for three yeares Bayon Burdeaux receaue the English The death of Iaques de Arteuill Valiant resistance made by the English in the Castle of Aguillion Caen in Normandy woÌ„ne by the English The battell of Blanchetaque The memorable battell and victory of King Edward at Cressy Calice besieged David King of Scottes taken prisoner The battell of Cressy Charles of Bloys taken prisoner Calice yeelded to King Edward 1346. Phillip of Valoys dieth and Iohn his Son succeedeth Edward the black Prince during their Kings captiuitie A strange shift in extremitie Priuate conference about a peace 1359. It should seeme to be but twenty thousand Iohannes Roâ—hetaillada King Edward inclineth to peace 1360. Peace concluded and King Iohn set at liberty 1360. 1362. 1362. The death of King Iohn Charles of Bloys slaine in battell The occasion of Prince Edwards expeditioÌ„ into Spain Don Pietro the tyrant expulsed and Henrie the bastard made King of Castile The Earle of Provence taken prisoner The king of Maiorica craveth ayd of Prince Edward and obtayneth promise of the same The birth of King Richard 2. Prince Edward setteth forward on his iourney into Spaine Prince Edwards victorie against Henry king of Castile Don Pietro restored The ingratitude of the Tyrant The Lords of Gascoigne rebell against Prince Edward The death of Don Pietro and recovery of the kingdome by Hen ry the Bastard The peace broken and warres againe renued betweene England Franc King Charles commended for his curtesie A truce taken with Scotland â—or 9. yeeres Lymoges recouerd by the French Conquered againe vtterly raced by the English Prince Edward returneth into England The Duke of Lancaster marrieth Constance one of the daughters of Don Pietro Edmond of Langly The Duke of Lancaster returneth into England 1372. The English men overcome at Sea the Earle of Pembroke taken prisoner Ivan the son of Ammon Prince of VVales The I le of Garnesâ—y Poytiers yeeldeth to the French Rochell yeeldeth to the French The Duke of Brittaine flyeth into England 1373. The Duke of Lancaster arriueth at Calice 1376. The death of Prince Edward King Edward the thirds death and commendation King Richard 2. 1377. The French King poysoned 1378. 1379. The Castle of Barwicke surprised by the Scottish Againe recocouered by the English Great tumult about the election of a Pope King Richard entreth into league with the King of Navarre Ivan of VVales trecherously muthered by one Iames Laube a welch man as he lay at the siege of a certaine castle called Moctaine Saint Maloes besieged Henrie the bastard King of Castile deceaseth and Iohn his Son succeedeth Edmond of Langly He is called Siluester Budaeus Fross Chro. Liâ— 2. The Queene of Naples coÌ„meth to the Pope The Queene of Naples coÌ„ueyeth her inheritance to the Pope The occasion of the Flemish warres Iohn Lyon a seditious fellow in Gaunt bringeth vp the faction of the white cappes The death of Lon. The Earle of Flaunders besieged by his subiects The Duke of Britaine returneth into his country King Richard aydeth the Duke of Britaine Thomas of VVoodstocke the Earle of Buckingham King Charles the 5. dyeth of poysontaken long before His speech at his death 1380. 1380. The coronation of Charles the fixt The coÌ„mendation of King Charles the 5. Thomas Earle of Buckingham Nants besieged The Duke of Britaine recoÌ„ciled to the French king forsaketh the English 1381. Peter de Boys Phillip of Arteuill Edmond of Langly Sir Iohn Newton captaine of the Castle of Rochester At Black-heath VVat Tiler Iack Strawe Iohn Ball. The Sauoy At Saint Katherines Mile end VVat Tiler Iack Straw Iohn Ball. Simon Sudbury It was in Smith sield VVat Tiler VVilliam VValworth Gaunt besieged by the Earle of Flaunders Commotion in Paris The Lord Coucy King Richard marrieth Anne sister to Charles King of Bohemia The Duke of Aniow taketh his iourny into Italy Zeuf an enchaunted castle see Fros Chro Lib 2. Cap 391. This enchaunter by such like illusions had before caused the Queene of Naples and her husband to yeild vp the same castle into the hands of Charles Fross Chro. lib. 2. cap 346. 392. The death of Ferdinando king of Portingale The Gauntoyes kept from victuall and brought to great extremity by the Earle of Flaunders A hard choise See the effects of desperate resolution 1382. The Earle ouerthrowne and Bruges taken by the Gauntoys Strange alteration in the Earles fortune The Duke of Burgundy The French King taketh vppon him the Earles quarell against the Gauntoys They were in all not aboue soure or fiue hundreth Fros Chro. lib. 2. Cap. 414. Ipre receiueth the French king The French kings victorie against the Gauntoyes Phillip de Arteuill slaine Bruges yeeldeth to the french King Schisme in the Church The practises of Pope Vrbane against Clement his aduersarie He sent no lesse then 30. as appeareth Fross Chro lib. 2. cap. 428. Henry Spencer Bishop of Norwich Nine thousand flemings slaine by the English in a battell not farre from Duakirk 1383. The French King agayne vndertaketh the Earle of Flaunders cause 1383. The death of Lewis Earle of Flaunders The Duke of Aniow dyeth in Italy Her name was Phillip whom he had by Blaunch his first wife The Admirall of France sent with a power into Scotland Charles the French king marryeth Isabell daughter of Stephen Duke of Bauier The French and Scottish men together inuade the borders of England The Earle of Oxenford 1358. The Gauntoies receiued to sauour and their peace made vvith their Lord the Duke of Burgoigne Sir Iohn Bourchier The Earle of Foys The strange story of Gascone Earle of Foys and his sonne Gascone The Earle of Foys killeth his owne son vnwittingly Pag. 110. Iohn King of Spaine layeth claime to the crowen of Portingale besieged Lisbone The King of Portugale through the English mens ayde obtaineth a notable victorie Pope Vrbane besieged Page 127. The Duke of Lancaster sayleth into Portugall Bristowe The Duke of Lancaster arri-Seth in paine The French King maketh great preparation to inuade England Jaquesle Gris sir Iohn de Carogne A notable example of diuine iustice The French king was present with most of his nobility The death of Peter King of Arragon The Duke of Lancasters ambassadour imprisoned by the King of Arragon Phillip the Duke of Lancasters daughter marryed to the King of Portugall John of Bloys marryeth the Constables daughter of Fraunce The Castle of Ermine The Lord de laval 1390. At Saint Georges feast at VVindsore Sir Robert Tresilian Sir Robert Beachampe sir John Salisbury sir Nicholas Brambre The Englishmens miseries vnder the Duke of Lancaster in Spaine Sir John Holland The Duke of Lancaster returneth out of Spaine Bertold of Machline Reignold Earle of Gelders marryed Mary daughter to Bertold of Machline Langue fride VVenceslaus Duke of Braband taken pri soner Edward Duke of Gelders slaine in battell 1383. The Spanyards recouer againe all that the Duke of Lancaster had gotten in Castile Charles King of Nauarre by a strange misfortune burned in his bed The Duke of Britaine restoreth all that he had taken from the Constable Graue besieged by the Brabanders The notable victory of the Duke of Gelders against the Brabanders 1388. The French king goeth against the Duke of Gelders The Duke of Gelders submits himselfe to the French king The Scottes inuade England The Duke of Gelders taken prisoner Katherine the Duke of Lancasters daughter married to Henry Prince of Castile Truce for three yeeres between England Fraunce their confederates The Duke of Berries treasurer burned The death of Pope Vrbane 1390. The French King aydeth the Genowayes against the Moores and Barbarians The death of Iohn king of Castile The Earle of Arminacke passeth into Italy against the Duke of Millaine Guy Earle of Bloys The suddaine death of Gascone Earle of Foys 1391. A treaty of peace at Amience Sir Peter of Craon Sir Oliuer Clisson treacherously assaulted and almost slaine by sir Peter of Craon Euer since the Parisians met the King in armes at his returne out of Flaunders when to curb their boldnes he caused all their armour to be taken from them the chaines of the streetes to bee carried away and the foure principall gates of the citie from thence foorth to be left alwayes open The French King falleth sodaynly into a frensie 1391. Sir John Mericer A truce for foure yeeres between England France The death of pope Clement King Richard giueth all Aquitaine to the duke of â—ancaster The Gascones refuse to accept the duke of Lancaster for their soueraigne K. Richards voyage into Ireland 1394. Otherwise called Lamorabaquy Iohn the duke of Burgoignes sonne sent by the French king to ayde the King of Hangary against the Turkes Nicopolis besieged Fifteen thousand Turkes 〈◊〉 slaine by one thousand christians vnder the conduct of the Lorde Cowâ—y A discourse ot the Duke of Millaine Pag. 127. Friseland subdewed by the Earle of Henault 1396. King Richard marrieth Isabel the french kings daughter One mans pride causeth many mens destruction The siege before Nicopolis raised and all the Frenchmen slaine or taken prisoners The Lord Cowcies death 1397. At the marriage of King Richard to the French Kings daughter a truce was agreed vpon for thirtie yeeres The Earle of Saint Paul The duke of Glow ester murdered in the castle of Calice 1397. Richard earle of Arundell Thomas Mow bray Duke of Norffolke The Earle of Derby the Erle Marshall banished The Duke of Burgoignes sonne Pope Benedict besieged and taken prisoner by the Frenchmen The death of John of GauÌ„t Duke of Lancaster 1399. Henry Pâ—rcie earle of Northumberland and his sonne Thomas Arundell Hee should haue vsde the benefit of oportunity 1399. King Richard deposed
King of England afterwards bought of him that took them for twentie thousand crownes The Englishmen marching still forward passed ouer the riuer Seane towards Roane and their light horsmen scoured the country euen vnto the Suburbes of Paris where encountring the townsmen of Amience well appointed posting towardes Paris vppon commaundement from the King because of long time before they had been charged with no seruice for the warres they let fiercely vpon them and bereft them of their carriage The French King in the meane while notwithstanding the Parisians earnest sute to the contrary departed from Paris to Saint Dennis whither as then the rest of the Peeres were assembled From thence pursuing his enemie with a certaine vehement and wonderfull desire to fight he remoued to Amience The King of England assayed to passe his armie ouer the riuer Some but there was neither foord knowne nor bridge possible to be taken they were all so surely garded by the French men At length after proclamation of enlargement and reward to any French prisoner that should performe it a certaine young man taken by chaunce discouered a forde The French men suspecting they would passe ouer at the same place opposed themselues strongly against them and entertained them in the riuer with a sharpe skirmish Neuerthelesse the Englishmen waded through and put them to flight By this time the French King was come to Abbevile and the King of England wayted for him in the plaine fieldes to giue him battell When the time of battell approched the King of England made his prayers to God to send him an happy victory and diuided his wholy Armie into three parts In the vauntgarde was his Sonne in the reregard himselfe The fight was furious on both sides but at length the Englishmen obtained the victory which may seem a wonder considering the huge multitude of their enemies In this battell the King of England who awaiting oportunitie had not yet put himselfe in preasse being aduertised that his Sonne fighting valiantly in the forefront was wellnighe oppressed by the enemy he made answere to the messengers in this sort Demaunde no helpe of me this day so long as my Son liueth For I will that he now shewe some proofe of his valor and that the honour of the victory be wholy his and theirs that are appointed to attend him In this battell was slaine Henrie of Lutzenburge Father to Charles King of Bohemia who although he were blinde would needes adventure against the enemy notwithstanding Towards night the French King accompanied with very fewe withdrewe himselfe out of the field The King of England caused the dead bodies of the French men to be numbred and there were found slaine eleven Princes fourescore Barons twelue hundreth Knights and about thirtie thowsand others By commaundement from the King all the noble men were buried in the villages neere adioyning and three daies truce was graunted to giue buriall to their dead After the King of England had obtained this notable victorie he tooke his way directly towards Calice and environning the towne with a stronge siege there planted himselfe in purpose not to depart before he had constrained them to yeelde for famine Meane while the French King sent word to his Sonne the Duke of Normandy lying still at the siege of Aguillion that he should giue ouer his enterprise and conuey his forces againe into Fraunce to withstand the English men who subdued all things before them as they passed Before this aduertisement came to the Army there was another battell fought betweene the French and the English wherein was present Phillip son to the Duke of Burgundy who falling with his horse soone after departed this life During the siege of Aguillion wherof an English Baron was captaine the Earle of Derbie whome the King of England had before sent into Aquitaine remayning at Burdeaux Assoone as he vnderstood that the siege was raysed and the Duke of Normandy departed he assembled to the number of six thousand men and raunging through a great part of the countrie thereabouts at length tooke Poitiers by assault and then returning againe to Burdeaux dismissed his souldiers leauing no Garrison in Poitiers because the towne was vtterlie raced Whilste the King of England was busied about the siege of Calice David King of Scottes partly of his owne motion partly by procurement of the French King perswading himselfe that all the souldiers of England or at leastwise the greater part were gone a warfare with their King assembled his forces to the number of fortie thousand or there about and invaded England The Queene of England in the mean time behaved her selfe with great courage and discretion consulting with the Lords and Prelates of her Real me about the direction of her affaires So an armie was levied vpon the suddaine and the enemie fiercely encountred certaine Archbishops and Bishops of England being present in the conflict whose power notwithstanding it were sarre inferiour in number to the Scottes yet they obtained the victorie In this battell the Scottish King himselfe with many others were taken prisoners The number of them that were slaine amounted to fifteene thousand the rest saued themselues by flight After the accomplishment of this honourable victorie the Queene of England crossed the seas and went to visite the King her husband In the battell before mentioned amongst others was also slaine the Earle of Flaunders who by reason of the rebelliu of Iaques de Artevill was compelled to put himselfe into the French Kings protection He left a Sonne named Lewis at that time about fifteene yeeres of age Now the King of England was in great expectation that through the politicke assistance of Iaques de Artevill he should haue brought the Flemminges to receiue him for their soveraigne and that his Sonne the Prince of Wales with their generall acceptance should haue obtained the Lordship of all Flaunders But the author of so wicked a deuise was slaine as is already declared for the Flemmings would not disinherit the Son of their Lord though they loued not his Father The King of England therefore began to treate of a marriage betweene the young Earle who was then remaining in the French Court for he fled thither with his Father at such time as the state grew troublesome in Flaunders and a daughter of his named Isabell Against this match the Duke of Braband opposed himself for he also had a daughter at the same time whom he desired to match with the young Earle Meanes were found by the Flemminges to conuey the Earle from the French King and he returned into Flaunders in hope to recouer his Fathers possession The King of England in the meane while was nothing slacke in soliciting his sute with the Lordes of Flaunders By them the matter was mooued and the match profered to young Lewis But he vtterly refused it protesting that he would neuer marrie the daughter of him that had slaine his Father When the
the truce to the King of Scotland But this was left vnperformed by what errour or negligence I know not It should seeme after the Earle of Flaunders death the duke of Burgoynes braiâ—e was so busied that he quite forgot it for all that inheritance was descended to him Certaine English gentlemen taking aduantage of this occasion made a rode into Scotland wasting the country as they went with fire and sword The Scottes who knew nothing what had passed meruailled much at the matter seeing no warre was proclaymed and so much the more because they had heard a certaine darke rumor of a truce But howsoeuer the case stoode they prepared to defend themselues When report hereof was brought to the french King the Peeres began to accuse one another of negligence in forgetting a matter of so great moment And because there was now no other remedy they sent certaine into Scotland which by declaring the true circumstances of the matter should giue them satisfaction The king himselfe was well inclined to peace but the Lords of his country made much adoe and were very hot vppon reuenge and in like maner rode forth into the borders of England to shew that they neither wanted courage nor ability to defend themselues and their goods from their enemies At length being pacifyed and the King perswaded the French ambassadors sent an herauld into England and so quieted the strife And when the truce was receiued and ratifyed on both parts it was proclaymed by sound of trumpet that no man should presume to transgresse the articles therein contayned But to perswade the king of England to this peace for he was highly offended at the late inuasion of the Scottish great meanes were made by the Duke of Lancaster who had formerly determined to make his voyage this yeere into Spaine with the assistance of the King of Portingale which warre he was the more desirous to accoÌ„plish in regard he had issue by his wife to whome he affirmed the kingdome of Spaine was both by the lawe of nations and nature it selfe of right apperâ—ayning It is shewed before with how great preparation puissance the Duke of Aniow passed into Italy When he came thither he found no opposition but onely in the Neapolitanes who would in no wise be turned from his aduersarie but Prouence Calabria and Apulia receiued him The Earle of Sauoy as I told you accompanied him in his iourney and about this time ended his life Now when he had retayned his souldiers for the space of three yeeres together being almost drayned dry with so great and coÌ„tinuall charges he requested his brothers that they would not faile him in these his affaires of so great honour and importance They out of their loue and honourable affection holding it not fit to abandon him in so â—ust a quarrell sent an army to ayd him which when it came to Auinion receiued certaine tydings that he was lately dead at a Castle not farre from Naples and so returned home againe After the death of the Earle of Flaunders the inheritance of that country descended to Phillip Duke of Burgundy which had married his daughter Now the Dutchesse of Braband whose husband Wenceslaus of Bohemia dyed lately before at Lutzemburge desired earnestly that Burgundy Henault and Flaunders might be vnited in perpetuall league and amitie The Duke of Burgoigne had a sonne named Iohn This Iohn marryed Margaret the daughter of Albert Duke of Bauier and Henault at Cambray And William the sonne of Albert tooke to wife Margaret daughter to the Duke of Burgoigne The french king was present at these nuptialles And the Duke of Burgoigne gaue in dowry with his daughter an hundred thousand franks These allyances troubled the Duke of Lancaster who had a purpose to haue matcht a daughter of his to the sonne of Duke Albert. And therefore at such time as these matters were in treaty he endeauoured by his letters to Albert to haue hindred their proceedings but it preuayled not Concerning the Earles of Henault ye must conceiue that William the Lord of this seigniory had foure daughters Margaret Phillip Ione and Isabell and one sonne named VVilliam Margaret was married to Lewis of Bauier the Emperour Edward king of England marryed Phillip VVilliam was slaine in battell against the Phrisoners left no issue Therefore by his death the right of succession deuolued to Margaret the eldest sister and she enioyed the heritage till such time as Albert her sonne whom she had by Lewis the Emperour being growne to mans estate entred vpon the inheritance of his ancestors And afterward VVilliam the sonne of Albert married the Duke of Burgoignes daughter as is a little before declared The Duke of Aniow left behinde him two sonnes Lewis and Charles in whose right their mother by the counsell of Pope Clement and the French king made warre vppon the people of Prouence not without the French Kings assistance who supplyed her wants both with men and money The men of Manceilles were well affected towards her but all the rest opposed themselues against her and as it seemed would not accept her for their soueraigne before Calabria Naples and Apulia had done the same of which countries when she could showe her selfe to haue quiet possession they also offered to put themsel es vnder her obedience The truce by this time being expired the French King had a mervailous desire to bee doing with the King of England Hereupon leuying an army he sent the Duke of Burbon into Aquitaine that if it were possible he might expell the English men wholly out of Fraunce He sent another army also into Scotland vnder the conduct of his Admirall to the intent the Scottish power and his being ioyned together might put the king of England to the greater vexation But when the Admirall arriued in Scotland he found not such friendly entertaynement as he lookt for Charles the fift vpon his death-bed had requested his brothers to chuse a wife for his son of some noble family especially out of Germany that the allyance might be the stronger They did according to his desire For he married Isabell the daughter oâ— Stephen Duke of Bauier a Lady of most excellent beauty But the first meanes of this match was deriued from this occasion that Fredericke of Bauier her vnckle had followed the French king in his late warres against the English as hath beene already declared Shortly after the death of the Duke of Aniow who had attempted great matters in Italie dyed also his aduersary Charles surâ—amed the Peaceable It was supposed that he was made away by the Queene of Hungarie who hauing two daughters by her husband Lewis deceassed feared lest this Charles which was his brothers sonne should dispossesse them of their inheritance specially for that he openly tearmed himselfe King of Hungarie and therefore wrought meanes to dispatch him out of the worlde but whether this be a true report or a coniecture I cannot affirme Then
himselfe to the protection of the French King The siege of Tourney continued some three moneths during which space Iane os Valoys the French kings sister and mother to the Earle of Henault laboured very earnestly to procure a composition At length shee obtained thus much that a day was appointed for a meeting to be had betweene the Lords of Fraunce and England where they agreed vpon a truce for twelue months space with condition that each party should hold whatsoeuer he had gotten by battell Herevppon the armies were both dismissed And this further was concluded that at a certain time prefixed within the yeare another treatie should be had at Arras where commissioners from both Princes and from Pope Clement should meete together and this likewise was performed There the English men demaunded much and the French men profered nothing saue the Earledome of Ponthiew which was giuen before in dowrie to King Edwards mother when shee married into England More then thus was nothing done in this treaty onely another yeere added to the truce and the King of England returned into his Country When things were thus set at a stay and that the Duke of Britaine prepared to returne into his owne country he was seised vppon in his iourney by a most violent sicknes whereof in short space he dyed leauing behind no lawfull issue male to succeed him He had two brothers of whome the one which was Earle of Mountfort was his brother onely by the fathers side the other both by father and mother but he died before him leauing issue one only daughter whome the Duke of Britaine in his life time ioyned in marriage to Charles of Bloys sisters Son to Phillip the French King For the Duke fearing it might so fall out that after his decease his brother the Earle of Mountfort would seise the seigniory of Britaine into his owne handes and by that meanes dispossesse and as it were disinherite the lawfull daughter of his brother by the whole bloud thought good to prouide a stay for the Lady by marriage and therefore his desire was the rather to match her to the kings nephew because if the other should make any attēpt hereafter he might the easilier be resisted And so it came to passe For the Earle of Mountfort had no sooner vnderstanding of his brothers death but that partly by force partly by cōposition he possessed himselfe of the greater part of Britane And then the better to supporte his cause and stablish his estate he went ouer to the King of England where relating the whole discourse of his proceedings he receiued from him the inuestiture of his dukedome And the King of England considering that by this meanes he might haue a ready passage through Britaine into Fraunce promised both his councell and furtherance to the newe Duke against his enemie whether it were the French King or any other whosoeuer For he had lost the French kings fauor before euer since he brought in the Germaines to serue in his warres vppon whome he had spent such a huge masse of money withou◠accomplishing any notable enterprise And this is the true cause and originall ground of this warre Charles of Bloys being aduertised of the proceedings and enterprises of Mountfort made great complaint of him to the French King After consultation had the King commaunded that the Earle should be summoned to the Parliament of Paris The Earle came and after some debatings on both sides he was enioyned by the King not to depart the Citie for a certaine season Neuerthelesse he conueyed himselfe secretly away and so sentence was giuen with Charles It was a great blot in Mountforts case that he had been inuested in his Duchie by the King of England And thervppon the French King denouncing Charles to be rightfull heyre encouraged him with his own mouth to recouer by force of armes the seigniorie due vnto him both by iudgement of law and right of inheritance promising not only his owne ayde but procuring other Lords also to assist him in the maintenance of his rightful quarrell The warre was vndertaken in the behalfe of Charles with the power of the Peeres of Fraunce his friendly assistants Besides other at length the Citie of Nants the principall in those partes was forced by assault There Mountfort himselfe was taken prisoner and from thence conueyed to Paris to the King by whose commaundement being cast in prison he there ended his life His Lady in the meane time bearing her fortune with a true manlike resolution encouraged the fainting hearts of her people and both fortified with Garrisons and furnished with victuals the rest of the holdes yet vntaken by the enemie Vppon conclusion of the truce between the kings of England and Fraunce and dissoluing the siege before Tournay the King of England returning home perceiued what great annoyance the Scottes had wrought to his country in the meane while wherevppon he assembled an Armie The Scottes being pressed with great extremitie in the absence of the King purchased a truce of the English vppon condition that if within foure moneths space the King did not prouide for the rescue they should yeeld This was signified to the King of Scottes who therevppon returned and being ayded with forraine power wonne certaine holdes from the English Amongst other the Citie of Durham was one where no mercy was shewen to no sex age nor order whatsoeuer but the very churches and all were consumed with fire Afterward perceiuing that by further prosecutiug his enterprise he did but lose his labour and vnderstanding moreouer that the King of England approached with a mightie power vppon deliberation with his counsell he retired In the meane while ministring proffers of a truce which notwithstanding he had no intention to admitte till he had first taken aduise of the French King with whome he was formerly confederate The Lordes of Fraunce departing out of Britaine for no other respect but because the winter whether compelled them returned againe with their forces in the beginning of Sommer purposing to bring the rest of that Duchy in subiection Whereof the Lady of Mountfort being aduertised shee sent ambassadours to the King of England requiring ayde vppon this condition that her Son whome shee had borne by the Earle of Mountfort should take to wife some one of the kings daughters But the succours which he sent for the space of well nere twoo moneths together were tost vppon the Seas with stormes and contrarie windes in such sort as they could by no meanes attaine to their desired porte so that in the meane season certaine places were recoured by the French men But it is admirable to relate with what courrage and stowtnesse the Lady Mountfort demeaned her selfe Fot shee was not only content to fortifie stronge holdes and encourage her followers with comfortable speeches but shee also put on armor herselfe and attended with a troupe of horse came into the open field and prouoked her
to succour the Lady Mountfort The Englishmen were entertained with great applause at Bayon and Burdeaux Afterward laying siege to Bergerat a towne neere the riuer Gerond they receiued the townsemen to mercy the English Captaine taking their othe of fidelitie in the name of the King his Master They tooke many other places also partly by composition partlie by force of armes Amongst other they wonne the Castle of Auberoch a place notably fortified and leauing there a Garrison to defend it the English Captaine returned againe with the rest of his army to Burdeaux In the meane while the French men to the number of twelue thousand besieged the same Castle againe verie streytly and put the souldiers there in Garrison to great distresse But the English Captaine at Burdeaux hauing intelligence thereof assembled some nine hundreth men and in an euening when the French men were to supperward brake suddainelie out of a wood and charged so resolutely vppon them that he put them to discomfiture and in the chace tooke diuers prisoners their Captaine for one being sore wounded whome the people in those partes had in such estimation as if he had beene a Prince As the English men lay in leaguer before a certaine Castle the souldiers put their Captaine in holde because he refused to yeeld it vp to the enemy and would by no meanes graunt his liberty but vppon consent to their request In the end he consented and afterward comming to Tholouse was there arrained of treason and hanged vppon a gibbet for his labour The towne of Rioll was likewise rendered into the Englishmens handes but the Castle was still maintained by the Captaine The Englishmen therefore drew a mine ouerthrew a great part of it to the ground then the captaine considering his imminent perill abandoned the place and left the Castle to the English They also receiued Angolesme by composition after a moneths respit which the townsemen had requested vppon hope to be releeued in the meane time by the French King It is formerly tolde you of Iaques de Arteuill how he was growne so great among the Flemmings that the Earle himselfe could haue no safe recourse into his own country But at length hee receiued the iuste reward of a seditious rebell He had giuen great hope to the King of England that hee would procure the whole countrey of Flaunders by generall consent to accept him for their soueraigne And for accomplishment hereof the King of England with a well furnished nauie arriued in the hauen of Flaunders The matter was propounded to the commons and all for the most part seemed well affected to the King of England But the Gauntoys tooke this practise in meruailous ill part and when Iaques returned into the Citle they entertained him nothing so kindly as they were wont but besetting the house where he was brake open the dores vppon him and slew him as he thought to haue escaped at a posterne Amongst other Articles wherewith they charged him this also was a principall point that he had priuately conueyed all the common treasure ouer to the King of England The Earle of Flaunders moreouer had but one onelie sonne About the same time William Earle of Henault sayling with great assistance into Friseland pretending himselfe to be rightfull Lord of that country was himselfe there slaine in battell with diuers of his nobilitie After his death Margaret Princesse of Henault and wife to Lewis of Bavier the Emperour tooke possession of this Earledome The French King was very desirous to draw vnto his partie one Sir Iohn of Henault a worthy Gentleman and a gallant souldier who had formerly done great seruice to the King of England The matter was attempted by diuers meanes and when no other would take effect this devise was put in practise to insinuate into his conceit that the King of England had a purpose to withdrawe from him his pensions and yeerely entertainments He gaue such credit to this report that forthwith he wholy estranged himselfe from the King of England and yeelded his seruice to the French King When the French King vnderstood that the Englishmen wasted Aquitaine and had wonne many townes and fortresses there he levied his forces amounting to the number of an hundreth thousand men Ouer this armie he appointed his Sonne John Duke of Normandy to be Lievetenant Generall To the French kings ayde came Odet Duke of Burgundy with his Sonne Phillip Earle of Artoys and Boloine both of them excellently well accomplished for the warr They recouered the towne of Angolesme laid siege to the castle of Aguillion gotten before by the Englishmen vppon composition then which there was not a stronger nor better fortified in those quarters The winning thereof was by sundry meanes attempted But it is incredible to beleeue with what courage and resolution the Englishmen that laye there in Garrison defended themselues The French King being aduertised thereof and demaunded what his pleasure was to be done in the matter returned answere to his Sonne that he should continue his siege till necessitie of hunger constrained them to yeeld The King of England vnderstanding in what distresse his men were raysed in continently a power of fourteen thousand souldiers He was accompained amongst other with his Son Edward Prince of Wales and a certain French Gentleman called Godfrey of Harecourt who being expulsed his country by the French King fled to the King of England for safegard of himselfe and reuenge of his iniuries for the French King had seized vppon all his possessions This Godfrey was the cause that the King of England directed his course into Normandy being otherwise purposed to sayle into Aquitaine He diuided his Armie into three partes whereof two raunged along the sea coast wasting the fields sacking diuers townes and leading away their prisoners least afterward they might gather to a head and worke them some displeasure The third wherein was the King himselfe marched through the maine land making hauocke of all things and euery night they mette all together againe at the kings campe The French King in the meane time caused such an armie to be raised as a more puissant had not beene seene in Fraunce of many yeeres Letters were also addressed to the King of Bohemia for ayde who at that time highly fauoured the French King The Englishmen tooke a very rich towne in Normandy called Saint Lupes and afterward hastened to the siege of another much richer called Caē borrowing that name of the riuer running by it The townsmen were purposed to haue giuen battell to the Englishmen in the field but being people vnexperienced in armes at the first fight of the enemie they fled backe again into the towne The French captaines had betaken themselues to their fortresses but beholding the huge slaughter made in the Citie for the Englishmen had taken it they yeelded Amongst other prisoners the Constable was one whome with the rest which were taken in his company the
counsellors of Flaunders sawe him so resolute in this opinion and that he would giue them none other answere they committed him to safe custody and would graunt no enlargement but vppon condition that he should be ruled by the aduise of his elders So at length he was perswaded and the King of England with the Earles wife that should be the Lordes of Flaunders and himselfe mette together at a day appointed There the matter was debated the Earle consented was forthwith contracted and after returned into Flaunders where he was nothing so straightly lookt vnto as he had beene A little before the nuptialls should be solemnized he tooke occasion accompanied with a small traine to ride a hawking where pretending great earnestnesse in following a Faulcon which he had let flye at the heron by little and little he outstripped the rest of his companie till at last he lost sight of them all and so escaped againe to the French King Whilste the King of England besieged Calice the truce which we told you was concluded by certaine Cardinals between Charles of Bloys and the Countesse of Mountfort expired by occasion where of the warres were renewed againe afresh The King of England sent a competent crew of horsemen out of the army which besieged Calice to succour the Lady Mountfort Certaine Englishmen were straightly environed by Charles of Bloys in a towne castle which they had taken immediatly before But certain other Englishmen sent suddainly from the Countesse in the dawning of the day brake vnlookt for into the campe of the French men who by reason of a little good fortune in a certaine skirmish the day before lookt negligently to their watch and putting a great part of them to the sword tooke also the Lord Charles of Bloys himselfe prisoner In the meane time the King of England prested the town of Calice with great vehemency and the French King intending to raise his siege levied a mighty army Whereof the King of England hauing aduertisement so fortified all places by which the French men might haue any accesse as well by the sea coast as the maine land that they could not possibly make any approche to disturbe him The French King seeing all entrance already foreclosed required the King of England to giue him battell But the King of England considering how he had spent welnigh a whole yeere in the siege of this Citie and withall consumed a great treasure about it thought it good policy to hold his advantage The same time also two Cardinals sent from Pope Clement to endeuour an accord betweene the Princes had three dayes communication with the Lords that were appointed Commissioners from both parties but could effect nothing of their purpose Wherevppon the French King presently after dissolued all his great army The Cal sians seeing themselues depriued both of present ayde and future expectatioÌ„ began to parly of giuing vp the town But the King of England would accept no other condition but one which was to put themselues life and goods absolutelie into his power and to remaine wholy at his disposition His counsell earnestly disswading him from this obstinate resolution as a thing tending to very ill example at length the matter was brought to this issue that six of the principall citizens bareheaded and barefooted with halters about their necks and the keies of the towne in their hands should present themselues before him to be disposed of at his pleasure The report of those tydings suddainly mooued great mourning and lamentation in the citie In which sorrowfull confusion when one not of the meaner ranke had protested openly that he would not shunne death in the behalfe of his country now almost pined with hunger his example soone after drewe fiue more to the like affection These men being publikely brought forth in such manner as he appointed who had now iurisdiction over their liues and by his commaundement adiudged to dye when all the Noble men had made intercession in vaine the Queene at length after many reasons alledged for her purpose with much entreatie obtained their pardon Then were some sent to take possession of the towne and by authority from the King all the old Inhabitants were removed and the Citie new peopled with English After this by meanes of a certaine Cardinall a truce was taken for two yeares The King of England entrusted the gouernment of Calice to a certaine Italian Not long after a French Lord that laye in Garrison at Saint Omers knowing the nature of the Italians to be aboue all other people couetous of golde practised priuately with this fellow to sell him the Castle for twenty thousand Crownes The King of England I know not by what meanes hauing intelligence hereof dissembled his knowledge and sending for the Italian examined him of the matter Who seeing no other remedy confessed the truth and besought him of pardon The King graunted and at his departure gaue him in charge to proceede with his proiect A day before this practise should be put in execution the King himselfe strongly guarded as couertly as might be entered into Calice The french man who had payd his money down and knew nothing that the plot was discouered sent his men of armes before to take the Castle Assoone as they came in not suspecting any such matter they were presently attached and made prisoners to the English Then in the dawning of the day the King of England issuing out of the Citie charged suddainly vppon the rest of the French men which houered thereabout to see the successe of their enterprise and put them to flight taking many prisoners and amongst others the same person that was the first contriuer of this treason About this time King Phillip of Valois married another wife the daughter of Phillip King of Navarre and almost at the same instant Iohn his eldest Son tooke to wife Iâ—aue Duchesse of Boloine late wife to the Duke of Burgundies Sonne the same that at the siege of Aguillion ended his life in the yeere of our Lord 1346. After the decease of King Phillip Iohn his Sonne succeeded in his stead who not long after his coronation arrained the Constable then newlie deliuered out of prison in England of treason and caused him to be beheaded at Paris John the son of Phillip de Valoys SHortly after the coronation of King Iohn Pope Clement departed out of this life at Avinon He appointed for his successour in the papacy the Cardinall of Ostia a French man borne called before his election Stephen Albert but afterward named Innocent the sixt By occasion of certaine disgracefull speeches mutually enterchanged a mortall quarrell was growne betwixt the King of Bohemia and the Duke of Lancaster which they were at point to decide by single combate but the French King interposing himselfe by his mediation the matter was compounded After the Constable as we tolde you was by the kings commandement put to death Charles of Spaine vpon whome the King
it should come to the push to haue warres for the matter Flaunders was able to withstand the vttermost that Fraunce could doe Neuertheles the duke of Britaine shortly after of his owne accord departed into England and the minds and affections of his people began to incline more fauourably towardes him then in former times they had done It is declared before how the Cardinals after the death of Pope Gregorie to pacify the tumult of the Romanes had through feare and compulsion chosen Vrbane the sixt Now because this Vrbane by reason of his pride and insolency was misliked of all men the Cardinals by generall consent proceeded to a new election and chose Robert bishop of Cambrey called afterwards by the name of Clement There remained at that time in the territory of the Romanes one Robert Budaeus a mâ—n honourably descended in the country of Britaine and a stout warriour hauing twoo thousand of his country men vnder his command Him did Pope Clement sollicite for the maintenance of his quarrell who nothing misliking the motion was secretly conveyed with his men into the Castle from thence to worke disturbance to the Romanes On the other side the Romanes oftentimes sent the Germane and Italian souldiers whome they had waged in their defence against these Britons and they handled the matter in such sort that their enemies wearied with their often and continuall assaultes were at length constrained to yeeld vp the Castle vppon no other conditions but only the sauing of their liues Robert their captaine who was not present at the dooing hereof but lay encamped without the Citie when he heard these tydings waighted oportunitie till such time as he vnderstood by his espialles that the Romanes should assemble together in the Castle to consult of their affaires then taking his way through secret passages and vnder the euenings couert entring closely into the Citie euen at the fittest time that could be wished for his purpose he assayled the Romanes as they came out of the counsell house vnarmed and suspecting no such matter of whome he made a terrible slaughter and killed many of the principall men and cheefe Citizens amongst them After the accomplishment of which mischâ—efe he returned againe to his campe at leysure When the French King vnderstood that a newe Pope was created he called a conuocation of certaine estates chiefly of diuines demaunding their opinion whether of the two Popes ought in this diuersitie to be acknowledged Their censures for the most part as happeneth in such cases were variable and different The Lords of the spiritualty with the Kings brothers and many of the diuines were of opinion that Cleoment ought to be receiued This determination pleased the King well and was immediately proclaymed through the whole kingdom that a certainty might generally be knowne for his subiects to trust vnto Of the same iudgement were the King of Spaine the Earle of Savoy the Duke of Millaine and the Queene of Naples Charles of Boheme the Emperour dissembled his minde notwithstanding the greater parte of the Empire tooke parte with Pope Vrbane The Scottish King also inclined to Clement Lewis Earle of Flaunders affirmed boldly that open iniurie was offered to Vrbane the Henaulters stood newter adhering neither to the one nor the other Pope Clement the better to confirme his cause directed the Cardinall of Poytiers into Fraunce and the countries adioyning to publish in all places where he came how Vrbane had beene by force and violence vtterly against the willes of the Cardinalles intruded into the papacie It was an easie matter to perswade the French men who had already giuen sentence on his side The Earles of Henault and Barband omitted not to giue him all honourable and curteous entertainment but for aught else there was nothing to be obtayned at their handes The Earle of Flaunders had sent him word long before that he had no desire to talke with him for he accounted Vrbane as chiefe shepheard of the Lords flock and intended neuer to forsake him Moreouer Pope Clement sent to Avinion to haue his Court prepared and furnished with all things necessary against his comming About this time the Queene of Naples resorted to the Pope to treate with him of very important affaires and thus stood the case Lewis of Sicill Duke of Apulia and Calabria lying vpon his death bed caused this his daughter to come before him addressed his speech to her in this manner Thou art now my deare daughter to enter vpon the inheritance of a most flourishing estate I doubt not but many princes will be forward to desire thee in marriage in respect of this thy goodly and glorious heritage Therefore if thou wilt follow thy fathers counsell match thy selfe to a Prince that is rich and powerfull whose puissance may be able to defend both thee and thy possessions And if it happen that thou haste no issue then make conueyance of all thy patrimony according to the direction of the Pope then being This my father Robert enioyned me at his death and this to discharge my selfe of that duetie I likewise giue in charge to thee againe When the father had discoursed much more to this effect the daughter deuoutly promised in the presence of many that she would not faile in her duety for the performance of his commaund After her fathers deceasse she was marryed to Andrew the brother of Lewis the King of Hungary but of this marriage proceeded no issue be reason that her husband dyed very young Afterward she matcht her selfe to Charles prince of Tarent and by him had only one daughter Against this Charles the King of Hungary moued warres and subdewed from him the countries of Apulia and Calabria Charles himselfe being likewise taken prisoner in battell and carryed away into Hungary where he ended his life After him she marryed to the King of Maiorica and sent Ambassadours into Fraunce to Lewis of Navarre of whome we haue formerly made mention for the concluding of a match betweene him and her daughter Who taking his iourney for the same intent deceassed by the way before he could attaine the accomplishment of his purpose The King of Maiorica in hope to recover his fathers inheritance prepared to make sharp warres vpon the King of Arragon by whome it was with-holden from him His wife desirous to retaine him still at home disswaded him all she could from his intended enterprise alleadging how he already enioyed a kingdom large and flourishing sufficient of it selfe to maintaine pleÌ„ty euen with superfluitie but she could not preuaile Therefore giving place to his resolution at his departure she earnestly exhorted him that he should open all his estate to Charles King of Fraunce who was a wise and prudent prince and declaring to him his iniuries receiued dispose all his proceedings according to his direction But the King of Maiorica expecting I know not what greater helpes otherwhere required ayde of Prince Edward the king of Englands sonne who
warres and vtter enmity against them In the meane season those citizens which were desirous of peace perswaded and preuailed with the rest that to mittigate the Earles displeasure they should make restitution of the towne they had taken and banish certaine of the chiefe authors of the enterprise This thing gaue the Earle some satisfaction And for example sake he put to death certaine commoners of the towne of Ipre which had been chiefe moouers of the late insurrection Vpon the report whereof the rebels and ringâ—eaders of mischiefe at Gaunt began to mistrust that all would be amisse on their sides also Wherefore following the counsell of one of their own stampe who was of opinion that liberty could not be procured but by subuersion of the nobilitie and gentlemens estates they ouerthrew and beat downe all the Castles and gentlemens houses they could come to and rifling their goods diuided the spoile amongst them The gentlemen mooued with this violent iniury and increased in number by the losse of their substance vppon complaint to the Earle obtained his licence and with such power as they procured made cruell warres vppon the Gauntoys Who fearing least the Earle should procure ayd out of Fraunce they sent messengers afore hand to the French King beseeching him that he would not take armes against their common wealth affirming that they contended with their Lord and endured the discommodities of warre not vppon any wilfull obstinacy but in desire to maintaine their liberty The french King being already scarce well pleased with the Earle of Flaunders for harbouring the Duke of Britaine both condiscended to their requests and gaue them encouragement Pope Clement also whome the Earle had refused to acknowledge was nothing forgetfull thereof but kept it in mind against occasion should serue to worke him as great a displeasure When the Duke of Britaine as we haue told you being called home by his subiects letters was returned into his country the King of England according to promise sent a number of souldiers to his succour but by violence of teÌ„pest they were driuen back into England The duke in the meane while not knowing hereof and wondering at the occasion of their delay sollicited the King againe for ayd Herevppon the King sent on of his vncles the youngest son of King Edward and with him six thousand men After he had passed through a good part of Fraunce when he approched nere his enemy the Duke of Burgundy the French Kings brother the Duke was desirous to haue giuen him battell but the French King for weighty considerations commanded the contrary presupposing it would come to passe that they might be disseuered of themselues And as he was indued with a kind of fortunate discretion for the managing of his affaires he practised by his letters as secretly as might be with the men of Nants a rich and populous Citie in those quaters putting them in remembrance of their dutie and earnestly desiring them that they would not take part with his enemies against him They in regard of their affection to Fraunce promised assurance of their good will and faithfull endeauour thereby discharging the kings mind of al doubts and that they might better make resistance against their enemies they requested him to send a conuenient number of souldiers to remaine with them in garrison The Englishmen after a combersome iourny and many difficulties at length arriued in Britaine My author reporteth that the Engligmen were wont to obserue this custome that when they went forth to warfare into any forraine country they were solemnly sworne to their King first to conceale and in any wise to keepe secret all counsels and purposes concerning the seruice vndertaken and then that they should conclude no absolute peace with the enemy but with the consent and approbation of their King and his nobility As the Englishmen according to my former speech were marching through the middest of Fraunce towards Britaine King Charles the wisest and most prudent Prince of his times fell greâ—uously sicke It is declared before how certaine of the King of Nauarres frends had giuen him poyson The opâ—… of which poyson was so violent that both his haire anâ—… nailes fell off and his body became so withered that scarce the image of a man remained Neuertheles the Emperour sent him a certaine Germaine phisition who abated the force thereof in such sort both nayles and haire and health also by little and little returned But his body could neuer be so cleerely purged but some part of the venome remained which being drawne into his arme distilled out at an issue made for the purpose And the phisition told him at his departure that whensoeuer that issue dried vp he should not liue long after Therefore despairing of health and feeling his own weaknes he sent for his brethren the dukes of Burgundy and Berry with the Duke of Burbon to whome he spake in this manner as for the Duke of Aniow because he seemed so gripple and couetous he desired not his presence I feele vndoubtedly my deere brothers that I cannot long continue amongst you Therefore I commend Charles my sonne to your tuition beseeching you that you will be alwaies assistant to him with your wisedome and counsell as it becommeth vncles to assist their nephew which must vndergoe the weight of so great a burthen and that in so tender yeeres as he can no waies be able to helpe himselfe Assoone as I am dead let it be your care to see him crowned for in you I repose all my trust and confidence Ye see he is but a very child and therfore shall stand in need of good bringing vp and wholesome instruction So let him be taught and trayned vp in all points pertaining to the office of a king as it may appeare to the world that you haue performed your duties And for a wife when time shall serue and yeeres be fitting let me entreat you to make his choice for birth and estate such a one as by her match the realme may rather be honoured then impayred I haue had much conference with a certaine Astronomer of great learning and iudgement who told me that in the time of his youth he should be put to much trouble and disquietnes and should escape many casualties of fortune Surely I haue often and very much considered with my selfe by what occasions such things should come to passe For at this present through the diuine fauour ye haue a state reasonable quiet and setled Of Flaunders I know not what to thinke the Duke of Britaine is subtill a friend to the English an enemy to vs therefore it is behoouefull that ye retaine the cheefe Cities of Britaine in loue and amitie for by this meanes shall the Dukes counselles be frustrate Surely the Britons deserue to be commended and are worthy to be well esteemed for they haue alwaies done me faithfull seruice both in defending my kingdome and pursuing my enemies Send into Germanie to
fulfill their requests and therevppon signed deliuered vnto them certain writings and charters for the same wherewith a great part of them were reasonably well satisfied and began to be much more tractable But the principall heads of rebellion which as I told you abode still behinde being villaines of most wicked disposition whose only desire was to make a prey of rich mens goods had drawn together in the meane time some twentie thousand with part of the comminalty intending to haue falne to rifling presently But the King comming vnawares though not out of season vpon them as he returned from parly with the rebells at the place appointed without the citie espying such a multitude together paused a while to vnderstand the matter Immediatly one of those varlets stepping forth began to talke to him in a very rude and contemptuous fashion hauing formerly giuen in charge to his companions that at a certaine signe or watchworde which he would giue them they should rush violently forth and kill all that were abount the King whom only he would haue spared in regard of his age As he continued in his arrogant speeches and behauiour to the King the Mayor of the Citie disdaining thereat thrust him through with his sword Then might ye haue seene the enraged multitude in a blind furie euen ready to haue destroyed them all but the King pacified them pressing himselfe alone into the thickest of them which otherwise perhaps might haue seemed a poin◠of indiscretion but the successe warranted the action Many counselled the King to haue pursued them in their departure and to haue set vppon them as they were separated and dispersed But the king would not allow of that course nor suffer any violence as then to be vsed towards them thinking that with more ease and better leisure he might take punishment of them at his pleasure hereafter Neither were all offenders alike for as in such commotions it happeneth a great sort were taken vp by the way perforce and compelled to go along with the rest for company And he vsed this gentlenesse the rather because the chiefe captaines and ringleaders of this mischiefe beeing detected by the people they onely might be put to death and the residue be pardoned The Earle of Flaunders once again besieged Gaunt assembling men of warre out of Henault and Artoys the Lordship wherof was lately befalne him by the death of his mother In the meane time a certaine Captaine of his winning a little village belonging to the Gauntoys called Grantmont slue all that were in it euery one both old men women and Children not sparing so much as women with childe and those that lay sicke in their beds The churches were destroyed with fire and the towne layd leuell with the ground It happened the author of this so miserable and vnmercifull spectacle in a certaine skirmish such as there were many falling into an ambush of the Gauntoys to be slaine The Earle taking his death very greeuously for he had not any man about him whome he more deerely esteemed brake vp his siege conceiuing greater displeasure against the Gauntoys then before Neuerthelesse by mediation of the Lords of Henault and Braband and vppon the earnest sute of the people peace was againe concluded Amongst other articles this was one that within fifteen daies after the Gauntoys should deliuer two hundreth persons such as the Earle should nominate to be disposed of at his pleasure Peter de Bloys and Phillip of Arteuill hauing secret intelligence hereof and suspecting themselues might be some of the number prouided a competent crew of their faction to be in a readinesse at all assayes and the next morning when the articles of peace were read publikely in the Towne-house they entred in strongly accompanied and slue twoo Aldermen of great account the same which were chiefe agents for the towne in this treaty of agreement With this fact the Earle was so exceedingly prouoked that it seemd from thence forth he would neuer haue come to any composition with the Gauntoyes before he had vtterly rooted out the whole rabble of that seditious generation About this time happened an insurrection in Paris the citizens requiring that the late subsidy and new exactions imposed vppon them might be taken away from paiment wherof they pleaded immunity by a graunt they had obtained from King Charles the fift which they said the new King at his coronation had likewise confirmed The King to whome it was vnpleasing and tedious to liue amongst contentious persons departed out of Paris to Meaulx The people in the meane while rising in an vprore brake vp the prisons let out the prisoners and killed certaine of the kings officers At length a certaine noble man of the court who was very well beloued of the people being sent to appease the tumult dealt with the citizens in such sort that they were content in regard of the necessity of the time to disburse weekely ten thousand sranks towards the maintenance of the king warres and paiment of his souldiers Another vprore happened also at Roan not vnlike to this at Paris but it was suppressed by the King himselfe Many Cities and common wealths following the footsteps of the Gauntoys whome they extolled with high cōmendation as most stout defenders of their liberty rebelled against their magistrates Behold to what ruine all things tended if by the industrie of valiant Princes these euils had not been restrained The Earle of Cambridge of whome we spake before making a long passage for want of good weather after he had been much tossed vppon the seas with the contrary winds at last arriued with all his souldiers at Lisbone in Portugall When he had taried there certaine moneths the King of Portingale bestowed all his men in garrisons giuing commandement that they should not attempt any thing against the enemy without his knowledge and direction The englishmen and Gascoines vnacquainted with idlenesse and desirous to be employed in some exercise of armes vppon a time when they could not obtayne licence of the King went forth of their owne heads and winning certaine holds of the Spaniards placed garrisons in them and returned No other memorable seruice was performed of many moneths after by meanes whereof the King of Spaine had time and leisure more then enough to make sufficient preparation for his defence He had ayd also sent him out of Fraunce which was allowed free passage through Arragon by reason of the league that was confirmed between both kings vppon conclusion of the marriage as we haue discoursed already The King of England sending ambassadours into Germamany to Charles King of Bohemia requested to haue his sister to wife The matter was debated a tweluemoneth and more and at last tooke effect The french King to the intent to hinder this marriage gaue commaundement to the Normans to enter the seas with a puissant fleet and to intercept the new Bride with all her traine in their passage But
so much for any good faith which he intended as to learne hereby what opinion was holden of him in Fraunce But assoone as hee saw himselfe disappointed there for the King had disdaine at his letters he turned to the King of England of whome he not onely requested ayd for the Gauntoyes but also altogether out of season demaunded the two hundreth thousand crownes that his father Iaques had lent King Edward at the siege of Tourney by meanes whereof it came to passe that he obtayned neither the one nor the other For had he made no mention at all of the money but onely entreated of the league it is like enough he might haue obtayned his desire The Earle of Flaunders hauing accesse now opened vnto him by reason the kings mind was so addicted to this war tooke his iourney into Fraunce And after he had receiued his inauguration at the kings hands for the county of Artoys which was lately befalne him he began to conceiue better hope of his affaires especially when he sawe so puissant a Prince with such forwardnes of affection bring a mighty army of no lesse then threescore thousand men to wage batell against his enemy in the maintenance of his quarell Whereof so soone as Phillip had receiued aduertisement he omitted no part of what pertained to his charge but commaunded presently that all the bridges vpon the riuer Lise which were nere hand should be broken downe Moreouer he caused two passages vpon the riuer to be strongly fortifyed and defended with good garrisons the one of them at Comius being kept by Peter de Boys with nine thousand men Whereof the French men being not ignorant sundry opinions rose amongst theÌ„ as they consulted of their affaires some thinking it were best to goe about by Saint Omers where the riuer is shallowest others giuing counsell to make a bridge ouer Skeld not farre from Tourney to the intent the army might passe easily from thence into Arde. At length it likte them best to venture vppon the enemy before mentioned which lay at Comius When they came thither they found the bridge broken downe and no passage to get ouer whereuppon they fell againe to consultation In the meane while certaine aduenturous gallants which were desirous to make some proofe of their valour hauing formerly agreed amongst themselues that if no passage could be found they would secretly vse some meanes by their owne industry without knowledge of their commanders to conuey themselues ouer with the helpe of three or foure small botes slyding along by a cord fastened to both sides of the riuer passed ouer in that sorte by a fewe at once till they had gotten all their company to the further side in safety and this they did with so little trouble or daunger that the enemy who lay encamped not farre of neuer perceiued it before such time as he saw them marching towards him with Ensignes displayd Peter de Boyis immagining that so small a number durst neuer venture vppon him because the cuening approched would not fight with them as then but rather thought to set vppon them in the night when the wearinesse of their trauell had ouertaken them with sleepe But the French men whom the boldnes of their attempt had made circumspect in their proceedings considering how great and dangerous an enterprise they had vndertaken without lycence either of King or Captaine were exceedingly watchfull and stood alwaies vpon their guard for feare of disaduantage About the breake of day their enemies came forth to assayle them whom they encountred with such resolution albeit their number were but a handfull in comparison that they slew well â—ere six thousand and chased the rest into a towne thereby which they tooke for refuge After this battell the French king presently building vp a bridge brought ouer the rest of his forces and marched directly towards Ipre The townesmeÌ„ following the fortune of the conquerours army slew their gouernour because he refused to yeild and committed themselues to the French King All their neighbours immitating their example did both pay great summes of money and also brought their captaines prisoners which perswaded them to stand out in rebellion But the Earle of Flaunders was called to councell in none of these proceedings The men of Bruges could haue bene contented to yeild as well as the rest but their Captaines so encouraged them with hope of ayd out of England that they held it out notwithstanding When Phillip of Arteuill vnderstood that the power of the most puissant King was encamped not farre from him he also brought forth his army into the field which consisted of some fifty thousand men There he exhorted them in a pithy oration that now going to battell they set before their â—ies that memorable ouerthrowe which with so small a company they had giuen to the Earle of Flaunders and withall to consider how after this battell if they obtayned victory they should thenceforth become Lords of all and be able to make opposition against them Which thing in their behalfe all good and well gouerned common wealthes desired to whome no tydings could be more acceptable then to heare that the Gauntoys fighting valiantly and constantly in defence of their liberty had reaped the honourable reward of their vertue and courage by destroying such persons as through ambition and couetousnesse could not suffer any common wealth to remain in quiet When he had spoken much more to this effect he commanded that in the conflict they should put all to the sword and spare no man the King only excepted The Flemings not forgetting what Phillip had told them fought very manfully this also not a little sharpened their courage that they had stirred vp such a puissant enemy against them whome if they might ouercome it would redound to their perpetual fame amongst all posterity NotwithstaÌ„ding at length being enclosed betweene two wings of their enemies forced into a straight they were ouerthrowne The battel lasted not much aboue an hower and yet in that little space xxv Thousand of their number were wanting Philip fighting valiantly amongst the thickest of his enemies was slaine in the field and his body being sought for and found amongst the dead was by the Kings commaundement hanged vppon a tree Vndoubtedly that dayes battell was fought in a fortunate houre for all noblemen and gentlemen For had it falne out otherwise then it did surely as the world then went it would haue giuen a great blow to their anthority and haue shaken euen the seates of Kings and Princes The Parisians who lately before had begun a coÌ„motion long'd exceedingly to heare some good newes of the successe of this battell In Champaigne and a great part of Fraunce besides all the wealthiest cities and the peasants of the country began to make insurrection Therefore vppon the successe of this action depended the safety or ruine of many Princes estates The King was then between thirteene and fourteene yeares of
was very glad and desirous to goe this iourney His first landing was in the hauen of Brest which towne because the Englishmen refused to restore to the Duke of Britaine was at that time by the Britons and Frenchmen together beseiged But the Duke of Lancasters puissance enforced the Britons to raise their seige Then directed he his course towards Cologne a towne in Spaine For after much deliberation it was generally thought more honour to land first in their enemies country then to go streight to their friends But the towne was so strongly fortifyed as their atttempt and endeauour was vaine Therefore loosing from thence they sayled to Compostella into which towne after some parly they were honourably receiued Assoone as the King of Spaine heard tydings of the Englishmens arriuall he tooke counsell with certaine French Lords whome he chiefly fauoured concerning his affaires and what they thought of the Englishmens proceedings They were absolutely of opinion that the king of Portugale should marry the Duke of Lancasters daughter and therefore that it behou'd him to require ayde of the French king who both in respect of his owne good disposition and the most strict and auncient alliance betweene Spaine and Fraunce would not faile of his friendly dutie in that behalfe Moreouer assuring him that there were a great number in Fraunce so ill affected to idlenes that nothing could happen more according to their desires then to meete with any occasion of millitary employment When they had giuen him this counsell they further aduised him to take order that all weake holds churches and such like whereinto the country people had conueyed their goods for feare of the forraging souldiers should be beaten downe For those places were such as could not be defended and if they were taken the prey and pillage therein would afforde greate profite and aduantage to the enemy The King to whoÌ„ this counsell seemed not amisse authorised the French men to cast downe what they thought good at their discretion and withall to seize whatsoeuer they found in them after a day prefixed to their owne commodity The French king being solicited by the king of Spayne for ayd required him to be of good courage for within short space he would bend all the forces he was able to make against the English nation who being once subdued he would send store of souldiers into Spaine by whose helpe he should be enabled not onely to brydle and restrayne but to breake and confound the puissance of both his aduersaries Whilst the Englishmen wintred at Compostella they made often rodes into the country and brought certaine townes vnder their subiection In the meane time the king of Pontingale wrote diuerse Letters to the Duke of Lancaster full of great kindnesse and affection But counsell was giuen the Duke that he should delay the matter no longer nor negociate with the King any further by letters that it was very behooueful for him now he had proceeded thus farre to goe through with his affaires as speedily as might be the French men were subtle fellowes the Spaniards had small faithfulnes and it might so fall out that the French men by whome the King of Spaine was wholy carryed would perswade him to agreement with the King of Portingale vppon some indifferent conditions These reasons were approoued and therevppon the Duke sent word to the King of Portingale that he was desirous to speak with him whereto he condiscended and so they met at a place appointed After much communication it was concluded that the Duke of Lancaster should stay all the winter at Compostella sending abrode his souldiers to forrey the country in the meane while and assoone as the spring time approched to aduance their Standards both together against the enemy in what part of the Kingdome soeuer he remayned Also that the King of Portugale should take his choyce which of the Dukes daughters he would haue in marriage He chose Phillip the Dukes daughter by his first wife The matters thus accomplished the duke returned to Compostella The King of Spaine being disquicted by the English souldiers which wasted his country and forced his townes to yeeld meruailed much that there came no ayd all this while out of Fraunce but the French Lords alwaies encouraged him putting him in comfort that assoone as the wars in England were dispatched he should not faile of sufficient succours The French King vppon a meruailous desire to inuade England assembled the greatest puissance he could possibly make There were numbred of noblemen and gentlemen aboue twenty thousand and more then fifteene hundred shippes abundantly furnished with all necessaries euen to smallest trifles And although this preparation was such as a greater or more sumptuous had not been seen in mans remembrance yet as it often happeneth in such occasions the report thereof in England farre exceeded the truth and was extended aboue measure In so much that publicke prayers and supplications were daily offered to God that he would auert and turne from them this imminent mischeife All the hauens and port townes where they suspected the French men might land were strongly fortified and planted with Garrisons and an vnmeasurable masse of mony was leuied amounting to the â—umme of twenty huÌ„dred thousand floreÌ„s so as there was no man in the whole kingdome which felt not the waight of this heauy burthen All good and well disposed persons bewayled the present state of their country but idle vnthrifâ—s male-contents and such as had nothing to take to were of nothing more desirous The French army was now fully furnished and all things put in a readines in the hauen of Sluse in Flaunders nothing was wanting but onely the Duke of Berryes presence He neuer allowed this enterprise and at his comming thither when consultation was had about setting forward on their iourney he perswaded the contrary with diuers reasons as the roughnes of the winter weather for it was then about Christmas and the tender age of the King whome he thought in no wise was to be committed to the vncertainty of winds and seas at that vnseasonable time of the yeere His counsell preuailed and therevppon the voyage was put of till the next spring the preparation whereof stood Fraunce in little lesse then thirty hundred thousand Frankes It was oftentimes reported for certainty to the King of Portugale that the French Kings army was already entered into England Wherevppon some gaue him counsell that he should not be to forward in marrying his wife which he had lately affianced but rather to exspect what issue the wars would come to for if it should happen the King of England to go by the worse as it was likely enough at that time the Duke of Lancasters friendship would then do him small pleasure The King following their aduise dissembled his marriage and for a while made nomotion at all thereof but with kind letters and costly presents still continued the Dukes fauour for his aduantage Leo King of
noble man of so small account which will bestowe his daughter with you in marriage you haue so spent consumed your means and set your selfe so exceedingly in debt But there is a rich merchant Bertold of Machline which you know hath but one only daughter to whome in expectation of her large dowry many great Lords haue beene suters You cannot make a better match for your selfe than to seize vpon such a booty You shall do well therefore to make this offer to her father that if hee will vndertake with his mony to redeeme those townes and castles which you haue pawned to your creditors and withall be conteÌ„ted to release such bonds of debt as he hath of yours already in consideration hereof you will take his daughter to wife This counsell was well accepted of the Earle and so he sent one to make the motion When Bertold had receiued the message his answere was this that he should hold it a great honour both to himselfe and all his house if his daughter might seem worthy to be matched with such a husband the respects which he thought moued the Earle to desire it were that he might be discharged froÌ„ the danger of his creditors and possesse his owne without controlment Therefore he was well content to proceede with the marriage and dislikte not of the conditions profered so as these likewise for his part might be added that if it fortuned the Earle to dye first leauing no issue then all his possessions to remaine entirely to his wife during her life And if it happened her to die first leauing issue by the Earle that then her children should be admitted to their fathers inheritance and not be debarred of their fortune though he should afterward marry a woman of more honourable birth and haue issue by her also These conditions being accepted Marie the daughter of Bertold was marryed to the Earle of Gelders and the fourth yeere after deceased leauing issue by her husband one daughter named Isabell After her decease the Earle married againe Isabell sister to that most worthy prudent Prince Edward King of England by whom he had two sonnes Reignold and Edward and one daughter called Ioane It fortuned both the Reignolds as wel the father as the son deceased Edward tooke to wife a daughter of Albert Duke of Bauier and afterwards in a battell against Wenceslaus Duke of Braband was wounded to death and departed without issue Ioane therefore after the death of her brothers presumed the inheritance should be hers but Isabell which was descended of the first marriage maintained the contrary affirming that herselfe only had rightfull interest in the succession This Isabell was ioyned in marriage to Iohn of Bloys who had much alteration with his aduersaries about the inheritance and great contention was like to haue growne betweene them so farre forth as the matter had surely come to tryall of the sword but that by his wiues departure in the mean season the controuersie was decided Then Ioane which was now the onely and vndoubted heyre of her father being married to William Marques of Iuliers bare to him a son called after his fathers name William This William made Duke of Gelders in the right of his mother tooke to wife the daughter of Albert Duke of Bauier the same which had beene formerly espoused to Edward of Gelders his vnele but by reason of her tender yeeres remaining still a mayden widdowe Reignold Earle of Gelders which marryed the king of Englands sister in regard of his great league and allyance with King Edward was highly fauoured by Lewis of Bauier then Emperour in so much that he aduanced both him and the Marquesse of Iuliers to a higher degree of honour and created them both Dukes Now the occasion why this William the young Duke of Gelders made defiance to the French King was both because he bare good affection to the king of Engand to whoÌ„ he was alyed be faith and homage and also for that Wenceslaus Duke of Braband whom he exceedingly hated was confederate with the French men The cause of his hatred against the Duke of Braband was this Reignold which marryed first Mary of Machline and afterward king Edwards sister being a man beyond all measure prodigall morgaged three Castles to the Earle of Morse a rich Lord in Germany for a great sum of money â—he Earle a long while after seeing his debter vnable to redeeme his pledge solde the castles to Wenceslaus Duke of Braband After the death of Reignold Edward his sonne addressing letters to Wenceslaus requested to haue the Castles againe and he would repay him all the money that he had disbursed Which when Wenceslaus absolutely refused preparation was made for waries which doubtles should haue bene the conclusion but that by intreatie of the Duke of Iuliers and Albert of Bauier the matter for that time was compounded The same yeere Charles the Emperour appointed his brother Wenceslaus as publik protectour of the high waies for the punishment of theeues and robbers that people might passe quietly from one place to another Now it fortuned that certaine merchants of Flaunders and Braband as they trauelled about their affaires into Germany were robbed of their money spoyled of all their goods in the country of Iuliers through which they made their journey It was reported that the offenders were receiued and fostered by the Duke of Iuliers who as many more besides himselfe was thought to repine at the giuing of so great an honour to Duke Wenceslaus The poore merchants that sustained the losse made grieuous complaint to him which had the charge of redressing such enormities who thereuppon directing friendly letters to the Duke of Iuliers preuailed so little that he might plainly perceiue he rather desired warre then peace Wenceslaus therefore least the suffering of such disorders to escape vnpunished should bring the authority of his office in contempt leuyed an army The Duke of Iuliers did the like was ayded by Edward Duke of Gâ—lders The battell was fought in Iuliers with great fiercenesse on both sides but the Brabanders were discoÌ„fited and put to flight and amongst others the Duke himselfe also taken prisoner Edward Duke of Gelders was likewise mortally wounded and dyed of the same When the Dutchesse of Braband heard tidings of her husbands captiuity by aduise of the French King she resorted to the Emperour at Confluence who vppon her complaint being moued with his brothers misfortune prepared sharp warres against the Duke of Iuliers intending to haue made a notable spoile and destruction of his country had he not bene pacifyed by the Princes electors who thought it would be an ill president that a fellowe of the Empire should be so oppressed The Duke therefore being by their meanes brought before the Emperors presence when he had voluntarily discharged his prisoner after sharpe reprehension he was againe reconciled and restored to the Emperours fauour Within fewe yeeres after dyed Wenceslaus
French King in forsaking his freindship which notwithstanding was the thing that he studied by all possible meanes to preserue and continue The King of Spaine answered that indeed there had beene debating of certaine matters in his name with the duke of Lancaster but it should be in no wise preiudiciall to the state of Fraunce and that he would neuer attempt any action whereby in the least degree he might seeme to haue broken the bondes of freindship and alliance between them Assoone as he had dismissed the ambassadours with this answere immediatly after he went through with the marriage and therevppon the Lady Constance to put the matter out of question conueyed Katherine her daughter into Spaine and there marryed her to Henrie the yong Prince of Castile Which done shee made diligent serch for her fathers bones and when the place of his buriall at length was discouered she caused them to be taken vp and honourably entumbed againe at Siuill Through the trauell and industrie of certaine well disposed persons communication was had concerning a truce betweene the Kings of England and Fraunce with their confederates viz. Spaine Portugall and Scotland Now because the Scottes lately before had some good successe against the English there was much adoe to draw them to any agreement neuertheles their King being well inclined to quietnes in the end they also changed their copie So a truce was concluded for three yeeres in such sort that whosoeuer should by any meanes infringe it should be accounted as a wicked and periured person We haue spoken before of the Duke of Ireland who being driuen out of England and lately through faire promises allured out of the low countries into Fraunce remained there a while but could not purchase any setled aboade or continuall resting place For the Lord Cowâ—y a man of great authority about the French King vppon iust and weighty occasions hated him extreamely For the Duke of Ireland hauing taken to wife this Lord Cowâ—yes daughter fell afterwards in loue with an other woman and by dispensation from Pope Vrbane who was ready by all meanes to pleasure the King of England diuorced his wife and marryed his paramour The Lord Cowey therefore father of the wronged Lady being deeply mooued with such dishonourable iniury would neuer be in quiet till he had bayted out of Fraunce this man whome the world charged with more crimes then that alone See here the â—bbing and slowing of humain estates the affections of Princes and the ends of wicked persons The French King was perswaded by some about him to make a progresse into the furthest partes of his kingdoÌ„e as a thing so acceptable to the people as nothing could be more effectuall to winne their hartes So he tooke his iourney through Campaigne Burgoigne and other prouinces till he came to Avinion and when he had visited the Pope went from thence to Mountpelyer Which Citty although by reason of trasicke and merchandize it be very wealthy yet it had been so oppressed with tributes and exactions that as then it was much impouerished For as long as king Charles the fift liued the duke of Aniow had the rule of all those countries to the great enriching of his owne cofers And at such time as in pursute of greater fortunes he vndertook his voyage towards Naples by consent of the Peeres the duke of Berry succeded in his gouernment But assoone as the king came to one and twenty yeares of age he displaced his vncles from their authority and tooke the administration of their offices into his owne hands Now when he came into Prouince and the places adioyning many grieuous complaints were preferred against his vncle of Berry who had beyond measure polled the poore commons of their goods and brought them in a manner to extreame desperation Yee might daily haue seene great numbers of suters putting vp petitions and supplications complaining of deceyt iniury violence rapes extortions and proscriptions It greiued the King exceedingly to see the miseries of his people and therefore for an example to terrify others he caused the Duke of Berries treasurer the cheifest man in those quarters to be burnedâ— for there came many accusations against him of great wrong and oppression which he had done in the country The Duke of Berry by his letters made earnest intercession to saue his life but he could not preuaile When the King vndertooke this iourney he would in no wise be accompanyed by his vncles wherewith they were greatly offended but especially because they sawe some others of meane estate to growe in great reputation about him About this time departed Pope Vrbane out of this life whereof Clement being certified within ten dayes after at Avinion he earnestly commended his cause to the French King desiring him that now vpon this occasion he would vse his credit with the Emperour the King of Hungary and other Princes to the intent that all discord being remooued peace and quietnesse might at length be established in the church He was in good hope that now when his aduersary was dead the supremacy would entirely haue falne to him But he was farre deceiued for the Cardinalles created Boniface of Naples The Moores and Barbarians made often excursions vppon the Genowaies and the Citties and Ilands vnder their subjection Which thing they might more commodiously doe because vppon the confines comming from Genoa towards their country they held a very strong and defensible towne called Affricke Out of this towne they issue forth against their enemies by sea with great ease and aduantage and if need require they haue recourse againe into the same as a most safe harbor receptacle The Genowayes therfore enforced through the coÌ„plaints entreaty of their freinds began to consider how they might worke redresse And because they vnderstood there was a truce lately concluded between Fraunce England and the kingdomes conconfederate they sent ambassadours to the French King requiring him of succour The King was so inclinable to this warre that he not only vndertooke it himselfe but solicited diuers of his neighbour Princes to set their helping hands to performance of the enterprise Therefore assembling no small power out of Fraunce Britaine Artoys Flaunders and England he sent it into Lombardy vnder the conduct of Lewis Duke of Burbon with whome he ioyned in commission the Lord Cowcy a man of most knowledge and experience and in greatest iudgement and direction in military affaires that liued in those times These taking shipping together at Genoa at length ouercame the contrary waues and tempests which encountred them at sea and arriued safely in their enemies country Now as the Moores were consulting because they saw that the Genowayes vppon this redoubling of their puissance by the comming of the french and other forraine nations to their ayd would besiege their Citty a certaine graue old man amongst them descended of a noble family gaue counsell in this manner That they should not giue battell
of the Duke of Lancaster and some others whose dispositions hee mistrusted not what course they would aduise him to in this behalfe The Duke and the rest as well as they could endeuoured to quiet his thoughts and to remooue all feare and suspition out of his minde assuring him that their loue and good affection should neuer faile to doe him faithfull seruice But in the end the matter proceeded so farre that such as were most familiar with the King and nearest about him being vnable to brooke the pride and ouerdaring insolencie of the Duke of Gloucester for he hated all those whom the King fauoured protested plainely that in regarde of his seditious practises they could no longer continue their places without great daunger of their liues and hazard of their estates And therevppon diuerse were seene and those of the chiefer sort to abandon the Court and retire themselues to their country dwellings for it was no hard matter to foresee to what issue all things tended To be short the King moued with with these speeches concurring with so manifest presumptions after much deliberation vnder a politicke pretence of great kindnesse allured his vncle from his owne house to ride abroade with him a hunting Who being by this meanes trayned foorth with a small company was by the Earle Marshall sodainely arrested in the Kings name and conueyed in great secrecie to the Castle of Calice When hee had remained there a while much mistrusting what should become of him one day as hee was entred into the great chamber and about to wash his handes before dinner foure lusty fellowes appoynted by the Kings commaundement cast a towell about his necke and winding it strongly a crosse two at the one end and two at the other ouerthrew him to the ground and strangled him Then stripping off his clothes and closing his eyes they layd him in his bed and presently gaue it foorth in the Castle how the Duke that night died sodainely of an apoplexy Within two dayes after his death was published but there were few or none either in Fraunce or England that greatly bewailed him For such was his desert as he had long since purchased euery mans ill affection by reason of his turbulent spirite which was altogether bent to mooue vnquietnesse and contention Neuerthelesse the Londoners tooke his death in very ill parte and so did the kings other vncles especially the Duke of Lancaster who could well haue found in his heart to reuenge this cruell outrage committed vppon his brother but that hee feared the kings puissance now greatly increased by reason of his marriage After the murther of the duke of Gloucester certaine others also were executed at London as accessary to his treason and conspiracie The Earle of Warwicke a man much respected in the common-wealth should likewise haue tasted of the same cup but that by intercession of his friends the kings rigour was somewhat mitigated and so he was banished into the I le of Wight The duke of Gloucester left a sonne vnder age and therefore the king tooke all his landes into his owne custodie and appoynted his mother to giue attendance vppon the Queene It is the custome of England that the king hath the wardship of all Noble mens heires and the vse of their landes till they come to one and twenty yeares of age The king who knew well how greeuously he had offended his vncles by killing their brother growing now suspitious of all men kept continually a Guarde of two thousand archers about him for the defence of his person Henry Earle of Derby the Duke of Lancasters sonne a man highly in fauour of the people in priuate and familiar conference between him and the Earle Marshall cast forth certaine speeches ouer-liberally against the king The Marshall to winne fauour with the king vttered all their communication in an assembly of the Lordes appeaching him of treason and proffering the combate The Earle on the contrary parte retorted the treason vppon himselfe and accepted his challenge The King in whose presence all this had passed was meruailously displeased and leauing the company with drew himselfe into his chamber Many thought the King much too blame in that hee suffered the matter to proceede so farre for the Champions were at great charge to furnish themselues against the day of combate esteeming it his peculiar duty to haue vsed his authoritie for râ—straining of such quarrells as these whereby occasions of much trouble might ensue afterward When the King vnderstoode that such speeches were giuen foorth and withall how it was generally ill taken in the behalfe of the Earle of Derby to the intent to giue satisfaction both to the Lordes and the Commons who loued not the Earle Marshall he tooke the matter into his owne handes and gaue sentence that the duke of Lancasters sonne should be banished for tenne yeares and the Earle Marshall for euer At the Earle of Derbies departure the King of his owne accord released foure yeares of his banishment and the Earle following his fathers counsell repaired to the french king who gaue him very curteous and honourable entertainment Great sorrow and discontentment was shewed by the Londoners when he departed and from that time forward all things there tended to a bloudy and sorrowfull conclusion After the Lordes of Fraunce were raunsomed from the Turkes and returned into their countrey the French King much mooued with the Earle of Neuers discourse to the intent to establish concord in the Church addressed Letters foorthwith to the Emperour earnestly requesting his assistaunce in that behalfe By mutuall consent a day was appoynted for their meeting at Rhemes Other matters were deuised and giuen forth for the occasion of their comming thither that the true cause of that assembly which they were desirous to conceale might for a time be kept secret After a solemne enterview and great consultation it was agreed that the Bishop of Cambray should be directed to Pope Boniface then lying at Rome to exhort him that for the generall quiet and welfare of the Church he would be content to resigne his office not for euer but onely till such time as by the determination of Princes and learned Diuines a resolution of all controuersies might be established The Pope answered gently that he would take the aduise of his Cardinalles But the people of Rome in the meane while hauing learned the cause of the Ambassadors comming and perceiuing it would turne greatly to their discommoditie perswaded the Pope that hee should not for any respect of Kings or Princes whosoeuer abase himselfe so much but rather stand in defence of his right to the vttermost The Pope therefore dissembling his purpose at his next communication with the Ambassadour told him that for his part he would not refuse to accomplish the Emperours and the Kings request so as his aduersary would be content to doe the like Being dismissed with this aunswere the Ambassadour returned to the Emperour whom
his people the Archbishop of Canterbury by generall consent of the State was addressed to the Erle of Derby to bring him againe into England vpon most assured hope and expectation of the Crowne The Bishop vndertooke and perfourmed this charge so secretly that none knew of his going saue those that were interessed in the action and when he came into Fraunce not any man there could coniecture the true cause of his comming The Earle of Derby politikely dissembling the matter requested leaue of the French King to goe into Britaine to visite the Duke with whome he made no long tarriance but tooke shipping and within few dayes after arriued in England By reason of the Archbishops presence and authoritie hee found no interruption in his passage but trauelled along towards London And when they approched neare the citty they sent a messenger before to giue notice of their comming At which tidings the Cittizens sodainely surprised with ioy came flocking out of the gates in great companies to welcome the Earle from thencefoorth couenaunting to receiue him for King of England Soone after a certaine number well appointed were sent foorth against king Richard to apprehend him and bring him to London Many of the Kings followers when they vnderstood of the Londoners comming soone changed their seruice and chose them new Masters At first the King made some shew of resistance but seeing his people forsake him by counsell of his friends hee retired into the castle of Flint When the Earle drewnigh accompanied with some two hundreth men and the rest of his army following after he approched the Castle gate and sent word to the king how he required to speake with him wherevpon himselfe onely and twelue more were admitted entraunce As soone as hee sawe the King without yeelding him any reuerence Sir saide he you must this day prepare towardes London for so the people are fully purposed What should hee doe in this distresse Being destitute of succour and beholding his enemies forces before his face to escape the fury of the people he yeelded him selfe to the Earles mercie As they carried him towardes London he requested one thing very earnestly which was that hee might not be led through the Citty His request was graunted but the people much offended As soone as he came thither he was conueyed to prison New officers and seruants were placed about the Queene and other Ladies and Gentlewomen appointed to attend her all the French being dismissed and sent home into their countrey The Earle hauing brought his matters to this passe the first thing hee did hee recalled the Earle of Warwicke and certaine others that were banished And shortly after hee caused to be beheaded foure of the chiefe that had bin about King Richard by whose counsell hee confessed himselfe to haue been principally ruled in those matters which were obiected against him They were drawne to their execution vnder the prospect of his windowe of purpose that he might see them The Lords that accompanied him in prison bewailed their miserable estates and the King himselfe with the consideration of his heauie misfortune burst foorth into aboundaunce of teares and with bitter sighes cursed the day and houre that euer hee was borne to come to such an end as now entred into his cogitation He was perswaded by his partners in misery that to appease his aduersary and to purchase the assuraunce of his owne safety and such as were about him hee should renounce his royall state and dignity Herevpon he required to haue communication with the Earle to whome when hee had declared his mind after the acceptance of his offer the Erle fell into a bitter reproofe of his former life making a large repetition of his offences and besides vpbrayded him with bastardy for many reported that he was begotten by a Priest Within few dayes after King Richard in open assembly of the Lordes at the Tower of London with all ceremonies and solemnities incident to such occasions resigned the Crowne and Scepter with all his right and interest in the kingdome to Henry of Lancaster reducing himselfe into a priuate estate without assurance of his life after he had raigned two and twenty yeares This alteration of the State in England so troubled the French King that hee fell againe into his olde disease But the Counsaile of Fraunce sent certaine Ambassadors to visite the Queene his daughter and to vnderstand in what state shee remained The Duke of Burbon was likewise sent into the country of Burdeloys which seigniory since King Richard to whome the people in those partes were wonderfully affected was fallen into this calamity the French men went about to recouer againe to themselues But when the chiefe of the Citties had propounded the matter to the Commons they could not preuaile For the people feared much to be oppressed againe with the often taxes and â—allages which they had endured of olde tâ—me vnder the French men Certaine great Lords of England had secretly conspired against Henry their new King but their practise being discouered they were all put to death The French King raising a puissant army determined to haue inuaded England But it hapned about the same time that King Richard ended his life at London My Authour reporteth that he could not learne certainly by what means he came to his death but that Henry the late crowned king was incessantly called vpon by the people to dispatch him out of the way because otherwise the realme should neuer want matter of trouble and dissention Neuerthelesse he addeth further that the King in regarde hee had giuen him a faithfull promise of his life would not condiscend to their requests Now when the matters betweene Fraunce and England seemed thus to tend toward a sorrow full issue by mediation of good men a truce was obtained and confirmed for sixe and twenty yeares The French men were the rather inclined to peace by reason of their Kings infirmitie Mention hath beene made of the earle Marshall of England banished by king Richard vpon occasion of his quarrell with the Earle of Derby As soone as he vnderstoode that Henry of Lancaster had obtained the Crâ—wnâ—e and that King Richard was dead hee conceiued so great griefe and displeasure therevppon that incontinently he fell sicke and died at Venice Moreouer Pope Benedict because that after so many advertisements he would not incline to the will of the Princes was depriued of his honor and Pontificall dignitie Her name was Isabell 1326. Robert of Artoys commeth into England and the occasion of his coÌ„ming Cambray besieged King Edward taketh vppon him the title of Fraunce Tournay besieged A truce taken for twelue moneths Prolonged for twelue moneths more The occasion of the warres in Britaine Charles of Bloys Durham take sacked by the Scottish 1342. The gallant carriage and warlike behauiour of the Lady Mountfort Vannes wone by the English Recouered againe by the French The death of Robert of Artoys 1343. A truce