Title he afterwards obtained that Honour But whereas there are some who by mistake bring this Worthy much later into England in the company of Queen Isabella King Edward the Third's Mother this their error arose we presume from those passages of Froisard which make such frequent mention of the Lord Beaumonts assisting that Queen when it is plain that he means there the Lord John of Heinalt who was also called Lord Beaumont from another place of that name in Heinalt and besides this Lord was u Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 51. Claus 20. Ed. 2. m. 12. confin'd in England upon Suspicion at the time of Queen Isabell's Arrival And yet * Dugd. ibid. p. 50. others derive this noble Vicount Beaumont from Lewis de Brenne second Son to John de Brenne or rather Bremen the last King of Jerusalem VI. But now this Noble Lord with othes of Mortimers Enemies was fain to yield to the iniquity of the Times and to retreat into France till the Storm should be blown over Mortimer in the mean while securely basking in the sun-shine of his Prosperity as great as Heart could wish if Ambition knew any Limits to its Desires Soon after the Young King to do him further honour x Monast Angl. 2 Vol. p. 225. takes a progress toward the Marches of Wales where he gives this new Earl a visit He for his part as he was indeed descended of a very ancient and Noble Family from y Catal. Honor. p. 574. Hugh de Mortimer a Norman Baron who came into England with William the Conqueror and received of him in reward of his good Services the Castle and Lands of Wigmore was besides his natural Ambition very glorious and singularly magnificent in all his Publique Appearances But now upon this Visit 't is incredible what sumptuous Entertainments he gave his Royal Master in his Castles of Ludlow and Wigmore what Sports and Diversions in his Parks and Forests what Gallantry and Expence he exhibited in his Tiltings Tournaments and other Military Pastimes much whereof thô it might proceed from an honourable Disposition and a sense of Gratitude and dutifull Respect to his Soveraign yet as was thought not a little was upon the account of the Queen Mothers presence and that all of it in general smelt rank of a Popular Air and a vain-glorious Humour Whether it was really so or that Pride is so loathsom to all who are at a distance from it that it causes even our best Actions to be misrepresented and be view'd from the wrong Prospect CHAPTER the THIRD The CONTENTS I. King Edward summon'd to do Homage to the King of France for his Dukedom of Aquitain and the Lands of Ponthieu and Monstroile II. A solemn Just held in London for three Days together AN. DOM. 1329. An. Regni III. with the Queen's danger by the Falling of a Scaffold III. The Old Queen and Mortimer compass the death of Edmund Earl of Kent the King's Vncle with the Manner and other Circumstances IV. King Edward goes privately into France V. Soon after his Return a Son born unto him called Edward afterwards sirnamed the Black-Prince VI. Mortimer taken and executed a Parliament I. NOW was a Froisâ—c 24. M. S. Ang. C. C. C. ibid. c. 219. Philip of Valois the French King well settled in his new-acquired Throne having received all the Homages and Fealties of his Subjects and Others who held under him as Peers of France or otherwise except only of the Young King of England his Cozen who by right had ow'd him homage for his Dukedom of Aquitain and the Earldom of Ponthieu and Monstroile had not himself been Heir to the Crown of France and so Supream Lord not only of those Parts but of the Whole But King Philip being too much elevated with his good Fortune never consider'd any such thing or at least had no great apprehensions of King Edward's Courage or Conduct and therefore finding himself now in full and quiet Possession of so flourishing a Kingdom by the advice and consent of his whole Council he resolves to summon our King Edward to make his Personal Appearance before him in France there to do Homage unto him as to his Supream Lord for the Lands which he held of that Crown He therefore soon after dispatches into England the Lord of Ancenis and the Lord of Beausalt with Monsieur Peter of Orleans and Monsieur Peter of Massieres two famous Civilians which Four with all their Retinue after provision made departed from Paris directly for Whitsant where they took the Sea and arrived safely at Dover Here having tarried one day as well to refresh themselves as to unship their Horses and Baggage they rode the next day toward the Court which they heard to be as then at Windsor Being at last come thither in respect to their Master that sent them they were soon admitted to the Royal Presence where they gave the King a full account of their Errand His Majesty answer'd with good Deliberation That the Matter required advice that as for his Part very few of the Lords of his Council were then about him but if they would withdraw to London he
annum §. 9. extat apud Benedict Tom. 6. Epist secr 302. M.S. Dr. Stillingfleet sâ—â— incipiens Ut Sanctitati Domini nostri Summi Pontifiâ—is c. That it may be made evident to the Holiness of our Lord the Pope that our Lord the King of England doth justly by Hereditary Right claim the Kingdom of France the Information which follows was given in by the Ambassadors of the said King. The Matter whereupon the Lord Edward King of England saith He hath Right to the Crown of France is thus It is and hath been notoriously known that the Lord Charles the Younger Son of Philip King of France commonly called the Fair after the Death of the Lord Philip his Brother at which time the said Lord Charles immediately by Hereditary Right succeeded in the said Kingdom was true King of France and that unto him the said Kingdom of France was lawfully devolved by Right of Succession and that he the Lord Charles held and peaceably and quietly possessed the said Kingdom of France for the time that he Reigned as true King of France And that at last the same Lord Charles leaving no Brother then surviving deceased without any Heir Male begotten of his Body It is also certain de jure that in Hereditary Successions coming from one Intestate the next of Bloud to the Deceased being able at the time of the Decease to Succeed doth wholly exclude all the more remote of the Blood of the said deceased whether he was allied to the Deceased by the Person of a Male or Female And it is certain that at the time of the Death of the said Lord Charles King of France as aforesaid the foresaid Lord Edward King of England was his nearest Kinsman as who was Son of the Sister of the said Lord Charles namely of the Lady Isabella Queen of England being only removed from the same Lord Charles aforesaid in the Second Degree of Consanguinity But the Lord Philip of Valois who occupies the said Kingdom of France was Son of the Uncle of the said Lord Charles namely Son of the Lord Charles of Valois Brother to the foresaid Philip the Fair and so notoriously removed from the said King Charles in the Third Degree of Consanguinity And by Consequence in common Right the foresaid Lord Edward King of England Son of the Sister of the foresaid Lord King Charles deceased k The Original more full debait debet ought by Right of Succession to be preferr'd in the Succession of the said Kingdom to the foresaid Lord Philip of Valois who only is near to the said King. Charles in the Third Degree of Consanguinity l Hic in M.S. Dr. Stilling-sleet multa adduntur eâ— Pandect c. ad Jus Regis stabiliendâ—on allegata tum quâ—e sequuntar hic The Intention therefore of our Lord the King of England being founded on Common Right nothing remains but only to answer what may be objected And first it is objected on the part of the Lord Philip of Valois who bears himself as King of France against the King of England aforesaid that the same King of England did unto him as King of France make Homage for the Dukedom of Aquitain and for the Earldom of Pontive and did thereby recognise him the said Lord Philip to m The Original more full fore else be his Lord and King of France 2. It is also objected to the King of England that he made unto him Liege Homage and Oath and that of these things the foresaid Philip hath by him Letters sealed with the Seal of the foresaid King of England and moreover that these Letters were sealed in England 3. It is also objected to the foresaid King of England that he is not of the Blood of the House of France but by Means of a Woman namely of the Lady Isabell his Mother And that a Woman neither can nor ought an approved and lawfully prescribed Custom in the Realm hindring to be admitted to obtain the said Kingdom by Right of Succession and by Consequence by means of her her Son is not to succeed To answer these Objections the Information which follows was given in by the Ambassadors of the King aforesaid First that the Homage made ought not in effect to prejudicate the King of England because the same King of England at the time of making the said Homage was notoriously under Age nor had then compleated the 18th Year of his Age whereby he ought as other Minors when they are abused within the times provided by the Laws of Restitution to the full to be aided by a competent Judge if there had been a Competent Judge with the benefit of Restitution to the full But upon Defect of a Competent Judge the said King of England within the foresaid times of Restitution to the full used other Remedies of Law which ought to suffice him in this Part. Moreover the said King of England being under Age as aforesaid did before the making of his Homage by one of his Procurators especially constituted for that purpose protest openly and expresly that for any Homage whatsoever to be made to the Lord Philip of Valois then bearing himself as King of France by the said King of England for the Dukedom of Aquitain and the County of Pontive he did not nor would intend to renounce his Hereditary Right which he had to the Realm of France or any way from the said Right to derogate althô thereupon Letters should thereafter be signed with either of his Seals And he did protest that he made not any Homage to the said Lord Philip of his own Free Will but only he should do it for the just fear he had of Losing the said Dukedom and County and because he feared that unless he should do such Homage unto him he could not avoid other great Dangers and irreparable Losses And to the Truth of the Premises the King of England caused by his said Procurator an Oath to be taken upon his Soul by laying Hands on the Holy Gospel before many Witnesses called thereto As to the Objection concerning the Oath which the King of England in his Homage ought to have made or that he should have sworn so to have declared saving the Objectors Reverence it is not true because neither the Lord the King of England nor any of his Progenitors did ever swear in the Performance of any Homage as will evidently appear by the Inspection of the Registers containing the Forms of the said Homages nor is it contained in any Letters sealed with the King of England's Seal that such an Oath hath been made Nor can it be said that in the Homage made by the said Lord the King an Oath was tacitly implied hereby that the Letters were sealed with the King of England's Seal wherein it was contained that this Homage was Liege because the word Liege doth by its signification no way import the same And as to what is said that these Letters were sealed
in England and so without Fear it is answer'd that even so it was not without Fear when there was a fear of losing the whole Dukedom aforesaid by reason of an Army then ready to invade the King himself in the Dukedom and in England by the way of Scotland and that the said Letters were sealed while the said King was notoriously under Age as aforesaid not of the perfect Knowledge of the said King nor upon due Notice of his Right or Prejudice as neither by reason of the frailty of his Age could then be had Besides he the said King ought to be restored in full in this Case within the Times thereto limited if he had had a Competent Judge and because he had not a Competent Judge he used in due time other Remedies whereby there was taken better Provision as to his Right And the King of England would have our Lord the Pope to be more surely informed that the said King never did any thing on purpose to the Lord Philip bearing himself as King of France for which he ought to cease or desist from the Prosecution of his said Right or for which he thought or doth think his Conscience wronged in this part and that it was so He calls God to Witness As to the Objection wherein 't is said that the said Lord the King of England is not of the Blood of France but by means of a Woman who is not capable of the Right of the Hereditary Realm of France it is answerd that althô by the Custom of the Realm of France a Woman of the Royal Blood be excluded from the Hereditary Rights of the Realm of France yet hereby it doth not follow that her Son being a Male and able to Reign ought to be excluded from the Succession of his Forefathers devolved unto Lawfull Heirs because the King of England claims the Succession of his Uncle the Lord King Charles deceased according to the Prerogative of his Degree as next of Kin to the deceased King who ought not to be excluded from the Inheritance of his Uncle or his Grandfather by any Kindred more remote in Degree even althô the Mother of the said King by reason of her Sex should be excluded or put by And if it be said that some Nephews and Kindred of the Lords Lewis and Philip Brethren of the said Lord King Charles successively have been excluded from the Royal Succession upon that Account that they were only allied to the said Kings by the means of Females as also the King of England was allied to the said Lord King Charles by means of a Female only namely of his Mother it is answer'd that not upon that account were the said Nephews excluded but upon this that none of the said Nephews was in Being at the Time of the Death of the said King about whose Inheritance the Controversie was and this will evidently appear by matter of Fact underwritten For it is to be known that the Lord Philip the Fair King of France deceased leaving behind him three Brothers namely Lewis the Eldest Philip the Long the Second Born and Charles the Third and Youngest and one Daughter namely Isabell Queen of England Lewis the Elder Son succeeded his Father Philip the Fair immediately in the Kingdom of France and got one Daughter after which King Lewis died leaving the said Daughter which had no Issue during the Life of the said King Lewis and his Wife impregnate who after the Death of the said King brought forth a Male Child named John who after Nine Days wherein he was accounted King of France deceased And Philip the Long the Middle Brother of the said Three succeeded him immediately in the said Kingdom This King Philip begat three Daughters but no Male the Elder Daughter whereof was coupled in Matrimony to the Duke of Burgundy the Second to the Dauphin of Vienna the Third and Youngest to the Earl of Flanders Of the First Daughter married to the Duke of Burgundy was born a Male Child called as is said Robert during the Life of King Philip but that Robert died before King Philip his Grandfather and so was not in Being at the time of the Death of the said Lord Philip his Grandfather Of the Second Daughter married to the Dauphin there was no Issue at all during the Life of the said King Philip as neither of the Other who was married to the Earl of Flanders After the Death of the said King Philip his Third and Younger Brother namely the Lord Charles immediately succeeded who in the end leaving two Daughters unmarried deceased without Issue Male. From all which it is evident that the said Lord Charles was True and Lawfull King of France and by Consequence that the Lord the King of England who was Son of the Lady Isabella Queen of England Sister to the said Charles as aforesaid ought as his Nearest Kinsman to succeed him in the Kingdom These Instructions were given to Nicolas de Flisco and his Son Andrew who were to be follow'd by others with Letters from the King to his Holiness sealed with the Arms of England and France which New Seal was not yet made But while the foresaid Nicolas de Flisco remained at the Court of Avignon under the Pope's Protection certain wicked Persons thinking to curry Favour with the King of France about Midnight on Good Fryday Eve enter'd his House by Violence broke open his Chamber and hardly giving him time to put on one thin Garment hurried Him and his Son and one young Gentleman away and carried them down the Rhosne to a certain Tower where they kept them close till Saturday and then convey'd them into the Parts of France At which Injury his Holiness was so moved that he began to thunder out the most heavy Edicts against the Authors and Accomplices of that Crime and put France under Interdict as appears by an Expostulatory Letter of King Philips to the Pope Wherein calling God to Witness that this Violence was neither done by his Command nor Will or Knowledge and that when he heard the English Men thus taken were within his Kingdom he had given Order to make diligent Search for them and to return them to Avignon again he complains that those Processes were too sudden and too rigorous since he was wholly innocent of the matter and so to the blackning of his Honour and that for the future he would not be so hasty in acting against him without giving him Notice c. Dated at Moncell near Pont St. Maixence 21 of Maii. To which the Pope return'd That he could never think the Knowledge of that Fact did belong to him however it was so horrid that the Severity which he had used was necessary But that his Paternal Affection toward him was no way diminished thereby nay he would rather conspire with him in a mutual Agreement of Good-will and kind Offices Dated at Avignon iii Kal. Jun. Anno Pontif. vi Soon after at King Philips Command Nicolas
de Flisco and Andrew his Son with the Gentleman their Servant were brought back and restored to the Pope whereupon he return'd his Thanks to the King of France and took off the Interdict but as the Author of his Life says hang'd all those of his own Family who had a hand in the matter before the Doors of the House which they had broke open But as for his own Master of the Horse who was consenting to the Deed when being in Prison for anguish and shame he had slain himself after it was found willfull Murder he gave Order that his Body should be expos'd on a Gibbet to be devour'd by the Birds of the Air. II. But to return to the King of England who had lately taken upon him the Arms and Title of King of France as we shew'd He the mean while presently found the expected Effects of this Contrivance of Jacob van Arteveld's for now immediately upon the same all the People of Flanders n Knighton p. 2576. and Stâ—w p. 236. yielded unto him as True and Rightfull King of France and consequently their Superior Lord their Homage and Fealty and submitted themselves and their Country to his Government and were long after in all matters obedient unto him as to the King of France both by Right and Conquest After things thus done it was determin'd in this Parliament that o Frois c. 43. the next Summer the War should be hotly pursued in France being to be begun with the Siege of Tournay Which was the thing chiefly desired by the Flemings For they made sure to be able to get it and then they hoped easily to recover Lille Douay and Bethune with the Appurtenances With this Resolution the Council brake up and the King within a few days returned to Antwerp But the Queen who was then big with Child remain'd still at Gaunt where she was very honourably entertain'd and visited especially by Jacob van Arteveld Walsingh hist p. 133. and Stow p. 236. and the chief Lords and Ladies of Flanders And within a while after was happily deliver'd of a Lovely and Lively Boy her Fourth Son who was named John and sirnamed of Gaunt from the place of his Birth This John of Gaunt in time became a Noble and Mighty Prince himself being both Duke of Lancaster and King of Castille and Leon his Son Henry of Bolingbrook was afterwards King of England by the name of Henry the Fourth who was Father to the Conquerour Henry the Fifth but that Kingly Dignity was extinguish'd in his Son Henry the Sixth However from John of Gaunts Loins q Sandford Geneal Hist p. 248 by the Mothers Side was descended Henry the Seventh who was the Son and Heir of r Mill's Catal. Nobility p. 613. Edmund of Hadham Earl of Richmond by his Lady Margaret the only Daughter and Heir of John Beaufort Duke of Somerset Nephew of John of Gaunt by his Son John Beaufort And he marrying the Lady Elizabeth Daughter of King Edward the Fourth who had the Blood and Right both of Prince Lionell and Edmund of Langele Third and Fifth Sons of King Edward the Third got of her the Lady Margaret his Eldest Daughter from whom the Kings of Scotland is descended our most Gracious Soveraign James the Second King of England Scotland France and Ireland whom God grant long and happily to reign III. But it must not be omitted that before King Edward left Gaunt Å¿ Rot. Franc. 14 Ed. 3. m. 1. and Ashmole p. 651. he sent his Letters Patents to the Prelates Peers and Commons of France thereby signifying that Charles late King of France his Mothers Brother being Dead the said Kingdom was devolved to him by manifest Law. And that Philip of Valois Son to the Uncle of the said King had by Violence and Injustice intruded into it during his Minority and even yet wrongfully detain'd it Lest therefore he should seem to neglect his own Right He now thought good to own the Title of France and take upon him the Defence and Government thereof and having offer'd the said Philip divers Friendly Conditions of Peace to which he refufed all Condescention he was therefore necessitated to defend himself and recover his Right by Force of Arms And therefore all such Subjects as would submit to him as True King of France by Easter then next ensuing should be received into his Royal Grace and Protection AN. DOM. 1340. An. Regni Angliae XIV Franciae I. But here the Stile of France is set first and the Title of Duke of Aquitain omitted it being immerged in the more General Title of King of France This is the Summ of his Letters which he caused to be sent t Speed p. 572. a. to the Frontiers of the French Dominions and to be fixed upon the Doors of Churches and in other Publique Places But to satisfie the Curious I shall adjoin a full Copy of the Letter it self the Tenour whereof was this EDWARD by the Grace of God King of France and of England Lord of Ireland unto all Prelates and Ecclesiastical Persons and to the Peers Dukes Earls Barons and to the Commons of France Greeting u u Fox Acts and Monum p. 346. The High Lord and King above althô his Will be in his own Power yet is pleased to make that Power Subject unto Law commanding every thing to be given unto Him which is His thereby declaring that Justice and Judgement ought to be the Preparation of a Kings Throne Wherefore seeing the Kingdom of France thrô the Providence of God is by the Death of Charles last King of France of Famous Memory Brother German to Our Lady Mother devolved and fallen unto Us by plain and manifest Law forasmuch as the Lord Philip of Valois Son of the Uncle of the foresaid King and so remov'd from that Crown by a farther Degree of Consanguinity thrô Force and Usurpation hath intruded himself into the foresaid Kingdom while We were yet in Our Minority and so contrary both to God and Justice doth still detain and occupy the same Now least We should seem to neglect Our own Right and the Gift which God hath given Us or not to submit Our Will to Gods Ordinance We have thought Good to acknowledge the Title of France and by support of the Almighty King have taken upon Us the Defence and Government of the said Kingdom firmly purposing within Our Selves as every Good Man ought to do Graciously to Administer Justice to every One according to the Rights and Laudable Customs of the foresaid Kingdom Also to Renew the Good Laws and Customs which have been in the time of Lewis Our Progenitor moreover adding thereto what shall seem Expedient according to the Condition and Quality of the time But as for any Change of Coin or any Inordinate Exactions We intend not to seek Our Profit by Your Detriment Because the Almighty be Praised We have enough and abound And as concerning the Affairs of the
as it were in a Net they alighted on foot and began to defend themselves like Men insomuch that for all their great Disadvantage they slew and hurt many of their Enemies But the Men of Lille were now both behind and before and they were enclosed in a narrow straight Passage beside so that on each Flank also they lay open to the Enemies shot among bushes hedges and ditches that they could neither turn backward nor forward nor yet have convenient Ground to fight it out on And however well they might behave themselves 't was impossible they should get off because perpetually fresh Men flow'd in upon them under the Conduct of the x Charles Allâ—yne in Câ—efty 〈◊〉 p. 7. Lord of Rambois so after some Resistance they were all taken of necessity and with them a young Esquire of Limosin named Raymund Rogerii Nephew to Peter Rogerii then Cardinal and shortly after Pope of Rome by the Name of Clement VI. This young Gentleman having yielded himself prisoner was afterwards slain in Cool blood by the Frenchmen for greediness of his rich Arms and costly Apparel This is the manner of the taking of the Earl of Salisbury and the Earl of Suffolks y Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 48. b. eldest Son not as is commonly said of the Earl of Suffolk himself as Froisard hath deliver'd and truly it would not seem improbable neither but upon these accounts that it is hardly credible two such Great Captains as these were known to be should erre so much against the Rules of War in being so rash and careless and besides the way from Ipres to Greetsberg by Ryssel or Lille is the farthest way about by much and shews that Sr. Vauflart had rather a mind to expose them to their Enemies both of Lille and Tournay than to guide them the nearest and safest way Which had been by passing from Ipre to cross the Skell about Courtray a Garrison of their Friends to keep the left hand till they came to the place of Rendezvous which was not above 4 leagues beneath Aelst or Alost on another Arm of the Skell Wherefore having a more probable Account elsewhere of the taking of these Men I shall set that down also leaving the Reader to judge which Opinion seems most preferable Immediately after Easter the Earl of Salisbury and the Earl of Suffolks Eldest Son called Robert Vfford le Fitz went and laid Siege to the Town of Lille in Flanders z 〈…〉 4 Vol. p. 244. so called from its Scituation among Lakes which are now dri'd up that Town holding then for the French and being furnished with a good Garrison Hereupon full of Courage one Day they made a vigorous a Walsingh 〈◊〉 p. 133. Stâ—n 236 Sally upon the Besiegers but whether really overpower'd by the English or only in Policy pretending so to be they at last retir'd in great seeming Confusion much faster than they issued out The two English Lords as the Nature of Man is presuming belike on their late frequent Successes hoped by pursuing them close to enter with them Pell-mell and so to be Masters of the Place With this Design they follow'd the Townsmen close at their heels themselves being follow'd but by a few of their Troops that were then in readiness thô greater Numbers were hasting on to second them But as soon as ever the two Lords with a few about them were got within the Gates down fell the Armed Portcullis from behind them and in their Face they met with a great number of Men of Arms besides that those who lately fled from them return'd upon them now with greater vigour So that immediately they were both taken and sworn Prisoners with their Men and then clapt in Irons and laid in the Town-Hall Prison or common Goal till it might be resolv'd what to do with them At last it was determin'd that these two Illustrious Captives being fetter'd and shackled with Iron should be sent and presented to the French King as a lucky Hansel of his future Success As they were b Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 64â— b. convey'd to Paris they were drawn in a Cart thrô the midst of every Town Village or Hamlet in their way with great shouts and cries of the Vulgar and scoffs and railings of the rascal sort of People Being c Stâ—â— p. 236. at last brought into the King of France's Presence he most unworthily commanded they should be put to Death but to this the most Noble King of Bohemia John of Luxemburgh oppos'd himself with words to this effect Sir if these Gentlemen your Prisoners were not Persons of as high Merit as Quality I should not take much notice of them at this time thô I should hardly allow of putting the most mean or undeserving Enemy to Death in cold blood They are indeed as Matters now stand open Enemies to your Majesty but they are Honourable Enemies however and such as never fought against you but in their Liege Masters Quarrel nor then till open Defiance had been made Nor were they taken so much by the Valour of your Subjects as thrô an excess of their own and that too by a subtle Contrivance of their Adversaries nor even then perhaps had they so tamely yielded but that they believ'd they should not fail of being used like Prisoners of War. Let not the most Christian King of France prove more severe and less just or honourable than even his Enemies suppos'd him to be Beside the Event of War is uncertain and the King of England is not only himself of great Puissance but has gained strong Allies in the Empire so that he may be suppos'd able to return like for like If these Men therefore should now die who of your Lords would willingly fight in your Quarrel since if taken they must never expect to be put to Ransom but in Revenge of these Mens Blood to inevitable Death Nor are your Enemies only like to resent this Action if you proceed severely but the better Part of your Friends also as you may guess from Me who am the First that blame this Resolution of yours against them To kill those that resist is Valour and Justice but to put those to the Sword who have laid down theirs is both cruel and ungenerous It may be any Mans fortune to be taken Prisoner but it will be an eternal Blot to that Conqueror who destroys those in cold Blood whom the Law of Arms makes only Prisoners of War. My Royal Friend and Brother let us resolve to be valiant Enemies but Mercifull Victors at least let us forbear these unreasonable Severities till we are first provoked by the example of the English to use them King Philip being convinced by these Reasons of his Old Friend the Heroick King of Bohemia revoak'd the Sentence of their Death but however d Walsingh hist p. 134. committed them to close Prison He sent also to thank the Garrison of Lille for this agreeable piece of Service and promis'd them
and rode to the Town of Orchies which was taken and burnt for it was not greatly fortifi'd many other petty Towns they burnt also and overran the whole Country after which they return'd to the Army before Tournay with much Pillage and Booty The Flemmings that lay at the Siege were ever the most Obstinate of all others in molesting the Besieged as well thrô the Encouragement of their Leader Jacob van Arteveld as because the hope of Gaining their Cautionary Towns of Lille Bethun and Doway depended chiefly upon the Success against Tournay at this time One Assault among the rest endured with great Pertinacy on both sides for one whole day without any Intermission during which space many notable Adventures happen'd for the Chief of the Captains and Men of Arms in Tournay came to that part the Fury of the Besiegers flaming there most terribly For they came by Water in Ships and other Vessels brought thither for that purpose intending to break down the Barriers and the Postern of the great Arch. But it was so resolutely defended that the Flemmings wan nothing for all their Labour but after all having lost a Vessel with sixscore Men in her which were every Man drown'd they were forced to give over the Assault being all Weary and soundly Beaten Many Adventures happen'd in the time of this Siege all which cannot be here enumerated but some Particulars must not be omitted in so general and full an History as this is On Land they had high Stages and Belfroys of Timber in manner of Batteries from whence the Archers would shoot upon the Defendants while others fought at the Walls and Barriers But Tournay was sufficiently provided and that King Edward knew well and therefore resolv'd to reduce them by Famine When the Captains within saw his Design they thrust out of the Town all manner of poor People Men Women and Children that were not fit for War to make their Provision hold out the longer being to serve fewer Mouths They were put forth thus inhumanely in the open day expos'd to the Enemies Discretion which was a most pitifull Object to behold But the Noble Duke of Brabant gave them all leave to pass thrô his Host allowing them moreover a safe Conduct to carry them to Arras where at that time the French King lay It was thought that secretly the Duke of Brabant favour'd the French either for fear of what might follow or out of Natural Inclination which surmounted his Private Quarrel against King Philip or t Villani Mezeray 2 Par. 3 Tem. p. 17. thrô Bribes or out of Envy to King Edwards Good Fortune or out of meer Inconstancy But however this Action he did not at this time without the Consent of the King of England V. u Frois c. 56. Du Chesne p. 652. B. King Philip had now in Order to Raise this Siege amassed together a Mighty Army the Chief Leaders whereof were John King of Bohemia and Earl of Luxemburgh the Duke of Lorrain the Earl of Bar the Bishop of Metz the Bishop of Liege and the Bishop of Verdun upon the Meuse the Earl of Monbiliard the Lord John of Chalons the Earl of Geneva the Earl of Savoy and the Lord Lewis his Brother All these came to serve the French King with their several Troops Thither also came John de Dreux Duke of Bretagne the Dukes of Burbon and Athens the Earls of Alenson Forestes and Armagnac Lewis de Cressy Earl of Elanders Guy Castillion Earl of Blois with his Eldest Son the Lord Charles who is to make a considerable Figure in this History the Earl of Harcourt the Earl of Dampmartin the Lord of Coucy and many others of the Highest Quality Thither also came x Mezeray p. 2◠Philip the King of Navarre with a goodly Number of Men of War raised in those Countries which he held of the French King and for which he was obliged to serve him with such and such a Quota Lastly there was King David de Bruce of Scotland who led a handsome Number of Gallant Scotch Gentlemen and other Troops which he had hired with Money deliver'd unto him by King Philip to maintain his Estate withall during his Exile from Scotland While the French King lay with this great Army at Arras in Artois the poor People that had been excluded out of Tournay came thither and by their heavy Complaints mov'd the hearts of all Men to pity giving also y Du Chesne p. 652. b. advise to King Philip of the great Necessity of the Besieged In whose name they desired speedy Succour for else they were in danger to be lost the English assailed them so mightily and their stock of Provision was so extreamly wasted Hereupon King Philip sent thither the Duke of Athens the Viscount of Thoüars the Viscount of Andelot and other Lords to the number of 15 with a Detachment of 12000 z Fabian p. 21. ◠Men of War. These marched directly to Mount Cassel but they found it already taken up by a Body of Flemings So that being disappointed of that Convenient Post and knowing themselves unable to make their way by Force upon Consultation had they wheel'd off from Cassel and having done what harm they could in the Enemies Land return'd to the French King who was still at Arras They found him then in Consultation whether he had best in Person attempt to raise the Siege from before Tournay or go into Flanders and there make War upon the Towns that held with the King of England But it was resolved by a Council of War that it would be most for his Honour for him to endeavour Personally to raise the Siege and this being fully concluded on King Philip immediatly began his March toward Tournay with a mighty Power of his Allies and Men of War drain'd from several a Mezeray p. 17 Garrisons the like whereof for Number had b Walsing◠hist p. 135. n. 1◠never been seen in those Days among whom were c Fabian ibid. Four Kings Four Dukes and Fourteen Earls besides Viscounts Lords Knights and Esquires With this Army he went from Arras till he came to a d Frois c. 57. little River below Lille about 3 leagues from Tournay Where he found the Water so deep and the Ground so uncertain great Marishes lying all about that there was no way to pass but one which could admit of not more than two or three Horsemen on a Breast Wherefore not knowing how soon an Enemy might appear King Philip durst not adventure to pass the River but lay that night at a place called Pont a e Fabian p. 215. Bouvines The next Day the Army lay still in the same place as yet uncertain what course to take and while certain Horsemen were sent out to seek for a more convenient Passage Others advised to fling several Bridges over the River but that was found impracticable Those who had been sent out to search return'd to the King
a due State Counsel and a Treatise thereupon had with the Earls Barons and other Wise Men of our said Realm And for because We never consented to the making of the said Statute but as then it behoved Us We dissembled in the Premises by Protestations of Revocation of the said Statute if indeed it should proceed to eschew the Dangers which by denying of the same We feared to come forasmuch as the said Parliament otherwise had been without any Expedition in Discord dissolved and so our earnest business had likely been which God prohibit in Ruine And the said pretenced Statute We promised then to be Sealed It seemed to the said Earls Barons and other Wise Men that sithence the said Statute did not of our Free Will proceed the same should be void and ought not to have the Name nor strength of a Statute And therefore by their Counsel and Assent We have Decreed the said Statute to be void and the same inasmuch as it proceeded of Deed We have brought to be annulled Willing nevertheless that the Articles contained in the said pretenced Statute which by other of Our Statutes or of Our Progenitors Kings of England have been approved shall according to the form of the said Statute in every point as convenient is be observed And the same We do only to the Conservation and Redintegration of the Rights of Our Crown as We be bound and not that We should in any Wise aggrieve or oppress Our Subjects whom We desire to rule by Lenity and Gentleness And therefore We do command You that all these things You do to be openly proclaimed in such places within your Bayliwick where You shall see expedient Witness my self at Westminster the First day of October the XV Year of Our Reign This is the Famous Revocation which thô put among the Printed Statutes was meerly the Result of the Kings Prerogative Royal and yet in those days Esteemed of sufficient Force and as so afterwards confirmed by Act of Parliament as We shall see two Years hence CHAPTER the NINETEENTH The CONTENTS I. King Philip of France wins the Emperour to his side II. The Emperours Letters of Revocation to King Edward III. King Edwards answer thereto IV. The sudden Death of the Duke of Bretagne without Issue With the several Pretences of the Earl of Montford and Charles of Blois to that Dukedom V. Earl Montford seises his Fathers Treasure calls a. Parliament and goes forth with an Army to conquer his Inheritance VI. He goes into England does Homage to King Edward as true King of France for that Dukedom and implores his Protection VII On Charles of Blois his Complaint to King Philip Earl Montford is Summon'd to appear in the Chamber of France He comes to Paris but being in doubt gets secretly away again VIII The Dukedom adjudged to the Lord Charles of Blois IX King Philip promises unto him his Assistance and confiscates the Earldom of Montford which King Edward requites by giving the Earldom of Richmond unto the said Earl. X. Charles of Blois descends into Bretagne besieges Nantes and takes the Earl of Montford who is sent Prisoner to Paris XI The Countess of Montford prepares to renew the War. XII King Edward keeps his Christmas at Melros Abbey and the Earl of Darby at Roxborough whither certain Scotch Knights come to exercise Feats of Arms. XIII Queen Philippa deliver'd of her Fifth Son called Edmund of Langley His Christening solemnized with a Feast and Turneament Which is falsly said to have been for love of the Countess of Salisbury XIV A small Digression concerning Francis Petrarch the Italian Poet. XV. The Lord Douglas besieges Striveling and takes it King Edward goes against Scotland with a Royal Army The Scotch Lords offer Conditions to obtain a Truce which are accepted XVI King David of Scotland returns home again raises an Army and enters England lays Siege to Newcastle but leaves it again XVII The Captain of Newcastle rides post with the News to King Edward who prepares for Resistance XVIII King David takes and destroys the City of Durham XIX He lays Siege to the Castle of Werke the Story of King Edwards Amours with the Countess of Salisbury exploded XX. The Captain of the Castle passes thrô the Scotch Host in the Night to hasten King Edward to his Relief On Knowledge whereof the King of Scotland Retires XXI King Edward comes before the Castle of Werke and the next Day follows the Scots XXII A Truce taken between the two Kings with the several Reasons inducing them thereto The Earls of Murray and Salisbury acquitted their Ransoms I. ALL this while thô the Truce between France and England had more than Two Years to continue King Philip knowing that Truces are but Opportunities for Wise Enemies to improve to their Advantage like a Politick and Wary Prince thought good to take this time to recruit himself and to provide more strongly against a War which the Competition for a Crown seem'd to Entayl to future Ages And first after King Edward's own Method he desired to Establish himself with the Accession of some Powerfull Friends The Flemings he could by no means expect to prevail with while Jacob van Arteveld bore any Authority among them and the Earl of Hainalt was too much incensed to be wrought upon and the Duke of Brabant and other Lords of the Empire were still hamper'd in the Triple League made at Villenort Nor indeed did it seem feasable to gain any great footing in the Empire till the Emperour himself might be brought over The Emperours Friendship therefore seem'd as more considerable so upon many Accounts more attainable Lewis the Emperour had now to Wife the Lady Margaret Eldest Daughter to Jane of Valois King Philips Sister Besides he knew him extream desirous to be Reconciled to the Church if he might obtain Absolution from the Pope on no Dishonourable Conditions and King Philip had at that time the Popes Keys under his Girdle the Court of Rome being at Avignon in France The Emperour therefore he now secretly and effectually plyes by the Popes Letters and his own Ambassadors offering him both Temporal and Spiritual Advantages great Gifts and Pensions together with a Frank and easie Absolution from his long-continued Excommunication These things took with him so well that he presently sent unto King Edward these his Letters of Revocation II. a Walsingh hist p. 146. n. 30. Fox Acts and Monum p. 351. Stow p. 238. Odâ—ric Rainald ad hunc annâ—m §. 12. c. Lewis by the Grace of God Emperour of the Romans always Augustus to Edward King of England his Beloved Brother Greeting and unfeigned Love. Althô innumerable and arduous Affairs do lie upon our shoulders and We are variously and perpetually encumbred about them yet notwithstanding when the Discord arisen between You and Philip King of France our Beloved Cosin which unless it be appeased may for the future bring forth both to You and to your
Personal harm saying further Sr. Henry if you can bring this about I shall love you the better for it whilest I live Presently he had his 500 Men allotted him with whom he rode forth before the Army and toward the Evening arrived before Hennebond When the Captain Sr. Oliver Penfort heard and saw and knew that his Brother was there supposing he came with that force to his Assistance he immediately open'd the Gates and received him with all his Men himself hasting forward joyfully to salute him in the street When Sr. Henry saw him he hasted forward to meet him and taking him suddenly by the Arm for the first Complement said Brother Oliver now You are my Prisoner How so cry'd his Brother amazed Did I put my Confidence in your Kindness expecting you were come to my Assistance in defence of this place and am I now deceived Brother reply'd Sr. Henry the matter is nothing so I am come hither to take Possession of this Town and Castle for my Lord the Earl of Montford who is now Duke of Bretagne and follows us just at our heels To him I have made fealty and Homage and the greater part of the Country obeys him as You also are like to do now But surely it were better for You to do it of choice than by compulsion and You will receive more thanks for your pains for the Duke is a Gracious Prince I 'll assure you Upon these and the like Words together with the Consideration of his present Condition Sr. Oliver presently consented and so the Earl without one stroke given or taken was admitted into Hennebond where he set a good Garrison Thence he marched with all his Army to Vannes another considerable City which after a small Treaty upon Fame of his Success open'd her Gates and received him for her Soveraign Lord. Here having in three days time Established all manner of Officers and given necessary Orders he went thence and laid Siege to a strong Castle called la Roche Bernard on the other side the Vilaine whereof Sr. Oliver Clisson Cosin German to the Lord Clisson was Captain The Siege here lasted ten days but the place was too strong to be won by force and neither threats nor promises could work upon the Governour Wherefore the Earl thought fit to rise thence for the present and go and attempt the Castle of Auray about 10 Leagues Westward from la Roche Bernard and very considerable for its strength and scituation it standing on an Arm of the Morbihan between Vannes and Blavet The Captain thereof at that time was the Lord Geoffry de Malestroit who had with him another Valiant Knight Named Sr. John de Triguier The Earl gave them two notable Attacks which they as worthily sustained so that when he saw he might lose more there than he could hope to win he thought to try them by fair means and so gave them a Truce for one Day at the Request and Advice of the Lord Henry du Leon who was always near him This short time Sr. Henry made so good use of that by his fair Words and Perswasions they were content to hold the Castle for the Earl John and to yield him their Homage as their True and Lawfull Lord. This done the Earl left them still Captains of the place and the Country about and then passed forth to another strong Castle called Gony en la Forest which they prepared to Assault The Captain thereof saw well what great forces the Earl had with him and how in a manner all the Country fainted before him so that by the perswasion of Sr. Henry du Leon with whom the Captain had kept good Company formerly in the Holy War in Prussia and Granada and other Foreign Parts he was at last contented to keep that place for the Earls behoof for the future to whom he then made his Homage After this the Earl went to Karhais whereof at that time a Bishop who was Uncle to Sr. Henry du Leon was Governour But he by means of his Nephew was brought off to own the Earl for his Lord till some other should come who could shew more Right to that Dutchy VI. Thus Earl m Frois c. 68. John conquer'd almost whereever he went and seriously took upon him the State and Title of Duke of Bretagne but by Advice of his Council he was perswaded to have recourse to some Powerfull Protector that upon occasion might uphold him against the French King who doubtless would take the Part of his Nephew Charles of Blois Having therefore bestow'd his Men about in Garrisons and provided sufficiently for the Defence of his Country he took shipping for England with some of his Chief Lords in his Company and arrived safe at a Port in Cornwall where upon Enquiry understanding that King Edward was at Windsor thither he went and was very welcome to the King Queen and Lords of England There he declared to the King and his Council How he had taken Possession of the Dutchy of Bretagne devolved unto him by Right of Succession upon the Death of his Elder Brother the late Duke But that he feared lest the Lord Charles of Blois by help of his Uncle the French King would at last force him from his Right Wherefore he said He was come thither to receive and to hold that Dukedom of the King of England as true King of France and his Soveraign Lord by Fealty and Homage for him and his Heirs for ever Desiring him to Defend him in his Quarrel against the French King or whosoever else should molest him about that Matter King Edward consider'd that his War with France should be much furthered by the Accession of so great a Prince and that there was no way more Commodious for him to pass into France than by Bretagne especially remembring that the Germans and Brabandens had done him small or no service but had made him spend much Money to little purpose and that now since the Emperour whose Letters he had just then received was also fallen off there would be little good done for him by any Lords of the Empire upon these Reasons He readily condescended to the Earl of Montford's Request and then and there received Homage of him as Duke of Bretagne Which done in Presence of all the Lords as well English as Bretons that were there he promised to Aid Defend and Sustain him as his Liegeman against either the French King or any other whatsoever This Homage and this Promise being interchangeably Sealed and deliver'd the King and Queen presented the Earl and his Company with such great Gifts and so Royally entertain'd them that they accounted King Edward to be a most Noble Prince and Worthy to Reign in much Prosperity After this the Earl took his leave of England and arrived in short space at an Haven in lower Bretagne whence he went to Nantes to his Lady who applauded his League with England as likely to be of most Advantage to his Affairs But
the Matter was kept very close and none but his Council knew certainly of it for he had not been above Eight or Ten Days abroad in all and the Nantois thought he had visited some other Parts of his Dominions that while VII When the Lord n Prois c. 69. Charles Castillion commonly called Sr. Charles of Blois who look'd upon himself as true Heir of Bretagne in Right of his Wife heard of all the Conquests that the Earl had made in that Country which he took for his own he addrest himself to his Uncle King Philip to complain of these Injuries The King deliberating what course to take in this Affair was in the end counselled to summon the Earl of Montford by sufficient Messengers to make his Personal Appearance at Paris by such a day there to answer to what should be objected against him in the Chamber of France Messengers were accordingly sent who found him at Nantes keeping of a Solemn Festival Here he treated them highly and then having well understood their Errand answer'd that he would punctually obey the Kings Commandment Soon after being prepared for his Journey he rode from Nantes toward Paris with a Princely Equipage of 400 Horse in his Company The next day after his Arrival he rode with this Great Attendance to the Palace Royal Where the King and the 12 Peers with other High Lords of France expected his coming with the Young Lord Charles of Blois in their Company The Earl was conducted to the Kings Chamber being highly regarded and civilly saluted in his Passage thither by all the Lords for the Fame of his great Exploits and the Grandeur of his Person When he 〈◊〉 before the King he enclin'd his Body something low and said Sir I am come hither in Obedience to your Command and Pleasure The King answer'd Earl Montford for that you have so done I give you thanks But I wonder how you durst take upon You the Dukedom of Bretagne whereunto you have no Right For there is another nearer than your Self whom you seek to disinherit And to maintain your unjust Quarrel by Violence you have been with mine Adversary the King of England to whom as I am enformed you have done Homage for the same The Duke who thought it impossible that the King should know this Conveyance of his reply'd not without some Confusion Sir I beseech your Majesty not to believe any such Matter for You are not rightly informed as to that Point But Sir as for the Right which You mention saving your Displeasure You do me wrong to question it For Sir I know of none living so near to my Brother deceased as my Self And if it can be made appear by Right Law and Judgment that there is any Person nearer than I am I am not He that should rebell against Reason or be asham'd to renounce what I had unjustly usurped Well Sir rejoyn'd the King you say well But I command you in whatever you hold of me not to stirr from this City of Paris these Fifteen days in which space the 12 Peers and Lords of my Realm shall consider impartially on the Matter And then you shall know where the Right lies And if you shall presume to do otherwise be assured we shall not be Friends The Earl having promis'd all should be at his Pleasure went from the Court home to his Lodgings to Dinner But having din'd he mus'd much with himself in his Chamber and thought he had done too rashly in coming thither where he should be oblig'd to stand to the Award of such as were byass'd another way At last being o Mezeray p. 18. disguised like a Merchant and only three in his Company he privately took horse in a clear Night and leaving the City got home into Bretagne before the King or any else knew what was become of him Being come to Nantes he shew'd unto his Countess what he had done and wherefore and then by her Advice he rode about to all the Towns and Fortresses which he had won and set over them Vallant and Loyal Captains with sufficient Numbers of Souldiers Horse and Foot and gave them large Wages before-hand VIII For some p Prois c. 70. time the Court of France thought he had been detain'd in his Lodgings by some Indisposition seeing his Servants constantly about the House and tending his Affairs as if present But they also getting off by degrees when his Departure was fully known it may be guessed how deeply King Philip resented this Affront But for all that he kept so much decorum as to tarry till the 15th Day came whereon the Peers were to give their final Judgment concerning the Dukedom of Bretagne At the time appointed the Case was adjudged clearly in behalf of Sr. Charles of Blois his Lady Jane who was Daughter and Heir to Guy Earl of Pentebria Brother German to the Duke last deceased and therefore was now declared to have more Right than John Earl of Monford q Catal. Honer p. 6â—4 who was Younger Brother to the said Ladies Father by a second Venter namely by Violanta sole Daughter and Heir of Almaric Earl of Narbon and Montford They alledged further that althô the Earl of Montford had had the Right yet now he had forfeited it on two Accounts First because he had received the Dutchy of another Lord than of the French King of whom only he ought to hold it and secondly because he had broken the Kings express Command and disobeyed his Arrest in going away Wherefore neither would they r Mezeray p. 18. admit of his Request which was to accept of his Procuration whereby he had left One as his Deputy to manage this Matter in his Behalf From which Judgment it being manifestly influenced by King Philips Authority that Prince was much Å¿ Giov. Villani l. 11. c. 142. censur'd of injustice by those who allow'd the Ancient Order and Custom of the Baronages of France and the Salique Law especially since it was contrary to that very Judgment by which He himself had been Declared and Crowned King of France Since if Charles of Blois had the Right to the Dukedom of Bretagne by his Wife Daughter to the last Dukes Brother German much more had King Edward of England the Right to the Crown of France by his Mother sole Daughter and Heiress after the Death of Lewis Hutin Philip the Long and Charles the Fair her Brethren of Philip the Fair King of France But Prejudice is so strange a thing that it byasses the Minds of the Great and the Wise Men of the World by representing Falshood and Injustice under the specious Titles of Fair and Equitable unless there be present an Awe of Religion and a Sense of Honour and Conscience to suppress those selfish Considerations IX However as soon as this Judgment was thus given King Philip called unto him the Young Lord Charles of Blois and said to him Fair Nephew you have a fair and large
Inheritance by Judgment Awarded unto you Make haste therefore and go and conquer it against him that unjustly detaineth it from you and desire all your Friends to assist you in this your Quarrel I for my part shall not fail to lend you Gold and Silver enough and I will also command my Son the Duke of Normandy to go along with you Sr. Charles enclin'd himself humbly to the King his Uncle returning him his most hearty Thanks and after that he desired his Cousin John Duke of Normandy his other Uncle Charles of Valois Earl of Alencon Eudes the Fourth of that Name Duke of Burgundy his Uncle by the Fathers Side and Brother-in-Law to King Philip Peter Duke of Burbon and the Lord James of Burbon Don Lewis of Spain Ralph Earl of Ewe and Constable of France with the young Earl of Guisnes his Son the Vicount of Rouën and the most Part of the Lords that were then at Court who all said they would gladly go along with him and their Lord the Duke of Normandy And with this they brake up for that time and fell straight upon Preparations for this Expedition In the mean while King Philip caused the Earldom of Montford to be confiscate and seised into his Hands because Earl John had made a League with the King of England his Adversary Wherefore King Edward respecting t Catal. Hener p. 608. ex Record Ed. 3.15 this his Loss and willing to gratifie him with an Equivalent gave him the Earldom of Richmond in England with the Rights belonging unto it in like manner as John Duke of Bretagne and Earl of Richmond his Brother had held it untill such time as he should recover his Earldom of Montford Teste Rege apud Westminst 24 Septemb. 1341. So that we may well doubt the Authority of those who say this Title was given to the Lord Robert of Artois Thô it may indeed be supposed that John Dreux late Duke of Bretagne might for adhering to France against England be deprived of that Title which if our Historians must be in the right was thereupon given as they say to the foresaid Lord Robert thô he is not found in the Catalogue of the Earls of Richmond but upon this Occasion upon an Equivalent consideration might be taken from him again For as yet the Lord Robert of Artcis was not deceased as will appear hereafter X. And now u Frois c. 71. all the forementioned French Lords who had abetted the Quarrel of Charles of Blois being ready with their Forces began to march from Paris and other Parts to the place of their general Rendezvous which was the City of Anger 's on the Loire Being all joyn'd together they marched thence to Ancenis wherewith France is bounded on that side toward Bretagne and here having refreshed themselves for three Days they began to enter the Country of Bretagne As soon as they came into the Campaign they muster'd and found that they amounted to 5000 Men of Arms besides the Genouese which were 3000 and led by three Valiant Knights of Genoa Sr. Otho de Rue Sr. Charles Germaulx and Sr. Galeas de la Baulme who was Captain of the Crossbows The Army first went to a strong Castle standing on an high Mountain called Chantoceaux at the very Entry of Bretagne on the Loire which was pretty well furnished with Men of War under the Command of two Knights of Lorrain Sr. Giles and Sr. Valeran This Castle they thought best to reduce because 't was not safe to leave so strong a Fortress behind them Wherefore they invested it round and made many vigorous Assaults especially the Genouese who strove mightily to gain Honour in this their first Service with the Frenchmen But their great Courage was more hurtfull to themselves than to their Enemies for the Besieged defended themselves so well that of a long while they had no harm But at last the Assailants resolving to try all ways rather than hazard their Reputation in this their first Enterprise carried thither so much Timber Grass-plats and Faggots that they filled the Ditches therewith whereby they were able to approach close to the Walls The Besieged spared not to welcome them with plentifull Showers of Burning Pitch Quick-lime Stones Chalk and Iron-bars But the Frenchmen had brought with them a strong Engine in manner of a Penthouse like the old Roman Testudo under which the Pioneers might safely mine the Walls At the very sight whereof especially when they found they could not break or fire it the Besieged began to capitulate and at last yielded up the Castle on condition to have their Lives and Goods saved Then the Duke of Normandy who was General in this Expedition deliver'd the Fortress to Sr. Charles of Blois as his own who presently put therein a good Garrison to keep open an Entrance for him into Bretagne Thence they marched along by the Loire directly towards Nantes where they heard their Enemy the Earl of Monford was at that time The Marshalls and Vancurrours of the Army found in their way within 5 Leagues of Nantes a good Town called Carquesie environ'd with Ditches but there were not many People in the Town and those but indifferently armed so that after a fierce Assault the Town was taken robbed and half burnt and all within put to the Sword. Thereabout the French Lords lay all that Night and the next Morning marched for Nantes where they laid their Siege and pitch'd up their Tents and Pavilions for they expected no short Work of it And yet the Weather was pretty favourable for it was about the middle of October The Earl of Monford was not at all discouraged that he was thus besieged for he doubted not but to make the Place good till Winter when they would be obliged to raise their Siege and by the next Spring he question'd not but to be well provided with Succours from England by whose Aid he might give Battle unto the Enemy But he forgat all this while to consider the wavering Minds of his People and besides Himself committed one grand Oversight in Disobliging at such a juncture the very Chief of his Captains At the beginning of the Siege the Men x Frois c. 71. of War within the Town and the Inhabitants went all in Arms to their appointed Defences A Detachment from the Army came presently to the Barriers to skirmish against whom some Souldiers and young Men of the Town went forth and that time many were slain and hurt on both parts but the Barriers were maintained And in this manner the Town and the Army had several skirmishes not without many Wounds and much Bloodshed on both sides One Morning about 200 of the Besieged went forth of the City very early at a Venture and they changed to meet with 15 Wagons laden with Provision under the Convoy of sixty Souldiers who were going therewith to the Army The Townsmen set upon them and easily master'd them slew several and took others but some few
made shift to escape to the Camp where they related the whole Matter At this such as were most ready rose up to Rescue the Prey which they overtook near the Barriers of the Town And here began a fierce skirmish the Nantois being hard put to it by reason of the Numbers that flow'd in upon them from the Camp but however some of them took the Horses out of the Wagons upon the first approach of the Enemy and drove them in at the Gate that the Frenchmen might not easily drive back the Provision Hereupon Fresh Men came out of the City to relieve their Companions so the Fray multiplied and many were slain and hurt on both sides for Recruits continually came both from the Camp and City Wherefore the Lord Henry du Leon the Earl of Monford's Chief Captain perceiving that by continuing the Fight in this Manner he might by Degrees engage the whole City with the whole Army without any Advantage of his Walls and other Works thought best to sound a Retreat now before it grew worse But then the pursuit was so close upon their heels that more than 200 of the Burgesses were taken and slain Wherefore the Earl Monford when the business was over blamed Sr. Henry du Leon very severely for Retreating so soon At which unseasonable Reproof Sr. Henry who had hitherto been his Main Support was infinitely disgusted and for the future came not to any Council of War as his Manner was Which made many to wonder what his Design should be Soon * Frois c. 72. after this Mischance 't is said that some of the Chief Burgesses considering how their substance went daily to wreck both without and within the City and that already several of their Friends and Children were Prisoners if no worse and that themselves were in no less Danger privately agreed together to hold a Treaty with the Lords of France This Plot was carried on so closely by the connivance at least of Sr. Henry du Leon that it was concluded all the Prisoners should be deliver'd they in Lieu thereof engaging to set open their Gates that the French Lords might enter and take the Earl of Monford's Person in the Castle without doing any harm to the City the Inhabitants or their Goods Some lay all this Contrivance and the Menagement thereof to Sr. Henry du Leon's Charge who had been One of the Earls Privy-Counsellors his Friend and Chief Captain till that unhappy Accident whereby the Earl was provok'd to take him up so roundly However according to this Device so one Morning early it was effected The French Lords found easie entrance went straight to the Castle brake open the Gates and there took the Unhappy Earl Prisoner and led him clear out of the City into their Field without doing any further harm in the World This happen'd about the Feast of All-Saints in the Year of our Lord MCCCXLI After this the Lords of France and Sr. Charles of Blois enter'd the City again with great Triumph and there all the Burgesses and others did Fealty and Homage to the Lord Charles of Blois as to their Right Sovereign and True Duke of Bretagne For three Days they all continued here in great Jollity and Feasting because of this their unexpected Success After which the Lord Charles was advised to tarry thereabout till the next Summer and to set Captains in the places he had won But most of the other Lords return'd to Paris with the Earl of Monford their Prisoner XI Now Margaret the Countess of Monford who had the Courage of a man and the heart of a Lion was in the City of Rennes at what time her Lord was taken and althô she had a due sense of this great Misfortune yet she bore a good Countenance Recomforted her Friends and Souldiers and shewing them her little Son John said Gentlemen be not overmuch dismay'd at this mischance of my Lord the Earl whom We have unhappily lost He was but a Mortal Man and so all our hope ought not to rest on him But behold this my little Son who by the Grace of God shall be his Restorer and your Benefactor I have Riches enough so that you shall want for Nothing and I doubt not but to purchase such a Captain to be your Leader who shall be Wise Valiant and Noble When she had thus animated her Men in Rennes then she went about to all the Fortresses and good Towns that held of her side and still she carried along with her the little Lord John her Son and fortify'd all her Garrisons and spake to them as she had done to those at Rennes and paid largely and gave great Gifts where she thought it Convenient After all things were settled she went to the strong Town of Hennebond where she and her Son tarried all that Winter and frequently she sent to visit her Garrisons and paid all Men well and truly their Wages The mean while her Lord was a close Prisoner in the Louvre in Paris without hopes of Escape or Redemption Thô it will appear that about 3 years after upon certain Conditions which he kept not he got his Liberty but he died so soon after that it is hardly worth taking notice of and that I take to be the Reason why many Historians say nothing of it but rather think he died in Prison Thus much thô great part thereof seems a Digression was necessary to be said in order to clear what follows next Year of the Wars of Bretagne wherein England was concern'd I shall now take leave to speak something of the Scotch Affairs relating to the end of this and the beginning of the following Year Which after a small Digression we shall pursue more closely XII The last Year We show'd briefly how the Scots succeeded during King Edwards absence he lying at that time before Tournay So that having at last taken Edenburgh by Stratagem they had left nothing of Scotland in the English Hands but Striveling Barwick and Roxborough Now at King Edwards Return into England nothing was yet done against them because they were comprehended in the first Years Truce with France y Knighton p. 2580. But the King went about St. Andrews toward Scotland and kept his Christmas at Melros-Abbey Henry the Noble Earl of Darby keeping the same Festival at Roxborough hard by To Roxborough came the Lord William Douglas with Three Scotch Knights to Just with the Earl of Darby and his Knights which Martial Sport being honourably maintain'd on both sides the Scots departed for that time but shortly after the said Earl of Darby being then at Barwick twelve Knights of Scotland came thither also for the same purpose who were presently Match'd by as many English Of the Scotch Knights two by chance were slain and one Sr. John Twyford of the English Earls Retinue all the Rest came off with safety and Honour on each side King Edward presently after Christmas Return'd to Langley in Hertfordshire z Stow p. 238.
but they judg'd this sadness to proceed not from Love but from this that he had missed of the Scots his Enemies In the k Frois ibid. Morning however the King arose early resolving forthwith to follow after the Scots and to chase them out of his Realm Accordingly having taken leave of the Lady he put himself in the head of his Army and went after the Scots till he came to Barwick from whence afterward he proceeded till he encamped within four Leagues of the Forest of Gedeours whereinto King David was entred with all his Forces in confidence of that Impassable Wilderness For three days together King Edward lay there to see whether the Scots would come forth and give him Battle All this while there were divers skirmishes between the two Armies and several were slain and taken interchangeably on both sides thô the greater share of the loss fell to the Scots But Sr. William Douglas was the Man among them that did most harm to the English His Arms at that time are said to have been Azure a Chevron Argent Thô after upon the Encrease of the Honour of that House the Douglasses as * Vid. c. 4. §. 2. p. 57. We said before took the bloody Heart for their Arms in memory of Sr. James Douglas the Author of their Nobility who died in Spain as he was carrying King Roberts Heart to Jerusalem XXII Now for all these Skirmishes between the Scots and English during these three days l Frois c. 78. Du Chesne there were certain Noblemen on both parts who earnestly labour'd to compose matters between the two Kings And their Treaty took at last such effect that a Truce was agreed on for two Years provided the French King should give his Consent thereto For King David was so strongly confederated with King Philip that he could admit of no Peace without his Leave Which unless he should now grant then the said Truce was only to endure unto the First day of May following It was also agreed that the Earl of Murray should be quitted of his Ransom and Captivity if the King of Scots could so far prevail with the French King as that the Earl of Salisbury who was already at liberty but upon Parole should now fully be acquitted of all Obligations This Truce the King of Scots was by his Council earnestly advis'd to make that Scotland might thereby have some Breathing time to recover Strength from all its Miseries and that the Husbandmen might return to their care of the Fields which were now almost wholly neglected And King Edward for his part agreed the sooner not only because the Season of the Year began to call for a Respit but because he had Men of War at this time maintained at his charges in France in Gascogne in Ponthieu in Xaintogne in Bretagne and other Places besides his other vast Expences King David soon after by his Ambassadors persuaded King Philip to allow of this Agreement and moreover to send a Release to the Earl of Salisbury into England on sight whereof King Edward immediately return'd the Earl of Murray into his Country Only the King of France did by a caution oblige the Earl of Salisbury to pay him m Leland Câ—ll 1 Vol. p. 803. 805. Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 646. 2 Vol. p. 48. 3000 l. Sterling to boot which before he had undertaken to do for the redemption and Fees of himself and of the Lord Robert Hufford le Fitz Son to the Earl of Suffolk In consderation of all which Charges we find that a Year after the Earl of Salisbury had his Liberty his good Master King Edward allow'd him leave to transport n Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 646. 240 Sacks of Wooll into Flanders as part of a Requital of what he had lost and suffer'd for his sake CHAPTER the TVVENTIETH The CONTENTS I. Charles of Blois layes Siege to Rennes in Bretagne II. The Countess of Monford sends for Succour to King Edward who orders the Lord Walter Manny to her Aid But he is detain'd at Sea 40 days III. The City of Rennes taken by Charles of Blois IV. He besieges the Countess in Hennebond with a notable Exploit performed by her in Person after which she is forced to ride off to Brest V. She returns again to Hennebond with a good Succour whereupon Charles of Blois leaving half the Army still there under Don Lewis of Spain goes with the other half and lays Siege to Auray Sr. Reynald of Dinant's Success against the Garrison of Rosternan VI. Hennebond being just on the point of Yielding the Lord Walter Manny arrives the Bishop of Leon falls off from the Countess VII The Lord Manny in a sally breaks the Enemies biggest Engine of Battery to pieces and gives them a brisk Camisade VIII Don Lewis rises in despair and goes to Charles of Blois before Auray who sends him to take in Dinant In his way thither he takes Comper IX The Lord Manny having retaken Comper returns to Hennebond X. The Men of Dinant having murder'd their Captain Sr. Reynald of Dinant yield to Don Lewis who after that takes and sacks Guerande XI Auray taken by Charles of Blois XII He takes Vannes and lays Siege to Karhais XIII The Lord Manny routs Don Lewis killing 5700 of his Men the Don narrowly escaping XIV While the Lord Manny attacks Rosternan the Captain of Favoet takes and carries away two English Knights whom the Lord Manny pursues and besieges but hearing of a powerfull Succour approaching rises and goes homeward taking Gony en la Forest in the way The Countess sends to England for a Reinforcement XV. Karhais yields to Charles of Blois who thereupon returns before Hennebond Don Lewis having obtain'd as a gift the disposal of the two English Knights Prisoners vows to behead them both in sight of their Friends in Hennebond XVI The Lord Manny hereupon calls a Council of War and propounds and effects the Rescue of the two Knights XVII Hereupon Charles of Blois raises his Siege again but takes Jugon by a wile XVIII A Truce taken between the Lord Charles and the Countess which latter comes to England with her Son where she is honourably received of the King. XIX The Earl of Salisbury conquering the Isle of Man is by the King of England crowned King thereof Pope Benedict the Twelfth dying is succeeded by Clement the Sixth I. WE have before given an Account of the Occasion and Beginning of the Wars in Bretagne how John Earl of Montford was taken at Nantes and deliver'd up as Prisoner to King Philip who committed him to the Louvre and that all that Winter the Lord Charles of Blois remained about Nantes intending to renew the War in the Opening of the Year Now therefore having remov'd out of the way the Matters of Scotland we shall return again to Bretagne where shortly we shall find England engag'd in a War. Early a Frois c. 79. in the Spring of this Year MCCCXLII
all the French Lords who had the Year before assisted the Lord Charles of Blois returned unto him to the City of Nantes with a great Power of Armed Men. Among them it was in a Council of War agreed that the City of Rennes upon the River of Vilaine should be first attempted as being a place of great Importance and the Seat of Parliament for the whole Province The Countess of Montford who foresaw no less had already well provided for that City having made a most loyal and couragious Gentleman of Bretagne named Sr. William Cadudal Captain thereof However the Lords of France laid their Siege to Rennes but were so well received by the Captain that they lost much more than they could win Yet still they continued there resolving one way or other to be Masters of the Place II. Upon the first News of their Return into Bretagne the Countess of Montford sent the Lord Emery Clysson into England to desire Succour of King Edward proffering her only Son and Heir in Marriage with one of the Kings Daughters who thereupon should be Dutchess of Bretagne King Edward upon this Lords Arrival was at London holding a great Feast for it was Easter whereupon most of his Chief Barons and Knights were about him When the Lord Clysson had punctually related his whole Errand the King granted his Request in contemplation of the Alliance already made and to be made between England and Bretagne Whereupon he commanded the Noble Lord Walter Manny to take with him as many Men of War as Sr. Emery thought necessary besides 5000 Select Archers at least and with all speed to cross the Seas for Bretagne in order to aid the Countess Sr. Walter Manny prepared with all Expedition and when all things were ready took the Sea with these Lords of England and of Bretagne in his company the Lords of Bretagne were Sr. Emery of Clysson the two Brethren of Lyndale Sr. Lewis and Sr. John Sr. Alan Sirefond Sr. John Hayes of Brabant and of England the Lord John b Didg 1 Vol. p. 682. Bardolph the Lord Miles Stapleton the Lord John Darcy senior Sr. John Butler and Sr. Matthew Trelauny being in all c Knighton p. 1581. n. 10. 620 Men of Arms and 6000 Archers with others For we find d Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 751. that Hugh Audley Earl of Glocester was also there as a Volunteer under the Lord Manny with a Troop of an 100 Men of Arms himself accounted for one whereof there were befides one Banneret twenty Knights and seventy eight Esquires and these were joyned with another Troop of an 100 Archers on Horseback Here was also the Lord William Bohun Earl of Northampton who e Id. ibid. p. 185. had Commission to receive Fealty and Homage from the Bretons on the behalf of King Edward as King of France But thô these Succours took the Sea early enough it was almost too late before they came to the Countess for they were detained at Sea more than fourty Days by Tempests and bad Weather III. The mean while the Lord Charles of Blois who had layn some while before Rennes gave such Trouble to them within that the Citizens would gladly have Articled but Sr. William Cadudal their Captain would by no means hear of any Agreement The Besieged however when they saw that all this while there came no Succour from England nor from the Countess as they had been promised and that they had already endured much Trouble urged the Captain again more importunately to think of yielding while there was time of Mercy but he absolutely refused saying he was strong enough to hold out but if not had rather die than turn Traytor When they saw his Resolution they kept their own counsel secret and being resolved to save themselves thô without doing him any harm for they lov'd his Person for his valour Bounty and Loyalty they once by a wile train'd him from his Attendants and seising his Person cast him into Prison Then they presently agreed with Sr. Charles of Blois to yield up the Town the next Day on condition that the Captain and all those who would still hold on the Countesses side might have free leave with their Horse and Arms to depart whither they would and the rest should make Homage unto him Accordingly in the beginning of May the City was yielded up and the Lord Charles received there as Duke of Bretagne to whom all the Burgesses made their Homage and sware Fealty But Sr. William Cadudal could not be wrought upon to own him or his cause wherefore according to the Articles he had leave to depart which he did with all those of his Mind and went straight to the strong Town of Hennebond where he found the Countess who as yet had heard no News of Sr. Emery Clisson and his Fellows IV. Rennes being thus taken the Lord Charles of Blois was ſ Frois c. 80. fol. 41. l. advised to go and lay his Siege to Hennebond where the Head of the War the Countess and her Son were For said the Lords his Friends now the Earl himself your Adversary is in Prison if We might get the Countess and her Son into Our Hands the whole War would be at an end This Advice if it had been taken before they went to Rennes had in all likelihood succeeded as they wish'd For even now We shall find the Place to be almost reduc'd by that time the slow Succours came from England When the Countess understood that the French were come to Besiege her she immediately commanded an Alarum to be given with the Watch-Bell for all Men to go to their Defences And she had now with her in the Town a Competent Garrison well furnish'd with Provision Ammunition and Good Captains as the Bishop of Leon Uncle to the Lord Henry du Leon who was Revolted Sr. Pierce of Triguier the Lord of Landernear Sr. William Cadndal Sr. Henry Pennefort and Sr. Oliver his Brother the Governour of Guingand and many other Valiant Gentlemen When Sr. Charles came thither with his Army he encamped within a quarter of a Mile of the Town But some of his lusty young Knights and Esquires would not rest till they had try'd what Defence their Enemies could make So to the Barriers to skirmish they went and others as bold went forth to meet them The Dispute was continued very hot between them for a while but at last the Frenchmen and Genouese being overpower'd were forced to retire with considerable loss The next day Sr. Charles perfected his Siege round both the Town and Castle except where the Castle opens to the Sea for he had no Navy and then took Advice to give a fierce Assault at the Barriers which continued till Noon At which time the Assailants were compelled to draw back themselves all weary and having lost many of their Men. When the Lords of France saw their people retire thus they were no less ashamed than displeased insomuch that they all
the Daughter of St. Iewis King of France Whose Sons were put by the Crown by their Uncle Alphenso that row Keigned Odoric Raynald ad an 1344 §. 47. Lewis of Spain Nephew to King Alphonso the XI who continu'd the Siege before Hennebond had so broken and shatter'd the Walls of the Town with his Engines that the Besieged began to doubt extreamly One day among others the Pishop of Leon having had some Communication in the Camp with Sr. Henry du Leâ—s his Nephew after much arguing for the Bishop was sent forth to obtain some short respite it was at last agreed that the Bishop should endeavour to perswade them within to yield up the Town and Castle to Sr. Charles of Blois and Sr. Henry du Leon on the other side engag'd to obtain of the Lord Charles a full freedom and liberty for them all that they should receive no Damage either in Body or Goods Upon this conclusion the Bishop enter'd the Town again immediately whereupon the Countess who suspected his Errand after she had heard of his conference with Sr. Henry beg'd earnestly of the Lords and Knights who were with her in Council that for the love of God they would all take heart and hold out a little longer For she said she was confident that within three days the Succours from England would arrive But yet the Bishop spake so effectually and gave so many Reasons for what he said that all their Minds were mightily perplexed and they remain'd in doubt all that Night The next Morning they met in Council again And at last they began to agree about yielding and had accordingly then done it had Sr. Henry been near with his Forces to enter and take possession Then the Countess ran to a Window in great Agony and look'd down along the Sea from the Castle with her heart aking while her Lords were left debating of these unpleasant matters Of a sudden she leap'd for joy and cry'd out aloud I see I see the Succours of England coming There 's the Cross of St George God has heard our Prayers He has heard Us Then all the Lords and others ran to the Window and to the Walls and up to the High Tower whence they beheld a Fleet of Ships Great and Small freshly deck'd making up to the Port. They presently knew it to be the English Fleet as indeed it was and had been detain'd above 40 days at Sea by ill-weather but now happily came in the very Golden Opportunity to save the Countess and the Town Now k Frois c. 81. when the Governour of Guingand Sr. Pierce of Triguier Galeran Lord of Landerneau and other Knights of Bretagne saw these Succours coming they said to the Bishop Sir you may e'n leave off this pious Harangue about Peace for we are not at present disposed to follow your Doctrine Then said the Bishop if so Gentlemen we must e'n part Stakes For I will go to that Side which hath most Right Having so said he went out of Town and defi'd the Countess and all her Abettors and being brought to Sr. Henry du Leon shew'd him how Matters stood Sr. Henry was wonderfully displeas'd and gave Command that the very greatest of the Engines which were rais'd against the Castle should be pli'd Day and Night without ceasing And so he led his Uncle the Bishop to Don Lewis of Spain who in the Name of Sr. Charles of Blois received him kindly as well for the Accession of so considerable a Person as for Sr. Henry his Nephew's sake VII The mean while the Countess of Montford made ready Halls and Chambers to entertain the Lords and Captains of England that were coming and she sent out the Chief of her Court to welcome them in the Haven upon their Landing When they were landed she her self went forth to meet them and shew'd all along great Respect to the Captains and feasted them highly and gave them hearty Thanks and lodged all the Knights and Others at their Ease in the Castle and the Town The next day she made them a very noble Dinner in the Castle now all the night before and all that morning the great Engines cast mighty Stones against the Castle wherefore after Dinner the Lord Walter Manny who was General of all the English Forces enquired of the condition of the Town and of the Army without and having heard a full Account of all he said Surely Gentlemen I have a desire to sally out and break down this Great Engine that stands so near us if any man will follow me Then Sr. Pierce of Triguier and the Lord of Landerneau said they would not fail to follow him in this his first Adventure So they immediately arm'd themselves and went out privily at a certain Postern with 300 Archers and about 40 Men of Arms. The Archers shot so thick altogether that those who kept the Engine fled away and the Men of Arms who came after the Archers pursu'd and slew many of those that fled and then with Axes they beat down the Engine to the ground and brake it all to pieces Nor content herewith they ran in among the Tents and Lodgings that stood nearest setting Fire in divers Places and killing and wounding till the whole Army began to stirr Then they put themselves in good Order and withdrew fair and softly they of the Host running after them like Mad-men Hereupon Sr. Walter-Manny said aloud Let me never be beloved of my Lady if I refuse to take a Turn with one or two of these Pursuers And therewithall he couched his Spear and faced about to his Enemies so did the two Brethren of Landale Sr. Hayes of Brabant Sr. Pierce of Triguier and the Lord of Landerneau with the other Knights of Bretagne and of England that were there Then might have been seen a fierce Medley indeed Spears shivering to pieces Horses falling down and Men revers'd upon the Earth But those from the Camp encreasing upon the Others continually it behoved the English by little and little to endeavour to recover the Town In this bonourable Retreat it was a gallant fight to behold how here a Prisoner was taken and immediately rescued again here a Knight was unhorsed and forthwith remounted upon his Enemies Beast The Lord Walter Manny shew'd himself both a Wise Captain and a valiant Knight For all the while he fought couragiously in the Reer of his Men as he retired discreetly to the Ditches Where the Archers being planted on each Flank he made a stand with his choice Captains about him till he saw all the rest in safety By which time almost all the Men of Arms within the Town sallied forth with great clamour to rescue their Friends and about 3000 Archers more came out and ranged themselves on each side the Dike in order to receive the Enemy But they for their part prudently retired finding it a vain Attempt to force them upon such Disadvantage and the English returned all safe and victorious into the
into the Ships which he had found there with Sr. Otho du Rue and a good Number of Genouëse and Spaniards resolving to coast along by the Sea side in hopes to find some Purchase But the Vicount of Rouën the Bishop of Leon and Sr. Henry du Leon his Nephew with all the rest of that Army return'd back to the Lord Charles of Blois who lay still before Auray There they found many Lords and Knights of France as the Lord Lewis of Poictiers the Earl of Valence the Earl of Auxerre the Earl of Porcien the Earl of Joigny the Earl of Boulogne and several Others whom King Philip had newly sent thither to reinforce the Lord Charles against the English besides not a few who of their own Good will came to serve him Untill this time the Castle of Auray held out very well But now there began to rage such a Famine among them within that they fed upon whatsoever they could meet with having for seven days before dieted upon their Horses And yet even this Plague which tameth all other Creatures could not make these Warriers yield Because the Lord Charles would not grant them Honourable conditions but demanded them to yield absolutely to his Pleasure However one dark Night these valiant Men seeing they could do no better went all silently out of the Castle on Foot and as God would have it escaped quite thrô the Host except some few of the Weakest who being left behind were perceived and slain But the two Loyal Brothers Sr. Henry Pennefort and Sr. Oliver by means of a little Wood hard by got off clearly with most of their Men and came to the Countess to Hennebond but about 4 French Miles from Auray XII Thus after ten Weeks Siege Sr. Charles of Blois hardly at last gain'd the strong Castle of Auray which he supplied with a good Garrison and Provision and so went and laid Siege to the Great City of Vannes The Captain of Vannes was the Lord Geoffry of Malestroit a Loyal and valiant Gentleman who resolved to defend the Place to the last The Day after Vannes was besieged a part of the Garrison of Ploermel which being little more than 7 French Miles from thence held for the Countess rode forth early in the Morning to the Camp of Charles of Blois where falling suddenly on they slew and wounded and terrified many But having no expert Leader they engaged themselves too far and so were well-nigh enclosed unawares before they could get back So that they lost many of their Company and the rest were chased almost to the Gates of Ploermel When the Bloisians were returned from this Chase the Lord Charles commanded a general Assault upon Vannes Whereupon within a while the Barriers were won by Force So that there was held a Bloody Contest at the Gates of the City which lasted till Night At what time a Truce was by the Besieged required and granted for all the day following The next day the Burgesses of the City mauger all that the Lord Geoffry could do or say concluded to yield up the Place to Sr. Charles but however during the time of the Treaty the Captain seeing how things would go got privately out of the Town and with a few of his own Mind came safe to Hennebond The Lord Charles enter'd the Town peaceably and had the Homages of all the Inhabitants yielded to him and so having tarried there five days to set things in Order he went thence and sat down before Karhais upon the River Aufene XIII The mean while o Frois c. 84. fol. 43. b. Don Lewis of Spain who with his Troops had taken Ship at the Port of Gnerande which he had so cruelly destroy'd sailed forth till he came into Bretagne Bretonant to the Haven of Quimperlay near Quimpercorentin Here he landed and burnt and wasted all the Country about and gat a vast quantity of Riches and spoil which having sent on board himself proceeded on farther ravaging about in those parts Sr. Walter Manny and Sr. Emery Clisson heard at Hennebond of all these proceedings wherefore calling a Council of War they resolv'd to sail in quest of Don Lewis And so they set forth to Sea with 3000 Archers and a competent Number of Men of Arms till at last they arrived at the Haven of Quimperlay where they found Don Lewis his Navy Which immediately they boarded and took with ease putting all to the sword they found therein But they admired at the vast Riches and Prey which the Spaniards had heap'd together not as we may guess with a Design to leave them thus for the English However Sr. Walter Manny was not satisfied with all this unless he might dispute his Right thereto with the Owners themselves He therefore leaves his own Vessels and those he had won to the Protection of 300 Archers and with the Rest of his Forces takes Land and Marches up into the Country in quest of Don Lewis being ranged in three distinct Battails distant about half a Mile from each other that the Enemy might not escape them And thus Command being given to fire all Towns which had owned Charles of Blois they went on driving the Country before them When Don Lewis heard of these new Intruders he drew all his Men together and endeavour'd with all speed to recover his Ships which as yet he knew not to be in his Enemies Power Upon his Return he encountred with One of the three English Battails and finding he could not well avoid them he resolv'd to engage with them so he order'd his Men and made several new Knights among whom was his Nephew Don Alphonso a young hopefull Gentleman and presently gave the English a brisk Onset In all likelihood He had soon prevail'd over this Brigade but by the Cry and Noise of the Country people who had sufficient cause to hate the Spaniard the other two Battalions of the English were in good time directed thither Then the Archers of England shot so fiercely that neither the Spaniards nor Genouese could any longer keep their Array So they were all beaten down discomfited and slain For after the Flight was once begun the Country People fell in with Prongs Staves and Stones and slew all they met without Mercy Of 6000 there escapednscarce 300 Don Lewis himself thô not without several wounds hardly with a few being able to reach the Haven But his Nephew Don Alphonso was slain When Don Lewis came to the Ships he could find no entrance for the Archers of England who kept him off with their shot But at last with much difficulty he made shift to get into a little swift Barge wherein with some few of his Company he fail'd away as fast as he could XIV Sr. Walter Manny upon his Return hearing of the Escape of Don Lewis took the best and nimblest Vessel he had which he made the Admiral and follow'd hard in the chace of him the whole Navy failing after But the Spaniard had got such
a Start before him and fled so fast that they could not overtake him till he had taken Land at the Haven of Redon in the River of Vilaine Don Lewis and his Company â—ad entred the Town but durst not tarry there for the English were then just ready to land at the same Place and had immediately been upon their Backs had not the Spaniard got for Himself and his Men such Horses as came first to hand Wherewith he escaped to the City of Rennes which was but about ten French Miles off However some of his Company who were not well horsed fell into the hands of the English who pursued them some part of the Way And then Sr. Walter Manny return'd back to Redon where He and his Men lay all that night The next Day he went on Board again intending for Hennebond where the Countess was still But being driven by contrary Winds he was fain to land about three Leagues from Dinant where having sent his Navy back to Hennebond with a sufficient Convoy he took such Horses as he could get many whereof had no Saddles or Bridles and so came at last to the Castle of Rosternan Then Sr. Walter Manny spake to his Followers Gentlemen if our Company were not so over-toil'd already I would make one Attempt upon this Place gladly The other Captains repli'd Sir begin when you please we shall not fail you thô we die for 't And so saying they began the Assault But Sr. Gerard of Morlaix who being lately sent thither from Dinant was Captain there now made so good a Defence that in the Assault many English Men were grievously Wounded the chief whereof were Sr. John Butler and Sr. Matthew Trelauny two Valiant Knights who presently thereupon were carried aside into a Fair Meadow hard by to have their Wounds dressed and look'd to The mean while the Assault was carried on with more Fury than before Now p Frois c. 85. fol. 44. this Sr. Gerard of Morlaix had a Brother named Reginald of Morlaix who was Captain of a little Fortress hard by named le Favoet When he heard of the Danger his Brother Gerard was in taking 40 Spears along with him he resolv'd to go out to his Assistance As he rode toward Rosternan he came by the side of a Wood thrô that same Meadow where he found the foresaid two Knights and others English and Bretons all Wounded together with those that attended them Those that were hurt he easily made his Prisoners and led them all back with him to Favoet all Wounded as they were The rest fled directly to Rosternan to Sr. Walter Manny and told him what had befell them Upon this News He caused the Assault to cease and with all his Forces in great haste followed those that had carried away the Prisoners towards Favoet They were all got into the Castle before Sr. Walter could come up to them but however as weary as he and his Men were they began to Assault this Place also But because the Fortress was well Defended and it began to be late they presently gave over for that time resolving when they should have the day before them to make another Tryal the next Morning Sr. Gerard of Morlaix knew in what jeopardy his Brother was and to requite his last Kindness of which he had had Intelligence took this Course to deliver him That Night he mounted his Horse and rode all alone to Dinant which he reach'd a little before Day and there made Declaration of all the Matter to his Old Friend and Companion Sr. Pierce Portbeufe Captain of the Town Sr. Pierce when it was day Assembled all the Burgesses of the Town in the Common-Hall and there Sr. Gerard of Morlaix with the others Assistance so perswaded them that they all agreed to send Succours to Favoet and so one with another they made up a Body of 6000 Men. The mean while Sr. Walter Manny just as he was going to renew the Assault was informed of all this by an Espy whereupon he call'd a Council of War by whom it was concluded that if Sr. Charles of Blois should come upon them on one side as those of Dinant were ready to do on the other they hazarded all upon one Stake Wherefore they judg'd it best to leave their Friends in Prison till some better opportunity and with all speed to make now directly for Hennebond In their Return they came to a Castle called Gony en la Forest which had been deliver'd up to the Lord Charles of Blois but fifteen days before Sr. Walter taking Indignation at the Treathery of those Men who had yielded up so Strong a Place said aloud that he would go no farther as weary as He was till he had attack'd that Castle and try'd the Demeanour of those within and whether they had as much Courage as they had shew'd falshood So a fierce Assault began nor were the Besieged backward to Defend themselves Sr. Walter encouraged his Men and was always himself among the foremost The Archers play'd so thick with their shot that none hardly durst appear at the Battlements Wherefore within a while the Ditch in one place was filled with Faggots Turfs Bushes Wood and other solid Matter so that the Pioneers might approach the Walls whom the Archers Defended so well that they presently made a Considerable Breach Then the Men of Arms entred and slew all they found therein and having lodged there that Night the next Day they all return'd to Hennebond When the q Frois c. 86. Countess of Montford heard of their coming she went forth and met them and as Froisard says kissed the Lords and made them great Cheer entertaining them all at a Noble Dinner in her Castle But now when it was known that Vannes also was newly taken and Karhais Besieged by the Lord Charles and that his Power daily encreased by his Succours from France the Countess and the Lord Walter Manny agreed to send certain Messengers to the King of England to inform him of the wonderfull Success of Sr. Charles and that without more Powerfull Forces than hitherto he had sent he would be like to bear down all before him These Messengers arriving safe in Cornwall rode unto Windsor to the King. XV. All this while the Lord Charles of Blois who lay before Karhais had so closely prest the Town with his frequent Assaults and terrible Engines of Battery that at last they thought best to yield themselves unto him and to own him for their Lord and Soveraign Having therefore received the Town he tarried there fifteen days in making new Officers and giving necessary Orders for the Defence of the Place And this done thô he well knew the strength of Hennebond he resolved to lay Siege thereto again because that was the only Important Place almost which he had not reduced and there lay the Head of the War the Countess and her Son. So thither he went with all his Forces and lay down before the Town
The Fourth day after the Siege began Don Lewis of Spain came again unto him after he had been detain'd in the City of Rennes six Weeks together by the Wounds he received in the Fields of Quimperlay which not till now were perfectly healed He was extreamly welcome to Sr. Charles of Blois for he was a Prince of great Courage and Conduct and very considerable among the Men of War. Besides the Accession of so notable a Person the French Army that lay before the Town encreased daily at a wonderfull rate For many Lords and Knights of France who had designed to go into Spain to assist King Alphonso and the Christians against the King of Granada as in their Passage thrô Poictou they heard of these Wars in Bretagne stop'd in their intended Journey and drew thither to the Part of the Lord Charles of Blois And now had the French reared against the Town fifteen or sixteen vast Engines of Battery But the Besieged valued them not for they had before by means of soft Woolpacks and the like Inventions provided against them sometimes the Townsmen would in contempt mock the Frenchmen from the Walls crying out in Derision Go go Messieurs and gather together your valiant Troops that lie idle in the fields of Quimperlay This Sarcasme was a Corrosive and a Stab to the Soul of Don Lewis of Spain who lost that Battle and his Nephew Alphonso therein and hardly escap'd away wounded himself Wherefore one day r Frois c. 87. he came to the Tent of the Lord Charles of Blois and by way of Friendship and in lieu of all the Service he ever had or should do for him desired only one Boon in the presence of several great Lords of France Sr. Charles besides the Respect he bore to his Quality had ever found him a constant and usefull Friend and so frankly promised to grant him whatever he should demand Sir said Don Lewis then I require that you would instantly send Order for the two English Knights who are Prisoners in Favoet that is to say Sr. John Butler and Sr. Matthew Trelauny to be brought hither and to be given to me to do with them as I shall think good This Sir is the only Boon that I desire of You They have chaced discomfited and hurt me and slain my Nephew Alphonso with many Hundreds of my Men. I know no better way to be revenged of these Englishmen who have done me all this Mischief than if I strike off the Heads of these two Knights before the Town in the sight of their Company The Lord Charles who was a most accomplish'd Gentleman was amaz'd at this ungenerous Procedure and made this Answer Certainly ſ Frois c. 87. fol. 46. 47. my Lord Lewis the Prisoners I yield unto you with a very good will since you have desired them of me But doubtless it would be a dishonourable Action to put to Death two such valiant Knights as these in cold Blood and it will give Occasion to our Enemies to deal in the same manner with us if we shall fall into their Hands Which since War is so uncertain we know not when we may If they have affronted you provoked you wounded you slain your Nephew they were your Enemies they did it in open Field you could expect no otherwise nay youl 'd have done the same to them Now revenge all this in Gods Name I allow it but do it in an honourable way let not two Innocent Men whose hands are ti'd be a Sacrifice to the Anger of the Noble Don Lewis Dear Cosin I desire you of all love to be better advis'd and ask of me any other thing that I may not be asham'd to grant you Don Lewis who was nothing at all mov'd with these Words repli'd sullenly Sir if you will not keep your Word with me be assured that I shall forsake both your Company and Cause and never after either serve or love You again while I live When Sr. Charles saw him so peremptory and that nothing could perswade him to alter his Mind he sent to Favoet for the two English Knights who were brought the next Morning early to his Tent. Then the Lord Charles renew'd his Requests in their behalf to the angry Don Lewis but for all that could be said he was inexorable and sware by God and St. Jago they should both loose their Heads after dinner in sight of the Town XVI But it pleased God that all this Discourse and the Resolution taken about these poor Gentlemen was presently brought to the Lord Walter Manny with the exact time when they were to suffer Sr. Walter being mightily concern'd calls a Council of War to consider of the matter Some said one thing and some another but none could see any Remedy in the case For the Lord Charles his Forces were not to be fought with in plain Field by those of the Town At last the Gallant Lord Manny stood up and said Gentlemen it would certainly redound much to our Honour if we could deliver yonder two Knights from Destruction And if we should but endeavour to save them thô we fell short of our Purpose yet King Edward our Master would give us many Thanks and so would all Persons of Honour that should afterwards hear of the Case For they will say that however we did our Devoir to save the Lives of our Companions in Arms. Methinks therefore a Man that dare look Death in the face should not scruple to venture his life for the Safety of two such valiant Captains his Friends and Countrymen Now this is my Advice that we divide our whole Power into two Parts the one to pass out at the Great Gate immediately and to range themselves along on the Dike thereby to provoke the Army as I believe every Man of them will to draw that way The other Party in the mean time to try another Experiment You my Lord Emery Clisson shall be Captain of the First Company and shall take with you Six thousand good tall Archers and Three hundred Men of Arms and I the mean while with an hundred Men of Arms and 500 Archers on Horseback will sally privily out at the Postern and taking a Course will dash into their Camp among the Lodgings behind which I verily think to find as good as unguarded Here I have such Men with me as will shew me the Tent of Charles of Blois where I am sure to find the two Knights Prisoners and then let me alone to bring them off This Project took immediately and so they prepared to put it in Execution About Dinner-time the Lord Emery Clysson set open the chief Gate which look'd toward the Enemy and marched out with all his Company some whereof struck suddenly in upon the Skirts of the Host and slew and hurt divers The whole Army was alarm'd at this unexpected boldness of the Besieged and made all the haste possible to chace them back again into the Town They for their
parts retired fair and softly to their main Battle not ceasing to skirmish all the way The mean while Sr. Emery drew forth his Men along upon the Dike without the Barriers and placed the Archers ready on both sides the way to receive the Enemy The Noise and Cry of Men and Martial Instruments was so great that all the whole Army drew thitherward expecting a full decision by Battle only their Pages and Valets being left in the Camp. At that very time Sr. Walter Manny with his 600 Men sallied out privily at the Postern Gate and fetching a Compass behind the Camp entred the Lodgings of the French Lords where they met with no Resistance for all were at the Skirmish Sr. Walter being directed went straight to the Lord Charles of Blois his Tent where he found the two Knights Prisoners Sr. John Butler and Sr. Matthew Trelauny with their Faces cover'd and their Hands ti'd behind them For all the Servants left about them were run away Sr. Walter unbound them himself and made them leap upon two good Horses brought thither for that purpose gave them each a Sword in their Hands and immediately without doing any harm return'd the same way he came and enter'd Hennebond with all his Company where he was received of the Countess with great joy All this while the Battle waxed hot near the Great Gate till the Valets who fled from before Sr. Walter brought word how the Prisoners were rescued When Don Lewis heard this Report he thought the Lord Charles had put a Trick upon him and ask'd in great fury which way they were gone that made the Rescue they told him toward Hennebond Then he left the Shirmish in great Displeasure and with his Troops retreated to the Camp at which time also Sr. Charles sounded a general Retreat For he found himself cheated and that there was no good to be done As the Frenchmen retired the Lord of Landerneau and the Governour of Guingand pursued after them so eagerly that they were both taken Prisoners and carried to the Lord Charles his Tent where they were so beset with Threats and Promises that they presently acknowledged him Duke of Bretagne and rendred him their Homage and Fealty Thus for the Recovery of two Friends the Countess lost two other but however by this Action she gain'd such a Reputation from her Enemies that they reckon'd her at that time Invincible XVII For three days after this brisk Exploit at a Council of War in the Lord Charles his Tent it was consider'd That Hennebond was not to be forced that by these Wars the Country had been so wasted and robbed by both Parties that there was hardly any Forage or Provision to be got that Winter also was near at hand for it was now t October between the Feast of Remigius and All Saints Wherefore they agreed to raise their Siege for that time only it was advis'd that the Lord Charles should take care to reinforce all his Fortresses which he had won with Provision Soldiers and Captains that so they might the next Year find their Affairs in no worse Posture than now they left them And for the better security of their Men in Winter Quarters it was order'd that if any desired a Truce till Whitsuntide it should not be refused This was the Result of what was agreed in this Council before Hâ—nnâ—bond in the Moneth of October MCCCXLII Whereupon u Frois c. 88. fol. 47. they brake up the Siege and except only such of the Lords as the Lord Charles of Blois retain'd with him to advise him in his Affairs all the Captains with their Forces went to their several Homes or the Quarters assigned them The Army breaking up at the strong Town of Karhais where some time after the Lord Charles of Blois remained Now during his Stay at Karhais a certain rich Merchant being a wealthy and powerfull Burgess of Jugon a Town standing on the River Arguenon about 7 Leagues from St. Brieu and 5 from Dinant was taken up by the Marshall Sr. Robert Beaumanoir and brought to his Lord Sr. Charles This Merchant by Commission from the Countess of Montford had the chief Rule of the Town of Jugon and was greatly also beloved and respected by the Inhabitants thereof Him Sr. Charles put in fear of his Life and pretended to be unwilling to accept of any Ransom whatsoever So that what thrô Fear and other Arts us'd upon him he began to listen to a Proposal of Betraying the Town At last it was agreed that as he who kept the Keys of the Town he should on such a Night leave open such a certain Gate For the Accomplishment whereof he left his Son in Hostage and Sr. Charles on his Part promised to give him in Requital of that Service five hundred Pounds of yearly Revenue This Agreement was performed on the Alderman's Part and on the Night appointed Sr. Charles enter'd the Town at such a Gate with considerable Forces But the Watchman of the Castle perceiv'd them and gave the Alarm crying out Treason Treason At this the Inhabitants began to run to their Arms but seeing all lost they fled to the Castle for security by Heaps and to set a good Face upon the Matter the Alderman who was author of the Plot fled along with them In the morning Sr. Charles of Blois sent such a number of his Men to search and plunder the Houses and he himself with the rest came before the Castle and thô he saw and knew the great Strength thereof yet considering how thronged it was now with new Comers whereby their Provisions would be mightily wasted he said aloud That he would not stir thence till he had it at his Devotion The mean while Sr. Gerard of Rochfort who was Captain of the Castle perceiving evidently and upon strict Examination finding that this Burgess the Governour of the Town had betrayed all presently took him and hang'd him for an Example over the Walls after which considering that his Provision would not serve above ten Days and that the Lord Charles had made a vow not to depart till he had one way or other reduced the Place he Capitulated to yield on Condition that the Goods and Lives of all within should be saved which was granted The Lord Charles took them all to his Homage and left the Castle to the Government of the same Captain Sr. Gerard of Rochefort whose Loyalty he approved even thô lately contrary to him Thus both Town and Castle of Jugon were put in a good posture of Defence only the Master was changed XVIII But now by the Mediation of many sober Men on both Parties a Truce was at last concluded between the Lord Charles of Blois and the Countess of Montford and consented to by all their Aiders and Assisters to endure to the Fifteenth of May then next ensuing Whereupon the King of England having before sent for the Countess of Montford as soon as this Truce was ratified She together
with her young Son John took the Sea and went for England under the Conduct of the Earl of Northampton about the Middle of December and arrived in safety at Plimouth whence She was honourably convey'd to the King who received her graciously and for a long while after took Care of her Son here in England For her sake King Edward renewed those publique Rejoycings which were usual in his Days with his accustomed Magnificence All the Christmass Holydays there were daily Tournaments Running at the Ring Dancings Balls Splendid Collations and Princely Banquets so that the Countess look'd upon the Court of England as another Paradise And here for many Years her Son was exercised in those honourable Methods of Education which fitted him for the Character he was afterwards to bear and enabled him to purchase the Glorious Sirname of Valiant XIX This Year the Renowned Earl of Salisbury is said to have Conquer'd the Isle of Man in consideration whereof and because x Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 644. his Father was Married to one of the Sisters of Orry King of Man descended from Orry Son to the King of Denmark he y Id. ibid. p. 646. was now by King Edward his Gracious Master Crowned King of the said Island which was in like manner enjoy'd by his Son till he sold it to the Lord Scroop in King Richard the Seconds days thô it is certain z Id. ibid. p. 648. that he bore the Title of Lord of the said Isle unto the Day of his Death On the a Labbe Chronol Tech. ad hunc annu◠Odoric Rainald ad hunc an §. 1. 25 of April this Year Pope Benedict the XII died at Avignion after he had sat 7 Years 4 Moneths and six Days Clement the VI succeeded him a Man of great Learning but as 't is said very Prodigal especially of what was not his own For he took up by way of Provision as well throughout England as elsewhere most of the best Spiritual Preferments which he b Vid. Walsingh hist p. 149. conferr'd on his Cardinals and others till he forced King Edward flatly to oppose this his Tyrannous Usurpation as We shall see hereafter CHAPTER the TWENTY FIRST The CONTENTS I. King Edward prepares on all hands against the next Campagne but chiefly embraces the Countess of Montford's Interest to whose Aid he commands the Lord Robert of Artois in all haste to address himself But not finding the Scots sure he resolves forthwith to bring them down II. He enjoyns his Clergy by Proclamation to make Publique Prayers for the Success of his Arms. III. A Truce for two Years taken between the English and Scots to which the French King gives his Consent IV. The Lord Robert of Artois Admiral of the English Fleet Engages with Don Lewis of Spain Charles of Blois his Admiral but a Tempest parts them V. The Lord Robert of Artois Landing in Bretagne lays Siege to Vannes and takes it by Stratagem VI. The English lay Siege to Rennes VII The Bloisian Lords come suddenly before Vannes and retake it by Storm VIII The Lord Robert of Artois dies in England of his Wounds received at Vannes King Edward vows to revenge his Death IX A Parliament wherein Edward the Kings Eldest Son is created Prince of Wales X. The Commons in Parliament complain of the Popes Provisions and Reservations of Benefices in England whereupon by the Kings leave the two Houses send an Address to the Pope with the Event XI The Popes Letter to the King about the Premises XII Another of the Popes Letters to the same purpose directed to his Council XIII King Edwards notable Answer unto the Pope in behalf of the Liberties of the Church of England with his Proceedings thereupon XIV The King goes in Person into Bretagne and lays Siege to Vannes with Charles of Blois's Preparations to resist him and King Edwards march against him whereupon he Besieges him in Nants And at the same time takes in Dinant Ploermel Malestroit and other Towns. XV. The Lord Clisson and the Lord Henry du Leon taken by the English before Vannes Don Lewis of Spain distresses the Kings Navy which being Succoured for the more security is removed part to Brest and part to Hennebond XVI John Duke of Normandy comes into Bretagne with an Army against King Edward XVII The two Armies confront without offering Battle on either side by the Mediation of the Pope a Truce agreed on and a time limited for a further Treaty King Edward returns into England XVIII The Treaty fully Ratifi'd whereupon some English Lords go to the Holy War. XIX The Year concludes with the Death of King Robert of Sicily of King Philip of Navarre and others The Foundation of Trinity-Hall of Pembroke-Hall and Gonvill and Gaius College in Cambridge I. NOw while King Edward was keeping his Christmas with great Solemnity and entertaining the Fair Countess of Montford and the Lords of Bretagne he a Frois c. 89. received sundry Letters of great Importance from several places From Gascogne and Bayonne his Captains desired a supply of Men to secure the Frontiers From Flanders Jacob van Arteveld sent him Letters importing how He hop'd shortly to bring it about AN. DOM. 1343. An. Regni Angliae XVII Franciae that his Eldest Son Edward Duke of Cornwall should marry the Daughter of the Earl of Flanders for him and his Son they intended to expell and so should be Lord and Duke of Flanders with many other Politick Devices which I pass over because they never took effect From Scotland at the same time King Bailiol who was Governour of Barwick for King Edward the Lord Ros of Hamlake and the Lord Henry Piercy of Northumberland sent also their Letters signifying to the King that the Scots did not hold the Peace over punctually but that they made great Trainings and Muster'd many Souldiers to what intent as they knew not his Majesty might easily guess Besides all this his several Captains in Ponthieu Xaintogne Rochel and Bourdelois sent him Word how the French made vast Preparations for the ensuing Campaigne and that therefore the Truce made at Arras being well-nigh expired it would become his Majesties Wisdom to look about him And so He did and answer'd all these Letters distinctly promising to provide a timely Remedy for all their Doubts But in especial manner notwithstanding all these Avocations he was b Frois c. 90. fol. 46. resolv'd to embrace the Interests of the Countess of Montford who was then at London with her Son in the Queens Company Wherefore he commanded his Cousin the Lord Robert of Artois with such a Number of Archers and so many Men of Arms to undertake this Expedition He also c Frois ibid. Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 74. sent the Lord Thomas Holland and Sr. John Darvel to Bayonne with 200 Men of Arms and 400 Archers to defend the Frontiers there But as for the Scots thô the King intended to War upon them in
Scots before they came And soon after the King as we shew'd coming to Barwick with all his Forces the foresaid Truce for two Years was taken IV. The mean l Frois c. 90. 91. f. 46. a b. while the Lord Robert of Artois busied himself in Preparations for his Expedition into Bretagne But however he was not able to take the Sea till about the beginning of May in the middle of which Moneth the Truce taken between the Lord Charles of Blois and the Countess of Montford was to expire The Lord Charles was not ignorant of the Assistance which the King of England had promised to send into Bretagne along with the Countess and therefore against their coming he had set forth under the Command of Don Lewis of Spain and the Captains of Genoa a Fleet of 32 Sail with a 1000 Men of Arms and 3000 Genouese besides others who hover'd about the Isle of Garnsey to intercept the English The Lord Robert of Artois was now upon the Sea with the Countess of Montford who had left her young Son John for his better security in England and these Persons of Quality namely William Montague King of Man and Earl of Salisbury John Vere Earl of Oxford Robert Hufford Earl of Suffolk Lawrence Hastings Earl of Pembroke the Lord Ralph Stafford the Lord Hugh Spencer Grandchild to the unfortunate Hugh le Despencer the Elder who was Earl of Winchester in the Days of King Edward the Second the Lord Robert Bourchier the Lord John Tibetot or Tiptot the Lord Roger Northwood and others All whom Don Lewis of Spain met with before the Isle of Garnsey When first the English Mariners espi'd the Fleet of Don Lewis consisting of Spaniards Genouese French and Bretons they warn'd all the Lords and Captains of their Danger They all commanded their Trumpets immediately to be sounded and reared up their Banners and Standards with their several Arms and Devices together with St. George's Banner the Red Cross of England and so betook themselves to their Arms in their appointed Order the Archers being planted on the Decks and then as the Wind served they went forward Couragiously The English consisted of 46 vessels Great and Small the Spaniards making but 32 as we said before but among the latter were nine Spanish Carricks high-built and greater than any one of the English besides three huge Galeons wherein were the three Admirals Don Lewis of Spain the Lord Charles of Germaulx and Sr. Otho de Rue At the joyning of the two Fleets there was a fierce Medly between the Crossbows of Genoua and the English Archers But when the Men of Arms began to board one another then the Face of the Battle look'd terrible indeed m Frois ibid. The Countess of Montford her self was that day inferiour to none of the Lords of either side she had the Heart of a Lion and in her Hand a sharp Sword wherewith she laid about her to the pleasure of her Friends the terrour of her Enemies and the Wonder of all The Spaniards and Genouese from their great Carricks cast down bars of Iron Timber and the like which much offended the English Archers but however they stood with their Arrows ready nook'd to take off what ever Head appear'd This Engagement must of necessity have been very bloody to either side for it was carried on with much Fury and Bravery of both Parts but the God of Battles order'd it otherwise For the Fight having begun about Evensong a Night came upon them so dark and dismal that they were all forced as it were by Consent to give over for they could discern nothing to any purpose Hereupon they withdrew from each other and cast Anchor at some distance but still kept to their Arms for they thought to renew the Fight again early the next Morning But about Midnight there arose such a Storm as seem'd to threaten a Mixture of Heaven and Earth together and the Elements fought with as great animosity as lately the two Fleets had joyn'd At this horrible Tempest all their warlike Ardour was quash'd and the boldest Heart among them wish'd for nothing more than Land For the Ships dashed so roughly together they feared that they would split in ten thousand Pieces The Lords of England enquired of the Mariners what course they had best to take in this Extremity and they advis'd to make up to Land because their vessels were not able to ride out so great a Tempest and there was no danger that their small Ships should be struck upon the Shoar wherefore they drew up their Anchors and bare but a quarter Sail and so at last without much loss they came safe to Land. But the Spaniards and Genouese on the other side hal'd up their Anchors and took the main Sea for their Ships were better able to ride out but they could not hope to touch the Land without inevitable Ruine Upon their Departure they met with four English Vessels which being laden with Provision had been scatter'd from the Fleet these they took and tow'd after them But still the Storm encreased so outragiously that in less than a Day they were driven more than an 100 Leagues from the Place where the Battle was fought All that Night and the next Day till Noon the Storm lasted without ceasing one jot to their great danger and no little dammage for they lost two good Ships with the Men and all that was therein The third Day about Prime the Sea was calm and then upon enquiry of the Mariners Don Lewis was informed how the next landing place was in the Kingdom of Navarre and that they had been carried from Bretagne more than sixcore Leagues There then they cast Anchor and when the Tide came the Wind stood fair for Rochell So they coasted Bayonne but would not come near it because the English were Lords there In their way toward Rochell they met with 4 Ships of Bayonne coming from Flanders these they boarded took them presently slew all they found therein and held on their course towards the Garonne and Rochel in order to recover Bretagne Thus strangely was the Decision of this Engagement prevented by a Tempest so that it could not be known which Side had the better For they both were parted against their Wills. V. The English when the Storm was over landed in Bretagne near the City of Vannes whereupon having unladed all their Horse Armour and Provision they concluded to send away their Navy to Hennebond and presently to go and lay Siege to Vannes The Captains who were there for the Lord Charles of Blois were the Lord Henry du Leon the Lord Oliver Clisson the Lord of Tumine and the Lord Guy of Loheaire Who upon the Approach of the English like Men of Honour seriously appli'd themselves to make good the Place and at every Gate they set a Knight with ten Men of Arms and 20 Crossbows and for all the other Defences both in the Town and Castle they provided
very carefully and wisely The Lord Robert of Artois had at this Siege beside those whom he had sent to Hennebond with the Navy a 1000 Men of Arms and 3000 Archers not reckoning the Foot. He wasted all the Country about and burnt and destroy'd as far as Dinant on the other side of Bretagne and unto Gony en la Forest So that none durst abide in the plain Country Every day there were several Assaults and Skirmishes at the Barriers of Vannes but as yet no great matter was gained The mean while Don Lewis having recover'd of the Tempest passed by Rochell and Poictou and came up beyond the Mouth of the Loire and landed at Guerande in Bretagne where he first heard that Vannes was besieged by the English Of which he presently sent word to the Lord Charles of Blois The Countess of Montford would not return with the Fleet to Hennebond she had rather in the open Fields adventure her self in the Company of her English Friends before Vannes But yet she sent word of all to the Lord Walter Manny who was her chief Captain in Hennebond and bad him act as should seem best to his Wisdom Sr. Walter having had this account of Affairs from those who return'd with the Fleet deliver'd the Keeping of the Town to Sr. Willaim Cadudal and Sr. Gerard of Rochefort who had now left his Command of Jugon and return'd to the Service of his first Mistress the Countess and took with him the Lord of Triguier and an 100 Men of Arms and 200 Archers whom he led to the Siege of Vannes Upon his Arrival there was a great Assault made at three Places at once during which time the Archers so well observ'd the Walls that the Defendants had much ado to make good their Stations It was a fierce Assault indeed and lasted a whole Day so at Nights approach it ceased the English withdrawing to their Camp as those of the Town did to rest many of them being wounded and all extreamly wearied Wherefore they unarmed themselves and only setting the usual Guards upon Duty intended to ease themselves for that Night On the contrary the English kept on their Armour still except their Head-pieces and so drank and refreshed themselves All this was done by the Counsel of the Lord Robert of Artois who order'd now again three Battalia's as before two whereof were appointed to renew the Assault at the Gates and the Third to keep aloof till they had continued the Assault for some time And when in all likelihood it might be supposed that the chief Strength of the Town should be drawn to the Gates then this Battalion in great privacy with Ladders Ropes and Hooks of Iron should scale the Town in the Weakest place As it is n Lâ—â—cester's Câ—n. Wealtoâ— p. 160. said of Wolves that going in great numbers to assail a flock of Sheep by Night they set some one or two of their Company on the Wind-side of the Fold afar off who by their Scent and Howling give a false Alarm and so draw off the Dogs and Shepherds towards the pursuit of them While the other securely enter the Fold on another side and destroy the whole Flock This being resolv'd on about Midnight the Lord Robert of Artois return'd with the first Battle and gave a fierce Assault at one of the Gates and the Earl of Salisbury with the second Battle did the like at another And because it was dark and to strike the greater Terrour into the Besieged the English made many great Fires the light whereof shone over all the City so that they within thought their Houses had been on fire and crying Treason rose presently out of their Beds and ran toward the Light without either Order or Command and those who were up flew straight to their Arms and repaired to their Defences While the whole Town was thus engaged at the two Gates the Earl of Oxford and the Lord Walter Manny approached silently with the third Battalion to the Walls where no Defence being made without any Difficulty they mounted up with the Scaling-ladders and entred the Town The Frenchmen and Bretons had no heed of them they were so busied in other Places till they saw them in Martial Array in their very Streets Then every Man fled away to save himself the Captains not having time enough to gain the Castle took their Horses in a great Hurry and with much ado getting out at a privy Postern escaped Happy was he who made the same Advantage of that Postern For all that ever were seen by the English were slain or taken the Castle was immediately summon'd and yielded the Town overrun and rob'd and the Countess and the Lord Robert of Artois entred the City with great joy at their happy Success VI. Thus was the strong City of Vannes taken by Stratagem but the Triumph of the Conquerours was not of long Continuance For when their Strength was divided it was again recovered with no mean interest Five Days o Frois c. 93. f. 47. after this Victory the Countess of Montford and the Lord Walter Manny with many other Knights of England and Bretagne returned to Hennebond Soon after that the Earls of Salisbury Pembroke Oxford and Suffolk went from Vannes with a 1000 Men of Arms and 3000 Archers and laid Siege to the City of Rennes from whence the Lord Charles of Blois had been gone but four Days before thô he had left the Place well furnished with Captains and Men of War and had also refreshed Don Lewis his Navy and set him again to keep the Sea so that this Year they did much Harm upon the Coasts of England and none could pass without their Danger between Bretagne and England VII This Winning of the City of Vannes amazed all the whole Country for 't was thought the Place being so strong and the Captains such Choice Men both for Skill and Courage that if they had been as True as they should have been the Town was so well provided of Men of War and Artillery that it might have held out much longer against any Forces whatsoever Sr. Henry du Leon and Sr. Oliver Clisson were infinitely troubled and asham'd at these Reports and their Enemies and Enviers made them yet more concerned for they cry'd shame on them and laid direct Treason to their Charge Wherefore what thrô shame and indignation and what thrô hope of Success they both privately resolved to make one vigorous Effort if by any means they might recover the Town and thereby reestablish their tottering Credit At last they got together such a Number of Knights and Esquires Men of Arms and others that on an appointed Day there met before the City of Vannes more than 12000 Men the Chief whereof beside themselves was the Lord Robert Beaumanoir Marshal of Bretagne under the Lord Charles of Blois When the Lord Robert of Artois saw how of a sudden he was closely besieged on all sides he was not at all negligent to
Loeheair with another Valiant Gentleman who had now left his Mistress the Countess for the Lord Charles of Blois and his name was Sr. Geoffry de Malestroit King Edward having invested the Place o Frois c. 94. gave them a very brave and vigorous Attack which endured half a day but yet little good was done thereby the City was in such good Case at this time The Countess of Montford hearing that King Edward was come into Bretagne and lay now before Vannes went from Hennebond accompanied with the Lord Walter Manny who lately was return'd unto her from the King and divers other Knights and Esquires to see his Majesty and his Lords and to discourse about her Matters of Necessity and Weight as well as to bid them welcome into her Country In which visit having spent four Days she then took her leave and returned back to Hennebond with all her Company excepting the Lord Walter Manny and two or three Lords more of England and Bretagne And all this while ever since a little after the first taking of Vannes by the Lord Robert of Artois the Earls of Salisbury Oxford Pembroke and Suffolk lay at Siege before Rennes Wherefore the Lord Charles of Blois when beside those great Forces that came from England before he understood also how King Edward was come now after them himself with another great Army sends word thereof unto his Uncle Philip King of France declaring that he must be inevitably ruin'd without a very speedy and very considerable supply Whereupon King Philip commanded his Eldest Son John Duke of Normandy to address himself effectually to Succour his Kinsman The mean while King Edward finding the strength of the City of Vannes and being informed that so great an Army as his could not be supply'd in that place by reason the Country round about was so greatly wasted and harassed that it was difficult to get any Forage for Man or Beast upon these accounts he resolved to divide his Army And first the Earl of Arundel the Lord Walter Manny the Lord Stafford the Lord of Triguier and Sr. Gerard of Rochefort with 600 Men of Arms and 6000 Archers were to carry on the Siege before Vannes and to ravage and feed on the Country all about He himself with the Residue of the Army resolv'd to go unto Rennes to see how the Siege went on there and so he did being highly welcomed by the Lords that lay before that place When King Edward had been before Rennes about five Days he heard how Sr. Charles of Blois made great Preparations to raise a sufficient Army at Nantes Wherefore leaving those whom he had found at Rennes except the Earl of Oxford to carry on the Siege there still he marched forth to Nantes with a Resolution to give Battle unto the Lord Charles or to hold him Besieged within the City He could not here furnish his Siege quite round because of the Extent of the place and of the River of Loire that ran besides it Wherefore he pitch'd his Tents on a little Mountain without the Town and set his Men in Battle Array thereby hoping so to provoke the Valorous young Lord Charles to come forth and accept of a decisive Battle But having stood thus from Morning till High Noon and found not the least offer of a Sally from the Town he sent his Van-Currours to skirmish at the Barriers and to set the Suburbs on fire which being done accordingly he withdrew his Men into their Entrenchments While thus King Edward lay before Nantes the Earl of p Knighton p. 2582. n. 50. Northampton Marshal of his Host rode forth every day ravaging and fetching in Prey out of the Country round about and taking of Castles Towns and Fortresses as Pont de Launay and others Wherefore now the Lord Charles of Blois repeated his Letters every Day to the French King laying open the great Necessity he stood in and requesting Succour with all speed The Duke of Normandy having before received Orders from the King his Father was at that time at the City of Angiers near the Borders of Bretagne where he made his Rendezvous and was now again call'd upon by his Father to make all Expedition possible King Edward this mean while had given many Assaults to the City of Nantes but was not able to gain any great Advantage nor could by any means oblige the Lord Charles of Blois to make a Sally Wherefore being displeased that he lay so long and lost so many Men to so little purpose he again divides his Army resolving him self to go before Dinant leaving still 600 Men of Arms and 2000 Archers to maintain the Siege before Nantes and to ravage the Country round-about With these he left the Earl of Oxford the Lord Henry Piercy the Lord William Ros of Hamlake the Lord John Moubray the Lord John Delaware the Lord Reginald Cobham the Lord John Lisle and Others to whom Froisard adds the Lord Henry Vicount Beaumont But the q Dugd. 2. Vol. p. 52. a b. Elder Henry who bore this Title had been now Dead above two Years before and his Son and Heir John died also a little before this leaving behind him his Son Henry the Younger who was at that time but two Years of Age and whom we shew'd to have been born in Flanders So that this Mistake of that Ancient Historian is to be excus'd as well as this short Digression of ours which was made only to witness our Diligence and not in the least design to expose an Author from whom I have borrowed so much my self These Lords being left before Nantes King Edward himself r Frois c. 94. f. 48. c. 96. c. went and laid Siege to the strong Town of Dinant between Rennes and St. Malo upon the River of Rance having in his way thither taken the strong Towns of Å¿ Knighton p. 2582. n. 60. Ploermel and Malestroit So that now at one time he held Siege before three strong Cities as Vannes Rennes and Nantes besides one good Town called Dinant in Bretagne The Captain of Dinant at that time was Sr. Pierce Portbeufe a valiant and worthy Gentleman who for a while maintained the Place maugre all the fierce Attacks of the English so that he worthily gain'd the Reputation of a Noble Knight But after four Days King Edward having got together a competent number of Boats and Barges filled them with Archers and Others commanding them to row up to the Pales wherewith the Town was enclosed toward the Water only having on that side no other Walls or Fortifications This piece of Service the Archers performed so well that none of the Inhabitants durst look over the Pales at their Defence so that while the Archers shot thus certain Men of Armes in the Boats who were appointed for that purpose hewed down the Pales with their Axes and so enter'd on that part by Force The Inhabitants upon this fled to the Market-place with those of
the Garrison but not with much Discretion For thereupon those few who enter'd by the Pales marched up to the Chief Gate and set it open for the King to enter Thus all was lost in a Trice the Besieged put to the Sword except their Captain Sr. Pierce Portbeufe who was taken to Mercy the Town utterly sack'd and plunder'd of all its Riches for it was very considerable in Merchandise Soon after which the King return'd to the Siege before Vannes leaving the Town of Dinant waste and Desolate XV. Now the mean t Frois c. 95. while that King Edward was thus busied about Dinant and other Parts of Bretagne his Captains whom he had left before Vannes gave many gallant Assaults to that City and especially at the Barriers and the chief Gate One Day in particular there was a very warm Attack made and many proper Feats of Arms done on both Sides So that at last the Besieged boldly set open their Gates and came to the Barriers because they saw there the Banners of the Earl of Warwick and of Arundel of the Lord Stafford and the Lord Manny whereupon they hop'd for some Advantage seeing the chief Lords of the Host adventur'd themselves rashly as they thought being so far from the Camp. Wherefore the Lord Clisson and Sr. Henry du Leon came forth couragiously to the Barriers and there began a very notable Skirmish with the Enemies In the end the English hoping to allure them to come forth of their Barriers or really unwilling to stand longer at such Disadvantage retired back in much seeming Confusion Then the fond Desire of Glory blinded the Eyes of the two valiant Lords of Bretagne for having appointed six other Knights to keep the Gates they open'd the Barriers and sallied forth upon the Lords of England who retired back on purpose now and then making a faint Offer of Resisting But when they had train'd them far enough they all together made a stop faced about and gave so vigerous a Shock to their Pursuers that seeing themselves deceived they now began to take their turn of Retiring but immediately they were charged home and many of them hurt slain and taken Which when the Besieged observed fearing to loose all they closed the Barriers in so unlucky a time that the Lord Clisson and the Lord Henry du Leon were shut out and so both taken Prisoners u Knighton p. 2581. n. 30. 40. together with Alard du Leon Brother to the Lord Henry and 5 other Persons of Quality and 30 Men of Arms Knights and Esquires On the other x Frois c. 95. side the Lord Ralph Stafford had pursued so far that he at the same time was shut in among his Enemies between the Gate and the Barriers and so was taken Prisoner with several of his Company some few being slain Upon this the Bretons retired into the City and the English to their Camp But there were no more Sallies after that It would be but superfluous to busie our Pen about what was done before Rennes or Nantes since as we shall shew by and by those Sieges were both raised before they came to any Effect by the Kings own Command upon his expecting a General Battle with the Duke of Normandy But we shall take occasion to mention one thing y Frois c. 96. concerning Don Lewis of Spain Sr. Charles of Germaulx and Sr. Otho de Rue the three Admirals of Charles of Blois who were at this time upon the Sea with 8 Galeons 13 good Barks and 30 other Ships of Genoua and Spain and kept the Coasts between England and Bretagne doing much harm to those who brought Provision to the Army before Vannes Once among the rest they adventur'd on the Kings Navy lying at Anchor in a little Port beside Vannes at which time they slew many of those who kept the Ships and had done much more Mischief if a good Detachment from the Besiegers had not been sent thither in all haste to their Assistance However by that time they came to the Port Don Lewis had taken four Ships laden with Provision and had sunk three other Vessels with all that was therein Upon which loss King Edward was advised to send Part of his Navy to Brest and the other Part to Hennebond which was done and the Sieges still continued before the Cities of Vannes Nantes and Rennes XVI And now 't is time to look out and see what Succour the Duke of Normandy hath raised for his Cousin Charles of Blois z Frois c. 97. He well enough knew what the King of England had done in Bretagne what Towns he had taken and what he had besieged and made all the haste he could to stop his Proceedings So now at last all things being ready he began his March from the City of Angiers and took the High-way to Nantes being conducted by the two Marshals of France the Lord Charles Monmorency and the Lord of St. Venant His Army consisted of more than 3000 Men of Arms Knights and Esquires and above 30000 others the chief Captains whereof were Charles of Valois Earl of Alenson the Duke of Normandy his Uncle Guy Castilion Earl of Blois Father to the Lord Charles of Blois his Cousin the Duke of Bourbon the Earl of Ponthieu the Earl of Boulogne the Earl of Vendosme the Earl of Dampmartin the Lord of Craon the Lord of Coucy the Lord of Suilly the Lord of Fresnes the Lord of Roye and many other Lords Knights and Esquires of Normandy Auvergne Berry Limosin Poictou Xantogne and Anjou First of all Tidings came to the Earl of Oxford and the rest of the English Captains who lay before Nantes that the Duke of Normandy was coming directly upon them with 40000 Men of War Whereupon they presently dispatch'd away Word to the King their Master who lay then before Vannes King Edward having studied a little upon the Matter presently told his Lords that he thought it would be best to raise two of his Sieges this before Vannes and the other before Rennes and so go and joyn his other Forces lying before Nantes and then to meet the Frenchmen But his Council were of another Opinion and made it appear in this manner Sir your Majesty is now in a good sure place nor only so but near to your Navy the greater Part whereof lies at Hennebond Wherefore it seems better that You command those who lie before Nantes to quit the Siege and come hither to You and those who lie at the Siege of Rennes may tarry still there for they are not so far off but they can come hither at any time upon your Command But surely the Commodity of the Place wherein you are now encamped ought not easily to be quitted This Counsel taking the Siege was raised from before Nantes and the English Lords came back to the King before Vannes Within a day or two of their Departure the Duke of Normandy a Frois c. 98. fol. 49.
came with all his Host to Nantes where he was extreamly welcom to the Lord Charles of Blois and Himself with his Lords and chief Captains lodged in the City but their Men were quartered about in the Country for both the City and Suburbs were unable to hold them and besides the Suburbs had been lately burnt by the English While the Duke of Normandy lay thus at Nantes The Earl of Salisbury and the other Lords of England who were still before Rennes made one Day above the rest a fierce and terrible Assault upon the City which endured with all possible Animosity for all that Day and yet thô they had also dives Engines and Instruments to batter and shake the Walls they gain'd no Advantage but lost many Men in the Assault Those that so well defended this Place were besides the Bishop of Rennes the Lord of Ancenis the Lord of Pontrieux Sr. John de Malestroit Sr. Owen Charnells and a young Breton named Bertram de Clequin who afterwards became the most considerable Captain of his Days and was in time Constable of France of whose notable Exploits this Work will not be silent Nor let any Man wonder that these Cities of Vannes Rennes and Nantes should hold out so stifly now against the Forces of King Edward when as we shall find them all to have changed their Lord more than once within the space of two Years For when Bretagne only fought against Bretagne the People were divided some enclining to one side and some to the other and easily altering their Minds again But now they look'd upon the English as a common Enemy and beside the Lord Charles was better provided at this time than formerly However the Earl of Salisbury continued his Siege before Rennes for all this and daily wasted and ravaged the Country round about Now when the Duke of Normandy who had well consider'd of the Business he had in hand was certainly informed how Rennes was in little or no danger but that Vannes was in much hazard of being lost it was so mightily prest by the King of England thither he resolv'd first to bend his Course and either by Battle or otherwise to raise the Siege The two Marshals of the Host the Lord Charles of Monmorency and the Lord of St. Venant led the Van the Duke himself was in the Main Body and the Lord Geoffry Charny with the Earl of Guisnes brought up the Reer In this Order they came before Vannes and lay over against the King of England in a fair Meadow between the Rivers of Claye and Vilaine and made a great and deep Ditch round about their Host but the Marshals and Van-currours of each Army met often and skirmished together XVII King Edward upon the news of their Approach had sent for the Earls of Salisbury and Pembroke to break up their Siege from before Rennes and come strait to the Camp to him which they did for he expected to have Battle with the Frenchmen at this time without fail His Forces both English and Bretons made up but about b Frois c. 98. 2500 Men of Arms and 6000 Archers and about 6000 Others on Foot beside those who were left to keep the Navy and Others in Garrisons and with the Countess at Hennebond But these few were all select Men under good Leaders strongly entrench'd in their Camp So that the French could not without Disadvantage to themselves oblige them to a Battle thô they on the other hand were four times their Number at least together with the Reinforcement of the Lord Charles of Blois from Nantes and all well appointed for the War. Thus these two Armies lay fronting one another for several Days without any Action further than some light Skirmishes For the French as was shew'd could not force the English to a Battle nor durst they attempt them in their Camp and King Edward thought it not Wisdom to leave his Defences and attack the Enemy at such odds to so great a Disadvantage as he knew the Aggressor must needs submit himself unto especially since he must then leave so strong a City at his back to second the Enemy Nor yet did he give any more Assaults to the Place because of keeping his Men fresh and entire against the time a Battle should be offer'd which then he resolv'd to accept Wherefore different Considerations deterring both Armies from Engaging the Winter began to incommode them not a little when it pleased God to incline the Heart of Pope Clement the VI. to labour earnestly for a Peace between them He had now sent thither two Cardinals c Rot. Parl. 17. Ed. 3. n. 8. vid. Claus de ced an p. 1.25 Dersc Victorell p. 892. Oderâ—c Rainald ad hunc 〈◊〉 §. 24. Peter of Palestrina or Praeneste and Annibald of Tusculum who rode daily between both Parties But as yet neither of them would accept of any equal Conditions For the French thought to keep the King there in manner of a Siege till he should even be forced to come forth and give them Battle to his great Disadvantage and the King expected that at last they must adventure to force him considering he was inferiour in Number and more conveniently encamp'd for the Weather than they Yet to say Truth both Armies endur'd their Inconveniences the French found much vexation with Wet and Cold for it rain'd upon them Night and Day whereby many of their Horses died and at last they were obliged to dislodge and remove into the plain Fields their Tents were so full of Water in the Meadow And the English thô they were more dry and warm durst not go a Foraging but in very considerable Bodies for fear of the French who infested the Country and Don Lewis of Spain so narrowly watched the Sea-coasts with his Fleet that little Provision could be brought to the Kings Army but with great Danger These difficulties prepared the Minds of both Princes and rendred them more susceptible of the Cardinals Offers Wherefore they were at last both brought to allow of a Peace for Bretagne and because the Cardinals urged that Point also to appoint a Time for a Treaty of a final Accommodation between England and France But only here the King protested that he would never allow the Pope any Power to determin of his Quarrel but added That unless a Treaty might be had both honourable to Himself and profitable for his Allies he would never consent to have the same brought before the Pope nor then neither but only as before d M. S. p. 48. §. 8 Sr. Rcb. Cotten p. 37. §. 8. Ashmele p. 653. an indifferent Friend and no Judge otherwise he would pursue his Quarrel However at last these Holy Men labour'd so effectually that they obtain'd a Truce between England and France and their Allies to hold for three Years during which time the whole Controversie then depending should be weigh'd and impartially consider'd and some equal Method of Peace
And we find remaining upon this Registry of True Glory no less than Eight Emperours of Germany Five French Kings Five Kings of Denmark Three Kings of Spain Two Kings of Scotland before the Realms were happily United Five Kings of Portugal Two Kings of Sweedland One King of Poland One King of Bohemia One King of Aragon Two Kings of Castille Two Kings of Naples Two Arch-Dukes One Duke of Guelderland One Duke of Holland Two Dukes of Burgundy Two Dukes of Brunswicke One Duke of Milain Two Dukes of Vrbin One Duke of Ferrara One Duke of Savoy Two Dukes of Holstein One Duke of Saxony and One Duke of Wertemberg Seven Count Palatines of the Rhyne Four Princes of Orange One Marquess of Brandenberg all Strangers besides many other Worthies and Persons of the Highest Rank and Vertue both at home and abroad to the Number of well near 500 since the First Institution All whose Names together with the Escutcheons of their Arms are still remaining Engraven on Square Plates of Mettal affixed to their several Stalls in the most Beautifull Chappel of St. George and every Knights Banner is set up over his Head during his Natural Life So that We may justly conclude with our Learned Selden that it exceeds in Majesty Honour and Fanie all Chevalrous Orders in the World. VIII No less Designs than these busied the Active Mind of this Illustrious Monarch when he met with any Respit from War which now is hasting on apace For while by the Device of his Round Table He was thus laying a Foundation for this Royal and Heroick Institution King Philip of France who already had begun to countermine him with another Table of his Erecting at Paris and was extreamly offended with whatever King Edward went about began to be jealous of certain of his Lords and others who hitherto had served him faithfully as if they secretly for all that favour'd King Edwards cause Whether that was True or no whereof they were suspected is no where made appear but however King t Frois c 99. Mezerâ—y p. 21. Philip under pretence of a Solemn Tourneament which he then held at Paris in imitation of King Edwards at Windsor as we shew'd train'd thither the Lord Oliver Clisson with ten or twelve other Lords of Bretagne in company of the Lord Charles of Blois and there the most Loyal and Valiant Lord Clisson was suddenly by the jealous Kings Order apprehended and clapt up in Prison no Man being able to imagine for what reason unless that because King Edward had chose rather to release him by Exchange for the Lord Stafford he was therefore suspected to be a secret Friend to the English And notwithstanding that he had so gallantly recover'd Vannes from the English and at the same time had rid King Philip of the Lord Robert of Artois one of his most mortal Enemies nowwithout any Process or hearing he was adjudged to be drawn thrô the City to the Place of Execution where u Fabian p. 272. he lost his Head and after that his Body was hanged in Chains upon a Gibbet and his Head sent to Nantes in Bretagne where it was advanced upon a Pole over the Gates of the City To the great x Mezeray p. 21. Astonishment of all Men and the infinite Regret and Indignation of the Nobility whose Blood till now was not used to be shed but in Battle for that Cruel Princes quarrel This Lord Clisson left behind him a young Son named Oliver as his Father was him his Relations upon this Disaster took up presently and carry'd unto the Countess of Montford where he was bred up with her young Son John who was just about the same Age with him Soon after there died in the same manner and for as little matter Sr. John and Sr. Godfry de Malestroit the Father and Son two Valiant and Worthy Bretons also Sr. John de Montauban Sr. William Bruce Sr. John Cablet and Sr. John du Plessis Knights and John Malestroit Nephew to the foresaid Sr. John the Elder Esquire as also Robert Bruce John and David de Sennes Esquires Shortly after there were also Executed in Paris or as some say y Frois c. 99. starved to Death three Valiant Knights of Normandy Sr. William Bacon Sr. Richard Percy and Sr. Rouland de la Rochetessone all whose Heads were sent to Carentan a Chief City in Normandy which afterwards proved the utter Ruine of that Place as we shall shew Sr. Godfry of Harecourt himself who was Lord of St. Saviour le Vicount and Brother of the Lord Lewis Earl of Harcourt had been served in no better manner but that he wisely kept aloof nor would he by any means obey King Philips Summons but at last despairing of any tolerable security in those parts he came over into England to King Edward who received him gladly and made good use both of his Valour and Counsel in the following War whereof he became a second Firebrand as the Lord Robert of Artois had been before him And King Philip after his old manner to enflame the business the more proceeded against him with an High Hand and openly proscribed him as a Traytor and Enemy to the Crown of France but King Edward on the other hand being then again at Enmity with Philip called him Cousin allowed him an Honourable Maintenance and made him one of the Marshals of his Host But this happen'd after the Death of the Lord Clisson z Frois c. 114. almost a Year Thus King Philip when he should rather have endeavoured of Enemies to make Friends by his rash severity and want of Princely connivence and temporizing a little rendred even many of his own Subjects Enemies unto him IX Of the first part of this Tragedy King Edward had News immediately for while a Frois c. 101. at Windsor he was busied in preparing his Round-Table of which we have spoken Mr. Henry b Fabian p. 273. Malestroit a Deacon in Holy Orders Master of the Requests to King Philip and younger Brother to Sr. Godfry of Malestroit whom the said King had unjustly put to Death came over to England in deep displeasure and told the King complaining unto him most lamentably of the Death of his Father Brother and Cousin and how cruelly and without all Reason King Philip had Executed several other Lords Knights and Esquires and especially the noble Lord Clisson who had so faithfully and valiantly served against the English only because he had a jealousie that they were secretly King Edwards Friends Wherefore he exhorted him earnestly that since the French King had thereby broken the Truce he would renew the War against him and Revenge the Blood of those his Innocent Friends How King Edward resented this News We shall shew when we have first dispatch'd what concerns this Messengeâ— Mr. Henry Malestroit To him the King presently assigned a place of good Authority in the City of Vannes in Bretagne which was then held of England
Earl of Darby at Bourdeaux Immediately one of them stept forth and said that he would venture to carry it not so much for the lucre of Reward as the hope he had to serve those Gallant Men his Masters in such an imminent Danger In the Dark night this Valet took the Letter sealed with the Seal of the Lord Frank van Hall which was e Ashmcles Garter p. 709. Plate 50. Gules a Golden Dragon Crown'd with his Wings Expanded and his Dexter Paw raised a Spread Eagle Sable in a Shield Gules upon his Breast the Whole surrounded with an Azure Bordure intermixt with a Lion and Flower du Lis Or mutually succeeding one another This Seal with those of the other English Knights was affixed to the Letter with which this Daring Fellow being let down into the Ditch adventur'd since there was no other Remedy to pass thrô the Host He was met by the first Watch and escaped them well enough for he spake good Gascogne and named a Lord of the Army to whom he said he belonged But yet after this he was taken among the Tents and so brought into the Heart of the Camp where being narrowly searched the Letters were found about him So he was kept safe till the Morning at which time the whole Matter was declared to the French Lords assembled in Council The Earl of Laille and those that sat with him having read the Letters and thereby understood that the Besieged were not able to hold out much longer were very well pleased with their Discovery Then they hung the Letter about the Valets Neck and put the poor Fellow into one of their Battering Engines and so caused him to be shot into the Town The Valet fell down stone Dead in the Streets at which Dismal sight as well as their Disappointment the Befieged were cast into a great Consternation And at that very instant the Earl of Perigord and Sr. Roger his Uncle Sr. Charles of Poictiers the Viscount of Carmain and the Lord Duras being on Horseback rode about the Walls of the Town as near as they durst and scoffingly cry'd out to them within Gentlemen pray ask your Messenger where he found the Earl of Darby since he went out but last Night to carry Letters to him and is come back again unto you already To this Jeer Sr. Frank van Hall replied saying Messieurs thô now we are here Besieged we shall Sally out well enough when it shall please God and the Earl of Darby And I would to God the Earl did but know in what Condition we are for if he did but know it the Proudest of you All durst not tarry here And if you dare send him Word thereof one of the Chief of Us shall in requital of that Kindness yield himself a Prisoner unto you to be ransomed according to his Quality The French said Nay nay Sirs the Earl of Darby shall have perfect Intelligence of all these Matters when with our Engines we shall have beaten down the Castle to the ground and you shall be buried in these Ruines or yield your selves up simply to save your Lives only Certainly said the Couragious Sr. Frank van Hall that we shall never doe We will all rather die here or upon heaps of Frenchmen than make so ignoble a Bargain Therewith the French returned to their Camp and the three English Knights continued in great trouble for the Stones that fell in the Town made such a terrible Noise as if it had been Thunder falling from Heaven Now for all this insulting of the French Lords the whole Story f Frois c. 107. fol. 52. b. of the Messengers being taken with the Letters and the great Distress of the English in Auberoche was brought presently to the Earl of Darby's Ears by a spie that had been in the French Camp. Whereupon immediately he sent to the Earl of Pembroke who having been remanded from Liburne was now at Bergerac as being a Place of more Consequence to come back and meet him at Liburne with his Forces the next Day or that Night if he could He sent also to the Lord Stafford and Sr. Stephen Tombey who were still at Liburne to be ready there against his coming And that Night the Earl himself with the Earl of Oxford the Lord Walter Manny and the rest that were with him went from Bourdeaux towards Auberoche They rode so secretly and with such Guides that knew all the by-ways that they came unperceived to Liburne before Morning Where they tarried a day for the Earl of Pembroke of whom they could hear no News all that while However when the Earl of Darby saw that he came not at the time appointed nor that yet there was any appearance of his coming thrô the ardent desire he had of saving his Friends in Auberoche he notwithstanding resolved to march forward There were now with the Earl of Darby the Earl of Oxford the Lord Robert Ferrers of Chartley the Lord Walter Manny the Lord Hugh Histings who was g Dudg 1 Vol. p. 578. of kin to Laurence Hastings Earl of Pembroke Sr. Stephen Tomber and others all who went from Liburne in the dark of the Evening taking the direct way to Auberoche so that early the next Morning they were within two little Leagues of the Place Then h Frois c. 107. fol. 53. a. being all entred into a Wood they alighted and tyed the◠Horses to Pasture still waiting with much impatience for the Earl of Pembroke till it was high Noon Then he not yet appearing they knew not what Course to take for in all they made but 300 Spears and six Hundred Archers and the French before Auberoche they knew to be between i Frois ibid. ten and twelve Thousand Men. Yet they thought it a great Dishonour as well as loss to suffer such Valiant Men to perish for want of Succour while thus they were in serious debate on the Matter the Gallant Lord Walter Manny at last said Gentlemen let us all leap on our Horses with a good Courage and let us Coast privately under the Covert of this Wood till we come 〈◊〉 that side of the Wood which joyns to their Host and then when we are near let us set spurs to our Horses and cry St. George a Darby we shall find them all at Supper unawares and unprepared to resist and you shall see them upon our approach fall into such Confusion that they shall never be able to recover any Order To this brave Resolution all the Lords and Knights agreed whereupon every Man took his Horse and having order'd all their Servants and Pages to tarry there with the Baggage till they heard other News they all rode forth silently and in good Order along by the Wood till they came to a little River named haulte Vezere in a Valley near the French Host Being pass'd over they displayed their Banners and Penons and dashing their Horses came in a Front into the French Camp among the
be broken by this Blow he soon after dispos'd of his Men into Winter Quarters and return'd himself into England to provide more effectually against the next Campaigne The Earl of o Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 193. ex Châ—â— Fr. Joh. Clinne M.S. in Bodlei Bibl. f. 99. Tom. 4. p. 70. Oxford also having first been in Bretagne took the Sea about the Feast of the Blessed Virgin and by Tempest was cast upon the Coasts of Connaught in Ireland Where he and his Company suffer'd much Misery from those Barbarous People there who pillaged them of all they had So that with much difficulty they escaped alive out of their hands and afterwards came safe into England XVI About this time was Queen Philippa of England brought to Bed of a Fair Daughter named Mary who was afterwards married to John Montford who in time obtain'd the firname of Valiant and having conquer'd his Enemies became Duke of Bretagne His Father John of Montford of whose Taking at Nantes we spake before was by vertue of the late Truce at Malestroit most p Mezeray ad huncan Fabian p. 270. c. certainly deliver'd out of Prison this Year on Condition that he should not depart from Court But this notwithstanding he made his Escape and put himself in the Head of his Troops in Bretagne having obtained succour from England as we shall shew hereafter But because in the September following he died his Release from Imprisonment was not taken notice of by some Authors This Year there died at Bourdeaux the valiant Lord q Dugd. 2. Vol. p. 104. Oliver Ingham Seneschall of the said City in the Fifty Ninth Year of his Age without Issue Male Wherefore his younger Daughter Joan Wife to the Lord Roger le Strange of Knokyn and Mary his Grandaughter by Elizabeth his eldest Daughter and her Husband Sr. John Curson became his Heirs CHAPTER the TWENTY THIRD The CONTENTS I. King Edward demands of the Pope Satisfaction on the French Kings Part or declares that he will renounce the Truce II. The Earl of Northampton commission'd to defie the French King c. III. King Edward's Manifesto touching the Dissolution of the Truce IV. He sends Henry Earl of Darby into Aquitain V. A particular Account of his Actions there during the Campaign VI. The Lord Manny finds his Fathers Bones in the City of Reole VII The strong Castle of Reole yielded the Town being taken before VIII The Earl of Darby proceeds in Taking of Towns and Castles IX He wins Mirapont Tonneins Damasan and Augoulesme where he makes the Lord John Norwich Governour and so returns to Bourdeaux I. BEfore this Expedition of the Earl of Darby's into Gascogne we shew'd how the Pope endeavour'd to compose Matters with King Edward to whom we do not find that the King return'd any Answer till after the Earls Arrival at Bourdeaux when he made a solemn Complaint to him bearing Date the a 4 Aug. Rot. Franc. 18 Ed. 3. m. 3. Ashmele p. 654. Fourth of August which he sent by John Hufford Dean of Lincoln Sr. Hugh Nevil and Nicolas de Flisco willing them to demand a Reformation and Security for the Observance of the said Truce untill the Expiration of the Term appointed and sworn by each of the Kings Deputies And in case that should not be done as it was not expected then they to surrender the Copy of the Truce into the Pope's Hands and to defie Philip of Valois as the Kings Enemy Yet notwithstanding these Amicable and Christian-like Desires of the King of England met with nothing but Flams and Dilatory Answers For on the 20 of October following Dr. William Bateman Bishop of Norwich John Hufford Dean of Lincoln and John Thoresby one of the Canons of Lincoln Sr. Hugh Nevil and Sr. Ralph Spigurnel Knights together with the foresaid Nicolas de Flisco were Commissionated to declare before the Pope in what Particulars the Truce had been broken and instantly to demand Reparations II. But after all this little Satisfaction being offer'd AN. DOM. 1345. An. Regni Angliae XIX Franciae VI. and none at all given to the King his Majesty seeing the Truce manifestly and openly violated and that the Pope and his Legates were too evidently Partial on the French Side gave Commission to William Bohun Earl of Northampton bearing Date the 24 b Asâ—mâ—le p. 654 ex Râ—t Franc. 19 Ed. 3. m. 4. p. 1. of April to defie Philip of Valois as a Violator of the Truce an unjust Usurper of his Inheritance of the Realm of France and his Capital Enemy Which Defiance being made he was order'd to go with John Earl of Montford into Bretagne as the King of England's Lieutenant General to defend that Dutchy against the Lord Charles of Blois being empowred to receive the Fealty and Homage of those People in the Kings Name which was due unto him as True King of France a like Power having c Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 185. ex Râ—â— Fr. 16 Ed. 3. n. 25. three Years before been given him in the same Parts And shortly after the King set forth a Manifesto bearing Date the d Ashâ—cle p. 654 14 of June touching the Dissolution of the Truce wherein the Causes were declared at large being in Substance the same with those Letters which he had sent to the Pope and Four Cardinals bearing Date e Rot. Rem 19. Ed. 3. m 2. n. 4. 26 of May the Month preceding the Date of this Defiance a Copy whereof followeth agreeing with the other which is to be seen in the Original Latine both in Adam Murimouth's M.S. and also in Dr. Stillingfleets aforemention'd III. f Fâ—â— Acts and Mâ—n An. 1345. Adam Mâ—â—imoâ—th M.S. Dr. Covel M.S. Dr. Stillingâ—â—eet qu â—as cum Foxo 〈◊〉 â—â—itus faâ—es â—ut peritia videbâ— tur defideraâ—â— EDWARD by the Grace of God King of England and France and Lord of Ireland to all and singular to whom these Presents shall come Greeting We doubt not but it is now publiquely known how that after the Decease of Charles of Famous Memory King of France and Brother to the most Serene Lady Isabella Queen of England our Mother the Crown of the said Kingdom being incommutably devolved unto Us as unto the next Heir Male of the said King then being alive the Lord Philip of Valois who is but Son to the Uncle of the said King and so related unto him in a more remote Degree of Consanguinity did in the time of our Minority by Force and contrary to God and Justice usurp the said Kingdom and still doth usurp and detain it Invading moreover and spoiling our Lands in our Dukedom of Aquitain and Confederating against Us with our Rebellious Enemies the Scots and otherwise to the utmost of his Power labouring and endeavouring to procure the Ruine and Subversion of Us and of Ours both by Land and Sea. And thô we to prevent the inestimable Dangers which it is probably feared may happen
Place they came to was Ville Franche in Agenois which together with the Castle was taken by Assault and here the Earl made an Esquire of his named Thomas Cook Captain whom thereupon he Knighted Thus the Earl of Darby without any Resistance overran the Country and conquer'd Towns and Castles and wan much Spoil and great Riches all which like a Noble Prince he distributed among his Men. IX From hence he rode to u Frois c. 113. Mirapont in his way toward Bourdeaux for all this while the Currours of his Army never went near St. Mary-Port which having held out three Days yielded on the Fourth and this Place he committed to the Care of a Valiant Esquire of his John Bristow Thence he sent out a Detachment which took in a little enclosed Town called Tonneins standing on the River Garonne and after that a strong Castle named Damasan a little lower on the other side the said River which was furnished with a convenient Garrison Then the Earl went up higher into Angoulemois and sat down with all his Forces before the great City of Angoulesme saying he would not stir thence till he had it at his Pleasure But the Citizens being terrify'd with his Successes made a Composition with him to send 24 of their Chief Burgesses their Hostages to Bourdeaux That he should give them Respit for a Moneth Within which time if the French King send a sufficient Captain to keep the Field against him then they to have their Hostages restored and to be acquitted of all Obligation But if no such Forces appear then they without any more adoe to submit to the Government of the King of England Upon this Composition the Earl rode to Blaye in Saintogne wherein were two Valiant and Hardy Captains Sr. Guischard alias Sr. Richard Dangle afterwards for the English and in time one of the Knights of the Honourable Order of the Garter and the other was Sr. William of Rochechouart of no less Courage and Loyalty These Knights answer'd the Earls Summons That they would yield to no Man living Wherefore he laid to them a strong and close Siege and in the mean time sent out a Detachment to Mortagne in Saintogne by the Sea-side whereof was Captain a Noble and Hardy Knight named the Lord of Bouciquault Who Defended the Place so well that the Earl's Men despair'd to take it Wherefore after some loss they wheel'd off to Mirembeau and after that as far as Aunay both which also they found too tough for them and so return'd to the Camp before Blaye Here no Day passed without some notable feat of Arms performed and now first did Sr. Richard Dangle begin to bear some kind inclination to the English Nation but here he held out gallantly So that by this time the Moneth being compleat the Earl of Darby remembring his Agreement with the City of Angoulesme sent thither his two Marshals to whom the Citizens sware Allegiance in behalf of the King of England their Master Whereupon their Hostages were restored the City indemnified and the Earl at their Requests sent unto them for their Captain Sr. John Norwich a Valiant and Politick Commander and a x Dugd. 2 Vâ—l. p. 90. Baron of England thô y Frois c. 118. fol. 57. Froisard took him to be but an Esquire And now Winter being far enter'd the Earl seeing the stout Resistance at Blaye and the small Importance of the Place resolv'd to spare his Men for better Service and to raise his Siege till a more commodious season So he dislodged and repassing the River Garonne went back to Bourdeaux where he distributed his Men into Winter Quarters Now if any shall object that it seems incredible that all this while the King of France should lie still let such forbear their Censure till the beginning of the next Year where they will find that he sent a great Man against him but one who thought not fit to act at that time till he was considerably Reinforced as we shall see in due place CHAPTER the TVVENTY FOURTH The CONTENTS I. Henry the Old Earl of Lancaster dies c. II. Jacob van Arteveld having plotted to exclude the Earl of Flanders and his Posterity and to set up in his stead King Edwards Eldest Son proposes the Matter to the Representatives of that Country in Presence of the King. III. They abominate the Motion secretly but get off for the present IV. King Edward allows Jacob van Arteveld a Guard and pardons Sr. John Maltravers senior V. Jacob van Arteveld murther'd at Gaunt by the Commons VI. King Edward being angry therefore with the Flemings is appeas'd by their Ambassadors VII The Earl of Hainalt slain in Friseland VIII His Vncle John Lord Beaumont fetch'd over by the French King from King Edward's Service In whose room the Lord Godfry of Harcourt revolts from France to England IX John Earl of Montford being at liberty and assisted by England prevailes in Bretagne but in the midst of his Victories dies X. The Earl of Northampton combats Charles of Blois hand to hand and routs his Army at Morlaix After which he wins Roche D'Arien and so returns for England XI An Army of 30000 Scots discomfited by the English whereon ensues a Truce XII The Death of one Lord and two Bishops I. DUring the last Campaign of which we spake in the preceding Chapter word was brought over into Guienne to the Earl of Darby a Knighton p. 2585. n. 30. how the Good Old Earl of Lancaster his Father was departed this Life and had left him with his Blessing and a Greater Title a Fair Inheritance He was Younger Brother and upon his Death without Issue next Heir to Thomas Earl of Lancaster eldest Son to Prince Edmund Plantagenet sirnamed Crouchback who was Second Son to King Henry III. and Younger Brother to King Edward the First His Stile ran thus Henry Earl of Lancaster Leicester Darby and Provence Lord of Monmouth and Steward of England His true Sirname was Plantagenet but his usual Torcol or de Torto Collo because his Neck stood something awry Which Title is thrô mistake by b Sandford Geneal Hist p. 112 p. 113. Patronage of John Wickliffe Whereas his Sons Sirname was Grismond and Wickliffe's Friend John of Gaunt He had married the Lady c Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 783. Mill's Catal. Honor p. 323. Sandford's Geneal Hist p. 110 c. Maud sole Daughter and Heiress of Sr. Patrick de Cadurcis or Chaworth a Baron of the Realm By whom he had this valiant Son Henry Earl of Darby upon his Death Earl and afterwards created Duke of Lancaster and six Daughters Blanch Lady Wake Isabell Prioress of Ambresbury Maud Countess of Vlster Joan Lady Moubray of Axholme Eleanor Countess of Arundel and Mary Lady Piercy He died at Leicester and was buried in the Monastery of Canons there King Edward with his Queen Consort and the Queen Mother and almost all the Bishops and Barons of the Realm being present
e Knighton p. 25â—5 Easter there to require Aid from King Edward to recover his Right And accordingly we find that this Summer about the Feast of St. John Baptist King Edward sent over with him a considerable Power under the Command of William Bohun Earl of Northampton With whom f Stow p. 239. were John Vere Earl of Oxford Hugh Lord Spencer Richard Lord Talbot and Dr. William Killesby each of them retaining many Men of Arms and Archers With these Forces Earl Montford g Mezeray p. 23. wan and sack'd Dinant and laid Siege to Quimperlay but being suddenly taken with a Calenture or burning Feaver he died about the end of September at Quimpercorentin leaving the Management of his Pretensions to the Conduct of his Virago-Lady and his young Son John who many years after having slain Charles of Blois in Battle obtained together with the Dukedom the honourable Sirname of Valiant One h Gaguin l. 8. p. 140. reports that this Earl died distracted many Devils appearing at his Departure and that at the time of his Death such a multitude of Ravens settled upon the House wherein he lay that 't was thought the whole Kingdom of France could not have yielded such a Number As for his being distracted I shall not stand to question that since in a Burning Feaver many a Good Man may suffer a Delirium and God forbid that we should always judge hardly thereupon But for this horrid Apparition it seems to me not so credible nor could I ever find any great Evil of this Earl except that now he broke his Word with King Philip who yet was his Enemy and extorted it unreasonably and violently from him Nor if I had known him to have been a Notorious Sinner durst I ever give the more faith to this Story I reverence the Judgments of God and think it not fit for Sinners as we are to pry too sawcily into his Counsels concerning our Brethren perhaps no worse than our selves But this I well know that either Superstitious or Prejudiced Persons may enhance common Accidents into Prodigies or invent what they please against those for whom they have no Charity After his Death however the greater Part of Bretagne was for some time in the hands of Charles of Blois for now l Fabian p. 219. most of the English Souldiers return'd into Gascogne to serve the Earl of Darby Except Sr. Thomas Dagworth and those who before were sent to the Assistance of the Countess of Montford But however the English brake not up their Army thus till Winter for the Earl of Northampton hearing that the Lord Charles of Blois presuming on the Death of John of Montford was come to Morlaix with a great Power intending to overrun the Country went forward with all his Forces to meet him In the Champaign Ground near k Lel. Collect. 1 Vol. p. 805. Stow p. 239 c. Morlaix the two Armies of the Lord Charles of Blois and William Bohun Earl of Northampton joyned Battle together with Equal Courage and Bravery And at this time it is said that the two Generals both the French Lord and the English Earl met together by consent in single Combat where they fought so long at Handy-stroaks in the Field that it would have pos'd an equal Judge to have determin'd who had the better For three times that day being both wearied they withdrew to take Breath and as often both return'd to renew the Combat which was fought with Spear and Shield Sword and Target after the manner of that Age. Only at last the most Noble and Valiant Lord Charles seeing his Men begin to fly was obliged also to set Spurs to his Horse and forsake the Field leaving the Victory to the English who yet paid dearly for it having lost almost as many in the Fight as the Enemy But when the Chace began then the Lord Charles his Men were beaten down on every side and the Success of this Day grew more important in that thereby the Earl of Northampton had no more Enemy to obstruct his Progress at that time wherefore presently l Leland ibid. Dudg 1 Vol. p. 185. Fabian p. 220. p. 276 he went and lay before a strong Fortress of Bretagne called la Roche D'Arien about ten French Miles Northward of Morlaix which he took by Assault thô after his Departure it was retaken by the other Party till the Lord Thomas Dagworth took it again from them as two years hence we shall shew When the Earl of Northampton and the other Lords of England with him had thus settled Affairs for the present in Bretagne and had disposed of what Places they had won to the Custody of good Captains with sufficient Garrisons Winter being now well enter'd they all came over into England to the King And the Truce which the Deceased Earl had broken was again punctually observed XI This Year the Scots by the Instigation of the French King enter'd England by Westmorland and passing over the River Vlles burnt Penreth and m Carletonum pro Carleolum apud Walsingh hist p. 156. Nam Carleolum non folum erat satis validum sed etiam ab hec latere nimis distans Quod qui Walsingh secuti sunt parùm prespiciebant Neque ulla de Carleolo combusto per hos dies apud antiques mentio c. Carleton and many other little Towns and Villages thereabouts But John Kirkeby Bishop of Caerlile with the Lord Thomas Lucy of Cockermouth and Sr. Robert Ogle having collected a small Body of Choice Men went about their Host surrounding them in the Night and so terrified them with perpetual Alarms and Noises of Trumpets Clarions and Horns that the Scots could neither take Rest for Fear nor send out their Foragers to seek Provision And now the Lords Piercy and Nevil on the other Part and the Men of Lancashire on a Third had appointed together with the Bishop and those of Caerlile to fall upon the Scots all together who would then be in a manner quite enclosed by the English When Sr. Alexander Straghan being compelled of Necessity to go on Foraging for the Army and going forth for that purpose with some of the most Select Troops of all the Scottish Host was luckily encountred by the Bishop of n Walsingh hist p. 156. Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 262. Stow p. 241. Carlile the Lord Lucy and Sr. Robert Ogle which latter happening upon Sr. Alexander himself fiercely spurred up his Horse against him and ran him quite thrô the Body with his Spear himself also at the same time receiving thrô his Shield a Wound on the Left side but not Mortal In this Rencounter the Martial Bishop also being Cast from his Horse was in danger of being made a Prisoner but having Valiantly recover'd his Saddle he brought such Courage to his Men that most of the Scots of that Brigade were either slain or taken Whereupon the Rest being also informed of the two other
that the p Frois c. 122. Burgesses being terrified thereby to save the Lives of themselves their Wives and Children against the Mind of all the Souldiers yielded up the Town to the English and offer'd for security of their Lives all their Goods to their Discretion When the Souldiers saw the business of the Inhabitants and that against their Wills it was impossible for them to make good the Place they retired to the Castle but within two Days after were obliged to yield thô on better Conditions than the Townsmen for these obtained security for Life and Goods So the Town and Castle of Carentan were taken and all the Inhabitants sent to the Ships as Prisoners but when King q Dase res in Philip de Valois p. 7. Rosse's Continuation of Sr. Walter Raleigh p. 291. Edward understood that the Heads of some of his Friends whom the French King had murther'd were upon the Gates of that Town he commanded them to be taken down and buried Reverently And order'd both the Town and Castle as a Sacrifice to their Ghosts to be burnt and rased to the ground These things were done by the Earl of Warwicks Battalia which went along by the Sea-Coast while on the other r Frois ibid. side the Lord Godfry of Harcourt rode forth on the Kings Left Hand for he knew all the Avenues and Passages of Normandy better than any other He had in his Battalia 500 Men of Arms besides Archers and Footmen and sometimes ranged six or seven Leagues from the Kings Battail as far as the Sea-Coast Westward where Normandy looks on the Isles of Jersey and Garnesey burning and spoiling all before him with no less Hostility and Fury than the English Lords used on the other side They all found the Country very Rich and Plentifull the Granges and Barns full of Corn and Provender the Shops and Houses full of Rich Stuffs and other Goods and Commodities and the whole Country abounding with Chariots Carts Horses Swine Sheep Oxen and Poultry For there had been a long Peace and Security in those Parts The Souldiers now took of all this what they pleas'd and brought it to the King but of what Gold and Silver they found they gave no account either to him or his Officers but kept it to themselves In this manner the Lord Godfry of Harcourt and the Earl of Warwick rode forth by Day but at Night for the most part they both lay in the Kings Field or very near him When thus all things were clear'd behind as to the North-point of Normandy King Edward began to March Eastward and went directly to St. Lo in Coutantine but before he came thither he encamped by the River Vire till his two Battails might come up to him and then he proceeded VII The mean ſ Frois c. 123. while King Philip was not negligent on his Part but enforced his Summons to his Subjects and others who held of him any way and sent for all his Friends and Allies as to the Noble and Valiant Old King of Bohemia John of Luxemburgh Son to Henry the VII once Emperour of Germany and to his Eldest Son the Lord Charles Marquess of Moravia who about this time was called Caesar being advanced in Opposition to Lewis of Bavaria upon whose Death a Year after He was made Emperour King John and his Son Charles came speedily to King Philip's Assistance with a goodly Number of Bohemians Germans and Luxemburghers as did also upon the said Kings Request Ralph Duke of Lorraine King Philip's Nephew and James Son and Heir to Humbert the Old Dauphin of Vienna which two lead 300 Spears Then came the Lord John of Hainalt Lord of Beaumont who as we shew'd was lately brought over from the King of England's Service with a gallant Troop of Valiant Hainalders there was likewise Lewis Earl of Flanders who had but few Men under him and those only of the Gentry and Nobility of Flanders for the Commons of that Country held all for King Edward Thither came also James King of Majorica who being beaten out of his Kingdom by Peter King of Aragon had lately for an t Odoric Rainald ad an 1345. §. 13. 100000 Crowns of Gold sold unto King Philip of France his Right to Monpellier that thereby he might be enabled to give Battle to the King of Aragon But at this time he could not refuse with what Forces he had to Assist King Philip. While thus the French King was making himself strong on all sides he had full Information of the uncontroled Progress of his Adversary of England and sware openly That he should never return again into England without Battle And that all those Spoils Slaughters and Devastations should be dearly Revenged But many of his Auxiliary Friends came from far and so it was long before he had his full Assembly Wherefore the mean while King Edward went on without any considerable Opposition VIII The English Army still kept their first Order marching up toward High Normandy in three Battalions They went on fair and softly in Battle Array as if the Enemy was always before them and they took up their Lodgings every day early so that for the most part the whole Army except the Marshals Fore-runners was encamped betwixt Noon and Three of the Clock The Country was so Plentifull wheresoever they went that they had no need to look out for any other Provision but Wine and yet here and there they also found enough of that Althô the King to prevent the Worst had brought Provisions of all sorts along with him and besides u M.S. Vet. Latin. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantabr cui titulus Acta Edvardi Filii Edvardi Tertii he gave strict Command that none should presume to make any unnecessary waste of Victuals Drink or Forage It was no x Frois ibid. great Wonder if all the Country trembled at the sight of this Royal Army for till then they had seen nothing like War in those Parts nor knew any thing beyond the Ordinary Trainings of their Militia so that generally the People fled before the Face of the English as far as they might hear the sound of their Name leaving behind them their Houses full of Goods their Barns and Granaries full of Corn and their Cattle in the Fields for they knew not whither in that Hurry to bear them away Particularly the y M.S. Vet. Latin. id ibid. 29 Julii City of Bayeux for fear of him sending 15 Chief Citizens as their Deputies unto him and desiring to enter into his Homage and to be taken into his Protection were admitted And in this Manner King Edward rode forth burning wasting and ravaging the Country and leaving long tracks of Fire and Desolation behind him till he came to the Great Town of St. Lo the farthest z D'Avila p. 974. Port of Lower Normandy wherein were no less than Eight or Ninescore Rich Burgesses and exceeding much Drapery When the King came thither he
tast of his Courage and a free Opportunity of Enriching his own Men and ravaging the Lands of his Enemies Nor could he intend to retreat for safety to his own Lands in the Earldom of Ponthieu as b Mezeray ibid. some say because they as well as others that belonged to him were now in the Hands of the French King as may appear by the King of Englands frequent Complaints thereof in his Letters As for the Army of the Flemings which Others c Glov Villani l. 12. c. 64. p. 874 say he went forth to joyn in Picardy we cannot think that any such Design or Appointment was had or made because no such Effect appeared afterward even thô all Impediments were removed X. However d Frois c. 125. when the Parisians saw such Dreadfull Fires so near their own Walls they were in great doubt of themselves And King e Mezeray p. 26. ad hunc annum Philip himself was extreamly incensed to behold from his Capital City the heart of his Kingdom in Flames Wherefore he resolved forthwith to remove to St. Dennis having first commanded all the Penthouses in Paris to be pulled down But when the Parisians saw their King ready to leave them they came flocking to him and upon their knees said Ah Gracious Prince What means Your Majesty thus to forsake Your Royal Chamber of Paris The King reply'd Good People fear you nothing For the English shall come no nearer to you than they are already Why Sir said they they are not above 2 Leagues off now and when they shall hear of Your Departure they will come and Assault us and without You we are not able to hold out against them Sir for Gods sake tarry here still and defend your Loyal City of Paris Speak no more said the King of this Matter For I am resolved to go to St. Dennis to my Men of War and I will encounter the English and give them Battle whatsoever chance shall betide me And thereupon f Giov. Villani l. 12. c. 65. p. 875. having left for the Guard of the City and of his Queen and Children 1200 Men of Arms besides the Inhabitants and Footmen he rode forth to St. Dennis about 2 Leagues Northward of Paris where he g Frois Du Chesne c. found the King of Bohemia and his Son Charles Elected King of the Romans the Lord John of Hainalt the Duke of Lorraine the Earl of Flanders of Namur of Bleis and other great Lords and Knights with their Troops ready to serve him All this time King Edward while his Men were repairing the Bridge lay at h Frois ibid. Du Chesne p. 664. Poissy in the Nunnery where he kept the Feast of the Assumption of our Lady on the 15 of August and sat in his Royal Robes of Vermilion Scarlet furr'd with Ermines without sleeves having the day i M.S. Vetust Latin. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantabr before published by Proclamation that for Reverence of the approaching Solemnity no man whatsoever should offer during that Festival to commit any outrage by Fire or Depredations on pain of Life and Limbs But that all should devoutly solemnize the Praises of the Mother of God. While this Bridge was thus repaiting by the English the French King k Fabian p. 222. sent thither 2000 Souldiers to hinder the Workmen but the Archers by their continual shooting with their home-drawn Bows slew the greater part of them So that the Rest flying the Work was brought to Perfection Wherefore the Day after this Feast the Bridge being ready King Edward passed over in his former Array having l Fabian p. 221. fired the Town of Poissy but spared the Nunnery in Honour of its Founder Philip the Fair who was his Grandfather by the Mothers side Being thus passed over the Seyne and entred into le Vexin Francois he marched toward Pont-Oyse which is a City of great Defence but the Vanguard being past the Town the Rere-guard Assaulted it and took it where more than 300 Men of Arms of the Enemy were slain The next Day one of the English Marshals namely the Lord m Frois c. 125. Du Chesne p. 664. Godfry Harcourt together with the Earl of Suffolk and the Lord Hugh Spencer riding out on one Hand with 500 Men of Arms and 1300 Archers met by chance with a great Number of Burgesses of Amiens on Horseback who upon King Philips Command were riding to Paris for the better Defence of that City in case of Necessity The English immediately fell upon them with great Coâ—rage and the French Defended themselves a while as Valiantly for they had four good Knights of Amiens to their Captains and they exceeded the English in Number and were all very well armed So that at the beginning many were reversed on both parts and the Skirmish continued something doubtfull But at last the English by their obstinate Valour and great Experience prevailed and then the Burgesses were well-nigh all taken or slain so that about n Ashmole p. 655. Martin p. 118. Frois ibid. c. 1200 of them remain'd Dead in the Field and all their Carriage Baggage and Harness o Sr Tho. de la More apud Stow p. 242. being 302 Carts and Waggons laden with Crossbows Quarrels Armour and Victuals fell to the Conquerours share besides 60 Gentlemen Prisoners Thus the p Frois c. 125. fol. 62. King of England marched in Hostile Manner thrô Vexin Francois into Beauvaisis burning and destroying all before him Now it is to be remembred that on the Second Day after King Edward had passed the Seyne he being then at Aunevil within 3 Leagues of Beauvais there q Ashmole's Garter p. 655. ex Record came Letters unto him from King Philip signifying that he would give him Battle as on that Thursday or else on the Saturday Sunday or Monday following On Condition he would in the mean while forbear destroying the Country In Answer whereto King Edward immediately sent him this Letter following EDWARD by the Grace of God King of France and England and Lord of Ireland unto the Illustrious Lord Philip Earl of Valois r r Ex Original Gallico apud M.S. Vet. Lat. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantabr cui titulus Acta Edvardi Filii Edvardi Tertii Ret. Norman 20. Ed. 3. m. 21. in Derse Sr. Philip of Valois We have read your Letters wherein you signifie unto Us that You will Combat with our whole Power between St. Germaine de Prez and Valgirart de la Paris or between Franconville and Pont-Oyse this Thursday or on Saturday Sunday or Monday next following provided that neither We nor our People do any Damage Spoil or Waste Whereupon We give You to know that thrô Assurance in God and the Clear Right which We have to the Crown of France which You Usurp injuriously to the Disherison of Us our Country God and Right We are come not in any Pride or Presumption into
6000 Crossbows of Genona with other Italians under the Command of Sr. Carolo Grimaldi and Sr. Antonio Doria in all about 20000 Men. But afterwards it was encreased when John the King of Bohemia advised a Da Serres c. that all those Genouese Crossbows who were under the Leading of Amè Earl of Genoua should be joyned to the rest of their Countrymen in the Front as a Match for the English Archers and so they were in all 15000 Crossbows and 29000 Men were contained in this First Battail The Second Battail was headed by King Philip himself having with him thô some deny it James b M.S. Biblioth Vatican sign n. 2040. in Clem. VI. Giov. Villani l. 12. c. 66. p. 879. Oder Rain ad hunc an §. 41 Aeneas Sylvius Hest Bâ—hem l. 32 Knighton Walsingham Stew Sâ—eed Joh. Aventin Annal. Boiorum l. 7. p. 629. Vnà omnes testantur Regem Balearicarum in Creâ—acâ hâc Pugnâ eccubuisie King of the Baleares now call'd Majorica and Minorica but I agree not with those who say that the Kings of Scotland and Navarre were here also for 't is evident that King David was now in his own Country and Charles King of Navarre was at home being a Minor and under his Mothers Tuition as Mezeray well observes But there were in this Battalia with King Philip Prince Albert Elector Palatine of the Empire Otho Duke of Austria the Bishop of Liege John Lord Beaumont of Hainalt and others to the Number of six Thousand Men of Arms and fourty Thousand Foot And hither was the King of Bohemia removed afterwards at King Philips desire The Third and Last Battail was Lead by Amè Earl of Savoy a Valiant and Noble Lord sirnamed le Vert who c Fivine le Parisien Theatre of Honer l. 8. c. c. p 310. Ferne's Blazen of Gentry p. 124. afterwards became the Soveraign of a Knightly Order called the Snares of Love which in time was changed to that of the Annuntiada with him were joyn'd the Bishop of Noyon the Earl of St. Paul the Earl of Sancerre and other Noble Gentlemen to the Number of about 5000 Lances and 20000 Foot. VI. And now when this Numerous Army was with much ado order'd in the best manner that might be by that time they stood in the open field ready embattel'd against the Enemies it was about Three in the Afternoon King Philip when first in the Head of his Squadrons he beheld the Face of the English his d Frois c. 130. fol. 64. a. Blood changed and he said aloud to his Marshals Make the Genouëse there go on before and let them begin the Battle in the Name of God and St. Dennis Now it is to be remembred as we said before that in all there were 15000 Crossbows of Genoua rightly fitted for the War But they were so weary with going on foot that day 3 long Leagues armed and with their Bows that they said to their Constable how they were not able to do any great Service at that time for they had then more need of a little Rest than of fresh Labour But yet they followed their Commanders and so were removed to the Front of all the Battails the mean while their words being told to the Earl of Alencon he said A Man has wonderfull advantage in hiring such a Company of Rascals who then begin to faint and flinch when there is most need At that ver Instant e Villani p. 876. Knighton p. 2587. Mezeray p. 27. Frois Speed Holinsh and Walsingh hist p. 157. Seres c. before the Armies engaged there fell suddainly a smart Shower of Rain accompanied with loud Thunders and a short Eclipse of the Sun before which Storm there flew over the Host an infinite Number of Ravens and other Birds of Prey crying and cawing which the Old King of Bohemia hearing of said to those about him How that was indeed a Prodigy and an evil Token for it signified many Carcasses would fall But immediately the Air began to clear again and the burning Sun appearing out of a Cloud at the Englishmen's Backs darted his Rays full in the French-men's Faces and made a spacious f Da Serres c. Rainbow At that very time the Genouëse g Frois ib. d. c. 130. c. began to approach giving after their Manner a great Leap and Shouting horribly to amaze their Enemies who yet stood still with their Bows ready and their Arrows nock'd Then the Genouëse took a second Leap and shouted as before but still the English stirred not lastly the Genouëse after a third Leap accompanied with the like Noise being now within Shot sent forth all together their Quarrels against the English But they all fell short because their Strings had received Wet in the late Rain Then at last the English Archers whose Bows were kept cover'd in their Cases during the Shower stept forward one Pace and altogether let fly their home-drawn Arrows among the Genouëse which fell as thick as Hail upon them wherefore when they felt these stinging Scorpions and saw them piercing the Heads Arms and Bodies of their Fellows and that the English were ready to send an other deadly Flight among them many of them cast down their Bows and others cut their Strings and turned their Backs in much Disorder King Philip seeing them fly thus cry'd out aloud saying Slay these Rascals for they will hinder us all by their Cowardise And then the Lord Charles of Alencon no less fierce than his Brother cry'd out like a Desperate Man h Da Serres c. Come on my Friends come on and let us boldly Charge the English making our Way over the bellies of these Genouëse who do but hinder us These Words were followed with Actions agreeable thereto so that there arose a wonderfull Confusion between the Horse contending to go forward and the Foot who sought to retire the English Archers at the same time sending their thick Flights of Arrows where the Confusion was greatest Then the Cry of the Genouëse and others arose unto the Stars being overrun and trodden down by their own Horse as well as stung in their backs by the English Archers who liberally bestow'd whole Clouds of Shot upon them So that many of the Men of Arms also fell down Horse and Man among the Genouëse where they were so far from being able to rise again that they were an occasion to Others of falling over them And immediately certain i Frois ibid. Rough Fellows that belonged to the English Army ran in among them and with Long Knives cut the Throats of those that lay thus entangled on the ground whether Earls Lords Knights or Esquires for none that Day were taken to Mercy The mean while the Earl of Alencon and the Earl of Flanders the Earl of Blois the Duke of Lorrain and James Dauphin of Vienna having at last got clear of the poor Genouëse coasted wide about with their Troops
were Barons John Lord of Beaumont in Hainalt the Lord Charles Monmorency the Lord of Beaujeu the Lord of Aubigny and the Lord of Monfort l'Amaury besides the Archbishop of Rheimes the Bishop of Amiens and the Chancellor of France's Son all under the Standard of the Young Prince James Son of Humbert Dauphin of Vienna who was himself slain in the Battle The French Nation so well at that time allowed of this Flight of King Philips that as the Roman Senate approved of Terentius Varro who escaping from the Battle of Cannae did not yet despair of the Common-Wealth as his Collegue Aemylius had done by way of Commendation it hath been called to this Day m Walsingh Hyiâ—d Neusâ—r p. 119. Beau elim Masc Fâ—m Bel tunc Masc ut Philip le Bel. Nâ—nc le Beau la Belle. la Beau Retracte Thus slightly now attended this Unhappy Prince rode out of the Field till he came to the Castle of Broye on the Authie about two Leagues Northward from the Place of Battle The Castle was now shut up for it was by this time dark wherefore he called out for the Captain in haste who coming to the Walls demanded who it was that expected to be let in there at Dark Night The King reply'd Open your Gates quickly For I am the Fortune of France Perhaps secretly thereby taxing those Flatterers who had firnamed him le Bien-Fortunè or the Fortunate King which Title he holds to this Day thô as Mezeray observes at this time he was the Vnfortunate The Captain understanding by his Voice that it was the King made haste and open'd the Gate and let down the Bridge where he was Dutifully received but not without many sad Cries and condoling Lamentations of his sorrowfull Subjects who like poor frighted Children came flocking about the Distressed Father of their Country The Unhappy Prince could not long endure so pittifull a Spectacle and perhaps neither did he think himself secure so near the Enemy Wherefore having drank and taken some refreshment he departed thence about Midnight and by the help of his Guides which knew the Country came to Amiens the next Morning where having tarried a few Days he went to Paris But during his stay at Amiens instead of looking up to the Hand of God and Humbling himself under his Judgements the Passionate n Frois c. 134. King began to rail against several of his Captains but especially he was so Highly incensed at the Lord Gondemar du Fay that if he could have got him in his Fury it had cost him his Head for he said and believed that he did not do his Devoir truly in Defending the Passage at Blanchetteaque where the English went over the Somme Nor did the King only say thus but many of his Council also were of the Mind that he ought to die saying that he was a Traytor and the Chief Occasion of that Great Loss at Cressy But then John Lord of Beaumont began wisely to excuse him and to qualifie the Kings unjust Displeasure by putting in these few words only How could it lye in Gondemar's Power to Resist the whole Puissance of the King of England when a Royal Army it self and all the Flower of the Realm of France could not prevail against him This apt saying pacified the Kings Displeasure and soon after he return'd to Paris to consider of his Weighty Affairs in so sad a juncture XIII All that Saturday being the Day of Battle the English never broke their Ranks for taking of any Prisoners whatsoever but knowing how Numerous the Enemy was and that there were two or three Fresh Armies near those Parts they never offer'd to follow the Chace but stood ready upon their Defence And if o Knighton p. 2588. One says True they had need to do so for the French rallied upon them several times that Night thô they were still repulsed with Loss Certainly this Day King Edward shewed himself a most Accomplish'd Captain and all the Night too the greater Part of the Army especially all the Fresh Men who had not fought kept the Field standing to their Arms But I can no ways believe that the Frenchmen after so absolute a Discomfiture the Flight of their King and the Death of so many of their Prime Leaders could have the Courage to assault their Enemies Especially in the Night when all things are doubtfull even to a Conquerour Yet indeed the Earl of St. Paul had drawn off several entire Troops and had done more if in his last Attempt he had not been slain and more than Half the French Army escaped away thô in small scatter'd Parties that singly were no way formidable and some whereof by the errour of the Night fell among the English where they found no better Usage than they would have done in Battle Now p Frois c. 131. Edward the Young Prince of Wales whom from this time the French began to call Le Neoir or the q In the Records of 2 Riâ— 2. n. 12. he is called the 〈…〉 vid. M.S. Râ—t Parl. ad â—n praedict p. 171. Sr Rob. Câ—tton p. 168. Black-Prince when he heard no more of his Enemies for it was now so dark he could make no further Discovery began to repute the Victory his own and that all the French Host was totally discomfited Then he gave order for huge Fires to be made and Links Torches and Flambeaus to be lighted up all about At which time the King his Father being come down from the little Hill where he had stood with his Helmet on his Head which never came off till now all the time of the Battle drew near in the Head of all his Men and ran up to the Young Prince and embraced him in his Arms and kissed him and said My Fair Son God Almighty give you Grace to persevere as you have begun Now are you my Good Son and have acquitted your self right Nobly You are well worthy of a large Kingdom The Prince reply'd only by humbly enclining himself to the Earth honouring the King his Father That Night r Frois c. 131. the whole Army return'd their publique Thanks to God for their good Success and made no manner of Boasting for it was the express Command of the King that none should insult or make any Brags in Songs or otherwise but all humbly to give Thanks to God Almighty And Å¿ Giov. Villani l. 12. c. 66. p. 878. so the High Mass of the Holy Spirit was solemnly sung and the Victory acknowledged to the Author thereof Moreover the next Day for the sake of the Dead the Pious King * Id. ibid. caused the Place of Battle to be Consecrated for the decent Sepulture both of his Enemies and Friends and that the Wounded being removed from among the Dead should be dressed to the meaner sort of whom he afterward gave Money and sent them away That Morning being a Sunday t Frois ibid. there was such a
being joyned began to March toward St. Johnston with a Resolution to bring all Scotland to their Subjection the Scots made such humble Instance that they obtain'd a Truce for one Year on Condition to pay immediately to King Bailiol 9000 pounds Sterling Whereupon it was ordained that King Bailiol should reside the mean while in the Castle of Lanerock on the Borders of Galloway with competent Forces for fear of the Scots and the other English Lords and Captains that could be spared returned to King Edward to the Camp before Calais XII We have not of a long while made any mention of the Affairs of Bretagne which now seem not out of season to call upon Us For they are fruitfull of Actions neither unworthy Memory nor foreign to our Purpose and yet can no where be more conveniently handled than in this place and at this time wherein they had their Birth King Edward thô he lay all this while before Calais did yet by his Working Genius actuate and influence more distant parts as we have already instanced in Matters both at Home and Abroad in England Scotland Gascogne and Flanders Now as for what relates to Bretagne we shew'd before e L. 1. c. 21. §. 18. Article 2. p. 283. in the latter end of King Edwards 17 Year that a triennial Truce had settled Matters there In which Truce were comprehended the Kings of France and of Scotland with their Allies however the two said Kings afterwards brake the Truce the One in the first Year by putting King Edwards Friends to Death and the Other not till the Third by invading England whence succeeded the Battle of Durham Yet for all this the Lord Charles of Blâ—s and the Countess of Montfort her husband who brake the Truce being dead kept strictly to the former Articles But now the Truce being to expire in Bretagne also on the 19 of January this Year King Edward thought fit to send some necessary Aid to the Countess as well for his own Honour he having espoused her Quarrel as also with design to weaken his Adversary the French King who had undertaken the Protection of the Lord Charles Wherefore on the f Dagd 2 Vol. p. 148. 10 of January he created Sr. Thomas Dagworth a Valiant Baron of England his Lieutenant and Captain-General in the Dukedom of Bretagne and sent g Frois c. 142. him together with Sr. John Hartwell Sr. Alan h M.S. in Bibl. Bodlei K. 84. p. 117. b. Zouch and Sr. John Lile alias L'Isle from the Siege of Calais into Bretagne with an 100 Men of Arms and 400 Archers who all came in good time to the Countess at Hennebond where they found her attended with her Men of War of whom was Captain Sr. Tanguy de Castelle Breton Bretonant As the Year began to open these English and Bretons began to make their Incursions on those who held for Charles Earl of Blois And sometimes they wan and sometimes they lost as the Course of War is but the Country always suffer'd whoever had the better One day Sr. Thomas Dagworth laid Siege to a good strong Town standing between Pontrieux and Lantriguet called Roche D'Arien in English the Rock of Arrian whose Captain for Sr. Charles of Blois was Sr. Tassart of Guisnes Here he gave many fierce Assaults but the Place was so strong and so well Defended that by force they were likely not much to prevail However whether by secret Intelligence i Du Chesne p. 667. as some say or any other consideration the Majority of the Town enclin'd to the English and seising on their Captain Sr. Tassart said how they would kill him unless he would be for the Countess Hereupon he yielding to their desires they all together deliver'd up the Town to the English who left Sr. Tassart there still as Captain with a sufficient Recruit for his Defence and so went back again for that time with the Countess When Sr. Charles of Blois heard of this k Frois ibid. Du Chesne Vid. Fabian p. 276. Knighton p. 2593 n. 40. 50. Walsingh hist p. 158. Reb. Aveâ—bury Oiov Vallanil 12. c. 92. p. S. 8. Helâ—nshead p. 941. he sware Matters should not go so over long and immediately he sent his Summons both thrô Bretagne and into Normandy among his Friends so that he muster'd at Nantes no less than 1600 Men of Arms 12000 Footmen and 2000 Balisters and he had in his Company 400 Knights and 24 Banners With these Forces he went and laid Siege to Roche D'Arien so lately won by the English here he is said to have used such terrible Engines that neither Walls nor Towers nor any thing else could long resist them perhaps these might be great Ordnance so that thô the Garrison had already sent to the Countess for aid yet by the excessive fury of these Engines which beat down all before them one huge stone or bullet making its way even thrô the Roof of the Chamber where the Captains Wife lay in Childbed to her Infinite Affrightment the Captain and all others were in such a Consternation that they offer'd forthwith to deliver up the Place on Condition they might depart with their Lives and Goods where they would But the Lord Charles being too eager of Revenge and blinded with security refused this Advantageous Offer to his almost utter Ruine For the Countess of Montfort who knew the Condition of her Friends as well as of her Enemies had by this time provided a 1000 Men of Arms and 8000 Footmen whereof Sr. Thomas Dagworth was Principal Leader with Sr. John Lile S. John Hartwell and Sr. Alan Zouch aforesaid under his Command These all agreed to raise the Siege or never to return alive to the Countess and with this Resolution they set forward till they came near to Sr. Charles of Blois his Camp where for that Night they pitch'd up their Tents by the River Trieu designing to fight the next day But when they had all refreshed themselves at Supper Sr. Thomas Dagworth caused half the Host to arm with whom about Midnight he sent forth Sr. John Hartwell commanding him to give a brisk Camisade upon Sr. Charles his Host and then to retire after some Execution in seeming Confusion and as if he was utterly Routed This Brigade went forward and dash'd suddenly into the Lord of Blois his Camp on the nearer-side and beat down Tents and slew much People but being too eager in the pursuit of their good Fortune they tarried there so long that all the Host being come to the Rescue they were so beset that they could not retreat without Battle or downright flight which had exposed them all to the sword of their Enemies When they saw this they were not wanting to themselves in Courage thô so lately they had forfeited their Discretion But they were now already pretty well tired with Action and their Enemies encreased upon them on all Hands so that finally they were overcome
and for the most part taken or slain but Sr. John Hartwell made shift to escape with a small Number along by the River-side and so returned to the General Sr. Thomas Dagworth to whom he declared their ill Adventure Whereupon the whole Army thought for that time to leave off all hopes of further succeeding and to return back again to the Countess at Hennebond But then Sr. Thomas Dagworth spake to all the Captains and those were about him saying Nay Gentlemen let not such a strong Body of Men as We are think of going back again till We have recover'd the Reputation We have so lately lost Rather let Us now leap all on our Horses like Men of Courage and for them that have none let them follow on a Foot in Gods Name For now is the best time in the World to look upon our Enemies when their late Success has lull'd them asleep in the Arms of security I 'll warrant You We shall easily discomfit them and You shall soon see an happy turn of Affairs As he spake thus and his Men yet doubted whether to obey him or no there came up to them a Knight of good Conduct and Valour called Garnier who was Lord of Cadudal with an 100 Men of Arms sent to joyn Sr. Thomas Dagworth from the Countess of Montfort This fresh recruit wholly confirmed the wavering Courages of the English and so Sr. Thomas having order'd his Troops put himself in the Head of the Men of Arms and the Archers on Horseback and the Foot followed him with a good Courage So that about Sun-rise they dashed into the Lord Charles of Blois his Host where they found all was buried in sleep and security For they were proud of their Success and weary with obtaining it and verily thought there was no more Enemy remaining after their last Nights Victory Wherefore the Englishmen and Bretons with an horrible outcry invaded them like sheep in a fold and beat down Tents and Pavilions and slew people on all hands At which time the Captain of the Town making also a vigorous Sally with all his strength the whole Army of Charles of Blois which consisted of 30000 Men was entirely defeated and broken The Lord Charles himself taken Prisoner together with his two l Du Chesne p. 667. vid. Knighton Faliâ—n H. linstead Villari c. ut ante Sons John and Guy the Lord of Rochefort the Lord of Beaumanoire the Lord of Lodeac Sr. Guy de la Valle and 36 Knights more Among the slain were found the Vicount of Rouen the Lord De la Valle whose Son Guy was taken alive the Lord of Chasteau Briant the Lord of Derual and his Son the Lord of Rouge the Lord of Quintin with Sr. William his Son the Lord of Malestroit the Lord Ralph de Montfort and others to the Number of 500 Men of Arms besides Footmen After this entire Defeat Sr. Thomas Dagworth set the Prisoners in safe Custody especially the Lord Charles of Blois who being wounded was committed to the Care of skillfull Chirurgeons and then all Sr. Charles his Engines of battery and other Spoils sound in the Field were brought into the Town and Castle of Roche D'Arien But as for the Villagers and Men of the Country thereabout because contrary to their Oath and Duty they had favour'd the Earl of Blois in this Siege Sr. Thomas punished their Towns and the Chief Men thereof with severe Fines and held them much shorter than ever before and having executed several of the most Guilty kept many of the Rest in a kind of slavery to be Labourers and Drudges for his Men of War. Then he set himself to repair the Breaches in the Walls and elsewhere and having sufficiently reinforced the Garrison with Men Ammunition and other Provision departed with his Prisoners for Hennebond Where he tarried till the Lord Charles was recover'd of his Wounds and then convey'd him and his Sons and the rest of the Prisoners into England and there they were all bestow'd about in places of sure Custody in the Tower and elsewhere about London This great Victory was thus obtain'd before the Fortress of Rochedarien on the Wednesday m Ita Aenales Britannix apud Du Chesne p. 667. Knighton p. 2593. n. 44. Lit. Dom. G. Labâ—e's Chren Techad hunc an before the Feast of St. John Baptist being the 12 of the Calends of July or the 20 Day of June Ano. Dom. MCCCXLVII I have ventur'd to differ something in the Relation of the Fact from Froisard in that Matter where he makes Sr. Thomas Dagworth to be grievously Wounded in the first Onset and Garnier Lord of Cadudal to be the Author of that Counsel of falling upon the French a second Time not only because our n Ret. Franc. 21. â—d 3. p. 2. m. 2. p. 1. m. 11. Records attribute the Conduct of this Affair to Sr. Thomas Dagworth but also his own Letter is extant in Robert Avesbury wherein he shews forth the Matter as We have related it And in consideration thereof the King o Claus de ced Ano. in Derso created him before the End of this Year a Baron of the Realm As also two p M. S. in Bibl. Bodl. K. 84. p. 117. b. others of his Valiant Associates Sr. Alan Zouch and Sr. John Lisâ—e besides whom he made 50 Knights And upon the first News of this Happy Success the same King according to his Pious Custom caused Publique Thanks to be given to God Almighty both in the Camp before Calais and also throughout England XIII And truly this was a very Important Success especially considering the taking of Charles of Blois and his two Sons althô his Lady q Du Chesne p. 667. D. Fabian p. 276 c. continued the War as resolutely as ever For she requested King Philip so earnestly to enable her to Revenge this Loss that soon after when Sr. Thomas Dagworth was now in England he sent thither the Lord of Craon with a strong Army to whom also great Multitudes of the Bretons resorted And thus altogether they came before Rochedarien and Assaulted the Town for two days continually but the English Defended themselves vigorously and threw forth upon their Enemies hot boyling Oyls Fire Coals hot Ashes and other Offensive Matter wherewith they did much mischief to the Besiegers The Third Day the English being opprest offer'd to yield the Place on Condition they might have security to depart with Life and Goods But this the French and Bretons would not now condescend to So the Assault began anew and the Lord Craon to encourage his Men had hung up fifty Scutes of Gold in a Purse upon a Spears point and Proclaim'd aloud that he that first enter'd the Town should have the said Purse of Gold for his pains When the Genouëse Souldiers heard the Promise of their Captain some of them went under the protection of their Fellows Shot with long and sharp Pick-axes and Mattocks and so stoutly
presenting him therewith said Sr. Eustace I give you this Chaplet for the best Doer in Arms at this last Battle of either Party whether French or English and I desire you to wear it this Year at Festivals for my sake I know well you are a Personable Gentleman Young and Amorous and well accepted of among the Ladies wherefore if you will wear it in all Publique Balls and declare unto them that the King of England gave you this as a Testimony of your Valour I will also now release you from Prison quitting you wholly of your Ransom and you shall depart to morrow if you please The Knight who by this time had been fully informed of all things was so abundantly satisfied that it had been his Fortune to fight hand to hand with so great a King and to receive such an Honourable Acknowledgement from him that he not only wore the said Chaplet accordingly while he lived but in Memory of so Gracious a Gift from so Mighty a Prince did f Ferne's Blazon of Gentry l. 1. p. 211. bear ever after in his Arms Three Chaplets garnished with Pearls XII Thus was this Treason of the French attempted in the time of Truce by another Treason of the Lombard Captain justly thrown upon their own Heads Thô the perfidious Knight escaped not long himself For g Mezercy ad an 1350. c. Stow p. 249. being the next Year taken by some Frenchmen about St. Omers he was first degraded of the Order of Knighthood by having his Spurs hew'd from his Heels then branded with a burning hot Iron for a Rogue and then his Tongue being cut out in token of his Perjury he was Hanged by the Neck and lastly Beheaded Quarter'd and Dismembred as a Traytor And surely however cunningly he had carried himself in this matter either there remain'd still so much Suspicion on him or however the Action appeared so detestable that King Edward never after had any Kindness for him or Confidence in his Loyalty For we find h Ashmele p. 657. ex Ret. Franc. 22. Ed. 3. m. 1. how on that very Day whereon the Rescue of Calais had been made namely on the First of January the King appointed the Noble Valiant and Loyal Baron Sr. John Beauchamp for Captain of Calais Nor was the King unmindfull of those his Gallant Subjects who had accompanied him in the Rescue of this important Place Among whom the Lord Walter Manny under whose Banner he had fought i Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 149. ex Pat. 23. Ed. 3. p. 2. m. 26. obtain'd of him a Pardon for all such Escapes as any Felons or Fugitives had made out of the Prison of the Marshalsey he being this Year Marshall thereof and the next k Dugd. ibid. ex Ret. Vasc 24 Ed. 3. m. 6. Year had a Grant of those Houses and Wharfs in the Town of Libourne within the Dutchy of Aquitain which Edmund Marcell a Pattaker with the Kings Enemies had formerly possessed as also a l Id. ibid. ex Rot. Vasc 24 Ed. 3. m. 3. Grant of the Mannor of Ospettlington in the County of Barwick which Thomas Byset a Scot in Arms against the King had formerly held And as for the Lord Guy Bryan who was Standard-Bearer to the King in this Action m Dugd. Bar. 2 Vol. p. 151. ex Pat. 23 Ed. 3. p. 2. m. 3. he behav'd himself with such great Courage and Valour at that time that in Recompence thereof he obtained of the King a Grant of 200 Marks per annum out of the Exchequer during Life which was afterwards augmented n Id. ibid. ex Autegr penes Clera pell with 200 l. more per annum ut priùs besides several other Charters Grants and Emoluments at sundry times confer'd upon him and the great Honour of being made first a Banneret and afterwards upon a Vacancy Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter He o Ashmtle's Garter p. 709. Plate 57. bore for his Arms Or Three Piles Azure And thus the Noble King of England having happily atchieved his Enterprize and lest the Castle of Calais under the Command of the Lord Beauchamp aforesaid and the Town as it was before under the Lord John Mongomery returned Triumphant homeward with the Chief of the French Prisoners and arrived safe in England But the Lord Mongomery and his Lady presently after died at Calais of a Plague which by and by will furnish us with much matter of Discourse Not long before this p Fabian p. 278. Mezeray ad an 1349. Odor Rainal ad an 1350. n. 40. Charles Eldest Son of John Duke of Normandy King Philips Eldest Son took Possession of the Dauphinate of Vienna which the Old Dauphin Prince Humbert having lost the Lord James his onely Son and Heir in the Battle of Cressy had sold a good Penniworth to the French King He himself retiring from the World into a Convent of Jacobins where he took their Habit. From that Prince the Kings of France's Eldest Sons have been called Dauphins of Vienna as the Kings of England's Eldest Sons are stiled Princes of Wales XIII In the q Frois c. 152. Fabian p. 278. Mezerdy ad han◠annum Month of August of this last Year died the Mother of the said Dauphin commonly called the Good Dutchess of Normandy who was Daughter to John the Old King of Bohemia that was slain also in the Battle of Cressy And r Ex Vitâ Caroli Imperatoris per se scriptâ ab initio yet the same King of Bohemia's Son Charles the Emperour was married to the Lady Blanch Sister of King Philip of Valois Father to the said John Duke of Normandy And in December following died Jane Queen of France Daughter to Robert once Duke of Burgundy and Sister to Eudes then Duke of Burgundy so that the French King and his eldest Son John were both Widowers at one time But as for King Philip he had lately sent for a fresh Young Lady designing to give her unto his Son John but now being a Widower himself he thought good to serve his own Turn first and so on the Ninth of January took her for his Second Queen Her Name was Blanch Daughter to Philip late King of Navarre by his Queen who was Sister to the Earl of Foix but the Espousals were kept secretly at the Mannor of Robert Earl of Braye she being then scarce 18 Years of Age and the Bridegroom already a Grandfather but he enjoy'd her little more than a Year and an half as we shall see hereafter On the Ninth of February his Son John also married his Second Wife which was the Lady Joan Countess of Boulogne Relict of the young Lord Philip of Burgundy Son of Eudes Duke of Burgundr who died at the Siege of Aiguillon about three Years before as we have ſ L. 2. c. 4. §. 6. p. 369. shewn She was Daughter to William Earl of Boulogne by his Lady the Daughter of
in Popular Mortifications of the Body as in Whippings Fastings and the like but in secret and firm Resolutions against sin and a steady and discreet Curbing of the unruly Concupiscence IV. In the r Odor Rainal ad 〈…〉 §. 4◠〈…〉 231. M.S. Vet. Anâ—â—â— in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantab. c. 224. beginning of this Summer some Variance happening between the Fleets of England and Spain which was fomented by French Arts the Spaniards under the Conduct of Don Carlos de la Cerda their Admiral beset the Brittish Sea with a Fleet of fourty four Tall Men of War and particularly encountring with ten English Merchants laden with Wine from Gascogne they boarded wan rifled and sank them and so took the Haven of Scluse in Flanders And many more Evils they did about the Coasts of England and Aquitain as firing of Ships which they found at Anchor Robbing and Killing our Merchants and what other Englishmen fell into their hands Hereupon King Edward sent first into Flanders that they should not presume to allow any Harbour or Assistance unto these his Enemies And he the mean while prepared to set out against them in Person Accordingly being soon furnish'd with a Fleet of Fifty good Ships and Pinnaces and taking along with him his Eldest Son Edward Prince of Wales then in the Twentieth Year of his Age together with the Earls of Lancaster Northampton Warwick Salisbury Arundel Huntington Gloucester and other Lords and Knights with their several Retinues and a good Number of stout Archers he went on board at Sandwich with design to meet the Spanish Armada at their return with Wares from Flanders and at last on Å¿ Lit. Dom. C. a Monday the IV of the Kalends of September being the 29 of August and the Feast of the Decollation of St. John Baptist he met with them upon the Coasts of Winchelsea and about Rye near the hour of Mattins There arose immediately a fierce Engagement between the two Fleets the Spanish huge Carracks easily overlooking the English Vessels and almost overwhelming them with a storm of Crossbow-shot Stones Timber and Bars of iron that slew incessantly from their high built Castles But the Archers of England pierced their Arbalisters with a further Reach than they could strike again and so compelled them to appear more rarely on the Decks obliging also at the same time those that fought on the Hatches to cover themselves with Planks and Tables and fetching likewise down with their winged Messengers such as threw Stones from the tops of their Ships And then after a long and doubtfull Fight the English Men of Arms began boldly to board the Spanish Vessels with Swords Lances Halberds and Battle-Axes in their hands cruelly slaying and tumbling over-board all they met with to make room for new Guests which King Edward had brought with him for that purpose And now Seventeen of the Enemies Ships were thus wholly in the English power when all out of season envious Night came on to befriend the poor Spaniards but to deprive the English of an absolute and entire Victory For hereby they were fain to cast Anchor and to desist from pursuing their good Beginnings being forced to attend a further Trial till the next Day And therefore as supposing nothing done to purpose while any thing remained undone they fell to dressing their own Wounded but flang the miserable Spaniards into that Sea whereon they had so lately trespassed And then having taken their repast and set the Watch they all waited for the Morning The next Day being freshly apparel'd for fight they look'd about all over the Seas but saw no sign of any thing to resist them For 27 Spaniards Ships had fled away during the Night-season leaving thô against their wills no less than 17 thô u Fabian p. 228. Martin p. 125. Others say 22 and Some b Speed p. 581. Holinsh Engl. Chron. p. 946. Sed M. S. Vet. Angl. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantabr c. 224. Naves XXIV captas refert 26 to the discretion of King Edward who was thus again adorned with a Naval Crown But this Honour the King thought too dearly bought with the Life of St. John Goldesborough a young Knight of great Valour of comely Shape and noble Deportment who died in this Engagement and was much lamented by the King and his Son the Prince of Wales to whom he was always very Dear upon the account of his extraordinary Qualities and almost equal Age and Conformity of Will and Inclination His Loss King Edward having endeavour'd to repair by Advancing no less than fourscore young Gentlemen y Odor Rainal ad hanc an §. 40 41 c. who performed best in the Fight to the Honour of Knighthood return'd again with Victory and Triumph for England This Defeat happen'd to the Spaniard just upon the beginning of Don Pedro's Reign his Father Alphonso XI being z Matth. Villani l. 1. c. 41. Joh. Mariana l. 16. c. 15. in the Month of March preceding taken away by the Plague as he lay at the Siege of Heraclea now called Gibraltar Viejo V. A Week before this Battle was fought namely a Labbe Chron. Techu ad hunc an Mezeray Frois c. on the 22d of August or as some say the 28 being a Sunday Philip of Valois King of France departed this Life at Nogent le Roy in Chartrain in the Fifty Seventh Year of his Age and the Twenty Third of his Reign He was a Prince surely of very great Accomplishments Pious Brave and Liberal But either by the more powerfull Genius of King Edward his Adversary or the Injustice of his Cause or both all his Gallantry and Courage were rendred ineffectual or rather of dangerous effect to himself He b Mezeray ad hunc an was more happy in Negotiations than in Battles very severe and strict to his Subjects suspicious vindicative and apt to be immoderately transported by the impetuosity of his Choler c Frois c. 153. From Nogent his Body was honourably conveyed to our Lady's Church in Paris and on the Thursday following he was Royally interred at St. Dennis on the Left side the High Altar his d Lanquets Chr. ad hunc an Bowels being left among the Jacobins in Paris and his Heart as himself had desired at e an Fâ—untainbleau Bourefountain in Valois His Eldest Son and Heir John Duke of Normandy succeeded him in his Troublesome Throne and on the 26 of September following being a Sunday was solemnly Anointed and Crowned King of France together with his Queen Joan f Vid. l. 2. c. 7. §. 13. p. 428. late Widow of the Lord Philip of Burgundy in the City of Rheims At which time he made several Knights g Frois ibid. Mezeray c. as his Eldest Son Charles the Dauphin his Second Son Lewis Earl of Alenson the young Earl of Estampes the Lord John of Artois Son to the late Famous Robert of Artois also Philip Duke of Orleanâ— the
Prisoner and at that time had the Custody of him to deliver him up to the Bishops of Durham and Caerlile to William Earl of Northampton the Lords Henry Piercy and Ralph Nevill or to any Four Three or Two of them and at the same time another Command was issued out to them to deliver him under the form and upon the Conditions agreed on And so toward the latter end of October King David being at liberty upon Parole went into Scotland in hopes by his Presence to quicken his Subjects to come to a Composition with King Edward but not being able to accomplish his intention so soon as he had design'd x Knighton p. 2603. n. 1â— c. the Scots refusing also to redeem him on such Conditions as King Edward propounded he return'd into England about half a Year after at which time a Command bearing date y Râ—t Scâ—tâ—â— 26. Ed. 3. n. 3. 28 March an 26. Ed. 3. was sent to the Sheriff of Yorkshire to conduct the Hostages of Scotland to Barwick they to be there in Quindena z Pasha 17. Aprâ—s B. Dom. Lit. Paschae it being the Day fixed for King Davids return to that Town And so he remain'd a Prisoner still in England CHAPTER the ELEVENTH The CONTENTS I. A Parliament at Westminster AN. DOM. 1351. An. Regni Angliae XXV Franciae XII wherein the King advances several Great Men to Honour II. The Lord John Beauchamp Captain of Calais being taken Prisoner is succeeded by Sr. Robert Herle His Acts a Truce III. A Truce with Spain The Lord Guy de Nesle taken Prisoner before the Truce with France IV. Twenty four Christians Martyr'd by the Governour of Damascus who is therefore put to Death by the Soldane of Babylon V. King John renews the Order of the Star. VI. The Manner how the Castle of Guisnes was taken by the English of Calais VII King John of France endeavours to recover it in vain VIII The Lord Charles of Blois set at Liberty upon his Parole IX The Lord Guy de Nesle slain in Battle by Sr. Walter Bentley X. The Earl of Stafford created Lieutenant of Gascogne wins a Victory over the French the Death of Sr. Thomas Wale Knight of the Garter XI King Edward provides for Defence of the Seas William Earl of Hainalt Marries the Eldest Daughter of Henry Duke of Lancaster XII The Duke of Lancaster gets Honour of the Duke of Brunswick XIII King Edward prepares to resist the French. XIV Pope Clement dies and the Earl of Kent Two Malefactors beheaded at London I. ON the a M.S. Record Parl. p. 71. c. Sr. Rob. Cottâ—n's Abridgment p. 73. c. Seventh of February being the Monday in the Vtas of the Purification of our Lady at the Opening of this Year King Edward held his High-Court of Parliament at Westminster Over which at first Prince Lionel the Kings Third Son was commission'd to preside because the King and his Eldest Son Prince Edward were then preparing to cross the Seas thô afterwards that Voyage being defer'd we shall find them both present at this Sessions Thô the Parliament began so early to sit yet by reason of several Continuations from Day to Day because many of the Lords were not yet come it was not open'd till Tuesday the 15 of February At which time Receivers being appointed to gather and Tryers to consider of the several Petitions from England Wales Gascogne Scotland Ireland Bretagne and other Foreign Isles and Places the Reasons for the Calling of the Parliament were declared in Presence of the King and his Nobles As first because the King having in the Twenty second Year of his Reign summon'd a Parliament was both hindred to continue that Session and also to b From hence it appears that the Printed Statutes pretended to be made anno 23 Fd. 3. are falsly dated call them to another by reason of the late dreadfull Plague untill this time Also that the Business of his Wars required their Concurrence because the Peace was not punctually observed and Domestick Matters were likewise to be taken into Consideration for that Labourers refused to do their Service at reasonable and usual Rates and lastly because the Treasure of the Realm was exported For these Considerations was the Parliament convened and hereupon to consult the King did especially command and require them and Sr. William Shareshull Knight the Kings Chief Justice repeated the Substance of all this to the Commons willing them to weigh all things well and provide for them effectually The whole Process and Matter following as it is to be seen at large in the Record was deliver'd by Dr. John Thoresby Bishop of c Ita emendo Winchester in M. S. Sr. Bob. Câ—ttâ—n ea I hâ—lpets Catal Chaccell Worcester then Lord Chancellour to John Codington Clerk of the Parliament at the Kings Command to be entred into the Rolls of the same Parliament In this d Godw. Catal. Bâ—sin Câ—nter §. 54. p. 14. Parliament the old Controversie between the Archbishops of Canterbury and York concerning Bearing their Crosiers began to be renew'd with the usual Heat but at last it was wholly referred to the King 's Hearing Who set down this final Rule to be observed for the future That the Archbishop of York might bear his Cross in the others Province saving the Preeminence to Canterbury but that in token of Subjection every Archbishop of York at his Entrance into that Bishopâ—â—ck should offer an Image of Gold to the value of Fourty Pounds at the Shrine of Thomas of Canterbury The same Image to be sent by some Knight or Doctor of the Law within the space of two Months after his Inthronization In this Parliament Richard Fitz-Alan the Great Earl of Arundel by his Petition prayeth that his Restitution granted in the e Vid. Lib. 1. c. 3. §. 6. p. 52. 53. Fourth of Edward the Third may be now better declared and confirmed Which the King in Consideration of the Equity of his Request and also of his many worthy Services done to the Crown most ready granted Whereupon the said Act made in the Fourth of Edward the Third Tit. 14 touching this Earl was read over and afterwards this Clause thereto adjoyned That it is by the King and Parliament Agreed that the said Restitution be Confirmed and shall remain of such full Force and Effect that John now Earl of Kent and his Heirs shall neither Challenge nor Obtain against the said Richard Earl of Arundel in any Court of England or in Wales by Writ or otherwise by any Petition in Parliament any of the Possessions or Titles that the said John or Edmund his Eldest Brother long since deceased ever had in or to the said Castle of Arundel or of any Part or Parcel thereof So as by this Restitution the said Earl Richard shall have the like Estate and Title as he should have had by Descent of Inheritance as well to all other Hereditaments whereof
Whitsuntide King Edward kept in great Splendor at Westminster being accompanied with the Chief of his Nobility and those of France and Scotland that were Prisoners During which t Catal. Nobil by Tho. Mills p. 649. Solemnity the Lord Edmund younger Brother to Richard Fitz-Alan Earl of Arundel was Knighted by the King together with 300 more young Gentlemen At which time u Knighton p. 2607. n. 27. Mezeray p. 39. Tom. 3. par 2. also the Lord Charles of Blois who had been Prisoner in England above four Years by means of Queen Philippa whose Kinsman he was obtained leave to go into France to procure his Ransom his two Sons Sr. John and Sr. Guy remaining still behind as Hostages for the Payment he being by Oath obliged not to bear Arms against England till he had paid the Money Thô one x Knighton p. 2607. says that having obtain'd Leave upon Security given to divert himself in the Island of Jarsey when by walking about frequently he had sufficiently observed the Weakness of the Country he came some Months afterwards suddenly upon them with 300 Men of Arms and put all he found to the Sword like a perfidious and Disloyal Knight and so took possession of the Place himself IX The Lord Guy de Nesle Marshal of France being now at Liberty again to repair the Loss he suffer'd in April raises a considerable Army in Bretagne where about the Middle of August viz. on the 15 Day 1352 y Frois c. 153. Gaguin p. 143. Walsingh hist p. 161. Fabian p. 229. Stow p. 253. he was again valiantly encountred by Sr. Walter Bentley Sr. Robert Knolles and other English Captains near Mauron between Rennes and Ploermel Where after a long and doubtfull Fight the English being but 300 Men of Arms and 600 Archers the Frenchmen thô above Four times their Number were utterly discomfited slain and taken For there fell Guy of Nesle himself who was Lord of Oysemont and Marshal of France together with the Lord of St. Quintin the Lord of Briquebec the Lord of Courtenay the Chastellain of Beauvais the Lord of Rugemont the Lord of Montauban the Lord de l'Aunay the Lord of Mont de Bayeux the Lord de L'Aigle the Lord de Villebon the Lord de la Marche the Lord de le Chastelet Thirteen Lords in all besides an 140 Knights and of Batchelours 500 whose Coat Armours were brought away But the Common-Souldiers were not numbred There were also taken Prisoners the Lord of Brusebeque Son of the Lord Bertram Sr. Tristram de Morlaix the Lord of Malestroit the Viscount of Cominges Sr. Geoffry de Gray Sr. William de la Val Sr. Charles Darcheville Sr. John de Brou and other Lords and Knights Batchelours to the number of 130. This Army of the French and Bretons under the Conduct of the said Marshal had been so order'd by him that having a steep Mountain behind at their Backs they might be enforced to stand to it resolutely by despairing to fly One z Stow ibid. says that no less than 45 Knights of the Star were slain in this Battle but the Number of those Knights who were created the last Year being but 18 't is hardly credible that already the Order should be so mightily overstockt wherefore we pass this by as an Errour However there were many Valiant and Noble Leaders on the French Part and their Array was so dreadfull that it dismayed the Hearts of several Englishmen so that they began to flee But the Couragious Sr. Walter Bentley Lieutenant of Bretagne at that time for the King of England would not flinch a Foot but oppos'd good Conduct and indefatigable Resolution to the fury of his Enemies till after a bloody Fight wherein hardly one of the English escaped unhurt and Sr. Walter himself was grievously thô not mortally wounded by the Grace of God he obtain'd a famous Victory After which in a Court Martial he condemned thirty Archers to be hang'd because they forsook him and fled in the Heat of Battle to the hazard of all his Company This was a considerable Blow to France and a Loss not in many Years to be repaired althô in the room of Guy de Nesle there succeeded the Lord of Beaujeu a most Worthy Captain in the Office of Marshal of France X. As for the Affairs of Gascogne King Edward at this time a Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 1â—0 ex Record constituted the Lord Ralph Earl of Stafford his Lieutenant and Captain General in those parts with special Commission to Treat with any persons of what Nation soever upon terms of yielding aid to the King and receiving mutual assistance from him In which service of the Lieutenancy of Aquitain he was now retained by Indenture bearing Date 3 tio Martii 1352 to continue with an 100 Men of Arms and an 100 Archers on Horseback all of his own proper Retinue till Michaelmas next ensuing And from that time forwards to have an additional Number of 100 Men at Arms and 200 Archers on Horseback provided at the Kings Charge during his stay in those parts The King likewise indenting further with him to send by way of supply under the Conduct of the Duke of Lancaster or one of the Earls either of Northampton Arundel Warwick or Huntington 300 Men of Arms more and 700 Archers At which time the said Earl of Stafford constituted Sr. James Pipe then Seneschal of Aquitain Governour of Blaye scituate in the Enemies Quarters on the other side the Garonne But the mean while in respect of this his necessitated Absence from England he obtained of the King a special Precept to the Judges of the Kings Bench that they should not in any of their Sessions within the County of Essex intermeddle with his Liberties And while he was preparing for this Expedition he had an Assignation of the Town of Hackney in the County of Middlesex for the quartering of his Men and Horses Sixty Men with Lances being among others impressed for that service out of his Lordships of Newport and Netherwent in the Marches of Wales And being in the beginning of May almost b Ashmele p. 690. ex Ret. Frane 26. Ed 3. m. 11. Maii 14. Lit. Dom. A.G. ready to take his journey into Gascogne a Writ bearing Date 14 of May was issued to Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick Admiral towards the West to arrest all Ships of 50 Tuns and upwards for this Earl's passage thither and to bring them to Sandwich by the c Pâ—scha 8. April Fâ—st Trin. 3 Junii Quindene of Trinity or the 17 of June following Being arrived safe in Gascogne he presently after encountred a Great Body of Frenchmen who came forth of their strong hold to meet him of whom he had an entire Victory slaying the greater part of them and taking Prisoner that most valiant Gentleman d Stow p. 253. Sr. Gaudee who afterwards being naturalized made his seat in Suffolk and seven Knights of the Star if
and a gallant Retinue At Guisnes the Lord John Clermont Marshal of France met him with a Noble Attendance of Men of Arms in the o 11 Decemb. Quindene before Christmas and gave him an Honourable Reception conducting him with much respect as far as Hesdin Where the Lord James of Bourbon Count de la Marche met him also with another Honourable Train of Gentlemen and conducted him to Paris with extream Civility At his approach to Paris he was thirdly met by a very considerable Body of Lords Knights and Gentlemen of France who came by King Johns special Command to do him Honour There was then the greatest Number of Strangers that e'r was known at Paris to behold this Combat of two such Mighty Princes all who in their several Capacities gave due Honour to the Duke of Lancaster and King John himself immediately upon his Arrival sent for him to his Palace where he gave him a Princely Reception But above all his Kinsman p This Duke Henry was Son to Henry de Torto-Collo who was second Son to Edmund second Brother to K. Edw. I and of Blanche the Relict of Henry de Champagne King of Navarre from whom also this Charles King of Navarre was descended Tho. Mills Catal. Nobility p. 319. Charles the young King of Navarre shew'd him a very high Regard and Menaged his Affairs with great diligence and application Before the day of Battle there was much agitation to reconcile these two great Enemies but all overtures were ineffectual the English Duke maintaining the Truth and Reason of his Words and the Almain utterly denying the whole Accusation Wherefore on the day appointed the Lists were ranged out in a Field called q Fabian ad hunc an p. 230. Grafton p. 292. Mezeray p. 51. le Pré aux Clercs the two Combatants were brought into the place and the King of France with his Prime Nobility and an Infinite Number of People were present as spectators All things being ready the two Knights having as the Custom of Duellists in those Days was taken their several Oaths on the r Corporall Gallice Corporall Latin. Corperale idem qued Dominicale i.e. pulvinar Sacrosanctum Synden vel linteum qâ—o corpus Dominicum tegitur Corporall that their cause was just and that they had no Charms about them and so began to address themselves to the Combat The Duke of Brunswick bore in his shield Å¿ True Use of Armory Bibl. Cottonianâ p. 58 vid. Tho. Mills Catal. Nobility p. 342. He came of Maud Eldest Daughter of K. Henry II of Engl. and Henry Leo D. of Saâ—eny whose V Son William of Winchester was Progenitor to the Dukes of Brunswick Hence this Dukes Arms so like England Gules Two Lions Passant Guardant Or and the Duke of Lancaster Gules Three Lions Passant Guardant Or being the Arms of England with a Three-pointed Labell of France Now 't is said that till now You could hardly find a more fierce or comely Man at Arms than the Duke of Brunswick nor one that promised better But presently as soon as he had taken his Oath his countenance changed and grew pale as Death whereby most People thought his quarrel was not so good as he pretended He took his Horse with a sad and ill-boading Countenance and as many spectators avouched had none of his former briskness and vigour remaining insomuch that he bare himself very awkwardly in handling his Arms and twice or thrice let fall his shield in receiving it But the Noble Duke of Lancaster sat ready Mounted with his Spear upright and his shield on his Arm in a decent and couragious manner with a sedate and resolute Countenance expecting to cope with his Adversary like a Knight who had Truth and Honour on his side so that all Men applauded his steady and gallant Behaviour Wherefore the Duke of Brunswick by advice of his Friends submitted his quarrel to the judgement of the King of France and proffer'd to withdraw his Challenge But the Duke of Lancaster absolutely refused to forsake the Combat saying How that before he had entred the Lists perhaps he might have been perswaded to an agreement but now that he was already Mounted and prepared before the King and his Nobles and such an extraordinary Confluence of People to defend the Justice of his Cause it would be an high Reflection both on himself and the English Nation if now he should depart the Lists without performing what Truth and Equity did require Wherefore he said he would not leave the Field for any Treaty or Composition whatsoever without Battle so as to derive the least umbrage of a suspicion upon his Honour Blood and Quality whereby either Himself the King his Master or his Country might suffer the least flaw in their Reputation Otherwise he would receive what Event or Fortune the Grace of God would allot him Upon this the Duke of Brunswick as a Man Conquered utterly renounced the Quarrel and refus'd the Combat without any reservation of his Honour wholly submitting himself to the award and disposal of the King of France to the great Glory of the Duke of Lancaster The Duke of Brunswick was generally more acceptable to the King and Court of France as who was much their Friend but however the Duke of Lancaster was not without his Interests among so many Honourable Persons who respected him thô an Enemy for his many Heroick Vertues and High Birth Among these his Counsellours and Abetters who stuck close to him at this time were the foremention'd Charles King of Navarre his Kinsman and Giles his Fathers Brother the Earl of Ponthieu the Earl of Flanders the Earl of Tancarville the Earl of Saltzbourg the Lord John Clermont Marshal of France the Lord James of Bourbon the Lord Lewis of Navarre the Lord Lewis Earl of Harcourt the Lord John de Chastillon and the Lord Walter his Son with many more These Persons so wrought with the Duke of Lancaster that upon Duke Otho's absolute renunciation of the Quarrel he was content to go last out of the Field After which the King at a great Feast by the help of his Nobles partakers on both sides reconciled these two Dukes and took up the Quarrel between them for ever The next day he led the Duke of Lancaster about his Palace shewing him many notable and Rich Jewels of all which he offer'd him the choice But he for his part desired only one Thorn out of the Crown of our Saviour which he brought away and afterwards gave as a Relick to his Collegiate Church of our Lady founded by himself near the Castle of Leicester The third Day after he took leave of the French King and Court and return'd home into England unto the King who was then at St. Albans where he kept his Christmas at that time and received him with great Grace and Favour XIII This pious Heroe who at last by his Religious and Noble Carriage obtained to be called the t Tho.
Sedition and the next day made Twenty of them shorter by the Head laying the rest in Prison till the Kings Pleasure might be known in that Behalf Nor was this Town only reduced hereby but other growing Seditions were nipt in the Bud being aw'd with the severity of this opportune Execution VI. This mean while fell out what we also hinted before the surprize of the King of Navarre's Person by his Father-in-Law King John Which was occasioned and performed in this Manner Since the late Reconciliation between the two Kings King John was certainly informed how King Charles of Navarre had covertly dealt with his Enemies and had imagin'd and treated on divers things prejudicial to the Interest of Him and his Realm And he heard that the Lord Lewis Earl of Harcourt had spoken injurious and undutifull Words against his Person and had in the Parliament assembled for the Kings Supplies endeavour'd what in him lay to stop the Grant of that Subsidy Wherefore being now resolved to bear these Indignities no longer on Tuesday x Frois c. 156. being the fifth of April and about the middle of Lent he took horse early before day and rode from Vernevil in Harness with his Son Lewis Earl of Anjou Philip Duke of Orleans his Brother the Lord John of Artois Earl of Eu and the Lord Charles of Artois his Brother Cousin-Germans to the King together with the Earl of Tancarville the Lord Arnold D'Endreghan Marshal of France and Others to the number of 200 Spears With this Company King John came directly to the Castle of Rouën by the Postern and would not pass thrô the Town So coming suddainly into the Castle he there found at Dinner with his Son the Dauphin in the Great Hall Charles King of Navarre Lewis Earl of Harcourt with his two Brethren John and William and the Lord De la Preux Clere the Lord Friquant of Friquant the Lord of Tournebu the Lord Graville the Lord de Maubuè and two Esquires Oliver Doublet and John Vaubaton with Others All whom he caused to be apprehended together and clapt up severally into divers Chambers of the Castle And then having sat down and dined on what was not prepared for him he took Horse again after Dinner and rode forth into the Field of Pardon But surely at this time it could not be properly so called but rather by an Antiphrasis or contrary way of Speaking For immediatly hereupon were brought thither in two Carts the Lord Lewis Earl of Harcourt the Lord Graville the Lord Maubué and Oliver Doublet Esquire all whose Heads he caused then and there to be stricken off before him without any manner of Form or Process After which their Bodies were all brought to a Gallows and there hanged up in Chains and their Heads set upon the common Gibbet of Rouën However that same Day the King acquitted all the Rest from Prison except only the foresaid Charles King of Navarre the Lord Friquant and John Vaubaton Esquire all whom he sent to Paris and imprison'd them first in the Louvre and afterward in the Chastelet but especially over the King of Navarre he set several of his most assured Friends of his Privy Council to have a strict regard unto him and sometimes he threatned him with Death it self and had him hurried about to the strong Castle of Gaillard upon the Seyne to the Castle of Arleux in Cambresis and other Places of great Strength as a Person Unsacred and not of Kingly Character VII But this Violence of King John's was followed with Bloody Consequences for immediatly thereupon Prince Philip of Navarre Brother to the imprison'd King and the Lord Godfry of Harcourt Brother to the late Earl combined in a strong League together to revenge the Outrages done against their Brethren And first Prince Philip presently seised into his hands several Castles in Normandy belonging to the King his Brother And thô King John sent unto him to deliver them back again he was so far from complying with him therein that he presently took Shipping for England where he obtain'd a present Supply under the Leading y Dudg Ear. 2 Vol. p. 70. Stow p. 259. of the Lord Miles Stapleton Knight of the Garter with the promise of a speedy Reinforcement to be headed by the Duke of Lancaster For z Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 787. before that time King Edward had constituted this Mighty Prince his Cousin Henry Plantagenet his Lieutenant and Captain-General in the Dukedom of Bretagne for the Defence of John of Montford the Duke thereof who was still under Age. And while the said Duke of Lancaster was thus preparing to assist the Duke of Bretagne and in his way thither his Kinsman of Navarre Prince Philip and the Lord Godfry of Harcourt aforesaid had brought a Frois c. 155. some Troops of English and Others the King of France's Enemies into the Isle of Constantine or Coutantine in Normandy which they fortified and held against the French King. When a little after Whitsuntide in the Month of June came over to their Aid the said Duke of Lancaster and the Earl of Darby which one Person b Mezeray p. 43. Mezeray thrô Mistake accounts for two and joyn'd with Prince Philip and the Lord Godfry of Harcourt at c Knighton p. 2611. n. 60. Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 788. Montebourg in the said Isle of Constantine with 4000 Fighting Men. These altogether rode to Carentan to Lisieux and Orbec and thence to the Castle of Ponteau de Mer belonging to the King of Navarre which had been besieged for more than two Months by the Lord d Frois c. 156. Robert de Houstetout Master of the Crossbows in France and a great Number of Frenchmen But when they heard of the Duke of Lancaster's approach they quitted the Siege in great haste leaving behind them all their Military Engines and Artillery with many other Necessaries which now the English took for their own Use When the Duke of Lancaster had victual'd the Place and reinforced it with all things necessary he marched thence to Breteville belonging also to the King of Navarre and at that time likewise besieged by the French and having here done as before as well by Raising the Siege as by supplying the Place finding that the City and Castle of Eureux which had lately been taken upon Composition by the French was not worth his present Consideration because at that time the City was burnt and the Cathedral robbed as well by the Navarrois who yielded them up as by the French who gleaned after them he neglected that Place for the present and marched on the right hand to Vernevil a strong City on the skirts of Normandy and took the Town by Storm the first Day he came before it and plunder'd and fired a great part thereof After which he assaulted the Castle thrice and took it the third Day having with him a special Engine of Battery wherewith he did Wonders in demolishing the
Craon Briciusgauth pro Bouciquaut prâ—pter 〈◊〉 M. SS Codicum leg tur Three Lords aforesaid namely the Lord of Craon the Lord of Bouciquaut and the Hermit of Chaumont besides the Captain of the Garrison who was there before and 240 Men of Arms the common Souldiers being let go and in this whole Expedition before the Battle of Poictiers there are p M.S. vet-An giiâ—in Biblieth C.C.C. Cantabr c. 23â— reckon'd to have been taken in all more than 6000 Men of Arms about in the Country as the Prince journey'd all whom he sent away Prisoners to Bourdeaux to be ransomed After the Taking of Romorantin the Prince marched on as before thrô the Parts of Touraine and Anjou on this side the Loire destroying the Country all before him till he came to the Place which was ordain'd to be remarkable to all Posterity for a Victory of his III. The French King q Fro s c. 159. f. 79. c. having already compleated his Musters at Chartres began his March about this time and went thence to Blois upon the Loire in quest of the Prince Where having tarried two Days he passed the River with all his Host a great Part whereof went over at the Bridge of Orleans Mehun Tours and Saumur or where else they might for all the other Bridges but those of the Good Towns were broken down by the French to hinder the Prince's Passage From Blois King John marched to Amboise and the day following to Loches where he heard how the Prince of Wales was on the Borders of Touraine and designed to return by Poictou to Bourdeaux For he had perpetual Information sent him in dayly by several expert Knights of France who continually coasted the English to observe their Countenance and Behaviour Hereupon King John marched from Loches to la Haye en Touraine resolving to give the Prince of Wales Battle with an Army consisting of 20000 Men of Arms Lords Knights and Esquires all muster'd and past for Men of Arms among whom were twenty six Dukes and Earls and more than 120 Banners with the Kings Four Sons who were all but Young as Charles Duke of Normandy and Dauphin of Vienna Lewis Duke of Anjou John Duke of Berry and Philip who shortly after purchased the Sirname of Hardy and became in time Duke of Burgundy At that instant Pope Innocent VI sent the Lord Talayrand Cardinal of Perigort and Nicolas Cardinal r Haec nomina tituli ecrum v. Victerell 1 Vol. p. 911. ad p. 923 Odâ—r Rainal Titulo Sancti Vitalis into France to treat of Peace between the French King and all his Enemies First between him and the King of Navarre for whose Delivery they had often before laboured hard with King John when he lay before Bretevil but all in vain and then to use their utmost Endeavours to compose Matters between England and France When these Cardinals came to Tours they heard how the French King was in eager Pursuit of the English wherefore they both made haste to the City of Poictiers for that way they understood both the Armies were bound The mean while the King hearing that the Prince made haste to get home and doubting lest he should escape his hands departed with all his Host from la Haye en Touraine and rode to Chauvigny on the River of Vienne where he tarried that Thursday with his Men in and about the Town between the two Rivers of Creuse and Vienne The next Day he passed the Vienne at the Bridge thinking to find the English before him on the other side but he was mistaken for they were encamped by a little Village higher on the Right hand of Poictiers But for all that King John pursued after with great heat and confidence and with him there passed the Bridge more than 60 Thousand Horse besides those that passed over higher at Chastelleraut who also took their way directly to Poictiers On the other hand Prince Edward had no certain knowledge where his Enemies were thô he concluded they were not far off because his Men could find no more Forage Whereby he began to be in great Want and then the English Souldiers repented much that they had made such Havock and Destruction as they had done before in Berry Anjou and Touraine and yet had laid up but small Provision for themselves against â—n evil Day IV. All that Friday being the day that the King passed the Vienne at Chauvigny Å¿ Frois ibid. censer cum Knighten p. 2614. n. 50. there tarried still behind in the Town three Great Lords of France the Lord Ralph de Coucy the Earl of Joigny and the Lord of Chauvigny Marshal of Burgundy with part of their Troops to the number of 240 Men of Arms. These early on the Saturday morning also passed the Bridge after the King who was then about three Leagues before and they took their way among Bushes by the side of a Wood which leadeth to Poictiers That same Morning Prince Edward had dislodged from about a little Village hard by called Bonmatour at which time he sent before him certain Currours to try if they could meet with any Adventure and to get Intelligence whereabout the French Army was These were in number sixty Men of Arms all excellently well mounted under the Leading of Sr. Eustace Dambreticourt a young Gentleman Son to the Lord Sanchio Dambreticourt who was Knight of the Garter with whom was joyned the Lord John de St. Guislain another Native of Hainalt and soon after their setting forth they met by chance with the Three French Lords aforesaid as they rode along by the side of the said Wood. The Frenchmen presently knew them for their Enemies wherefore they strait clap'd on their Helmets display'd their Banners and came a good round Trot toward the Englishmen But they seeing their Design and withall how far they exceeded them in Number determin'd to fly and suffer the French to pursue as knowing the Prince with his Horse was not far behind So they turned their Horses and took down by a Corner of the Wood with the Frenchmen at their Heels upon the Spurr crying out their Martial Cries with great Clamour But as they pursued thus eagarly unawares they came where the Prince was with his Battail expecting some News from those whom he had sent forth for that Purpose The Lord Ralph de Coucy rode so forward that he was suddenly under the Princes Banner where after a couragious Resistance he was taken Prisoner together with the Earl of Joigny and the Lord of Chauvigny and an t M.S. vel Ang. in Bibl. C. C C. Cantab. c. 230. Hundred Men of Arms as many more being slain only about Fourty escaped away by reason of the Covert of the Wood. This was the first lucky praeludium to that Famous Victory which was already destin'd for the English From these Prisoners Prince Edward fully understood the Condition of his Enemies and how they followed him so near that he could not
handsomly avoid Battle if he would wherefore having reassembled all his Men and set them in close Order he gave Command that none should presume to go before the Marshals Banners And thus he rode without any further adventure the remaining part of that Saturday till he came into the Fields of Beauvoir and Maupertuis within two little Leagues of Poictiers where finding a convenient place he resolved to encamp there that Night and the mean while sent forth the Lord John Greilly Captal de Busch the Lord Edmund of Pamiers the Lord Bartholomew Burwash and Sr. Eustace Dambreticourt with 200 Men of Arms well-mounted to observe the Countenance of the Enemy These Knights rode so far that they view'd the Kings great Battail and saw all the Country cover'd with Men of Arms But yet their Courage was so great that they could not forbear their hands but set on the tail of their Army and overthrew many to the Earth and took divers Prisoners till the whole Host began to move that way For when tidings hereof were brought to King John just as he was entring into the City of Potctiers he immediately faced about commanding all Men to do the same and so he returned into the Field again where it was very late before he could take up his Lodgings The English Detachment return'd safe and Victorious again to the Prince and related to him what they had seen and done and found saying withall That the French Army was exceeding Numerous Well then said the Prince in the Name of God let us consider how we may fight with them at our best Advantage for against Number Policy is requisite And so that Night he chose for his Camp a strong Place among Hedges Vines and Bushes And a good Watch was set as was needfull the Frenchmen on their part doing the like And thus both Armies tested for that Night V. Now u Frois c. 160. fol. 79. b. on the Sunday Morning the French King who was wonderfull desirous to have Battle heard Mass in his Pavilion took the Communion in both kinds for x Ex Literis Clement VI. PPa dâ—t Avin XI Kal. Jalii An o Pontif. III. Extant apud Oder Rainald ad annâ—m 1344 §. 62. that Privilege had been granted him long since and received Absolution together with his Four Sons After which there came to him his Brother Philip Duke of Orleans the Lord Peter Duke of Bourbon the Lord Walter de Brenne Duke of Athens and Constable of France Charles Earl of Tancarville the Earl of Salebruse the Earl of Dampmartin the Earl of Ventador and divers others as well Barons of France as others who held of that Crown as the Lord John Clermont and the Lord Arnold D'Endreghan Marshals of France the Lord of St. Venant the Lord John of Landas the Lord Eustace Ribemont who had so signalized himself by combatting hand to hand with King Edward at Calais the Lord of Fiennes the Lord Geoffry Charny the Lord of Chastillon the Lord of Suilly the Lord of Nesle Sr. Robert Duras and divers others with all whom the King then held a Council of War in his Royal Pavilion In the end it was universally agreed that all the Army should be drawn out in Battle Array into the Field and every Lord Display his Banner and so set forward against the Enemy in the Name of God and St. Dennis So the Trumpets sounded and every Man mounted his Horse and rode forth into the Field where they saw the Kings Banner standing aloft and waving in the Wind. There you might have beheld a most Beautifull Sight of Fair Harness of shining steel Feathered Crests of glittering Helmets and the Rich Embroidery of silken Surcoats of Arms together with Golden Standards Banners and Penons Gloriously moving in the Air. For there was all the Flower of the Nobility and Gentry of France none daring at that time to stay at home without Invincible Necessity or for the Defence of the Realm unless he would hazard his Reputation for ever This Great Army by Advice of the Constable and Marshals was ranged into Three Battalia's the least whereof contained y Frois Du Chèsne legunt Serâ—e i. e. 16000 sed ut puto figuris decepti Codicum Fâ—â—scripteres cirnalias id Frois dicâ—t tetam armaterâ—m numerum ultra 20000 non ascendâ—sse Alâ—ter ad 48000 Arâ—â—atorum â—â—llia prâ—ter pedites 〈◊〉 entur 〈◊〉 absurdâ—on 6000 Men of Arms all being Muster'd and past for such besides the Foot The First was led by Monsieur Philip Duke of Orleans King John's Brother thô he was 24 Years younger than the King being born the same Year with Charles the Dauphin who was now but 20 Years of Age. With this young Prince there were 36 Banners and twice as many Penons The Second Battail was under the Duke of Normandy Charles the Dauphin and with him were his two Brethren Lewis Duke of Anjou and John Duke of Berry The King himself brought up the Third having with him his Youngest Son the Lord Philip Duke of Touraine and afterwards of Burgundy with a great Number of his Prime Nobility and others this Third Battail consisted of 40000 Chosen Men whereof 8000 were Men of Arms z Vid. Odor Râ—nil ad hunc â—n §. 7. c. all the whole Host was extraordinary well equipped and every way duly provided And while the Marshals and other Officers were Ordering them the King called unto him the Lord Eustace Ribemont the Lord John of Landas and the Lord Richard de Beaujeu and said unto them Messieurs ride you on before and mark the Countenance of the Englishmen and consider exactly how many they may amount to and by what means we may best deal with them whether on Horseback or on Foot. Now while these Three Lords rode forth King John being Mounted on a large White Courser to be seen of all came up to the Head of his Troops and said aloud with a Couragious and High Voice a Frois c. 160. and True use of Armory in Vita Demini Joh. Chandos p. 47. Messieurs When You are at Paris at Chartres at Orleans or Rouën then You threaten these Englishmen terribly and wish nothing more than to be in Arms against them Now shall your Desire be granted I 'll lead You where You shall be sure to find ' um Let me therefore now see the effects of that Ill-will You bear them and how well You can Revenge all the Displeasures and Damages which they have done unto You For without doubt We shall not part without Blows Such as were within hearing answer'd briskly Sir in Gods Name be it so We desire nothing else but would gladly see our Enemies Within a while after the Three Lords of France return'd to the King who presently demanded what News Whereupon the Lord Eustace Ribemont for himself and his Fellows answer'd thus Sir We have view'd the Englishmen and by our Estimation they are not above 2000 Men of
Repeal The Lords and all that were present beheld each other and said among themselves how it proceeded of a Generous Mind to bestow so Honourable a Gift so freely and so they answer'd him with one Voice Sir be it with You as it shall please God However We shall all bear Witness of this Your Deed of Gift where-ever we are XI With that they all left him to his Repose and some of them return'd to wait upon the Prince of Wales who intended that Night to make a Magnificent Supper for the French King and others who were Prisoners of the Highest Quality And this he might easily do now as being sufficiently furnish'd with all manner of Provision such as the French had brought with them Whereas before this his Men wanted Victuals so greatly that some of them had not of three days tasted any good Bread. So that the i Du Chesne p. 676. D. Rashness of King John was notorious who would needs give them Battle whereas by holding them Besieged in the place where they were it was believed he might have enforced them to yield or at least by depriving them of their Advantagious Post have obtained a Victory over them That k Frois c. 168. fol. 84. same Night therefore the Prince had a Magnificent Supper in his Pavilion for Honour of the French King and the Chief of the Lords his Prisoners He obliged the French King to sit in his own Chair of State at the Head of the Table and together with him he caused his Son Philip to sit down as also the Lord James of Bourbon Earl of Ponthieu the Lord John of Artois Earl of Ewe and the Lord Charles of Artois his Brother Earl of Tancarville being all of the Royal-Blood of France Besides whom there sat the Earl of Estampes the Earl of Graville the Lord of Partenay and some few more at the Kings Table and the other Lords Knights and Esquires of France such as were not wounded sat at other Tables And all Supper-time the Prince l Matth. Villani l. 7. c. 20. Mezeray Frois c. would needs serve in his own Person before the King in as Humble and Respectfull Manner as he could devise and for all the King could say would not sit down affirming That he was not Worthy to sit down with so Mighty a Monarch as the King was But when for all this he perceived that the Kings Countenance was too much cast down he attempted to raise his Spirits with such Words as these m Du Chesne p. 678. Paul. Aemyl p. 287. Holinsh Engl. Chron. p. 960. apud quos emnes â—â—ta hac Oratic Sir there is no cause that You who are the most Brave and Valiant among Christian Kings should continue thus Pensive and Troubled Althô at this time your Arms have not been favour'd by Him in whose Dispose all Battles are For still your Generosity is acknowledged Your Dignity preserved and Your Majesty held Sacred and whatsoever else was truly Yours remaineth still entire neither to be violated nor empaired by Time or any other Force God Almighty hath ordained that as all other things so the Fortune of War should remain in his Hands alone Your Progenitors have atchieved many Glorious Enterprises as well by Sea as by Land The whole Compass of Europe all the East all Realms and Countries both far and near are filled with the Trophies and Victories of France The Faith and Grandeur of the Christian Name have by your Predecessors and their Subjects been defended and propagated against the most Mighty and Puissant Captains of the Infidels Your Valour and the Reputation of your Arms are Celebrated and Renowned thrô the whole World There is no Nation that doth not confess its Obligations to the French and no People that may not yet expect to be beholding to their Favours Perhaps among so many innumerable Triumphs One or Two Battles have succeeded a little otherwise than you would The Vsual Instability of Fortune would have it so which sometimes baffles the Force of Multitudes and Conquers the Opposition of Men Horse and Armour But it lies in the Power of your own Magnanimity to harden your soul against Adversity and to keep your own Mind still unconquer'd Nor shall this Day detract any thing from you or yours for as for my part I promise you that this Realm of France in which we are and which hath produced and nourished many of my Progenitors shall find me Gratefull to Her and mindfull of my Original and toward your Majesty if you will permit me to glory in that Title a most humble and respectfull Kinsman There are many Reasons to preserve Love and Friendship betwixt You and my Father which I hope will be not a little prevalent For I know well the most intimate Thoughts and Affections of his Mind and that You will easily come to a reasonable Agreement with Him. And as for me may he then refuse to own me for his Son when I cease to hold you in the same degree of Reverence Honour and Respect which I ow unto his own Person This wonderfull Submission in a Conquerour a Young Prince little more than five and twenty Years of Age did almost melt the unfortunate Captive to Affectionate Tears The French Lords who saw him so humble in so high a Gale of Prosperity and heard the Generous Language he so obligingly utter'd n Frois c. 168. began to say softly among themselves That he had spoken nobly and that in all probability he would prove a most Accomplish'd Prince if God would grant him to live and to persevere in the same good Fortune King John saw o P. Aenyl p. 288. plainly now that at least he was not unhappy in this that he had fallen into the Hands of a most obliging Conquerour And thô inwardly afflicted in his Mind he forced himself to a civil Smile and looking obligingly to the Prince he said p Stow p. 263. Thô it hath been our Chance to fall into an inconsole able Sorrow yet for all that Kind Cousin We think it becomes us to smother our Griefs as much as we may since thô by the Law of Arms and the Chance of War We be under the Subjection of another yet it is under so Worthy a Prince as your Self by whom to be vanquish'd is no Dishonour Especially since we were not as Cowards or faint-hearted Runnagates taken in flight or lying hid in a corner but in the open Field with Sword in Hand where we were as ready to die as to live in defence of Justice The q Frois c. 168. fol. 84. b. Prince replied Sir methinks you for your part ought rather to rejoyce thô all things did not fall out according to your Wish For this very Day You have won the high Renown of Personal Valour above all Others that bore Arms on your Side Sir I say not this to flatter your Sorrow or to deride You for all the Captains on our
his Company On the Third Day he rode to Canterbury where also he stayed for some time and here the French King and the Prince of Wales made their Offerings at the famous Shrine of St. Thomas Becket The mean while King Edward being informed of the Arrival of his Son with the French King in his Company d Speed p. 582. gave Command to Sr. Henry Picard then Lord Mayor of London to make ready the City Pageants and to prepare for the Reception of King John with all their Formalities in the most honourable Manner that might be And now Prince Edward rode from Canterbury to Rochester from thence the next day to Dartford and the day after to London whither he came on the 24 of May being the Wednesday before Whitsunday and was met in Southwark by more than a Thousand of the Chief Citizens on Horseback King John being clothed in Royal Apparel was mounted on a large White e Ita Meâ—erâ—y ad aâ—n 1378. where Charles King of France had an Enterview with Charles the Emperour He entertained him says he with all the magnificence imaginable paid him all manner of Respects but such as denote Sâ—veraignty c. And at his Entrance into Paris the King affected to be mounted on a white Hâ—rse and order'd a â—â—â—k one for the Emperour Courser in token of Soveraignty and to be the more Remarkable the Generous Prince of Wales riding by his side on a little black Hobby as one that industriously avoided all suspicion of a Triumph They took their way over London Bridge and rode directly for Westminster and in all the Streets as they passed the Citizens of London set to publick View all their Riches as Plate Tapestry and the like in honour of the French King but especially they f Knighton p. 2615. n. 19. boasted of their Warlike Furniture and exposed that Day in their Shops Windows and Belconies such an incredible Quancity of Bows and Arrows Shields Helmets Corslets Breast and Back-Pieces Coats of Mail Gauntlets Vambraces Swords Spears Battle-axes Harness for Horses and other Armour both Offensive and Defensive that the like had never been seen in Memory of Man before The g Walsingh hist p. 164. Hyâ— p. 124. Speed p. 182. Concourse of People that came from all parts to behold this rare Spectacle was so great that the Solemnity of the Cavalcade held from Three of the Clock in the Morning till High-noon about which time the Prince got to Westminster-Hall where he presented unto the King his Father then sitting in Great Majesty on a Royal Throne the Person of King John his Prisoner King Edward could not long retain the Severe Majesty of a Conquerour for when the French King had humbled himself with such a serious thô Manly Submission as became his present Fortune he was immediately touch'd with a due Consideration of the Instability of his own Affairs by the instance of so great a Prince whom now he beheld in so low a Condition and so rising hastily from his Throne he h Mezeray p. 49 ad 〈◊〉 ann Caressed him with as much Honour and Respect as if he had only come to give him a Visit And the Father and the Son did so exactly resemble each other as well in Generosity as Valour that King Edward being now fully acquainted with the Particulars of his Sons humble Deportment after the Battle of Poictiers declared that he was more sincerely satisfied therewith than at the Victory it self Nor did that Great King make use of this solemn Entrance of his Royal Captive as a Matter of his own Triumph but rather of a devout Procession For i Polyd. Virg. l. 19 p. 381. n. 42. by his Order that very Day the Clergy of London came forth with their Crosses and singing Anthems to meet the Prince and after that for two Days together publick Supplications and Prayers with Thanksgivings were celebrated thrô the Cities of London and Westminster That Day King Edward treated the French King his Son Philip and the rest of the Noble Captives at a Princely Rate and order'd for the King an Apartment of his own Court to lodge in for the Present till the Savoy should be prepared for him being at that time a most splendid and magnificent Structure belonging to Henry Duke of Lancaster and so called k Pol. Virg. p. â—82 n. 3. Speed l. 539. from its first Founder Peter Earl of Savoy Father to Boniface Archbishop of Canterbury who was Uncle to Eleanor King Henry the Third his Queen To this Palace soon after he was convey'd and there Honourably attended King Edward himself his Queen and the Prince giving him frequent Visits and devising all the ways they might both to Honour and Comfort him But nothing is perfectly agreeable while Liberty is wanting and therefore thô King John could not expect either more Diversion or more Respectfull Behaviour in the Court of his Brother in Law the Emperour yet something hung upon his mind which was not possible for him to shake wholly off till he should find himself at his own dispose 'T is said l Pol. Virgil. l. 19. p. 382. that when the King of England and his Son having often observed such a cloud of sorrow to obscure much of that serenity which was expected from him at those Princely Diversions wherewith they entertain'd him asked him thereupon to lay aside all Melancholy Care and sorrowfull thoughts he made this Answer with a smile m Psalm 137. v. 5. Quomodo Cantabimus Canticum in Terrâ alienâ i. e. How shall we sing a Song in a strange Land Thus was King John and his Son and the Chief of the Captive Nobles of France entertain'd in England n Pol. Virg. ibid. of the other Prisoners some were presently released upon King John's security in their behalf and the rest were severally bestow'd in safe Custody II. While things went thus in England Henry Duke of Lancaster lay at the Siege before Rennes in Bretagne which he had begun on the o Mezeray ad hunc annam Third of December in the preceding Year and had made many Assaults but to little purpose as yet the Place was so well defended For within was a good Garrison set there by the Lord Charles of Blois under the Viscount of Rouën the Lord de Laval Sr. Charles du Digne and others There p Frois c. 175. sol 87. was also in Rennes at this time a Valiant young Batchelour a Knight of Bretagne called Sr. Bertram du Clequin who soon after became a most Renowned Captain and was at length sirnamed the Restorer of France During this Siege there passed a Challenge between this Sr. Bertram and a young Baron of England named Sr. Nicolas Dagworth a Valiant Son of that Valiant Lord Thomas Dagworth of whose Actions and Life and Death we have already spoken The manner of the Combat was to run Three Courses with a Spear to strike Three Blows
Wherefore his Men apprehending they should grapple with the Difficulties of a second Winter and the Defendants fearing to be utterly famished the Treaty was thereupon promoted with more vigour on both sides And as for the Duke's Oath Sr. Bertram Clequin one of the six Knights that menaged the Treaty found out an Expedient to save that Which was that he should enter the Town with Nine more and his Colours should stand on the Gate for some hours Without this Device as it proved he must have been obliged to depart without fulfilling his Oath for presently after even on that same Day being the last of June the King of England's Letters aforemention'd came to his Hands wherein he was commaned immediately to leave the Siege Thô by good Fortune he had first got his Mony and made full Agreement Which Agreement according to Orders set down in the King's Letters was after that advanced into a Truce y Frois c. 213. f. 108. a. between the Earl of Montford and Charles of Blois and their Adherents to endure untill the First Day of May An o MCCCLXI V. At the same time z Knighton p. 2616. n. 40. c. there were certain Men of Arms and Archers belonging to divers Castles in Garrison both in Bretagne and Gascogne of whom more than 600 joyning together went into Normandy to further the Affairs of Philip of Navarre where in a short space they took by Stratagem the strong Town of Honfleur which is directly opposite to Harfleur on the other side the Seyne and began to fortifie it for themselves But soon after the Marshal of France Robert Clermont came upon them with 800 Men of Arms and 5000 Foot and made a fierce Assault upon the Town wherein yet he lost no less than 500 Men And still the English defended themselves and the French laboured hard at the Walls to carry the Place by Force But while thus the Fight continued Sr. Robert Knolles and Sr. James Pipe who a Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 109. were the Duke of Lancaster's Lieutenants in Normandy came suddenly on the Frenchmens Backs and with the slaughter of a Thousand more of them put the Marshal and the rest to flight VI. Now the strong b Frois c. 176. Castle of Eureux in Normandy which was a part of the Natural Inheritance of King Charles of Navarre and whence he bore the Title of Earl had some while since been seised into the Frenchmen's hands and was still by them detained to the exceeding Regret of the Citizens of Eureux and others Subjects and Friends of the said King of Navarre Among others William Lord of Granville resented it extreamly ill that the King his Master should be thus basely imprisoned and this his Castle and other Places of his injuriously detained by his Enemies This Lord had an House and Lands within two Leagues of the City and could without any Suspicion go in and out at his pleasure because as yet he had never bore Arms for Prince Philip or the English against the French for fear of losing those Lands which he held thereabout And besides when King John wan that Place he took an Oath of Fidelity from all those who held any thing in those Parts or else all had been seised to his own Use And thus King John held the Country but King Charles reign'd in the Hearts of the People And yet if the French King had been now at home all had been well enough But his Captivity and the Confusion of the French Affairs thereupon gave more Courage to the Enemies of France to undertake Matters which otherwise they durst not have thought on Especially because it was well known that the Three Estates themselves were desirous of the Liberty and Prosperity of the King of Navarre Upon these Considerations this Lord William of Granville began to form a notable and a bold Enterprise on the Behalf of the King his Master which now we shall exactly relate The Liberty he had of going to Eureux at his pleasure he made use of chiefly to visit a great Alderman of that City whom he knew in former times to have been very firm and loyal to the King of Navarre This Alderman had a particular esteem also for him upon the same and other Accounts and entertain'd him always with the best sort of Provisions and with much freedom of Discourse relating to several Matters but still they would now and then have a Touch about the King of Navarre's being seised and thrown into Prison whereat they were both highly displeased But at last the Lord William said in private to the Alderman If you will be of my Mind and give me your Furtherance I will undertake soon to recover both this Town and Castle to the use of our Lord the King of Navarre How can that be said the Alderman For the Captain of the Castle is so true a Frenchman that we can never expect to make him consent to any such thing And without the Castle nothing can be done for 't is that over-aws the Town Well said the Lord William I 'll tell you now First of all you must try to get five or six substantial Citizens to your side and every one of you must then secretly provide a certain Quota of Men of Arms to be ready by such a Day in your Houses And when you can assure me of thus much I 'll engage upon my Life that you shall enter the Castle without any Danger by a Stratagem which I have thought on The Business being thus concluded the Alderman handled the Matter so discreetly that he wan an Hundred substantial Citizens to be of his side presently all who provided certain Armed Men who were to be ready on such a Day in their houses When the Lord William knew that all things were Ripe he fixed the Day and informed the Alderman what Measures to take and so prepared himself to put his Plot in Execution Early in a Morning he arm'd himself and over his Armour put on a Coat and over the Coat a short Cloak and so putting a short Battle-Ax close under his Arm he walked forth with his Man after him toward the Castle Being now near he walked in a careless manner to and fro before the Gate as he had often done before by way of Preparation till at last the Captain of the Castle came down and opened the Wicket of the Gate and as it was his daily use stood there and looked about him to see if the Coast was clear When Sr. William espied him he walk'd as it were by Chance that way till being something near he gave the Good Morrow to the Captain who stood still and civily returned his Bon-jour and so Sr. William drawing a little nearer they began to enter into Converse The Frenchmen of all other People are hugely desirous of News but especially when any ways they are debarred from going abroad as those are who keep Garrisons Wherefore first of all in subtlety
this Matter I refer my self to all the World. At this a m Du Serres Mezeray c. sign being given John Lord of Conflent and the Lord Robert Clermont Marshals of France with Dr. Simon de Bucy a Counsellour of State Three of the Dauphin's most trusty servants are immediately slain before his face and so near unto him that the Blood gush'd out upon his Cloaths Ha! says the poor Prince what Insolence is this Dare you attempt against the Blood of France No no my Lord says the Provost fear you nothing 't is not against your Person we pretend but only those disloyal servants of yours who have now received their Reward for giving You such ill Advice And therewith he took the Dauphin's Hat and clapt it on his own Head at the same time putting his own upon the Dauphin's so making him a Stale for that Popular Rebellion by giving him the City Livery The Dauphin's Hat was of a Brown-black embroider'd with Gold which this audacious Fellow wore all that day in token of his New Dictatorship Wherefore he forced the abused Prince to pardon them for the Death of his Three Counsellours X. But we shall refer the tedious narration of these Insolencies to the French Historians to whom it more properly belongs since 't is enough for us to set forth only so much of the Affairs of that Nation as either may better explain our Domestick transactions or are more strictly interwoven with them And such a Matter was the n Frois c. 180. Mezeray ad hunc annum c. Release of Charles King of Navarre from his Prison at Arleux in Picardy which happen'd immediately after that affront put upon the Dauphin the Castle being entred by Scalado and the King deliver'd thence not without the knowledge as was thought of the Lord of Picquigny to whose Care King John had committed the Custody of that Prince Being thus freed he was carried in Triumph to the City of Amiens where having tarried till he had made his Peace with the Dauphin he went with great Pomp to Paris where he was welcom'd with Feastings and Splendid Entertainments by the Duke of Normandy himself at the Advice of the Provost whom as then he would not or durst not displease Here having been a few days he made before the Dauphin and the Nobles of France a Florid Oration in Latine for he was well learned and of a wonderfull voluble tongue which was much advantaged by his Shape Youth and Presence wherein he complain'd of the hard and unworthy usage which he had suffer'd from his nearest and dearest Relations who of all Men ought especially to have upheld him And that there was no Man living who could with any shadow of Reason doubt but that he would live and die in Defence of the Realm and Crown of France as he was more particularly bound to do being both by Father and Mother extracted of the Right Line of France Insomuch that if he had a design which yet he had not of Challenging that Crown unto himself he could evidently prove that he had more Right thereto than the present Pretenders This Poison was so neatly cover'd with the Flowers of his Eloquence Majesty Youth and Beauty especially all Men being prepared to pity him upon the account of his late Imprisonment that it was immediately swallowed down by most of his Hearers and by them transmitted to the Vulgar With whom also he us'd such Popular Arts by caressing them promising to ease them of Taxes to stand by them and the like that he was presently in far more Power and esteem at Paris and with most of the Chief Cities of France than the Dauphin was himself Wherefore he began to send for his Friends to come and be about him but as for his Brother Philip neither at his Invitations nor the Provosts would he ever venture himself among the Parisiens for he would always say how in the Favour of the Common-people there was never any certainty But if Fawning and Hosanna's went before there followed in the Reer nothing but Crucifiges Ruine Shame and Dishonour CHAPTER the THIRD AN. DOM. 1358. An. Regni Angliae XXXII Franciae XIX The CONTENTS I. King Edward solemnises the Festival of St. George at Windsor in a most extraordinary manner II. A Treaty set on foot between King Edward and King John in order to the Redemption of the latter but 't is dash'd III. The Rise of the Jaquery in France with an Account of their horrid Cruelties and final Extirpation IV. Discord between the King of Navarre and the Dauphin and between the Dauphin and the Provost of Paris V. The King and Duke reconcil'd but the Provost continues plotting VI. The English Navarrois revenge the Death of their Countrymen on the Parisiens VII The Provost designing to betray Paris to the English is discover'd and slain VIII The King of Navarre displeased at his Death breaks with the Dauphin again His several Garrisons the Dauphins Difficulties IX The great Confusion and Miseries of France X. The Constable besieges St. Valery the Captal of Busche comes to the King of Navarre's Assistance XI The several Garrisons of the Navarrois XII The Lord Canon Robsert discomfits a Party of them XIII The happy Estate of England two Kings keep Christmass with King Edward XIV The Death of the Queen Mother of England and of the Queen Consort of Scotland and of Orcanes the Great Turk XV. A Quarrel between the Bishop of Ely and Blanch Lady Wake and another between the four Orders of the Preaching-Fryers and the two Vniversities of Cambridge and Oxford IN the a Knighton p. 2617. n. 60. p. 2618. n. 10 M.S. vet Angl. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantab. c. 230. Holinsh Engl. Chron. p. 963. beginning of this Year King Edward issued forth his Royal Proclamation throughout all England that all Knights Strangers from any Part of the World who had a mind to come to the Feast of St. George to be solemnly held by him on the 23d of April at Windsor should have his Letters of safe Conduct to pass and repass the Realm at their Pleasure for the space of three Weeks without the least Impediment or Danger there to partake every one according to his Degree and Merit of those Honours and Prizes which attended the Princely Exercise of Justs and Tournaments And this high Feast the King held in the greatest Splendour imaginable beyond all that he had ever done before for the Honour chiefly of the French King and others of the Nobility of France To this solemn Justs came the Duke of Brabant Sr. Frank van Hall Sr. Henry Eam of Flanders and many Great Lords and Knights of Almain Gascogne Scotland and other Countries The Queen of Scotland also and many other Great Ladies as well of England as of other Nations came to Windsor to this Feast in their gayest and richest Apparel And thô it is not our Purpose to dwell long on Descriptions surely
the same time almost in an instant to fortifie so vast and spacious a City as Paris And whatever the occasion was most certainly never any Provost did an act of more Advantage to that Place for had it not been for these Defences the City had not only been shortly after taken by King Edward but upon several other occasions easily overrun and spoiled Now when the x Frois c. 185. Duke of Normandy had compleated his Musters and gather'd together to his Assistance sundry Persons of Honour not only of the Realm of France but also out of the Empire and elsewhere for pay so that he had more than 3000 Men of Arms besides others He presently went and laid Siege to Paris toward the Gate of St. Anthony along by the River of Seyne himself being lodged at St. Maur des Fossez and his Men thereabout who every day went and skirmished even to the Walls of Paris But still the Provost's Workmen proceeded for the Souldiers within the City defended them upon all occasions Sometimes the Duke lay at St. Maur and sometimes at Charenton so that nothing could come to Paris on that side either by Land or Water For he had caused both the Rivers of Seyne and Marne to be well kept and had burnt all the Villages about Paris which were not enclosed the better to curb the Insolence of that Rebellious City And surely he had served Paris it self in the same manner if it had not been pretty well fortify'd However none durst go in or out for fear of his Men who rode on both sides the Seyne at their Pleasure there was none to Resist them Yet there were in the City several Loyal and well-disposed Persons as John Maillart and his Brother Simon and many of their Relations and Friends who were very much troubled at the Duke of Normandy's Displeasure with the City and would very willingly have submitted unto him and have beg'd his Pardon But the Provost had so inveigled the Vulgar by his Popular pretences that no Man durst contradict him unless he had a Mind to be torn in pieces The Provost for his part still kept in with the King of Navarre following his Directions in all things and all the while he had Men at Work both Day and Night by turns for Defence of the City and moreover retain'd Souldiers on all hands as well Navarrois as English Men of Arms and Archers and other of the Companions For no other Englishmen durst make War in France because hitherto there was a Truce between the two Nations When the King of Navarre saw this Difference between the Duke and the City he began to call to Mind the Words of his Brother Philip That there was no Trust to be reposed in the Vulgar and therefore doubting the Worst if Matters should proceed he very fairly took his leave of them thô not without many kind Promises and drew off to St. Dennis Where he began to retain Souldiers in great Numbers but the City of Paris paid their Wages The Duke of Normandy had now lain at Charenton six Weeks and the King of Navarre almost as long at St. Dennis and between them both all the Vicinage was in a manner destroy'd and eaten up V. But in this sad juncture it pleased God to raise up certain Eminent and Worthy Personages to labour effectually to compose Matters first between the King and the Duke and then also between the two Realms And here we must not forget the great Diligence of the Pope y Odor Rainal ad hunc annum §. 2. 3. ex Tom. 6. Epist Secret. p. 6. 7. who by his Letters both to the Dauphin and the King of Navarre earnestly exhorted them to a final Concord so profitable to the Realm and so comfortable to all Good Men. Besides the Archbishop of Sens then newly Ransom'd out of England the Bishop of Auxerre and the Bishop of Beauvais the Lord Charles of Monmorency the Lord Moreau de Fiennes and the Lord of St. Venant joyned together to do their utmost in this pious way of Pacification These six went so often between the Parties interceding qualifying arguing and conjuring and bare themselves with such discretion That now the King of Navarre of his own meer good Will without the least Constraint went to Charenton to the Duke of Normandy and excused himself of what he was suspected especially of the Death of the Lords of Clermont and Conflens and of Doctor Simon Bucy and of the Affront which the Provost had done unto him in the Palace at Paris Swearing that it was all without his Consent and knowledge and promising the Duke to embarque with him and joyn issue in all his Affairs both good and evil and to make the Parisians give him satisfaction for what they had done Hereupon there was Peace made between the King and the Duke the latter whereof said He was willing to pardon the Parisians on Condition that he might have the Provost and 12 other Burgesses such as he should name to punish after their Demerits After this Agreement the King of Navarre returned to St. Dennis and the Duke went to Meaux in Brie which had suffer'd so much lately on occasion of the Jaquerie Both the King and the Duke disbanded the greater part of their Troops now and several of the Burgesses in Paris especially such as had been concern'd in promoting the Treaty had invited the Duke to come to Paris promising to render him all the Dutifull Respect imaginable But the Duke reply'd How he would surely keep the Peace which he had made and sworn to without any breach or flaw on his part But as for setting his Foot within Paris that he was resolved never to do till he had satisfaction for the Affronts put upon him When the Duke of Normandy had thus broke up his Siege the Provost of the Merchants and the Chief of his Partakers went frequently to St. Dennis to visit the King of Navarre and they told him How for his sake the◠had incurred the Duke's Displeasure for that they had deliver'd him out of Prison and brought him in such Honour to Paris Wherefore they desired him for Gods sake to have some respect to their safety and not to repose too much Confidence either in the Duke or his Council nor leave them as a sacrifice to attone for all the Publique Miscarriages The King who was very subtle resolving now however things went to make the best Market for himself reply'd Certainly Friends you shall suffer no harm but I will bear a part therein But to be armed against the worst Events I would advise You since at this time You have the sole Government of Paris in Your Hands to furnish Your selves with Gold and Silver so that if You should be thrust out of your Places You may have a Friend left at a Pinch And what You can thus heap together for its better security send it hither to me as privately as may be to be
This pious and reasonable Request King Edward granted but as for the Tender of his Service in the Wars he said he hop'd to have no more occasion of making War in France there being now such a likelihood of a lasting Peace to be established between the two Nations But shortly after he heard a Walsing Hyp. p. 125. n. 10. Knâ—ghton p. 2618. n. 60. how the French indeed were willing to pay unto him 600000 Florens in Part of the Three Millions for the Redemption of their King but they refused to deliver him such Hostages as he demanded for his Security Which when he understood being extreamly incensed he sent word to the Estates of France that then they should look to themselves and be ready to receive him by the time wherein the Truce was to expire King David of Scotland tarried several Weeks with his Queen at London having his Lodgings prepared in the Gray-Fryers now called Christ-Church During his Stay there were many friendly Entercourses between him and the two Kings of England and France King Edward feasting and caressing them in Royal Manner for it was not till the next Year that King John was closely confin'd thô we have mention'd it before Particularly this Year he kept his Christmas with them both at London where he sat between the two Kings at one Table and not as some report between the two Captive Kings in Ostentation of his great Fortune for as it appears these two Kings were not Captives together in England during any one Christmas at all King John being brought Prisoner into England in May and King David being released the September following But King David as his Guest might now be reasonably expected to sit at his Table And King John as Davids Friend and Edwards Cousin to have so much Respect shewn unto him for that time at least Besides since Pride is so loathsome especially to them over whom she insulteth it is not to be imagin'd that these two Kings should ever after so entirely love and respect King Edward as they did had he entertain'd them with such supercilious Haughtiness at this time That Monarch's Soul was elevated to such a degree of Generosity that he absolutely reigned in the Hearts of these two Princes who came after they were at Liberty of their own Accord to visit him as a Friend as we shall shew in due Place XIV This b Sandfords Geneal hist p. 146. Walsingh hist p. 165. Stow's Chron. p. 264. Survey of London p 421. Knâ—ghton p. 2618. n. 54. Year the Lady Isabella the Queen Mother of England who was Daughter to Philip the Fair King of France and Sister to Lewis Hutin Philip the Long and Charles the Fair all successively Kings of France departed this Life in her great Climacterical or 63d Year after almost 28 Years Confinement because of her Concern in the Ruine of King Edward the II her Lord and Husband Her Punishment was easie and temper'd with Respect for all the while she had a liberal Allowance of 4000 l. per annum and freedom enough thô under the Eye of a Keeper and the King her Son did once a Year at least pay her a Visit and often shew'd her many notable Diversions and Princely Recreations Alan Buchet in his Annals of Aquitain and nom him c James Meyors Annal. Flandr l. 12. p. 152. James Meyor says that being big with Child by Mortimer she was presently put to Death by her Son Edward but the Notoriety of this Falshood appears not only from the concurrent Testimonies of all Authors and Records but especially from thus that besides many others at divers times we shall find Pope Innocent the IV to direct his Letters unto her bearing d Extant Tom. 4. Epist Secret. p. 158. vid. Odor Rainal ad ann 1356. §. 4. al as Date Avin XIV Kal. Julii An o Pontif. W. i.e. An o Dom. 1356. Wherefore let those Authors look to their Credit as well as they can 't is certain they wanted Care or Honesty but to return This Queen was married to King Edward the II in the 12 Year of her Age was his Wife 20 Years and his Widow about 31 being as was thought a Widow of her own making And yet truly I am persuaded partly from the Consideration of her long and happy Life after as well as from many other Circumstances apparent from the History that upon her first coming with Armed Force into England she had no design in the World against the King her Husband but only against the Spencers But that Mortimer and Others who were already obnoxious to the Law upon the account of Treason for their own Security drove her on so far by their Cunning that she was not able to retire And afterwards when the King was deposed they so terrified her with making her believe that if ever he recover'd his Crown he would certainly burn her that she complied with the Design for his Destruction However she proved occasionally almost Fatal to her Native Country of France her Birth affording that Title to King Edward which in those Days produced a War of above Fourscore Years Continuance wherein besides many thousand great Losses that Realm suffer'd three Memorable Defeats as at Cressy and Poictiers under King Edward and at Agencourt under King Henry the V. And even unto this Day the Kings of England are from her furnished with a just Pretence whenever they shall please to resume a Quarrel with that Kingdom She died at the Castle of Risings near London on the Wednesday before St. Bartholomew's Day being e Hoc ann G. Dom. Lit. the 22d of August An o Dom. MCCCLVIII having first lived to see her Son the most Glorious Prâ—nce of all Europe and the Right which she had convey'd unto him to be in a manner asserted by the Decision of God Himself in the Captivity of the French King by the Valour of her Grandson the Prince of Wales She was most honourably interred on the 27th of September following being a Thursday in the Midst of the Quire of the Gray-Friers now called Christ-Church in London under a magnificent Tomb of Alabaster The Church not being yet dedicated Queen Joan also of Scotland sirnamed Joan of the Tower Sister to King Edward of England and Daughter to Queen Isabel aforesaid deceased toward the end of this Year without Issue But that it is better to leave an Honourable Report than Children behind And certainly if King David her Husband had never been oppressed with Adversity she might have been accounted happy but then she had never been extolled with that Commendation which her Vertue and Conjugal Affection doth claim from all Posterity For f Holinsh Scotl. p. 244. during the seven Years Exile which King David had formerly led in France when he was expelled his own Kingdom by the English Forces she would by no means forsake Him oâ— his Fortune but faithfully and constantly adhered to him both then and
p. 59. Country also compounded with the King as Burgundy had done But he laid waste all the Country in Gastinois and Brie thrô which he marched toward Paris with an high Hand In this y Fabâ—an p. 238. March the Prince of Wales passed with his Battalia by a little Town on the Loing in Gastinois called Moret till he came to a strong Fortress named le Plessis aux Tournelles near the Forest of Provins which was then an English Garrison but had been beleaguered by the French for some time who having fortified their Camp with a strong Tower fenced with Ditches gave many fierce Alarms to the Englishmen And thô now they heard for certain that the Prince of Wales approached that way they had such Confidence in their Works that they would not stirr from the Place But yet they were deceived for the fifth day after the Princes Coming their Tower was won and most of them within put to the Sword no more than 47 who were the Chief among them being taken alive of whom were the Lord of Bonneville the Lord of Angreville Sr. John de Barrois and Sr. William du Plessis VI. Thus at length King Edward succeeded so in his Victorious Progress that on the last z ED. Lit. Dom. Pascha 5. April Day of March being the Tuesday before Easter he a Vid. Frois c. 210. Fabian p. 238. Mat. Villani l. 9. c. 85. 86. p. 759. c. came with his Army before the City of Paris and took up his Quarters at Bourg la Reine within two little Leagues of Paris the Army being encamped all along at Longemeau between Mont-lehery and Chastres and in the Towns thereabout even to Corbeil At sight of this Formidable Army Charles Duke of Normandy and Regent of France began to think of some Offers towards a Treaty especially because King Edward b Knighton p. 2623. n. 40. in reverence of the approaching Festival of our Lords Resurrection forbare all Hostilities intending not formally to lay his Siege till after Easter Hereupon c Fabâ—an Hoâ—â—st c. by the especial Intercession of Father Simon de Langres Provincial of the Jacobin Fryars and Legat from Pope Innocent VI King Edward yielded to admit of a Treaty to be seriously held at the Maladerie or Spittle of Longemeau on the Good-Friday following the Solemnity of the Day being look'd on as an Enforcement of so Christianlike an Undertaking At the Time and Place there appeared for King Edward Henry Plantagenet Duke of Lancaster Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick William Bohun Earl of Northampton the Lord John Chandos the Lord Walter Manny and Sr. William Cheney and for the Regent of France there appeared the Lord Moreau de Fiennes Constable of France the Lord Bouciquault Marshal the Lord of Garenciers the Lord of Vignay en Vienne Sr. Simon Bucy and Sr. Guischard D'Angle But we pass by the Debates of this Treaty because they came to no good Effect Wherefore King Edward the rather to quicken the French to a sincere desire after Peace on d 7 April Easter-Tuesday removed something nearer to the City of Paris Whereupon on the Fryday following being the Tenth of April at the earnest Importunity of the foresaid Simon de Langres and of Androine de la Roche Abbot of Cluigny who was then newly come from the Pope for that Purpose another Treaty was appointed to be held but neither yet could Matters be brought to any good issue So that again they parted leaving the Breach as wide as ever Wherefore on the Sunday following King Edward drew down his whole Army before Paris and embattail'd them in a Field by St. Marcels in three Great Battalia's each Battalia being divided into Three Bodies and then he forthwith sent the Duke of Lancaster with his Heralds to the Regent of France who was within the City with a great Army to demand Battle of him assuring him e Walsing hist p. 167. n. 10. M. S. vet Angl. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantab. c. 230. that if now King Edward should lose the Day He would never after claim or assume any Right or Title to the Crown of France But for all this the Cauteous Regent declin'd to answer his Desire While the Messengers were about this Demand the King honoured no less than f Speed p. 583. M.S. id ibid. 400 Esquires and Young Gentlemen with the Order of Knighthood among whom g Frois c. 211. were John Lord Fitz-Walter Robert Lord Vavasour Thomas Spencer John Nevil and William Torceaux but Collart Dambreticourt younger Son to Sr. Sanchio Dambreticourt and Esquire of the Kings Body declin'd the Honour at that time by saying that he could not find his Headpiece and Corslet For he had made an Oath to do some notable piece of Service before he would accept the Order of Knighthood But when upon the Return of the Duke of Lancaster and the Heralds the King heard how he should not have Battle he was wonderfully displeased and upon the Lord Manny's Request sent him forth with all the new-made Knights and such others as were thereto appointed to skirmish at the Barriers and to burn what they could of the Suburbs so to h Meâ—eray ad hunc an p. 59. provoke the Frenchmen to come forth or at least to offer more ample Conditions The Assault was vigorous and lasted from Morning till Noon and the French defended their Post at the Gate and Barriers with Valour becoming their Circumstances nor would they have been content to have stood so long on the Defensive Part only for there were many Noble and Resolute Knights and Gentlemen within the City at that time but it was the Duke of Normandy's peremptory Command that no man on pain of his Head should presume to issue out of the Barriers without his Order So well had that Prince afterward sirnamed the Wise learn'd how to deal with this English Hannibal not only by the Example of the old Roman Fabius but of two nearer Relations even of his own Father and Grandfather whose frequent and great Losses proceeding from their too forward Courage taught him now to oppose a Shield to this Conquering Sword and not easily to put his last Stake to the Fortune of a Battle But however one i Knighton p. 2623. n. 60. says that after Noon when the Lord Walter Manny's Skirmish was over about 30 of these new-dubbed Knights went to the Barriers requiring a few Courses on Horseback according to the Law of Arms in those Days Against whom says he came forth 60 Frenchmen if the Number is not mistaken for Thirty as I rather believe and between these there arose an hot Skirmish But in the end the English by the Grace of God had the better having slain some grievously wounded others and obliged the rest to retire It is said that while the King stood before Paris the k Stow p. 264. Where he says this happen'd on the 14 of April and the Morrow after
Treasures of You and your People but also a great loss of Time for if all things are duely consider'd You may chance to make War all the Days of your Life and yet never come to the end of your Design Sir in short since the Fortune of Battles is variable and You may perhaps lose more in one Day than You have won in twenty Years I would advise your Majesty to accept the Offers which are now made unto You in a time wherein You may leave the War both to your Honour and Advantage These reasonable and prudent Words thus utter'd with a Loyal Mind by the Duke of Lancaster for the Good of the King and his People being seconded by the immediate influence of Heaven fully wrought upon the enraged Prince and enclin'd him to Peace But surely the Occasion which wholly brought him over was very remarkable if not miraculous for presently upon these Words while yet the King was inexorable and refus'd to give the French Commissioners any agreeable Answer there g Frois c. 211. f. 105. Du Ches p. 684. Mezeray p. 59. Walsing hist p. 167. n. 30 Knighton p. 2624. n. 10. M.S. vet Angl. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantab. c. 230. Ashmole p. 660. Jacob. Meyer Annal. Flandr l. 13 p. 184. Odor Rainal omnes fell from Heaven such a wonderfull Storm and Tempest of Thunder Lightning Rain and Hail among the English Army that it seem'd as if the whole Fabrick of Nature was falling to pieces and withall it was so excessive Cold at the same time that it cannot be imagin'd so that together with all these Arrows of Gods Anger there perished no less than 6000 Horses and well-nigh a 1000 Men among whom were several Persons of Quality Particularly the Lord Robert Morley was slain outright and the Lord Guy Beauchamp Eldest Son to the Earl of Warwick being wounded to Death in this Storm died thereof on the 28 day of April at the City of Vendosme in Beauce h Dugd. Bar. 1 Vol. p. 235. id Warwicksh p. 319. sed in anno obitûs LI malè scribitur utrchique pro LX quod not andum where also he was buried in a Chappel behind the High-Altar toward the East having a Fair Monument of Alabaster with his Pourtraicture thereon neatly carved and over his Harness a Surcoat of his Arms with this Inscription on the Verge of his Monument Icy Gist Monsiegneur Guy de Beauchamp Fitz de tresnoble puissant Homme Monsieur Thomas de Beauchamp Conte de Warwick Mareschal d' Angleterre qui trespassa le XXVIII jour d' Averil l'Ann MCCCLX The boldest Heart of all these Valiant Souldiers trembled at the apprehension of this Dreadfull Judgment But King Edward like a Good and Pious Prince look'd upon it as a loud Declaration of the Divine Pleasure Wherefore immediately alighting from his Horse he kneeled down on the ground and casting his Eyes toward the Church of our Lady of Chartres made a solemn Vow to Almighty God That he would now sincerely and absolutely incline his Mind to a final Peace with France if he might obtain good Conditions at which time also he made a Devout Confession of his sins and so took up his Lodging in a Village near Chartres called Bretigny where the French Commissioners being come the next day with more ample Instructions the King was content to accept of Peace The Treaty i Ashmole p. 660 was menaged between Edward Prince of Wales and Charles Regent of France their Proctors and Agents in the Name of both the Kings these two Princes and all the Subjects of either Realm Those who were deputed on the English Part were Sr. Reginald Cobham Sr. Bartholomew Burwash Sr. Frank van Hall Bannerets Sr. Miles Stapleton Sr. Richard la Vache Sr. Nele Loring Knights and others of the King of Englands Council Those other on the French side were the Elect of Beauvais Charles Lord Monmorency Monsieur John le Meingre Marshal of France Monsieur Ainart de la Tour Lord of Viviers Monsieur Ralph de Ravenal Monsieur Simon de Bucy Knights Monsieur Stephen de Paris and Peter de la Charite Counsellours with many Others deputed by the Dauphin At first namely on the Seventh of May a Truce was agreed on to continue till Michaelmas following and thence till Michaelmas ensuing which upon the Return of King Edward into England was by Writs bearing Date the 24 of the said Month commanded to be published throughout all the Sea-Ports in England and by a like Writ notice was given to the Duke of Lancaster to proclaim it thrô Gascoigne And the next Day viz. the 8 of May the Articles relating to a Final Peace were agreed to on Behalf of both the Kings This is that Famous Treaty made at Bretigny near Chartres so much spoken of by Writers to which the Eldest Sons of England and France were Principal Parties commonly called the Treaty of RENVNTIATION of both Kings in regard that the King of France Renounced the Soveraignty of several Territories to King Edward and he on the other side Renounced his Title to France and some other Places As will more particularly appear from the Copy of the Treaty it self as it was compared with the Original kept at Paris by one that was Master of the Rolls there k Extant Gallice apud Da Ches l. 15. p. 684. Dr. Stillingfl M.S. ad hunt titalum copia Tractatus magnae Facis in Latino inter Reges Anghae Francix factâ— apud Bretigny jurta Carnotum c. Eâ—tant câ—am Anglice in MS. Deticris Johan Spencer Coll. C.C. Cantab. Magistri Vid. Ret. de Tractatu Pacis Franciae ad an 34 Ed. 3. m. 10. X. EDWARD Eldest Son of the Noble King of England Lord of Ireland and of Aquitain Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earl of Chester To all who shall see these present Letters Greeting WE give You to understand that of all the Debates and Discords whatsoever moved and commenced between our most Redoubted Lord and Father the King of England on the one Part and our Cousin the King and his Eldest Son Regent of the Realm of France on the other Part for the benefit of Peace it is ACCORDED on the Eight of May in the Year of of Grace One Thousand Three Hundred and Sixty at Bretigny near Chartres in Manner and Form following viz. 1. Imprimis That the King of England besides what he holdeth in Guienne and Gascoigne shall have for himself and his Heirs for ever all those things which follow to hold them in like Manner as the King of France or his Son or any of his Ancestors Kings of France did hold them that is to say what was held in Soveraignty to be held in Soveraignty and what in Demaine in Demain for the Times and in the Manner hereunder specified The City Castle and Earldom of Poictiers and all the Land and Country of Poictou likewise the Fief of Thoüars and the Land of
sins of the World Grant us thy Peace Charles the Dauphin and Regent of France went up to the Altar and laying his Right Hand on the Paten wherein lay the Holy Eucharist and his Left on the Gospel he took his Oath in these Words We Charles do swear upon the Holy Body and the Gospels of our Lord firmly what in us lies to keep this Peace and Concord thus formed between the two Kings and by no means to go against the same So help Vs c. And the like Oath was afterwards taken by the Prince of Wales in presence of Four Barons of France in the Church of Louviers in Normandy Of both which there were made Letters Patents bearing Date that at Paris on the Tenth Day of May and the other at Louviers on the Sixteenth of the said Month Anno Domini MCCCLX Who brake this Sacred and Solemn Oath first we shall see hereafter and throughly discuss the Occasion which I doubt will appear too frivolous to be excused in that manner as is done by some French Historians This mean while the Parisians b Du Chesne p. 692. by the Dauphins good Leave redeemed the Fortresses of Herelle la Neufville in Haye Pont St. Maixence Lyhon Frescheville Deiteville Baslieu le Sicq Chevreuse and la Ferte sous Jouërre because of their Importance for the price and Summ of 24000 Florens of Gold of the Coin of King Philip of Valois which they paid to the Earl of Warwick and the Captal of Busche not enduring to stay till the Peace being confirmed they should be rendred gratis XII Within a few Days after the first Form made at Bretigny was established King Edward being sincerely desirous to hasten the Accomplishment and Perfection thereof having raised his Camp from about Chartres marched by Pont de L'Arche over the Seyne and by Abbeville over the Soame in peaceable manner and so went to Calais where he gave order for the embarquing his Men. In this Town he made his Offerings and paid his Devotion in the Church of St. Mary after which repairing to the Port of Harfleur in Normandy he thence took Shipping with his Sons for England and landed at c Ashmole p. 662. Rye in Kent on the 18 Day of May in the Evening having left the Earl of Warwick to look to his Men of War at Calais in Guienne and elsewhere and to see that on his Part the Peace which had been already proclaimed thrô France was duely kept The next Day the King being come to London d Du Chesne p. 692. caused King John to be brought privately from the Tower to his Palace of Westminster in the Chappel whereof he shew'd him the Treaty made and sworn to by the Regent his Son whereat he who desired nothing more than Liberty at what Price or Composition soever he obtained it thanked God for his Bounty and Goodness in this matter and readily agreed to ratifie and confirm it in his own Person After this he rode with the Prince of Wales from London to Windsor to pay a Visit to the Queen and having received many great and splendid Entertainments from the King he return'd again to London and paid his Devotion at the Famous Cathedral of St. Pauls where he made large and Princely Offerings e Dugd. Hist Cathedr St. Paul p. 21 22. at the Shrine of St. Erkenwald once Bishop of London it having been newly Beautified about 3 Years before The manner whereof as well in Memory of that Prince's Piety as for the rarity of the Matter and also that thereby we may make a guess at the great Wealth of the several Shrines in those Days we shall here more particularly set down King John therefore at this time having heard Mass at the High Altar made his Approach very devoutly to the Shrine of St. Erkenwald where he offer'd 12 Nobles at the Annunciation he laid down 12 more at the Crucifix near the North-Door 26 Floren Nobles at his first Approach to the High Altar Four Basons of Gold and at the hearing of Mass after the Offertory he gave the Dean then Officiating 5 Floren-Nobles and lastly he gave in the Chapter-House 50 Floren-Nobles to be distributed among the Officers of the Church The mean while King Edward g Ashmole p. 662. issued out his Warrant bearing Date the 17 of June to the Lord John Beauchamp then Constable of Dover-Castle and of the Cinque-Ports forthwith to arrest and equip a sufficient Number of Ships to carry over King John and his Family to Calais within the time agreed on and accordingly all things being now ready for his Departure he was by King Edward himself honourably conducted to the Sea-side the Lord Philip his Son and the other Lords of France Prisoners being with him He embarqued at the Downs being attended by the Black-Prince the Duke of Lancaster the Lord John Chandos and many other Great Barons who all arrived at Calais on the Ninth of July where the King was honourably received and lodged in the Castle there to expect King Edwards Coming XIII Now before these Things were brought thus far the Pope having heard how forward the Peace between the two Realms was sent his Letters to King Edward h Vid. Odor Rainal ad hunc an §. 2. ex Tom. 8. p. 1. Epist Secr. p. 93. bearing Date Prid. Non. Julii An o Pontif. VIII Wherein he expresses his great Joy for the happy Prospect of a lasting Peace and quickens the King to a Consummation of the Affair and that he would shew himself not only Willing but Liberal as to the Redemption of the French King. All this while was King John at Calais but King Edward remained still in England till he might hear that the first Payment was in some readiness for Him For it is to be remembred that according to the XIV Article there ought to be paid Six Hundred Thousand Crowns of Gold before King John could be permitted to go from Calais A great Summ and which could not soon be collected by his Officers thô but a small Part of that excessive Summ of 3000000 which amounting to 500000 l. Sterling was so vast a Matter in those Days that it i Vid. Cotgraves Preface to French Diction p. 5. is thought to have given occasion for this French Proverb Jâ—ay payé tous mes Anglois i. e. I have paid all my English that is my Creditors which is us'd when with much ado a great and heavy Debt is fully cleared Wherefore King John was k Du Chesne p. 693. forced now to stay almost 3 Months of the limited Four e'r he could raise the foresaid Summ during which time notwithstanding he had frequently News from the Dauphin and his other Children who at his desire were now at Amiens 'T is said l Du Chesne ib. Mezeray ad an 1361. that Prince Galeas Lord of Milain and of divers other Towns in Lombardy furnished this First Payment on Condition that King John should give
Pope and the Emperour And moreover they made a solemn Renuntiation to all Wars against each Other their Heirs and Successors Realms and Subjects to both which League and Renuntiation their Eldest and other Sons signed and divers of the Nobility on both Sides were sworn And then also a Proclamation issued forth from King Edward to Thomas Holland Earl of Kent and to all other Captains of Towns Castles Forts c. held for the King in France for them to give Notice to all Places within their Command of this Peace and final Accord thus made between the two Kings After h Frois c. 213. all these Articles Letters and Commissions were made devised finished and deliver'd by the Advice and Consent of the Councils of England and France so that as to that Point both the Kings were well contented then they fell into a close Communication concerning the Lord Charles of Blois and the Lord John of Montford and their several Claims to the Dutchy of Bretagne for each pretended the whole and sole Right to that Heritage Some have been so bold in venting their Opinions as to say that King Edward and his Council were not over-warm in this Matter and surely in meer Policy he might well enough be supposed something cool For if now the Wars of Bretagne should be shut too there had been no Vent left for those many boistrous Troops which as yet lay in several Garrisons and upon their resigning those Fortresses must needs otherwise have filled England with Theeves and Robbers But certainly whoever impartially observes the honourable and sincere Practices of King Edward upon all Occasions and duly compares them with what relates to this Matter in the Articles and Letters foregoing will not so rashly attribute the ill Success of the Treaty of Bretagne to King Edwards Insincerity but rather to the Impracticableness of the Affair it self Since two such Valorous Young Princes had so fair a Pretence to so Noble a Dukedome that there could hardly remain any Prospect of deciding the Controversie without the Sword or the Death of one of the Parties But however it was when now upon Conference this New Treaty seem'd so hard to be brought to any good Issue Henry Duke of Lancaster who was a most valiant and expert Souldier but chiefly favour'd the Earl of Montford and wish'd his Advancement spake these words to the King of France in Presence of the King of England and the greater Part of both the Kings Councils Sir said he the Truce that was taken before Rennes between the Lord Charles of Blois and the Earl of Montford is not yet expired but is still to hold to the first Day of May next coming The King of England my Master here present by Advice of his Council and with Consent of my Lord the Prince his Son shall before that time send the Young Duke the Lord John of Montford with certain of his Council into France to your Majesty with full Power and Authority to confer and determine about the Right which the said Lord John ought to have as succeeding his Father in the Dutchy of Bretagne So then by You and your Council and by Ours together some agreeable Way may be taken between them for the better Security of which Affair I think it would be well to prolong the said Truce yet farther till the Feast of St. John Baptist next following According to this Device of the Dukes so it was done and concluded and the Truce relating to Bretagne prolonged to the Feast of St. John Baptist and then they fell to other Matters XX. And i Frois c. 213. f. 108. now that the Peace between England and France was fully confirmed King John was so elevated with the Assurance of Returning into his Country that he then first seem'd sincerely to rejoyce since his being taken Prisoner He shew'd unto King Edward such an hearty Good-Will that it appear'd plainly to have no mixture of Dissimulation and to his Nephew the Prince of Wales he declared all the endearing Signs of Royal Love and Affection that might be As also King Edward and his Son the Prince were exceeding Frank Generous and obligingly Open unto him These two Illustrious Monarchs who from this time till Death parted called themselves Brethren as a mutual remembrance of their Brotherly Amity gave now unto Four Knights of either Party such as chiefly in their stations had promoted this Peace 8000 Franks of Yearly Revenues for them and their Heirs for ever King John giving the said Summ to Four Knights of England and King Edward a like Revenue to Four Knights of France And at the same time because the Lands of St. Saviour le Vicount in Coutantine in Normandy were the King of Englands Right by a Deed of Gift and Sale from the Lord Godfry Harcourt deceased which Lands were not comprised in the Ordinance of the Treaty of Peace so that whoever held those Lands must do Homage therefore to the French King King Edward k Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 503. now in respect of the many Laudable and Heroick Services of that Valiant and Renowned Knight the Lord John Chandos gave unto him and his Heirs for ever a Grant of the Baronies of St. Saviour le Vicount aforesaid of Daunvers and Dongeville as also of the Lands and Knights Fees of St. Mary de Montefarsellis and Romilly and of all other the Lands and Possessions of the said Godfry of Harcourt Which Princely Gift King John at the Request of King Edward confirmed now unto the said Lord John Chandos he doing Homage therefore unto him bating that Allegiance which he owed unto his Master the King of England And now when all the foresaid Agreements were as well made and devised and as firmly established as Human Wit could contrive so that it seem'd by reason of the sundry strict and solemn Engagements Counter-bonds and mutual Obligations between the two Kings and their Sons that the Peace would prove everlasting and when the Hostages were all come to Calais and the 400000 Crowns of Gold were paid down to the King of England and the remaining 200000 secured which was the First Payment then King Edward made a most Royal and Magnificent Supper for the French King within the Castle of Calais at which the Black-Prince and his Three Brethren Lionel John and Edmund with the Greatest Lords and Barons of England served the two Kings bare-headed After Supper the two Kings bad each other Good Night in the most Obliging Manner imaginable King Edward remaining still in the Castle and King John going to his Lodgings in the Town which had been prepared for him upon his being set at Liberty The next Morning l Fabian p. 243. being the 25 of October and a Sunday King John and all those who were to go with him took his leave of Calais and rode forth of the Town in the Forenoon King Edward himself conveying him a Mile onward of his Way and then the two Kings took
the Eve of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin or as some say z Dugd. Warw. p. 165. ex Esc 35. Ed. 3. p. 1. n. 122. on the Tuesday after the said Feast which that Year fell on the 30th of March. England had less wanted him now that the War was ended if he had not been as Eminent for Counsel in Peace as he was remarkable for Military performances He was only Son to Henry de Torto-Collo who was younger Brother and next Heir to Thomas Earl of Lancaster who was Eldest Son to Edmund Sirnamed Crouchback Second Son to King Henry III of England and Brother to King Edward the First Grandfather to King Edward the Third This Illustrious Person in his life time did nothing degenerate from the Blood Royal of England of which he so largely partook as may be seen in those many foregoing Passages of this History which speak of his Warlike Actions His many Heroick Vertues obtain'd him the Glorious Sirname of Good he being generally called the Good Duke of Lancaster Wherefore his Death was universally Lamented especially by the Poor by the Clergy and by Scholars to whom he was a Constant Friend and Patron Nor was King Edward a Frois c. 216. less concerned for the loss of so Renowned a Kinsman and Captain as were also all the Barons of England Lords Knights and Esquires For he was in his Days an Ornament to the Nobility a Patron to the Church a Prop to Learning a Glory to the Souldiery and a shield unto his Prince He was b Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 789. buried on the South-side of the High-Altar in the Collegiate Church of Leicester which c Knighton p. 2625. Speed's Maps in Leicester himself had founded and set over it one Dean Twelve Canons Prebendaries as many Vicars and others all sufficiently provided with Revenues Besides he consummated the Hospital there which his Father had begun wherein were maintain'd an 100 Infirm and Poor people d Stow p. 265. 50 Men and 50 Women together with 10 lusty and able Women to serve the said Infirm Ones with Meat and Drink and other bodily Necessaries day and night Both which Hospital and College of Canons he sufficiently endowed for ever and indeed they were the Greatest Ornament of that City until the heavy Hand of King Henry VIII among other the like Foundations laid their Ruines at his own Feet At which time the College Lands d Stow p. 265. were valued at 595 pounds 7 shillings and 6 pence per annum He left behind him two Daughters his Heirs the Lady Mathilda the Eldest then 22 Years of Age at that time Married to William of Bavaria Son to Lewis the Emperour and Duke of Zealand Holland Hainalt and Friseland the other Daughter named Blanch then 19 Years of Age and the Wife of John of Gaunt Earl of Richmond but upon the Death of her Eldest Sister which happen'd shortly after without Issue in her Right Duke of Lancaster Earl of Darby Lincoln and Leicester Steward of England and also Lord of Brigerac Beaufort and Nogent Who had by her Henry Sirnamed of Bolingbroke who afterwards traiterously deposing King Richard the Second became King of England by the Name of Henry IV. Soon after his Death the Lady f Knighton p. 2625. Mathilda his Eldest Daughter came into England to claim her Purparty of the Inheritance where she died presently being g Id. p. 2626. n. 31. as was thought poison'd that the Inheritance might not be divided among Foreigners but go entirely as thereupon it did to her Younger Sister who was Married in England Besides this Great Prince there h Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 127. died this Year of the same Plague the Lord John Moubray a most Valiant and Noble Knight of England who was styled Lord of the Isle of Haxiholme and of the Honours of Gower and Brembre He died at York on the 4th of October leaving behind him John his Son and Heir a Valiant Young Gentleman then of full Age whom he had by his Wife the Lady Joan of Lancaster Sister to the Duke of Lancaster aforesaid But this Young Lord John Moubray brought more i Dudg ibid. p. 128. Honour and Possessions to his House and Name by taking unto him for Wife the Lady Elisabeth Daughter and Heir to John Lord Seagrave by Margaret his Wife Daughter and sole Heir to Thomas of Brotherton k Fifth Son but Second surviving Second Son to King Edward the First Earl of Norfolk and Marshal of England From which Marriage l Sandford's Geneal Hist p. 110. are Descended all the Dukes of Norfolk and Earls of Nottingham of the Sirname of Moubray and Howard the Earls of Suffolk and Barkshire and particularly the Thrice Noble Henry Lord Mordant the present Earl of Peterborough m Dugd. Bar. 2 Vol. p. 279. p. 312. Son of John Earl of Peterborough by his Lady Elisabeth sole Daughter and Heir of William Howard Lord Effingham Eldest Son to Charles Earl of Nottingham Nor ought We to forget the Death of the Valiant Lord n Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 653. Mills Catal. Honer p. 531. Edward Montague Brother to William the first Earl of Salisbury of that Name which happen'd in this Year he leaving behind him only one Daughter at that time XII Years of Age then Wife to the Lord William Hufford Eldest Son to the Earl of Suffolk Besides this o Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 68. there died the Lord Reginald Cobham a Baron of great Renown in those days leaving behind him a Son of his own Name and Character Also William p Id. 1 Vol. p. 447. Lord Fitz-Warine of the House of the Lord Fulk Fitz-Warine and Sr. Nicolas q Id. 2 Vol. p. 89. St. Maure alià s Seymor a considerable Baron of the Realm Besides whom there were now taken away six Bishops r Walsing hist p. 171. Gedw Catal. Bps Stow p. 265. as Michael Northborough alià s Northbrook Bishop of London who was succeeded by Simon Sudbury Reginald Brian Bishop of Worcester whose Chair was supply'd by John Barnet Thomas Lylde Bishop of Ely a good Benefactor to Peter-House College in Cambridge whose loss was repaired by the Succession of Simon Langham also Robert Stratford Bishop of Chichester into whose place came William Lenne alià s Lenlimere and John Synwell Bishop of Lincoln whose Successor was John Buckingham Lord Privy Seal but these two latter died in the beginning of the next Year There died also at this time that Famous Scholar Richard Fitz-Ralph Archbishop of Armagh Primate of Ireland and Chancellour of the University of Oxford of whom we Å¿ Huius hist l. 3. c. 3. §. 15. p. 552. have spoken more largely elsewhere Only it is here to be added that this Archbishop t Vid. Odâ—r Rainal ad ann 1358. § 6. Wad in Annal. Minor. Tem. 4. ad cund ann had such a Reputation for Holiness and Integrity of Life that he is said to
the occasion yet for the Eminence of the Person I shall not pass by the Murder of Sr. John Copland the same who at the Battle of Durham took the King of Scotland Prisoner as we have shewn already This Valiant and Worthy Gentleman upon what Quarrel doth not appear was this Year k Knighton p. 2626. n. 30. murder'd by the Lord John Clifford of Ewyas who thereupon was forced to fly the Land and could by no means obtain his Pardon till about 15 Years after or the last of King l Dagd 1 Vol. p. 341. Edward when upon the Testimony of divers English Peers in Parliament of his singular Valour and of his special Services in the Wars in France the King at last upon the instant Request of the said Peers and Commons of England then assembled in Parliament gave him his Charter of Pardon CHAPTER the NINTH The CONTENTS I. King John of France on the Death of the Duke of Burgundy without Issue takes Possession of the Country and goes to visit the Pope at Avignon Pope Innocent VI dying Urban V succeeds II. The King of Cyprus comes to Avignon to get and against the Saracens A Combat fought there A Croisade proclaimed whereof the King of France is made the General III. The King of Cyprus visits the Emperour the Emperours Opinion concerning the Holy War The King of Cyprus goes to other Christian Princes IV. King Edward allowing the French Hostages some Liberty the Duke of Anjou makes his Escape V. The Kings of Cyprus and Denmark and the Duke of Bavaria come into England King Edwards Answer to the King of Cyprus upon his demanding Assistance for the Holy War. VI. A Parliament at Westminster VII A Convocation wherein the excessive Number of Holydays are retrenched VIII The Death of the Dutchess of Clarence of Edward Bailiol once King of Scotland and of the Bishop of Bath and Wells IX A Man who after execution at the Gallows recover'd is pardon'd by the King. X. The King of Cyprus and the Shrine of St. Hugh of Lincoln robbed XI King David of Scotland comes into England upon a Visit A long and hard Frost I. AN. DOM. 1363. An. Regni Angliae XXXVII IN the preceding Year King John of France undertook a Journey to Avignon to visit the Pope and Cardinals but he chose to ride through the Dukedom of Burgundy because that Provence was newly fallen unto him by the Death of Philip the young Duke Grandson of Duke Eudes the VI and Son of that Philip who was slain at the Siege of Aiguillon and of the Lady Jane of Boulogne who afterwards was married to King John and died the Year before this her Son. In a Favine le Parisiens Theater t' Honour l. 4. c. 3. p. 7. his Person was extinct the First Branch of the Dukes of Burgundy being of the House of France which had produced no less than twelve Dukes and had lasted the space of 330 Years For this young Prince died b Paradin Annal Burgund l. 2. p. 348. about Easter 1362 without Issue himself being but Fifteen and his Lady Margaret of Flanders not above Eleven When therefore King John c Frois c. 216. fol. 112. was ready for his Journey and had appointed his Son Charles Regent and Governour during his Absence he began his Progress from Paris about the latter end of July 1362 having with him in his Company his Cousin the Lord John of Artois Earl of Tancarville the Earl of Dampmartin the Lord Bouciquault Marshal of France and many other Grandees Having by small Journeys and great Expence rode thrô Burgundy he came in the beginning of September to Villeneufe without Avignon where Lodgings were provided for Him and his Attendants He was entertained with great Magnificence of Feasting by the Pope and the whole College of Cardinals and many interchangeable Visits were made between the King and Them But in the heighth of all d Labbei Chronl Techn ad ann 1362. Pope Innocent the VI having sat Nine Years Eight Months and Twenty Days departed this Life at Avignon on the Twelfth of September Whereupon there arose much Difference among the Cardinals about Choosing of a new Pope for each of them aspired to the Dignity himself especially the Cardinal of Boulogne and the Cardinal of Perigort who were by far the Greatest and had most powerfull Friends Wherefore after much Altercation the rest of the Cardinals agreed to put the Decision of the Matter to these Two who finding thereby that neither of them could obtain the Papacy themselves agreed together that neither any of the rest should have it but rather that they would pitch upon some other Indifferent Person There was at that time in the Parts of Lombardy one e Vid. Odor Rainal ad ann 1362. §. 6. Ciacon cum Victor p. 925. c. who was employ'd thither by Pope Innocent about Affairs with the Lords of Milain named William Grisant by some named Grimoardi Abbot of St. Victor of Marseille a Devout and Holy Man of unblameable Life and eminent Learning who was called Anglicus whereupon f Walsing hist p. 172. many have believed him an English Man thô I rather believe he might obtain that name because he was a Gascogner and so by Birth subject to the King of England This Man the Two Ambitious Cardinals chose rather out of Envy to their Fellows than thrô any Love to Him or his Vertue He g Labbei Chron. Techn ad ann 1362. Lit. Domin B. was elected on the 28 or as Some say on the last of October and Crowned on the Sixth of November following being a Sunday at which time he took the Name of Vrban V. It is said of him h Walsingh hist p. 172. that having long waited at the Court of Avignon in fruitless expectation of Preferment he complained to a Friend of his saying I believe verily if all the Churches of the World should fall there would none fall upon my Head. Whereupon this Friend of his coming to visit him after his Coronation said all smiling You lately complain'd most Holy Father that if all the Churches in the World should fall yet none you thought would fall upon your Head. Behold now how God hath disposed things for all the Churches in the World are now fallen upon your Head together Soon i Frois c. 216. fol. 112. after this Mans Creation King John heard News that Peter of Lusignan King of Cyprus intended shortly to come to Avignon to give his Holiness a Visit and that in order thereto he had already passed the Sea whereupon he resolved to tarry still at Avignon till his Coming being very desirous to see him because of the great Renown he had heard of him both for his Valour and Piety and particularly of the great Honour he had won in the War against the Saracens and that among other his Successes he had lately taken from them Sattalia the chief City of Pamphylia and
put all the Infidels to the Sword. This Peters Ancestor Guy of Lusignan King of Jerusalem k Speed p. 477. §. 40. in Ricardo Primo purchased the Island and Kingdom of Cyprus of our Richard the First King of England sirnamed Coeur du Lyon by Exchange for his Kingdom of Jerusalem ever since which it remain'd in the hands of the said Guy and his Descendants II. King Peter came to Avignon l Frois c. 217. about Candlemas in the beginning of this Year of whose Coming the whole Court was glad and most of the Cardinals together with the French King went forth to meet him and conducted him with much Honour to the Popes Palace where they were highly caressed and after a splendid entertainment the two Kings returned to their Lodgings prepared for them in Villeneufe Thus they tarried during all the season of Lent and made frequent Visits to the Pope and discoursed him of many serious Matters concerning which they came thither While the Kings were at Avignon there happen'd a Controversie in Arms which by the Court Martial was adjudged to be tried by Combat between two Noble and Experienced Knights namely Sr. Edmund de Pamiers and Sr. Fulk de Orillac the King of France being to sit as Judge of the Field Both the Knights behaved themselves with that Activity Skill and Resolution that is was no easie matter to say who was the Better So that when after a long and gallant Fight neither had any apparent Advantage of the other and both their Spears and Swords being broken they were proceeding to Pole-Axes King John presently flang down his Wardour and caused the Combat to cease after which He reconciled them together Now the King of Cyprus spake more than once to the Pope his Cardinals and the French King That it would be both an exceeding Honour and Advantage for all Christendom if some Powerfull Christian King would undertake to lead the Way over the Sea and rear his Banners against the Enemies of the Christian Faith who for want of such Opposition overran all Asia and hung now like a dreadfull Storm over Europe These Words the French King consider'd well and resolved with Himself if he might live Three Years longer to be One among the Foremost in this Holy Expedition not only out of a pious Consideration backed with the Words of the Pope and the King of Cyprus but also for two other Respects the one because his Father King Philip had made a Vow so to do to the m Odâ—r Rainal ad hunc an §. 14 Breach whereof he constantly attributed all the Miseries which had befell France since that time and the other that by so doing he should not only drain his own Country of those Evil Companions who harassed his People without any just Title or Pretence but also thereby prove an Instrument of saving their Souls by making them draw their Swords in the more righteous Cause of Christ These were his Reasons and this his Resolution which he kept secret to himself till Good-Fryday at which time Pope Vrban himself preached in his Chappel at Avignon in the Presence of both the Kings of Cyprus and of Frâ—nce and also of Waldemar King of Denmark who was newly come thither for the same purpose Sermon ended the French King in great Devotion stept forth and professed himself a Champion of Christ and took upon him the Croisade which he solemnly sware personally to set about and to begin the Voyage within two Years from that Time it n Pascha 2 Apr. Lit. Dom. A. being then the last of March. He also requested the Pope to yield his Consent and Furtherance thereto and by his Bulls to authorise this his pious Undertaking The Pope not only most readily agreed to this Request but also granted him his Pontifical Diploma Dat. Aven Pridie Kal. April Anno Pontif. I. Wherein he constitutes him Governour and Captain General of all the Christian Armies and produces these three Causes of that Expedition First the Indignity of the Matter that Christians should suffer those places which our Saviour had honoured with his Footsteps and the Mysteries of our Redemption to be defiled and trodden down of the Mahometans also the seasonable Occasion of Recovering Syria now that the strength of the Saracens was exhausted with a Pestilence and lastly the great Necessity of repressing the growing Tyranny of the Turks when 't was to be feared that all Christendom would be a prey unto them unless their Fury should meet with a timely Check Talayrand the Cardinal of Perigort was the Popes Legate in this Holy Expedition and then Methods were taken how to support the Design with Tithes and other pecuniary Collections the Prelates were commanded to publish this Croisade from their Pulpits and to distinguish those who took it upon them with the Sign of the Cross And then Excommunication and an Anathema was set forth against them who should offer to disswade the French King from his pious Design of recovering Syria On which account circular Letters were sent and solemn Prayers were appointed to engage the Divine Assistance The Pope also sent his Letters to the Emperour Charles to King Edward of England to Lewis of Hungary and to other Kings and Princes that they would now employ all their power and Conduct toward the reducing of Asia unto Christ and because King John could not conveniently set forth till about two Years after by reason that his Realm was so unsettled and he could not in less time finish his Musters and other vast Preparations thereupon wherefore he tied himself to a certain Day which was to be the Kalends of March in the Year of our Lord One Thousand three Hundred Sixty and five The King of Cyprus resolved in the mean time to go about and visit all the great Courts in Europe and as he should succeed to go over before the King of France to whom the Pope o â—dâ—r Rain ad hâ—nc ann §. 19. promised considerable Assistance And thus a mighty Resolution was taken up and the Cross of Jerusalem was worn by John King of France Waldemar King of Denmark and Peter King of Cyprus p Freis c. 217. also by Talayrand commonly called the Cardinal of Perigort thô he was Earl of Perigort and Bishop Cardinal of Alba the same was done by the Earl of Artois and the Earl of Eu the Earl of Tancarville the Earl of Dampmartin the Lord Arnold D'Endreghan the Lord Bouciquault and the Grand Prior of France and many other Lords and Knights then and there present The King of Cyprus was extreamly overjoy'd at the great Zeal he found in all these Christian Worthies and thought his Journey well bestow'd in so great a purchase towards the Advancement of Religion But yet not content with this he design'd to proceed and visit Charles the Emperour and all the Princes and Chief Lords of the Empire he intended likewise to see the King of England the Prince of Wales
flang away in a Field and went to London to sell their ill-gotten Goods but afterwards being themselves rob'd of all their Gains and thereupon confessing their Sacrilege they received their reward at the Gallows Among other Instances of these licentious Robbers violence and contempt of the Law Peter King of Cyprus himself as he rode about here in England with a small Attendance in confidence of King Edwards protection was g Walsing hist p. 173. n. 30. set upon by a Gang of these Fellows and inhumanely strip'd and rob'd of all he had about him Which with other things might easily give occasion to Foreigners of concluding our Nation Uncourteous Barbarous and Inhospitable but that it is not the part of discreet Judges to attribute that unto an whole People in general which is only the Character of the most rascally and villanous sort of Theeves among that People However King Edward was extreamly incensed hereat and did what he could to bring the Authors to condign punishment and in order thereto granted unto the City of London more ample power to do Justice and to deliver up Prisoners within their Liberties to the Kings Justices as they used to do before thô without Licence XI About this time King David of Scotland h Knighton p. 2627. n. 10. came also into England to visit King Edward and to see if he might obtain a Relaxation of some part of his Ransom but we don't hear any thing of his Success therein However he stayed some time here as well in respect to King Edward as for the sake of the Kings of Cyprus and Denmark whom he had never seen before So that shortly after King John of France coming also into England there were present here at one time Four Stranger Kings as John King of France David King of Scotland Peter King of Cyprus and Waldemar King of Denmark This Year i Knighton p. 2627. n. 50. Walsingh hist p. 173. n. 30. Fabian p. 246. M.S. ver Angl. in Bib. C.C.C. Cantabâ—c 232. Sr. Rich. Baker p. 143. c. it is remembred that there happen'd a grievous hard Frost attended with an unusual Cold which continued from the Seventh of September as some say thô others have December to the Fourteenth of the Kalends of April following which was Occasion of incredible Harm as well to the Land in General as to poor People in Particular CHAPTER the TENTH The CONTENTS I. King John of France comes over into England II. King Edward gives him an honourable Reception III. An Alderman of London entertains Five Kings at one Time. IV. The King of Cyprus returns into France and visits the Black-Prince then Prince of Aquitam by whom he is received with great Honour V. King John sickens and dies in England VI. The King of Navarre on News thereof breaking out again the Duke of Normandy sends for Sr. Bertram of Clequin to oppose him A Story of Sr. Bertrams Original VII Sr. Bertram by Stratagem takes Mante and Meulan from the Navarrois VIII The King of Navarre makes the Captal of Busche his General who prepares to ride against Sr. Bertram of Clequin IX Sr. Bertram reinforced the Lord Beaumont de la Val taken Prisoner by Sr. Guy of Granville a Navarrois X. King John's Funeral Rites performed in England his Body buried in France a Day appointed for the Coronation of the Duke of Normandy XI The Particulars of the famous Battle of Cocherel between the Captal of Busche and Sr. Bertram of Clequin wherein the Captals Forces are overthrown and himself taken Prisoner XII Sr. Guy of Granville saves the Life of his Father the Lord Granville and redeems him by Exchange for the Lord Beaumont de la Val. XIII Charles Duke of Normandy Crown'd King of France at Rheims and makes his Brother Philip Duke of Burgundy XIV Sr. Bertram buyes the Castle of Rolebois the Duke of Burgundy sent with an Army to reduce the rest The Army dividing into three Bodies acts separately under the Duke Sr. Bertram and the Lord de la Riviere XV. Prince Lewis of Navarre grows strong about Bourbonnois a Party of his takes la Charité by Surprise XVI The Duke of Burgundy wins Marcheville and besieges Cameroles The Lord de la Riviere takes Aquigny by Composition Cameroles won and demolished AN. DOM. 1364. An. Regni Angliae XXXVIII Connay besieged XVII Prince Lewis and his Garrison of la Charité do their Pleasure The Earl of Monbelliard invading Burgundy King Charles remands the Duke thither who yet takes Connay first and then goes and chaces away the Earl of Monbelliard and wasts his Lands XVIII The Constable of France lays Siege to la Charité and is enforced by the Duke of Burgundy XIX The Place taken by Composition I. KING John of France who had all this while made vast Preparations for the Holy War which he had so solemnly undertaken a Frois c. 218. fol. 114. was now at the City of Amiens in Picardy with all the Lords of his Council before whom he seriously declared That he had a Mind to cross the Seas and pay a Visit to his Brother of England and the Queen his Sister for which cause he had assembled them to let them know his Resolution All his Council for the main were against this so rash Attempt as they thought it of their Kings and several of their Prelates and Barons told him plainly That it would not be either for his Honour or Advantage so easily to put himself into the power of a Reconciled Enemy Messteurs said King John let me believe my own Judgment I have found by Experience so much Faith and Honour in the King of England my Brother and in the Queen and their Children that I can never commend them too highly Wherefore as to that Point I am confident they will embrace me with all Sincerity and Friendship I desire also to confer Personally with King Edward about this Croisade which we have undertaken and besides I intend to excuse my Son the Duke of Anjou who like an indiscreet Young Man by his Unlicensed Return into France has entrenched upon my Honour To these Words none durst make a Rejoinder for they saw he was absolutely determin'd as to that Matter Then the King appointed his Son Charles the Dauphin to be again his Lieutenant and Regent of the Realm during his Absence and he promised the Lord Philip his youngest Son to make him at his Return Duke of Burgundy and Inheritor of that Dutchy And so Order being given to provide all things necessary for the Voyage at Boulogne he rode from Amiens to Hesdin where he solemnised the Festival of our Lords Nativity together with Earl Lewis of Flanders who came thither to meet him and tarried with him four Days On St. Innocents Day he left Hesdin and went to Boulogne where he took up his Lodgings in the Abbey expecting till the Wind might serve having in his Company the Earl of Eu the Earl of Dampmartin
carried out of the Field in a condition almost as hopeless as the Vicount Beaumonts The Lord Baldwin Danekin Master of the Cross-bows of France was slain together with Sr. Lewis of Pequescourt and divers others On the part of the Navarrois Sr. John Jones who began the Fight did that day all that was possible for a good Knight to perform but at last after he had received many grievous Hurts he was taken Prisoner by an Esquire of Breton of Sr. Bertram of Clequins Retinue and by him born out of the Field but he died of his Wounds before next Morning With him was slain the Lord of Salses and most of his Men and as we have shewn the Lord Bascels of Mareville there were taken the Lord William of Granville the Lord Peter of Samville the Lord Geoffry of Roussillon Sr. Bertram de la Franque and many Others and in short few or none of the Navarrois escaped being now ranked either among the Prisoners or the Dead This Battle was fought in Normandy h Mezeray Chr. Abridg. Tâ—m 3. Part. 2. p. 70. near to a Place named Cocherel and la Croix St. Leoffroy almost exactly between Eureux and Vernon on the Wednesday before Trinity-Sunday being the 15 of May in the Year of our Lord MCCCLXIV XII After this Discomfiture when all the Dead were spoiled and the Wounded dressed and the most part of the French Army had repassed the Bridge to draw to their Quarters to rest and refresh themselves after this hard Service there appeared in the Field another Body of Men marching up against them The Captain of this Company was Sr. Guy of Granville Son to the Lord William of Granville who had that morning left his Garrison of Conches and with fifty Spears rode with all convenient speed to the Captals aid if by any means he might come time enough to the Battle When the Frenchmen saw him they call'd out to their Fellows that had passed the River and sent several over to acquaint the whole Army saying Gentlemen turn hither again for here is a Fresh Body of our Enemies coming hitherward Now Sr. Bertram of Clequin and his Troops were still on this side but every of them extream weary However when Sr. Bertram saw this appearance of more Navarrois he raised his Standard on high upon a Bush that his Men might all draw thitherward and sounded his Trumpets and faced about toward the Enemy setting his Men in order with great Diligence But when Sr. Guy of Granville heard them cry our Lady of Clequin and saw neither the Captal nor any other of his Friends there but many Dead Men lying on the Ground he concluded that his Party had lost the day and so return'd back without doing any thing And surely this Valiant young Gentleman thô he came not time enough to save his Father from being a Prisoner did yet make a shift both to save his Life when he was in Danger of losing his Head and also to redeem him from Prison afterward For Charles the King of France i True Use of Armory in the Life of the Captal of Busche p. 129. who not being of that Honourable Disposition with his Father John was rather enclin'd to subtlety and unprince-like Cruelty shortly after caused the Lord Peter of Samville to lose his Head and had done the like to the Lord William of Granville the same who by stratagem won the strong Castle of Eureux in Normandy thô Prisoners of War and none of his Subjects But Sr. Guy of Granville sent word to the French King that if he put his Dear Father to Death or to any Bodily loss or pain he would serve the Lord De la Val a considerable French Nobleman then his Prisoner in the same manner and also all other Frenchmen that should ever after fall into his Hands By this means the Valiant young Gentleman commendably sav'd his Fathers Life and shortly after he was deliver'd in Exchange for the foresaid Lord of Bretagne The k Frois c. 222. Night ensuing the Battle the Frenchmen lodged in their own Camp on the other side the River and took good Care of their Prisoners and then there was much speaking and enquiring after the Archpriest it being now known that he was not present at the Fight but his Men excused him as he had directed them However they could not presently clear him from all suspicion of Treachery for his Courage no Man there could doubt in the least The next day the Frenchmen dislodged and went to Rouën where they left the greater Part of their Prisoners but the Captal was convey'd from Vernon to Paris XIII This was an auspicious Hansel to King Charles now upon the entrance of his Reign and we shall find him hereafter to have frequently such Successes against his Enemies thô mostly by Fineness and Stratagem and altogether without his Presence as this happen'd On the l Frois c. 223. Labbe Chron. Techn ad hunc ann Mezeray p. 69. Trinity-Sunday following this Success being the 19 of May Charles Duke of Normandy Eldest Son and Heir to John late King of France was Crowned and anointed King of the said Realm in the Cathedral Church of our Lady at Rheims and together with him his Beautifull Consort Queen m Mezer. p. 106 Jane Daughter to Peter Duke of Bourbon and the Lady Isabella de Valois The Ceremony was performed by the hands of the Archbishop of the said Place And it is n Mezeray p. 69 remarkable that the Emperours Son Wenceslaus of Bohemia Duke of Luxemburgh and Brabant John Duke of Lorraine and Robert Duke of Bar notwithstanding they were Strangers and Vassals of the Empire thô indeed related to the King did at that time perform the Office of Peers of France the first representing the Duke of Normandy the Second personating the Earl of Champagne and the Third the Earl of Tholouse The Duke of Burgundy which Philip his Brother was now in Title and Designation and Lewis Earl of Flanders held their usual Places and Lewis Duke of Anjou represented the Duke of Aquitaine Besides these Great Personages there were present at this Solemnity o Frois c. 223. Peter King of Cyprus Waldemar King of Denmark the Earls of Eu and of Dampmartin of Tancarville and of Vaudemont with the Chief Prelates of that Kingdom and many other Lords all who were Feasted for five days together On the Fryday following the New King return'd in great Pomp to Paris where he was received with infinite expressions of Publick Joy and satisfaction And then he put his younger Brother Philip into Possession of the Dutchy of Burgundy p Paradin Annal de Bâ—urgegne l. 3 p. 3â—2 who shortly after rode into those Parts with a great and splendid Retinue and took Livery and Seisin of the Country and received Homage of all the Barons Knights Cities Castles and good Towns of the said Dutchy and having settled all things there return'd to
Paris to the King his Brother At that time it was that the Archpriest found himself obliged to make use of all his Friends to excuse him to the King who was much offended at him because he was not present in the Battle of Cocherel but now being admitted into the Presence he made it appear that he was bound by Oath not to be armed in Person against his Friend the Captal who himself at the request and instance of the Lord of Albret had been a little before released of his Imprisonment only upon his Parole and being by this time sufficiently convinced that he had unjustly suspected the Archpriest's Faith was now very serviceable in helping to make his excuse to the King and to those Lords of the Council that held him in suspicion Besides all which the Archpriest himself not to mention the many great Services he had formerly rendred to the Crown of France had lately near Dijon in Burgundy overthrown 300 Companions robbers of the Country whose Captains were Guyot du Pyn Taillebert of Talleboton and John de Chafour About this time the said King Charles of France caused the Lord Peter of Samville who had been taken in the Battle of Cocherel to lose his Head in the City of Rouën and had served the Lord William of Granville in the same manner had not his Son Sr. Guy of Granville threatned the Lord Beaumont de la Val then his Prisoner with the like severity Whereupon that Lords Kindred and Friends made such earnest suit to the King that he was content to deliver the Lord Granville in Exchange for the Lord de la Val as we said before XIV Soon after the foresaid Battle of Cocherel Sr. Bertram of Clequin bought the strong Castle of Rolebois for the Sum of 3000 Franks which he paid to Sr. Vantaire Austard the Captain thereof whereupon he return'd quietly into Brabant from whence he came Yet there were other Troops of Companions that held still together in Fortresses in Normandy le Caulx Perche Beausse and other places which prov'd very incommodious to the Realm of France some of them making War in the Name of the King of Navarre others on their own account only to get spoil and to rob without Law or Reason Wherefore King Charles q Frois c. 223. Guil. Paradin Annal. de Bâ—urgâ—gne l. 3 p. 252 sent his Brother the Duke of Burgundy against these Pillagers commanding him to root them out of the Land in order whereto the said Duke made his Rendezvous in the City of Chartres Soon after he took the Field his Forces consisting of 5000 Men of Arms besides Footmen and others among whom were Sr. Bertram of Clequin Sr. Bouciquault Marshal of France the Earl of Auxerre the Lord of Beaujeu Sr. Lewis of Châlons Sr. Edmund of Pamiers Sr. Lewis of Ravenal the Lord of Beague of Vilaine Sr. Nicolas du Line New-made Master of the Crossbows Sr. Edward of Renty Sr. Ingelram of Hesdin and many other Eminent Captains When they found themselves so strong they thought to divide into Three Bodies One whereof consisting of a 1000 Men of Arms Sr. Bertram of Clequin led into Coutantine even to the Marches of Cherburgh to keep the Frontiers there that the Navarrois should not pass to endamage the Country of Normandy and with Sr. Bertram were the Earl of Auxerre and the Earl of Joigny the Lord Arnold D'Endreghan and many Knights and Esquires both of Bretagne and Normandy The Second Body was committed to the Lord de la Riviere with whom were many good Knights and Esquires of France and Picardy as Sr. Hugh de Chastillon the Lord of Samny Sr. Matthew of Roye the Lord of St. Eloy the Lord of Crespy the Lord of Campy Sr. Edward of Renty Sr. Ingelram of Hesdin Sr. Monsange and others to the Number of 2000 Men of Arms and these were sent into the Earldom of Eureux but the Duke himself with the remaining 2000 Men of Arms and a vast Number of others went and laid Siege to Marcheville in Chartraine a strong Castle held by the Navarrois against which he carried many Engines from Chartres which perpetually play'd upon the Castle with huge stones to the infinite trouble of those within XV. While these Three Armies were thus in Beausse and in Normandy making War against the Navarrois the King of Navarre was not asleep as to his own Defence The Lord Philip of Eureux his Brother was dead indeed a little before this but he had another younger Brother called Lewis of Navarre of no less towardliness for the War nor less addicted to his Interest This Lord Lewis had likewise defy'd King Charles of France because the War which the King his Brother undertook did also concern a good part of his Inheritance After the Battle of Cocherel he made his Musters on all hands and wan certain notable Captains of the Companions to enter his pay so that by this he was at least 1200 Spears strong The Chief Captains of which Troops were Sr. Robert Knolles and Sr. Robert Cheiny Knights of England and Sr. Robert Briquet of Larsuel but as yet Sr. Robert Knolles had not joyn'd him However his Forces encreased daily his Head Quarters being between the Rivers of Loire and Allier so that he overran a great part of the Country of Bourbonnois as about Moulins St. Pierre le Moutier and St. Pourcain One day 300 of his Men having Sr. Bernard de la Salle and Ortingo for their Captains went and passed the Loire hard by les Marches and rode till they came to la Charité on the River Loire a Town large and well-enclosed which they immediately enter'd by Scalado but stood still together in one place till the Morning for doubt of some Ambush laid to entrap them by the Townsmen whom they heard to be in a perpetual hurry The mean while the Townsmen giving up the Place for lost only took care to convey all their best Moveables into Boats which were ready in good Number on the Loire and so before Morning got off with them their Wives and Children and went to Nivers which was not above six Leagues from thence When it was day the Navarrois English and Gascogners that had thus scaled the Town marched thrô the Streets where they found all the Houses void However they determin'd to keep a Garrison there and make it more defensible because it stood so opportunely to command the Country on both sides the Loire Wherefore presently they sent word to Prince Lewis of Navarre who was then in the Marches of Auvergne for a Reinforcement and he furnish'd them with 300 Spears who were led by Sr. Robert Briquet and passing thrô the Country without the least Opposition went over the stone Bridge and entred la Charité And now being all together they thought themselves strong enough to make good the Place and so began to fortifie apace and to ravage about to let the Country know who they were XVI All this
while the Duke of Burgundy had held Siege before Marcheville whereby by he so streightned the Garrison that at last they were content to yield up the Town their Lives and Goods saved which Conditions being granted them they departed The Duke order'd Sr. Bouciquault Marshal of France and Sr. John de Vienna Marshal of Burgundy to take possession of the Town over which he set an Esquire of his named William of Chartres with Fourty Men of Arms and so departed and went to Cameroles to which he laid Siege because it stood in the plain Country and had been a very troublesome Neighbour to the Inhabitants of Chartres While this Siege lasted the Lord John de la Riviere who had the Second Division consisting of 2000 Spears laid his Siege to Aquigny near to Louviers in the County of Eureux wherein was a Garrison of English Normans Frenchmen and Gascogners all Navarrois who had held that place ever since the Battle of Cocherel and now maintain'd it with great Obstinacy for they had good store of Ammunition and Provision of all sorts and yet notwithstanding they were at last so streightned that they were fain to yield up the Castle their Lives and Goods saved After which they went with all they had and were by the Lord de la Riviere's Conduct safely convey'd to Cherburgh where they remain'd The Lord de la Riviere having Garrison'd Aquigny marched directly toward the City of Eureux but there he was not able to prevail And now the Duke of Burgundy had constrained the Garrison of Cameroles to yield up to his pleasure which done all the Souldiers Strangers he took to Mercy but as for those Frenchmen whom he found among them because they had been Renegado's Robbers and Enemies to their King and Country he hanged them up every Mothers Son. And then certain of the Chief Burgesses of Chartres came unto the Duke humbly desiring that of his Goodness and as a reward for the Engines of Battery which they had lent him he would please to grant unto them the sole Disposal of the Fortress of Cameroles which had formerly been so troublesome to them To this request the Duke readily agreed and then the Burgesses immediately set Labourers at Work who rased the Castle down to the ground After this the Duke went to the Castle of Dreux on the River Blaise in the plain Country of Beausse which was a Nest of the Companions likewise all whom having carried the Place by fine force he caused to be put to the Sword. Thence he marched to Preux and invested it round and gave many vigorous Assaults before he could obtain any advantage at last the Besieged thought best to yield their Lives only saved but as for their Goods they all fell to the Conquerour with whom also the Frenchmen found therein were detained Prisoners When the Duke had taken possession of this place he committed it to the Custody of Sr. Peter du Bois a Knight of Beausse whom he order'd to repair the Fortifications and defend the Place After this he went to Chartres where he tarried five days to refresh himself and his Men and then he laid his Siege to Connay a Castle that had been troublesom to the whole Country and caused six great Engines of Battery to be raised up against it XVII But while he did these things his Enemies gave him sundry Diversions For the Lord Lewis of Navarre overran all the Low-Country of Auvergne and brought those Parts into much Distress for thô he kept the Field there was none to oppose him Those also of the Garrison of la Charité did what they pleas'd round about them And the Earl of Monbelliard likewise with his Allies of Almain was entred into the Dutchy of Burgundy by the way of Bezancon where he began to ravage over all the Country in revenge that his Pretences to the said Dukedom were not allowed but another was brought in over his Head. Upon News of these unexpected Commotions in Burgundy the King sent to the Duke commanding him immediately to raise his Siege from before Connay and come back to Paris in order to march into Burgundy against the new Invaders The Duke however his own Dominions were in danger was not a little concerned at this Message because he had made a solemn Vow not to rise from before Connay till he should be Master of the Place But now those of his Council told him That since the King sent for him he might lawfully depart notwithstanding his Vow for that no Vow could cancell that previous Duty wherein he was bound to his Prince Hereupon he resolved to quit the Siege but making as yet no shew thereof he sent his Marshal to demand of the Besieged whether they would yield up absolutely to the Dukes Pleasure or no They returned Answer No they would not do that but however on Condition they might have their Lives and Goods saved they were now content to yield The Offer was gladly accepted and they permitted to depart with Bag and Baggage After which the Duke having deliver'd the Castle to a Knight of Beausse called Sr. Philip of Artenay with Order to repair the Fortifications went from thence to Chartres where he left the greater Part of his Forces under the Care of the Earl of Auxerre the Lord Bouciquault and Sr. Lewis of Sancerre and so rode forth to Paris with Sr. Lewis of Alenson the Lord of Beaujeu the Lord John de Vienna and all the Burgundians in his Company and went thence to the King his Brother whom he found at Meaux in Brie and there he tarried but one Day On the Morrow he rode on till he came to Troyes in Champaigne Thence he went to Langres and still as he proceeded he enforced himself with Men of War. At Langres he was met by a considerable Body of Burgundians who to their Power had maintained themselves hitherto against their Enemies and were now extream glad of their Lord the Dukes so seasonable coming among them The Chief Captains of these Troops were the Arch-priest the Lord of Chasteau Villain the Lord of Grancy the Lord of Vergny the Lord of Sobournon the Lord of Rugemont Sr. Hugh de Vienna the Bishop of Langres and a Wealthy Man called John of Boulogne with others Being thus enforced he marched against his Enemies who made at least 1500 Spears and yet durst not abide him but retired beyond the Rhine Notwithstanding he followed them beyond Monbelliard burning and destroying the Earls Lands as he went and so having sufficiently revenged his Wrongs for that time he returned with most of his Troops to Paris XVIII This mean while King Charles his Brother had sent the Lord Moreau de Fiennes his Constable and his two Marshals Sr. Bouciquault and Sr. Moron de Branville with a goodly Number of Men of Arms to go and lay Siege to la Charité on the River of Loire which they did and skirmished almost every Day with the Besieged But as yet prevailed
not Wherefore now the King sent the Duke of Burgundy with a 1000 Spears more to reinforce the Siege so that now they made up in all 3000 Men of Arms besides Others These held frequent Skirmishes with the Besieged wherein both Parties suffer'd considerably but especially those of the Garrison who were not in all a Thousand Men. And the Duke of Burgundy to encourage his Men the more at one Sally of the Navarrois made many Knights Bannerets who at that time raised their Banners as Robert of Alenson Son to Charles Earl of Alenson who being King Philips Brother was slain at the Battle of Cressy about 18 Years before the same Honour had Sr. Lewis of Auxerre Son to the Earl of Auxerre who died at the same time and younger Brother to the present Earl. Thus the Siege continued to the great Terror of that Garrison who were so mightily streightned therewith that they would willingly have yielded up the Fortress upon Composition but that the Duke refused them so much Grace I 'll have them yield up absolutely to my Pleasure says he I have already taken away from them the use of the River so that they must expect no more Provision that way Let them stand out longer at their utmost peril XIX Now Prince Lewis of Navarre knew of all these Difficulties his Friends were in and having ravaged a while at his Pleasure in the Marches of Auvergne he ardently desired to raise the Siege before la Charité He had already 2000 Fighting Men but not thinking them sufficient to cope with the Duke he sent into Bretagne to Sr. Robert Knolles Sr. Walter Hewet Sr. Matthew Gournay and other Valiant Knights and Esquires of England then in those Parts to come and serve him in this Action These Knights would all very willingly have come to his Aid but they were already engaged in the Siege before Auray a Town of Lesser Bretagne about 3 Leagues from Vannes Westward towards Blavet For now the two Pretenders to the Dutchy of Bretagne having rejected all terms and Methods of Reconciliation flew out into open Hostility the Lord Charles of Blois making his Musters at Nantes and the Lord John of Monford laying Siege at the same time to Auray So that when the Lord Lewis of Navarre saw that he could not obtain the Service of those English Knights who now assisted the Earl of Monford in the said Siege he returned by Command of the King his Brother to Cherburgh leaving la Charité to her Fortune But however this Garrison had the good Luck to escape by the same Occasion which had hindred their Relief For immediately after Prince Lewis was retired into Normandy because Sr. Charles of Blois might be more powerfully aided the King of France sent to the Duke of Burgundy commanding him to receive the Garrison of la Charité their Lives saved on condition they would swear not to bear Arms on the King of Navarre's Behalf for three Years to come Thus the Garrison had their Lives saved but were fain to leave all their Goods behind and so being secur'd by the Dukes Safe Conduct went away on foot thrô the Realm of France And then the old Inhabitants whom they had before frighted away to the City of Nivers came back again to their former Habitations and the Duke returned with Honour to Paris CHAPTER the ELEVENTH The CONTENTS I. The French King assists Charles of Blois and King Edward at the same time sends Help to John of Monford both who prepare to decide their Right to the Dukedom of Bretagne by Battail II. Charles of Blois marches forth of Nantes against John of Monford III. Who prepares to receive him IV. The Frenchmen order their Men. V. And the Lord John Chandos orders his English giving a Reserve to be menaged by Sr. Hugh Calverley VI. The Lord of Beaumanoire obtains a Truce between the Parties for one Day in order to bring them to some Agreement VII The Lord Chandos breaks off the Treaty and both Sides prepare for Fight VIII The famous Battle of Auray fought between Charles of Blois and John of Monford wherein the latter wins the Day and the Dukedom by the Death of the former IX The Number of the slain and Prisoners on both Sides X. Earl Monford weeps over the Body of Charles of Blois with the Character and Praise of the said Charles XI Earl Monford gives Truce to the Country to come in and bury their Dead he returns to the Siege before Auray the Kings of France and of England diversly affected with the News XII A Treaty for a Match between the Daughter and Heiress of Lewis Earl of Flanders and Edmund Earl of Cambridge King Edwards Fifth Son being pretty forward is suddainly dash'd by the French Kings subtlety XIII The Christians obtain a Cadmean Victory against the Turks and Infidels I. KING a Frois c. 224. f. 120. b. c. Charles of France at the Request of his Cousin the Lord Charles of Blois had yielded to lend him towards the Conquest of his Inheritance a Thousand Spears and besides that he wrote to Sr. Bertram of Clequin who was then in Normandy enjoyning him by all means on sight of his Letters to go as strong as he could into Bretagne to the Aid of his Cousin Charles of Blois against his Antagonist Sr. John of Monford Sr. Bertram having received the Letters was glad at his heart to be thus commanded to what he so earnestly desired himself for he always took the Lord Charles to be his only Lawfull Lord and true Duke of Bretagne Wherefore as speedily as he could he went out of Normandy into Bretagne with his own Retinue only and such Troops as he could raise of himself the Marshal Bouciquault prosecuting the War in Normandy in his stead He found the Lord Charles of Blois and his good Lady at the City of Nantes in Bretagne to whom he was extream Welcome for this his seasonable and eminent Succour Then they held a Council of War what Course they had best take for there was the greater part of all the Lords and Knights of Bretagne come thither to the Lord Charles his Assistance whom they all reputed and held for the True Duke of Bretagne And they were all of Opinion that 't was best to go and raise the Siege of Auray and fight Earl Monford if he would abide it Thither also were come many Great Barons of France as the Earl of Auxerre the Earl of Joigny the Lord of Franville the Lord of Prye the Beague of Villers and many other Lords Knights and Esquires But of these Preparations there were brought Tidings to the Earl of Monford who together with the Lord b Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 32. Walsing hâ—st p. 174. William Latimer of England lay now at the Siege before Auray and how the Lord Charles had purchased many Powerfull Assistants out of the Realm of France besides the great Forces he had gather'd up in Bretagne Wherefore immediately
he sent word thereof into the Principality of Aquitain to the English Knights and Esquires of the Princes Court but especially to the Noble Lord John Chandos desiring him and them heartily now at this great and last Pinch to send him a Competent Assistance not doubting but that in Bretagne they should find many a fair and honourable Adventure for which all men of Honour ought especially to seek toward the Advancement of their Names When the Lord John Chandos who greatly desired the Prosperity of this Noble Earl saw how earnestly he wrote unto him he went immediately and asked leave of the Black-Prince his Lord and Master who told him He was well content that he should go to the Assistance of his Dear Brother-in-Law because said he this is no Breach of the Peace between England and France For the Frenchmen in like manner take Part with Sr. Charles of Bloic against the Earl of Monford and have a Licence so to do from the French King himself And thus much was expresly agreed on in the c Vid. l. 3. c. 6. §. 10. Art. 22. p. 588. XXII Article of the Peace of Bretigny that if the two Parties cannot be reconciled the Friends of either of them shall aid either Party as they please without any impeachment from the said two Kings or without incurring or bearing any dammage blame or reproach for the cause aforesaid With this answer Sr. John Chandos was extreamly satisfied and provided accordingly desiring several Knights and Esquires both of England and Aquitain to bear him Company in this his Attempt Thô but a few Gascogners I know not upon what Grounds for 't is evident they lov'd him well went with him but several English Knights that were there except such whom the Prince's Service detain'd embraced the Invitation heartily So having collected 200 Spears and as many Archers Voluntiers for the Prince would not appear in the Matter he lead them thrô Sainctogne and Poictou till passing the Loire he entred into Bretagne and came safely to the Siege before Auray Here he found the young Earl of Monford who received him with great joy as who divin'd himself a Victory from his Coming and so did Sr. Oliver Clisson Sr. Hugh Calverley Sr. Robert Knolles Sr. Walter Hewet Sr. Matthew Gournay and others both English and Bretons who all generally concluded there could no ill Success fall unto them now that they had the Lord Chandos in their Company Upon the account of whose Reputation in Arms sundry Knights and Esquires of England passed the Sea being desirous to advance their Honour in Fighting against the Frenchmen all who came in good time before Auray where they were heartily welcome to the Earl of Monford and some of them brought d True Use of Armory in Bib. Cotton Lord Chandâ—s his Liâ—e p. 62. Letters from the King of England directed to the Lord Chandos wherein he was required to take particular care of his most Dear Son Monford and in time of Battle constantly to attend his Person And now the whole Number of English and Bretons amounted to about 2000 Men of Arms and about 900 Archers on Horseback besides Footmen II. All this while Sr. Charles of Blois was in the City of Nantes where he made his Musters and gather'd together Men of War from all Parts where he could procure them for Love or Money For he had perfect Intelligence of all the Earl of Monfords Preparations But especially he required all those Lords Knights and Esquires of Bretagne who had already own'd his Cause and Title and rendred Homage unto him as to their Lord to come now and help him to defend his Inheritance against his Enemies Upon these Summons there came unto him the Vicount of Rohan the Lord of Rochefort the Lord of Leon the Lord of Raix and the Lord of Rieux the Lord of Malestroit the Lord of Quintin the Lord of Avaugeur the Lord of Lodeac the Lord of Ancenis the Lord of Lomine the Lord of Ponto and Sr. Charles of Dinant with divers others whose Names we cannot at such a Distance recover All these together with their several Retinues were quarter'd in the City of Nantes and in the Villages thereabout and together with the Aid from France consisted of 4500 Men of Arms besides Crossbows and Footmen These Lords in a Council of War advised the Lord Charles now that he was so strong not to waste any more time there but presently to march forth against his Enemy and give him Battle This Counsel the Lord Charles resolved to pursue and being now ready to march the sprightly and Masculine Lady his Wife the Lady Jane Daughter of Guy Earl of Pentebria who was Elder Brother to John of Monford stept forth and said these Words unto him in presence of Sr. Bertram of Clequin and many other Lords and Knights of France and Bretagne Sir You are now going to fight for mine Inheritance and your own for what is mine is yours also which the Earl of Monford claims wrongfully and without cause God Almighty knows And all the Lords of Bretagne here present know very well that I am indubitate Heiress thereto Therefore my Dear Lord and Husband I heartily require of You not to make or accept any Composition Agreement or Treaty of Peace with Earl Monford unless the whole Body of the Dutchy shall be yielded to remain entire with Us and our Heirs for ever This her Husband promised to do and then saluted and took leave of his Dutchess as they call'd her and so directed his march toward Vannes At which place he made an Halt as well to refresh his Army as to inform himself of his Enemies behaviour and to advise how to get some advantage in ordering his Men. Here there was much altercation and debate among his Council for certain of the graver sort who were wholly sway'd by Christian Principles of Charity made such friendly Overtures that the Lord Charles of Blois who was of a sweet and Candid Disposition had perhaps been perswaded to accept of a Peace and to Divide the Dukedom had he not been so adjured by the last Words of his Lady and also now set on by the encouragement of the Hotter sort of his Captains that he absolutely declared he neither could nor would propose or admit of any such kind of Treaty III. Now between Vannes and Auray where the Earl of Monford held Siege it was about the space of Three Leagues so that News was presently brought to the Earl that the Lord Charles of Blois was coming with the goodliest Company of Men armed at all Points that ever was seen in France At these tidings the Englishmen rejoyced greatly the better sort for the opportunity of gaining Honour and the Companions for the occasion of reaping benefit For being almost bankrupt with the long Peace they desired nothing more than War in hopes of Spoil and Riches Then they all made ready their Harness with great exactness new furbished their Spears
Swords Daggers and Axes Helmets Habergeons Shields and all manner of Weapons and Armour For they expected to use them very shortly But the Chief Captains especially drew together in Council being thereto called by the Lord John Chandos to whose Conduct all the rest submitted themselves not only on the account of his Quality but also of his known Wisdom and Experience in the Wars besides which he had a secret Commission from the King of England to be the Chief Captain in this action With him was the Lord John Nereford an English Baron William Lord Latimer the Lord John Bourchier Sr. Robert Knolles Sr. Hugh Calverley Sr. Richard Burley Sr. Matthew Gournay Sr. Richard Taunton the Lord Oliver Clisson and the Valiant Sr. Eustace Dambreticourt all who were of the Opinion that the Earl of Monford should rise from the Siege and take the Field early next Morning and so expect his Adversary and if he came forward give him Battle This being resolved on in Council all the Captains of the Army were acquainted therewith who told it to their respective Officers by whom the whole Army was informed that the next Morning they were to be all ready to take the Field to fight the Enemy Before six the next Morning being a Saturday and the Eve of St. Michael the Englishmen and Bretons left their Trenches and marched forth in Battle-Array the Lord John Chandos leading them to a convenient plat of ground behind the Castle of Auray And soon there came toward the same place the Lord Charles of Blois who had left Vannes the Evening before with all his Army which was disposed in the best manner imaginable For 't is said they rode in such good Close Order that if any thing had been cast among them it must have rested on their Spears points so that the f Frois c. 225. fol. 121. Englishmen were extreamly delighted to behold them The Frenchmen being come in sight of their Enemies made an halt as they were in Battle-Array before them choosing their Field among the Bushes and the Marshals gave Command that no man should stir forward without Order Wherefore both Armies stood still confronting each other being ready ranged for Fight which they all eagerly desired IV. The Lord Charles of Blois with the advice of Sr. Bertram of Clequin who was an experienc'd Captain and well belov'd by the Barons of Bretagne made Three Battails and a Rereguard The first was led by Sr. Bertram himself who had with him more than a 1000 Choice Men of Arms Knights and Esquires of Bretagne The Second was headed by the Earls of Auxerre and Joigny and the Lord of Prye with the French Auxiliaries consisting of 1500 Spears and upwards The Third was brought up by the Lord Charles of Blois himself with whom were the Chief Barons of Bretagne that held of his side as the Vicount of Rohan the Lord of Leon the Lord of Avaugeur the Lord of Rieux the Lord of Malestroit and divers others as aforenamed In the Rereguard or Fourth Battail stood John the Bastard of Blois a most Valiant Young Gentleman with Eight or Ten stout Barons of Normandy and many other Knights and Esquires and in every g Frois c. 225. fol. 121. b. Battail there were at least a 1000 Men of Arms besides others And the Lord Charles of Blois rode about to every Battail earnestly desiring them all to do their utmost that day and for their better assurance he took it on his Soul and on his part in Paradise that they were to Fight in a Righteous Quarrel and moreover he promised to reward every Man liberally according to his Performances V. Now on the other part the Lord Chandos who because of his Abilities in the War was the Principal Captain thô the Earl of Monford was head of the Cause began wisely to consider how he might with a lesser Number overthrow a greater in plain Field where no advantage of ground might be had Especially his concern was now encreased because the King of England his Master had given him such a Charge to look most carefully to the Business of his Son in Law for the Earl of Monford had h Speed p. 590. Sandford's Geneal hist p. 179. Ashmole's Garter p. 669. Married the Lady Mary his Daughter Wherefore like a Loyal Gentleman he fully determin'd with his utmost diligence to advance the Affairs of the Earl of Monford and to stick close to him that day He had perfectly noted the exact order and discipline of the Frenchmen upon their approach and hugely applauded to himself the great Conduct and Discretion that appeared among them and therewithall said aloud to his Friends the Lords and Captains about him Gentlemen it is high time for Us to order our Battails For our Enemies are giving Us an example Those who heard him answer'd Sir You are in the Right But this is your Province You are our Chief Master and best Counsellour therefore order Us at Your pleasure for no Soul here shall contradict You since we know the King has committed this Charge to You and surely You have the most experience in these Affairs of any among Us. Thereupon the Lord Chandos began also to form Three Battails and a Rereguard The First he committed to the Care of Sr. Robert Knolles Sr. Walter Hewet and Sr. Richard Burley with whom was the Lord John Nereford the Second was led by the Lord Oliver Clisson who i True Use of Armory in Chandes his Life p. 62. bare Gules a Lion Rampant Argent Crown'd Or with him were the Lord John Bourchier Sr. Eustace Dambreticourt and Sr. Matthew Gournay whose Arms were k Id. p. 67. Or Three Pales Azure The Third was govern'd by the Earl of Monford who himself was governed by the Lord Chandos and here was William Lord Latimer and in each of these Battails were 500 Men of Arms and 400 Archers But when Sr. John came to the ordering the Rereguard he called unto him Sr. Hugh Calverley and said Sr. Hugh You must be Governour of the Rereguard with 500 Men of Arms in your Company But you are to stand on a Wing and by no means to quit your Station for any thing that may happen unless you see an absolute necessity As when any of our Battails are disorder'd or broke by the force of our Enemies if you think there is Danger then come you on with your Battail and entertain the Enemy till our Men are rallied again And when you have done thus much draw off and keep your former Post till such another occasion calls to a like assistance For surely this will be the best piece of Service You can do Us this day When Sr. Hugh Calverley had fully heard the Lord Chandos his Words he was asham'd and displeasâ—d in his Mâ—nd and said My Lord pray commend this Rereguard to some other Man besides me For I have no desire to meddle with it And Sir I admire in my heart what You have
Wild Boar and did Wonders with a great sharp and heavy Ax in his hands wherewith he brake and opened the Preass so that none durst abide his stroaks More than once he adventur'd so far among his Enemies that he was in great danger of being lost but he was also seconded by Men like himself who yet had all enough to do to save themselves The Lord Clisson not only gave but received also many great stroaks but his Armour was so good it preserved him and yet one time he received a Blow with an Axe on the Visor of his Helmet so that the Corner Point of the Ax grased cross his Right eye whereby for ever after he lost the sight of that Eye But yet for all this Wound he still behaved himself like a Noble Champion and like Sampson sought to revenge the loss of his Sight with the Death of his Enemies It is in vain to seek to particularize every Mans Actions Sr. Matthew Gournay Sr. John Bourchier Sr. Eustace Dambreticourt and the rest were nothing inferiour to the Lord Clisson but signalized their Valour abundantly And surely every Man must do his Devoir or else he could not have escaped For the Enemy was both Numerous and fought with as much Bravery as was possible The Lord Charles of Blois more especially approved himself a most Accomplished Knight and well Worthy of the Dukedom he fought for And yet Sr. John Monford was not a whit behind him but bare himself with such incredible Courage and Prowess that he ever after obtain'd the Sirname of Valiant The Lord John Chandos did that Day many Wonders in Arms and fought valiantly with a massy Ax of Steel that he had in his Hands wherewith he gave such Blows that no Armour could resist so that the boldest of his Enemies durst not abide him For he was a great and mighty Man well formed of all his Limbs and together with his notable Strength and Courage had much Discretion Skill and Experience All the time of the Battle he menaged the Earl of Monford being very carefull to comfort Him and his Men and said as he saw Occasion Sir do thus and thus and draw to this or that side and the Earl constantly follow'd his Directions In another part Sr. Bertram of Clequin and his Bretons fought couragiously with Sr. Robert Knolles Sr. Walter Hewet and their Men that none could tell to which side the Victory would encline For both English and Bretons were Men of approved Courage and neither Part knew how to turn their Backs All the Lords Captains Knights and Esquires on all hands fought with extream Animosity and Resolution and every Battail had its hands full and were hard at it together except only that of the English whereof Sr. Hugh Calverley had the Conduct he all along kept on a Wing something aloof and minded nothing else but to repair what Breaches he saw to be made among his Friends in any part as they were fighting At last the Lord John Chandos having by this means and by the exalted Courage of his Men very much prevail'd against the Lord Charles of Blois brake quite thrô him making a mighty slaughter among his Men and came and fought with the Earls of Auxerre and Joigny who were hard enough put to it before and whatever brave Resistance he found here it lasted not long for being animated with Success he soon brake that Battail also to pieces so that it was utterly discomfited all their Banners and Penons taken or overthrown to the Earth and the Lords and Captains put to Flight slain or taken For they had no refreshment from any other of their Battails every one had their Hands full already And indeed it ought to be remembred that the Bastard of Blois was afterwards by new Counsels remanded to joyn the Lord Charles because all the stress of the Matter lay upon him and the Earl of Monford and the Lord Chandos began to prevail but still by the Assistance of Sr. Hugh Calverley and his Men this Great Battail was at last broken and overthrown as we have shewn After which now the Earls of Auxerre and Joigny suffer'd the same Fate for they had no Succour to aid them against these New-Comers And to say Truth when a Discomfiture begins a small Matter decides the Controversie for if one flies there follow three more and ten after them and after the ten thirty and then an Hundred Thus it was in this famous Battle of Auray the Lords of the French Party cried their Cries so that those who heard them took Heart and rallied again but many could not hear them at all or not return unto them for the Preass noise and confusion of the Field The Earl of Auxerre being very much wounded was by Force of Arms taken Prisoner under the Standard of the Lord John Chandos together with the Lord of Joigny and the Lord of Prier a Great Baron of Normandy Yet all this while the other Battail kept entire and fought couragiously and indeed all the Bretons and Frenchmen on Sr. Charles of Blois his Part held a long while together with Bravery enough like Good Men of War But to say the Truth q Frois c. 226. f. 123. they kept not their Order so well as the Englishmen and the Bretons with the Earl of Monford did For when they saw their Enemies would not in the least flinch from them but resolv'd to win all or to die their Martial Ardour languish'd by Degrees and they became more remiss in their Discipline as despairing of doing any Good. But surely the Wing which Sr. Hugh Calverley lead stood the English in great stead that Day as we have particularly instanced before So that at last beginning to have an Advantage against their Enemies when they saw their Ranks broken they redoubled their Courage and flew in among them with such Fury that nothing was able now to resist them When some Frenchmen who had their Horses near at hand in the field perceived how Matters were like to go they went away to their Beasts mounted and rode off upon the Spur. Then the Lord Chandos with a select Company leaving the rest to glean the remainders of the Field began to move against the Battail of Sr. Bertam of Clequin which as yet stood firm having done many notable Deeds so that hitherto Sr. Robert Knolles Sr. Walter Hewet and the rest of that Body with all their Endeavours had gain'd but small Advantage upon them But now upon the Lord Chandos his Coming this Battail was open'd also and Ruine rush'd in at the Breaches to the Destruction of many a Valiant Gentleman For now the English gave many terrible stroaks with their heavy Axes and many an Helmet was cloven in sunder and many a Man wounded to Death So that neither Sr. Bertram nor his Men were any longer able to hold out against their Enemies IX There Sr. Bertram of Clequin himself was taken by an Esquire of England under the
Standard of the Lord John Chandos who at the same time took a Great Lord of Bretagne Prisoner with his own hands called the Lord of Raix a Knight of approved Valour And by that time this Battail was thus open'd all the rest were quite discomfited and lost their Array and every Man began to flee away as fast as he might to save himself Except certain Valiant and Loyal Gentlemen Knights and Esquires of Bretagne who would not by any means forsake the Lord Charles of Blois but chose rather to die with him than to leave the Field with Dishonour Wherefore they all drew together about him in a Ring and disputed the Point to the last Man. Thus the Lord Charles accompanied with these Gallant Souls play'd his last Stake as bravely as was possible but 't was not likely those few should hold out against an Army newly flush'd with Victory especially since the rest of the Field being cleared the greaer Part of the English came thither against them So that at last they also were by fine Force broken discomfited and slain There the Banner of the Lord Charles was beaten down to the ground and he that bare it was slain and with him fell the Lord Charles of Blois himself with his Face towards his Enemies and by his side was slain a valiant Bastard Son of his called Sr. John of Blois and many other Knights and Esquires of Bretagne It is said that the Captains of England had agreed beforehand that if they had the better in Fight and Sr. Charles of Blois were found upon the Place he should not be taken to Ransom by any Man but slain outright And the same Design had the Frenchmen and Bretons upon the Earl of Monford if they should obtain the Victory For both Sides were resolved how that Day should make an end of the Controversie So when it came to the Rout there was a great Slaughter and many a Good Knight slain or taken which was the lot of the very Flower of all that Side but a few Men of Honour that escaped especially of the Bannerets of Bretagne There was slain first of all the Noble and Valiant Lord Charles of Blois who called himself Duke of Bretagne and his Son Sr. John the Bastard Sr. Charles of Dinant the Lord of Leon the Lord of Ancenis the Lord of Avaugeur the Lord of Lodeac the Lord of Malestroit the Lord of Ponto the Lord of Gargol and many others whose Names cannot be recovered r Walsingh hist p. 128. to the number of about a Thousand Besides whom there were taken Prisoners the Earls of Auxerre and Joigny Sr. Bertram of Clequin the Vicount of Rohan Sr. Guy du Leon the Lord of Rochefort the Lord of Raix the Lord of Rieux the Lord of Lomine the Lord of Quintin the Lord of Franville the Lord of Ravenal the Lord de la Fevilleé Sr. Henry of Malestroit Sr. Oliver Manny and divers Others Lords Knights and Esquires of Bretagne France and Normandy in all one Vicount ſ Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 32. Walsin hist p. 128. Ashmole p. 703. two Earls Twenty seven Lords and fifteen Hundred Knights and Esquires On the English Part I can find but one Man of Honour that fell this Day t Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 9. namely the Lord John de Nereford and the highest Account that appears any where is u Knighton p. 2628. n. 30. that there fell one Knight and five Esquires at the most there died but x Walsing ibid. M.S. vet Angl. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantab. c. 232. Seven in all But many were grievously wounded To conclude this Discomfiture was great and wonderfull and many Gallant Men were put to the Sword as well in the Field as in the Chace which lasted eight long Leagues even to the Gates of Rennes There happen'd many notable Adventures as well during the Fight as the pursuit which cannot all be recounted and then Gentlemen were either taken alive or slain outright as they fell in the hands of those that were Courteous or Cruel This Battle was thus fought on the y Mezeray p. 71 Lit. Dom. G F. Twenty ninth of September being a Sunday and St. Michaels Day near to Auray in Bretagne in the Year of our Lord MCCCLXIV X. After the Discomfiture the Lords and Knights of England and Bretagne having sent out certain Troops to make good the Chace returned themselves and came to the Earl of Monford who had a rich Tent with the Arms of Bretagne thereon pitch'd up for him in the Field Thither came to him to his Tent Door the Lord John Chandos the Lord John Bourchier the Lord William Latimer Sr. Walter Hewet Sr. Hugh Calverley Sr. Robert Knolles Sr. Richard Burley Sr. Eustace Dambreticourt Sr. Matthew Gournay Sr. Richard Taunton and Others who first had retired to the side of an Hedge and unarmed themselves when they saw the Day was unquestionably their own and the Chief of them set up their Banners and Standards on the Hedge and the Banner of Bretagne aloft on a Bush to direct their Men thither Then the Lord Chandos being attended with the other Knights aforesaid went to the Earl of Monford and with a Smile said unto him Sir Praise God and be merry for this Day you have conquer'd your Inheritance of Bretagne Then the Earl enclined his Body very respectfully and said aloud Oh! Sr. John Chandos this Prosperous Adventure that hath now befallen me was brought about thrô your great Conduct and Prowess as I know very well and so do all that hear me at this time Sir I pray drink with me And with that he reach'd him a Flagon of Wine of which himself had drank just before and when Sr. John had drank and deliver'd the Drink to another the Earl added Sr. John next to God Almighty and his Grace I ought to be most thankfull to you and do hereby own my self obliged to you above any other Mortal Man. And at that instant came up to them the Lord Oliver Clisson very much chafed and enflamed with his continual Action in the Fight and the long pursuit of his Enemies so that he had much ado to return again with his Men in any time he was so extream weary but he brought back with him many rich Prisoners And now he alighted and came to the Earl of Monford and refreshed himself and began to unarm and had a Chirurgeon called to dress his Eye when there came up to the Earl two Knights and two Heralds who had been to view the Field and to search among the Dead Bodies if so they might find the Body of Sr. Charles of Blois whether he was Dead or no. These Heralds spake aloud to the Duke Sir God give you Joy of your Dukedom of Bretagne for we have seen your Adversary Sr. Charles of Blois lying dead upon the Earth At that the Earl of Monford rose up from his Chair and said he would go and view him for he had
as lief see him Dead as Alive and so he went thither with the Knights who were about him Being come to the place where he lay cover'd with a Shield he caused his Shield to be taken off and then beheld him with much Compassion and having look'd stedfastly on him a while he burst out in these Words Ah! Sr. Charles my Fair Cousin by your indiscreet Obstinacy how many Evils have fell out in Bretagne And yet so God help me as I am sorry at my Heart to find you in this Condition But now it is past Remedy And with that he began to weep over him not that he was not well satisfied with the Victory he had so hardly obtained but that this cruel and costly Decision of his Quarrel did much affect his Generous Mind considering his own Case might have been the same But Sr. John Chandos quickly drew him out of this melancholy and unseasonable Humour saying Sir pray come away and thank God for this fair Adventure thus happily fallen to You For without the Death of this Man you could never have enjoyed your Inheritance of Bretagne and perhaps he would have been content to have found You here in his stead Then the Earl gave order that the Corps of his Cousin Sr. Charles of Blois should the next Day be conveyed in Great State to Guerande a City of Bretagne where he was honourably interred as he was well worthy For he was a most Noble Courteous and Valiant Knight so that a while after he obtain'd the Reputation of a Saint being reported to have done many Miracles after his Death whatever Bloodshed he occasion'd in his Life-time But 't is a Mistake of Froisard's z Frois c. 226. ad sin where he says how he was Canonized for a Saint by Pope Vrban V. When as the Truth is that thô indeed he had some such Matter in his Mind and there are a Tem. 6. Ep. secr p. 160. Vid. Odor Rainal ad an 1368. §. 11. extant Letters of his to John Duke of Bretagne to that Purpose yet when he understood that by the manner of his Death he was not to be look'd on as a Martyr he was very angry with those who presum'd without the Approbation of the Apostolick See to give such Honours unto his Memory and by his Letters to the Bishops of Bretagne enjoyned them in their several Dioeceses to prohibit that any such thing be done for the future Dat. apud Montem Flasconem XVII Kalen. Octobris Anno Pontificat VI. Which agrees with the Year of our Lord 1368 being the Fourth Year after his Death XI Now when all the Dead were spoiled and the Englishmen were all returned from the Chace the whole Army drew off to their former Camp and unarmed themselves and took their ease having first set a good Watch and secured their Prisoners and caused the Wounded to be well dressed On the Monday in the Morning the Earl of Monford caused Proclamation to be made to the Citizens of Rennes and all the Towns and Villages thereabout that he would most inviolably grant them a Truce for Three Days following whereby they might be emboldened to come forth and gather up the Dead Bodies and bury them in Holy Ground which Christianlike Proclamation was both well accepted and also generally prepar'd the Hearts of the People in his behalf Then the Earl return'd to his Siege before Auray saying that he would not stir thence till he was Master of the Place And soon after it yielded unto him The mean while Fame was very busie in carrying tidings abroad into Divers Countries that the Earl of Monford by the Assistance and Conduct of the Englishmen had won the Day against Sr. Charles of Blois and discomfited slain or taken all the Cavalry of Bretagne such as were against him The Lord John Chandos especially had great Renown every where for all manner of People Lords Knights and Esquires as well Foes as Friends that had been present in the Field agreed together in acknowledging that chiefly by his Conduct and Great Valour his side had got the better But at this News all the Friends and Assistants of Charles of Blois were extreamly cast down and especially the French King for this Loss concerned him very nearly as well because of the Death of his Kinsman Sr. Charles as also because many of the best Knights of his Realm were either there slain or taken as Sr. Bertram of Clequin whom he highly favoured and the Earls of Auxerre and Joigny and all the Barons of Bretagne none excepted Wherefore presently he sent his Brother Lewis Duke of Anjou to the Marches of Bretagne to animate the Country which was utterly dejected and cast down with this great blow and also to comfort the Dutchess of Bretagne as she was called Relict of the Lord Charles who took on so extreamly for the Death of her Husband that it was a great Pity to behold her comfortless Condition The Duke of Anjou had newly Married a Daughter of hers and therefore thought himself the more strongly engag'd to this Office And indeed he promis'd faithfully to afford unto all the Good Cities and Castles in Bretagne his best Counsel Comfort and Assistance in all Cases whereby the Poor Afflicted Lady whom he called Mother and all the Country that held for her had for some while a little Confidence yet to see better times Till the French King to avoid worse Inconveniences took other Measures as we shall see hereafter The Earl of Monford wrote the News of this Victory to his Father-in-Law King Edward of England five days after the Battle was ended His Letters bearing Date from before Auray the Fourth of October were shortly after brought unto the King then at Dover by a Pursuivant at Arms who had been in the Battle And the King was so well pleas'd with the News that immediately in reward thereof he b Frois ibid. Aâ—â—mâ—lâ— p. 703. made him an Herald at Arms by the Name of Windesor But it will not be amiss briefly to declare the Occasion why King Edward was then at Dover XII About Three Years before there began a Treaty concerning a Marriage between Prince Edmund of Langley Earl of Cambridge King Edward's Fifth Son and the Lady Margaret Daughter of Earl Lewis of Flanders To which Match the said Earl had lately given his Consent on Condition there might be a Dispensation obtain'd from Pope c Rot. Fr. nc 38. Ed. 3. m. 8. Walsing hist p. 128. n. 40. Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 154. Fros c. 227. Vrban V because of their Proximity of blood And so a Contract was made between the Parties And on this account the Duke of Lancaster and Earl Edmund his Brother had lately passed over the Sea into Flanders with many Knights and Esquires in their Company to visit Earl Lewis of whom they were received very Honourably and with special Tokens of Peace and Love. Insomuch that upon their Return the Earl of Flanders accompanied them
he would take Advice in the matter and return them his answer on such a day Till which time the Three Deputies went and lay at Rennes Then streight the Earl sent William Lord Latimer into England to certifie the King of the French Kings Proposals and to crave his opinion and direction in the Matter King Edward being rightly informed of the whole Affair said How he would advise the Earl of Monford to accept of a Peace on Condition he might ever after remain Duke of Bretagne and also thought good that he should shew himself inclinable to yield some Honourable Allowance to the Lady who called her self Dutchess Widow of the Lord Charles of Blois and that he should assign her some handsom Pension or yearly Revenue to be payable out of some certain place where it should best please her And he granted also that he might do to the King of France for that Dutchy as other Dukes his Predecessors have done heretofore This answer the Lord Latimer brought back again to the Earl who having read the King his Father-in-Law's Letters and understood his pleasure as to the Premises by advice of his whole Council sent presently for the French Commissioners to come before him at which time he gave them a very agreeable Answer But it was said to them expresly that the Earl of Monford would by no means lay down his Claim to the Dutchy of Bretagne but that he would remain Duke thereof and so be called while he lived Notwithstanding whereas the French King would have him peaceably to open his Cities Towns and Castles and to yield Faith and Homage unto Him and to do all other Rights and Services which the Dukes of Bretagne have done in times past all this the Earl is well content to do nay he shall gladly acknowledge the French King for his Natural Lord and render unto him his Homage and Service in presence of the Peers of France And further he makes Offer to give Friendly Aid Help and Comfort to his Cousin Relict of the Lord Charles deceased and moreover to use his Interest to deliver his Cousins her Sons out of Prison in England This Answer extreamly satisfied the French Lords and they took a certain day whereon these Matters were to be fully Ratified and Concluded at Guerande and with that the City of Quimpercorentin and all Bretagne was to be entirely his Accordingly the French Deputies sent away to the Duke of Anjou who was then at Angiers having from the King of France full Commission and Authority to conclude this Treaty or to lay it aside at his pleasure When the Duke of Anjou saw the Conditions he had a long Deliberation for thô he found the Earls Proposals extreamly reasonable considering the juncture of Affairs yet he remembred he had promis'd other things to the Dutchess his Mother-in-Law which notwithstanding he now saw to be exceeding difficult for him to perform But at last he was wholly overrul'd to accept and Ratifie the Treaty and the two Knights that were sent to him returned back to Rennes with his Answer engrossed and sealed Then the Messengers of the French King and the Deputies of Earl Monford went and met d Mezeray c. at Guerande where soon after the Peace was fully made and compleated on both Hands and Quimpercorentin was forthwith yielded up and all other Places that had hither to held out against the Earl of Monford and He remain'd thenceforth True Duke of Bretagne on this Condition that if he should leave no Children of his Body lawfully begotten then the Dukedom should return to the Children of the Lord Charles of Blois and also that the Lady Jane late Wife to the said Lord Charles deceased should be Countess of Pentebria or Pontheure which Lands were of the Yearly Value of 20000 Franks And also that Duke John should come into France whenever it should please the King to send for him and render unto him his Homage for the Dutchy of Bretagne For the surer Confirmation of all which there were sundry Charters and Instruments interchangeably Engrossed and Sealed on both Parts Thus did John Earl of Monford at length obtain the Dukedom he had so long contended for and henceforth remain'd Duke thereof without any contradiction till other Wars broke out again as We shall shew in due place When this Concord and Agreement was made between King Charles of France and the Duke of Bretagne the said King who was very Politick and desired greatly to win to his side as many brave Souldiers as he could restored unto the Gallant Young Lord Oliver Glisson what his Grandfather King Philip had taken from him when he so cruelly and unjustly put his Father to Death as we have e Vid. Lib. 1. c. 22. §. 8. p. 299 shew'd in the XVIII Year of King Edward's Reign After which time this brave Lord Clisson did by his Vertuous behaviour so win upon King Charles by degrees that at last nothing of moment could be done in France without him and he might e'n do whatever he pleased Which liberty however he used to no Mans hurt but only he utterly forgot his old Friends the English and ever after prov'd a true Frenchman And thus at last was the Fertile Country of Bretagne allowed a most pleasing Respit after those long and Cruel Wars which had almost emptied her Veins of the best Blood in France All the Natives were extream glad at this happy Change and received their New Lord with an universal Respect and unfeigned Joy he taking Faith and Homage of all the Cities Towns and Castles and of all the Prelates Barons Knights and Gentlemen of the whole Country Shortly after his Dear Lady Mary of England Fourth Daughter of King Edward was honourably convey'd over the Seas into Bretagne and there again the Marriage Rites were solemnly renewed with Feastings and Publick Rejoycing in the City of Nantes and in process of Time f Sandford's Geneal Hist p. 179. he had Issue by this Lady John Duke of Bretagne called the Sage Father of Peter and Francis both Dukes of Bretagne who died without issue Richard Earl of Estampes and Arthur Duke of Bretagne also the Third of that Name And thus We shall leave this Valiant Duke in the full Enjoyment of his Good Fortune till the Wars between France and England being renewed shall give us an Occasion to bring him upon the Stage again IV. Nor was there only a full Peace established thus in Bretagne but about the same time also Queen Jane Aunt to the King of Navarre and Queen Blanch his Sister endeavoured so earnestly that there was at last a Peace struck up between the French King and the King of Navarre chiefly by the prudent and dextrous Menagement of that renowned Lord the Captal of Busche who shew'd himself so diligent in Composing of Differences between these two Princes that in Consideration thereof King Charles wholly discharged him of all Obligations which lay upon him as to
the Number of 10000 Horse and they passed the straights on the Monday with much adoe because the Ways were as yet unbeaten On the Tuesday Morning early the Prince of Wales began his March after them with King Don Pedro and Charles King of Navarre in his Company which latter was then newly come to the Prince the better to Countenance the Matter by so frank an Assurance of his Faith and he had also design'd to invite him to his City of Pampelona In this Battail was the Lord Thomas Felton Grand Seneschal of Aquitain with the Lord William Felton his Brother the Lord Baldwin Frevile Seneschal of Sainctogne together with the Seneschal of Rochelle the Seneschal of Limousin the Seneschal of Agenois and the Seneschal of Bigorre the Lord Lewis of Harcourt the Vicount of Chastellerault the Lord of Pinant the Lord of Taniboton and all the Poictevins the Lord Eustace Dambreticourt Sr. Nele Loring the Prince's High-Chamberlain Sr. Richard Pontchardon Sr. Thomas Banister Sr. Dangouses Sr. Lewis and Sr. Edmund of Marville and the Lord of Pierre Buffierre in all to the Number of 4000 Men of Arms and this Battail also consisted of 10000 Horse but they had a very ill Passage by reason of the High Winds and of the Snow which fell that day to their great trouble and vexation However thorough they got and moved forward and pitch'd their Tents in the Country about Pampelona But the King of Navarre led the Prince and King Don Pedro into his City of Pampelona where he entertain'd them at a Royal Supper On the Wednesday there passed James King of Majorica the Earl of Armagnac and his Nephew the Lord Bernard de la Brett Earl of Albret the Lord John Greilly Captal of Busche the Lord Oliver Clisson the Earl of Perigort the Vicount of Carmaine the Lord of Comminges the Lord of Mucidan the Lord De l'Esparre the Lord of Coudon the Lord of Rozan Sr. Petiton of Coutras Sr. Emery de Carse the Lord de la Bard Sr. Bertram of Cande the Lord of Pincornet Sr. Thomas Winstanley Sr. Perdiccas de la Brett the Burgrave of Bretuel Nandon of Bergerac Bernard de la Salle Lortingo de la Salle Edmund Ortigo and the rest of the Companions to the Number of 10000 Horse and these had a pretty easie Passage in Comparison to those who went the Day before And when thus the whole Army had passed the Pirenean Mountains they spread abroad in the Country about Pampelona with the King of Navarre's leave and good liking to refresh themselves and their Horses Here they lay three days because they found the Land plentifull in Flesh Fish Bread Wine and other Provision both for their Beasts and Themselves But the Companions paid not always the full Price of things nor could they refrain from Robbing and Filching what they could get So that about Pampelona and in the way thither they greatly damnify'd those of the Country whereat the King of Navarre was very much displeased But it was too late then to think of Rectifying matters thô it often repented him that he had so freely open'd his Country to the Prince and his Men. For he plainly found that the Damage which he suffer'd thereby overway'd the Advantages granted to him by Don Pedro. But it was now no time to complain for he saw then he was not Master of his own Land. Complaints were daily brought in to him of the abuses and insolencies of the Companions at which he took a deep Resentment thô he forcedly repressed it for the present However he caused some of his Council such as were acquainted with the Captains of these Companions and had sometimes been with them in France Normandy or other places to desire them to abstain from robbing and abusing his Subjects after that manner and they promised to forbear for the future IV. The mean while King Henry the Bastard was fully enformed of the Prince's Passage for he had his Messengers and Spies going to and fro every where Wherefore he addressed himself to raise a mighty Force of Men of Arms and other Souldiers thereby to resist the Prince and Don Pedro his Brother And every day he expected the return of Sr. Bertram of Clequin with a considerable reinforcement out of Bretagne and France He had already sent forth his Special Summons thrô all his Realm commanding all Men on peril of Life Lands and Goods to come to him every One according to his Estate either on Foot or on Horseback to help to defend his Country Don Henry was well-beloved in General and the Castillians had ventur'd hard and taken much pains to bring him to the Possession of the Crown So that being all involved in his Guilt their Hands were strengthen'd to sustain his Quarrel Wherefore they obey'd him more readily and flock'd daily unto his Banners to St. Domingo de la Calzada a City of Castilla Vieja or old Castille to the Number of 60000 Horse and Foot all ready to live and die with him Wherefore when King Henry saw himself thus strong and heard how the Prince with his Army was now in the Realm of Navarre having passed the streights of Roncevaux and saw thereby that of necessity he must now fight the Prince being encouraged with the Numbers and Alacrity of his Men he seem'd to desire nothing more than to shew by his Valour how Worthy he was of that Condition to which he had been so lately Advanced He said aloud to his Lords about him Ha! Sirs this Prince of Wales is a Valiant Knight and because he shall know that this Realm is now mine and that I am ready and willing to fight with him for the Right which I have thereto I will let him know some part of my intent Then he caused his Secretary to write his Letters the Tenor whereof followeth viz. m Don Henrique por la-Gracia de Dios Rey de Castilla y Leon de Galizia de Câ—rdova de Murcia de Jaën del Algarve del Algezira de Gibraltar e Sennor de Viscaya e Mâ—lina c. HENRY by the Grace of God King of Castille and Leon of Galizia of Murcia of Jaën of Algarbe of Algezira of Gibralter and Lord of Biscay and of Molina to the Right-Puissant and Thrice-Honourable Lord EDWARD Prince of Wales and of Aquitain Duke of Cornwall and Earl of Chester Greeting It is given Us to understand that You and your Men have passed the Pirenean Mountains and are marching hitherward and that You have entred Covenant and Alliance with our Enemy and also thereupon Design to make War against Us. At all this We greatly wonder since to our knowledge We never trespassed against You nor ever had the least Intent so to do Wherefore then are You come thus against Us with so great an Army to take from Us that small Inheritance which God hath given Us You have We confess the Grace to be Fortunate in Arms above any Prince now living and We think You magnifie
him to revoke his Promise But the Prince who was a Person of much Honour and Equity said positively Gentlemen since We have agreed thereto We will by no means break our Word And truly it would be a great Shame and Reproach to Vs if We should any longer refuse to deliver him since he is content to pay so considerable a Ransom So after this Sr. Bertram had nothing to do but to contrive how to raise the Money and he minded his Business so well that by the Assistance of the French King of the Bastard of Spain of the Duke of Anjou who loved him entirely and of some other Friends he made a Purse of an 100000 Franks or 10000 l. Sterling all which he paid in less than a Months time and so was quit of his Imprisonment and went straight with 2000 Fighting Men of Provence to serve the Duke of Anjou who then held Siege before the City of Tarascon which at that time held of the King of Majorica and Naples in Right of his Wise Queen Joan. VII We have before declared at large the whole Manner of the Prince of Wales his Expedition into Spain t Frois c. 240. and how at last he left that Country not well contended with King Don Pedro and returned home again into his Principality of Aquitaine After him returned all manner of Men of War who had attended him for they saw it in vain to tarry any longer in Castille because Don Pedro did but shuffle with them and on the other hand they had a firm Confidence in the Prince's Word But when they were come back the Prince had not wherewithall to pay them so readily as he expected For the Business of Spain had wonderfully exhausted his Treasures even to a Miracle However all the rest went home relying on the Prince's Promise but the Companions tarried still being quarter'd in Aquitaine where for their Lives they could not forbear robbing and plundering being to the Number of 6000 Fighting Men For the Prince had left the other 6000 in Spain under Sr. Hugh Calverley When therefore the Prince heard the Complaints of his People concerning these Companions he sent unto them desiring and commanding them to avoid his Dominions for the Country was not able to bear them Now their Captains and Leaders were all either Englishmen or Gascogners as Sr. Robert Briquet Sr. John Frevile Sr. Robert Cheney Sr. Galiard of Viguier the Bourg of Bartuel the Bourg of L'Esparre Nandon of Bergerac Bernard de la Salle and many others who neither durst nor would displease the Prince for they did not a little fear to provoke him but they much more lov'd to oblige him And therefore they took the first opportunity to leave Aquitaine and passed forth into the Realm of France which they had us'd to call Their Chamber going over the River of Loire into Champaigne and to the Bishoprick of Rheims and still their Numbers encreased And these Men sought Adventures every where as they went in France and gat great store of Plunder and did much mischief complaints whereof came in daily to the French King and his Council who were as yet unable to apply a Remedy but the Commons of France wonder'd extreamly that the Prince of Wales should send Men to make War among them However King Charles of France sent presently for the Lord Oliver Clisson whom he made Chief Captain against these Companions because he was a Valiant Knight and of good Conduct wherefore also that Wise Prince held him in High Esteem and Favour About this time there was a Marriage struck up between the Young Earl of Albret and the Lady Isabell of Bourbon whereat the Prince of Wales was nothing pleased for he had rather that he had taken a Wife out of England Wherefore he spake many High Words against him till some of his Council began to appease his Displeasure by saying that it was Natural for every Man to seek to raise his Fortune as well as he might and that a Loyal Knight ought not to be blamed for exalting his own Honour and Profit by Marriage or otherwise if at the same time he did not forsake to serve his Prince or Master as far as in Duty bound These and the like Words somewhat allay'd the Prince's Passion But whatever appearance he made he was not fully satisfy'd for he verily believed that his Marriage would occasion some Revolting from him as indeed it fell out shortly after VIII While these Companions were thus troubling the Realm of France u Frois c. 251. the Prince of Wales was advised by some of his Council especially the Bishop of Rodez who was at that time Chancellor of Aquitaine to raise a Foüage or Tax upon Chimneys throughout all his Principality thereby to enable himself to pay the Debts he had contracted by his late Expedition and beside the State which the Prince and Princess kept was so great that in all Christendom there was not the like again So there was held a Parliament for raising this Foüage at Niort to which were summon'd all the Barons of Gascogne of Poictou of Saintogne and of divers other parts even from all the Cities and Good Towns of Aquitaine Before all whom the Bishop of Rodez declared in Presence of the Prince how this Foüage was to be raised and that the Design of Raising it was chiefly to enable the Prince their Lord to pay such summs of Money as he ow'd upon the account of his Spanish Expedition and that however it was the Prince's Mind not to continue the said Foüage any longer than for the space of Five Years to come All which time supposing x Du Châ—sne p. 699. One Frank for every Chimney the Prince would have a supply of 1200000 Franks per annum if the Matter had been effectually put in Execution But althô to this Ordinance the Porctevrns readily agreed as also did the Representatives of Sainctogne Limosin Rouvergue and Rochelle yet divers others of the Marches of Gascogne refused to concurr with them as the Earl of Armagnac the Lord of Albret his Nephew the Lord of Conde the Lord of Pincornet the Lord of Cominges the Vicount of Carmaine the Lord de la Barde and divers other Barons who said how heretofore when they served the French King they were not then grieved nor oppressed with any Subsidies or Innovations and no more would they now if they could help it for they said their Lands and Seignories were free and exempt from all such Duties and so the Prince had sworn to keep and maintain them But however the better to make fair Weather for the time and to get off with more ease from this Parliament they then only answer'd how they would take further Advice and so return again by such a day as well Prelates Bishops and Abbots as Barons Knights and others This was all the Answer that the Prince and his Council could have at that time and so they brake up and left
of Armagnac the Lord of Albret the Earl of Perigort the Earl of Cominges the Vicount of Carmaine the Lords of Cande De la Barde and Pincornet all who made heavy Complaints to the King how the Prince of meer Pride and Presumption would tread them under his Feet and raise new and unheard of Taxes upon their Lands which they said they would never suffer considering their Resort was to the Chamber of France Wherefore they humbly desired that the Prince might be summon'd to make his Appearance in the Parliament Chamber before the Peers of France there to Answer concerning those Grievances and Innovations which he had began to exercise against them The French King was not unwilling to entertain these Gascogners who thus required Justice of him as of their Sovereign Lord lest otherwise they should seek for Redress in some other place and so he should for ever lose the Sovereignty over them And on this account he at last condescended to their Request thô half against his Will for he could not but see that an open War would ensue thereby which he was very loath to move first at least without some plausible Pretence Besides at that time he saw his Realm not a little molested with the Companions and other Enemies and also he consider'd that his Brother the Duke of Berry with many others were still Hostages in England Wherefore he thought to deal wisely and get first his Hostages home and be fully provided of all things and to try the Hearts of the People thoroughly before he could absolutely resolve to summon the Prince of Wales And accordingly there were such subtle devices used that before any open Breach was made most of the Hostages got out of King Edward's Power as we shall see hereafter Particularly Prince John g Frois c. 244. Duke of Berry having received a private hint of these Matters obtain'd of King Edward to return into France and there to recreate himself among his Friends and Relations for the space of One Year but he order'd his Affairs so cunningly by his frequent excuses and the like that he drove off the time till the War was open and then he thought himself freed from all obligations of Returning And the Lord Guy of Luxemburgh Earl of St. Pol made shift by much subtlety to get into France without taking his leave of King Edward This Man was an Implacable Enemy to the English Nation so that he could neither endure to hear nor speak a good Word of them and now he urged on King Charles as much as he could to take the Gascogne Lords into his Protection for he verily believed that if once the Prince of Wales should be summon'd a War would most certainly ensue And to this Opinion of the Earl of St. Pol agreed several of the Chief Prelates Earls Barons and Knights of France who added how the King of England had not truly kept the Peace to which he had sworn and sealed according to the Tenor of the Treaty made at Bretigny near Chartres and afterwards confirmed at Calais For they said it was manifest how the English had hated and molested the Realm of France more since the Peace was made than ever they had done before And Sir said they what We now averr You shall find to be true if it will please You to cause the Charters of the Peace to be inspected and read before You even such as the King of England and the Prince his Son are by Faith and Oath obliged to perform Hereupon King Charles to be the better enformed of all the Truth and that he might not suffer any Encroachment upon the Rights of his Realm caused all the Charters of the Peace to be brought into the Council-Chamber and heard them read over more than once the better to consider and weigh the Point and Articles therein comprised Among others there was found One Letter on which the King and Council stood most because it seem'd to speak more clearly and plainly of what they now look'd for the Tenor whereof ran thus viz. EDWARD by the Grace of God King of England Lord of Ireland and Duke of Aquitaine to all who shall see these present Letters Greeting Know that in the final and last Accord and Peace made between Us and our Right Dear Brother the French King are contained two Articles comprised in the form following The First Where it is said how the foresaid Kings are bound to cause to be confirmed all the said Articles comprised in the Peace by the Bishop of Rome they to be deliver'd from the Court of Rome confirmed by Sentence touching the full Perfection and Accomplishment of this present Treaty unto each of the said Parties at least within three Weeks after the French King shall be arrived at Calais and also how to the intent that these Articles and Treaties passed may be more firm and stable there shall be made certain Bonds and deliver'd as followeth that is to say Letters sealed with the Seals of both the Kings and their Eldest Sons such as should be devised by the Councils of both the Kings And also the said Kings and their Children and others of the Prime Nobility to the Number of Thirty on either Part should swear that they would strictly observe and cause to be observed to their Power all the said Articles accorded and agreed on and perform the same without fraud or deceit And also that both the Kings and all their Friends and Allies should do their utmost to bring all Rebels to Obedience according to the form and true Intent of the Peace And also that both the Kings should submit themselves and their Realms to the Correction of the Bishop of Rome to the end that he should oblige by Ecclesiastical Censures those who should otherwise refuse to comply with this Peace and Accord And further both the Kings and their Heirs by Oath and Promise should renounce all Graces and Absolutions of any thing herein agreed to by them And thô by Disobedience Rebellion or Force of any of the Subjects of the French King the said King should be hindred from performing all the said Articles yet neither shall the King of England nor his Heirs for all that make any War upon the Realm of France but both Kings shall joyn together to bring those Rebels to Obedience and to acquiesce in the said Peace and Concord And thô the Subjects of the King of England should refuse to yield up any Towns Castles or Fortresses which they held in the Realm of France and which by reason of the Peace ought to be deliver'd or what any other Cause should hinder that the King of England could not perform what he ought by reason of this Treaty to perform yet the King of France shall not make War therefore upon the Dominions of the King of England but both the Kings shall joyn together to reduce those Rebels to Obedience and by force to recover such Towns Castles and Fortresses and to
And still he set men secretly to enquire among them as it were of their own Heads what they would really do if the Peace were once broken between England and France whether they would stand firm to the latter or no. And they always reply'd That if the War were once open the French King should not need to trouble himself about any such thing For they said they themselves were strong enough to menage the War against the Prince and all his Power and that when once they were own'd by the King of France they would like good Subjects live and die in his Quarrel Besides all these Conferences which that Wise Prince held before he would venture upon a Breach of the Peace he tamper'd also secretly with many others of other Parts that were then under the English Dominion as particularly with the Burgesses of Abbeville a strong and fair City of Ponthieu in Picardy to sift out whether or no on such an Occasion they would admit of the French Government and they answer'd how they desired nothing so much in all the World if they durst they hated the English so mortally Thus the French King cunningly gat him Friends on all hands or else he durst never have done what he did For he knew it was no small matter to hold War against King Edward and his Son the Prince of Wales who had put his Father and Grandfather to so much Trouble And for these his Fine Dealings he obtain'd of the French Nation the Title of Charles le Sage or the Wise thô surely the Title of his Father was more worthy of a Christian Monarch for that was le Bon the Good. A little before this namely h 〈…〉 Chron. 〈◊〉 ad ann 1 68. on the 3d of December in the preceding Year being the first Sunday in Advent was born unto King Charles of France his Eldest Son Charles who was baptised by that Name on the Wednesday following being the 6 of December and the Feast of St. Nicolas the Bishop and Confessor in the Church of St. Paul near Paris And within a few Days after was born unto the Lord of Albret his Eldest Son also At the Birth of which Two who were Cosen Germans all the Realm of France rejoyced but especially the King himself V. Thus the French i Frois c. 243. Du Chesne Du Serres King being on all hands urged and perswaded did at last suffer Letters of Citation to be framed therewith to summon the Prince of Aquitain forthwith to make his Personal Appearance before Him in his Chamber of Peers to answer to the Complaints there to be made against him And this Letter was principally devised by the Earl of Armagnac the Lord of Albret the Earl of Perigort the Earl of Cominges the Vicount of Carmain the Lord de la Barde the Lord of Pincornet and the rest of the Malecontents of Gascogne who had been the principal Occasion of all this And when the Letter of Summons was drawn up and duly corrected by all the Greatest Heads in France then it was concluded by the King and his Council that it should be sent unto the Prince without any more ado And two Persons were pitch'd upon to execute this Office the one named Bernard Pelot who was Judge Criminal of Tholouse and the other a Knight of Beausse called Sr. John Chapponeau Which two with their Servants departed accordingly from Paris and took their way toward Poictou and so passed thrö Tourain Poictou and Sainctogne till they came to Blaye where they crossed the Garonne and so proceeded to Bourdeaux where at that time the Prince and Princess held their Court. And still in all Places where they came they declared how they were Messengers from the French King upon which account they gain'd the better Welcome every where Being come to Bourdeaux they took up their Lodgings for that Night and the next Morning at a convenient Hour went to the Abby of St. Andrews where the Prince kept his Court and were received handsomly When the Prince heard that Messengers from the French King were arrived at his Court he caused them to be brought before him And they being come into his Presence kneeled down to pay their Reverence and so deliver'd unto him first their Credentials The Prince having read these Letters said Gentlemen You are welcome Let us now know the business you are charged with unto Vs Then the Doctor began Right Dear Sir here is another Letter which being deliver'd unto us at Paris by our Lord the French King we promised on our Allegiance to publish openly in your presence For Sir they concern your Person nearly At this the Prince began to change Colour as wondring what the Matter might be as also did all the other Lords and Knights that were about him nevertheless He refrained Himself and said Speak on Sirs what you have to say Good Tidings We would be glad to hear Hereupon the Doctor took the Writing forth and began to read it aloud and distinctly word for word this being the k Frois c. 243. f. 147. b. Da Chesne l. 15. p. 699. D. Tenor thereof viz. CHARLES by the Grace of God King of France to our Nephew the Prince of Wales and of Aquitain Greeting Whereas divers Prelates Barons Knights Vniversities and Colleges of the Marches and Limitations of the Country of Gascogne dwelling and inhabiting on the Borders of our Realm with several others of the Country and Dutchy of Aquitain have withdrawn themselves unto Vs in our Court to have Right of certain Grievances and undue Molestations which You by weak Counsel and slight Information have purposed to do unto them and at which thing we are surprised with wonder To obviate therefore and remedy the said Matters We l l Nous nous sommes ahers aherdons avec eux are so strictly engaged unto them that by our Majesty Royal and Sovereignty We command You to come to our City of Paris in proper Person and there to shew and present Your Self before Vs in our Chamber of Peers to hear Right concerning the said Complaints and Griefs moved by You to do upon your People who claim to have and to hear Resort in our Court And that herein there be no fail but that it be done as speedily as you can after sight of these Letters In witness whereof We have set our Seal to these Presents Given at Paris the Twenty fifth Day of the Month of January When the Prince had heard and seen these Letters he was horribly incensed and shook his Head for Anger and beheld the Frenchmen with Eyes flaming with Fury and having paused a little to correct his Passion somewhat he returned this Answer Gentlemen We will gladly go to Paris to our Vncle since he hath thus handsomly invited Vs but I 'll assure you that shall be with Helmet on our Head and sixty thousand Men in our Company At this the two Frenchmen kneeling down in great Fear said
Ah! Thrice Dear Sir for Godsake refrain your Anger and take not this Summons in such evil part neither be displeased at us Sir we are but Servants sent by our Lord the FrenchKing whom we are bound to obey as your Subjects in like manner ought to obey You. And as it was our Duty to obey his Commands so Sir whatsoever you shall please to give us in Charge to say we will fully declare it unto the King our Lord and Master Nay said the Prince Sirs I am not displeased with you but with them that have sent you hither And the King your Master is lead by weak Counsel and simple Information thus to offer to combine himself with our Subjects or to make himself a Judge where he hath nothing to do by any manner of Right or Title For it shall be evidently shew'd that in the Rendring up and putting the King my Father into Possession of the Dutchy of Aquitain both his Father and He for Them and their Heirs for ever utterly disclaimed and quitted all manner of Resort or Jurisdiction So that those who have occasion'd this Summons to be made against me have no other Resort of Right but in the Court of England before the King my Dear Father and before it shall be otherwise I assure you it shall cost the Lives of an 100000 Men. And with that the Prince flung away into another Room and left the Frenchmen still there to whom certain of the Prince's Servants who understood his Pleasure came and said Gentlemen you may e'n go about your business when you please You have duly performed your Errand But you are to look for no other Answer than what you have heard With that the Knight and the Doctor went to their Inn and having there dined made ready their Carriages in all hast and took Horse with all their Servants and went from Bourdeaux the way to Tholouse-ward for they design'd to shew the Duke of Anjou what they had seen and done The Prince was extreamly displeased at the Insolence of these Summons and so were all the Lords and Knights of his Council most of whom had advised Him to hang the two Messengers for their Pains thô the Prince charged them to the contrary and yet he had many a shrew'd Imagination against them But when it was told him how that they were gone without any other Licence then what was given by word of Mouth and how they took their way toward Tholouse he called unto him Sr. Thomas Felton Seneschal of Aquitain and Sr. Thomas Wake Seneschal of Rouvergue his Chancellor the Bishop of Rodez Sr. Richard Pontchardon and Sr. Thomas Percy of whom he demanded whether the French Messengers had any safe Conduct or no and they answer'd how they knew of none they had No more have they said the Prince shaking his Head but sure it is not convenient that they should thus easily get off and go and make their jangling to the Duke of Anjou who is but a small Friend of ours and will laugh heartily that they have thus summon'd Vs in our own House I believe all things consider'd they are rather Messengers from my own Subjects as the Earl of Armagnac the Lord of Albret the Earl of Perigort Cominges and Carmain than from the French King. Wherefore because of the signal Affront that hath been put upon Vs We wish they were overtaken and clapt up in prison At this Motion all the Prince's Council were well pleased only they said Sir we fear You have been too slow as to this Resolve Immediately the Seneschal of Agenois was commanded to take along with him Sr. William Molineux a Worthy English Knight and so ride Post after the French Messengers and stop them till further Order These two and certain of their Men took Horse accordingly and pursued so diligently that at last they overtook them in the Land of Agenois and so arrested them pretending another Occasion for when they seized them they spake not a word of the Prince's Command but said how their Host where they lay last complained of them for an Horse which he said they had changed The Knight and the Doctor wonder'd much at this Accusation and began seriously to excuse themselves but all in vain for they were presently brought back to the City of Agen and there clapt up in Prison But several of their Servants were suffer'd to go their way who passing thrô the City of Tholouse told the Duke of Anjou of all that was done At which he was not a whit sorry For he knew that from hence another Occasion of Hatred and Dissension being given things would at last be brought to Extremity and accordingly he prepared for War thô with all the Caution and Dissimulation imaginable Certain of these Pages soon after went to Paris and told the French King of all the Premises whereat he took great Indignation especially when he heard the Words wherewith the Prince had threatned him saying how he would come and make his Personal appearance before his Vncle but that should be with his Helmet on his Head and 60000 Men at his Heels To withstand all which the French King made covertly vast preparation for he well knew it was no light Matter to wage War against the King of England and his Power Seeing in times past he had put his Predecessors to so much pain and difficulty Upon which account he was at first so backward to begin the War but he was so importun'd by the Lords of Gascogne and also hardly prest by many of his own Council who shew'd unto him the Extortions and other frequent Oppressions of the English and that they were dayly like to grow more insupportable as likewise that King Edward was in his Declining Age and his Son the Prince sick of an Incurable Disease that at last he yielded to the War thô much against his Will considering the Destruction of many thousand poor souls which he saw would necessarily ensue thereby Upon this he ventur'd first to send his Summons which every Man knew would never be obey'd but would occasion a Breach of the Peace between the two Realms And now because of this fierce Answer of the Prince King Charles and his Council made vast preparation but as secretly as was possible Thô for all his fine Conveyance the Prince of Wales who ever had his Eyes open toward that Quarter since the Lords of Gascogne had been entertain'd in the Court of France saw all along the close train of these subtle Devices and m Walsing hist p. 177. n. 43. sent in good time his Letters to his Father into England warning him not to give too much Credit to any smooth Words or fair Overtures of the French King for he saw evidently that he intended nothing but a Breach of the Peace and only had not yet begun the War for want of a fit opportunity But King Edward could not think that Charles n Mezeray p. 80. who was no Man of
the said Duke of Hainalt and yet by many other Ties were they obliged to the English Interest and each of them was by Covenant retain'd to serve King Edward with a 1000 Spears apiece at their own Charges And therefore they not only advised the King now to bring over Duke Albert but they also Themselves joyn'd their Perswasions so that what by their Means and the English Gold he was at first won to declare himself for England But when the Lord of Cominges who was then in the Court of France heard thereof he hasted into Hainalt where he menaged Matters so cunningly with the Lord John Verchin Seneschal of Hainalt by whose Advice all the Dukes Matters were chiefly order'd and who in his Heart lov'd the Interest of France beyond that of England that by the Concurrence of the Earl of Blois and the Lord John of Blois his Brother together with the Lord of Ligny and the Lord of Brabanson who were all well belov'd with the Duke and Dutchess of Hainalt King Edward's Design was wholly quash'd and the labour of his Ambassadors overthrown Thô even they could obtain no more of the Duke than this that both He and his Country would stand Neuter in the Affair and the same Answer was also return'd by the Lady Jane Dutchess of Brabant For at that time her Husband was absent being in France where he contracted secretly a League with that King. VI. And surely King Charles of France who was a notable Politician had secretly prepared himself many Friends both in Hainalt and Brabant almost two years before and had brought over to his Interest the greater part of the Chief Counsellors and Friends of all the Great Lords of both Dukedoms And now to put the better Gloss upon his renewing the War and to make his Cause more plausible in the Eyes of the World he copied out divers Extracts of the Letters relating to the Peace made at Bretigny and ratified at Calais and therein he set forth the Substance of what he according to his Obligation had done and of what the King of England and his Children had not done thô by Oath and Honour bound thereto All along producing such Articles and Points as made for Himself and against King Edward but cunningly concealing smothering or colouring what made to a contrary purpose So that his Cause seem'd only just and the English bare all the Blame And also he privately caused certain Learned in the Laws to be Feed to set forth their Opinions at large concerning the Right of the French King against the King of England both as to the Matter of the Crown and also to the Superiority and Resort of Aquitain and there are yet f M.S. Reverendi Dr. Joh. Spencer S.T.P. C.C.C. apud Cantab Magistri Decani Ecclesiae Cathed Eliensis Extant two Discourses on that Point written by two Famous Doctors of those Days belonging to the University of Bononia in Italy whose Names were John de Lyana and Richard de Salicete Many of which Papers and others of the like Nature together with his own Letters the French King procured to be published in the Courts of all the Princes and Great Lords his Neighbours the better to prepare them to allow of his Quarrel So that King Edward to save his Credit was obliged also to use his Pen against this New sort of Enemy and to justifie and defend his Claim and to prove the Breach of the Peace to lie wholly at the French Kings Doors which he performed notably by his Letters sent into Germany and other Places where he valued his Reputation or thought to have any Friends From which Humour of both the Kings g Paul. Aemyl p. 294. c. Paulus Aemylius rather ambitious to shew his Rhetorick than Historical Fidelity has invented two notable Declamations which he ingeniously enough fancies to have been said before Charles the Emperour and his Son Wenceslaus the one by an English Orator in Behalf of his Masters Cause and the other by a Frenchman who holds the contrary opinion Whereas if that Author had consulted Decorum he would have remembred that King Edward often protested to acknowledge no Mortal whether Pope or Emperour as Judge of his Controversie and that he had but little Reason to expect to find the Emperour any thing favourable to him since he slew his Father at the Battle of Cressy and could not be ignorant how mightily he was addicted as well as more nearly allied to King Charles and the House of France Wherefore we who religiously endeavour to avoid these Gaudy Vanities thô we have Matter enough of Authentick Arguments to fill up a Speech or two yet preferring the venerable simplicity of Truth to all the Fucoes of Vain-Glory shall here set down the Arguments on both Hands as they were then really stated by the Best Lawyers of both Kingdoms in which doing 〈◊〉 where our Authorities cannot be seen our Faith be called in question We declare not only that our selves are wholly ignorant in this as well as many other Sorts of Learning but that the Ancient Copies are to be seen in Latine in a M.S. of the Reverend Dr. Stillingfleet Dean of St. Pauls and in English in another M.S. of the Reverend Dr. Spencer Dean of Ely and Master of Corpus Christi College in Cambridge which English Copy appears to have been with much Care translated from the other by some Person of Quality for the Use of that Most Noble Prince of Wales Henry Eldest Son to King James the First And to omit the several Preambles touching Succession of Women and Succession by Representation as also touching Distance of Degrees and Collateral Succession I shall the readiest way come to the Matter but first thô in some measure we have more than once stated the Case before it is necessary for Evidence sake here again to set down the Matter of Fact as it happen'd in the Realm of France Videlicet That King Philip Son of St Lewis King of France had two Sons lawfully begotten Philip the Fair and Charles of Valois And that the said Philip being Eldest after the Death of his Father obtain'd the Kingdom and that Charles deceased leaving behind him Philip of Valois his Son lawfully begotten That afterwards Philip the Fair begat Three Lawfull Sons Lewis Philip and Charles and also One Daughter named Isabel who was married to the King of England and brought forth Edward the Third whilst the foresaid Philip Grandfather to the said Edward remain'd alive That at last Lewis and Philip Brothers to Isabell being Dead without Issue Male King h This to be favourably taken for Philip died first and then his Three Sons in order succeeded Arguments for the French Kings Right Philip their Father also died That after him reigned the foresaid Charles his only Son surviving who likewise died without Issue Now according to the State of the Fact the Question doth rise in Law to be this The Lady Isabell next
exclude a Man from impugning an Act by reason of his Minority in years Of whom some moved perhaps by too free favour to prevent and provide against the Grievances of Minors do then only admit of this Authenticall when full Puberty to wit the Age of XVIII Years is accomplished That the Written Rigour to the cruel undoing of Minors may so proceed that it shall rather fall than rise But here it was not sworn in that manner or by such a Person the Minor being within the Compass and Course of that time Yea the Truth is That no Oath was made at all Thus were the several Causes of the two Kings set forth and maintain'd by Law and Argument but 't is seldom heard that ever a Crown was won by pleading the sword being too Powerfull for the Law and Prejudice more prevalent than Justice or Reason Wherefore now we hasten to the second Argument which was to be discussed in the Field but as yet the two Main Disputants were not matched together However a Frois c. 252. f. 153. first of all the Duke of Guelders and the Duke of Juliers who were perfectly English in Heart as well as in Blood took it in extream Indignation that the French King had sent a Defiance to so Mighty a Prince as King Edward by the Hands of a mean Valet horribly in their minds blaming both him and his Council for putting so unworthy an Affront on so Honourable a Monarch For said they the War between two such Potent Kings ought surely to have been published and denounced by Persons of the best Rank and Quality as Prelates either Bishops or Abbots or some Noble Baron or Valiant Knight at least and not by a simple Valet as the French King had most insolently and presumptuously done Wherefore they vow'd forthwith to send and defie the French King resolving shortly after to invade France with Fire and Sword and there to leave such Marks of their Resentment as should be legible for more than 20 Years following Althô this their Resolution was disappointed by the Celerity of the French King For hereupon the Earl of St. Paul being order'd to joyn with the Duke of Brabant went against these two Dukes of Juliers and Guelders Toward the Declining of this Year b Mezeray p. 83. the two Parties met together in a place called Baeswilder between the Rhine and the Meuse where after a Bloody Fight on the one side the Duke of Juliers was slain and on the other the Duke of Brabant taken Prisoner but soon after by the Emperours means he was deliver'd and so this Matter was ended CHAPTER the SIXTH The CONTENTS I. The Duke of Burgundy Marries the Earl of Flanders his Daughter II. King Edward renews Friendship with the King of Navarre III. Sr. Eustace Dambreticourt sent by the Prince of Wales to Montauban IV. The French lay Siege to Ardres but rise in Despair V. Realville taken by the French The English make fierce War in the Lands of the Rebel Lords of Gascogne VI. Sr. Thomas Wake maintains his Post La Roche de Pozay taken by the French the Lord of Chauvigney falls off to the French and the Lord of Rochechoüart imprison'd upon suspicion VII The Lord James Audley makes havock in the Lord of Chauvigney's Lands VIII Sr. Robert Knolles sent forth by the Prince upon an Expedition brings over Sr. Perdiccas of Albret and 300 Companions to his side and lays Siege to Durmel where he is joyn'd by the Lord Chandos and others from Montauban by whom Moissac was taken in their way IX The English rise from before Durmel and sit down before Domme but get nothing there however they take Gavaches Foines Roquemadour and Villefranche X. The Earl of Cambridge takes Bourdeilles after a long Siege by stratagem XI The Lord Chandos returns to the Prince having settled Affairs XII The English Companions take Bellepeche and therein the Duke of Bourbon's Mother XIII King Charles preparing to invade England King Edward sets himself in a posture to receive him XIV And sends over the Duke of Lancaster with an Army to Calais XV. The English take the Castle of La Roche Sur Yon. XVI The Lord James Audley Seneschal of Aquitaine returning into England is succeeded by the Lord John Chandos XVII The Vicount of Rochechoüart being released from Prison revolts from the Prince and defies him XVIII John Duke of Lancaster makes great havock in Ponthieu at which News King Charles leaves off his Design of invading England and sends the Duke of Burgundy against him with a Mighty Army XIX The Duke of Lancaster goes forth to meet him and encamps at Tournehan The two Armies confront one another for many days XX. The Lord Chandos intending an Expedition desires the Earl of Pembroke's Company but is deny'd however he goes forth and does what he pleases in Anjou Touraine and the Lands of the Vicount of Rochechoüart and on Prospect of a great Advantage over the French sends again to the Earl of Pembroke to come and joyn him but is again deny'd Whereupon the Lord Chandos desisted for that time XXI The Earl of Pembroke deals severely in Anjou and Touraine and the Lands of the Vicount of Rochechoüart but being surpris'd by the French at Puirenon loses many Men and is besieged in a Church-yard whence he sends to the Lord Chandos for Succour and being hotly assaulted the next day sends again XXII The Lord Chandos hardly at last resolves to help him but upon News of his approach the Frenchmen retire XXIII The Death of Philippa Queen of England her Tomb Epitaph and Praise XXIV The Lord Robert of Namur's Quarters beaten up by the French but he beats them back XXV A story of the Earl of Warwick exploded XXVI The Frenchmen break up and march off in the Night whereupon the Duke of Lancaster returns to Calais to refresh his Men. XXVII The Earl of Pembroke makes another Expedition into Anjou and takes Pont de Cè St. Maure and other places XXVIII The Duke of Lancaster's March thrô Picardy into Normandy with Design to burn the French Fleet. But the Earl of St. Paul being got into Harfleur with 200 Spears saves the Town and prevents their Design XXIX Sr. Nicolas Lovaine takes the Lord Hugh de Chastillon Master of the Crossbows of France XXX The Duke of Lancaster returns to Calais The Earl of Warwick dies XXXI The Duke of Lancaster returns into England and finds himself a Widdower The Death of the Earl of Suffolk and of the Bishop of Excester XXXII The French King raises a Tax I. WE spake before how King Edward labour'd earnestly about Five Years ago to make up a Match between the Daughter of the Earl of Flanders who was Dowager to the last Young Duke of Burgundy a Mezeray p. 78. and the most Wealthy Heiress in all Christendom and a Son of his named Edmund Earl of Cambridge all the particular Negotiations of which intended Match are both too long and
and elsewhere to fight against the Pagans in which employment he spent several Years At the same time that the foresaid Lord of Pamiers was apprehended there were several others taken up on Suspicion of being concerned in the same Matter as Sr. John du Plessac S. Peter of Landuras and Sr. Bertram de la France who lay in Prison at Bourdeaux in great Danger thô at last by endeavours of their Friends and because nothing could be clearly made out against them they were deliver'd There ran about also a Report as if Sr. Galiard de Vignier was not free from this Treason which made People wonder much because the said Knight was then in Lombardy with the Lord of Coucy in the Service of the Church Wherefore the Pope himself afterwards excused him and so he had his Lands and Possessions continued unto him And thus jealousies and heart-burnings arose between the Prince and his Subjects and there were not wanting Evil Men to enflame Matters further Thô still there remain'd a few Genuine Sons of Honour who could not by any Arts be prevail'd upon to relinquish their old Friends the English Particularly the Lord John p Frois c. 271. de Bourbon who held part of his Lands of the Prince and had rendred him Homage therefore came upon some occasion to Paris about this time where the subtle King ply'd him with all the Arguments imaginable to make him renounce his Fealty to the Prince but this generous young Earl of Marche absolutely rejected the motion telling him that if there was no Religion a Gentleman ought to keep his Faith and Promise Of a like steady temper was another great Baron of Limosin namely the Lord of Pierre Buffierre who being then also at Paris was urged by the King to fall off from the Prince but he would by no means agree thereto But there were two other considerable Barons of Limosin who knew not how to imitate the Fidelity and Honour of those Men for they with a little tampering quitted the Prince and embraced the French King's interest their Names were Lewis Lord of Maleval and the Lord Raymund of Marvejols his Nephew who soon after began to make Bloody War upon the English from their Garrisons Whereat the King of England and his Council were extreamly displeased especially because now many Barons began to fall off only out of Wantonness and Desire of Change without the least provocation given either by his Son the Prince or Him Whereupon King Edward was advised to write Covert Letters sealed with his Seal to be convey'd by two or three of his Knights into Poictou and Aquitaine and there to be made publick in the Cities Castles and Good Towns thereabouts The mean while the Prince of Wales deliver'd out of the Prison in Agen Sr. John Champoneau the Knight who brought him the Letters of Summons from King Charles in exchange for a Knight of his called Sr. Thomas Banister who q Ashmole's Garter Plate 55. bare in a Field Argent a Cross Pateé Sable and had been taken a little before in a Skirmish in Perigort But the Doctor that came with him remained still in Prison at Agen till Sr. John his fellow-sufferer had upon his return into France collected his Ransom But since We spake of King Edward's Letters we shall here set down the Copy of them wherein we shall see that He prudently forbears the Title of France lest he might seem while he went about to compose Matters to give occasion of widening the Breach and also thereby to lessen King Charles his jealousie who already had too fast hold of those Gascogne Lords and be sure would never let them go while he despair'd of an accommodation himself The Tenor of his Letters ran thus viz. r Extat in Originali Frois Gall. fol. 226. Du Chesne p. 704. Anglicè Frois c. 272. III. EDWARD by the Grace of God King of England Lord of Ireland and of Aquitain to all those who shall see or hear these present Letters Know you that considering and regarding the Business of the Bounds Marches and Limitations of our Seignory of Aquitain stretching from end to end We have been enformed of certain Troubles Grievances and Molestations done or supposed to be done by our Right Dear Son the Prince of Wales in the said Countries Wherefore being obliged and desirous to withstand and remedy all things relating to evil Surmises Hates or Contentions between Us and our Loyal Friends and Subjects We do by these Presents announce and pronounce certifie and ratifie that of our meer Good Will and by great Deliberation of our Council of that purpose called We will and command that our Right Dear Son the Prince of Wales forbear and remit all manner of Actions done or to be done and do restore again to all such as have been grieved or molested by Him or by any of his Subjects or Officers in Aquitain all their Costs Expences and Dammages leavied or to be leavied in the name of the said Exactions Aids or Fouages And if any of our true Subjects and Friends as well Prelates as other Men of Holy Church Universities Colleges Bishops Earls Vicounts Barons Knights Commonalties and Inhabitants of Cities and Good Towns be turned to keep and uphold by evil Information and rash Advice the Opinion of our Adversary the French King We pardon them that their Trespass on Condition that these Letters once seen they return to Us or within a Month after And We desire all our Loyal and True Friends to continue still in the state they now are that as concerning their Faith and Homage they incurr no Reproach the which thing would greatly displease Us and we should see it very unwillingly And if against our Dear Son the Prince or against any of his Men they make any lawfull Complaint that in any thing they are grieved and oppressed or have been in time past We shall cause them to have amends so as of reason it may suffice to the intent to nourish Peace Love Concord and Unity between Us and those of the Marches and Limitations aforesaid And to the end that all Men should be satisfied of the Truth of the Premises We will that every Man take and have a Copy of these Presents the which We have solemnly sworn to keep and maintain upon the Body of our Lord JESVS CHRIST there being present our Right Dear Son John Duke of Lancaster William Earl of Salisbury the Earl of Warwick the Earl of Hereford Walter of Manny the Lord Percy the Lord Neville the Lord Bourchier the Lord Stafford Richard of Pemburge Roger Beauchamp Guy Brian the Lord Mohun the Lord de la Warre Allan Boxhull and Richard Sterry Knights Given at our Palace of Westminster in the Fourty Fourth Year of our Reign the fifth Day of November These Letters were sent from the King of England into the Principality and Dutchy of Aquitain and notified and published all about And Copies thereof were secretly convey'd to
down a Pane of Fourty foot long at which instant the Archers shot so thick that none durst appear at the Breach and the English Army stood ready embattled to enter Then and not till then were the Bretons afraid and immediately they sent out an Herald on Horseback to try if they might be accepted to make any sort of Treaty The sight of the Herald caused a Cessation so when he had told his Message to the Duke which was to obtain a little Respit and Leave for their Captains to come forth and speak with Him the Duke by Advice of his Council granted thus much The Herald being return'd with this Good News all the Four Knights of France came forth at the Breath in a peaceable manner to whom the Duke sent Sr. Guischard Dangle who spake with them on the near side of the Ditch First the Frenchmen demanded in what manner the Duke would please to receive them Sr. Guischard who had full Instructions what to say answer'd Why certainly Gentlemen you have very much offended my Lord the Duke for by your Obstinacy you have held out now f Froisard says above Eleven Weeks But then I cannot see why the Dâ—ke disbanded his Men after this since by that mean it would have been time to begin a Campagne several Weeks to his great Charge and Trouble besides the loss of his Men So that he is resolved now he has won you not to receive you to Mercy unless you absolutely submit to his Pleasure and also in the first place deliver up into his hands that false Traytor Sr. William of Monpaon that he may put him to Death as he hath deserved To this Sr. Lewis of Maillezais for himself and his Company reply'd thus Sr. Guischard as for Sr. William of Monpaon whom You desire to have We swear unto you truly that we know not where he is at this time For he hath not been in this Fortress since you laid your Siege thereto And Sir it is an hard thing to compell us to yield up absolutely since we are sent hither by a Power above us whom we ought to obey and whom we serve for Wages which is our Livelyhood As you also send your Men abroad and are sometimes content to take Wages your selves Wherefore before we will make any such Bargain we resolve to sell our Lives at such a Rate that it shall be talk'd of an hundred Years hence But Honourable Sir We desire you to go back to the Noble Duke your Master and let him know it is our Request that he would receive us courteously as Prisoners of War to be ransomed as he himself would wish his Men should be dealt withall when they fall into the like Danger Sr. Guischard having promised to do his best in their Behalf return'd to the Duke taking unto him the Captal of Busche the Lord of Roncoigne and the Lord of Mucidan that he might be able to persuade the better All these gave the Duke such Arguments from his own Generosity from the Submission of his Enemies from the ill Effects their Despair might produce and also from the Uncertainty of his own Condition that the Duke at last condescended to their Reasons and was content to take the Four Captains with Silvester Budes and all their Men to Mercy as Prisoners of War. V. And thus the Duke of Lancaster recover'd Monpaon again and took Fealty and Homage of all the Town and set there 40 Men of Arms and as many Archers in Garrison under the Command of two Valiant Knights Gascogners And after he had repaired the Breach and abundantly fortified the Castle and the Walls and clear'd that part of the Ditch that had been fill'd up and suppli'd the Place with Provision and Artillery he g Frois c. 289. brake up for that time and dismissed all the Lords giving them leave to go whither they would He for his part return'd to Bourdeaux the Poictevins and Gascogners to their several Garrisons and the Companions quarter'd abroad in the Country where they did much Mischief in the Lands of their Enemies and not a little among their very Friends Which yet the Duke of Lancaster was fain to connive at because he expected to make further use of them very shortly For the Wars were then much more warm in the Land of Poictou than in any other Parts of the Principality Particularly there was a strong Garrison in the Fortress of Moncontour which was about four Leagues from Thoüars and six from Poictiers and there Sr. Peter de Guerfille and Sr. Jordan de Coulonges were Captains who overran the whole Country and rode almost every Day either up to Thouars or to Poictiers rifling plundering and slaying all of the English Name or Interest Not far thence there was in Chast ellerault Carlonet the Breton with another huge Garrison consisting of 700 Bretons who likewise domineer'd and ravag'd all the Country about them Besides which the Garrison at la Roche de Pozay and that of St. Salvin tyrannised as much about their Precincts so that the Loyal Barons of Poictou which held still for England durst hardly stir abroad unless in Considerable Bodies for fear of the Frenchmen which lay scattering about in the Country Soon after the Regaining of Monpaon to the English Side all the Lords of Poictou being retired to their several Garrisons to keep Frontier War upon the French the Lord Lewis of St. Julian the Vicount of Rochechoüart and other French Gentlemen came secretly into Poictou bringing along with them many powerfull Arguments and many more-prevailing Bribes from the French King thereby to corrupt the Faith of the Poictevins For the French King studied night and day how he might bring over the Land of Poictou to his Devotion These Lords therefore being thus instructed prevail'd so much at this time with the Lord of Pons that he fell off to the French even against the Will of his own Lady and all the Men of the Town of Pons in Poictou who still remain'd firm to the English Interest the Lady her self being for King Edward and the Husband for King Charles All the Loyal Barons and Knights of Poictou were much concern'd at this Levity which the Lord of Pons had shewn because being a Person of a Considerable Character he was therefore likely to do much Harm by his Example The Duke of Lancaster himself was hugely displeased at the Matter but on the other hand highly extoll'd the Vertue of his Lady and the Inhabitants of Pons for their Fidelity And in order to their greater Encouragement as well as Security presently dispatch'd away unto them Sr. Edmund Bourges who was a Valiant and Expert Captain with a considerable Reinforcement After this manner were the English in those Parts busied being always forced to stand upon their Guard for h Mezeray p. 87 many of these Great Lords whom either the Reputation Fortune or Liberality of the Black-Prince had constrained to follow Him fell now away to the French
more willing to open to an Enemy that fought for their Friends than to continue under their English Friends to whom in their Hearts they were Enemies fell into secret Communication with Owen of Wales and the Admiral of Spain With whom having discover'd that they only wanted the Castle to shew themselves true Frenchmen they agreed for a mutual Forbearance the Spaniards to do no injury to the Rochellers nor they to the Spaniards But however the Navy lay still thereabout at Anchor and had their Spies abroad all over the Country of Poictou and Sainctogne to enquire and know what was done or resolv'd in every Place But as yet the English held the Castle of Rochelle which commanded the Town the Captain thereof for the Lord John Devereux being Philip Mansel a Valiant and Loyal Esquire of England but a Man of no great Reach as we shall observe by and by The mean while the Constable of France being at Poictiers which he had newly taken sent forth the Lord of Pons and Tibauld du Pont with 300 Spears to the Castle of Soubize a strong Fortress in Sainctogne about five leagues from Rochell Southward toward Broüages standing on the Sea-side by the Mouth of Charente where that River falls into the Sea. Within the Castle at that time was the Lady thereof with a small Garrison wherefore upon the first apprehensions of Danger she sent an Esquire to the Lord John Greilly Captal of Busche and Constable of Aquitain who was then at St. John D'Angely requesting his timely Aid and Succour The Captal immediatly upon this Message sent for Sr. Henry Haye Seneschal of Angoulesme Sr. William of Marvejols Nephew to Raimund Lord of Marvejols to the Lord Thomas Percy and to Sr. John Cresswell to come unto him and they all came accordingly Now of this Rendezvous and of the Siege of Soubize Owen of Wales had secret Intelligence as he lay with the Spanish Fleet before Rochell Whereupon presently he took 400 of the most select Men of Arms the surest and best Arm'd of all his Company and disposing them into k Ita Gallicè Three verò Angl. edit thirteen Barges he left the Admiral and the rest of the Fleet before Rochelle and so together with the Lord James of Monjoy and Morilett his Brother row'd away secretly toward Soubize and came on the other side right over against the Lord of Pons as he held his Siege who yet knew not that he had a friendly Ambush so near him no more than the Captal of Busche who was now mustering his Men at St. John D'Angely for if he had had the least Hint of any such Matter he would have taken with him more Men than he did Whereas now he sent back a great part of those whom he had summon'd and left another part of them in St. John D'Angely and so rode toward Soubize with only 200 Spears and no more Toward Night being come near to the French Leaguer and the Castle he order'd his Men to alight a while beside a little Wood to rest themselves and their Horses and that done he commanded them to horse again and caused his Banners and Penons to be display'd and so riding forth they suddenly dash'd in amongst the Frenchmen crying their Cries and beating down all before them There was a great slaughter and Confusion and many a Frenchman grievously wounded for they were taken at unawares So there the Lord of Pons and Sr. Tibauld du Pont with sixty of the best of their Company were made Prisoners and all the rest either slain or put to Flight But while some of the Captals Men follow'd the Chace and others were busied about the Spoil or had unarm'd themselves as after a compleat Victory there came an unexpected Mischief upon them For at that instant Owen of Wales having passed the Charente with the Barges came on with his 400 chosen Spears there being a great number of Flambeaus Torches Firebrands and other Lights with him for the Night was exceeding dark These fresh and lusty Men came suddenly upon the Captal and his Men English and Gascogners who thought they had finished their Exploit and were now scatter'd abroad and busied in the Chace or Spoil or looking to their Prisoners So that of meer necessity they were presently beaten down discomfited slain and taken Then there pricked forth an hardy Esquire of Vermandois named Peter Daniel and he among others adventur'd so near to the Captal that at last he took him Prisoner by true Feat of Arms And this Captal was the only Knight either of Gascogne or England that the French King desired to have in his Power if not at his Service For he was one of the most Considerable Barons of his Age for Personal Valour and Good Conduct With him there were taken the Lord Thomas Percy who was Prisoner to a Welch Priest named David Sr. Henry Haye and Sr. Moubron of Linieres with others Sr. Walter Hewett escaped with much difficulty but Sr. Petiton of Coutras Sr. William Ferenton and Carmil fled directly to the Town of Soubize where by good Chance the Lady of the Place being present she caused the Barriers to be open'd for them so that they had timely Admittance with others who fled along with them But the next Day Owen of Wales brought thither all his Barges and began a fierce Assault both by Land and Water the Lord of Pons and Sr. Tibauld du Pont whom he had rescued from the Captal joyning with him Yet for that Day the Besieged behaved themselves resolutely enough and without any great Loss but at Night both they and the Lady consider'd that the Town was not strong enough to hold out any long space and that all their Hopes of speedy Succour were quite cut off now that the Captal and the Lord Percy were taken Whereupon the Lady by advice of her Council and with the Consent of all the Knights and Captains within fell to a Treaty with Owen and the French Lords The Effect whereof was That all the Men of War within the Place might freely and without any Dammage or Impeachment go to Niort Sainctes Lusignan or whither else they should please and that the Lady of Soubize should submit Her self and her Lands to the Obedience of the French King. All which was put in execution the English and Gascogners were safely conveyed to what Places they desired and the French took Possession of the Town the Lady doing Homage and swearing Fealty unto Owen in the Name of King Charles of France XVI After this Success of Soubize Owen of Wales Sr. James Monjoy and their Company went to their Barges again and so return'd with the Captal and other their Prisoners to the Fleet before Rochell But the Lord of Pons Sr. Tibauld du Pont and the other Bretons and French with them made all the haste imaginable to ride forth with a fresh Company such as the Constable of France had newly sent to joyn them as the Vicount of Rohan
Garrison among them But now that the Flower of the English Forces was lost before Sivray when the Inhabitants heard that the Constable himself was coming against them they went out to meet him with the Keys of the Town in their Hand and so conducted him into the Walls with great joy Having tarried here four Days to refresh his Army he went thence in great Array his Forces consisting of 1400 Spears besides others and presented himself before the Castle of Lusignan which yielded unto him upon Composition those of the Garrison being permitted to go off with their Lives saved and of their Goods as much as they could carry on their Horses before them and so to be safely conducted to Bourdeaux And thus was this strong Place also reduced to the French King's Devotion From hence the Constable rode to Chastellacher and summon'd the Lady thereof which was Madam d Mill's Catal. Honor. p. 918. Constance Wife to Sr. Guischard of Angoulesme to yield up the Castle unto him But she only desired of the Constable his safe Conduct that she might go to Poictiers to speak with the Duke of Berry which request Sr. Bertram granted and caused her to be attended thither with one of his own Knights Being come before the Duke she kneeled down but the Duke presently took her up demanding what her Pleasure was Sir said the Lady I am strictly summon'd by the Constable of France to submit my self my Lands and Castle to the Obedience of the French King. And Sir your Royal Highness knows very well how my Lord and Husband lieth as yet a Prisoner in Spain his Lands being left to the Government of me a weak helpless Woman Sir I may not dispose of mine Husbands Inheritance after my Pleasure for if I should do any thing of such high Moment without his Knowledge he would surely give me no Thanks therefore and so I might incurr blame which God forbid I should ever justly deserve from my Lord and Husband But Sir to satisfie Your Highness and to preserve my Lands in Peace I shall compound with You for my self and all mine that You shall make no War upon Vs nor We upon You till my Husband be released out of Prison At which time I believe he will make for England And then I 'll send him word of this our Composition and he will most surely let me hear whether he will agree thereto or no And so your Highness shall have a final Answer To this the Duke reply'd Fair Madam I am well content to grant your Desire on this Condition that neither You nor any Captains of your Fortresses make any greater Provision of Men Victuals or Artillery during this Cessation than you have at this present time And this also being agreed to by the Lady she return'd to her Castle where she caused the Siege to be raised by shewing unto the Constable the Duke of Berry's Letters to that Effect From thence the Constable went before Mortimer the Lady whereof submitted her self and her Lands to the Obedience of the French King and she also deliver'd up the Castle of Didonne which belonged to her Thus was all Poictou Sainctogne and Rochellois quite rid of the Englishmen Whereupon the Constable having set good Garrisons in all Places when he saw no sign of Resistance in those Marches even as far as the River Garonne returned homeward into France as also did the Dukes of Berry Bourbon and Burgundy and most of the French Barons who had been concern'd in those Parts All these were highly feasted and entertain'd by the King at Paris but none so much as Sr. Bertram of Clequin the rest were no more than Shadows to him his Glory eclipsed them all and when he came to Paris the King thought he could not honour and caress him sufficiently III. Now e Frois c. 307. f. 187. b. sed Gallicè s 256. b. while the Constable remain'd with the King at Paris in much Honour the Lord Oliver Clisson the Lord de la Val the Lord of Vangoure the Lord of Tournemine the Lord of Rieux and the Lord of Rochefort with the Vicount of Rohan Sr. Charles of Diguier Banneret of Bretagne the Marshal of Blaroville the Lords of Hambie of Ruille of Fonteville of Granville of Farnville of Dennevalle and Des Cleres Bannerets of Normandy went with a great Army of Bretons and Normans and laid siege to the strong Castle of Becherel in Bretagne which they very much streightned by their continual Assaults But there were two Valiant English Captains within namely Sr. John Cornwall and Sr. John Appleyard who with certain Choice Troops defended the Place couragiously and made many Sallies and Skirmishes and endured many warm Attacks to their Honour In Normandy the Frenchmen maintain'd at the same time another Siege before St. Saviour le Vicount wherein were Captains Sr. Thomas Tribles Sr. John de Burgo Sr. Philip Picard and the Three Mauliverers Brethren And it is to be noted that these two Garrisons before they were now besieged had overran all the Country of Base Normandy so that nothing could be secure from them but what was in strong Fortresses Besides which they ransom'd and took Prisoners as well in the Bishoprick of Bayeux as in Eureux the King of Navarre himself conniving thereat nay and sometimes assisting them with Victuals and Men such as he had disposed about in Garrisons in the Country of Eureux For as then he was not agreed with the French King So that the Garrisons of Cherbourg of Conches of Bretevil of Eureux of Cocherel and others under the Obeisance of the King of Navarre had made great Havock in Normandy as well as the English themselves But as f Vid. hujus Hist Lib. 4. c. 7. §. 10. p. 795. we shew'd before there had lately such Means been made between the two Kings of France and Navarre especially by the diligent Promotion of the Earl of Salebruse and the Bishop of Eureux that they came to an Accord and so met together in Friendly manner at the Castle of Rohan on the River of Seyne And there besides the two Kings many Great Lords on both Parts were solemnly sworn to cultivate a mutual Peace Friendship and Unity for ever After which Assurance thus given and taken on both Sides the King of Navarre went along with the French King as we shew'd to Paris where He and all His were received with much Honour and Royal Magnificence And then and there the King of Navarre put all his Lands which he held in Normandy into the Hands and Disposal of the French King he undertaking their Protection and that the Propriety should remain entire to the King of Navarre but the Use of them to the French King during the Wars with England This done the King of Navarre left his two Sons Charles and Peter with their Uncle the French King and so took his leave of Paris and returned into Navarre And this Peace indeed he kept and upheld
little longer and let them go on in Gods Name for thus they will never be able to wrest your Kingdom from You They will weary and spend themselves to no purpose but long they cannot subsist For behold when a Storm or Tempest ariseth if Men will but keep within Doors it wasteth away of it self without much harm doing and thus you shall see it will happen to these Englishmen And here we shall take our leave for the present of the Duke of Lancaster and what remains of this Expedition till we have Dispatched other Matters that fall in this place XIV It may be remembred y Frois c. 311. fol. 191. b. how we spake lately of Sr. Robert Knolles that he came to his Castle of Derval which was his Inheritance and that he wholly cancell'd and brake off the Treaty made between his Men and the Duke of Anjou who also laid claim to the same Castle as which had been formerly given unto him by the Lord Charles of Blois when he took to Wife the said Lord Charles his Daughter Thô after the Death of the said Lord Charles John of Monford the true Duke of Bretagne gave it to Sr. Robert Knolles a Knight of England to him and his Heirs for ever in Requital of his many signal Services done unto him in all his Wars Therefore now the Duke of Anjou went in Person before Derval resolving by Siege or Assault to win the Place But about the time he first came thither the French King sent hastily unto him to the Constable to the Lord Clisson and all the Knights of Bretagne Poictou and the low Marches and the rest that lay with the Duke before Derval commanding them to return with all their Power into France to assist his Brother the Duke of Burgundy in coasting and cutting short the Duke of Lancaster who was then marching thrô France Upon this the Duke of Anjou sent to those within Derval urging them to make haste and yield up their Castle as they had promised But when the Day was come and past whereon it was to be deliver'd and yet no such thing once offer'd the Duke began to wonder what they meant for thô he knew how Sr. Robert Knolles was got in with some Succour both of Men and Provision yet he hop'd they would not break the Obligation to which they were bound and thereby expose the Lives of their Hostages However not daring to linger much here because of the French Kings Letters he sent an Herald to Sr. Robert Knolles and especially to Sr. Hugh Bright who had made the Agreement with him which Herald being admitted into the Castle said Gentlemen my Lords have sent me hither to know the Reason why you don't take care to acquit your Hostages and deliver up the Castle according to Covenant to which Sr. Hugh you are bound by Oath To this Sr. Robert Knolles answer'd Herald tell your Masters that without my leave my Men could make no Composition concerning the Delivery of what was not their own Go to them again and tell them so from me The Herald return'd with this Answer and was sent back again with this Message Gentlemen my Lords send you once again word by Me how the Composition was that you should not receive any one into your Fortress till the day prefixed and yet since that Agreement was made and before the appointed term of two Months was ended they have admitted you Sr. Robert Knolles into their Fortress which they ought not to have done Wherefore Sir know for certain that unless you yield up the Castle forthwith your Hostages shall lose their Heads Herald answer'd Sr. Robert for all the Menacing of your Masters I will not lose my Castle so by God! Tell them they may do their worst but if so be that the Duke put my Men to Death let him know that I shall serve him like for like For here within I have both Knights and Esquires of France my Prisoners and thô I might have an 100000 Franks for their Ransom yet they shall surely die every Man of them if he offers to do so to the Hostages With this Answer the Herald went his way and reported what he had heard Presently whereupon the Duke of Anjou all enflam'd as he was with Anger call'd for the Executioner and caused the Hostages being two Knights and an Esquire of England to be brought before the Castle whose Heads were all immediately struck off in sight of Sr. Robert and his Men. Then the enraged Sr. Robert Knolles caused a broad board to be thrust out at one of the Hall Windows and four Prisoners which he had there with him Three Knights and One Esquire for whom he might have had a great Ransom all these he order'd to be brought thither and so the Executioner struck off their Heads flinging down their Bodies one way and their Heads another into the Ditch After this unhappy sight the Frenchmen brake up their Siege and went all into France the Duke of Anjou returning to Paris to the King his Brother But the Constable the Lord Oliver Clisson and the rest rode toward the City of Troyes in Champaigne for the English were then in the Marches thereabout having passed the Marne and directing their Course toward Auxerre XV. Now since the Christian Religion which might chiefly expect to be Defended by the Arms of the French and English being destitute almost of all Aid was in a manner overwhelmed by the Victories of the Infidels it is to be remembred that Pope Gregory XI had the last Year induced the Two Kings to hold a Treaty at Calais But that being dissolved without any good effect he again prevail'd with them to hold another at Bruges this Year and therewithall z Greg. XI Tâ—m 2. Epist sâ—â— p. 237 238 239. Vid Odâ—r Râ—â—nâ—l â—d hâ—â—c 〈◊〉 §. 22. sollicited both Edward and Charles to embrace peaceable Counsels To which that he might prepare the Minds of those Nobles who were to be on both sides at this Treaty in the Names of the Two Kings he directs his Letters also to them wherein having set forth the Miseries of Christendom in General arising from this Discord he gives them a shrew'd innuendo that those of them who shall be found to be in Fault if Peace doth not ensue are to expect no less then the Utmost the Church can inflict GREGORY the Bishop servant of the servants of God to his Dear Sons in Christ the Ambassadors of our Most Dear Son in Christ Edward the Illustrious King of England Commissioned to treat of and to reform a Peace between Him and our most Dear Son in Christ Charles the Illustrious King of France at Bruges in the Dioecese of Tournay Greeting and Apostolical Benediction Considering how much the Hostile Commotion of the Two Kings so long radicated and so hurtfull to the whole World hath been and is prejudicial to the Affairs of the Holy Land and not only induces the Babylonish Tyrant to
with his Hundred Knights and Esquires to ride abroad so to entice the Enemy into their Ambush Not far thence along by a great Hedge were the Lord of Gomegines and his Men who stood there on Foot all in good Order only Sr. John Harleston i True Use of Armory in the Life of the Captal of Busche p. 154. Captain of Guisnes was sent forth with 20 Spears to see if he could find the French his Orders being on sight of them to fly and suffer the Enemy to pursue him towards this Hedge where his Friends stood ready for them As Sr. John was riding forth in the Fields with this Design the young Earl of St. Pol espi'd him and said aloud to his Men Sirs now let us advance forth Yonder are our Enemies and so clapping Spurs to their Horses they set forward full Speed Sr. John Harleston flying as fast before them till he came to the Hedge where his Friends stood ready ranged with the Archers in their Front. As soon as the Frenchmen came in their reach the Archers received them warmly shooting and overthrowing to the ground Men and Horses and immediatly the Men of Arms came up with them having remounted their Horses with Spears and Axes in their Hands while Sr. John Harleston with his twenty Spears fetching a Compass about came behind and fell in upon their Backs with great fury Many gallant Deeds were done by the Young Earl of St. Pol and the Frenchmen but being thus surrounded and overpower'd with Number they were all slain or taken to a Man. The Earl of St. Pol was taken alive by the hands of an Esquire of the Dutchy of Gueldre and together with him by other Hands the Lord of Pons the Lord of Clery the Lord William of Nesle Sr. Charles of Chastillon Sr. Lionel D'Araines Sr. Gawen de Vesley Sr. Henry de Lisle and Sr. John his Brother the Chastellain of Beauvais and many more Knights and Esquires Immediately after which Discomfiture the Lord Hugh de Chastillon came thither with his three hundred Spears and his Banner before him he rode up almost to the Hedge end but understanding then how his Friends Business was already done and that the English so far outnumbred him he drew his Men together and wheel'd off without giving a stroke for he doubted more to encrease the Loss than to repair it Upon this good Success the English return'd to Ardres with their Prisoners and that very Night the Lord of Gomegines bought the Young Lord Valeran Earl of St. Pol of the Esquire that took him and soon after carried him into England and presented him to the King who thanked him very much and rewarded him more for that acceptable Piece of Service But this young Earl found such Gracious Dealing from King Edward that he became ever after as great a Friend as his Father had been an Enemy to the English Nation * Mili's Catal. Hen. p. 765. being Married to the Half-sister of King Richard the Second VIII About that time the Duke of Anjou and the Constable return'd as we observ'd before into France where they found the Archbishop of Roüen and the Bishop of Carpentras who had been long with the King at Paris making instant and continual Application unto him in the Pope's Behalf as other Legats at the same time dealt with King Edward for the same Purpose Wherefore according to a former Agreement between the Dukes of Anjou and Lancaster both the Kings were now again obliged to enter a Negotiation thereby if possible to accommodate their Differences The Place appointed for the Assembly was Bruges in Flanders but first the Duke of Anjou according to his Obligation went to St. Omers in great Array having sent for his Cousin Guy of Blois to come thither to him out of Hainal◠about which time the Duke of Lancaster arrived at Calais soon after which both the Dukes with their several Retinues went to Bruges And all the while there lay on the Marches between France and Flanders towards Aire and about Belle or Baillieul and Cassell in Flanders and near those Parts the Constable of France the Lords of Clisson and la Vall and Sr. Oliver Manny with above 600 Men of Arms to keep the Country least any thing should be innovated by the Earl of Flanders For these Lords being all Bretons could not repose any Trust in that Earl because he was so firm a Friend to John of Monford Duke of Bretagne against whom they fought Wherefore neither would they ever come to Bruges whatever the Commissioners on both sides could say or do There were present at this Treaty on the French Kings Part Lewis Duke of Anjou and Philip Duke of Burgundy the Earl of Salebruce the Bishop of Amiens the Bishop Elect of Bayeux and others And for the King of England there was John Duke of Lancaster William Montagu Earl of Salisbury Simon Sudbury Bishop of London Sr. John Cobham of Kent Sr. Frank van Hall Sr. Arnold Savage Mr. John Shephey and Mr. Simon Multon This Treaty was carried on by Snatches for k Mezeray two full Years with incredible Expences the Frenchmen all the while preparing at Home l Walsingh Hyp. p. 133. n. 40. for War fitting and making of Arms of all sorts and providing all manner of Warlike Habiliments And thus even in those Days were the French always too hard at Council for the English However for the present m Frois c. 312. fol. 194. Angl. sed Gallicè fol. 264. b. that no Harm or Molestation should come to any of the Lords of either Party or to any of their Men by subtlety or other means since there were Hundreds that rode in and out daily of both Sides thô they could not settle a Firm and General Truce because of the Duke of Bretagne's Concerns and other Matters which render'd the thing impracticable yet first of all they settled this Point by agreeing on a Partial Truce to endure till the First of May in the Year following in all the Marches of Calais as far as the River of Somme all other Lands being left in their former state of Hostility Whereupon the Lord Oliver Clisson and the Lord de la Val hasted with their Troops into Bretagne because the Truce extended not to that Dukedom About this n Frois c. 311. time also there was a Treaty set on Foot concerning the Delivery of the Earl of Pembroke and the rest of the Prisoners out of Spain especially because the Earl of Pembroke o Walsingh hist p. 185. n. 10. not enduring the hard Usage of the Spaniards sent to Sr. Bertram of Clequin Constable of France whom he knew to have great Interest with the King of Spain entreating him to use his power to deliver him out of that inhumane Thraldom Whereupon Sr. Bertram upon delivering back his Lands belonging to Soria Castle and acquitting certain Sums of Money due unto him from the King of Spain his Nephew Sr. Oliver
shall find Complaint made in Parliament the Year following by the Owners of the said Vessels X. On the r Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 96. Tenth of October this Year there departed this Life the thrice-Noble and Valiant Lord David Strabolgi Earl of Athol leaving only two Daughters his Heirs behind him And the most Honourable Heroe Richard Fitz-Alan Earl of Arundel Å¿ Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 318. Catal. Henâ—â— p. 650. died on the Ninth of the Calends of February this same Year in a good old Age leaving behind him three Sons and three Daughters Richard the eldest of his Sons succeeded him both in his Honours and Vertues Helming t Stow's Survey of London p. 217. Legat Esquire having obtained Licence of the King gave at this time one Tenement with a Cartelage or Yard thereto belonging and a Garden with an Entry leading thereto unto Mr. John Hariot Parson of Fen-Church and to his Successors for ever the House to be a Parsonage-House and the Garden to be a Church-yard or Burying-place for the Parish And about the same time u Dugd. Warw. p. 781. a. Ralph Lord Basset of Drayton founded an House at Atherston in Warwickshire called the Fryars-Hermits of St. Augustin over the Gate whereof is yet to be seen his Coat of Arms cut in a fair Shield of Stone CHAPTER the THIRTEENTH The CONTENTS I. Ingleram Lord Coucy makes an Expedition a second time into Austria but to no purpose II. Another Treaty at Bruges which only produces a short Truce and that another At which time King Edward offers largely for the Redemption of the Captal of Busche but cannot obtain it III. The Jubile of King Edward's Reign A Parliament at Westminster IV. During whose Sessions the Black-Prince dies his Will Character AN. DOM. 1376. An. Regni Angliae L. Franciae XXXVII Burial and Epitaph V. The Captal of Busche takes his Death to Heart and pines away VI. The Black-Prince's Character again his Children VII The Continuation of the foresaid Parliament at Westminster VIII A Censure thereof who the First Speaker of the House of Commons IX The Death of an English Cardinal and of the Lord John Peche X. Pope Gregory returns the Papal Chair to Rome I. IN these Days Ingleram de Guisnes Lord of Coucy Earl of Bedford and King Edward's Son-in-Law a Frois c. 314. fol. 195. Gallicè f. 266. De bello inter Bernabonem Pentifices gesto vid. Odor Rainal ab Ano. 1360. n. 6. c. returned into France from the Wars in Lombardy which at the Instance and on the Behalf of the Pope he had maintain'd together with John Galeas Earl of Vertus Son of Duke Galeas against his Uncle Duke Bernabo and his Allies the Recital whereof would be Foreign to the Matter now in Hand This Lord of Coucy was Son to the Lady b Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 761. a. Catherine of Austria who was Sister to c Catal. Hener p. 440. Peter Duke of Austria last deceased so that the said Duke dying without Issue lawfully begotten the Lord of Coucy was of Right to succeed in that Dukedom to his Uncle Peter aforesaid But the d Pannones olim dicti People of the Country had already given the Dukedom to another further removed than he whereof he had before this made frequent Complaints to the Emperour Charles the Fourth Who very well knew the Right which he had but durst not interpose too vigorously on his Behalf because the Austrians were a considerable Nation and Hardy in War. Wherefore the Lord of Coucy seeing he could not be righted otherwise had his last recourse to Arms wherein thô assisted by his Aunt Sister to the late Duke and his Mother he nevertheless had but small Success wherefore having afterwards exercised his Arms for some time in Lombardy he now returned as We have shewn into France where he was received very gratiously of the King who highly esteem'd him for his Valour and imagin'd by what means he might win him over from King Edward unto himself The Lord of Coucy understanding that there was a Truce at that time between England and France which was in a fair way to be prolonged and that there were many Men of War then in France without any Employment who as he thought might prove very serviceable to him in Recovering his Right in Austria began now to request of King Charles that he would permit those Bretons and Companions who during the Truce were like to be but a Burthen to his Realm to go along with him into Austria to help him to recover his Right The King as well to rid himself of that Charge and Trouble as to oblige him granted this his Request and besides that either gave or lent him 60000 Franks to bestow among his Followers Wherefore several French Lords themselves when they saw how well their King himself wish'd to this Cause joyned themselves with the Lord of Coucy as the Vicount of Meaux the Lord of Aunay Sr. Ralph de Coucy the Baron of Roye and the Lord Peter de la Bar with many other Lords and Knights of France Bretagne Artois Vermandois Picardy and Hainalt all desirous to advance their Bodies in Quest of Military Honour With these Forces the Lord of Coucy rode forth towards Austria about the Feast of St. Michael in the Year 1375 the Companions that were with him after their manner doing much Mischief all the way But when the Austrians and the Almaignes with their New Duke whom they had chosen understood for certain that the Lord of Coucy was coming against them with such Forces they immediately burnt and destroy'd for three Days journey along by the River Danube after which they retired into the Mountains and other Places hard of Access So that the Lord of Coucy and his Men who had expected to have met with Victuals could find none at all whereby they suffer'd that Winter infinite Loss and Trouble for not knowing where to get Forage or Victuals for themselves or their Horses many of both Sorts died what with Hunger Cold and Sickness These Afflictions put an end to this Expedition so that in the Spring the poor Remainders of the Army returned into France where they divided into several Quarters to refresh themselves But the King sent the most part of the Companions into Bretagne and Low Normandy to quarter there till he should have occasion for them which he expected shortly For there was only a Momentary Truce taken between the Realms of England and France of which we shall now speak a little II. When the Feast of e Vâ—d l. 4. c. 12. §. 7. p. 876. All-Saints drew near which was the Time appointed for a Meeting at Bruges in order to prolong the Truce beyond the forelimited time of the First of April or if possible to settle a lasting Peace there came again to Bruges for the French King the Duke of Burgundy the Earl of Salebruse and the Bishop of Amiens but the
manner of his coming to the Crown of England III. He is excus'd from being Guilty of his Fathers Deposition his peace is proclaim'd and a General Pardon IV. Twelve Guardians appointed him Mortimer's Greatness and the Queens excessive Dowry V. The Present State of Scotland the King whereof Robert Bruce sends a Defiance to King Edward VI. King Edward's Expedition against the Scots VII The Particulars of the Murder of King Edward the Second VIII King Edward the Third's Return to London the first Year of his Reign concludes with the Death of sundry great Personages Princes and Prelates I. KING Edward the Third of that Name from the Conquest AN. DOM. 1312. was the first Son of King Edward the Second of England sirnamed Caernarvon by his Queen Isabella the Daughter of Philip the Fair King of France a Frois c. 3. fol. 2. accounted in her time one of the most Beautifull Ladies in the world He was born at the Castle of Windsor whence he had his sirname after the manner of that Age on the b Sandford p. 158. thirteenth day of November at c Ashmole p. 644. fourty Minutes past Five in the Morning being the d Claus 6. Ed. 2. m. 22. Dorso Lit. Dom. B.A. Monday next after the Feast of St Martin the Bishop and the very day e H. Knighton p. 2533. n. 10. after the day of St Brice Bishop and Disciple of St Martin in the sixth year of his Fathers Reign and the year of our Lord God MCCCXII Prince f Walsingh hist p. 77. Lewis eldest Son to the King of France and Brother to the Queen of England being then with many of the French Nobility at the English Court labour'd earnestly that this Princely Infant might be named after King Philip but against this motion the English Nobility prevail'd and so on the Thursday after he was Baptised by the Name of Edward after his Father and Grandfather the Ceremony being performed by the hands of g Victorellus p. 839. ad hunc annum Arnold h Claus 6. Ed. 2. Priest-Cardinal titulo Sanctae Priscae in the old Chappel then of St Edward in the said Castle of Windsor his Godfathers being i Ibid. Ashmole p. 644. Richard Bishop of Poictiers John Bishop of Bath and Wells William Bishop of Worcester Lewis Earl of Eureux the Queens Brother John Duke of Bretagne and Earl of Richmond Emery of Valence Earl of Pembroke and Hugh le Despencer alias Spencer a Great Man in those Days The News of his Birth was k Walsingh ibid. an occasion of great Rejoycing over all England and the only thing l Speed p. 556. able to cheer up the mind of his Royal Father from that excessive sorrow which the late Death of his Favourite Piers Gaveston had flung upon it and from that Day the King forgot by Degrees his former loss rejoycing in his present Happiness For m Pat. 6. Ed 2. so pleasing to his Father was the Birth of this Hopefull Prince that on the Sixteenth of December following he gave to John Launge Valet to the Queen and to Isabel his Wife and to the longer liver of them for bringing to him so desireable News twenty four pounds per annum to be paid out of the Farm of London Within n Pat. ibid. Par. 2. m. 5. Ashmole ibid. few days after this Prince's Birth the King his Father granted him the County of Chester except the Mannors of Mecklesfield and Shotwike to hold to him and his Heirs Kings of England for ever And likewise the County of Flint and Rothelan to hold as before except the Mannor of Overton the Lands of Mailor Seysnoke and the Castle and Mannor of Holt after which he was thus stiled by the King Edvardus Comes Cestriae filius noster Charissimus But leaving his Infancy we will now proceed to his Youth and the occurrences that attended his Ripening years when we shall first have given some small taste of his Character the fulness thereof being purposely remitted till the end of his Life and this our Work because then it may better be consider'd from the whole tenour of his History From his Birth he was carefully bred up in all things that seem'd necessary or proper for Princes to excell in so that thrô the Vigour of his Parts being rendred very apt to imbibe the best Principles he made a speedy and extraordinary improvement in all Noble Qualities For he was of a very o Pitsaus de Illustr Angl. script p. 517. pierceing Judgment Sweet-nature and Good Discretion and considering the many weighty affairs that employ'd his whole Life not only kind to the Muses but much befriended by them as appears by those Learned Writings of which Pitsaeus says he was the Author When he was capable of receiving more ingenuous Education a Man of Great Reading Erudition and Honour was provided from Oxford to be his Tutor who thô commonly called p Godwin Catal. Bishops p. 661. Richard Bury from the place of his Birth was indeed Son to one St Richard Aungervile Knight but was afterwards by this his Royal Pupil made Privy-seal and q Philipot's Catal Chancellers and Treasurers p. 32. Treasurer of England then Dean of Wells and lastly Lord Chancellour of England and Bishop of Durham II. In a Parliament holden at York in the Sixteenth of the King his Father He was by him created r Speed p. 564. Holinshead p. 869. Catal. Honor p. 315. by Tho. Milles. Prince of Wales as some say thô he is no where found to have used that Title The occasion perhaps being because he was not long after invested with a Greater King Edward his Father ſ Ashmole p. 644. being often summon'd to the Court of France to do homage for the Dukedom of Aquitain and still upon some account or other delaying till the French King had siezed thereon it was at length concluded that he should give unto this Prince his Son the said Dukedom for which he doing Homage should enjoy the Lands Whereupon preparation was made for his passing into France But before he went being then at Langedon Abbey near Dover the King his Father t Pat. 19. Ed. 2. p. 1. m. 25. Ashmole ibid. on the second of September in the nineteenth year of his Reign gave unto him his Heirs and Successours Kings of England jure haereditario in perpetuum the Counties of Ponthieu and Mutterel or Monstroile and on the tenth of the same Moneth he being then at Dover granted unto him the Dukedom of Aquitain and all the Lands he had or ought to have in the Kingdom of France Habendum as before Two u Claus 19. Ed. 2. m. 28. Dorse days after which our new Duke took shipping at Dover thence passed into France and performed his Homage to King Charles of France his Uncle In this his Journey it was thought fit that the Queen his Mother should bear him company in regard
her Lands in that Kingdom had also been seized on From which Sr Roger Mortimer Lord of Wigmore who having been clap'd into the Tower for Treason had made his escape into France as he was a most Politick and Vindicative Person took occasion to insinuate himself into the Queens Favour and by pretending to take her part against the Spencers the great Favourites of her Husband whom she extreamly hated involved her before she was aware into a Rebellion from which she could never extricate her self till she had ruin'd the King her Husband It is no way pleasant to me to relate the whole progress of that execrable Treason nor how the King of France being warned by King Edward durst not entertain any longer within his Dominions the Queen his Sister with this her Son Edward so that she was forced to flee to strangers for succour who being won by her charming tears adventur'd thô but a Few into this Kingdom where quickly encreasing their Numbers by a rash defection of the Giddy multitude they proceeded to the utmost Violations of Faith and Honour In short the old King at last was violently and illegally Depos'd and imprison'd thô with promise of security to himself AN. DOM. 1325. and the allowance of an Honourable Pension during life And our young Edward his eldest Son thô he could never be x Walsing hâ—st p 105. Hâ—â—â—nshead p 881. perswaded even to a Crown till he was made to believe his Father had desired it being at last won by the sight of his Father's seeming-voluntary Resignation which yet was extorted by fraudulent Promises and severe menaces took upon him the Crown and Government of this Kingdom III. Before this while the Realm was yet unsetled and the old King lay as then conceal'd in Wales y Sandford p. 158. He was by an Usurped Authority in an Assembly z Speed p. 564. Ashmole p. 644. of Lords met at Hereford the Queen and Sr Roger Mortimer being present made Custos or Lord Warden of the Kingdom by a common Decree bearing date the 20 of October whereupon all the Lords made him Homage and took an Oath of Allegiance to be Loyal to him as Lord Warden of England And on the twenty sixth of November following the Great Seal sent from the King his Father was deliver'd unto him at Martley Whereupon a a Walsingh hist p. 106. Sr The. de la Mere p. 8. l. 41. Parliament was summon'd to meet at Westminster about the Feast of Epiphany being called indeed in the old King's Name but the Briefs of Citation were signed by the Prince as Lord Warden of England In this Parliament thus called by his own Authority was the old King illegally depos'd when they had extorted his own consent to it by fair and foul means making so the young Prince believe that his Father had freely and willingly resign'd the Government of which matter we shall speak more largely when we come to relate the Murther of the said King Edward the Second But because many of our Historians lay some imputation upon the Name of King Edward the Third as if he was not wholly innocent of these Proceedings against his Father we are to consider the tenderness of his Age he being not then fourteen years old whereby he might very easily be impos'd upon by the treacherous subtlety of Mortimer and his Complices who were always about him also we should cast our eyes upon the severity he shew'd this same Mortimer when he understood the whole Treason nor is it a small sign of his innocence as to this point that he himself lived long and Reigned happily being blest with many Dutifull Children and that no other circumstance of his whole life can furnish us with any thing from whence we may suspect that he could be capable of so black and unnatural a Treason However b Ashmole p. 644 now the old King having resign'd the Crown great Preparations were made for this young Prince's Coronation he being on the 25 of January or the Conversion of St Paul and a c Lit. Dom. D. Sunday proclaimed King of England by Order and Consent of Parliament and Proclamations d Dugd. Warw. p. 165. a. were issued out in his Name declaring to the People that his Father the late King had made a Voluntary and free Resignation of his Regal Dignity to him as being his Eldest Son. And a week after by the direction of those who were Contrivers of this Revolution he was advis'd to Publish his Peace to the whole Kingdom which was done in these words Edward e Walsingh hist p. 105. Speed p. 565. Claus 1. Ed. 3. p. 1. m. 28. by the grace of God King of England Lord of Ireland and Duke of Aquitain to N. Sheriff of S. Greeting Whereas the Lord Edward our Father late King of England by Common Council and Assent of the Prelates Earls Barons and other Lords as well as that of the whole Commonalty of the Realm did voluntarily resign the Government thereof willing and granting that We as his Eldest Son and Heir should take upon Us the Rule and Government of the Kingdom And We by the consent and advice of the Prelates Earls and Barons aforesaid yeelding herein to our Fathers good Pleasure have taken upon Us the Government of the said Realm and received as the manner is the Fealties and Homages of the said Prelates and Barons Desiring therefore that our Peace should be inviolably kept to the quiet and benefit of our Liege People We will and command that presently upon sight of these Presents you cause our Peace to be Proclaim'd thrô all your Bailywick charging all and every one in our Name under pain and peril of Disherison and loss of life and limb not to presume to infringe or violate our said Peace but every one to prosecute his Actions and Causes without any outrage whatsoever according to the laws and customs of our Kingdom For We are ready and ever shall be to exhibit and afford to all and singular Plaintiffs as well poor as rich full Justice in our Courts according to due Course of Law. Witness Our Self at Westminster l mo Februarii Annóque Regni nostri Primo On the f Sandford p. 158. H. Knighten p. 2550. Pat. 1. Ed. 3. p. 2. n. 13. same day being Sunday and the Vigil of the Purification was the young King by the hands of his Cozen Henry Earl of Lancaster first girded with the Sword of Knighthood at which time the King himself Knighted many others among whom were three g Sandford p. 109. Catal. Hono p. 575. Dagd 1. Vol. p. 145. 147. Sons of the Lord Mortimer That day he was Crowned at Westminster by the hands of h Ashmole calls him William by mistake vid. Godw. Catal. Bps. c. Walter Reginald Archbishop of Canterbury and thereupon as an Earnest of the many Advantages his People were to reap from his prosperous Reign a General Pardon
taken by Force and every Man within put to the sword both English and Gascogners This Place with the Lands thereto belonging the Duke gave to an Esquire of Beausse called George du Milly and so repassing the Garonne came before Tonneins Which after a Siege of 4 Days yielded on Condition to have their Lives and Goods saved and to be safely convey'd to Bourdeaux So the English Garrison went away free but those of the Town submitted to the Dukes Government who tarried there till it was past * Pascha 16 April Lit. Dom. A. Easter VI. Then he came to Port St. Mary standing also on the River Garonne where he found 200 Englishmen ready to defend the Town and Passage which were well fortified But at last the Place was won by Force and every Man within put to the Sword. The Duke having Repaired what was out of Order and set a good Garrison there went now to the strong Castle of Aiguillon seated upon the Confluence of two Great Rivers the Lot and the Garonne Here they laid their Siege in the Fair Meadows along by the River which was able to bear Ships every Lord with his own Men and every Constable by himself for so the Marshals had order'd as well to raise a mutual Emulation in the Army as that Obedience and Discipline might be more readily observed when the Souldiers should find themselves still under their accustomed Leaders The Castle was well fortified besides its most advantagious scituation and very well victualled beforehand but a braver Garrison could not be found thrô the whole World then those which were now therein There was the Lord John Moubray with an 120 chosen Men set there at first by the Earl of Darby and since that as we shew'd before there were come thither the undaunted Earl of Pembroke the Invincible Lord Walter Manny the Couragious Sr. Frank van Hall and those other Knights and Esquires to the Number of 40 which the Earl of Lancaster and Darby aforesaid had lately sent thither with 300 Men of Arms and 600 Archers to Reinforce the Garrison and lastly to all these the Politick and Worthy Captain Sr. John Norwich was added with all those Valiant Men whom he had brought off so finely from Angoulesme the whole Number amounting to l Giov. Villud l. 12. c. 6â— p. 870. 400 Lords Knights and other Gentlemen Cavaliers and 800 Gascogners and English Footmen besides Carpenters Workmen and Labourers The Defendants wanted no more Provision nor Materials than they did Courage and the Assailants were neither deficient in Numbers nor Animosity nor Art nor Industry so that this Siege was the m Meâ—eray p. 24. ad 〈◊〉 most Memorable considering the Place and the few Hands to Defend it of any We find in all that Age whether We look upon the Attacks or the Defences for it lasted notwithstanding all Opposition from the latter end of April till the Feast of St. Remigius or the First of October when it was Raised as We shall shew in due Place the Fortress being entire and the Garrison in Good Condition VII The French Army consisted of an n Frois c. 12â— Du Châ—â—â—â— c. 100000 Men of War both Horse and Foot so that they could easily afford to make two or three Assaults every Day and most commonly from Morning till the Evening without any intermission For still when one Party was well wearied with Storming there came fresh Assailants in their stead whereby they held the Defendants in continual Action But first the French Lords considering that they could not come freely to the Front of the Castle at the Bridge and Gate unless they passed the River Garonne which was Large and Deep The Duke of Normandy Commanded that a Bridge should be laid over the River whatsoever it cost When the English Captains perceived the Bridge to be more then half finished then they equipp'd three Good Vessels and Manning them well with Select Men of Arms and Archers sent them forth to destroy the Enemies Works These Men came furiously upon the Workmen and chased away both them and their Defenders and presently broke all to pieces what they had been so long in making Upon this the French Lords prepared other Vessels to receive those of the Garrison and then again set their Workmen about a New Bridge which they began in Confidence of these their Protectors They had hardly been at this Work above one half of a day when the Lord Walter Manny himself with the Flour of the Garrison enter'd a Ship and came suddenly upon the Workmen and in spight of all Opposition drove them away and utterly destroyed all their Labour This Course was thus carried on for several Days together till at last the French Lords Defended their Workmen so strongly that the Bridge was brought to its Perfection thô it cost far more than it was worth Then the Lords and all the Army passed over in Battle Array and began an Assault which they continued for an whole Day together without any Intermission but all signified nothing For at Night the Frenchmen being retired to their Lodgings the Garrison mended what was broken as having Materials of all sorts and Workmen enough The next Day the French drew out four Great Detachments every One to Assault the Castle in its turn the First beginning in the Morning was to continue their Attack till Nine then immediately the Second to succeed and to hold till Noon The Third from that time till Three of the Clock and the Fourth from thence till Night came on And this Method they used for six Days together but all the while the Garrison maintain'd their Defence so Bravely that the Enemy wan nothing of them but only the Bridge without the Castle Then the Duke of Normandy was advis'd to go another way to Work He sent to Tholouse for Eight huge Engines of Battery and they themselves made four greater there And all twelve being ready they cast therewith vast Stones both Day and Night into the Fortress but the Garrison had beforehand so well secured themselves against this Device by I know not what Art that o Frois c. 120. not one Stone did them any considerable hurt except that the Coverings of some Houses were now and then a little broken Besides the English Lords within soon provided such Counter-machines as within a few Days brake six of the Assailants biggest Engines all to pieces Frequently during this Siege the Lord Walter Manny would sally out at the Postern with an 100 or an 120 Brave Companions and go on the other side of the River a Foraging and always came back again with much Corn and Cattle in the sight of the French Army One time among others the Lord Charles of Monmorency Marshal of the Duke's Host rode also forth the same way with 500 Men in his Company and was returning back with a great many Head of Cattle which he had gather'd up in the Country to serve the
Army with Provision By Chance he was met by the Lord Manny who neither well could nor much car'd to avoid him There happen'd between these two Lords a most fierce Rencounter and many were unhorsed hurt slain and taken on both sides For the p Frois c. 120. French were Five to One. While this Medley lasted News thereof was carried to Aiguillon Whereupon the English Lords prepared hastily to relieve their Fellows and first the Earl of Pembroke with his Men rode forth and being come to the Skirmish he there found his Noble Friend Sr. Walter Manny q Frois ibid. on Foot surrounded by his Enemies but doing wonderfull Deeds of Arms. To him the Earl presented a lusty fresh Horse and it was well in the mean time some Frenchmen drove the Cattle away toward their Camp For else they had lost both them and themselves too For the English that made this Sally set upon the French with so much Fury that they presently put them to the Rout and deliver'd all their Friends and took many of their Enemies Prisoners So that the Lord Charles of Monmorency himself had much ado to make an Escape And such Rencounters happen'd frequently almost r Frois ibid. every Day beside the Assaults made upon the Castle One day above the rest the whole Host was armed and the Duke of Normandy gave Order that the Men of Tholouse Carcassone and Beaucaire should make an Assault from Morning till Noon and those of Rodes Cahors and Agen from Noon till Night and he himself promised that whoever could win the Bridge of the Gate should have for his Reward an hundred French Å¿ Fr. Crown 6 s. 8 d. Crowns of Gold. And the better to render this Days work effectual he mann'd several Ships and Barges on the River some whereof ply'd by the Bridge and others passed the River to divert the Defendants At last certain of the Frenchmen came in a Boat under the Bridge where they cast up great Hooks of Iron to catch hold on the Draw-Bridge and having so done never left pulling till they had broke in sunder the Chains that held it and so laid down the Bridge by Force Then Others that were ready for that purpose leap'd thereon so hastily that one overthrew another they were all so greedy of the 100 Crowns The mean while the Defendants when they saw the Bridge as throng'd as ever it could be threw down plentifully among them vast Bars of iron massy pieces of Timber Pots of quick Lime with burning Pitch Tarr and scalding Oyl so that many were brained and scalded to Death grievously wounded and overthrown Dead and half-dead into the River and into the Ditch However the Bridge remained for that time in the Possession of the French but it signified little for they could not win the Gate for all that So at last when it was late the Retreat was sounded to the French and they being retired to the Camp the Defendants open'd their Gates and raised up the Bridge again and made it stronger than ever it was and bound it fast to great Rings in the Wall with thicker Chains of Iron The next Day there came to the Duke two Cunning Carpenters well skill'd in Mathematicks who said Sir if your Highness will allow us Timber and Workmen to follow our Directions we will make you Four strong Scaffolds as high or higher than the Walls of this Castle whereby your Men may come hand to hand with the Defendants The Duke commanded they should do so and empower'd them to press Carpenters about in the Country at his Pay and promised them liberal Rewards So at last after a long Time excessive Labour and vast Expence these four Scaffolds were ready being built on the Decks of four Great Ships and such as were appointed for that Work were disposed in them But having passed scarce half way in the River to give the Assault the Defendants who having observed all these Preparations had by this time provided a Remedy set up against them four tight Engines which they had newly made to resist the Scaffolds These four Engines cast such huge Flints and Stones with such a force and hit the Scaffolds so luckily that presently they were all so uncover'd and broken that they could yield no Defence to those that were within Wherefore they were all commanded back again but before they reach'd the Land one of the Scaffolds Ship and all sunk in the River and the greater Part of those within it were drown'd Which was a great Loss for none were there but good and valiant Knights and Gentlemen who only courted Honour by this Hazardous Enterprise When the Duke saw that whatever way he went was thus rendred unsuccessfull he let the other three Scaffolds lie still and repented much that ever he came thither For now he saw no likelihood of Winning the Castle and yet at his first coming thither he had t Giov. Villani l. 12. c. 46. p. 856. swore a solemn Oath that he would never rise thence till he had the Place at his Devotion Then he sent the Constable of France and the Earl of Tancarville to Paris to the King his Father to let him know the State of the Siege before Aiguillon and it was the Kings Pleasure that the Duke should lie there still till he had won them by Famine since he could not by Assault But this latter Device signified as little as any of the former for this Garrison was so far from allowing themselves to be pent up within Walls that having heard of two u Giov. Villani l. 12. c. 46. p. 856. Great Ships which were coming from Tholouse to the Army laden with Provision of Victuals and Armour they adventur'd forth both by Land and by Water those beating up the Enemies Quarters in their Camp and these fetching away the Ships which they brought into the Castle to their great Comfort and the infinite Loss and Vexation of the Duke of Normandy This Action happen'd on the 16 of June VIII During this famous Siege before Aiguillon x Giov. Villani l 12. c. 60. p. 870. Holinshead Engl. Chr. p. 928. the Seneschal of Guienne under the French King departed from the Duke of Normandy with a Detachment of 800 Horse and 4000 Foot designing to take in a Castle belonging to a Nephew of the Cardinal de la Motte which was about 12 Leagues distant from Aiguillon The Archdeacon of Vnfort who was Lord of the Castle and held for England understanding of the Frenchmens Approach to his Fortress went out privily and rode Post to la Reole where the Earl of Lancaster and Darby lay at that time with his little Army waiting for some Advantage against the Duke of Normandy Upon the Information and Request of this Man the Earl appointed a certain Number of Horsemen and Archers to ride along with him With whom the Archdeacon going back came on the 31 of July early in the Morning before his