Court at Paris to these complaints Now had the Lords of Arminiaque D'Albert Peregort Cominges and many others Anno Reg. 43. 1369. made their protestations against the King of England for the Crowne of France which they say they were by nature to obey and not to a strange Soueraigne that it was absolutely against the Fundamentall Law of the Kingdome to disseuer them from the Crowne that the Contract was made in prison and therefore inciuile and not to be held by the right of Nations So that they were resolued to spend their liues and estates rather then bee vnder the gouernment of England By their example the Cities of the County of The Emperor Charles 4. makes a iourny into France to reconcile the two Kings Ponthieu rendered themselues to Guy Conte de Saint Poll and Guy de Chastillon The King of England complaines of this breach of accord to the Pope and the Emperour Charles 4. who made a iourney into France to reconcile the two Kings and determine the businesse Before whom our Ambassadours first declare how this Accord hauing beene more for the good of France then vs in regard we resigned thereby not The allegations of the English Ambassadours before the Emperour onely our Title to Normandie Touraine and Aniou the fairest and richest Countreys of France But also our Title to the Crowne to the end we might hold in Souraigntie the Duchy of Aquitayne the Country of Ponthieu with some other peeces which by Hereditary right appertained to the Crowne of England whereby the effusion of Christian blood was stayed France had peace and their King restored in faire manner after a faire imprisonment and vpon the most resonable Conditions could bee deuised Notwithstanding the French King who Vid. Appen himselfe with the whole Councell of France contracted the Accord and solemnly swore to obserue the same hath contrary to the Law of God and Nations after he had recouered his Hostages by fraud seazed both vpon the Duchy of Aquitayne and the Country of Ponthieu without denouncing Warre by his Heraldes c. The French Reply How we by the Accord were bound immediately to with draw our The Reply of the French Army out of France which they say wee did not during all the Reigne of their King Iohn That the Peace was thereby made more offensiue then the Warre they being constrained to purchase the departure of our Souldiers with greater charge then would haue maintained an Armie That the breach was on our side for that the Souldiers were ours That King Edward was bound to renounce his Title to the Crowne of France in open Assembly of the States of both Realmes which they say was not done And concerning the releasing of their King they say it cost France more gold then the redeeming of Saint Louys their King his brother the Peeres and the whole Armie taken by the Soldan an Infidell Thus both sides defend their cause being easie for Princes who will breake out of their Couenants to finde euasions The French King it seems though willing to get in what he could yet was very loath to renue a Warre and therefore with many Presents courts the King of England Who seeing himselfe thus deluded prepares to haue out his Sword And Anno Reg. 44. hauing borowed great Summes of the Clergie sends ouer Iohn Duke of Lancaster and Humphry Bohun Earle of Hereford with a mightie Armie to Calais to inuade France on this side whiles the Prince of Wales works to recouer the reuolted Townes on the other But little was effected The Duke shortly returnes And then Thomas Beauchamp Earle of Warwicke with fresh supplyes is sent ouer who dyes in the iourney Forces sent into France Sir Robert Knoles a man renowned in those times for valour and counsaile is made Leader of an Armie Consisting of many great Lords who disdayning to bee commanded by him whom they helde their inferiour ouer-threw themselues and the Action Thus all went backe and the French King growes both in State and Alliance Anno Reg. 45. Margueret sole daughter and Heire to Louys Earle of Flauders to whom King Edward sought to match his sonne Edmond is wonne to marrie Phillip Le Hardy Duke of Burgogne brother to the French King And this much vexes King Edward who A Subsidie granted by Parliament the maner of seyzing the same the better to furnish himselfe for reuenge calles a Parliament at Westminster wherein he resumes his claime to the Crowne of France and requires ayd of his Subjects and hath it The Clergie graunted him 50. thousand poundes to be payd the same yeere and the Laitie as much For the leuying whereof euery Parish in England was rated first to pay 23 shillings foure pence the great helping the lesse vpon supposition there had beene Parishes ynough to haue made vp that summe But by certificate vpon the Kings Writs sent out to examine what number of Parish Churches were in euery Shire they found it came short and then rated euery Parish at fiue pound sixteene shillings the greater to helpe the lesse and so of 8600. Parishes found to be in the 37. Shieres 50. thousand 181. pound 8. peence was raised But in regard of the great pouertie of Suffolk and Deuon Shire the 181. pound was abated and the King answered 50. thousand pounds for the Laytie Vpon this Supply the King grants that the great Charter and the Charter of The Duke of Lancaster sent into Aquitaine Forrests should bee obserued in all points which in most Parliaments of his is euer the first Act as may be seene in the printed Statutes And now Iohn Duke of Lancaster and Edmond Earle of Cambridge are sent with Forces into Aquitayne to ayde the Prince of Wales who after he had sacked the Citie of Limoges that was reuolted his health failing to performe any more leaues the prosecution of the Warre to his brother and with his wife and young sonne Richard borne at Burdeaux returnes The Prince of Wales returnes into England home into England and here resignes vnto his father the Duchy of Aquitayne The Duke of Lancaster after the departure of the Prince did little but being now a widdower his wife dying two yeares before in the third great Pestilence in which yeare also Phillippe wife to King Edward ended her life hee marries Constance eldest daughter to Peter King of Castile by whom hee had the empty title of King The Duke of Lancaster marries Constance daughter to the King of Castile and was after the death of his father-in-law stiled King of Castile and Leon. This Constance though shee were the daughter of a wicked father and infamous mother yet was so happy that the daughter shee had by this Duke of Lancaster named Katherine became after Queene of Castile and Leon being married to Henry 3. in possession before and in her right King of both those Realmes and left her posterity Kings of Spaine Edmond Earle of
part Shortly after a Parlement is called at London wherein the King complaines of the great contempt was had of him by the Barons their rising in Armes their taking and murthering A Parlement Pierce Gaueston c. Whereunto with one accord they answer how they had not offended therein but rather mereted his lous and fauour hauing taken armes not for any contempt of his Royall person but to destroy the publique enemy of the Kingdome banished before by the consent of two Kings a man by whom his fame and honour was most highly disparaged his substance and that of the Kingdome wasted and a most dangerous dissention betweene him and his subiects raised Whereof otherwise with all their labour and trauaile they conld neuer haue had an end Besides they tell him plainely they would now no longer attend vaine promises nor be deluded with delaies as they had hitherto been concerning their required Articles Which stout resolution of theirs the Queene with the Prelates and the Earle of Glocester seeing they seeke by all perswasions to quallifie their heate and at length so farre preuailed with them as to appease the Kings wrath they brought them and their confederates in open Parlement to humble themselues to the King and to craue pardon for what they had done which they obtained and the King receiues The Lords are pardoned A Fifteenth granted them into grace as his loyall subiects grants them their Articles and particular pardons by his Charter for their indemnity concerning the death of Gaueston And for this the State vpon his great wants granted him a Fifteenth Guy de Beauchamp Earle of Warwicke is here appointed to bee one of the Kings Councell who Reg. 6. Anno. 1314. beeing a man much enuied by such as possest the King shortly after dies not without suspition of poyson Whilst the State of England stood thus diseased at home through the infirmity of a weake Head that of Scotland grew strong by the prouidence of a vigilant King who had not only ouercome the Scottish faction and recouered the most of his owne K. Bruce grows strong in Scotland Countrey but also made spoiles on this wasting all Northumberland in such sort as King Edward wakened with the out-cries of his people and the great dishonor of the K. Ed. goes with a mighty Army into Scotland kingdome is drawne to take armes for redresse thereof and enters Scotland with the greatest Armie that euer yet went thither consisting as the Scottish writers report of 100 Thousand men whereof were great numbers of Flemings Gascoines Welsh and Irish who in imagination had deuoured the Countrey before they came thither and thought not of Battailes but of deuiding the prey Besides the King had with him most of the Nobility and especiall men of England except Thomas Earle of Lancaster the Earles of Warwicke Warrein and Arundell who refused to goe for that the King protracted the execution of the foresaid Articles The Castle of Sterling is the peece that is to bee relieued which chiefly now held out defended by Philip Moubray a valiant Knight who seeing the daily successe of Bruce had manned and victualed the same for many moneths Neare to this place vpon the Riuer Bannocke is incountred this great Armie of England by Bruce with 30 Thousand Scots a small number say their writers in respect of their enemies but as men hardened with daily vse of warre and domesticall euills fierce and resolute carrying all their hopes in their hands of life estate and whatsoeuer was deare vnto them The aduantage of the ground was theirs hauing behinde vnaccessable Rocks to defend them before a Moorish vncertaine ground wherein they digged trenches The battail of Bannocks borough which they pitched full of sharpe stakes and couered them ouer with hurdles so that tht footmen might passe ouer safely without impediment but it so confounded the Horse as it gaue the Scots the day and the greatest ouerthrow to England that euer it receiued There perished in this Battaile called of Bannocks Bourough Gilbert The defeit of the English the last Clare Earle of Glocester a maine Arch of the State of England and Robert Lord Clifford the Noblest of our Barons with the Lord Tiptoft the Lord Mareschall the Lord Giles de Argenton the Lord Edmond de Maule 700 Knights Esquires and Gentlemen of sort of common souldiers theirs say Fifty thousand ours Ten taken prisoners Humfrey Bohun Earle of Hereford Ralph de Morthelmere who married Ioan de Acres Countesse dowager of Glocester with many others the King and those who were preserued escaped by flight This defeit put Scotland both into Armes and Wealth so that they held their owne the better for a long time after and discouraged so much this kingdome for many yeares as it wrought not though it often attempted any great reuenge King Eddward vpon his comming backe to Yorke shewed a great desire to repaire this dishonour but nothing was done his people grew colde home they returne and sitte downe by their losse The poore Borderers haue the worst of it and become so deiected as 100 of them would flie from three Scots saith Walsingham To such a sodain faintnesse are the inferiours brought when the nobler parts of a State which should giue them spirit are ill affected This disaster as mischiefe neuer comes alone was attended with inundations which brought forth Dearth Dearth Famine Famine Pestilence all which exceeded any that euer before had been knowne A Parlement is called at London vpon A Parlement at London the beginning of this Dearth to abate the prices of victualls which sodainely grewto be excessiue And therefore it was ordained that an Oxe fatted with grasse Reg. 8. An. 1315. should be sould for sixteene shillngs fatted with corne for twentie shillings the best Cow for twelue shillings a fat Hogge of two yeares old three shillings foure pence a fatte Sheepe shorne fourteene pence with the fleece twenty pence a fatte Goose for two pence halfe penny a fatte Capon two pence a fat Hen a penny foure Pigeons Rates for victualls a penny whosoeuer sould aboue should forfeit their ware to the King Heere seemes then to haue been no Calues Lambes Goslings Chickins young Pigges to be sould those dainties were not yet in vse After these rates imposed all kinde of victualls grew more scarce then before and such a Murrein followed of all kinde of Cattell with a generall failing of all fruits of A Dearth which lasted 3. yeares the earth by the excessiue raines and vnseasonable weather as prouision could not be had for the Kings house nor meanes for other great men to maintaine their Tables such a iust punishment had Excesse and Ryot inflicted thereon in those daies in so Reg. 10. An. 1317. much as men put away their seruants in great numbers who hauing beene daintily bred and now not able to worke scorning to begge fell to Robberie and spoyle which addes more miserie
The Lords oppose the Spencers suffering nothing to be obtained but by their meanes Which the State accounted a mischiefe most intollerable and grievous vnto them seeing all graces and dispatches were to passe out but at one dore whereby the Kings benignity and power is diminished the Kingdome dishonoured all corruptions introduced to the overthrow of Iustice and good order And vnder this pretence they take Armes wherein themselues proceed not in that And take Armes even way of right as they made shew but follow the fury of their wils being once out and astray they seize vpon and make spoile of the lands and goods of those persons they prosecuted and all such as had friendship and affinity with them killing their servants and disposing their Castles at their pleasure And comming armed thus to S. Albons they send to the King residing then at London the Bishops of London Salisbury Hereford and Chichester who were there assembled to consult for peace requiring him as he tendred the quiet of the Realme to rid his Court of those Traitors the Spencers condemned in many Articles of high Treason by the Communalty of the Land and withall to grant his Letters Patents of Pardon and Indemnity both to them and all such as took part with them and that for no offences past or present they should hereafter be punished The King returnes answer That Hugh Spencer the father was beyond the Seas imployed in his businesse The King excuses the Spencers and the sonne was guarding the Cinque-Portes according to his office and that it was against Law and Custome they should bee banished without being heard Moreover that Denies the Lords their demands their request was voide of Iustice and Reason for that the said Spencers were ever ready to answer to all complaints made against them according to the forme of Law and if the LL. could proue they had offended the Statutes of the Realme they were willing to submit themselues to the triall thereof And besides swore he would never violate the oath made at his Coronation by granting letters of Pardon to such notorious offenders who contemned his person disturbed the Kingdom and violated the Royall Maiestie Which answer so exasperated the Lords as presently they approach to London and lodged in the Suburbes till they obtained The Lords come armed to London leaue of the King to enter into the Citie Where they peremptorily vrge their demands which at length by mediation of the Queene and the chiefe Prelates the King The King yeelds unto them The Earle of Hereford publishes the Kings Edict in Westminister Hall is wrought to condiscend vnto and by his Edict published in Westminster Hall by the Earle of Hereford are the Spencers banished the Kingdom Hugh the father keeps beyond the Seas but the sonne secretly hides himselfe in England expecting the turne of a better season The Lords having thus obtained their desire with the Kings Letters of impunity depart home but yet not with such security as they gaue over the provision for their own defence Shortly after there fell out an vnexpected accident that suddainely wrought their confusion The Queene who had ever beene the nurse of peace and laboured to accord The occasion of the Queens displeasure with the Lords the King and his Barons making her progresse towards Canterbury was disposed to lodge in the Castle of Leeds appertaining to the Lord Badlesmere who had beene long the Kings Steward but lately tooke part with the Barons and sending her Mareschall to make ready for her and her traine they who kept the Castle told him plainely that neither the Queene or any else should enter there without letters from their Lord. The Queen her selfe goes to the Castle and receiues the like answer whereupon Shee is denied lodging in the Castle of Leeds she is driven to take such lodging other where as could be provided Of which indignity she complaines to the King who tooke it so to heart as presently with a power of armed men out of London he layes siege to the Castle takes it hangs the The King takes the Castle of Leeds Growes strong keeper Thomas Culpeper sends the wife and children of the Lord Badlesmere to the Tower and seises vpon all his goods and treasure And having this power about him and warmed with successe and the instigation of the Queene sodainely directs his course to Cicister where he kept his Christmas and there provides for an army against the Barons whereof many seeing the Kings power increasing left their associates and yeeld themselues to his mercy amongst whom were the two Rogers Mortimers men of great might and meanes the Lord Hugh Audeley the Lord Maurice Barkley and others who notwithstanding contrary to their expectation were sent to divers prisons The Earles of Laucaster and Hereford seeing this sodaine change withdrew themselues and their companies from about Glocester towards the North-parts The Lords withdraw into the North parts and are ouerthrowne The King followes them with his Army wherein were the Earles of Aihol and Angus and at Burton vpon Trent where they had made head discomfited their forces and put them all to flight Whereupon seeking to escape they retire further North and at Burrough Briggs are encountred by Sir Simon Ward Shriefe of Yorke and Sir Andrew Harckley Constable of Carleil who after the Earle of Hereford was slaine in striuing to passe the Bridge tooke the Earle of Lancaster with diuerse other Lords and brought them to Pomfret where the third day after the King sitting himselfe in iudgement with Edmond Earle of Kent his brother the Earle of Pembrooke the Earle Warren Hugh Spencer lately created Earle of Winchester and others Sentence of death is giuen against Thomas Earle of Lancaster by drawing hanging and beheading as a traytour The two first punishments are pardoned in regard he was of the The executiō of the E. of Lancaster with diuers other Losds in diuerse places royall blood and only beheaded hee was the same day without the towne of Pomfret before his owne Castle And by the like iudgement were condemned the Lord Roger Clifford the Lord Warrein Lisle the Lord William Tuchet Thomas Maudit Henry Bradburne William Fiztwilliams William Lord Cheyny Thomas Lord Mowbray Ioseline Lord Danyll all which were executed at Yorke Shortly after the Lord Henry Teyes is taken drawne hangd and quartered at London the Lord Aldenham at Windsor the Lords Badlesmere and Ashbiunham at Canterbury the Lord Gifford at Glocester principall men in principall places to spread the more terrour ouer the kingdome All their estates and inheritances are confiscated and many new men aduanced by the same And this is the first blood of Nobility that euer was shed in this manner in England since William the first which beeing such and so much as The first of any Earle or Baron of England that euer was executed upon Scaffold or otherwise since the time of William the first
of lay Fee were appointed to finde an Archer on horse-backe of 25 pounds a Demilance and so ratably aboue The King himselfe goes in person to confirme and make the Flemings fast vnto him and at Sluce Iaques van Arteuile with other Commissioners from their chiefe Townes repaire vnto him where a motion is made that either Louys their Earle should do homage to the King of England or else be disinherited and Edward Prince of Wales receiued for their Lord for which King Edward promises to erect their County to a Dukedome Arteuile was forward to entertaine this motion but the rest of the Commissioners require leaue to acquaint therewith the Townes that sent them which though they were all desirous to haue the Protection of the King of England yet disliked the disinheriting of their naturall Lord. Arteuile notwithstanding vndertakes to induce them vnto it and returnes to Gant garded with fiue hundreth Welsh which he desired to haue for that one Gerrard Denyse Prouost of the Weauers opposed him and sought his distruction The people whom he had so often led to muteny against others now vpon his returne rose against himselfe and a Cobler with an Axe strake out his braines And so King Edward lost his great Agent which much displeased him and disappointed his businesse in those parts Yet the Townes sent to excuse themselues of this accident laying the fault on the turbulent Gantoys and in all things vowing their faithfull seruice vnto him onely to the disinheriting of their Earle they could not consent But they hoped to perswade him to become his homager and to procure a match betweene the sonne of their Earle and his daughter And thus pacifying his present displeasure the league is renued betwixt them and King Edward returnes to prosecute his other designes But now the warres in Guien grew hot the Earle of Darby Generall of the Army assaults and takes in Ville-Franche Agenois Angolesme Rions Saint Basile with many other Cities and Castles The French King sends his eldest sonne Iohn Duke of Normandie to incounter him who recouers the Cities of Angolesme and Ville-Franche thus is the sword out before the Truce is expired the breach wherof the French King layes on the King of England and hee the same on him for entertayning King Dauid and setting the Scots vpon attempts of inuasion of his Realme So that it seemes both were prepared to breake not able to holde their hands any longer from the fatall worke of destruction It was now the twentith yeare of this mighty and actiue Kings raigne wherein Reg. 20. Anno. 1346. hee had prepared the greatest Fleet that euer yet crossed the Seas for France and ouer hee passes into Normandy in Iuly leauing for Wardens of England in his absence the Lords Percy and Neuile taking the young Prince with him about the age of fifteene yeares to learne him the way of men and what trauell greatnesse was borne The king goes with a mighty Army into Normandy to indure to attaine glory in this world His Army consisted of foure thousand men at Armes and ten thousand Archers besides Welch Irish which followed on foot hee had of Earles Hereford Northampton Arundell Huntingdon Warwicke Suffolke and Oxford of Barones Mortimer who was after Earle of Marche Iohn Louys and Roger Beauchamp Cobham Lucy Basset Barkeley and Willoughbie with diuerse other both Knights and gallant Captaines Hee had of late entertayned Godfrey de Harcourt who had beene as a minion to the French King and became another Robert de Artois vpon some discontent or doubt of some discoueries of fauouring the English party in Brittaine for which cause the French King had a little before executed Oliuer de Clisson Bacon Percy Geffrey de Malestroit men of especiall marke whom hee had there imployed And now insteed of this Harecourt had wonne from King Edward the Lord Iohn de Beaumont who had long serued him was his wiues Vncle and acquainted Iohn de Beaumont when King Edward had made him Earle of Cambridge takes the French Kings part with all his courses Such is the trust of mercinaries who sell their faith for better entertainement Neither did this Harecourt long hold out but changed colours and made his peace with the French King his naturall Lord but in the meane time did him and his countrie much mischiefe For vpon King Edwards landing with his mighty Army in the Isle of Costantine in Normandy by his conduction hee made him one of his Marshals and the Earle of Warwicke the other The Earle of Arundell is appointed Constable He diuides his people into three battailes one to march on his left hand along the Sea coast the other on the right conducted by the two Marshals and himselfe in the midst with his mayne Army The Earle of Huntingdon imployed for Admirall of his Fleete was to take all the shippes hee found on the Sea The manner of King Ed. proceeding with his Army coast The three Armies by land lodged euery night in one field And first he sackes the City of Caranton slew all hee found armed or disarmed therein burnes razes desolates the Citie saying hee sacrificed those oblations to Bacon Percy and others whose heads hee found set vpon the principall gate vniustly massacred by Phillip Thence hee marches forward and tooke Saint Lo a rich Towne of marchandise and pillaged the same Then after some bickring became Maister of Caen and put all that countrey into so great terror as Falaise Lyseaux Honfleur strong walled townes rendered themselues vnto him This done hee spread his power in the Isle of France to draw out Phillip to the combate giuing out that hee would wrastle with him in the eye of all France on the great Theater before his capitall Citie of Paris Phillip this while held not his armes in his bosome but had ramassed one of the The French K. prepares to oppose K. Ed. fairest Armies saith the French History that euer was seene in France composed of French Lorraynes Alemaines Genouoys which hee led towardes Meulan where King Edward was said to haue made a stand and attended him but vpon report of his comming on retyres it was supposed hee fled for feare but the euent shewed that the great God of Armies had destined his victory for another place King Phillip followes and ouertakes him at a Village called Arenes a name remarkeable signifying the Sand to show on what vnstable earth all the trust of humaine forces and the designes of the great are founded This mighty Army of King Phillip hauing the aduantage to be at home where all was theirs made him account the victory certaine King Edward retires to gaine the Riuer of Some at Blanquetaque but the passage was to be disputed by the sword For Phillip had before sent thither Gundemar de Fay with a thousand horse and fixe thousand foot King Edward notwithstanding resolues to K. Ed. goes ouer the riuer of Some defeites the Fren. passe
or perish and plunges formost into the Riuer crying out They who loue mee will follow mee At which voyce all thrust in without dispute striuing who should be formost and lo presently the shoare gained by the English Gondomar astonished with this vnexpected and bolde aduenture astonishes his people by his fearefull countenance So that the English incountring the French all in disorder fell vpon them and put them to flight But the retraite was neere to Abbe-ville and Saint Requier The losse was not so great as the shame but serued as a presage for a greater mischiefe to France These disrouted men all affrighted flocke into Abbe-ville Where King Phillip The French K. resolues to incounter K. Ed. inraged with this dishonour resolues to reuenge it and presently to prouoke King Edward to the combate The aduise of his Councell was otherwise to suffer his troupes to repose some few dayes recouer their spirits King Edward to coole and spend his in the meane while But hardly had this King the patience to stay in Abbe-ville one day whiles the bridge to passe ouer his Army was repayring And His impatiēce and his hopes with this precipitation and fury into the field hee marches cleuated with an assured hope of a triumphant victory King Edward better tempered manages his worke with admirable discretion and vigilancy and had now in camped in a Village called Crecy and there entrenched and fortified himselfe not onley with the trees of the Forrest about it but with deepe rampiers and other defences besides causing also a Parke to bee paled vnder the woode side behinde his hoste wherein were placed all the Carts and Carriages His Army consisted of thirty thousand men but in order and courage double the number The vauntgard hee gaue to the Prince for guides the Earle of Warwicke The ordering of K. Ed. Army Godfray de Harecourt the Lords Stafford De la ware Bourcheir Clifford Cobham Holland Sir Iohn Chandos Sir Bartholomew Burwash Sir Robert Neuile with eight hundred men at Armes and two thousand Archers besides a thousand other most of them Welch men The second battaile was committed to the Earles Arundell and Northampton the Lords Rosse Willoughby Basset Saint Albin Multon and others wherein were eight hundred men at Armes and twelue hundred Archers The third battayle the King led himselfe hauing seuen hundred men at Armes and two thousand Archers These Battayles thus ordered mounted on a white Hobby hee rode from ranke to ranke to view them the one Marshall on his right hand the other on his left incouraging euery man that day to haue regarde to his right honour The French Kings Army was greater both in lustre and aduantage composed of aboue sixty thousand combatants well armed whereof the chiefe were Charles Earle of Alanson the Kings brother Iohn de Luxembourg King of Bohemia Charles de Bloys the Kings Nephew Ralph Duke of Lorrayne the Earle of Flanders Neuers Sancerre the Dolphin de Viennois of Barons Knights and Gentlemen aboue three thousand and on the Eue of the battayle Amè Earle of Sauoy arriued with a thousand men at armes more which made the French king swell with assurance of the maisterie so that hee longed to be at the incounter The Vauntgard hee commits to his brother The ordering of the French Kings Army at the battaile of Cressy Conte d' Alanson the Reere to the Earle of Sauoy the mayne battaile he leads himselfe his heate would scarce permit time for a little counsell what was fit to be done The olde King of Bohemia aduised that the Army should first take some repast and that the Infanterie consisting of Genouese which were about fifteene thousand crosse-bowes and sure men should make the first front and the Cauallarie to follow which was agreed on After their repast the Vauntgard set on the Conte d' Alanson contrarie to this order tooke it ill that the Genouese were in the first ranke in fury caused them to change place which changed the Seat of the Armie and wrought that discontent as it irritated them more against the leader then the enemy besides there fell at the instant a piercing shower of raine which dissolued their strings made their bowes vnusesull and at the breaking vp of the shower the Sunne shone full in the face of the French dazling their sight and on the backes of the English as if all made for them King Edward who had gotten to a winde-mill hill beholding as from a Sentinell with a setled spirit the countenance of the enemy and discouering both this accident King Edward discouers the disorders of the Frdnch. and the hurlement made by the change of place slacks not to take aduantage thereof and instantly sends to charge that part without giuing them time to reaccommodate themselues insomuch as the discouraged Genouese recoyle which the Conte d' Alanson perceiuing and comming on with the horse in great rage cries out On on let vs make way vpon the bellies of these Geuouese who doe but hinder vs and instantly prickes on with a full carrier through the midst of them attended with the Earles of Lorrayne Sauoy and the Dolphin de Viennois and neuer takes breath till he came vp to the English battayle where the Prince was which they found better setled their horses flanked with troupes of Archers whose strings hauing not felt the raine rained such a shower of steele vpon them as cooled their heate and all disordered them The French king seeing his brother thus indangered makes vp to disingage him whereupon the fight grew hot and doubtfull insomuch as the Commanders about the Prince send to King Edward to come vp with his power to ayd them the King demands the messenger whether his sonne were slaine or hurt the messenger answered no but hee was like to bee ouer layd Well then saide the King returne and tell them who sent you that so long as my sonne is aliue they send no more to me what euer happen for I will that the honour of this day be his And so being left to try for themselues they wrought it out with the sword and recouered the aduantage by reason the French king hauing his horse slaine vnder him and in danger to be troden to death had hee not beene recouered by the Lord Iohn Beaumont his new Pensioner was to the great discouragement of his people withdrawn out of the field Whereof notice being once taken by the English the day was soone after theirs and King Edward obtaines the victory in this great battaile of Cressy the greatest victory they euer had yet against the French and so bloody as there is not mention made of one prisoner taken in the battaile for they being once put to rout were all whom the sword could ouertake slaughtered out right Some few troupes that held together saued themselues by retyring to places neer adioyning The French king himselfe with a small company got to Bray in
in their pupillage besides the reproach of his birth which though his honour and vertue might get ouer yet lay it euer a barre in his way and hindred his standing cleere stood he neuer so high The Nobles of Normandie soone after his fathers death by much intreaty got him out of the French Kings hands thinking the hauing him amongst them would adde more to his Counsellors and such as were in office and the State of of a Court awe his State the better But soone they found the hauing his person without his power was but to put them out into more discord and faction For presently followed the murthering and poysoning of Gouernors displacing Officers intrusion supplantation surprizings and recouerings of his person by a Nobilitie stubborne haughtie and incompatible of each others precedencie or neerenesse But this was the least as being done all for his person Now followed more daungerous practises against him His right was quarrelled by competitors cleere in bloud and great in meanes Whereof the first though farthest off in discent was Roger de Tresny bringing a faire line from Roule and much proofe of his owne worth by hauing gotten great experience in the Sarazine warre in Spaine whereby vpon his returne entertayning and feasting the great and especiall men of worth hee was growen powerfull well followed and beloued of many in so much that at length measuring his owne heigth hee vrges What wrong it was that a Bastard and a Childe should bee preferred before him in the succession of the Dutchie his Auncestors had noblie gotten and what a shame the Normans a people of that worth would indure to bee so gouerned seeing they had others of the renowned race of Roule William and Richard Dukes of Normandie of a lawfull and direct line if they held him vnworthie to inherite the State And being impatient as is ambition that euer rides without raines of any long delay brings his claime to a strong battaile in the field which by the valiancie of Roger de Beaumount was vtterly defeited and himselfe with his two brethren slaine Whereby all feare that way was extinquished and the reputation of the Duke and his so much aduanced as the King of France notwithstanding his tutelarie charge tooke from him the Castle of Thuilliers and demolisht it pretending the insolencies committed there by the Garrisons vpon his subiects and makes shew as yet onely to keepe things euen But long it was not ere hee plainely bewrayed his minde aiding in person William Earle of Arques brother to Duke Robert and sonne to Richard the Second making his claime to the Dutchie brings a mightie army to succour Arques assieged by Conte Guiffard the Dukes Generall who by a stratagem so trayned the French into an ambush as hee ouerthrew their whole power and returnes the King to Paris with great losse and dishonor leauing Arques the first Arch of triumph to this Conquerour not yet ariued to seuenteene yeares of age and the discomfeited competitor to seeke his fortunes with Eustace Earle of Bologne finding vpon his returne little grace in Court where fortune euer alters credite and few regard men ouerthrowne This storme ouerpast another succeeds more dangerous there liued with Duke William a young Lord of like yeares named Guy sonne to Regnalt Earle of Borgogne and Alix daughter to Richard the second who comming to bee sensible of his interest was aduised by some stirring spirits to attempt for the Duchie which they said appertained to him in right and was wrongfully vsurped by the Bastard And to aduance his purpose there happens deadly hostility betweene two of the greatest Lords of Normandie Viconte Neele and the Earle of Bessin whose debate Duke William did not or could not pacifie This Guy lately made Earle of Bryorn and Vernon interposed himselfe to compose this discord and by the aduice of Grimoult de Plessis a principall mouer in this worke so wrought that either of these Lords turned the point of their malice vpon him who in their quarrell fauouring neither made both to hate him and easily conspire with Guy to murther him at vnawares which they had done had not a certaine Foole whom for being held a naturall they suspected not noting their preparations got away in the dead of the night to Valogne knocking and crying at the gate till hee was admitted to the Dukes presence whom he willed in hast to flie or he would bee murthered The Duke seeing the Foole in this affright thought dangers were not to be weighed by the A Conspiracie discouered strangely worth of the reporter but by their likelyhood and knowing his fortune was liable vnto all suddaine assasinations instantly takes horse and all alone postes to Fallaise his especiall place of strength on the way his horse being tyred about breake of daie he comes to a little village called Rye where by good fortune the gentleman of the place was standing at his doore readie to goe abrode of whom the Duke enquires the next way to Fallaise The Gentleman perceiuing who hee was though as then very vnwilling to be knowne humblie craues the cause of his so strange and vntimely riding alone The Duke seeing himselfe discouered tels the occasion the gentleman whose name was Robert de Rye furnishes him with a fresh horse and sends two of his sonnes to conduct him the neerest way to Fallaise No sooner was he gone out of sight but after post the conspirators enquiring of the same Gentleman whether hee saw the Duke who answered that hee was gone a little before such a way shewing them a diuers path and rode on with them offering his seruice to Conte Bessin where they made themselues so powerfull as the Duke withdrew him to Roan and from thence to the King of France to craue his aide putting him in minde of the faithfull seruice his father had done him how he was his homager vnder his tutelarie charge and had no other sanctuary of succour to flie vnto in this case of his mutinous and turbulent Nobilitie the effect whereof was of dangerous consequence to that Crowne And so farre vrged the importancie of reliefe as the King at length who seemes was yet content to haue him bee though not too strong and peraduenture rather him then his competitor Guy de Burgogne aided him in person with a puissant Army against these competitors whom they found in the vale of Dunes with as great power and resolution to bid them battaile as they to assaile them Here one Guilleson Vncle to Viconte Neel by the mother forced his horse into the battailion of the French and made at the King and strake him downe with his Launce which Conte Saint Paule perceiuing hastes to incounter him with that violence as both fell to the earth but Guilleson soone gets vp and though his horse was slaine vnder him by Chastillon hee escapes out of the presse and after fled into Apulia with others The King recouered and more inkindled with this affront spared not
of this Kingdome which could not but be likesome to the State in generall and all preferments and dignities conser'd on his to be either by vacancies or displacing others which must needs breed very feeling grieuances in particular And yet wee finde no great men thrust out of their roomes but such as put themselues out by reuolting after his establishment and their fealtie giuen as appeares by the controuersie betweene Warren the Norman and Sherburn of Sherburn Castle in Norfolke which castle though the King had giuen to Warren yet when Sherburn alledged How hee neuer bare Armes against him Cambden Nors that hee was his subiect as well as the other and held his Lands by that Law which he had established amongst all his subiects the King gaue iudgement against Warren and commanded that Sherburn should hold his Land in peace So that it seemes hee contented himselfe and his for the time onely with what he found here ready and with filling vp their places who were slaine in the battell or fled as many were with the sonnes of Harald out of the Kingdome Such Gentlemen as he could not presently preferre M. S. and had a purpose to aduance hee dispersed abroad into Abbeys there to liue till places fell out for them and 24 he sent to the Abby of Eley whereby he not onely lessened the multitude of attendants and suitors at Court eased that eye-sore of strangers but also had them a watch ouer the Clergie who then were of great and eminent power in the Kingdome and might preuaile with the people But the English Nobility incompatible of these new concurrents found notwithstanding 1067. Anno. Reg. 2. such a disproportion of grace and darkning of their dignities by the interposition of so many as must needs lessen their splendour that many of the chiefest doubting to be more impayred in honour and estate conspired together and fled some into Scotland and some into Denmarke to trie if by ayde from abroad they might The English Nobility forsake the kingdome recouer themselues and their lost fortunes againe at home Amongst which the chiefe was Edgar Atheling termed Englands Dearling which shewed the peoples zeale to his bloud who with his mother Agatha and his two sisters Magaret and Christin intending to retire into Hungarie their natiue Country were driuen by tempest on the coast of Scotland where they were in all Hospitable manner entertained by Malcolin the third whose former suffrings in his exile had taught him to compassionate others like distresses and whom it concerned now to looke to his owne his neighbours house being thus on fire and to foster a pattie against so daungerous an in-commer that was like to thrust them all out of doore Which induced him not onely to entertaine this Prince dispossest of his right but to enter league with him for the publique safetie And to inchaine it the stronger hee takes to wife Margaret the The King of Scots enters league with the English Nobility and marries Edgars sister sister of Edgar a Ladie indued withall blessed vertues by whom the bloud of our auncient Kings was preserued and conioyned with the Norman in Henry the second and so became English againe Vnto Edgar in Scotland repaired the Earles Edwin and Morchar Hereward Gospatric Siward with others and shortly after Stigand and Aldred Arch-bishops with diuers of the Clergie who in the third yeare of this Kings raigne raised very great commotions in the North beyond Humber and wrought most egarly 1068. Anno. Reg. 3. to recouer their lost Country but being now to late and the occasion not taken before the settling of the gouernment whilst it was new and branling they preuailed nothing but gaue aduantage to the Conquerour to make himselfe more then hee was For all conspiracies of subiects if they succeed not aduance the soueraigntie and nothing gaue roote to the Norman planting here more then the petty reuolts made by discattred troupes in seuerall parts begunne without order and followed without resolution whereas nothing could be done for a generall recouery but by a generall sulleuation of the people for which all wary preuention was vsed and they had waites enough laide on to hold them downe And though these Lords imbroiled themselues and held him doing in the North yet hee hauing all the South parts setled vnder his domination with well practized and prepared forces there could bee little hope of good whilst all their great estates furnisht the Normans both in state and meanes to ruine them The Earledome and all the Lands which Edwin held in See the Charter in the Appendix Yorkeshire were giuen to Alain Earle of Brittaine kinsman to the Conqueror The Arch-bishopricke of Canterburie confer'd on Lanfranc Abbot of Caen. That of Yorke on Thomas his Chaplaine and all the rest both of the Clergie and others which were out had their places within supplied by Normans And after King William had appeased a Commotion in the West which the sonnes of Harald with forces out of Ireland had raised also repressed the rebellions of Excester and Oxford he takes his iourney in person Northward with all expedition least the enemy there should grow to high in heart and opinion vpon the great slaughter of his people made at Yorke and the defeiture of his Brother and Leiuetenant Robert Earle of Mortaigne slaine with seuen hundreth Normans at Durham where at his first comming he so wrought that he either discomfeited or corrupted the Generals of the Danicque forces newly arriued to ayde the Lords sent by Swaine King of Denmarke vnder the conduct of his two sonnes Harald and Knute with a Nauie of three hundreth saile and after sets vpon the Army of the Lords weakened both in strength and hope by this departure of their Confederates and puts them to flight Which done he vtterly wasted and laide desolate all that goodly Countrey betweene Yorke and Durham the space of 60. miles as it might be no more a succour to the enemy And the like course he used on all the Coasts where any aptlandings lay for inuasions and so returnes to London Most of the Lords after this defeit came in vpon publique faith giuen them and were conducted to Barkehamsted by the Abbot Fredricke where vpon their submission and Oath of Allegeance re-taken they had their pardon and restitution of grace graunted by the King who it seemes was so willing to acquiet them that againe he takes his personall Oath before the Arch-bishop Lanfrancke and the Lords To obserue See the Appendix the Auntient Lawes of the Realme established by his Noble Predecessors the Kings of England and especially those of Edward the Confessor Whereupon these stormy dispositions held calme a while But long it was not ere many of these Lords whether vpon intelligence of new 1074. Anno. Reg. 8. hopes from Prince Edgar who was still in Scotland or growne desperate with new displeasures at home finding small performance of promises made rupture
of Oath and all other respects brake out againe The Earle Edwyn making towards Scotland was murthered by his owne people The Lords Morchar and Hereward betooke them to the Isle of Eley meaning to make good that place for that Winter whether also repaired the Earle Syward and the Bishop of Durham out of Scotland But the King who was no time-giuer vnto growing dangers besets all the Isle with flat boates on the East and made a bridge of two miles long on the West and safely brought in his people vpon the enemy who seeing themselues surprized yeelded all to the Kings mercy except Hereward who desperatly marched with his people through the Fennes and recouered Scotland The rest were sent to diuerse Prisons where they died or remained during the Kings life Those Lords who persisted loyall vpon this last submission were all imployed and well graced with the King as Edric the Forrester and first that rebelled in his Raigne was held in cleere trust and neere about him Gospatrice he made Earle of Northumberland and sent him against Malcolin who in this time subdues the Countries of Tisdall Cleueland and Comberland Waltheof sonne to the Earle Syward he held so worthy to be made his as he married him to his Neece Iudith though he had beene a principall actor in the Northerne commotion and in defending the Citty of Yorke against him is sayd to haue striken off the heads of diuerse Normans one by one as they entered a breach to the admiration of all about him shewing therein that true touch of the noblest nature to loue vertue euen in his enemies And now seeing Scotland to be the especiall retraite for all conspirators and discontented in his Kingdome yeelding them continuall succour and assistance and where his compecitor Edgar liued to be get and nurse perpetuall matter for their hopes and at hand for all aduantages he enters that Kingdome with a puissant Army which incountring with more necessities then forces soone grew tired and both Kings considering of what difficulties the victory would consist were willing to take the safest way to there ends and vpon faire ouertures to conclude a peace Articling for the bounds of each Kingdome with the same title of Dominion as in former tunes All delinquents and their partakers generally pardoned Heere with the vniuersoll turne of alteration thus wrought in England Scotland being Scotlād before this time gene rally spake a kind of Irish. a part of the body of this Isle is noted to haue likewise had a share and as in the Court of England the French tongue became generally spoken so in that of Scotland did the English by reason of the multitude of this Nation attending both the Qacene and her brother Edgar and daily repairing thither for their safety and combination against the common enemy of whom diuerse abandoning their natiue distressed Countrey were by the bounty of that King preferred and there planted spread their off-spring into many noble families remaining to this day The titles for distinguishing Titles of honor in Scotland degrees of honour as of Duke Earle Baron Rider or Knight were then as is thought first introduced and the nobler sort began to be called by the title of their Signories according to the French manner which before bate the name of their Father with the addition of Mac after the fashion of Ireland Other innouations no doubt entred there likewise at the opening of this wide mutation of ours fashion and imitation like weedes easily growing in euery soyle Shortly after this late made peace Prince Edgar voluntarily came in and submitted Edgar Atheling submitted him selfe to King William himselfe to the King being then in Normandy and was restored to grace and a faire maintenance which held him euer after quiet And it made well at that time for the fortune of the King howsoeuer for his owne being thought to haue ill-timed his affaires either through want of seasonable intelligence or dispaire of successe in making 1075. Anno. Reg. 9. too soone that submission which was latter or neuer to be done For in this absence of the King Roger Fits Auber the young Earle of Hereford contrary to his expresse commandement gaue his sister in marriage to Raph Waher Earle of Northfolke and Suffolke and at the great Solemnization thereof the two Earles conspired with Eustace Earle of Boloigne who secretly came ouer to this festiuall and with the Earle Waltheof and other English Lords to call in the Danes and by maine power to keepe out and dispossesse the King Who hauing thus passed ouer so many gulfes of forraine 1076. Anno. Reg. 10. dangers might little imagine of any wracke so neere home and that those whom he had most aduanced should haue the especiall hand in his destruction But no rewards are benefits that are not held so nor can euer cleere the accounts with them that ouer-value their merits And had not this conspiracy bene opportunely discouered which some say was by the Earle Waltheof moued with the vglinesse of so soule an ingratitude they had put him againe to the winning of England But now the fire bewrayed before it flamed was soone quenched by the diligence of Odon the Kings Vice-gerent the Bishop of Worcester and others who kept the Conspirators from ioyning their forces So that they neuer came to make head but were either surprized or forced to flye The Earle Roger Fitz Auber was taken and some say executed and so was shortly after the Earle Waltheof whose dissent from the act could not get him pardon for his former consent though much compassion in respect of his great worthinesse But the 1077. Anno. Reg. 11. wide distent of these tumors fed from many secret vaines seemed to be of that danger as required this extremity of cure especially in a part so apt for infection vpon any the like humours For this Conspiracy seemes to take motion from a generall league of all the neighbour Princes here about as may well be gathered by their seuerall actions First in the King of Fraunce by defending Dole in Brittaigne a Castle of Raph de Waher against the King of England and in likelihood imploying the Earle of Boloigne to wards the Conspirators In Swayne King of Denmarke by sending a Nauy of two hundreth saile vnder the conduct of his sonne Knute and others In Drone King of Ireland by furnishing the sonnes of Harald with 65. ships In Malcoline and the Kings of Wales by their readinesse to assist But the Danes being on the coast and hearing how their confederates had sped with the great preparations the King had made after some pillage taken vpon the coast of England and Flanders returned home and neuer after arriued to disturbe this land Though in Anno Reg. 19. Knute then King of Denmarke after the death of Swaine intending to repaire the dishonour of his two last aduentures past and to put for the Crowne of England his predecessors had holden prepared a Nauie
alteration though in the best kinde with this change of State And to giue entertainment to deuotion hee did all he could to furnish his Church with the most exquisite ornaments might be procured added a more State and conueniencie to the structure of religious houses and beganne the founding of Hospitals Hauing long struggled with indefatigable labour to hold things in an euen course during the whole raigne of this busie new state-building King and after his death seeing his successor in the Crowne established especially by his meanes to faile his expectation out of the experience of worldly causes deuining of future mischiefes by present courses grew much to lament with his friends the teadiousnesse of life which shortly after hee mildly left which such a sicknesse as neither hindred his speech nor memory a thing he would often desire of God William Fiz Auber as is deliuered was a principall councellor and instument in this action for England wherein hee furnished forty ships at his owne charge A man of great meanes yet of a heart greater and a hand larger then any meanes would well suffice His profuse liberalities to men of armes gaue often sharpe offence to the King who could not indure any such improuident expences Amongst the Lawes hee William Fitz Auber Earle of Hereford made Lawes in his Prouince made which shewes the power these Earles then had in their Prouinces he ordained That in the Countie of Hereford no man of or souldiour should bee fined for anie offence whatsoeuer aboue seuen shillings when in other Countries vpon the least occasion of disobeying their Lords will they were forced to pay 20. or 25. shil But his estate seeming to beare no proportion with his minde enough it was not to be an eminent Earle an especiall Councellor in all the affaires of England and Normandie a chiefe fauorite to so great a Monarch but that larger hopes drew him away designing to marrie Richeld Countesse dowager of Flanders and to haue the gouernment of that Countrie during the non-age of Arnulph her sonne of whom with the King of France he had the tutelarie charge committed by Baldouin the sixth Father to Arnulph whose estate Robert Le Frison his Vncle called by the people to the gouernment vpon the exactions inflicted on them by Richeld had vsurped And against him Fitz Auber opposing was with Arnulph surprized and slaine And this was in the fate of the Conqueror to see most of all these great men who had beene the especiall actors in all his fortunes spent and extinct before him As Beaumont Monfort Harcourte Hugh de Gourney Vicount Neele Hugh de Mortimer Conte de Vannes c. And now himselfe after his being brought sicke to Rouan and there disposing The death of William the first his estate ended also his act in the 74 yeare of his age and the one and twenty of his raigne Three dayes the Corpes of this great Monarch is sayd to haue layne neglected while his seruants attended to imbessill his moueables in the end his yongest sonne Henry had it conueyed to the Abbey of Cane where first at the entry into the Towne they His Corps lay vnburied 3. dayes who carried the Corpes left it alone and ran all to quench a house on fire Afterward brought to be intombed a Gentleman stands sorth and in sterne manner forbids the interment in that place claiming the ground to be his inheritance descended from his His interment hindered Ancestors and taken from him at the building of that Abbey appealing to Row their first founder for Iustice whereupon they were faine to compounded with him for an Annuall rent Such adoe had the body of him after death who had made so much in his life to be brought to the earth and of all he attained had not now a roome to containe him without being purchased at the hand of another men esteeming a liuing Dogge more then a dead Lyon He had a faire issue by Maude his wife foure sonnes and sixe daughters To Robert His issue his eldest he left the Duchy of Normandy to William the third sonne the Kingdome of England to Henry the yongest his treasure with an annuall pension to be payd him by his brothers Richard who was his second sonne and his darling a Prince of great hope was slaine by a Stagge hunting in the new Forrest and began the fatalnesse that followed in that place by the death of William the second there slaine with an arrow and of Richard the sonne of Robert Duke of Normandy who brake his necke His eldest daughter Cicilie became a Nunne Constance married to the Earle of Brittaine Adula to Stephen Earle of Biois who likewise rendred her selfe a Nunne in her age such was then their deuotion and so much were these solitary retires affected by the greatest Ladies of those times Gundred married to William de Warrein the first Earle of Surrey the other two Ela or Adeliza and Margaret died before marriage Now what he was in the circle of himselfe in his owne continent we find him of The description of William the first an euen stature comely personage of good presence riding sitting or standing till his corpulency increasing with age made him somewhat vnwildy of so strong a constitution as he was neuer sickly till a few moneths before his death His strength such as few men could draw his Bow and being about 50. of his age when he subdued this Kingdome it seemes by his continuall actions he felt not the weight of yeares vpon him till his last yeare What was the composition of his mind we see it the fairest drawne in his actions and how his abilities of Nature were answerable to his vndertakings of Fortune as pre-ordained for the great worke he effected And though he might haue some aduantage of the time wherein we often see men preuaile more by the imbecility of others then their owne worth yet let the season of that world be well examined and a iust measure taken of his actiue vertues they will appeare of an exceeding proportion Nor wanted he those incounters and concurrencies of sufficient â—â—â—le Princes to put him to the triall thereof Hauing on one side the French to grapple withall on the other the Dane farre mightier in people and shipping then himselfe strongly sided in this Kingdome as eager to recouer their former footing here as euer and as well or better prepared His deuotion and mercy For his deuotion and mercy the brightest starres in the Spheare of Maiesty they appeare aboue all his other vertues and the due obseruation of the first the Clergie that loued him not confesse the other was seene in the often pardoning and receiuing into grace those who rebelled against him as if he held submission satisfactory for the greatest offence and sought not to defeit men but their enterprises For we find but one Noble man executed in all his Raigne and that was the Earle Waltheof who But
of Power that the Kingdome may not miscarie for want of a Ruler I haue called you all hither by the power of my Legation Yesterday the cause was mooued in secret to the greatest part of the Clergie to whom the right appertaines to elect and ordaine a Prince And therefore after hauing inuoked as it is meete the Diuine aide Wee elect for Queene of England the daughter of the peacefull glorious rich good and in our time the incomparable King and to her wee promise our faith and allegiance When all who were present either modestly gaue their voyce or by their silence contradicted it the Legat addes The Londoners who are in respect of the greatnesse of their City as among the optimacie of England we haue by our messengers summoned and I trust they will not stay beyond this day tomorrow we will expect them The Londoners came were brought into the Councell shewed How they were sent from the Communaltie of London not to bring contention but prayer that the King their Lord might be freed from captiuitie and the same did all the Barons receiued within their Liberties earnestly beseech of my Lord Legate and all the Clergie there present The Legat answeres them at large and loftily according to his speech the day before and added That the Londoners who were held in that degree in England ought not to take their parts who had forsaken their Lord in the warre by whose Councell the Church had beene dishonoured and who fauoured the Londoners but for their owne gaine Then stands there vp a Chaplaine to Queene Maude wife to Stephen and deliuers a letter to the Legat which he silently read and then said allowd that it was not lawfull in the assembly of so many reuerend and religious persons the same should be publikely read containing matter retrehensible The Chapline not to faile in his message boldly reades the Letter himselfe which was to this effect That the Queene earnestly intreates all the Clergie there assembled and namely the Bishop of Winchester the brother of her Lord to restore him vnto the Kingdome whom wicked men which were also his subiects held prisoner To this the Legat answeres as to the Londoners and shortly after the Councel brake vp wherein many of the Kings part were excommunicated namely William Martell an especiall man about the King who had much displeased the Legat. Hereupon a great part of England willingly accepted of Maude in whose businesses her brother Robert imployes all his diligence and best care reforming Iustice restoring the Lawes of England promising releeuements and whatsoeuer might be to winne the people the Legat seconding all his courses But now shee being at the point of obtayning the whole Kingdome all came sodainly dasht by her ouer-hautie and proud carriage and by the practise of the Londoners who adhering to the other side began openly to inueigh against her who had displeased them and they had plotted to surprize her in their Citie whereof she hauing notice secretly withdrawes herselfe accompained with her Vncle Dauid King of Scots who was come to visit her and her brother Robert vnto Oxford a place of more The Legat leaues the Empresse securitie The Leagat himselfe takes or makes an occasion to bee slacke in her cause vpon her denying him a sute for his Nephew Eustaee the sonne of Stephen about the inheritance of his Earledome of Mortaine in Normandie Besides the Queene regnant watchfull ouer all oportunities found meanes to parle with the Legar Sets vpon him with her teares intreatie promises and assurance for the Kings reformation in so much as shee Is intreated with teares by the Queene regnant recalled him to the affections of Nature brought him about againe to absolue such of the Kings part as he had lately excommunicated The Earle of Glocester seeing this sodaine and strange relaps of their affaires striues by all meanes to hold vp Opinion and re-quicken the Legats dispofition which to keepe sound was all He brings the Empresse to Winchester setles her and her guard in the Castle where she desires to speake with the Legat who first delayes then denies The Empresse besieged at Oxford the Earle of Glocester taken prisoner to come Whereupon they call their best friends about them Queene Maude and the Lords incompasse the Towne and cut off all victuall from the Empresse so that in the end the Earle of Glocester wrought meanes to haue her conueyd from thence to the Vies but himselfe was taken and in him most of her This sets the sides both euen againe into the Lists of ther triall the two prisoners are to redeeme each other The disproportion of the quality betweene them shewed yet there was an euennesse of power and the Earle would not consent to the Kings deliuery who onely in that was to haue the precedence but vpon most secure cautions The Archbishop of Canterbury and the Legate vndertooke to yeeld themselues prisoners for him if the King released him not according to his promise But that would not serue the turne till they both had written their Briefes to the Pope to intimate the course that was taken herein and deliuered the same vnto him vnder their hands and seales So that if the King should as he might not care to hold the Bishops in prison yet the Pope if hard measure were offred might releeue them Which shewes the aduantage of credit in the businesse lay on this side and the King was to haue his fetters though at liberty The Queene and Eustace her sonne the Prince vpon the inlargement of Stephen 1142. Anno. Reg. 7. remaine pledges in the Castle of Bristow till the Earle were released which was done vpon the Kings comming to Winchester Where the Earle in familiar conference was by all art possible solicited to forsake the partie of Maude with promise of all preferments of honour and estate but nothing could mooue him being fixt to his courses and rather would hee haue beene content to remaine a perpetuall prisoner then that Stephen should haue beene released had not his sister wrought him to this conclusion The Legat after this calls a Councell at London where the Popes letters written vnto him are openly read which argue him but mildly of some neglect of his brothers Vide Append. releasing and exhort him to vse all meanes Ecclesiasticall and Secular to set him at libertie The King himselfe came into the councell complaines How his subiects to whom King Stephens complaint hee had neuer denied Iustice had taken him and reproachfully afflicted him euen to death The Legate with great eloquence labours to excuse his owne courses alledging How hee receiued not the Empresse by his will but necessitie that presently vpon the Kings ouerthrow whilest the Lords were either fled or stood in suspence attending the euent shee and her people came thundring to the walles of Winchester and that what pact soeuer hee had made with her for the right of the Church shee
had receiued The Arch-bishop called to account for the King of certaine Bishopricks and Abbeys during their vacancies which amounted to the summe of three thousand Markes For these accounts he alledged How the King knew well he was discharged before his election to the Sea of Canterbury and how the Prince the Barons of the Exchequer and Robert de Lucie Chiefe Iustice of England had made him his acquittance for all accounts and Secular receipts in the behalfe of the King and so free and cleered was he chosen to the administration of that Office and therefore would pleade the same no more The King notwithstanding vrging to haue iudgement passe against him both for this his late attempts and disobedience he was commanded the next day to attend his Censure The morning before he was to appeare he celebrates early with great deuotion the Masse of Saint Stephen Protomartir which hath these words Etenim sederunt Principes aduersum me loquebantur and so committing his cause to God sets forward to the Court in his Stole his blacke Canonicall hood carrying the Crosse in his right hand and guiding his horse with the left The people seeing him come in this fashion flocke all about him he entring the great Chamber sate downe amongst them the King being within in his Priuie Chamber with his Councell from whom first came forth the Bishop of London and much blames him for comming so armed to the Court and offered to pull the Crosse out of his hand but the Arch-bishop held it so fast that he could not Which the Bishop of Winchester seeing sayd to London Brother let him alone he ought well to beare the Crosse London replies You speake brother against the King and it will be ill for you After this comes forth the Arch-bishop of Yorke the heate of whose antient hatred saith Houeden would not suffer him to speake in peace and rebukes him very sharply Roger Houeden for comming in that fashion as if to a Tyrant or heathen Prince and told him that the King had a sword sharper then his Crosse and if hee would bee aduised by him hee should take it from him Canterbury replies the Kings sword wounds carnally but mine strikes Spiritually and sends the soule to Hell After much debate the Archbishoppe Becket inuayes against this violent proceeding against him How no age euer heard before that an Archbishop of Canterbury had beene adiudged in any of the Kings Courts for anie cause whatsoeuer in regard both of his Dignity and place and for that hee is the Spirituall Father of the King and all other his subiects Then to the Bishops you see the world rageth against mee the enemy riseth vp but I more lament the Sonnes of my Mother fight against mee If I should conceale it the age to come will declare how you leaue mee alone in the battaile and haue iudged against mee being your Father though neuer so much a sinner But I charge you by vertue of your obedience and perill of your Order that you bee not present in anie place of iudgement where my person or cause comes to bee adiudged And here I appeale to the Pope charging you farther by vertue of your obedience that if anie Temporall man laie handes on mee you exercise the Sentence of the Church as it becomes you for your Father the Archbishop who will not shrinke howsoeuer nor leaue the flock commitmitted vnto him Then were all these great complaints of his contempt Disobedience and Periury exhibited and aggrauated against him before the Assembly and they cried generally Complaints against the Archbishop hee was a Traytor that hauing receiued so many benefits at the Kings hands would refuse to doe him all earthly honour and obserue his Lawes as hee had sworne to doe The Bishops likewise seeing all thus bent against him renounced their Ecclesiasticall obedience vnto him cited him to Rome and condemnes him as a periured man and a Traytor Then the Earle of Lecester accompayned with Reginald Earle of Cornwall came to the Archbishop and charged him from the King to answere to what was obiected vnto him or else to heare his iudgement Nay sonne Earle sayd he first heare you It is not vnknowne to your selfe how faithfully I haue serued the King and how in regard thereof hee preferred mee to the place I haue God is my witnesse against my will For I knew mine owne infermities and was content to take it vpon mee rather for his pleasure then Gods cause therefore now doth God withdraw himselfe and the King from mee At the time of my Election hee made mee free from all Court bondage and therefore touching those things from which I am deliuered I am not bound to aunswere nor will I. How much the soule is worthier then the bodie so much are you bound to obay God and mee rather then any Earthly Creature neither will Law or Reason permit the Sonnes to condemne the Father and I refuse to stand either to the Iudgement of the King or anie other person appealing to the presence of the Pope by whom onely on Earth I ought to bee adiudged committing all I haue to Gods protection and his and vnder that authority I depart out of this place And so went hee out and tooke his Horse not without some difficultie in passing and many reproches of the Kings seruants The Archbishop disguised sled out of the Kingdome Being gotten out of the Court a great multitude of the common people reioycing to see him deliuered and diuers of the Clergie conuayed him honourably to the Abbay of Saint Andrewes whence disguised by the name of Dereman hee escaped ouer into Flanders and so into France This businesse of the Church I haue the more particularly deliuered according to the generall report of the Writers of that time in regard it laie so chayned to the Temporall affaires of the State and bewrayed so much of the face of that Age with the constitution both of the Soueraignty and the rest of the bodie as it could not well bee omitted Besides the effects it wrought in the succeeding raigne of this Prince the vexation charge and burthen it layed vpon him for manie yeares is worthie of note and shewes vs what spirit had predomination in that season of the World and what Engines were vsed in this Oppugnation Presently vpon the departure of this Great Prelate the King sends ouer to the King of France Gillebert Bishop of London and William Earle of Arundell to intreat him not onely to forbid the Archbishop his Kingdome but to bee a meanes to the Pope that his The King sends Ambassadors to the Pope cause might not bee fauoured by the Church being so contumacious a rebell as he was against his Soueraigne Lord. The King of France notwithstanding this intreaty sends Frier Francis his Amoyner vnder hand to the Pope to beseech him as he tendred the honour of holy Church and the ayde of the Kingdome of France to support
then giues him powre to inuade the same and to execute whatsoeuer should bee to the Honour of God and good of the Countrey with reseruation of Church-rights and Peeter-pence a penny of euery house yearely which hee had promised by his Ambassadors and so concluds with an exhortation to plant men of good and examplar life in the Clergie c. But the King at that time hauing other occasions left off the purpose of this which comes now of late to bee againe imbraced by this meanes Dermot Mac Marrgh one Dermot complains against O Conor to King Henry of the fiue Kings which then ruled that Island comes vnto him into Aquitaine to craue his ayde against Rodorick the Great called O Conor Dun King of Connaught who contending for the Soueraigntie of the whole had chaced him out of his Dominion of Lemster The King of England glad to finde a doore thus opened to his intention that might yeeld passage of it selfe without being broken vp intertaines this eiected King with promises of ayde and though hee could not as then furnish him being ingaged in other great affaires he yet permits such of his subiects as would to aduenture their fortunes with him But the occasion of the dissention betweene these two Irish Kings was indeed fowle on the part of Dermot who had corrupted and stolne away the wife of Rodoricke and for that odious iniury with his iniustice to his people the common causes Dermots offences of ruininge and transferring Kingdomes hee was by strong hand chaced out of his Dominion of Lemster and thereupon makes out for forraine aide And hauing thus delt with the King of England he betakes him into Wales where first he wrought one Robert Fits Stephen a man of a desperate fortune yet able to draw many voluntaries to contract with him and afterward Richard of the house of Clare surnamed Strong-bow Earle of Pembrooke commonly called of his chiefe seate in Monmoth-shire Earle of Chepstow or Strigil a Lord of high courage and worthinesse which made him well followed and of great possessions both in England and Normandy which gaue him meanes for his entertainements Fits Stephen was perswaded by promise of rich rewards The Earle of marriage with Eua the daughter of Dermot the succession of the Kingdome of Lemster Fits Stephen with Maurice Fits Gerard his halfe brother by the mother passed ouer The conqnest of Ireland first with a small company and landed at the place called by the Irish Bagg-bun which in English signifies Holy and therefore interpreted as presaging good successe whereof this time retaines yet the memory At the head of Bagge and Bun Ireland was Triginta Mili tibus lost and wonne And the next day after arriued at the same place Maurice de Prendergast with other men at armes and many Archers in two ships parcell of Fits Stephens forces which from thence marched to the Citty of Weishford with Banners displayed The beginning of May. in so strange a forme and order though their number were not foure hundreth as the Irish vnacquainted with so vnusuall a face of warre were ouercome with 1170. Anno. Reg. 16. feare and rendred vp themselues to their mercy with their Citty of Wcishford which with the Countrey about was giuen by Dermot to Robert Fits Stephen for an encouragement to him and hope to others And there was planted the first Colonie of the English which euer since hath continued retaining still in a sort our antient attire and much of our language proper onely to that Citty and Countrey about and called by a distinct name Weisford speech The next yeare are new supplies sent out of Wales and after vpon intelligence of 1171. Anno. Reg. 17. good successe the Earle of Pembrok ariues in the Bay of Waterford with two hundred men at armes and a thousand other souldiours takes the towne which was then called Porthlarge puts the inhabitants to the sword to giue terror to others and make roome for his owne people and there Dermot giues him his daughter in marriage with the dowry of his Country which after his wickednesse had vndone hee liued not to see more yeares hauing had to many by this and dies miserably leauing the Stile of Ningal which signifies the strangers friend added to his name in memory of his vnnaturall forsaking his owne Nation Strongbow after hauing secured the places gotten marches with those small forces he had ouer the Island without resistance Rodoricke the Great shewing himselfe but a little Prince kept in the Wildes and fastnesses of Connaught and neuer came to appeare before the enemy who passing through the Country at his pleasure takes what pledges he would of the inhabitants to secure their obedience and with as little labour possest himselfe of the Citie of Dublin the head of the Island Thus Wales got vs first the Realme of Ireland and which is most strange without stroke of battaile a thing scarce credible that a Country so populous a Nation of that disposition should not lift vp a hand to defend it selfe hauing it seemes either neglected the vse of Armes or else neuer beene acquainted with them other then in a naked manner of domesticke fight one with another whereby the terror of strange and neuer before seene forces in order of warre layd them prostrate to the mercy of the Ouer-runner But the King of England aduertised of the prosperous successe of these Aduenturers and the Estate of the Country grew in iealousie of them thinking they presumed farther then their subiection would allow and would make themselues that which they must bee made by him and take away the glory of the worke that should bee onely his causes proclamation to be made That no vessell should carry any thing out of his Dominions into Ireland and that all his subiects should returne from thence and leaue off their attempts otherwise to forfeit their Estates at home And withall sends ouer William Fitz. 1172. Anno. Reg. 18. Adelm and Robert Fitz Bernard with some forces to prepare the way for him who followed shortly after and lands eight miles from Waterford the Eue of Saint Luke Anno 1172. being the third yeare after the first Inuasion made by Fitz Stephen At his first landing a white Hare starting out of a bush was taken and presented to him interpreted as a presage of a white victory The next day hee marches to Waterford where he staied fifteene dayes and thither came to him of their owne accord the Kings of Corke Limricke Oxerie Meth and all of any powre in Ireland except Rodoricke King of Connaught who still kept himselfe in the fastnesse of his Countrey and submitted themselues withall the Clergie taking their Oath of Fealty to him and the young King The Irish kings submission and their Successors for euer so these deuided Princes holding no common Councell for the publique safty rather then to ioyne those hands that had so often scratched each other
fell all from themselues and with the same emulation they had in libertie stroue for their seruitude who should be first to receiue a forraine maister From Waterford the King goes to Dublin where hee holds an Assembly of all these subiect Kings with the Lords Spirituall and Temporall of Ireland for the further ratification of their allegiance and the ordering and reformation of the State Which done hee causes the Bishops with the Clergie there to assemble at Cassell and appoints an especiall Chaplaine of his owne with the Archdeacon of Landaff to bee assistants and aduisors vnto them for reformation of Church-businesses which seemes to haue beene Henries reformation of Ireland as disordred as the people for though the Irish had beene long before Christians it was after a wilde and mixt fashion and therefore according to his promise made to the late Pope and to doe a worke pleasing to the present it was decreed That all Church-lands should be free from the exaction of secular men and that from thence foorth all Diuine things should bee ordered and vsed in euerie part of Ireland according to the manner of the Church of England being fit as saith the Cannon that as Ireland hath by Gods mercy obtained a Lord and King out of England so from thence they should receiue a better forme of life and manners then heretofore they vsed His Christmasse he keepes at Dublin where he royally feasts all his Kings great men of the Countrey the rest of his being there he imployes in fortifying and planting Garnisons where most need required he makes Hugh Lacy Iustice of all Ireland giues him the keeping of Dublin and besides confirmed vnto him and his heires by his Charter the Countrey of Meth to hold the same in Fee for the seruice of a hundreth Knights he bestowes on Robert Fits Bernard the keeping of the Townes of Waterford and Weisford which he tooke from Fits Stephen the first inuador with charge to build Castles in them and to humble the Earle Strongbow and leuell him with the rest of his subiects he takes from him all his dependants and makes them his So was it but his winters worke to get a Kingdome which though thus easily won it proued more difficult and costly in the keeping by reason the prosequution of a full establishment thereof was neither by him or his successors hauing other diuertments euer throughly accomplished On Easter monday he sets out for England where he makes no stay but takes the young King along in his company and passes ouer into Normandy to meete other two Legates Theodinus and Albertus who were sent from Pope Alexander but in milder fashion then the last to examine the murther of the late Arch-bishop Becket Foure moneths were spent in debating the matter and in the end the King by his Oath taken vpon the Reliques of Saints and the holy Euangelists before the two Legates in the presence of King Henry the sonne the Arch-bishop of Rouen and all the Bishops and Abbots of Normandy in the Citty of Auranches purged himselfe of either commanding or consenting to the murther Yet for that he doubted least they who committed His purgation for Beckets murther the same might be moued thereunto by seeing him disturbed and in passion he tooke the same Oath that in satisfaction thereof he would faithfully performe these Articles following First neuer to forsake Pope Alexander nor his Catholicke Successors so long as they vsed him as a Catholicke King Secondly That Appeales should freely be made to the Pope in causes Ecclesiasticall Prouided that if any were suspected to worke euill to him or his Kingdome they should then put in security before they departed Thirdly That he would from Christmas next for three yeares to come vndertake the Crosse and the sommer fol lowing in person go to Ierusalem vnlesse he were stayed by the Pope or his Successors or imploied against the Sarasins in Spaine Fourthly That in the meane time he should deliuer so much money into the Templars hands as by their opinion would entertaine two hundreth souldiers in the Holy warre for one yeare Fiftly call home all such as had endured banishment for the Arch-bishop Sixtly Restore his possessions Seuenthly and lastly abolish all such customes as in his time had beene introduced to the preiudice of the Church After himselfe had sworne he caused Both Kings sweare to these Articles King Henry his sonne to sweare to all these Articles except such as concerned his owne person And for a more Memory in the Roman Church he caused his Seale to be set vnto them with that of the two Cardinals So ended this tedious businesse that made more noyse in the world then any he had and bowed him more beeing his ill fortune to grapple with a man of that free resolution as made his sufferings his glory had his ambition beyond this world set vp his rest not to yeeld to a King was onely ingaged to his cause had opinion and beliefe to take his part Which so much preuailed as the King seeking to maister him aduanced him and now is he faine to kneele and pray to his Shrine whom he had disgraced in his person and hauing had him aboue his will whilest he liued hath him now ouer his Faith being dead And yet 48. yeares after this saith the French History it was disputed among the Doctors of Paris whether he were damned or saued And one Roger a Norman maintained he had iustly deserued death for rebelling against his Soueraigne the Minister of God To make the better way to the ending of this businesse and content the King of Henry the sonne is again crowned with Margaret his wife Fraunce Henry the sonne is againe Crowned and with him Margaret his wife with permission shortly after to goe visite Paris where this young King apt inough though not to know himselfe yet to know his State receiued those instructions as made his ambition quite turne off his obedience and conceiue How to be a King was to be a power aboue and vndeuideable And to further the birth of this apprehension fell out this occasion The Father euer awake to aduance his greatnesse takes a iourney in person into Auergnia and so to Monferrato and there purchases a match for the price of fiue thousand Markes for his yongest sonne Iohn with Alice the eldest daughter of Hubert Earle of Mauriena then as it seemes Lord of Piemont and Sauoy with condition to haue with her the inheritance of all those Countreys containing many great Signories Citties and Castles specified in Roger Houeden with all the circumstances and couenants very remarkeable Vide Append. of the contract So vnto greatnesse that easier increases then begins is added more meanes and euery way opens to this actiue and powrefull King aduantages of State 1173. Anno. Reg. 19. in so much as the King of France was euen surrownded with the powre dependances of this mightie King of Eng. whose fortunes most
to the siege of Ascalon writes inuectiue letters against the King of France for leauing him who likewise defames King Richard amongst his neighbours at home And it may be doubted whether the periurie of these two Kings did not adde more to their sinne then the action they vndertooke for the remission thereof could take away for that a good worke impiously managed meretts no more then an ill Ten moneths the King of England stayes behind in these parts consuming both his men and treasure without any great successe though with much noble valor and exceeding courage finding euer great peruersuesse in the Earle of Borgogne who according to his maisters instructions shewed no great desire to aduance the action where another must carry the honour but willing alwaies to returne home pretending his want drew backe when any businesse of importance was to bee done and at length falls sicke and dies at Acon Conrade who was so much fauoured by the King of France in his title for that Kingdome Conrade murthered was murthered by two Assassini whereof the King of England was but very wrongfullie taxed and the Earle of Champagne martying his Widdow Sister to Queene Sibilla was by King Richard preferred to the Crowne of Ierusalem and Guy of Lusignan the other pretender made King of Ciprus and so both contented During this businesse abroade in the East the state of England suffred much at home vnder the gouernment of Lonshamp who vsurping the whole authority to himselfe without communicating Longshamps traine and pompe any thing either with the Nobility or the rest of the Commissioners ioyned with him did what hee listed and with that insolencie carried himselfe as hee incurred the hatred of the whole Kingdome both Clergie and Lay. His traine was said to be so great and the pompe of attendants such as where hee lay in any religious house but one night 3 yeares reuenues would scarce suffice to recouer the charge Besides being a stranger himselfe and vsing only French men about him made his courses the more intollerable to the English in so much as at length the whole Clergie and Nobility oppose against his proceedings and the Earle Iohn taking aduantage vpon these discontentments to make himselfe more popular and prepare the way to his intended vsurpation ioynes with the state against this B. being the man that had euer crossed his courses hauing an especially eye vnto him as the most dangerous person of the Kingdome both in respect of the kings charge and his owne saftie And now there fell out a fit occasion to ruine the Chancellor by this meanes Geffrey 1191. Anno. Reg. 3. the Elect Archbishop of Yorke base sonne to Henry the 2. to whose preferment in Eng. King Richard was auerse therfore had confin'd him within Normandy during his absence had by great labour to Pope Celestine obtained a powre to bee inuested in that Sea whose comming into England being aduertised to the Chancellor Long shamp Geffrey the Elect of Yorke taken and imprisoned by the Chancelor he was at his landing at Doner apprehended and drawne by force out of the Church which hee had recouered and from the Altar in his Pontificall habit trailed into the Castle in most vile manner Of which violence the Earle Iohn and the Bishop taking notice they command the Chancellor not only to release him but also to answere the matter before the assembly of the Bishops and Nobilite at Pauls where they Article and vrge against him many hainous actions committed contrarie to the Comission giuen him and the Weale of the King and Kingdome The Archbishop of Roan and William Marshall Earle of Striguile shewed openly the Kings Letters pattents dated at Messena in Sicile whereby they were made Commissioners with him in the gouernment of the Kingdome which notwithstanding hee would neuer suffer them to deale in any businesse of the same but by his owne violent Longshamp the Chancellor deposed from his office and headlong will doe all himselfe wherefore in the end hee was by the Assembly deposed from his Office and the Archbishop of Rouen who would doe nothing without the Councell of the State instituted therein The Towre of London and the Castle of Windsor are taken from him and deliuered to the Archbishop And so this great Officer presuming to much in his place hauing enuie so neere him and a maister so sarre off was throwne downe from his State faine to resigne his Legantine Crosse at Canterbury and to take vp that for the Holy warre and priuily seekeing to escape ouer Sea was in the habit of a woman with a webbe of Linnin cloth vnder his arme taken vpon the shore at Douer and most opprobriouslie made a spectacle to the people and conducted with all derision to the Castle whence after He flies and is taken eight daies hee was by the Earle Iohn released and suffered to goe on his iourney wherein being the messenger of his owne misusage he had the aduantage of his aduersaries and preuailed against them with the Pope who tooke very tenderly the powre Legantine should be so vilified The Earle Iohn the Archbishop of Rouen and the other Iustices of the King grant vnto the Citie of London their Common or liberties and the Citizens Swore fealtie to King Richard and his haire and that if he died without issue they would receiue the Earle Iohn for their Lord and King and likewise swore fealty vnto him against all men reseruing their faith to King Richard In this forwardnesse was the Earle Iohn for his brothers Crowne whilst hee is beleagaring Ascalon and grapling with Saladin Sultan in the East But hauing notice of this proceeding in England and how the King of France had taken in Gisors and King Richards departure from Palestina the Country of Vexin contrarie to his Oath hee takes the oportunity of an offer made by Saladin of a truce for three yeares vpon condition that hee should restore Ascalon to the same State wherein hee found it before the siege which hee did by the Councell of the Templars and the whole Armie And presently leauing Wife Sister and people to come after him as they could prouide takes a shippe with some few followers and returnes from this action with as great precipitation as hee vndertooke it hauing consumed therein all that mightie Treasure left him by his father and all that otherwise hee could teare from his subiects and others by violent extortion or cunning practises Pardon vs Antiquitie if we miscensure your actions which are euer as those of men according to the vogue and sway of times and haue onely their vpholding by the opinion of the present wee deale with you but as posteritie will with vs which euer thinkes it selfe the wiser that will iudge likewise of our errors according to the cast of their imaginations But for a King of England to returne in this fashion cannot bee but a note of much inconsideration and had as pittifull
an euent For hauing taken vp by the way three Gallies to conduct him to Ragusa for three hundred Markes of Siluer disguised vnder the names of Pilgtimes hee was by his lauish expences discouered to bee the His discouery King of England which note once taken it was impossible for him to lay anie couering thereon that could euer hide him more though vpon warning thereof he presently left all his company and with one man onely takes horse and through all the daungers of a wilde desart and rocky Country trauayling day and night passes into Austrich where Fame that was a speedier post then himselfe was before him And comming to a Village nere to Viena and reposing himselfe in a poore hosterie was taken a sleepe by meanes of his companion going forth to prouide necessaries for him King Richard taken prisoner who as hee was changing money was knowne taken and brought before the Duke of Austrich and vpon examination confessed where his maister was of which prise the Duke was most ioyfull in respect of his reuenge for the disgrace hee did him at the entring of Acon and presently sends him to the Emperour Henry the sixt whom likewise he had offended for ayding Tancredi the base sonne of Roger in the vsurpation of the Crowne of Sicilia against Constantia the lawfull daughter of the same Roger whom this Emperour had married Newes hereof is presently sent by the Emperour to the King of France that he might likewise reioyce at this fortune and hee tells him That now the Enemy of his Empire and the disturber of the Kingdome of France was fast in holde and all the manner how The State of England is likewise soone certified of this heauie disaster and great meanes is made to redeeme their King out of captiuitie who is sayd to haue borne his fortune with that magnanimitie and so cleered himselfe of the scandalls layd on him for the death of Conrade the Emperours kinsman other his actions in the East in such sort as he won the affection of the Emperor so that he professed a great desire to restore him and reconcile him to the King of France But yet wee finde That King Richard deposed King Richard deposed himselfe of the kingdome of England himselfe of the Kingdome of England and deliuered the same to the Emperour as his supreame Lord and inuested him therein by the deliuering vp his hat whch the Emperour returned vnto him in the presence of the Nobility of Germany and England to hold this Kingdom from him for 50 thousand pounds sterling to be payed as an annuall tribute And yet notwithstanding all this the King of France combining with the Earle Iohn preuailed so much with the Emperour as hee held him his prisoner a whole yeare and sixe weekes through their offer of mighty summes they made vnto him For he and the Earle Iohn fully accounted that he should haue beene held a perpetuall prisoner and vpon that reckning the Earle Iohn did his homage to the King of France for the Dutchy Earle Iohn doth homage to the King of France for Normandy of Normandy and all the rest of those transmarine territories and for England as it is sayd and besides resignes vnto him Gisors with the Country of Vexin sweares to marry his sister Alice and to bee diuorsed from his other Wise the Daughter of the Earle of Glocester The King of France couenants to giue him with his sister that part of Flanders which hee had taken from that Eareldome and sweares to ayde him in the attayning both of England and whatsoeuer else the Lands of his brother Then goes the Earle Iohn ouer into England carrying many strangers with him and presently the Castles of Wallingford and Windsor are rendred vnto him then comes hee to London and requires of the Archbishop of Rouen and other the Commissioners the Kingdome of England and that fealty bee made vnto him affirming his brother was dead but they not giuing credit vnto him and denying his desire with rage and strong hand hee fortifies his Castles and in hostile manner inuades the Lands of his brother finding many partakers to ioyne with him The Queene mother the Iustices of England and all the faithfull seruants of the King guard and defend the ports against the inuasion of the French and Flemings who in great numbers seeke to ayde the Earle Iohn and also they labour the redemption of the King whose ransome the Emperour rates at 100 thousand Marks with the finding of fiftie Gallies ready furnished and two hundred souldiers to attend his seruice in the holy warres for one yeare In Normandie the Officers and Seruants of the King of England defend with no lesse faith and courage the right of their Maister against the King of France who withall his powre labours to subdue them and by his large offers to the Emperour prolongs his redemption and inhaunces his ransome This toyle and charge is the world put into through the misfortune and weakenesse of their hardy King who onely in respect of his valour being otherwise not worth so much and the Holy worke hee vndertooke whereby hee obliged the Clergie which then managed all got the opinion and loue of his subiects in such sort as they straine euen beyond their ability to recouer and preserue him and so wrought in the end that the Emperour compounds with King Richard in this manner that hee should send his Commissioners to London and receaue an hundred thousand Markes of pure siluer of Cologne The Emperors composition with King Richard waight to be sealed vp and safely conducted to the bounds of the Empire at the perile of the King of England and other fifty thousand Markes of siluer whereof twenty thousand for the Duke of Austrich and thirty thousand for the Emperour to be payd at seauen monethes after and pledges to be giuen three score to the Emperor and seauen to the Duke Besides the King of England sweares to send his Neece the sister of Arthur Earle of Brittaine to be married to the Duke of Austrich c. And the Emperour granted to the King of England by his Charter the Soueraignty of the Prouince Vienne and Viennoys Merseilles Narbona Arls Lyons and whatsoeuer hee had in Burgogne with the Homages of the King of Arragon the Earles of Dijon and Saint Giles In which countries were fiue Archbishop-ricks thirty three Bishopricks but the Emperour could neuer haue domination ouer them nor they receaue any Lord that hee presented them So that this great gift consisted but in title which yet pleased King Richard that hee might not seeme to part with all his substance for nothing And the same wind he sends to Hubert the new Archbishop of Canterbury lately made his Vicegerent in England to be blowne ouet all the Kingdome by a letter he wrote vnto him wherein he hath these words For that sure I am you much desire our deliuerance and greatly reioyce therein we will that you be
take consideration till after Easter next and in the meane time he tooke vpon him the crosse rather as is said through feare then deuotion supposing himselfe to bee more safe vnder that protection But the Lords continuing their resolution foreseeing nothing was to bee obtayned but by strong The resolution of the Barons assembling their army at Stamford hand assemble an Army at Stamford wherein are said to bee two thousand Knights besides Esquires with those that serued on foot and from thence marched towards Oxford where the King then expected their comming according to the appoynted time for answere to their demands And being come to Brackly with their Army the King sends the Archbishop of Canterbury and William Earle of Pembrooke Mareschall with other graue Councellors to demaund of them what were those Lawes and Liberties A Schedule of the Demands of the Lords they required to whom they shewed a schedule of them which the Commissioners deliuer to the King who hauing heard them read in great indignation asked why the Barons did not likewise demaund the Kingdome and swore that hee would neuer grant those liberties whereby himselfe should bee made a seruant So harsh a thing is it to a powre that hath once gotten out into the wide libertie of his will to heare againe of any reducing within his circle not considering how they who inheret Offices succeed in the obligation of them and that the most certaine meanes to preserue vnto a King his Kingdomes is to possesse them with the same conditions that he hath inherited them The Barons vpon this answere being as hasty as hee was auers resolue to seize on The Lords seize on the Kings Castles his Castles and presently march towards Northampton which they besiege constituting Robert Fitz Walter their General intituling him the Mareschall of the Army of God and holy Church And after they assaile the Castle of Bedford where William de Beauchamp rendring his charge receiues them and the Londoners send thither priuy message to ioyne with them and deliuer vp the Citie to be garded by their direction And thither they repaire and are ioyfully receiued vnder pact of their indemnity The Lords repaire to London where dayly increasing in number of new Confederats they make their protestation neuer to giue ouer the prosecution of their desire till they had constrayned the King whom they held periured to grant them their Rights King Iohn seeing himselfe in a manner generally forsaken hauing scarce seuen King Iohn forsaken of his people Knights faithfull vnto him counterfeits the Seales of the B B. and writes in their names to all nations that the English were all Apostats and whosoeuer would come to inuade them he by the Popes consent would confer vpon them all their Lands and possessions The Earle Mareschall other mediate a reconciliation But this deuise working no effect in regard of the little confidence they had in the King and the powre of the Kingdome a new mediation is made to the Barons by the Earle Mareschall and others and a Parle is had betweene Windsor and Stanes in a Meadow called Running-mead a place anciently vsed for such Conferences where after many meetings and much debate the King freely consented for the glory of God A Parliament for restoring the Rights and Liberties of the Kingdome and emendation of the Kingdome to confirme those Lawes and Liberties formerly restored and in part ordayned by Hen. 1. And to the end that all discord should vtterly cease hee grants for the intire and firme enioying these Lawes and Liberties Securitie in this manner That there should be fiue and twenty Barons chosen of the Kingdome such as they would who should to their vtmost power cause the same to bee held and obserued And that if either the King or his Chiefe Articles of the Agreement confirmed by King Iohn Iusticiar should transgresse in any Article of those Lawes and the offence shewed Foure Barons of the fiue and twenty should come to the King or in his absence out of the Kingdome to his Chiefe Iusticiar and declare the excesse requiring without delay redresse for the same which if not made within the space of fortie daies after such declaration those Foure Barons should referre the cause to the rest of the fiue and twenty who with the Commons of the Land might distraine and inforce him by all meanes they could viz. by seizing vpon his Castles Lands and Possessions or other goods his person excepted and that of his Queene and Children till amends should bee made according to their arbitration And that whosoeuer would should take their Oath for the execution hereof and obay the commandement of the fiue and twenty Barons herein without prohibition And if any of them dissented or could not assemble the maior part to haue the same powre of proceeding Besides for Vide Append. more caution the foure Chatelaines of the Castles of Northampton Kenelworth Notingham and Skarbrough should be sworne to obay the commandement of the Fiue and twenty Barons or the maior part of them in whatsoeuer they thought good concerning those Castles Wherein none should bee placed but such as were faithfull and would obserue their Oath c. That all strangers whereof diuers are expresly nominated should bee remoued out of the Kingdome And a generall pardon is graunted for all transgressions committed through the occasion of this discord from the beginning thereof to this present time And mutuall Oathes taken of both sides in solemne manner for the inuiolable obseruing all these Articles The King likewise sends his letters Pattents to all the Shriefes of the Kingdome to cause all men of what degree soeuer within their seuerall Shires to sweare to obserue those Lawes and Liberties thus granted by his Charter And in this manner though it were to be wished it had not beene in this manner 1215. Anno. Reg. 17. were recouered the rights of the Kingdome Whereof though they seeme to haue now the Liuerie they had not the Seisin For presently the King being loose from the doing which he pretends to be by force vnlooses the Deed and there wanted not those about him who obseruing which way his will bent to turne him more violently vpon that King Iohn by euill councell frustrates his owne Grants side not in regard of his good but their owne interests making more profit by his irregularity then otherwise they could of his orderly courses telling him he was now a King without a Kingdom a Lord without a Dominion and a subiect to his Subiects Wicked counsellors as if it were not enough to be aboue men but to bee aboue mankinde as those Princes would be that would be vnder no Law considering the preseruation of Kings and Kingdoms is to haue the ballance of satisfaction both of the one and other equall But by such Counsailors is he confirmed in his refractory humor And worthily that Prince deserues to bee deceiued in his
them doubtfull what to resolue vpon in regard of the tender youth of Henry and their Oath made to Louys But such was the insolence of the French making spoyle and prey of whatsoeuer they could fasten on and now inuested by Louys contrarie to his Oath in all those places of importance they had recouered as made many of the English to relinquish The confession of the Viscont Melun at his death their sworne fidelitie and forsake his part Which more of them would haue done but for the shame of inconstancie and the daunger of their pledges remayning in France which were great tyes vpon them Besides the popular bruit generally divulged concerning the confession of the Viscont Melun a Frenchman who lying at the point of death toucht with compunction is said to reueale the intention vow of Louys which was vtterly to extinguish the English nation whom he held vile neuer to be trusted hauing forsaken their own Soueraign Lord wrought a great auersion in the hearts of the English which whither it were indeed vttered or giuen out of purpose it was so to be expected according to the precedents of all in-brought farreiners vpon the deuisions of a distracted people And first William Earle of Salisbury mooued in bloud to succour his Nephew tooke Diuers Lords reuolt from Louys away a maine peece from the side of Louys and with him the Earles of Arundle Warren William sonne and heire to the great Marshall returne to the fidelity of Henry after 6 months they had reuolted to the seruice of Louys which now may be thought was don but to temporise and try the hazard of a doubtfull game otherwise a brother would not haue forsaken a brother nor so Noble a father and sonne haue deuided their starres Notwithstanding Louys found hands enow to hold London withall the Countries about it a whole yeare after so that the young King was constrained to remaine about Glocester Worcester and Bristow where his wakefull Ministers faile not to imploy all means to gather vpon whatsoeuer aduantages could be espied at length so wrought as they draw the enemy from the head of the kingdome downe into the body first into Leceister-shire to releeue the Castle of Montsorell a peece apertayning to Saer de Quincy Earle of Winchester a great partisan of Louys and after by degrees to Lincoln where a Noble Lady called Phillippa but of what famely time hath iniuriously bereft vs the knowledge had more then with feminine courage defended the Castle the space of a whole yere against Gilbert de Gant the French forces which were possest of the town The Earle Marshall Protector of the King and kingdom with his sonne William the Bishops of Winchester Salisbury and Chester the Earles of Salisbury Ferrers and Albemarle William de Albinet Iohn Marshall William de Cantelupe Falcasius Thomas Basset Robert Veypont Brent de Lisle Geffrey Lucy Philip de Albinet and many other Barons and marshall men being with all the powre of the young king whose forces as he marched grew dayly greater come to a place called Stow within 8 miles of Lincoln the Legat Guallo to adde courage resolution to the army caused vpon confession of their sinnes the Eucharist to be ministred and giues them a plenary absolution solemnly The forces of Louys ouerthrowne accursing Louys with all his adherents as seperated from the vnity of the Church which done they set forth and with such violence assaile the City on all sides as the defendants after the Earle of Perch valiantly fighting was slaine were soone defeited and all the principall men taken prisoners whereof these are nominated Saer Earle of Winchester Henry de Bohun Earle of Hereford Gilbert de Gant lately made Earle of Lincoln by Louys Robert Fitz Walter Richard Monfichet William Moubray William Beauchamp william Maudit Oliuer Harcort Roger de Cressy William de Coleuile William de Ros Robert de Ropsley Ralph Chandnit Barons besides foure hundred Knights or men at Armes with their seruants horse and foot The number and quality of the persons taken shew the importance of the place and the greatnesse of the victorie which gaue Louys his maine blow and was the last of his battailes in England The spoyles were very great being of a City at that time rich in Marchandize The spoyle of Lincolne whereupon the winners in derision tearmed it Louys his Faire Many of those who escaped and fled from this ouerthrow were slaine by the Country people in their disorderly passing towards London vnto Louys who vpon notice of this great defeat sends presently ouer for succours into France and drawes all the powre he had in England to the Citie of London whether the Earle Marshall with the young King bend their course with purpose either to assaile Louys vpon this fresh dismay of his losse and the distraction of his partakers or induce him by agreement to relinquish the Kingdome The first being found difficult the last is propounded whereunto Louys would not The Peace was concluded the 11 of Sep. be brought to yeeld vntill hearing how his succors comming out of France were by Phillip de Albenie and Hubert de Burgh with the forces of the Cinke-ports all vanquished at sea he then hoplesse of any longer subsisting with safty condiscendes to an accord takes fifteene thousand markes for his voyage abiures his claime to the Kingdome promises by Oath to worke his father as farre as in him lay for the restitution 1218. Anno. Reg. 3. of such Prouinces in France as appertayned to this Crowne and that when himselfe should be King to resigne them in peaceable manner On the other part King Henry takes his Oath and for him the Legat and the Protector to restore vnto the Barons of this Realme and other his Subiects all their rights and heritages with those liberties for which the discorde beganne betweene the late King and his people Generall pardon is granted and all prisoners freed on both fides Louys is honorably attended to Douer and departs out of England about Michelmas aboue two yeares after his first atiuall hauing beene here in the greatest part a receiued King and was more likely to haue established himselfe and made a Conquest of this Kingdome being thus pulled in by others armes then the Norman that made way with his owne had not the All-disposer otherwise diuerted it Such effects wrought the violence of an vnruly King and the desperation of an oppressed people which now notwithstanding the fathers iniquitie most willingly imbrace the sonne as naturally inclyned to loue and obey their Princes And in this recouery the industrie of Guallo the Legate wrought much though what he did therein was for his owne ends the pretended interest of the Pope whose ambition 1219. Anno. Reg. 4. had beene first an especiall cause of this great combustion in the Kingdom but as they who worke the greatest mischiefes are oftentimes the men that can best repaire them
two Charters before And twelue Knights or Legall men are chosen in euery shire vpon their Oath to disparte the old forests from the new and all such as were found to haue Disforrestations beene inforested since the first coronation of Henry the second to be disafforested and disposed at their pleasure who were to posses them wherevpon they were layd open plowed and improued to the exceeding comfort and benefit of the subiect whereby men in steed of wild beasts were sustayned and more roome made for them to vse their industry Two yeares with great quietnesse and generall content the blessing of a state 1225. Anno. Reg. 10. these liberties were inioyed when the King at a Parliament at Oxford declaring himselfe to be oflawfull age and free from custody to dispose of the affayres of the Kingdome cancells and anulles the Charter of Forests as graunted in his Nonage hauing no power of himselfe or of his Seale and therefore of no validitie and causes Proclamation to be made that both the Clergy and all others if they would inioy those liberties 4. Parliament should renew their Charters and haue them confirmed vnder his new Seale for which they were constrayned to pay not according to their ability but the will of the chiefe Iusticiar Hugh de Burgh to whome is layd the blame of this mischiefe which procured him the generall hatred of the Kingdome and bread a new insurrection of The reuoking the Charters of Forrests which bred a new insurrection the nobility who taking aduantage vpon a breach lately falen our betweene the king and his brother Richard Earle of Cornwell about the Castle of Barkhamsted appertayning to that Earledome which the king had committed to the keeping of on Walleran a Dutchman ioyne with the Earle and put themselues in armes For the king mayntayning the cause of Walleran commands his brother to render the Castle which he had taken from him or else to depart the kingdome The Earle answeres that he would neither doe the one or the other without the iudgment of his Peeres and so departes to his lodging leauing the king much displeased with this answere The chiefe Iusticiar fearing the disturbance of the peace aduises the king sodainly to apprehend the Earle and commit him to close custodie but the Earle either through notice or doubt therof flies presently to Marleborough where he findes William Earle Mareshall his friend and consedrate by Oath with whom hee hastes to Stamford and there meets with the Earles of Chester Gloster Waren Hereford Ferrers Warwicke with diuers Barons and men at armes from whence they send to the King aduising him to right the iniurie done to his brother The cause whereof they impute to Hugh de Burgh and not to himself besides they require restitution to be made without delay of the liberties of the Forrests lately cancelled at Oxford otherwise they 1226. Anno. Reg. 11. would compell him therevnto by the sword The King to anoyd this daunger appoints them day to come to an assembly at Northampton where a concord is concluded and to satisfie his brother besides the rendring vnto him his Castle he grauntes him all that his mother had in dowre and s. Parliament whatsoeuer lands the Earle of Brittaine held in England with those of the Earle of Bologn lately deceased and so the Parliament brake vp After this the generall motion 1227. Anno. Reg. 12. for the holy warres intertaines some time Which so strongly wrought in that credelous world as sixty thousand sufficient men are reported to haue vndertaken that voyage of whom Peter Bishop of Winchester and William Bishop of Excester are the leaders The King is sollicited by Hugh le Brun Earle of March who had marryed his Mother and by other great men of Normandy to come ouer into France to recouer his right vpon the great alterations happening in those parts by this occassion Louys the eight who succeeded Phillip the second being lately dead after his great siege of Auignon and his warres made against the Heretickes Albegeois in Prouince leaues the Kingdome to his Sonne Louys of the age of twelue yeares in whose minority his Mother Blanch taking vpon her the regency so discontented the Princes of the French Hist. bloud as they oppose themselues against her holding it both dishonorable and daungerous that a woman and a stranger by the Councell of Spaniards whom she aduanced aboue the Naturalls of the Kingdome should gouerne all according to her pleasure and therefore enter league against her The chiefe of whom were Phillip Earle of Bologne vncle by the Father to the King Robert Earle of Champaigne Peter de Dreux Duke of Britagne and Robert Earle of Dreux his brother and with these Hugh the Earle of March takes part in regard the Queen Regent had erected the Country of Poictou to a Conty and made Earle there of Alphonso her Sonne brother to the young king whereby finding himselfe inclosed within that County he refuses to acknowledge Alphonso for Lord instigated therevnto by his wife a Queene Dowager of England who could not comport a superior so neere her doore in so much as they likewise draw in the Earle of Lusignan brother to the Earle of March who also presuming vpon the greatnesse of his house discended of kings was apt to take their part and these with the Earle of Britagne call in the King of England Who after he hed exacted great sums of the Clergy of the Citie of London for redemption of their liberties and taken the third part of al the goods of the Iewes passes ouer with an Army lands at Saint Mallos is met by many Nobles of Poictou who with the Earle of Britagne doe homage vnto him and great preparations are made to recouer such peeces as had beene obtayned by the late King of France The Queene Regent sets out a powerfull army to stop the proceeding of the King of England and much mischiefe is wrought on both sides in Pocitou Xaintonges Angoumois where their friends and enemies suffer all a like At length seeing no great good to arise by their trauaile both weary of the busines either a peace or truce is concluded The King of England besides an infinite expence of treasure hauing lost diuers of his Nobles and other valiant men in the iourny without any glory returnes home bringging with him the Earle of Britagne and many Poictouins to receiue their promised rewards which notwithstanding all the former expence must be wrung out of the substance of the poore subiect of England Vpon his returne hee intertaines a purpose of Marriage with a sister of the King of Scots against which the Earles and Barons of England generally oppose alledging it to be vnfit that he should haue the younger Sister when Hubert his chiefe Iusticiar had maryed the eldest and the Earle of Britagne by whose Councell he was now much directed disswades him likewise from it To this Earle after supplies obtained towards
his expences and debts in France he giues fiue thousand markes as if remayning The King calls his officers to accoumpt of the summe hee had promised And for the rest of the Poictouins their preferments and rewards were to be had by the displacing and spoyles of his Officers Receiuors and others whom now hee calles to accoumpt and castes for defrauding him in their offices of whom Ralph Breton treasorer of his Chamber is first who was committed to prison and grieuoulsy fined then Hubert de Burgh his chiese lusticiar a man who 1228. Anno. Reg. 13. had long ruled all vnder him in a place euer obnoxious to detraction and enuy is called to accoumpt for such treasure as passed his office which was then for all reliefes and subsidies whatsoeuer raysed on the subiect and notwithstanding he had the kings Charter for it during life yet is he thrust out of his office and besides accused of haynous crymes of treason No sooner was this great officer and inward councellor falne into the Kings displeasure but presently a whole volly of accusations which feare in time of fauour held in were discharged vpon him and euery act of his examined and vrged according to the passion of the complainers The city of London laies to his charge the execution of their citizen Constantine in the time of a ryot committed betweene their people and those of Westminster at a wrastling in Saint lames feilds Anno. Reg. 4. as done without warrant and law and craue Iustice for his bloud Hubert to auoyd this sodaine storme comming vpon him fled to the Church of Merton for Santuary whence by armed men sent to pursue him he is drawne out by force and committed to prison Of which violence done contrary to the priuiledge of that sacred place the Bishop of London in whose dioses it was complaines and so wrought that he is brought back againe to the same chappell But yet all that could not shelter him from the Kings wrath who giues strict commandement to the Shriefes of Hartford and Sussex to set a guard about the place that no sustenance be brought him Hunger inforces him to commit himselfe to the Kings mercy and away is he sent prisoner to the Vize his money left in the custody The King remoues his officers of the templars is brought forth and seazed into the Kings hands clayming that and much more as stolne out of his exchequer Stephen de Segraue is put into his office a worse minister for the common-wealth which seldome gaynes by such shiftings and who must shortly runne the same fortune Walter Bishop of Carliel is likewise thrust out of his office of Treasorer and William Rodon Knight of his place of Marshall of the kings house and all the chiefe Councellors Bishops Earles and Barons of the Kingdome are remoued as distrusted and onely strangers preferred to their roomes Peter Bishop of Winchester lately returned from the holy warres to be the author of most vnholy discord at home is charged to be the cause hereof and with him one Peter de Riuallis now the sepeciall minion about the King These straines of so strange and insufferably violences so exasperate the Nobility as many whereof Richard now Earle Marshall vpon the death of his brother William was chiefe do combine themselues for defence of the publique and boldly do shew the King his error and ill aduised course in preferring strangers about him to the disgrace and oppression The Lords combine for the publike defence against the K. of his naturall liege people contrary to their lawes and liberties and that vnlesse he would reforme this excesse whereby his crowne and Kingdome was in eminent daunger he and the rest of the nobility would withdraw themselues from his councell whervnto the Bishop of Winchester replies that it was lawfull for the King to callwhat strangers he listed about him for defence of his crowne and Kingdome thereby to compell his proud and rebellious subiects to their due obedience With which answere the Earle and the rest depart with more indignation vowing that in this cause which concerned them ail they would spend their liues Herevpon the King sodenly sends ouer for whole legions of Poictouins and withall sommons a Parliament at Oxford whether the Lords refused to come both in regard they found themselues dispised and holding it not safe by reason of those multitudes The Lords refuse to come to Parliament vpon summons of strangers Then was it decreed by the Kings Councell that they should be the second and third time sommoned to try whether they would come or not And here from the Pulpit whence the voyce of GOD and the people is vttered the King is boldly shewed the way to redresse this mischiefe of the Kingdome by one Robert Bacon a Fryer Predicant but more comically by Roger Bacon in pleasant discourse asking the king my Lord what is most nocent to Sea-men and what feared they most the King replies Seamen know that best themselues then my Lord I will tell you Petrae et Rupes alledging to Petrus de Rupibus Bishop of Winchester After this the Lords were summoned to a Parliament at Westminster whether likewise they refused to come vnles the King would remoue the Bishop of Winchester 1232. Anno. Reg. 17. and the Poictouines from the court otherwise by the Common-councell of the Kingdome they send him expresse word they would expell him and his euill councellors out of the land and deale for the creation of a new King Vpon this threatning pledges are required of the nobility to be deliuered by a certeine day for security of their alleagiance But no act passed in this Parliament though 6. Parliament though diuers Lords came thither as the Earle of Cornewall Chester Lincoln Ferrers and others in regard the Earle Marshall the Lord Gilbert Basset and other Nobles were not present Then are Writs sent out to all who held by knights seruice to repaire to the King at Glocester by a certaine day which the Earles Mareschall and his associates refusing the King without the iudgement of his court and their Peeres cause to be proclaimed outlawes seizes vpon all their lands which he giues to his Poictouines and directs out Writs to attach their bodies wheresoeuer in the kingdome The Bishop of Winchester to weaken the party of the Mareschall wonne the Eatles of Chester and Lincoln with a thousand markes and the King had so pleased his brother the Earle of Cornewall as hee likewise left them Wherevpon they withdraw them into Wales and confederat with Lewelin and other great men in that country whither also came Hubert de Burgh escaping out of the Vize Castle and ioynes with them taking their oath intermutually that no one without other should make their accord The King goes himselfe in person with an Army against these revolted Lords into Wales Where he had the worst of the busines and much dishonour returnes to Glocester The K. with an
irreprehensible in his Office is much fauoured by the people Peter de Riuallis and Stephan Segraus are againe receiued into grace an argument of the kings leuitie and irresolution moued it seemes with any Engine to doe and vndoe and all out of time and order wherein he euer looses ground And now faine would he haue reuoked by the Popes Authority some grants of his made heretofore as being don beyond his powre without the cōsent of the Church which harsh intention addes more to the already conceiued displeasure of the people Anno Reg. 21. another Parliament or the same adiourned is held at London where in regard of the great expence for his Sisters marriage and his owne hee requires the 9 Parliament thirtith part of all moueables as well of the Clergie as Layetie Whereunto great 1237. Anno. Reg. 21. opposition is made and recitall of the many Leuies had beene exacted of the Kingdome now of the twentith now of the thirtith and fortith parts and that it was a thing vnworthy and iniurious to permit a King who was so lightly seduceble and neuer did good to the Kingdome either in expelling or repressing enemy or amplyfing the bounds thereof but rather lessening and subiugating the same to Strangers that he should extort by so many pretences so great summes from his naturall people as from slaues of the basest condition to their detriment and benefit of Aliens Which when the King heard desirous to stop this generall murmur promised by Oath that he would neuer more iniurie the Nobles of the Kingdome so that they would benignly releeue him at that present with this supply in regard he had exhausted his treasure in the mariage of his Sister and his owne whereunto they plainely answere that the same was done without their Councell neither ought they to be partakers of the punishment who were free from the fault After 4 daies consultation the King promising to vse only the Councell of his naturall Subiects disauowing and protesting against the reuocation lately propounded and freely granting the inuiolable obseruation of the Liberties vnder paine of excommunication hath yeelded vnto him the thirtith part of all moueables reseruing yet to euery man his ready coyne horse and armour to be imployed for the Common-wealth For the collection of this subsidy it was ordayned that 4 Knights of euery Foure knights of euery shire ordained to take charge of the subsidy Shire and one Clerke of the Kings should vpon their Oath receiue and deliuer the same either vnto some Abbay or Castle to be reserued there that if the King fayle in performance of his Grants it might be restored to the Country whence it was collected with this condition often annexed that the King should leaue the Councell of Aliens and onely vse that of his naturall Subiects Wherein to make shew of his part he sodainly causes the Earles Warren and Ferrers with Iohn Fitz Geffrey to be sworne his Councellors And so the Parliament ended but not the businesse for which it was called the King not giuing that satisfaction to his subiects as he had promised concerning Strangers and besides that order concluded in Parliament was not obserued in the leauying and disposing of the susidie but stricter courses taken in the valewing of mens Estates then was held conuenient Moreouer William Valentine Vncle to the young Queene is growne the onely inward man with the King and possesses him so as nothing is done without his Councell the Earle of Prouince the father a poore Prince is inuited to come ouer to participat of this Treasure which seemes was disposed before The comming of Simon Monford into into England it came in Simon de Monford a French man borne banished out of France by Queene Blanch is intertayned in England and preferred secretly in marriage to Elianor the Kings Sister widow of William Earle of Pembroke Great Mareschall and made Earle of Leicester by right of his mother Amice daughter to Blanchman Earle of Leicester Which courses with other so incense the Nobility and generally all the Subiects as put them out into a new commotion and Richard the Kings brother whose youth and ambition apt to be wrought vpon is made the head thereof who being as yet Heire apparant of the Kingdome the Queen being yong and child-lesse the preseruation of the good thereof is argued to concerne him and hee is the man imployed The Greeuances of the Kingdome to the King to impart the publike greeuances and to reprehend first the profusion of his Treasure gotten by exaction from the subiect and cast away vpon Strangers who onely guide him then the infinite summes hee had raised in his time How there was no Archbishopricke or Bishopricke except Yorke Lincolne Bathe but he had made benefit by their Vacancies besides what fell by Abbayes Earldomes Baronies Wardships and other Escheates and yet his treasure which should be the strength of the State was nothing increased Moreouer how hee as if both dispising his and the Councell of his naturall Subiects was so obsequious to the will of the Romans and especially of the Legat whom he had inconsiderately called in as hee seemed to adore his footsteps and would doe nothing either in publique or priuate 1238. Anno. Reg. 22. but by his consent so that he seemed absolutely the Popes Feudarie which wounded the hearts of his people The King vpon this harsh remonstrance of his brother and the feare of a present commotion after he had sounded the affections of the Londoners whom he found resolued to take part against him hee againe by the aduice of the Legat who had earnestly delt with the Earle of Cornwall to reconcile himselfe to his brother but without effect calls a Parliament at London Whither the Lords came armed 10 Parliament both for their owne saftie and to constraine the King if he refused to the obseruation of the premices and reformation of his courses Here after many debatements the King taking his Oath to referre the businesse to the order of certaine graue men of the Kingdome Articles are drawne sealed and publikely set vp to the view of all with the seales of the Legat and diuers great men But before it came to effect Simon Monford working his peace with the Earle of Cornwall and the Earle of Lincolne likewise with whom he and the State were displeased the Earle growes cold in the businesse The Lords perceiuing the staffe of their strength to faile them failed themselues so that nothing is effected and the miseries of the Kingdome continue as they did Shortly after the King takes displeasure against Gilbert Earle of Pembrooke the third sonne of William the great Mareschall and caused his gates to bee shut against 1239. Anno. Reg. 23. him at Winchester whereupon the Earle retyres into the North. And to shew how inconstant this King was in his fauours Simon Norman intituled Maister of the Kings Seale and not onely so but said
to be Maister of the Kingdome yea of the King the Rector and Disposer of Court is throwne out with disgrace the Seale taken from him and giuen to the Abbot of Euesham In like sort his brother Geffrey a Knight Templar is put out of the Councell both of them much maligned by the Nobilitie who had often before laboured their amouement as held to be corrupt Councellors and wrongers of the State and now are they falne off themselues But the cause of this their deiection may shew that oftentimes Officers vnder weake Princes are not so much faulty as the World holds them to be for not yeelding to passe a Grant from the King made vnto Thomas Earle of Flaunders the Queenes Thomas of Sauoy marrieth the inheretrix of the Earledome of Flanders which he held but during her life Vncle of 4 pence vpon euery sacke of Wooll an enormious act then accompted they both lost their places though not their reputations in this their fall discouering what the Enuie that attended their fortune hindred men to see To this Earle of Flanders the next yeare after the King grants notwithstanding 300 Markes to bee payd out of his Eschequer annually for his homage Now besides the great exactions of the King and his wastes The Sea of Rome extorts huge summes as if one Gulph sufficed not to swallow vp the substance of the Kingdome which opened the mouthes of our Clergie so wide as they let out many exclamations against the auarice of the Popes of that time and the Roman Factors who by permission of the King or by his negligence presumed so farre vpon the easi-yeeldingnesse of the State as they wrung out what they listed In so much as besides the fleece they would now haue the bodies of their possessions And the Pope sends his Mandat to haue three hundred Romans preferred to the benefices which should bee first vacant in England which so amazed the Clergie and especially Edmond Archbishop of Canterburie as hee seeing no end of these concussions of the State and Liberties of the Church and himselfe on whom the Scandall of all must light vnable by reason of the Kings remissnesse to withstand it tyred with the vanity of worldly actions giues ouer all and betakes himselfe to a voluntarie exile in the Edmond Archbishop of Canterbury giues ouer his Sea Abbay of Pontiniac in France and there applies him to the contemplation of a better life But before his departure he yeelds as a ransom for his Church 800 Markes to the Pope The Clergie although thus left by their head generally oppose what they could against the Popes rapine who to get money for his wars with the Emperor vsed dayly Pope Gregory the 9. new and insolent pressures vpon them in so much as they repaire to the King declare how preiudiciall and detogatory it was to his royaltie and the liberty of the Kingdom to suffer this proceeding which none of his Predecessors heretofore euct did and of how dangerous consequence it was to his successors The King either not apprehensiue of the mischiefe or content to ioyne with the Pope to punish and awe the Kingdome not onely refers them to the Legat but offers to deliuer the chiefe opposers vp vnto him Whereupon they seeing themselues forsaken and no powre to succor them but their owne did what they could to withstand the Legats proceeding who now by the Kings animation presumes more peremptorily to vrge them to supply the Popes present occasion and holds a Conuocation at London for effecting the same Wherein the Clergie declare how this contribution now required by the Pope for the destruction of the Emperor and effusion of Christian bloud was vnlawfull hee being not an Heretike nor condemned by the iudgement of the Church although excommunicated That it was against the Liberties of the Church of England being required vnder paine of Ecclesiasticall censure as a thing of seruitude and compulsion That they had heretofore giuen a Tenth to the Pope on condition that neuer any such exaction should againe be made least it might be drawne to a Custome for as much as binus Cod. de Episcopal L. Nemo actus inducat consuetudinem That for their businesse in the Court of Rome they were to passe through the Emperours Countries and the daunger they might haue thereby That it was not safe for the Kingdome to impouerish the King who had many enemies against whom hee must haue to sustaine warre And besides how for the furnishing of diuers Noble men vndertaking of late the businesse of the Crosse great contributions had beene made That the Church of England was poore and hardly able to sustaine it selfe That a generall contribution was to bee made by a generall Councell c. Notwithstanding these reasons though at first they staggered the Legat yet such course was taken by winning some of them vpon hope of preferment as the rest could not without the note of contumacie but yeeld perforce so by this treason of deuision the body of the Councell is entred into and the Pope preuailes in this businesse The King hath now a sonne lately borne and Richard his brother Earle of Cornwall Edward eldest sonne to King Hen. hauing likewise issue by permission of the State which heretofore hee could not obtaine vndertakes the Crosse and with him his Vncle William Longsword Earle of Salibury and many other Noblemen These departing out of England Peter of Sauoy another Richard Earle of Cornwall vndertakes the Crosse. Vncle to the Queene comes in and hath the Earledom of Richmond bestowed on him with many other gifts he is knighted and feasted suptuously for which the poore Iewes by way of redemption pay 20 thousand Markes at two tearmes of that yeare Boniface the sonne of Peter of Sauoy Nephew to the Queen is preferred to the Archbishoprick of Canterbury After this the King makes an expedition into Wales which had often put him to great charge and trouble hauing beene very vnfortunate in his many attempts 1241. Anno. Reg. 25. against Lewellin intituled Prince or King of North-Wales who being lately dead had left his two sonnes Dauid and Griffin by deuision of State to bee at discord betweene themselues whereby hee came to make an easier end of that businesse and now onely but with the shew of his powre got that which heretofore hee could not with much bloud hath submission and fealty rendred vnto him by Dauid withall his charges for that iourney but now this ended another attempt of greater expence but lesse benefit is in hand The Earle of March with his wife the Queene Mother and many other Great Lords of Poictou so worke by their earnest solieitation with assurance of successe as the King is induced to vndertake another expedition into France The 11 Parliament matter is mooued in Parliament generall opposition made against it the great expence and the ill it last brought to the Kingdome vehemently vrged How it was vnlawfull to
deuise to doe The King with all the great Nobility of England all the Bishops and chiefe Prelates 1253. Anno. Reg. 37. in their reuerent Ornaments with burning candles in their hands assemble to heare the terrible sentence of Excommunications against the infringers of the same And at the lighting of those Candles the King hauing receiued one in his hand giues it to a Prelate that stood by saying it becomes not me being no Priest to hold this candle my heart shal be a greater testimony and withall layd his hand spread on his brest the whole time the sentence was read which was thus pronounced Autoritate dei omnipotratis c. which done he caused the Charter of K. Iohn his Father granted by his free consent to be Vide Append. likewise openly red In the end hauing throwne away their candles which lay smoaking on the ground they cryed out So let them who incurre this Sentence be extinct and stincke in hell And the King with a loud voyce said As God me helpe I will as I am a Man a Christian a Knight a King crowned and anoynted inuiolably obserue all these things And therewithall the Bells rung out and all the people shouted with ioy Neuer were lawes amongst men except those holy commandements from the mount established with more maiesty of Ceremony to make them reuerend and respected then were these they wanted but thunder and lightning from heauen which if prayers could haue procured they would likewise haue had to make the sentence gastly and hydeous to the infringers thereof The greatest security that could begiuen was an oath the onely chaine on earth besides loue to tye the conscience of man and humaine society together which should it not hold vs all the frame of gouernment and order must needs fall quite a sunder Now the busines of Gascoigne that required present care is in hand which the The K. resumes Gasoigny from his brother Richard giues it to his sonne Prince Edward better to know we must returne to the head whence it sprung 27. yeares past the King by the councell of his Lords freely granted to his brother Richard all that Prouince who is there receiued as their Lord with their oathes of Fealty made vnto him and so continues vntill the King hauing issue of his owne by motion of the Queene reuokes his guift confers it vpon his eldest sonne Edward Richard though he were depriued of the possession would not yeeld to forgoe his right and at the Kings last being in Gascoigny many of them stand doubtfull whom to attend the King in great displeasure commanded his brother to resigne his Charter and renounce his right which hee refusing to doe the King commands those of Burdeax to take and imprison him but they in regard of his high bloud the homage they had made him and the kings mutability who might resent his owne commandement would not aduenture there on Then he assayles them with mony which effected more then his commandement the Earle is indaunger to be surprised escapes out of Bnrdeaux and comes ouer into England The King assembles the nobility of Gasconie at Burdeaux invaighs against his brother a man hee saide was couetous and a great oppressor a large promiser but a spare payer and that hee would prouide them of a better gouernour with all promises them thirty thousand Markes as a price of their obedience and so nullifies the Charter of his former donation with their homage and takes their oath of Fealty to himselfe Which yet they would not make vnto him till hee had inwrapt himselfe Simon Monford Earle of Leicester sent into Gascony both by his Charter and Oath for this promised summe wherevnto they so held him as thereby afterward they lost his loue And to be reuenged on them he sends Simon Monford Earle of Leceister a rough and Martiall man to Maister their pride makes him a Charter for 6. yeares to come and furnishes him with 10000. markes the better to effect his command Monfort by his sterne gouernment so discontents the Gascoins as after three yeares suffring they send the Archbishop of Burdeaux with other great men to complaine of his hard dealing and accuse him of haynous crimes their greeuences are heard before the King and his councell Monfort is sent for ouer to answere for himselfe the Earle of Cornwall for his receiued wrong in those parts and the Lords of England for their loue to him take Monforts part and that so egarly as the King comes about to fauour and countenance the Gascons against Monfort not for his loue to them but to awe and abate the other Wherevpon Montfort enters into vndutifull contestation with the King vpraydes him with his expencefull seruice wherein he saies he had vtterly consumed his Estate and how the King had broken his word with him and requires him either to make it good according to his Charter or render him his expences The King in great rage told him no promise was to be Monforts contestation with the K. obserued with an vnworthy traytor Wherewith Monfort ryses vp protesting that he lyed in that word and were he not protected by his royall dignity hee would make him repent it The King commands his seruants to lay hold on him which the Lords would not permit Monfort therevpon grew more audacious saying who will beleiue you are a Christian were you euer confessed if you were it was without repentance and satissaction The King told him he neuer repented him of any thing so much as to haue permitted him to enter into this Kingdome and to haue honored and it stated him as he had done The Gascoignes after this are priuatly sent for by the king who giues them all comfort and incourages them against Monfort whom yet he would againe send ouer to his charge but with clipt winges whereby both himselfe and they might the better be reuenged on him and withall confirmes the state of Gascoigne to his sonne Edward whom he promised them shortly to send ouer wherwith they are much pleased and after they had done their homage to the Prince depart The effect of this confused and ill-packt Monfort returned to his charge businesse was such as all indirect courses produce Monfort returnes in flames to plague the Gascoignes and they in like manner him but he by his great alliance in France drawes together such a power as beyond expectation hee ouer matches the Gascoigne whose Estates he exposes to spoyle and therewithall intertaines his great collected army They againe send ouer their complaints and vnlesse they were speedely relieued they of force must put their country into some other hand that would protect them And in this state stood Gascoigne now at the time of this last Parliament whither the King vpon this late supply granted omitting his Easterne enterprise goes with The K. goes ouer into Gasc with 300. great ships 300. Sayle of great ships and lands at Burdeux in August
Oath without leaue of his father they plainely Cron. Lichfield Henry eldest sonne to the King of Romans refuseth to take his Oath told him that if his father would not consent with the Baronage in this case hee should not bold a Furrow of Land in England In the end the Kings brethren and their followers are dispoyled of all their fortunes and exiled by proscription vnder the Kings owne hand directed to the Earles of Hereford and Surrey with charge not to passe either their Money Armes or Ornaments but in such sort as the Lords appointed and after their departure Claus 49. hee enioyneth the Citie of Bristow and other ports not to permit any strangers or Hen. 3. kinsmen of his to ariue vnlesse they did so behaue themselues as both hee and the Lords should like The Poictouines retyring to Bolongne in France send to King Louys to craue safe passage Mat. Par. through his Countrie into Poictou which in regard the Queene of France had been informed how they had defamed her Sister of England was by her meanes denyed at that time and Henry sonne to the Earle of Leicester whose estimation was great in France followes them with all eagernesse thither to incense the French against them And as they whom Enuie tumbles downe from high places shall be sure euer to haue all the thrusts possible to set them headlong into disgrace with the world so now the death and sicknesse of diuerse great men and others happening in England soone after this fatall Parlement is imputed to poysons supposed to haue been prepared by those Gentlemen The Earle of Glocester in a sicknesse sodainely lost his haire his teeth his nailes And his brother hardly escaped death which made many to suspect their nearest seruants and their Cookes Walter Scotny the Earles Steward being one is strictly examined committed to prison and after without confession executed vpon presumptions at Winchester Elias a conuerted Iew is said to haue confessed that in his house the poyson was confected but it was when he was a Diuell not a Christian Any thing in the prosecution of malice serues the turne Euery man that had receiued any wrong by those great men now put vp their complaints and are heard to the agrauation of their insolence and iniustice Guido de Rochfort a Poictouin to whom the King had giuen the Castle of Rochester is banished and all his goods confiscat William Bussey Steward to William de Valence is committed to the Towre of London most reprochfully vsed as an especiall minister of his Maisters insolencies Richard Gray whom the Lords had made Captain of the Castle of Douer is set to intercept whatsoeuer the Poictouines conuayed that way out of England and much treasure of theirs and the elect of Winchester is by him there taken besides great sums committed to the new Temple are found out and seised into the kings hands And as vsually in such heates much wrong is committed in these prosecutions of wrongs But now as an amuzatory to make the ill gouerned people thinke they are not forgotten the new chiefe Iusticiar Hugh Bigod brother to the Earle Mareschall chosen this last Parlement by publique voyce procures that foure Knights in euery shire should enquire of the oppressions of the poore done by great men vnder their hands and seales certifie the same by a certaine day to the Baronage that redresse might be made Moreouer order was taken that from thence forth no man should giue any thing besides prouisions for iustice or to hinder the same and both the corrupter and corrupted to bee grieuously punished Notwithstanding this pretended care of the publike it is noted by the writers and records of that time how the Lords inforced the seruices of the Kings tenants which dwelt neare them and were totidem tyranni how they furnished the especiall fortresses of the kingdom with Regist. in Scace William Rishangar Guardians of their owne sworne to the Common state and tooke the like assurance of all Shirifs Baylifes Coroners other publike ministers searching the behauiour of many by strict commission vpon oath And to make their cause the more popular it was rumored that the Kings necessitie must be repayred out of the Estates of his people and how he must not want whilst they had it whereupon the King sends forth proclamation How certain malicious persons had falsly and seditionsly reported that he ment vnlawfully to charge his Subiects and subuert the Lawes and Liberties of the Kingdom and by these subtile suggestions altogether false auerted the hearts of his people from him and therefore desires them not to giue credit to such perturbers for that hee was ready to defend all Rights an Customes due vnto them and that they might rest of this secured he caused of his freewill his letters to be made Patents But now Monfort Glocester and Spencer who had by the late institution of the 24 Conservators drawne the intire managing of the Kingdome into their hands inforce 1258. Anno. Reg. 42. the King to call the Parliament at London where the Authority of the 24 is delivered vnto themselues and order taken that three at the least should attend in the Court to dispose of the custodie of Castles and other businesses of the Kingdome of the 18. Parlement at London Ordinat inter Record Civil Lond. Chancellor Chiefe Iusticiar and Treasorer and of all Officers great and small And heere they binde the King to loose to them their Legall obedience whensoever he infringed his Charter In this State stood the Kingdome when intelligence was given to the Lords that Liceat omnibus de Regno nostro contra nos insurgere ad gravamen nostrum open operam dare ac si nobis in nullo tenerentur Chart. Orig. sub Sigillo Richard King of Romans had a purpose to come ouer into England which made them greatly to suspect being ignorant of the occasion least he were sent for by the King to come with power to subvert them by the example of King Iohn Whereupon they send to know the cause of his comming and to require of him an Oath before hee should land not to preiudice the now established orders of the Kingdome which he sternely refuses to do saying Hee had no Peere in England being the sonne and brother of a King and was aboue their power and if they would haue reformed the Kingdom they ought first to haue sent for him and not so presumptuously attempted a businesse of so high a Nature The Lords vpon returne of this answere sends presently to guard the Ports and come strongly to the Coast prepared to incounter him if occasion were offered But finding The Lords require an oath of him his traine small accompanyed onely with his Queene two German Earles and eight Knights they vpon his promise to take their propounded oath receiue him to land but would neither permit the King who came thither likewise to meete him nor
himselfe to enter into Dover Castle At Canterbury they bring him into the Chapter house where the Earle of Glocester standing forth in the middest calls out the Earle not by the name of King but Richard Earle of Cornewall who in reverent manner comming forth takes his Oath ministred in this manner Heare all men that I Kichard Earle of Cornewall do heere sweare vpon the Holy Evangelists The Oath of the King of Romanes that I shall bee faithfull and dilligent to reforme with you the Kingdome of England hitherto by the Councell of wicked persons overmuch disorded bee an effectuall coadiutor to expell the rebels and disturbers of the same and this Oath will inviolably obserue vnder paine of loosing all the Land I haue in England so helpe mee God In this manner deale the Lords to binde this great Earle vnto them supposing his power to haue beene more then it was which at length they found to be nothing but an Ayrie Title for having consumed all that mighty substance abroad in two yeares which with great frugality had beene many in gathering he returnes in this manner home poore and forsaken by the Germans without any other meanes to trust vnto but onely what he had in England Notwithstanding vpon his returne the King takes heart and seekes all meanes to vindicate his power dispatching first messengers secretly to Rome to be absolued from 1259. Anno. Reg. 44. his inforced Oath then sends into Scotland to the King and the Queene his daughter for aydes to be ready vpon his occasions And to haue the more assurance of the King of France and be freed from forraine businesse he makes an absolute resignation of whatsoever right he had to the Duchy of Normandie and the Earledomes of Aniou King Henry resignes his right to Normandy c. Poictou Tourene and Maine in regard whereof the King of France giues him three hundred thousand pounds some say crownes of Aniouine money and grants him to enioy all Guien beyond the river Garoune all the Country of Xantonge to the river of 1261. An. Reg. 45. Charentè the Countries of Limosin and Quercy for him and his successors doing their Homage and Fealty to the Crowne of France as a Duke of Aquitayne and a Peere of that kingdome The Lords likewise on the other side seeke to strengthen their association and hold in each other to their Oathes and observation of their orders which was hard to do for consisting of manifold dispositions there was daily wauering sometimes Pikes among themselues in so much as the Earle of Leicester the chiefe man that kept the fire of that saction in told the Earle of Glocester finding him staggering that hee cared not to liue with such men whom he found so mutable and vncertaine for said he my Lord of Glocester The Lords combine against the K. as you are more eminent so are you more bound to what you haue vndertaken for the good of the kingdome And as he incensed others so had he those that animated him as Walter Bishop of Worcester and Kobert Bishop of Lincolne who inioyned him vpon remission W. Rishenger of his sinnes to prosecute the cause vnto death affirming how the peace of the Church of England could neuer be established but by the materiall sword But now many being the temptations many are drawne away from their side especially after the sentence giuen against them by the King of France made Arbitor of the quarrell who yet though hee condemned the prouisions of Oxford allowed the 1262. An. Reg. 46. confirmatiō of King Iohns Charter by which distinction he left the matter as he found it for those prouisions as the Lords pretended were grounded vpon that Charter Howsoeuer his sentence much aduantaged the King of England made many to dispence with their Oath and leaue their party Amongst whom was Henry Sonne to the Earle of Cornewall on whom the Prince had bestowed the Honour of Tyckhill who comming to the Earle of Leicester told him hee would not be against his Father the King nor his allyes but said he my Lord I will neuer beare Armes against you and 1263. Anno. Reg. 47. therefore I craue leaue to depart The Earle cheerfully replies my Lord Henry I am not sorry for your departure but for your inconstancie go returne with your armes I feare them not at all About the same time Roger de Clifford Roger de Leiborn Hamo I Strange and many other wonne with gifts depart from the Barons Shortly after Roger de Mortimer of the Kings part breakes into open act of hostility makes spoyle of the lands of the Earle of Leicester who had now combined himselfe with Llewellin Prince of Wales and had sent forces to inuade the lands of Mortimer in The beginning of the warres those parts And here the sword is first drawne in this quarrell about three yeares after the Parlement at Oxford The Prince takes part with Mortimer surprises the Castle of Brecknock with other places of strength which hee deliuers to his custodie The Earle of Leicester recouers the towne and Castle of Glocester constraines the Citizens to pay a thousand pounds for their redemption goes with an Army to Worcester possesses him of the Castle thence to Shrewsbury and so comes about to the Isle of Ely subdues the same and growes very powerfull The King doubting his approch to London being not yet ready for him workes so as a mediation of peace is made and agreed vpon these conditions That all the Castles 1264. Anno. Reg. 48. of the King should be deliuered the keeping of the Barons the Prouisions of Oxford should bee inuiolably obserued All strangers by a certaine time should auoide the Kingdome except such as by a generall consent should be held faithfull and profitable for the same Here was a little pause which seemes was but a breathing for a greater rage The Prince had fortified Windsor Castle victualled and therein placed strangers to defend it and himselfe marches to the towne of Bristow where in a contention between the Cittizens and his people being put to the worse hee seends for the Bishop of Worcester an especiall partaker of the Barons to protect conduct him back When he comes neare Windsor he gets into the Castle which the Earle of Leicester was going to besiege being about Kingston the Prince meets him to treat of peace which the Earle refuses and laies siege to the Castle which was rendred vnto him the strangers turned out sent home into France The King to get time conuokes another Parlement at London wherein hee wonne many Lords to take his part with them the Prince Richard Earle of Cornwall Henry 19 Parlement held at London his sonne William Valence with the rest of his brethren lately returned hee marches to Oxford whither diuerse Lords of Scotland repaire to him as Iohn Comin Iohn Baliol Lord of Galloway Robert Bruce and others with many Barons of the
North Clifford Percy Scottish Lords come to aide the King of England Basset c. From Oxford withall his forces he marches to Northampton where he took prisoners Simon Monfort the younger with 14. other principall men thence to Nottingham making spoyle of such possessions as appertained to the Barons in those parts The Earle of Leicester in the meane time drawes towards London to recouer and make good that part as of chiefest importance and seekes to secure Kent with the Ports Which hastes the King to stop his proceeding succour the Castle of Rochester besieged Successe and authority now growes strong on this side in so much as the Earles of Leicester and Glocester in behalfe of themselues and their party write to the King humbly protesting their loyalty and how they opposed onely against such as were enemies to him and the Kingdome and had belyed them The King returnes answere how themselues were the perturbers of him and his siate enemies to his person and sought his and the Kingdomes destruction and therefore defies them The Prince and the Earle of Cornewall send like wise The Barons mediate a peace their letters of defiance vnto them The Barons notwithstanding doubtfull of their strength or vnwilling to put it to the hazard of a Battaile mediate a peace send the Bishops of London and Worcester with an offer of 30 thousand Markes to the King for damages done in these warres So that the statutes of Oxford might bee obserued which yeeldingnes the other side supposing to argue their debility made them the more neglectiue and securer of their power which commonly brings the weaker side more watchfull of aduantages to haue the better The Earle seeing no other meanes but to put it to a day being a man skilfull in his worke takes his time to be earlier ready then was expected and supplies his want of hands with his wit placing on the side of a hill nere Lewys where this battaile was The battaile of Lewys fought certaine ensignes without men in such sort as they might seeme a farre of to be squadrons of succors to second those he brought to the incounter whom he caused all to weare white-crosses both for their owne notice and the signification of his cause which he would haue to be for Iustice. Here the fortune of the day was his the King the Prince the Earle of Cornewall and his sonne Henry the Earles of Arundell Hereford and all the Scottish Lords are his prisoners The Earle Warrein William de Valence Guy The K. Prince and others taken prisoners de Lusignian the Kings brethren with Hugh Bigod Earle Mareschall saue themselues by flight Fiue thousand are slaine in this defeit which yet was not all the blood and destruction this businesse cost All this yeare and halfe of the other is Simon Monfort in possession of his prisoners the King he carries about with him to countenance his actions till he had gotten in all 1265. An. Reg. 46. the strongest Castles of the Kingdome And now as it vsually falls out in considerations where all must be pleased or else the knot will dissolue debate arises betweene the Earles of Leicester Glocester about their diuidend according to their agreement Leicester as fortune makes men to forget themselues is taxed to doe more for his owne particular then the common good to take to himselfe the benifit and disposition of the Kings Monsort taxed of wrong Castles to vsurpe the redemption of prisoners at his pleasure to prolong the businesse and not to vse the meanes of a parlement to end it His Sonnes also presuming vpon his greatnesse The Earle of Glocester leaues him grow insolent which made Glocester to forsake that side betake him to the Prince who lately escaping out of the Castle of Hereford had gotten a power about him of such as attended the opportunity of a turning fortune and to reuenge the dishonour of one Battaile by another The reuolt of this Earle brought many hands to the Prince whereby many peeces of strength are regained both in England and Wales The Earle of Leicester to stop the proceeding of this mighty growing Prince being now with his Army about Worcester imbattailes in a plaine neere Euesham to encounter him and noting the manner of the approch of his Army said to those about him these men come brauely on they learnt it not of themselues but of me And seeing himselfe likely to be beset and ouer-laid with numbers aduised his friends Hugh Spencer Ralph Basser and others to shift for themselues which when he saw they refused to doe then said he let vs commit our soules to God for our bodies The Earle Monsort slaine are theirs and so vndertaking the mayne waight of the Battaile perished vnder it And with him are slaine his Sonne Henry eleuen other Barons with many thousands of common souldiers At the instant of his death there hapned so terrible a thunder lightning and darknesse as it gaue them as much horror as their hideous work And so ends Monfort this great Earle of Leicester too great for a subiect which had hee not beene he might haue beene numbred amongst the worthiest of his time Howsoeuer the people which honored and followed him in his life would vpon the fame of his miracles haue worshipped him for a Saint after his death but it would not be permitted by Kings And here this Battaile deliuers the Captiue King but yet with the losse of some of his owne as well as his subiects bloud by a wound casually receiued therein and rid him of his Iaylor Monfort whom he hated had long feared more then any man liuing as himselfe confessed vpon this accident passing one day shortly after the Parliament at Oxford vpon Thames there hapned a sodaine clap of thunder wherewith the King was much affrighted and willed presently to be set on shore at the next landing 1266. Anno. Reg. 50. which was at Duresme house where Monfort then lay who seeing the King ariuing hastes downe to meete him and perceiuing him to be troubled at the storme said that hee needed not now to feare the daunger was past No Monfort said the King I feare thee more then I doe all the Thunder and tempest of the World And now the King with the victorious Prince the redeemer of him and the Kingdome repaires to Winchester 18 Parliament held at Winchester where a Parliament is conuoked and all who adhered to Simon Monfort are disinherited and their estates conferred on others at the Kings pleasure The Londoners haue their liberties taken from them Simon and Guy de Monfort Sonnes of the Earle of Leicester with the disinherited Barons and others who escaped the Battaile of Euesham All who tooke part with Monfort disinherited take and defend the Isle of Ely The Castle of Killing worth defended by the seruants of the late Earle although it were in the heart of the Kingdome endured the Seige of
halfe a yeare against the King and his Army in the end their victualls fayling they yeeld vpon condition to depart their liues members and goods saued And it is worthy the note that we find no exccution of bloud except in open Battaile in all these combustions or any noble man to dye on a Skaffold either in this Kings raigne or any other since William the first which is now almost 300 yeares Onely in Anno 26. of this King William Marisc the Sonne of Geffrey Marsc a Nobleman of Ireland being condcmned of Piracie and treason was hanged beheaded and quartered and is the first example of that kind of punishment we finde in our Histories After the Parliament at Winchester the King goes with an army against the disinherited Barons and their partakers which were many resolute and desperate persons strongly fastned together And being at Northampton Simon and Guy de Monfort by mediation of friends and promises of fauor came in and submitted themselues to the King who at the earnest suite of the Earle of Cornwall their Vnkle and the Lord Phillip Basset had restored them to their Estates but for Glocester and others who doubting their spirits wrought to hold them downe where their fortune had layd them In so much as they were faine in the end to flye the Kingdome and worke their fortunes other where which they did the younger in Italy the Elder in France where they were propagators of two great Famelies Their mother was banished shortly after the battaile of Euesham A Lady of eminent note the daughter and sister to a King nocent onely by her fortune who from the Coronet of miserable glory betooke her to the vaile of quiet piety and dyed a Nun at Montarges in France Three yeares after this the disinherited Barons held out in those fastnesses of the Kingdom where they could best defend themselues made many excursions and spoyles Motions of peace made to the disinherited Lords to the great charge and vexation of the King at length motions and conditions of render are proposed wherein the Councell are deuided Mortimer now an eminent man in grace with others stated in the possessions of the disinhereted are auers to any restoration alledging it a great act of iniustice for them to be forced to forgoe what the King 1267. Anno. Reg. 51. had for their paines and fidelity bestowed on them and the others iustly forfeited and therefore would hold what they had Glocester with the 12. ordayned to deale for the peace of the state and other his friends whch were many stand mainely for restoration This caused new pikes of displeasure in so much as Glocester who conceiuing his turning not so to serue his turne as he expected taking his time againe changed foote retires from the Court refuses to come to the Kings Fcast on Saint Edwards day sends messengers The Earle of Glocest. revoltâ— to warne the King to remoue strangers from his Councell and obserue the prouisions of Oxford according to his last promise made at Euesham otherwise that he should not meruaile if himselfe did what he thought fit Thus had victory no peace the distemprature of the time was such as no sword could cure it recourse is had to Parliament the best way if any would serue for remedy and at Bury is the state conuoked where likewise all who 19 Parliament held by Kinghts seruice are sommoned to assemble with sufficient horse and armor for the vanquishing of those disherited persons which contrary to the peace of the Kingdome held the Isle of Ely Iohn de Warreine Earle of Surrey and William de Valentia are sent to perswade the Earle of Glocester who had now leuied an army vpon the borders of Wales to come in faire manner to this Parliament which he refuses to do but yet thus much the Earles had of him vnder his hand and seale neuer to beare armes against the King or his Sonne Edward but to defend himselfe and pursue Roger Mortimer and other his enemies for which he pretended to haue taken armes The first demand in the Parliament was made by the King and the Legat for a graunt of a Tenth of the Clergie for three yeares to come and for the yeare past so much as they gaue to the Barons for defending the Coasts against the landing of strangers Whereto they answere that the warre was begun by vniust desires which yet continues and necessary it were to let passe so euill demands and to treat of the peace of the Kingdome to conuert the Parliament to the benefit thereof and not to extort mony considering the land had beene so much distroyed by this warre as it could hardly be euer recouered 2. Then was it required that the Clergie might be taxed by lay men according to the iust valew of what appertayned vnto them They answere it was no reason but against all Iustice that Lay men should inter meddle in collecting Tenths which they would neuer consent vnto but would haue the ancient taxation to stand 3. Then was it required they should giue the Tenth of their Baronies and Lay Fee according to the vtmost valew They answere themselues were impourished by attending the King in his expeditions and their lands lay vntilld by reason of the warres 4. Then it was required that the Clergie should in lieu of a Tenth giue amongst them 30. thousand Markes to discharge the Kings debts contracted for Sicilia Calabria and Apulia They answere they would giue nothing in regard all those taxations and extorsions formerly made by the King were neuer conuerted to his owne or the benefit of the Kingdome 5. All this being denied demand is made that all Clergie men that held Baronies or other Lay Fee should personally serue in the Kings warres They answere they were not to fight with the materiall but the spirituall sword c. that their Baronies were giuen of meere almes c. 6. Then was it required the whole Clergie should discharge the 9000. pounds which the Bishops of Rochester Bath and the Abbot of westminster stood bound to the Popes Merchants for the Kings seruice at their being at the Court of Rome They answere they neuer consented to any such lone and therefore were not bound to discharge it 7. Then the Legat from the part of the Pope required that without delay predication should be made throughout the kingdome to incite men to take the Crosse for the Holy warre wherevnto answere was made that the greatest part of the people of the Land were already consumed by the sword and that if they should vndertake this action few or none would be leaft to defend the Kingdome and that the Legat hereby shewed a desire to extirpat the natiues thereof and introduce strangers 8. Lastly it was vrged that the Prelates were bound to yeeld to all the Kings demands by their oath at Coventrie where they swore to ayd him by all meanes possible they could They answere that when they tooke that oath
they vnderstood no other ayd then spirituall and holesome councell So nothing was obtained but denyalls in this Parliament The Legat likewise imploies sollicitors to perswade the disherited LL. which held the Isle of Ely to returne to the faith and vnity of the Church the peace of the King according to the forme prouided at Couentry for redeeming their inheritances from such as held them by guift from the King for 7. yeares profits and to leaue of their robberies The disherited returne answer to the Legat. First that they held the faith they receiued from their Catholicke Fathers and their obedience to the Roman Church as the head of all Christianity but not to the auarice and willfull exaction of those who ought to gouerne the same And how their Predicessors whose heyres they were hauing conquered this land by the sword they held themselues vniustly disherited that it was against the Popes Mandat they should be so delt withall That they had formerly taken their Oath to defend the Kingdome and Holy Church all the Prelats thundring the sentence of excommunication against such as withstood the same and according to that Oath they were prepared to spend their liues And seeing they warred for the benefit of the Kingdome and Holy Church they were to sustaine their liues by the goods of their Enemies who detained their Lands which the Legat ought to cause to bee restored vnto them that they might not be driuen to make depradation in that manner which yet was not so great as was reported for that many of the Kings and Princes followers made rodes and committed great robberies which to make them odious were imputed and giuen out to bee done by them wherefore they wish the Legat to giue no credit to such reports for if they should finde any such amongst them they would themselues doe Iustice vpon them without delay Besides they declare to the Legat that hee had irreuerently eiected out of the Kingdome the Bishops of Winchester London and Chichester men circumspect and of deepe iudgement whereby the Councell of the Kingdom was in great part weakned to the daunger therof and therefore willed him to looke to the reformation of the same and that they might bee restored to their Lands without redemption That the proutsions of Oxford might bee obserued That they might haue Ostages deliuered them into the Island to hold the same peaceably for fiue yeares to come untill they might perceiue how the King would performe his promises Thus they treat not like men whom their fortunes had layde on the ground but as they had beene still standing so much wrought either the opinion of their cause or the hope of their party But this stubbornesse so exasperates the King as the next yeare following hee prepares a mighty Army besets the Isle so that he shuts them vp and Prince Edward with bridges made on Boates enters the same in diuers places and constraines them to yeeld In the meane time the Earle of Glocester with his army collected on the borders of Wales to ayde them marched to London where by the Citizens he was receiued but the Legat who kept his residence in the Towre so preuayled The Earle of Glocester reconciled with him as he againe renders himselfe to the King to whom hee was afterward reconciled by the mediation of the King of Romans and the Lord Philip Basset vpon forfeiture of twelue thousand Markes if euer after he should raise any commotion This effected the King goes with an Army into Wales against Lewellin for ayding Simon Monfort and the Earle of Glocester in their late attempts against him but his wrath being by the guift of 32 thousand pounds sterling appeased peace is concluded betwixt them and foure Cantreds which had by right of war been taken from him restored And here was an end of the first Barons Warres of England wherein wee see what effects it wrought how no side got but misery and vexation whilst the one struggled to doe more then it should and the other to doe lesse then it ought they both had the worst according to the usuall euents of such imbroylements The next yeare after this appeasement the Legat Ottobon signes with the 1269. Anno. Reg. 53. Croissado both the Kings sonnes Edward and Edmond the Earle of Glocester and diuers Noblemen induced to vndertake the Holy Warre by the sollicitation of him and the King of France who notwithstanding his former calamities indured in that action would againe aduenture therein So much either the desire of reuenge with the Prince Edw. his brother and others vndertake the Holy Warre recouery of his fame and honour or the hope of enioying another World prouoked him to forgo this and haste to his finall distruction And for that Prince Edward wanted meanes for his present furnishment this King of France lent him 30 thousand Markes for which hee morgaged vnto him Gascoigny An act which subtler times would interpret to be rather of Policie then Piety in this King to ingage in such manner and vpon so especiall a caution a young stirring Prince likely in his absence to imbroyle his Estate at home and to draw him along in the same aduenture with himselfe without any desire otherwise either of his company or ayde considering the inconueniences that stung these seuerall Nations heretofore by their incompetability in the same action but here it were sinne to thinke they disguised their ends or had other couerings for their designes then those through which they were seene their spirits seeme to haue beene warmed with a Nobler flame And now whilst this preparation is in hand King Henry labours to establish the Peace of the Kingdome and reforme those excesses the warre had bred causing by 21 Parliament at Marleborough proclamation stealth of Cattle to bee made a cryme Capitall and the first that suffred for the same was one of Dunstable who had stolne twelue Oxen from the inhabitants of Colne and being persued to Redburne was by the Bayliffe of Saint Albones according to the Kings Proclamation condemned and beheaded And the same yeare the King assembles his last Parliament at Marleborugh where the Statutes of that Title were inacted Nere two yeares it seemes to haue beene after the vndertaking the Crosse before 1271. Anno. Reg. 55. Prince Edward set forth a time long ynough if those resolutions would haue beene shaken to haue bred an alteration of desire but so strong was the current of this humour as no worldly respects could giue any the least stoppage thereunto Otherwise a Prince so well acquainted with action so well vnderstanding the world so forward in yeares being then 32 so neere the possession of a Kingdome would not haue leaft it and an aged father broken with daies and trauaile to haue betaken himselfe with his deare and tender consort Elionor and as it seemes then young with childe to a voyage that could promise nothing but daunger toyle miserie and affliction So powrefull are
themselues in regard of the many Leauies lately made vpon the estate Ecclesiasticall As in Anno Reg. 22. they paied the moietie of their goods of which the Abbay of Canterbury yeelded 596 pounds 7 shillings and 10 pence and besides furnished sixe horses for the Sea-coasts This Leauie as Stow notes in his collection amounted to sixe hundreth thousand pounds And in Anno Reg. 23. the King seized into his hands all the Priories Aliens and their goods Besides hee had a Loane of the Clergie which amounted to 100 thousand pounds whereof the Abbat of Bury paide 655 pounds Notwithstanding now vpon this their refusall the King puts the Clergie out of The King puts the Clergie out of his protection his protection whereby they were to haue no Iustice in any of his Courts a straine of State beyond any of his Predecessors which so amazed them being exposed to all offences and iniuries whatsoeuer and no meanes to redresse themselues as the Archbishop of Yorke with the Bishops of Duresme Ely Salisbury Lincolne yeelded to lay downe in their Churches the fifth part of all their goods towards the maintenance of the Kings warres whereby they appeazed his wrath and were receiued into grace But the Archbishop of Canterbury by whose animation the rest stood out had all his goods seized on and all the Monasteries within his Diocesse and part of Lincoln taken into the Kings hands and Wardens appointed to minister onely necessaries to the Monkes conuerting the rest to the Kings vse At length by much suite the Abbots and Priests giuing the fourth part of their goods redeeme themselues and the Kings fauour Thus will Martiall Princes haue their turnes serued by their Subiects in the times of their Necessities howsoeuer they oppose it During this contrast with the Clergie the King calls a Parliament of his Nobles at Salisbury without admission of any Church-men wherein hee requires certaine of the great Lords to goe vnto the warres of Gascoine which required a present supply vpon the death of his brother Edmond who hauing spent much treasure and time in the siege of Burdeaux without any successe retyres to Bayon then in possession of the English and there ends his life But they all making their excuses euery man for himselfe the The Lords refuse to goe into Gascoigny except the King went in person King in great anger threatned they should either goe or hee would giue their lands to others that should Whereupon Humfrey Bohun Earle of Hereford high Constable and Roger Bigod Earle of Norfolke Mareschall of England make their declaration that if the King went in person they would attend him otherwise not Which Answere more offends and being vrged againe the Earle Mareschall protested hee would willingly goe thither with the King and march before him in the Vantgard as by right of inheritance hee ought to doe But the King told him plainely hee should goe with any other although himselfe went not in Mat. West Person I am not so bound said the Earle neither will I take that iourney without you The King swore by God Sir Earle you shall goe or hang. And I sweare by the same oath I will neither goe nor hang said the Earle and so without taking his leaue departs Shortly after the two Earles assembled many Noblemen and others their friends to the number of thirty Bannerets so that they were fifteene hundred men at Armes well appointed and stood vpon their owne guard The King like a prudent Prince who knew his times prosecutes them not as then but lets the matter passe In regard that both his businesse in France and the pressing necessity of ayding his Confederats whereon his honour and whole estate abroad depended called him ouer into Flanders which the King of France had now inuaded pretending the same title of Soueraignty to that Prouince as King Edward did to Scotland And hauing had intelligence The French King inuites the Earle of Flanders to Paris and there imprisons him of the intended Alliance and other designes of the Earle Guy sends for him as if knowing nothing therof to come with his wife and daughter to make merry with him at Paris where in steed of feasting he makes him his prisoner and takes from him his Daughter in regard he sought being his vassall to match her to the Son of his capitall enemy The Earle excuses it the best he could and by much mediation is released and suffered to depart but without his Daughter of whose surprize and detention contrary to the Law of Nations he complaines to the Pope and other Princes who earnestly vrge the release of the young Lady but all in vaine and thereupon this Earle presuming on the ayde of his confederates takes armes and defies the King of The French King inuades Flanders France Who now comes with an Army of sixty thousand against him which caused the King of England to make what speed he could to releeue this distressed Earle and to leaue all his other businesses at home in that broken estate which hee did the Scots in reuolt and his owne people in discontent For which yet hee tooke the best order he could leauing the administration of the Kingdome during his absence to the Prince and certaine especiall Councellors as the Bishop of London the Earle of Warwicke the Lords Reginald Gray and Clifford and besides to recouer the Clegry receiued the Archbishop of Canterbnry into fauour And being ready now to take ship the Archbishops Bishops Earls Barons and the Commons send him a Roll of the generall grieuances of his Subiects Concerning his This roll of grieuances is recorded by Tho. Wal. viz. Append. Taxes Subsidies other Impositions with his seeking to force their seruices by vnlawsull courses his late impost layd of fortie shillings vpon euery sack of Wooll being before but half a marke estimating the Wooll of England to a fift part of all the substance thereof The King sends answere that he could not alter any thing without the aduice of his councell which were not Reg. 26. Anno. 1299. now about him and thereforè required them seeing they would not attend him in this iourney which they absolutely refused to doe though hee went in person vnlesse hee had gone into France or Scotland that they would yet doe nothing in his absence preiudiciall to the peace of the Kingdome And that vpon his Returne hee would set all things in good order as should bee fit And so with 500 saile eighteene thousand men at Armes he puts out for this iourney wherein Fortune shewed him how she would not be alwaies his For contrary to King Edward passes ouer into Flanders to the ayd of the Earle Guy his expectation he found the Country of Flanders distracted into popular factions a ritch proud people who though they were willing to ayde their Prince and defend their liberties which they respected more then their obedience yet would they not bee commanded otherwise then
murthers him in the Church Which Foundation laid on blood the Place the Person and the manner making it more odious much stained his beginning and effected not that security for which he did it but raised a mighty partie in Scotland against him King Edward though so late acquainted herewith as hee could not bee before hand with him yet would hee not bee long behind to ouertake him sends Amyer de Valence Earle of Pembrooke the Lords Clifford and Percy with a strong power to releeue his Wardens of King Ed. sends and prepates for Scotland Scotland who vpon this Revolt were all retyred to Berwicke whilst himselfe prepares an Army to follow Wherein to be the more free and Nobly attended Proclamation is made that whosoever ought by their paternall succession or otherwise had meanes of their owne for service should repaire to Westminster at the Feast of Penticost to receiue the order of Knighthood and a Military ornament out of the Kings Wardrobe Three hundred yong Gentlemen all the sonnes of Earles Barons and Knights assemble at the appointed day receiue Purples Silks Sindons Scarffs wrought with gold or Silver according to every mans estate For which traine the Kings house being too little by reason a great part thereof was burnt vpon his comming out of Flanders roome is made and the Apple Trees cut downe at the New Temple for their Tents where they attire themselues and keep their Vigil The Prince whom the King then likewise Knighted and guirt with a Militarie Belt as an ornament of that honour and withall gaue him the Duchy of Acquitaine kept his Vigile with his traine at Westminster and the next day guirds these Three Hundred Knights with the Militarie The Prince giues the honor of Knighthood to 300 Gentlemen Belt in that manner as himselfe received it At which ceremonie the presse was so great as the Prince was faine to stand vpon the high Altar a place for a more divine honour to performe this Which being solemnized with all the State and Magnificence could be devised the King before them all makes his vow that aliue or dead he would revenge the death of Iohn Cumyn vpon Bruce and the periured Scots Adiuring his sonne and all the Nobles about him vpon their Fealty that if he dyed in this Iourney they should carry his corps with them about Scotland and not suffer it to be interred till they had vanquished the Vsurper and absolutely subdued the Country A desire more Martiall then Christian shewing a minde so bent to the world as he would not make an end when he had done with it but designes his travaile beyond his life The Prince and all his Nobles promise vpon their faith to imploy their vtmost Reg. 34. An. 1307. power to performe his Vow and so vpon grant of the Thirtieth peny of the Clergie and the Laity and the Twentieth of all Marchants hee sets forth with a potent Army presently vpon Whitsontide and makes his last expedition into Scotland Anno Reg. 34. The Earle of Pembrooke with that power sent before and the aide of the Scottish partie which was now greater by the partakers of the Family of Cumyn being many mighty egar to revenge his death had before the King arrived in Scotland defeited in a battell neere S. Iohns towne the whole Army of the new King and narrowly missed the taking of his person Who escaping in disguise recovered an obscure shelter and was reserved for more and greater battailes His brother Nigell Bruce and shortly after Thomas and Alexander a Priest were taken and executed after the manner of Traytors at Berwicke so that K. Edward at his comming had not so much to do as he expected But yet he passed ouer the Country to shew them his power and to terrifie his enemies causing strict in quisition to be made for all who had been aiding to the murther of Cumyn and the advancement of Bruce Many and great Personages are A great execution made of the Scots found out being impossible amongst a broken people for any to remaine vndiscovered and were all executed in cruell manner to the terrour of the rest The Age of the King of England his Cholar Wrath desire of revenge made him now inexorable to spare none of what degree soever they were The Earle of Athol though of the Royall bloud and allyed vnto him was sent to London and preferd to a higher Gallowes then any of the rest The wife of Robert Bruce taken by the Lord Rosse is sent prisoner to London and his daughter to a Monastery in Lindsey The Countesse of Boughan that was aiding at the Coronation of Bruce is put into a woodden Cage and hung out vpon the walles of Berwicke for people to gaze on c. Which rigorous proceeding rather exasperates the Enemy and addes to the party of Bruce then any way quailed it desperation beeing of a sharper edge then hope And though Bruce now appeared not but shifted priuily from place to place in a distressed manner attended onely with two noble Gentlemen who neuer forsooke him in his fortunes the Earle of Lenox and Gilbert Hay yet still expectation loue and the well-wishing of his friends went with him and so long as hee was aliue they held him not lost this affliction did but harden him for future labours which his enemies who now neglected to looke after him as either holding him dead or so downe as neuer to rise againe found afterwards to their cost For this man from being thus laide on the ground within few yeares after gets vp to giue the greatest ouerthrowe to the greatest Armie that euer the English brought into the Field and to repay the measure of blood in as full manner as it was giuen All this Sommer the King spends in Scotland and winters in Carleil to bee ready A Parlement at Carliel the next Spring if any fire should breake out to quench it For resolued hee is not to depart till hee had set such an end to this worke as it should need no more And here hee holdes his last Parlement wherein the State mindefull of the Popes late action gott many Ordinances to passe for reformation of the abuses of his Ministers and his owne former exactions who being but poore sought to get where it was to bee had Wringing from the elect Archbishop of Yorke in one yeare Nine thousand fiue hundred Marks and besides Anthony Bishop of Duresme to be made Patriark of Ierasalem gaue him and his Cardinals mighty summes This Bishop Anthony is said to haue had in purchases and inheritances 5000 Marks per annum besides what belonged to his Myter which shewed the Pope the riches of this Kingdome The King and Pope deuide the benefite of the Cleargie and moued him to require the fruits of one yeares reuenue of euery Benefice that should fall voide in England Scotland Wales and Ireland and the like of Abbayes Priories and Monasteries which though
who assembling together at the instant when he was to be Crowned with his Queen at Westminster Anno Reg. 2. require him that Gaueston might bee remoued from The Lords displeased with Gauest. out the Court and Kingdome otherwise they purposed to hinder his Coronation at that time Whereupon the King to auoide so great a disgrace promises on his faith to yeeld to what they desired in the next Parlement and so the Solemnitie with much festination and little reuerence is performed Wherein Gaueston for carrying Saint Edwards Crowne before the King aggrauates the hatred of the Cleargie and Nobility against him Shortly after his Coronation all the Knights Templats throughout England are at once arrested and committed to prison They were an order of Knights iustituted by Balduin the Fourth King of Ierusalem about 200 yearts past first appointed for The Knights Templers arrested committed to prison the defence of that Citie and the safe conuaying of all such as trauailed thither afterwards they were dispersed through all the Kingdoms of Christendom by the pious bounty of Princes others inriched with infinite possessions which made them to degenerate frō their first institution become execrably vitious So that all the Kings Their dissolution of Christendom at one instant combining together caused them to be apprehended within their Dominions and put out of their order and estates The King of France began hauing a purpose to make one of his Sonns King of Ierusalem possesse him of their reuenues Their accusation followes their apprehension and condemned they are rather by fame then proofe in the generall Councell at Vienna as apeares by the condemnatory Bull of Pope Clement the Third Wherein he hath this clause Quanquam de iure non possumus tamen ad plenitudinem potestatis dictum ordinem reprobamus Their estates are after giuen to the Hospitaliers These businesses passed ouer the Lords prosecute their purpose against Gaueston The Lords prosecure Gaueston whose insolencie and presumption vpon the Kings fauour made him so farre to forget himselfe as hee scorned the best of them all as much as they hated him Tearming Thomas Earle of Lancaster the Stage player Aymer de Valence Earle of Pembrooke Ioseph the Iew and Guy Earle of Warwicke the blacke dogge of Ardern Which scoffes leauing behinde them the sting of reuenge especially where they touche drew such a partie vpon him as in the next Parlement the whole Assemblie humbly besought the Reg. 3. Anno. 1310. King to aduise and treat with his Nobles concerning the State of the Kingdome for the auoiding of eminent mischiefe likely to insue through neglect of the Gouernment and so farre vrges the matter as the King consents thereunto and not onely grants them libertie to draw into Articles what was requisite for the Kingdome but takes his oath to ratisie A Parlement The king takeshis oath to rate fie whatsoeuer Articles the Lords would conclude in Parlement whatsoeuer they should conclude Whereupon they elect certaine choyce men both of the Cleargie Nobility and Commons to compose those Articles Which done the Archbishop of Canterbury lately recalled from exile with the rest of his Suffragans solemnly pronounce the sentence of excommunication against al such who should contradict those Articles which are there publiquely read before the Barons and Commons of the Realme in the presence of the King Amongst which the obseruation and execution of Magna Charta is required with all other ordinances necessary for the Church and Kingdome And that as the late King had done all Strangers should bee banished the Court and Kingdome all ill Councellors remoued That the businesse of the State should be treated on by the Councell of the Cleargie and the Nobles That the King should not begin any war or goe any where out of the Kingdom without the common Councell of the same Which Articles though they seemed harsh to the King yet to auoide further trouble Gaueston banished into Ireland hee yeelds vnto them but especially to the banishment of his Minion as if that would excuse him for all the rest and away is hee sent into Ireland where hee liued a while not as a man exiled but as the Lieutenant of the Countrie The King not enduring to be without his company neuer ceased working till hee had recalled him backe againe which within a few moneths after hee did And to make him as hee thought to stand the faster on his feete hee marries him to his Neece the Daughter of Ioan de Acres Sister to Gilbert de Clare Earle of Glocester a man beloued and highly esteemed of all the Nobility for whose sake hee hoped Gaueston should finde the Gaueston recalled more fauour amongst them but all this could not shelter him Either his behauiour or their malice was such as they could not endure to haue him about the King who by making him so great lessened him and the more hee was enriched the worse was his estate The Subiects spectators of their Kings immoderate gifts held it to bee taken out of the bowels of the Common-wealth as it were of their substance that was so wasted For it is reported the King gaue him the Iewels of the Crowne which hee sould to Marchant strangers and conuayed much treasure out of the Kingdome whereby the King sustained great wants and the Queene is abridged of her allowance whereof she complaines to the King of France her Father These stingues put the Barons on to send plaine word to the King that vnlesse hee The Lords threaten the King put from him Pierce Gaueston and obserue the late Articles they would all with one consent rise in armes against him as a periured Prince The King whom they found was apt to be terrified yeelds againe vpon this message to the banishment of his Minion whose fortune beeing to haue a weake maister was driuen to these sodaine extreamities Gaueston again banished mities and disgracefull expulsions at their will who were his enuiers and who now obtaine this Clause that if hereafter hee were found againe within the Kingdome he should be condemned to death as an enemy of the State Ireland was now no more to protect him France most vnsafe for him wait being their laid to apprehend him in Flanders he luiks a while but in great danger and finding no where any securitie back againe hee aduentures vpon England and into the Kings bosome the sanctuary he thought would Gaueston returnes not be violated hee puts himselfe and there is hee receiued with as great ioy as euer man could bee And to be as farre out of the way and eye of enuy as might be the King carries him into the North parts where notwithstanding the Lords shortly after found him out For no sooner had they heard of his returne and receiuing into grace but they presently combine and take armes electing Thomas Earle of Lancaster The Lords take armes for their Leader
This Thomas was the Sonne of Edmond the second Sonne of Henry the third and was likewise Earle of Leicester Ferrers and Lincolne a most powerfull and popular Subiect with whom ioynes Humfrey Bohun Earle of Heresord Aymer de Valence Earle of Pembrooke Guy de Beaucham Earle of Warwicke the Earle of Arundel With many other Barons But Gilbert Earle of Glocester the Kings Nephew for that hee would neither offend him nor be wanting to his Peeres stands as Mediator for their liberties and the peace of the Kingdome The Earle Warrein remained a while doubtfull and fauouring rather the Kings part till the Archbishop of Canterbury induced him to consent with the Lords who being thus prepared send to the King in the behalfe of the whole Comunaltie beseeching him to deliuer vpp vnto them Pierce Gaueston or else to send him away with his traine out of England The King neglecting their petition they set forward in armes towards the North. The King and Gaueston withdrawe to Newcastle there beeing aduertised of the strength of the Gaueston taken and beheaded Lords they take ship leauing the Queene in much griefe behinde and land at Scarborough Castle whereinto the King puts Gaueston with the best forces hee could prouide for his defence and departs himselfe to wards Warwickeshire The Earles of Pembrooke and Warrein sent by the Earle of Lancaster lay siege to the Castle Gaueston is forced to render himselfe into their hands but intreates thus much that hee might be brought once more to speake with the King and then after they should doe with him what they pleased The Earle of Pembrooke vndertakes vppon his honour he should but as his seruants were conducting him to wards the King the Earle of Warwicke tooke him from them by force and commits him to his Castle of Warwicke where after some consultation among the Lords not withstanding the Kings earnest solicitation for his life they condemned him to the blocke and tooke off his head This was the end of Pierce Gaueston who for that hee was the first Priuado of this The description of Peirce Gaueston kinde euer noted in our History and was aboue a King in his life deserues to haue his Character among Princes being dead Natiue hee was of Gascoine and for the great seruice his father had done to this Crowne intertained and bred vp by King Edward the first in company with his sonne this Prince which was the meanes that inuested him into that high fauour of his Hee was of a goodly personage of an haughty and vndauntable spirit braue and hardy at armes as hee shewed himselfe in that Turneament which hee held at Wallingford wherein hee chalenged the best of the Nobility and is saide to haue foiled them all which inflamed the more their malice towards him In Ireland where hee was Liuetennant during the short time of his banishment hee made a Iourney into the mountaines of Dublin brak and subdued the Rebels there built Newcastle in the Kerns country repaired Castle Keuin and after passed vp into Munster and Thomond performing euery where great seruice with much valour and worthinesse Hee seemes to haue been a Courtier which could not fawne nor stoope to those hee loued not or put on any disguise vpon his Nature to temporize with his enemies But presuming vpon his fortune the misfortune of such men grew in the end to that arrogancie as was intolerable which the priuacie of a King fauour vsually begets in their Minions whose vnderstanding and iudgement The miserable ostate of Minions being dazed therewith as is their sight who stand and looke downe from off high places neuer discerne the ground from whence they ascended And this extraordinary fauour shewed to one though hee were the best of men when it arises to an excesse is like the predomination of one humour alone in the body which indangers the health of the whole and especially if it light vpon vn worthinesse or where is no desert and commonly Princes raise men rather for appetite then merit for that in the one they shew the freedome of their power in the other they may seeme but to pay their debt But this violent part of the Lords shewed the nature of a rough time and was the beginning of the Second Ciuill Warre of England For now hauing had their desire in The peremtorie proceeding of the Lords this and finding theire owne power and the weakenesse of the King they peremtorily require the confirmation and execution of all those Articles formerly granted threatning the King that vnlesse hee presently performed the same they would constraine him thereunto by strong hand Thus will Liberty neuer cease till it growe licentious and such is the misery of a State where a King hath once lost his reputation with his people and where his Nature agrees not with his Office or answers the duties thereunto belonging And with this menacing message they had their swords likewise ready drawne and with strong forces assemble about Dunstable making towards London where the King then lay The great Prelates of the Kingdome with the Earle of Glocester labour to appease The Prelates and the E. of Glocester labour to pacifie and bring in the Lords them and with two Cardinalls which at that time were sent by the Pope to reform these disorders of the Kingdome they repaire to Saint Albons and desire conference with the Lords who receiue them very peaceably but their letters which the Pope had written vnto them they refused to receiue saying they were men of the sword and cared not for the reading of letters that there were many worthie and learned men in the Kingdome whose Counsells they would vse and not strangers who kyew not the cause of their commotion absolutely concluding that they would not permit Forrainers and Aliens to intermeddle Their submission in their actions or in any businesse that concerned the Kingdome With which answere the Cardinalls returne to London But the Prelates of England so labour the businesse Reg. 5. Anno. 1313. as the Lords were content to yeeld vp to the King such Horses Treasure and Iewels as they had taken of Pierce Gaueston at Newcastle so that the King would grant their petitions And thereupon Iohn Sandall Treasurer of the Kingdome and Ingelard Warle Keeper of the Wardrobe are sent to Saint Albons to receiue those things at their hands About this time Queen Isabel is deliuered of a sonne at Winsor whom Louys her brother Queen Isabel deliuered of a sonne and other great men and Ladies of France would haue had christened by the name of her father Philip but the Nobility of England had him named Edward And here the King keeps his Christmas feasts the French with great Magnificence and is said or rather suspected to bee euill counselled by them against his Nobles betweene whome there being so ill correspondence already any imagination serues to make it worse Suspition causing all things to be taken in ill
to the kingdom Three yeares this affliction held was attended with so great a Pestilence and generall sicknesse of the common sort caused by the ill nutriment they receiued as the liuing scarce sufficed to burie the dead Notwithstanding could all this extinguish the rancour betweene the King and his Nobles but daily one mischiefe or other brake out to holde in and increase the same The wife of Thomas Earle of Lancaster is taken out of his house at Canford in Dorcetshire The wife of the E. of Lancaster taken out of his house at Canford by one Richard Saint Martin a deformed Dwarffe as hee is described a follower of the Earle Warrein claiming her for his wife and auowing how hee had layne with her before she was married to the Earle which the Lady her selfe to her perpetuall ignomy and the shame of honour voluntarily auerred This base creature claymes by her the Earledomes of Lincolne and Salisbury whereunto shee was heire Which with out being supported by great Abbettors hee would neuer haue presumed to attempt The King is noted an Actor herein which beeing in so tender reserued a businesse as mariage added much to his other violations of order gaue The King aduertised of his errots occasion and hardinesse to inferiour persons to reproue his courses as may bee noted by this passage Being at the celebration of the feast of Pentecost at dinner in the open Hall at Westminster a woman fantastically disguised enters on Horse-bake and ryding about the Table deliuers him a letter wherein was signified the great neglect hee had of such as had done him and his father noble seruices taxing him for aduancing men of vnworthie parts c. which letter read and the woman departed put the King into a great rage They who guarded the doore being sharply reprehended for suffering her to enter in that manner excused themselues alleadging it not to be the fashion of the Kings house in times of festiualls to keepe out any which came in that manner as they thought to make sport Search beeing made for this woman shee is found and examined who set her on She confessed a Knight gaue her mony to doe as shee did The Knight is found and vpon examination boldly confessed hee did it for the Kings honour and to none other end and escapes without further adoe Thus while the North parts were not only infested with the Scots but likewise by such of the English as vnder colour of vsing ayde for resistance robbed and spoiled The miserable affiction of the Borderers all where they came to the miserable vndoing of the people Besides Robert Bruce now absolute King of Scots sends his brother Edward with a mighty power into Ireland whereof hee got a great part and the title of a King which hee held three yeares Thus all things went ill as euermore it doth in dissolute and dissenrious times wherein the publicke is alway neglected But these mischiefes abroad was the occasion that a reconciliation betweene the A reconciliation between the King the Nobles A new occasion of trouble King and the Earle of Lancaster is made by the mediation of two Cardinalls vppon such conditions as were soone after vniustly broken by the King A Knight is taken passing by Pomfret with letters sealed with the Kings Seale directed to the King of Scots about murthering the Earle which Messenger is executed his head set vpon the top of the Castle and the letters reserued to witnesse the intended plot Which whether it were fained or not the report thereof cast an aspersion vpon the King Reg. 11. Anno. 1318. and wonne many to take part with the Earle After this vpon an inuasion of the Scots forraging as farre as Yorks a Parlement is assembled at London wherein againe the King by the working of the Cardinalls and Cleargie of England yeelds faithfully A Parlement at London to obserue all the former required Articles Whereupon an ayd is granted him of Armed men to go against the Scots London settes foorth 200. Canterbury 40. Saint Albons 10. and so of all Cities and Boroughs according to their proportion whereby a great Army was leauied Which comming to Yorke through mutenie emulation and other impediments was dissolued and turned backe without effecting any thing The next yeare after vpon the rendering vp of Berwicke to the Scots by the treason of Peter Spalding who had the custodie thereof the King of England raises an Armic Reg. 12. Anno. 1319. beleagers it the Scots to diuert his forces enter vpon England by other waies and were like to haue surprised the person of the Queene lying neare Yorke The siege notwithstanding is eagerly continued and the King in great possibility to haue The L. Hugh Spencer the yonger succeded Gaueston in the office of L. Chamberlaine regained the Towne had not the Earle of Lancaster with his followers withdrawne him-selfe vpon discontent hearing the King say how hee would giue the keeping thereof to the Lord Hugh Spencer the younger who was now growne an especiall Minion the successor both of the Office and priuate fauour of Gaueston and therefore not to be induted by the Earle Those of Yorke and the Countrie adiacent hauing receiued inestimable damages by the Scots collect an Armie of 10000 men incounter them at Milton on Swayle but beeing not well ledde nor experienced they receiued the defeite with the losse of 3000 men Whereof the King being certified and seeing all things to succeed ill with him concludes a truce with the Scots for two yeares and againe returnes with dishonour from those parts In the time of this peace a great flame arises from a Reg. 14. Anno. 1321. small sparke and tooke beginning vpon this occasion A Baron named William Brewes hauing in his licentious age wasted his estate offers to sell vnto diuerse men a part of his inheritance called Powes Humfrey Bohun Earle of Hereford in regarde the land lay neare his obtaines leaue of the King to buy it and bargaines for the same The two Rogers Mortimers Vncle and Nephew great men likewise in those Another occasion of reuolt parts not vnderstanding it seemes any thing of the former bargaine Contract also for the same land with the said Sir William Brewes Hugh Spencer the younger hearing of this sale and the land adioyning to part of his obtaines a more especiall leaue of the King being now his Chamberlaine and buies it out of all their hands The Earle of Hereford complaines himselfe to the Earle of Lancaster the refuge of all discontented men who at Sherborn enters into a Confederation with diuers Barons there assembled taking their oathes intermutually to liue and die together in maintaining the right of the kingdome and to procure the banishment of the two Spencers father and sonne whom they now held to be the great seducers of the King and oppressors of the State disposing of all things in Court at their will and
was most welcome to his mother who herein had her desier and being wholly bent to reuenge whereof none are saide to bee more eager then women found there besides her great partie in England those who nourished that humour in her amongst whom was chiefe Roger Mortimer Lord of Wigmor lately escaped out of the towre of London a gallant young Gentleman whom shee especially fauoured The Bishop of Exceter perceiuing some plots to be in hand and their The Bishop of Exceter discovers the Queens plots close consultations made without him withdrawes secretly from thence and discouers to the King so much as hee obserued of their courses The King sends presently for the Queene and Prince soliciting withall the King of France to hasten their returne which when hee saw was neglected and delayed hee caused them openly to be proclaimed enemies to the kingdome banishing them and all their adherents out of the The Queene proclaimed enemy to the Kingdome Land and withall causes all the Ports to bee strongly kept and sends three Admiralls to attend on seuerall coasts to oppose their landing The Queene to inflame her the more is informed of a plot laid to murther her and the Prince and either doubting how much the money of England might worke in those should be tempted therewith or else finding little forwardnesse in her brother to aide or countenance her course against her husband withdrawes to the Earle of Haynault being then a Prince of great meanes and likewise Earle of Holland to whose daughter Phillippa she contracts her sonne the Prince and gets aide and mony of him to transport her into England Arriving at Harwich with the Prince the Earle The Queene returnes with forces of Kent the Kings brother whom she brought with her from the Court of France the Earle of Pembrooke the Lord Roger Mortimer and Iohn brother to the Earle of Heynault with 2500 Henowayes and Flemings she was received with great ioy and concourse of all the discontented Nobility and others and especially by the Bishops of Hereford and Lincolne who soone resorted unto her as men who had lost to recover their fortunes The King vpon notice of this sodaine and safe arrivall of the Queene demands aide Reg. 19. Anno. 1326. of the Citie of London which returnes answer That they would with all dutie honour the King Queene and Prince but their gates they would shut against all forreiners and traytors to the Reatme and with all their power withstand them The King with his small Councell The King demands aide of the Citie of London about him reposing no assurance in this answer after Proclamation made that none vpon paine of death should aide the Queene and commandement given to destroy all her adherents onely her own person the Prince and his brother the Earle of Kent excepted and that whosoever brought the head of Roger Mortimer should haue 1000 pounds he leaues the Citie committing the keeping of the Tower to Sir Iohn Weston with the guard of his yonger sonne Iohn of Eltham and his Neece the Countesse of Glocester first wife to Pierce Gaueston now of Hugh Spencer the younger a Lady vnfortunate by the over great fortunes of both her husbands and departs towards the West hoping to finde aide in those partes as formerly he had done against the Barons but he saw the world was altered and no man there to regard him The King departs towards the West The Queene advertised of his course marched after him growing daily greater as she marched and comes to Oxford where the Bishop of Hereford Preached before her and the whole assembly and delivers the cause of her proceeding taking for his The Queene followes Text My Head aketh my Head aketh and concludes most undevinely that an aking 2. King 24. and sick Head of a Kindome was of necessity to be taken of and not otherwise to be cured A most execrable doctrine and repugnant to the Sacred Word which in all corrupted times is evermore produced to abuse mens Credulity and iustifie Impiety in whatsoever Ambition or Malice shall attempt a sinne beyond all other that can bee committed vpon earth And the more to countenance the Queenes proceeding it was noised two Cardinals were seene in her Campe sent by the Pope to excommunicate such as tooke Armes against her and the cause of hers to be for the delivering the kingdome from the misleaders of the King the Spencers the Lord Chancellour and their adherents all others to be safe And here proclamation is made that nothing should bee taken from any subiect without paying ready mony and a penalty imposed on whomsoever The Queenes Proclamation did the contrary as for the value of three pence to loose a finger sixe pence the hand twelue pence the head and that whosoever brought to the Queene the younger Spencers head should haue 2000 pounds Thus is a bad cause defended with shew of Iustice and an vunaturall presumption made to seeme right by power and authority An impotent woman led with passion and abused by wicked counsell is brought to make head against her owne head to conduct an innocent sonne against the father to vndertake an action she knew not how to manage and to put her selfe into their hands who having other ends then hers would work beyond though under her authority what pleased themselues And though the event as commonly it doth in such attempts proue worse then the intention of the vndertaker yet howsoever the infamy of all what was acted lyes foule and open vpon her Memorie and no Apologie extant any way to cover it and therefore we must leaue the same as wee finde it And better had it been for the honour of the state of England to haue beene without her great dowre then to haue had her example the worst of a Queene it ever yet had The miserable King having his reputation the maine support of Maiestie blowne vp with the hurlewinde of his pursuers found few or no hands to aide him So that after hee had put Hugh Spencer the father into the Castle of Bristoll with what defence could be prouided for the guarding thereof hee leaues to trust the Land and commits himselfe to a more vnfaithfull Element the Sea with purpose either to hide himselfe a while in the Isle of Lundie or to passe ouer into Ireland The King betakes him to the Sea but tost to and fro with contrary windes after Sir Thomas Blunt his Steward with others were shrunke from him hee lands in Wales in Glamorgan shire where though hee found not saftie hee found loue and was hidden in the Abbey of Neth The Queene with her Armie from Oxford goes to Glocester where the Lords Percie and Wake with ayde from the North met her and thence to Bristoll assailes and winnes the Castle puts to death the defender Hugh Spencer Earle of Winchester without forme or tryall of Law causing him to bee drawne and hanged on the common
Hugh Spencer the father hanged at Bristol gallowes in his Coat armour cut vp before hee was dead headed and quartered This done shee passes to Hereford and the King beeing not to bee found Proclamation is made that if hee would returne and conforme himselfe to rule the State as hee ought to doe hee should come and receiue the gouernment thereof by the generall consent of his people But hee either not daring as destitute both of courage and counsell to trust to this offer or not well informed thereof keepes himselfe still concealed Whereupon as may seeme was intended aduantage is taken to dispose of the gouernment and the Prince who is now vnder their guard is made Guardian of the Kingdom hath Fealtie sworne vnto him and a new Chancelor and Treasurer are appointed Long it was not ere the King came to be discouered as a person too great for any couer and was by Henry Earle of Lancaster brother to the late Thomas William The King taken prisoner Lord Zouch and Ries ap Howell taken and conuayed to the Castle of Kenelworth The younger Spencer with Baldocke the Chancelor and Simon Reading apprehended with him are sent to the Queene to Hereford Spencer who was now Earle of Glocester is drawne and hangd on a gallowes Fifty foote high wherein hee was exalted aboue his father otherwise had the like execution and likewise in his Coat armor whereon was written Quid gloriaris in malitia psal 52. Simon Reading was hanged Ten foote lower then hee But Baldocke in regarde hee was a Priest had the fauour to bee pined to death in Newgate And here likewise a little before was the Earle of Arundell with two Barons Iohn Danyll and Thomas Micheldeuer executed as Traytors by the procurement of Roger Mortimer for adhering to the Kings part To accompanie these mischiefes of the Countrey the Commons of London made insurrection and force their Maior who held for the King to take their part let out all prisoners possesses them of the Tower put to death the Constable thereof Sir Iohn Weston murther the Bishop of Excester to whom they bare an especiall hatred for that being the Kings Treasurer hee caused the Iustices Itenerants to sit in London A Parlement at London where the Prince is elected King by whom they were grieuously fyned and thus all is let out to libertie and confusion After a moneths stay at Hereford the Queene with her sonne returning kept Christmas at Wallingford their Candlemas at London where the Parlement being Reg. 20. Anno. 1327. assembled agreed to depose the King as vnfit to gouerne obiecting many Articles against him and to elect his eldest sonne Edward which they did in the great Hall at Westminster with the vniuersall consent of the people there present and the Archbishop of Canterbury makes a Sermon vpon this text Vox populi vox Dei exhorting the people to inuoke the King of kings for him they had there chosen The Queene either out of the consideration of the difference of a husband and a sonne whom now shee was not like long to guide or through remorse of conscience looking backe vpon what shee had done takes this election grieuously to heart insomuch as her sonne to recomfort her swore hee would neuer accept of the Crowne without the consent of his father whereupon by a common decree three Bishops two Earles two Abbots foure Barons three Knights of euery Shire with a certaine number of Burgesses of euery Citie and Borough and especially of the Cinque-Ports are sent to the imprisoned King at Kenelworth to declare vnto him the election of his sonne and to require the renuntiation of his Crowne and royall dignity whereunto if hee would not consent the State was resolued to proceed as it thought good The King beeing first priuately made acquainted with the Message The King is brought to resigne his Crowne the most harsh to Nature that could bee imparted and by two whom hee especially hated for hauing especially offended them the Bishoppes of Hereford and Lincolne was brought forth before the assembly to whom as soone as his passion wherewith hee was ouercharged would giue him leaue hee confessed how he had beene misguided the common excuse of a poore spirit and done many things whereof now hee repented which if hee were to gouerne againe hee would become a new man and was most sorrowfull to haue so much offended the State as it should thus vtterly reiect him but yet gaue them thankes that they were so gracious vnto him as to elect his eldest sonne for King Hauing spoken to this purpose they proceed to the Ceremony of his resignation which chiefly consisted in the surrender of his Crowne for the forme whereof beeing the first that euer was seene in England they could followe no precedent but must make one and William Trussell a Iudge put it into the Stile of Lawe to render it the more authenticall and pronounced the same in this manner I William Trussell in the name of all men of the Land of England and of all the Parlement The forme of his resignatiō Procurator resigne to thee Edward the Homage that was made to thee sometime and from this time forwards now following I defie thee and priue thee of all royall power and I shall neuer be tendant on thee as King after this time This was the last act and the first example of a deposed King no lesse dishonorable to the State then to him He was a Prince more weake then euill and those exorbitances of his met with as great or greater in his people who as wee see delt ouer roughly and vnciuilly with him Hee is reported by some to haue been learned which perhaps might make him the softer to haue written verses when hee was in prison to haue founded Oriall Colledge and Saint Mary Hall in Oxford He had by his wife Isabell two sonnes Edward borne at Windsor who succeeded Misissue him and Iohn Surnamed of Eltham who was created Earle of Cornewall An. 1315. and died in the Flower of his youth in Scotland And also two daughters Ioan married to Dauid Prince of Scotland and Elionor to the Duke of Gelders The end of Edward the second The Life and Raigne of Edward the third VPpon the resignation of Edward the second Edward his sonne of the 1327. An. Reg. 1. age of fourteene yeares beganne his Raigne the twentith of Ianuary 1327 and sends forth Proclamations of his peace into all Shires in this form Edward by the grace of God King of England Lord of Ireland Duke of Aquitaine to N. N. our Shirife of S. greeting Whereas the Lord Edward late King of England our father by the common councell and assent of the Prelates Earles Barons and other chiefe men with the whole Communaltie of this Realme did voluntarily amoue himselfe from the gouernement thereof willing granting that we as his eldest son and heire should assume the same c. which proclamation made
to palliat a wrong did but the more discouer it Within 5 daies after was he crowned at West by Walter Archbishop of Canterbury at which solemnity the Q. made shew of great sorrow hevinesse but being after pacified by the inlargement of her Ioynture which tooke vp three parts of the Kings revenewes she beganne to be of better cheere Twelue especiall The Queene hath her ioynture inlarged Twelue especiall men chosen for the government men are here appointed to manage the affaires of the Kingdome till the King were of fit yeeres to governe of himselfe the Arch-bishops of Canterbury and Yorke the Bishops of Winchester Hereford and Worcester Thomas Brotherton Earle Mareschall Edmond Earle of Kent Iohn Earle Warrein Thomas Lord Wake Henry Lord Percie Oliver Lord Ingham and Iohn Lord Rose but the Queene and Roger Lord Mortimer vsurped this charge and tooke all tooke all wholy to themselues And to busie the present and An expedition into Scotland vphold this Change an expedition instantly is vndertaken for Scotland wherein those strangers still retained which the Queene brought over with her are imployed vnder the conduct of the Lord Iohn Beaumont brother to the Earle of Haynault and at Yorke the whole Army were to meete where the English being not all of a party quarrell with those strangers and so great a conflict arose betweene them as cost some bloud and was hardly appeased an ill presage of that iourney At Stanhop Parke the English Army incounter the Scottish and though the English were thrice greater and might easily haue vanquished them yet by the treason of some great men as it was bruited they escaped all away and nothing was done so The Scots retyre from Stanhope Parke â—â— nothing done that the yong King borne for victories was deprived the honour of his first action which yet being not conducted by his own Spirit was held more dishonorable to others then to him Vpon their returne all the Hannowayes and Stipendaries are sent home into their own Countries During this businesse the deposed King remaines prisoner at Killingworth with the allowance of 100 markes a month for his expences deprived of all those comforts the world should yeeld him His wife whom he loved though now the author of all his misery sends vnto him letters and apparell but excuses her comming as being not permitted by the State Neither was he thought safe enough where hee was nor so straitly lookt unto as they desired to haue him being in the custody of his Vnckle the Earle of Lancaster And therefore they commit him to other guardians and men of the most rough Natures could be found the Lord Matrevers and Thomas Borrney who from thence removed him to the Castle of Berckley in Glocestershire where long hee The miserable estate of the imprisoned King staid not but was conveyed to Corfe Castle and thence to other places vp and downe to beguile and disappoint his friends by the vncertainety of his being if any plot were laid which they doubted to restore him Besides to disguise him the more and that hee might not be easily knowne they shaue his Head and Beard which as a servant of his Sir Thomas de la More a Knight of Glocestershire reports who wrote his life was done in the open fields by the commandement of Gourney who most barbarously caused the miserable King to sit on a Mole-hill whilst the Barbor shaved him and to take cold water out of a ditch to wash him withall which the patient King saith this Reporter seeing told them That yet in despight of them he would haue warms water at his Barbing and therewithall shed aboundance of teares Other vile reproches this savage Iaylor put vpon his annointed Soveraigne as here-conveyed him backe to Berckley He is murthered at Berkley Castle Castle where shortly after he and Matrevers caused him to be murthered in a most hideous manner by thrusting vp a hot Iron into his bowels thorow an hollow instrument whereby no outward Note might appeare to bewray how hee came by his death For the body being after laid forth and vewed by many substantiall Citizens of Bristoll and Glocester called thither for that purpose they could finde no signe either of wound or poyson so that their Evidence confirmed the report that was given out how he died of extreme greife This was the end of Edward the 2 within eight months after his deposing The deed-doers Matrevers and Gourney though they had commission and great hopes giuen them to do as they did yet being by those who were ashamed to avow it they durst not abide the triall but as Fugitiues fled presently their Countrey Gourney three yeeres after was taken at Merseilles and murthered on the Sea before he came to England that hee might tell no tales who set him on work But this was not all the bloud this deed cost the iudgement of God fell heavily not onely vpon the great contrivers but even vpon the whole Kingdome and what the yssue of this present Prince whose throne though without his guilt was thus set vp on his fathers bloud sustained in after times the many imbrued Scaffolds the divers bloudy fields the infinite slaughters in the civill discord of their divided families which the consumed race of the most part of all this present Nobility will testifie But now for the present the authors of this change vse all meanes to increase and fortifie their owne fortunes whilst the State in generall receiues no great satisfaction thereby Mens expectations are not answered in that manner as they were conceived The Queene mother and her Minion Mortimer lately created Earle of the Marches of Wales guide all and all that is not well done or amisse in the Governement is now attributed to them and their councell So that discontentments in gender new Factions according to the Nature of turbulent times The Kings marriage with Phillippa of Haynault is solemnized and a Parlement is 1328. Anno. Reg. 2. held at Northampton where a dishonourable peace is concluded with the Scots and confirmed by a match between David Bruce Prince of Scotland sonne to Robert Bruce and Ioane sister to the King of England which match by reason of the tender age of the Prince being but seven yeare old could promise little good Besides by the secret working of the Queene Mother the Earle of March and Sir Iames Douglasse The King surrenders by his Charter his Title of Soveraignety to the Kingdome of Scotland A Parlement at North. restores divers Deeds and instruments of their former Homages and Fealties with the famous Euidence called the Ragman Roole and many ancient Iewels and Monuments among st which was the Blacke Crosse of Scotland c. Moreover any Englishman is prohibited to hold Lands in Scotland vnlesse he dwelt there In consideration whereof King Bruce was to pay 30 thousand Markes Shortly after another Parlement is held at Winchester A dishonorable peace made with Scotl. where
haue no conference with the King but in open Parlement which at that time said the King was not for especiall reasons conuenient to be called Then aggrauates hee the vndutifull contempt of the Archbishop and his hypocriticall dealing with him avowing that although by hereditary right and the diuine grace hee was aduanced to that sublimitie of regall power hee held it alwaies to haue beene a detestable thing to abuse the greatnesse thereof and how he affected nothing more in the world then to gouerne his subiects with mildnesse clemency and moderation of Iustice that hee might with peace enioy their loue And how notwithstanding the Archbishoppe had most iniuriously by his Letters published in diuerse parts torne his innocency and slandered the faithfull seruice of his Counsailors and Officers who executed his regall Iustice exclayming how the people were opprest the Cleargy confounded the kingdome agrieued with taxations and all kinde of exactions Which the King argues was to no other end but to raise sedition amongst his people and to withdrawe their loue and obedience from him Lastly to giue notice of the Archbishoppes corruption he declares how himselfe beeing vnder age had through his counsell made so many prodigall donations prohibited alienations and excessiue gifts as thereby hâ—s treasurie was vtterly exhausted and his reuenewes diminished and how the Archbishop corrupted with bribes remitted without reasonable cause great summes which were due vnto him applying to his proper vse or to persons ill-deseruing many commodities and reuenewes which should haue beene preserued for his necessary prouisions And therefore concluded vnlesse hee desisted from this his rebellious obstinacie hee intended in due time and place more openly to proceede against him inioying them to publish all and singular these his malignities and to cause others to doe the like for the manifestation of his owne pious and Princely intention in relieuing his owne and his subiects wrongs This Letter was sayd to haue been penned by Adam Bishoppe of Winchester and bare date the 12. of February An. Reg. 15. Thus the King and his Officers whose proceedings must not receiue a check are cleared and the imputation rests vpon the Archbishop who is charged with great accouÌ„ts pressed by such as lent the King mony to render the same But shortly after the King found much to doe in the Parlement held at London being earnestly petitioned by the whole Assembly of the three Estates that the great Charter of Liberties and the Charter of Forrests might be duly obserued and that whosoeuer of the Kings Officers infringed the same should lose their place that the high Officers of the kingdome should as in former times be elected by Parlement The King stood stiffe vpon his owne election and prerogatiue but yet yeelded in regard to haue his present Vid. Stat. 15. Edward 3. turne serued as himselfe after confessed these Officers should receiue an oath in Parlement to doe iustice vnto all men in their offices and thereupon a Statute was made confirmed with the Kings Seale both for that and many other grants of his to the subiects which notwithstaÌ„ding were for the most part presently after reuoked The truce agreed on before Turney for one yeare was by the Commissioners of both The Articles Vid. Appen Kings and two Cardinalls from the Pope concluded at Arras which yeelded some cessation of Armes but not of plotting more mischiefe Louys of Bauier intituled Emperour is wonne to the party of the French King becomes his sworne confederate The Emperor reuokes the Vicariate the reason why Vid. Append. and reuokes the Vicarshippe of the Empire formerly confirmed on the K. of England pretending the cause to be for concluding the late truce without him as appeares by his Letters to King Edward which are againe by him fully and discreetly answered But in steed of this remote and vnconstant confederate whose power lay without the limits of France Fortune brought in another more neere and of readier The controuersie for the Duchy of Brittaine meanes to offend within the bodie of that kingdome The inheritance of the Duchy of Brittaine is in controuersie betweene Charles de Blois Nephew to King Phillip and Iohn de Monfort vpon this title Arthur Duke of Brittaine had by Beatrix his first wife two sonnes Iohn and Guy by Yoland Countesse of Monfort his second wife Iohn de Monfort Iohn the eldest sonne of Arthur hauing no issue ordayned Iane his Neece daughter to his brother Guy who died before him to succeed him in the Duchy This Iane Charles de Blois marries on condition his issue by her should inherite the same wherein after consummation of the Marriage hee is inuested and had homage done vnto him during the life of Iohn their Vncle. But after his death Iohn de Monfort doth homage for the Duke of Brittaine to King Edward Monfort claymes the Duchy comes to Paris to do homage for the same to the French King Charles de Blois in the right of his wife opposes him the controuersie is referred to the Parlement Sentence passes on the side of Charles Monfort inraged repaires to the King of England doth his homage vnto him for the Duchy is receiued with great applause and his title howsoeuer held bad at home is heere made to bee good Returning back into Brittaine both with comfort meanes after some encouÌ„ters Monfort taken prisoner His wife prosecutes her husbands quarrell with his enemie hee is taken and committed prisoner to the Louure in Paris His wife the Countesse of Monfort sister to Louys Earle of Flanders a Lady who seemed to haue more of the man then her brother prosecutes her husbands quarrell puts on Armour leads and incourages her people surprises and defends many strong peeces of Brittaine but in the end like to be ouerlaide by the power of Charles de Blois she craues ayde of the King of England and hath it sent vnder the conduct of the Lord Walter de Manny which relieued her for the present but the future required more whereof King Edward was not sparing in regard of his owne designes for aydes are seldome sent to forrainers but for the Senders benefit The Lady her selfe comes ouer into England to treate both for supplyes and alliance tendring a match betweene her sonne and a daughter of King Edward The Earles Salisbury Pembrooke and Suffolke Forces sent ouer into Brittaine the Lords Stafford Spencer and Bourchier with Robert de Artois Earle of Richmond are sent with great forces backe with the Lady Many were the incounters surprises and recouerings of Fortes betweene the English and the French and in this action The death of Robert de Artois Robert de Artois receiued his last wound at the siege of Vannes but yet was brought to die in England it being not in his Fate that his countrie which by his meanes had suffered so much affliction should haue his bones though it had his blood which he lost with little honour
though with much valour leauing behinde him but the fame of a Rebell after hee had serued the English about six yeares King Edward shortly after these supplyes sent into Brittaine goes himselfe in person with more and lying before Vannes lately recouered by the French Iohn Duke of Normandy eldest sonne to the French King sent to ayde Charles de Bloys with an Army of forty thousand came to giue him battaile and being vpon the point of incounter a mediation of truce is made by two Cardinalls sent from Pope Clement the fixt and concluded for three yeares vpon many conditions with a reference to the Pope and the Court of Rome to heare and examine the differences betwixt the two kingdoms but not to determine them without the consent of both Kings This pause againe giues them more time to worke for greater woundes and nothing is left vnpractised that might aduance the same And though the people now seemed to put off their Armour they left not off armes but had diuerse bickrings both in Brittaine and Gascony for which either side accused other King Edward returning makes an expeditiō into Scotland against K. Dauid whom he chased into the Ilands And here the Isle of Man is conquered by William Montacut Earle of Salisbury whom king Edward caused to be stiled King thereof and returning backe solemne Turneaments are held at Dunstable where hee is attended with 230. Knights For now all the pastime and exercise in England were Iustes and Turneaments held in Smithfield Winsor and other places A society of Knights of the Round table in imitation of King Arthur is designed a magnificent Chamber of 200. foot round erected for the same at Winsor and to this society many strangers of other Coūtries are allured The French K. also practises the like martial association in France Reg. 17 An. 1343. And about this time began the order of the Garter instituted at Winsor vpon a solemne feast there celebrated which held for many dayes and serued that time as an The institutio of the Order of the Garter Embleme of a tye and combinement in honour of such as were admitted thereunto which was the end of the constitution thereof Howsoeuer the Garter of the Countesse of Salisbury taken vp by the King in dancing with her was saide to haue beene the occasion But it were some derogation to that noble institution to impute the originall thereof to an act of Leuitie seeing with what a graue and religious ceremony it is performed Although we see oftentimes accidents of little consequence giue beginnings to things of great estimation which time makes venerable But besides these exercises of Armes this great and prouident King during this truce takes especiall care for the Gouernment of the Kingdome and reformation of the abuses thereof which daily grow as diseases in full bodies and must of necessity haue sometimes their cure otherwise there will be no health in a State A Parliament is called at Westminster wherein vpon the grieuons complaint exhibited by the Earles The Nobility write to the Pope concerning his collation of Benifices in England Barons Knights and Burgesses against the collation of Benifices on strangers a letter was sent to Pope Clement 6. in humble manner beseeching him to consider how inconuenient and derogatory it was to the state of the Kingdome of England that such reseruations prouisions and collations of Benifices as had beene formerly vsed should in such sort be continued For that the Churches of England had in times past bene indowed by noble and worthy persons to the end the people might be instructed by such as were of their owne language and how by the vsurpation of some of his Predicessors strangers and sometimes enemies to the Realme were preferred to many of them whereby the money and profits were transported the Cures vnfurnished almes and Hospitality vnused the edifices ruinated the charity and deuotion of the people deminished and many other grieuous inormities contrary to the will of the Founders occasioned which they could not suffer any longer and therefore besought his Holinesse wholly to reuoke such reseruations prouisions and collations that meete and natiue persons might exercise those Cures and without delay to signifie his intention therein otherwise they meant to imploy their dilligence that remedy and redresse might be had according to reason The date of these Letters was in full Parliament at Westminister the 28. of May 1343 with which were like wise sent the Kings letters to the same effect by Sir Iohn Shordich a graue person and of great vnderstanding in the Law whose message made Sir Iohn Shordich sent with these Letters him so vnwelcome to that Court as hee departed without leaue or answer which though the Pope afterward sent yet the King proceeded to the prohibition of all such prouisions collations within his Realme on paine of imprisonment or death to whom soeuer should in time to come present or admit any such person or persons who by the Pope were so preferred to the preiudice of the Kings royall prerogatiue And to this effect were Writs directed to all Arch-bishops Bishops others to whom it appertained inhibiting them in no wise to attempt any thing preiudial to this ordinance Here is the Arch-bishop Stratford with much adoe vpon his submission reconciled The Arch-bishop of Canterbury reconciled to the Kings fauour And much debating there is in this Parliament concerning Wools and the asseasement of certaine prices vpon the same more or lesse according to the seuerall parts of the Realme and concerning customes to be imposed on them as at three Markes and a halfe vpon the transportation of euery sacke but it seemes nothing was done in this businesse Ptince Edward about the age of 13 is created Prince of Wales and Commissioners Prince Edward created Prince of Wales are appointed to be sent to the Pope to treate of Peace betweene the two Kings according to the Articles concluded in the truce which were Iohn Bishop of Excester Henry de Lancaster Earle of Derby Hughle Dispensier Lord of Glamorgan Cousins to the King Rauph Lord Stafford with others The next yeare after another Parliament or the same proroged is held at London Reg. 18. An. 1344. wherin after much altercation a tenth was granted by the Clergie and a fifteenth by the Laytie for one yeate and a certaine Coyne of gold called the Floren of base alloy which had beene for the warres in Fraunce is decryed and Nobles of finer coyned to A Parliament the great liking of the subiects And for their better commodity the exchange of moneys at London Canterbury and Yorke is ordained Shortly after generall Musters are taken throughout the Kingdom and Certificate made of all sufficient and able Bowmen Generall musters and appointing of Armor and of all others fit to beare Armes Besides a Commission is sent into euery countrey to inquire of mens abilities and all of fiue pounds to teu
the night and in approaching the walles the Guard asked Who goes there he answered The fortune of France His voyce being knowne the gates are opened and in is hee receiued with the teares and lamentations The French King flyes of his people when yet seekes to comfort all he could The number of the slaine on the place are certified to be 30. thousand The chiefe men were Charles d' Alanson Iohn Duke of Borbone Ralfe Earle of Lorraine Louys Earle of Flanders Iaques The number of the slaine Dauphin de Viennois Son to Imbert who after gaue Dauphine to the Crowne of France the Earles of Sancerre Harcourt brother to Geoffry and many other Earles Barons and gentlemen to the number of 1500. This memorable victorie hapned vpon the Saterday after Bartholomew day being the 26. of August 1346. All the Markes of an intire ouerthrowe rested with King Edward the field of the Battaile the bodies of the slaine and their spoiles The occasion of this great defeit according to humaine coniecture the French attribute to the choller rashnes and precipitation of their King and his brother and sure temeritie and presumption haue euer been the ruyne of great Actions especially in warre King Edward managed this victorie with as great moderation as he wanne it and first hauing imbraced his Sonne commending his valour shewed that day he renders thankes to God after as he had inuoked his ayde before at the beginning of the Battayle and earely in the morning being Sunday he sent out 300. Lances and 2000. Archers to discouer what was become of the enemie who found great Troupes of such as were comming from Abbe-uille St. Requier Roan and Beauvoys ignorant of what had hapned led by the Arch-byshop of Roan and the Prior of France whom they like wise defeited and slew 7000. Our Writers report that of Straglers which were fled from the Battaile or comming on hauing lost their way by reason of a thicke mist which hapned that morning were slaine many more then in the field the day before which sheweth vs the wonderfull losse this afflicted Countrie susteined at one fatall blow But this was not all the victories that fell to King Edward that yeere there was an other of more importance gotten in England by the Queene and his people at home against the K. of Scots who being set on by the French to diuert the warre there entred King Dauid ouerthrowne and taken prisoner vpon this Kingdome with 60. thousand men as our Writers report assuring himselfe of successe in regard as he supposed the maine strength thereof was now gone into France But he found the contrary the Lords of the North as Gilbert de Humfrivile Earle of Angos Henry Percie Ralph Nivile William Dayncourt with the Arch-byshop of Yorke the Bishop of Durham and others of the Clergie gathered so great force and so well ordered them by the animation of the Queene who was there in person as they vtterly defeited this great Armie tooke Dauid their King prisoner with the Earles of Fife Menteth Murry Sutherland the Lord Douglas the Arch-byshop of Saint Andrewes and others and put to the sword 15. thousand Scots This Victorie sell likewise vpon a Saterday and sixe weekes after that of Cressie And as if all concurred to make this yeere tryumphant The aydes sent to the Countesse of Monfert in Brittaine lead by Sir Thomas Dagworth ouerthrew and tooke prisoner Charles de Blois pretender to that Duchie and with him Monsieur la Val the Lords Rochford Beaumanoyr Charles de Bloys taken prisoner Loyacque with many other Barons Knights and Esquires there were slaine in the incounter the Lord De la Val father of him which was taken Vicont Rohan Monsieur de Chasteau Brian de Malestroit de Qnintin de Direval great Lords besides many other worthy men at Armes Knights and Esquires to the number of about 700. Thus all fell before the Sword of England Now King Edward without medling with the great Cities Amiens and Abbeville which were both neere marches on directly and sets downe before Calais a Towne of more importance for England and the gate to all the rest wherein Iohn de Vienne Marshal of France and the Lord d' Andreghen a great man in his time commanded All that Winter King Edward hauing sheltred his people as in another Towne furnished with all prouisions lay without any molestation of the French King who King Edward besiegeth Calais this while was likewise besieged with the affliction of his owne state Misfortune is euer held a great fault both in mightie men and meane and opens the mouthes of those whose hearts are peruerse The people of France were in extreame pouertie yet notwithstanding the necesitie of the Kings affayres must constraine fresh supplyes The ill managing the publique treasure the falshood of the Financiers the decrying of Moneys the deminishing of trafficke augmentation of impostes Subsidies Gabels c. were the causes of this publicke murmur and put the people in dispaire seeing no end of the troubles wherein their King was dayly more and more ingaged And now was no way to helpe him but by an assembly of the States Wherein the Financiers Receiuers and managers of monies are called to render an account and the treasure committed to the disposing of the Cleargy and the Nobles to take away suspition in the people of ill dealing Foure Bishops two Abbots and foure Knights are chosen for that businesse Pierre des Essars Treasurer of France is committed to The State of France prison condemned in a great Fine to the King Other Officers and accountants restore at once what they were long in gathering The Banquiers Lombards and other vsurers are put to the presse for their vnlawfull exactions the Intrests are proued to exceed the Principall which is confiscate to the King and the Intrest giuen to the Debtors Courses wherewith indigent Kings in expensiue times vse to serue their turnes and please their oppressed people Which I haue the rather noted though it lye without our circle to shew that other Kings likewise layd hand vpon what they could fasten as well as ours haue done and made benefite of mens offences onely this of the Vsurer is new to vs but yet like to that practised heretofore vpon the Iewes and might serue a turne with as much content to the people and as faire a shew of a iust correction as theirs did the nature of the Extortors being alike Ayded with this meanes and the ready seruice of his Nobles and ablest subiects the French king in the Spring hath an Army in the field approaches Callais but findes no way open to come to relieue it The King of England was both Maister of the Hauen and possest all other wayes whatsoeuer were passable and had the Flemings his friends who with a huge Army had besieged Ayre and did much mischiefe on the confines of France To oppose them is Iohn Duke of Normandy the Prince sent for out
Edward arriues with 300. men at Armes and 600. Archers Monsieur Charmy sets out The French circumuented in their practise likewise the same night from Saint Omers with his Forces and sent 100. armed men before with the Crowns to Americo and to possesse the Castle The men are let in at a Posterne Gate the Crownes receiued and themselues layd in hold Which done the gates of the Towne are opened and out marches the King before day to encounter Monsieur de Charny comming on with his forces who perceiuing himselfe betrayed put his people to the best defence hee could and the king of England to a hard bickring who for that hee would not bee knowne there in person put himselfe and the Prince vnder the colours of the Lord Walter Manny and was twice beaten downe on his knees by Monsieur de Riboumont a hardy Knight with whom hee fought hand to hand and yet recouered and in the end tooke Riboumont prisoner Charny was likewise taken and all his forces defeited King Edward the night after which was the first of the new yeare feasted with the prisoners and gaue Riboumont in honour of his valour wherein he honoured his owne a rich chaplet of Pearle which himselfe wore on his head for a New-yeares-gift forgaue him his ransome and set him at liberty The rest pay dearely for what they got not and were well warned how to trafficke in that kinde Yet the English not long after in the like practise had better successe and got the Castle of Guisnes a peace of great importance neere Calais for a summe of mony giuen to one Beauconroy a French man Of which Castle when the French King demanded restitution in regard of the Truce King Edward returnes answer That for things bought and sold betweene their people therein was no exception and so held it Shortly after the French king not borne to liue to see any better fortune dyes leauing that distressed kingdome to his sonne Iohn who found farre worse For An. 1305. Reg. 24. these fore noted wounds were but as scratches to that State compared with those horrible maimes it indured in his and after in the Raignes of Charles 6. and 7. till the sword of England was turned home vpon it selfe to let out the blood of reuenge The French King dies with as tragicall mischiefes on the fuccessours of these great actors who now thus wrought others ruines aboade King Edward the next yeare after is againe in person with a Fleet on the Sea to incounter certaine Spanish shippes passing from Flanders loaden with cloth and other King Edward in action at sea against the Spaniards commodities whom after a great fight and much blood shed on either side hee tooke with all their substance for that the Spaniards the yeare before entered the Riuer Garonne and tooke away certaine English ships loaden with wines and slew all the English His forces in Guien were not idle this while but many conflicts passed betweene the French and them notwithstanding the Truce which was renewed The warres in Brittaine likewise continue and are hotly maintained betweene the two Ladies the widdow of Monfort and the wife of Charles de Bloys whose husband remaynes prisoner in England eager defenders of eithers pretended right Diuerse ouertures of peace had beene made by Legates sent from the Pope and Commissioners often met to the great expence of both Kings but nothing could be cōcluded the winner the loser seldom agreeing vpon cōditions in regard the one wil haue more then the other is willing to yeeld vnto so temporary Truces which Alterations of moneys were but slenderly obserued are onely taken to winne time These actions not only consumed our men but the treasure of the kingdome The warre though inuasiue could not maintayne it selfe The monyes here are altred and abated in weight and yet made to passe according to the former value Before this time there were none other peeces but Nobles and halfe Nobles with the small peeces of siluer called sterlings but now grotes of foure-pence and halfe grotes of two pence equiuolent to the sterling money are coined which inhansed the prices of things that rise or fall according to the plenty or scarcity of Coine Which made seruants labourers to A Parlement raise their wages accordingly Whereupon a Satute was made in the Parliament Anno Reg. 27. now held at Westminster to reduce the same to the accustomed rate which was giuen before the late great Mortality This caused much murmuring amongst them imputing the cause thereof to William Edington Bishop of Winchester the Kings Treasurer whom they held to be the Author of the abatement of the Coyne The King conceiuing displeasure against the Flemmings for being disappointed of the Match betweene a Daughter of his and their yong Earle Louys who was escaped into France and bestowed on a daughter of the Duke of Brabant with-drawes the Mart or Staple of Woolls from their Townes greatly inriched thereby and can The Staple established in England sed the same to be kept at Westminster Chichester Canterbury Lincolne Warwick Yorke New-castle Excester Carmarden Bristoll and Hull Holding it fitter to aduance his owne Townes then Strangers by the commodities of the Kingdome And here are prouident Ordinances enacted for the gouerning and ordering this Staple An Act is also made in this Parliament that all Weares Milles and other stoppages Walsinham of Riuers hindring the passages of Boates Lighters and other Vessels should be remooued An Act most commodious to the Kingdom but it tooke little effect saith my Authour by reason of bribing and corrupting Lords and great men who regarded more their owne then the publike benefite A mischiefe fatall to all good Ordinances and yet is it an honor to that time that so behoufull an Act was ordained For this eafie conuaying and passing of Commodities from place to place to impart the same more generally would no doubt be an infinite benefit to this State And seeing God hath made vs Riuers proper for the same it is our negligence or sloth if we marre them or make them not vsefull in that kinde as other Nations doe with farre lesser Streames There is mentioned also an Act to bee made at the instance of the Londoners that Stow. no common Whore should weare any Hood except rayed or striped with diuers colours nor Furres but garments reuersed the wrong side outward wherein they did well to set a deformed marke vpon foulenesse to make it appeare the more odious After this Parliament Henry Earle of Derby is created Duke of Lancaster and The Earle of Derby created Duke of Lancaster Ralfe Lord Stafford Earle of Stafford and heere Charles de Bloys a long Prisoner in England agreed for his Ransom which was 40. thousand Florins and was permitted to returne into Britagne to prouide the same Great mediation is made by the Pope to accord the two Kings and Commissioners meet on both
sides to treate and conclude a Peace The chiefe Article in deliberation was That the King of England should enioy all the Lands of his Duchy of Aquitaine without holding the same by resort or Treatie of Peace homage of the Crowne of France and in consideration thereof should resigne all his Clayme and Title to that Kingdom And this was in a manner then fully agreed on yet in the end broken off by the French Alledging they could not alienate any thing from the Bodie of that Crowne to their farther confusion and mischiefe hauing beene better to haue spared a formall Ceremonie appertaining to a part then to haue had the whole so miserably rent and torne in pieces as it was And yet in the end were they faine to make their agreement vpon the same very Article at the Treatie of Britigny But now the Commissioners returning without effecting any thing the King of Anno Reg. 27. England grew so displeased as hee would not hearken to any further prorogation of Truce though it were instantly vrg'd by two Cardinals sent from Auignion by Pope Clement the 6. who being a French-man borne laboured much for the peace of his Countrey and preparation is made for fresh wars The Prince of Wales now grown a man is appointed by Parliament to goe into Gascoigne with 1000. men at Armes 2000. Archers and a great number of Welshmen and in Iune following sets foorth with 300. Sayle attended with the Earles of Warwick Suffolk Salisburie and Oxford the Lord Chandos the Lord Iames Audley Sir Robert Knoles Sir Franke de Hall with many others About Michelmas following the King himselfe passes ouer to Calais with another King Edward passes with an Armie into France Armie taking with him two of his Sonnes Lionel of Antwarpe now Earle of Vlster by the right of his wife Elizabeth Daughter and Heire to William Brugh And Iohn of Gant and Earle of Richmont There met him at Calais of Mercinaries out of Germanie Flanders and Brabant a thousand men at Armes So that his Armie consisted of three thousand men of Armes and two thousand Archers on horse-backe besides Archers on foot The Citie of London sent 300. men at Armes and 500. Archers all in one Liuerie at their owne charge But all this great Powre effected nothing at that Returnes with out doing any thing time the French king would not be drawne to any incounter both in regard of the potency of his enemy and some turbulencies happening amongst his owne people but he so disfurnishes the countrie where the English were to passe of all prouisios to sustaine them as the King of England was forced to returne The distemperatures of France that this time diseased it grew from the violent humors of Charles King of Nauarre who had married Iane the French kings daughter a Prince of a stirring spirit subtile haughty and presuming vpon his great Estate and high blood being the sonne of Louys Conte d' Eureux and Iane daughter to king Louys Huttin which Iane was put by the inheritance of the Crowne of France by Phillip le Long her Vncle in regarde of their Salicque Law and by him preferred to be Queene of Nauarre in whose right this Charles her sonne bare both the title and state of that kingdome with many other great inheritances all which The King of Nauarre disturbes the French King could not yet content him but holding himselfe wronged that hee had not also the Counties of Champagne and Bry which appertained to his mother by the same right as did the kingdome of Nauarre enters into violent courses And daring not to complaine directly of the King hee falles vpon the Constable of France as chiefe of his Councell and one of whom hee was iealous in regarde of the Kings perticular fauour vnto him and in the end caused him to be murdered in his bed at L' Aigle in Normandy rushing himselfe vp into his Chamber accompanied with his brother Phillip of Nauarre two of the Harecourts and diuerse other of his owne retinue After the deed done hee retyres to his owne Citie of Eureux and iustifies the act to be lawfull The French King though extreamely stung herewith yet was faine to temporise and promises the king of Nauarre if hee would come and craue pardon he should haue it Whereupom hee appeares at Paris before the Councell to render reason for his act is condemned as guilty of treason notwithstanding the Kings promise committed prisoner Three Queenes are earnest sutors for him his mother the old Queene of Nauarre his sister the widdow of the late King Phillip de Valois and his owne wife daughter to the French King His release is obtayned and away hee goes with the rancour of this wound which had beene better not giuen vnlesse it had beene home offers his seruice to the King of England who knew well how to make vse of such a powerfull member and withall surprises certaine peeces in Normandy practising all hee could to withdraw the peoples affections and aydes from their King when hee had most need of them These insolencies notwithstanding the French king is faine to endure and dissemble vntill hee might againe take him vpon some aduantage to vse force hee saw was dangerous both in regarde of his party and the time An occasion at length fell out whereon he seazes Charles his eldest sonne being lately inuested in the Duchy of Normandy is visited by all the great men in the Countrey amongst whom as chiefe comes the King of Nauarre and The French King commits the King of Nauarre prisoner is royally feasted at Roan Whereof the French king hauing notice sets out of Paris sodenly takes him at dinner with his sonne and without farther processe causes foure of the principall which massacred the Constable to bee presently executed of which two were the Harecourts brethren and withall sends away Nauarre vnder sure guard to Arras and his chiefest seruants to diuerse prisons The Duke of Lancaster sent into Normandy to ayde the King of Nauarres brother and others This sudden execution though it gaue a present amazement yet it wakened the partisans of Nauarre and especially Phillip his brother who with Geoffrey Harecourt Vncle to the two brethren post ouer into England exclayming against this violent murther inuoking King Edward in a case of so notorious iniustice to ayde them offering their harts their goods their townes and hauens to let him into Normandy The occasion is intertayned the Duke of Lancaster is sent ouer with Anno D. 1335. Reg. 29. foure thousand men at Armes and by the assistance of this great party winnes many strong Townes King Edward to be furnished for so great actions hath by Parliament granted vnto him fifty shillings vpon euery sacke of wooll for sixe yeares next ensuing by Fifty shillings granted by Parliament of euery sacke of wooll for sixe yeares which imposition it was thought say our Histories the King might dispend a thousand
markes sterling a day Such vent of wools were there in that time And presently after the Parliament in winter to shew that hee was for all weathers he goes with an Armie to recouer Barwicke which had beene surprised by the Scottes whilst he was last at Calais and heere hath he not onely his Towne but the whole Kingdome of Scotland resigned vnto him by Edward Baliol who held himselfe King Edward Baliol resignes the Kingdome of Scotland to King Edward reseruing to himself a pension therof by the best Title but not best regarged For King Alexander though now Prisoner in England had the most powerfull Partie there so both were Kings to their seuerall sides that held them so a miserable distraction to that poore Kingdom And euery where dwelt affliction but in England and here was nothing but Tryumphes Vanquishings and Recouerings in all parts The Prince enters Guien passes ouer Longuedoc to Tholouse Narbonne Burges without any encounter in the field sacks spoyles destroyes where hee goes and loaden with bootie returnes to Burdeanx The French King thus assaulted on all sides gathers what power hee possibly Anno Reg. 30. 1336. could and first makes against his enemies in Normandie recouers many of his lost Townes and was likely to haue there preuailed but that he was drawne of force to oppose this fresh Inuador the Prince of Wales who was again abroad come vp into Toureyne against whom he brings his whole Armie causing all the Townes and passages The French King hath the Prince of Wales at an aduantage vpon the Riuer Loyr to be strongly garded Whereupon the Prince whose forces were not to encounter those so mightie was aduised to withdraw again thorow Toureyne and Poyctou towards Burdeaux The French King to preuent his course followes and within two Leagues of Poyctiers hath him at a great aduantage Two Cardinalls at that instant came from the Pope to mediate a peace The French King supposing he had his Enemie now in his mercie would accept of none other conditions but that the Prince should deliuer him foure Hostages and as vanquished render himselfe and his Armie to his discretion The Prince was content to restore vnto him what hee had gayned vpon him but without preiudice of his honour wherein he sayd Hee stood accomptable to his Father and his Conntry So the Legates perswasions though earnestly vrged could preuaile nothing vpon the French Kings obstinacie who presuming of victorie in regard his Armie was sixe to one would instantly as loath to loose time to loose himselfe set vpon the Prince who reduced to this Straight takes what aduantage he could of the The Battayle of Poytiers fought the 19. of September 1336. ground and prouidently got the benefit of Vines Shrubs and Bushes on that part he was like to be assayled to impester and intangle the French Horse which hee sawe were to come furiously vpon him The successe answered his expectation for behold the Cauallarie of his Enemies vpon their first assault wrapt and incumbred amongst the Vines so that his Archers without danger gall and annoy them at their pleasure For the French King to giue the honour of the day to his Cauallarie whereof hee had caused a choyse to bee selected out of euery companie to the discontent of the rest imployed them onely without his Infantery So that they being disordered and put to rout his whole Armie came to be vtterly defeited The errors committed in the Battaile of Cressie could not warne this King to auoyd the like For had he had the patience to haue tymed it out awhile the Prince could not haue possibly subsisted being thus inuironed shut vp from all succours as he was and now thus furiously assaulted and hauing no safetie but what was to be The French King taken prisoner wrought by the Sword which desperation euer makes the sharper Hee and his shewed that admirable courage that day as purchased them the most memorable glorie that euer any Mattiall action did that was at chiued by the English with so fewe handes Here was now the Head of that great Kingdome-claymed taken Prisoner with his yongest sonne Phillip who valiantly defending his father when his other brothers forsooke him had afterwarde the Title of Hardie and became Duke of Burgogne Iaques de Borbon Conte de Ponthieu the Arch-byshop of Sens Iohn d' Artoys Conte d' Eu Charles d' Artoys his brother Conte de Longnevitle Charles Conte de Tancarville The number of Prisoners taken the Conts of Vendosme Salbourg Dampmartin and La Roche with many other Lords of markes besides 2000. Knights Esquires and Gentlemen in so much as the Conquerors holding it not safe to retaine so many let many of them goe The French who can giue best account of their owne losses report there dyed in the battaile a thousand seauen hundred Gentlemen amongst which were fifty two Bannerets the most eminent Peter de Borbon the Duke d' Athens Constable of France Ian de Clermont Marshall Geoffrey de Charny High Chamberlaine The slaine in the battaile There escaped from this battayle three of the French Kings sonnes for hee brought them all thither Charles Prince Dauphin and the first so intitled Lonys after Duke of Aniou Iohn Duke of Berry all great actours in the time following This blow might seeme to haue beene enough to haue vtterly ouerthrowne that kingdome and absolutely subdued it to the Crowne of England but that is was a body which consisted of so many strong limbs had such store of spirits dispersed in seuerall parts and contayned so wide an extent of state as all this blood letting could not dissolue it or make it faint to giue ouer And sure these powerfull kingdomes howsoeuer they may be diseased and suffer either through the distemperature of their Heads or distractions of their other parts can neuer vnlesse by a gene rall dissolution be so low brought but they will recouer againe in the end their frame holdes by many nayles which neuer fayle all together The Prince of Wales in this battaile hath a double victory the one by the sword the other by his Curtesie first hee visits the captiue King with all reuerence and regarde of Maiesty comforts him by examples of the fortunes of warre and assures him of all faire entertainement according to his dignity The especiall great men who were actors in this worke must not passe vnremembred the Earles Warwicke Suffolke A memorable act of Iames Lord Audley Salisbury Oxford Stafford the Lords Cobham Spencer Barkley Basset Of Gescoignes Le Capital de Beuf the Lords Pumier Chaumont and others And here the Lord Iames Audley is renowned both for his valour and bounty who hauing vowed to bee formost in this fight performed his word sealed it with many wounds for which the Prince hauing rewarded him with the gift of Fiue hundred markes Fee-simple in England he presently gaue it to foure of his Esquires who had with
3. His loue to his subiects was exprest in the often easing of their grieuances and his willingnesse to giue them all faire satisfaction as appeares by the continuall granting of the due obseruation of their Charters in most of his Parliaments And when Anno Reg. 14. they were iealous vpon his assuming the title of the Kingdome of France least England should thereby come to be vnder the Subiection of that Crowne as being the greater he to cleare them of that doubt passed a Statute in the firmest manner could be deuised that this Kingdome should His Proui dence remayne intyre as before without any violation of the rights it had Prouident hee was in all his actions neuer vndertaking any thing before hee had first furnished himselfe with meanes to performe it And therein his subiects allowed him more with lesse adoe then euer any of his Predecessors had and he as fairely issued what hee receiued from them hauing none other priuate vent of profusion then his enterprises for aduancing the State honour of the Kingdom True it is that most attent and carefull hee was to get monies but yet it was without the Sackage of any man such as his Grand-father made vpon the Officers of Iustice the Iewes and others For his gifts wee finde them not such as either hurt his owne fame and reputation or any way distasted the State To be short hee was a Prince who knew his worke and did it and therefore was hee better obeyed better respected and serued then any of his Predecessors His Workes of Pietie were great and many as the founding of East-minster an Abbay His workes of Pietie of the Cisteaux Order neere the Towre An Abbey for Nunnes at Detford The Kings Hall in Cambridge for poore Schollers An Hospitall for the poore at Calais The building of Saint Stephans Chappell at Westminster with the endowment of 300. pound per ann to that Church His augmenting the Chappell at Winsor and prouisions there for Church-men and 24. poore Knights c. These were his publique His Buildings Workes the best Monuments and most lasting to glorifie the memorie of Princes Besides these his priuate buildings are great and many as the Castle of Winsor which he re-edified and enlarged The Castle of Quinborow Fortifications at Calais and other places His magnificence was shewed in his Tryumphes and Feasts which were sumptuously His Magnifcence celebrated with all due Rites and Ceremonies the preseruers of Reuerence and Maiestie To conclude hee was a Prince whose nature agreed with his Office as onely made for it Those defaillances wee finde in him at last wee must not attribute to him but his age wherein we neuer yet saw Prince happie When their vigor fayles them which is commonly about 60. their Fortune doth Whilest this Prince held together he was indissolueble and as he was then we take his Figure Fortunate he was also in his Wife a Ladie of excellent vertue who though shee His Wife and yssue brought him little or none Estate she brought him much content some benefit by Alliance a faire Yssue She drew euenly with him in al the courses of Honor that appertained to her side seems a peece so iust cut for him as answer'd him rightly in euery ioynt Gracious louing she euer shewed her-selfe to this Nation did many works of Pietie amongst which Queenes Colledge in Oxford remaines especially a Monument of her Name and Renowne And it is worthy the Marke that this King and his Grand-father Edward the first the best of our Kings had the two best Wiues Which shewes that worthines is such an Elixar as by contaction if there be any disposition of goodnesse in the Metall it will render it of the same Propertie So that these Queenes could be no otherwise then they were hauing so execellent Husbands She bare vnto him 7. Sonnes whereof 5. liued to haue Yssue Edward Prince of Wales Lionel Duke of Clarence Iohn Duke of Lancaster Edmond Earle of Cambridge after Duke of Yorke and Thomas of Wood-stock which became Duke of Gloster Foure Daughters of fiue she bare liued to be marryed Isabel the eldest to Ingelxam Lord of Coucy Earle of Soissons and Bedford Ioan to Alphonso 11. King of Castile but she dyed before she lay with him Mary to Iohn Monfort Duke of Brittaigne Margaret to Iohn Hastings Earle of Pembroke and shee also dyed without Yssue Thus haue we seene the end of this great King who how he came to the Crowne we know and now how he left it we see in both are considerations of importance His stepping ouer his Fathers head to come to his throne though it were not his fault yet had it a punishment and that in a most high kinde For hauing so plentifull and so able an Yssue Male he had not yet a Sonne of his owne to sit on his Seat but left the same worse then he found it to a Childe of eleuen yeeres of age exposed to the Ambition of Vncles which ouer weighed him to a factious and discontented State at home to broken and distracted inheritances abroad himselfe hauing seene all his great gettings purchased with so much expence trauaile bloud-shed rent cleane from him and nothing remayning but onely the poore Towne of Calais To shewe that our Bounds are prescribed vs and a Pillar set by him who beares vp the Heauens which we are not to transpasse The end of the Life and Raigne of Edward the Third THus farre haue I brought this Collection of our History and am now come to the highest exaltation of this Kingdome to a State full built to a Gouernment reared vp with all those mayne Couplements of Forme and Order as haue held it together euer since notwithstanding those dilapidations made by our ciuile Discord by the Nonage or negligence of Princes by the alterations of Religion by all those corruptions which Tyme hath brought forth to fret and can ker-eate the same And here I leaue vnlesse by this which is done I finde incouragement to goe on