durs sages Combatants à bonnes certes ia pour mourir plain pie nen fuiront c. LORD CHANDOS THE GLORIOVS LIFE AND HONORABLE DEATH OF SIR IOHN CHANDOS LORD OF SAINT Saluiour le Vicount great Seneschall of Poyctow high Constable of Acquitaine Knight of the honorable order of the Garter elected by the first founder king Edward the third at his institution thereof LET none reioice too much in fortunes state Reading the storie of my tragike death But watchfull be t' attend some turning fate Which like wild whirlwind all our dooings sweath For as graue Senec in wise morals seath No mortall man with Gods gaine fauor might Of warrantice to see next mornings light No earthly one how goodly so he seeme Fine faire or perfect how so he appear Renowmed rich of excellent esteeme That firmly stands and fixed forme doth bear For wauing fortune so the ship will stear With giddie guiding to hir fond intent Nor wit nor prowesse can bad rule preuent Vncertaine more than is slow Lidian brooke Which dallieth his winding banks within Fast forward hasts then doth regardant looke Staying in doubt th' ocean t' enter in Or to reslide where first it did begin Yet suddenly quicke plungeth in amaine After much showe turnes backe to springs againe No whistling fowler hath so many gins No wading fisher halfe so many baits No nimble spider threeds so many spins No toiling hunter tenth part of deceits That fortune hath of woondrous ticing feats Training men on triumphing in their fall Shewing them honie poisning them with gall As AEacus imagind was to deale With Tantalus deluded with the pray Of hungers ease and scalding thirsts assaile Whom wearie proffers make to emptie way Yet near vncaught the luring frute doth stay So are they fed high honors seeke to gaine Shee l manies blood and purpose not obtaine When fortune shewes hir friendly countenance What mightie ones in selfe conceits we seeme Weightie affaires dispose by ordinance As what we list to bring to passe we deeme In our owne reach ech thing we do esteeme We him appoint to death and him we â—ease Welding whole world as doth our liking please Led onward with hope of long assurance We neuer thinke of fortunes frowning But high honors plant as if perdurance had promised continuall showring Fresh still to increase increased springing But long before proud honor taketh roote Wisest forecasting proued is no boote Oft when we are most busie tampering Some foes to trap within our plotted snares Not him vnlike who pit is digging Headlong into it fals himselfe vnwares So we surprised in our owne affaires For fortune that attendeth worldlie chaunce Where smooth she smild now blinketh wide askaunce For proofe marke me of hir deare darlings one That seemd to haue hir fettred fast in giues It might be thought that onely I alone Faire fauor had and thus she daily striues To haue the chiefest regement of our liues That when she list to knit the brows and frowne He standing high is quickly tumbled downe When first that woorthy golden booke began For Magistrates bright mirror cleare indeed Through which eternall praise the Authors wan Streight I beleeud as truly as my Creed My hard mishap so happely would speed As that some one of those rare learned men My blis and bale would haue vouchsaft to pen. In perfect die could they haue pictured False turncote with true shadowes in true kind Hir fained shew of truth and truest falshed Hir glosing face and hir vnconstant mind And hir continuall foe-mate still I find Since fates she driues my spent life to rehearse In lowly rimes refuse of loftie verse Outragious she slayeth without remorse Alike most woorthy and vnwoorthy wight As roling waue that needs must haue the force Tossing light things subiected to great might Respectles where or when so ere they light So careles she not caring when or how She casteth downe or maketh low to bow What time King Edward first inuaded France With good aid of th'erle of Henauld won Friend fortune then mine actes seemd to aduance So euenly my silken threed did run High enterprise what I attempt was done With shining glory and faire honors name As golden trumpe shield foorth Iohn Chandos fame Then as my King by Cambray Cittie past I armd approchd the barriers of the towne There lept I in my foes some wondred fast To see my deed a Squier of renowne Iohn de saint Ager stroue to beat me downe Right strong we coped with sterne courage bold Our mightie bufs some ioyed to behold Ecchoing stroks on eithers helmet lights With sparkling fier thundering mightilie All for glorious praises both our fights Stird with youths heat and mindfull dignitie Th'assailed strikes and both incessantly Imprinting dents do yeald so I at last Returnd with praise on with the Armie past When as the French had gathered mightie power Came to Vironfosse where treatie ended war Froisard me recounts among the flower Of English Squiers sets my fame full far In his large booke is shone how much we are In reuerence bound vnto such learned clarks As with their paine eternize broad our warks For if none should register noble deed Ther 's none would striue to shew his noblenes Or presse in vertues others to exceed If memorie none made were of valiantnes Freshlie burgening to future ages This pricking spur doth harts heroick heaue To thinke fell death faire Fame cannot bereaue Some sots there be so scrupulous that nought At all beleeue but what themselues do see These coy iudgers haue seld or nener thought Of times forepast what mightie men might be Of others deem by thimbecilitie Found in themself recall in question when Our acts memorizd are by learned men This truce expirde King Edward new prepard puissantly to passe the foming flud Which gate king Phillip strongly thought t' aue bard Decking a fleete thick seeming like a wood Whereof had charge three captaines seamen good Sir Hugh Kyriell Babuchet Barbnoire With stretched sailes the narrow seas do scower These Chieftaines fortie thousand men command Laid by French King to stop vs if they could Which when our King had spide he doth demand What masts they were so thicke he doth behould His Pylot named them and well he tould These were the foes that so his costes anoid Southamton towne and th'yle of Wight destroid Replide the king Saint George God be our guide I much desire with yonder fleete to fight A looffe to winde-ward all our Nauie wride To view the turne right goodlie was the sight Banners pensils stremers wauing bright Ladies we had whose minds these sights might daunt Going to see the Queene brought bed at Gaunt Whose presences fresh minds incouraged With double flame t'assaile the enimie For trustie seruants oft had vowed For their sweete sakes t'prooue all extremitie T'fight for his Ladie knights felicitie hot feruent loue makes coldest coward bold desirous much gaie Ladies grace to hold In front the French foorth plast a goodly
good he gate Sir Walter Mannie toth barriers went Conducting fresh yoong knights new made before Full of proud courage through new aduancement Fierce was the fraie and many wounded sore In Parris were of prooued knights good store When time he spide faire backe his fighters drue Full soberlike rash perils to eschue Like aged Pylote tride in many a flawe High towering fleet hath in charge to guide Leads foorth by counsaile and sad sober sawe Aduising turne of winde and change of tide Sholes sands and rocks that vnder water bide Performes his voyage by his warie heed Such at Parris prooued Lord Mannies deed The king remooud most surely I thought And counsaile tooke with sixe of my accord That gaie yoong knights such as aduentures sought Whereof in Parris numbers great there hord Some issue after vs they would afford This thought of mine did come to good effect The French do sallie as I did suspect A valiant troupe that prowesse tride professe On stamping coursers properlie prepard Careles come on some hoping to conuince That scatter should from out their battaild ward Or whom t' incounter nought at all they card They past the busment we had closely laid They past we glad and little time we staid Three Gascoins we three English were the rest Lord Moubrey armed in desierous red A siluer Lion ramping reddie prest To raise his foe Lord Neuill forward sped In glistering Armes most goodly clothed In guelie shield he siluer saltier bare Stout Pounchardon we six the Christains were Of this attempt two hundred we command In ruinous house sequestred from the way We ambuscade where one might well haue paund His life no foes would there haue made astay With bustling noise we bustle to the fray Like furious tempest foorth we rushen fast The French lookt backe amased at our hast With wonderment from whence we issue could Turning their reains our fury to withstand Strongly our points ariue with courage bould Ech against foe direct with leueld hand That from their seats some tumbled to the land Some horse and man reuersed ouer quite So fell enragd so strongly some do smite When as we had our course with courage run Ech drew his sword where many a proper feat And practise of faire Armes was brauely dun Sometimes it seemd the Frenchmen had the bet And straight againe it seemd that we did get Of all our coast I wan the soueraine praise With Lord Compreney on the French it staies Who noblie fought vnder his banner faire A Beucle red in siluer plast betweene Six martlets blacke slaine he that did it beare The Lord himselfe was taken on the greene And all these troups are now disparted cleene The most there dide some into Parris ran Or else they had been taken euery man Valiant harts whose thoughts to honor bend Sleepe not in rest but daily do deuise New matters and strange accidents to send Their praises foorth in golden sounding wise Whilst sluggish knight in sloth and slumber lies Vnwoorthie arms who doth not vse the same Foule wight that brings fair honors marks to shame What booteth it of Gentries brag to boast What vaileth it old ensignes foorth to show To tell how grandsiers whon in many a coast When we our selues no warlike practise trow But rest our selues with this old idle know Our shields the signes of Antique moniments We maken babish lothly instruments Well when we had our buisnes brought to passe And in good couenant all our prisoners bound We marcht where as the king of England was Our welcoms do with hartie praise abound Prisoners vs their maisters courteous found Foorth on we hold vntill that peace was toke At Charters and our Armie vp it broke Our king this Charter in October gaue At Callis on the fowr and twentith day After the virgins sonne was come to saue All mankind lost and wandred far astray One thousand three hundred threescore I reckon may Now on the king in t ' England I attend Where good intreatie much I might commend Yet staid not long but into Bearne I sped To Ortoys where I found the Earle of Foys Letters I receiud and speedily red From Naueroys king who gladly did reioise For wide it bruted was by common voice That Iohn of Fraunce was now in England ded And he thought long till Fraunce he harrowed Sendeth for me as chiefetaine to attend His wars by guidment of my prooued skill To his intreatie soone I condescend Requesting other knights vnto my will Imbarkt and wind so well our sailes doth fill As safe at Cherbroke we descend to shore Men at arms and soldiers twentie score Breathing life toth melancolious thought Of this sad king because he late had lost Maunt and Meulanc both by th treason sought Of Bouciquall and Glesquins brittish host T' haue sweete reuenge he spare would for no cost Right glad was I that th'youthfull Regent Should haue some newes against his corwnment At Eureux then I made my chiefe amasse And found I had full seauen hundred speares Three hundred archers fiue hundred there was Of brigands to hus most willingly appeares Captaines companions not dreading future feares But he that brought greats numbers to our aide Of armed heds for enterprise araide Was sir Iohn Ionel a valiant English knight And sir Iames Planchine with him did resort Against our foes we strong and freshlie dight For our delights consist in warlike sport With courage good we march foorth in effort T' incounter foe is plast our whole intent Much wishing triall of his hardiment To Passie ward and to the brig of Tharch We drew casting the warie Frenchmen would The riuer of Sene ore passe at that same arch Pretended iorney if they onward hould Transierd they were as it was to me tould For as we rode the twesday in Whitson weeke I met a Herauld who well for me did seeke Surnamed Faulcon I knew him passing well For he toth king of England doth pertaine In haste I asked if he could foorth tell Newes of the French faire I him entertaine He answere framd in reuerent sort againe I came my Lord from where they do abide Expecting your approching at this tide What haue they past the riuer yea or no On this same side they rest he doth replie Neere vnto Passie they do abide I tro What numbers and what captains to discrie I will him and then plainly sheweth he Fifteene hundred of fighting men they were That Bertram Glesquine cheefest rule did beare Lord Aucer was and Vicount Beumont there Maister ofth crosbowes Lord Chalon and Beweu Tharchpriest and sir Edward Remie were These French and Brittons there my selfe did vewe Of your owne countrie some knights I also knewe There is the Lord Dalbreth his companie Properly armd a valiant meanie Sir Aymone of Pomiers the soldich Lord of Lestrayt then gan I angerly To waxen red and much in minde I wish Reuenge to those I hard so busely Though frends to seeke me as an enimy
mannor or lands by descent albeit their ancestors married the heire of the same many hundred yeers agone and whose parents peraduenture neuer did beare any marke or if they did time hauing obscured the same it remaineth vnknowen yet shall you haue them run to an Herald or painter as busily as if the matter were of weight and there make search they know not for what and the herald or painter on the other side to draw some small peece of siluer from them will find out the badge of some one or other of the same name although many times none of the kindred and may be neuer came neare that countrey and that will they inuest them with as their owne and sometimes when no marke for any of the name will be found then deuise some conceit or other and say they find it borne by such a name and content them wonderously therewith which serues yet to no other vse but to make vp a iust number whereby their owne marks become the more confused and yet into this quartering being a very fountaine of errors many both Noble men and Gentlemen and the officers of Armes themselues do oftentimes very rashly enter It is not long sithence there died a knight in Staffordshire of good account and in his life time was a deputie Lieuetenant there to doe his obsequie came an officer of Armes who compiled for him nine seuerall marks all in one Escuchion and yet neuer a one of them as they were there set foorth to him belonging but his owne of name And as I haue giuen you this one for an instance so almost can a man come into no towne of any account nor almost into any Church or house of Noble man or Gentleman but he shall find errors so that the numbers thereof be infinite It were therefore to be wished that this matter of quartering should be reformed as well for the vntruths therein committed as for the titles that may be brought in question thereby to lands and Heritages And as being one of the chiefest things that bringeth the honor of Armory into disgrace for not long agoe heard I one speake in this maner did I not quoth he know the grandfather of this man speaking of the owner of a scuchion wherein were quartered many marks to purchase by plaine patent although he neuer were man at Armes both his coate and crest within these fortie yeers and how comes it now to passe that I see his nephew inuested in all this Armorie numbring many and diuers seuerall deuices all in one shield by way of quartering this being a very mockerie to see a man of no valure or estimation in warlike affaires and the paternall Ancestors of whom for ought that can be prooued were not in any late age welders of Armes to entrude themselues into so many badges of Armorie is not the least matter to bring into contempt an order so honorable and necessarie as the bearing of Armes is Another matter that to my vnderstanding is also to be reformed is the maner of differings which are by the yoonger brothers and their posterities laid vpon their marks being cressants mollets c. and that such little ones as that a man cannot discerne them a verie small distance from him which differences are in reason to be made faire plaine and large that they may be also as easie to be discouered as any other deuise that is in the coate shield or banner otherwise they serue not to the purpose for which marks were first ordeined And the inconuenience which ensueth of this error will the more easily appeere if I but set you downe the words of mine Author treating of an accident that happened in such a case which be these Et feist msr Robert Baileul aler sa Banniere tout deuant en escriant moriannes les Henuiers qui inestoint esthauses Aperceurent la Banniere de moriannes qui encore estoit tout Droicte si cuiderent que ce feust la leur ou ilz se deuoient radresser car mult petite y auoiâ— de difference de lune a l'autre car les Armes moriennes sount Barres contre Barres d'Argent d'Azure a deux Cheuerons de Gueules et le cheuron de msr Robert auoit vne petite crosete d'or si ne l'aduiserent mye bien les hennuiers ainsi vindrent bouter de fait dessubs la Banniere de msr Robert si furent moult fierement reboutes et tous discomfis For these henowers being led by sir William Baileul thought in the stir and busines to haue come to his banner hearing the surname of Moriens called vpon and seeing as they supposed their captains ensigne and the difference of sir Robert being the yoonger brother but a little crosse vpon the vpper cheuron they could not apperceaue so that the most of them were either slaine or taken and the elder brother the Knight their leader was glad to saue himselfe as well as he might The Lord of Cowcie sonne in law to king Edward the third suffered also reproch through the hard dealings of the Lord of Chine who raised his banner against certaine Englishmen of sir Hugh Caueleys company being either the same that Cowcies was or the difference so small as might not be discerned whereby the said Lord Cowcie though he were absent as far as Austrich had dishonor spoken of him as in the discourse of the Capitall I haue touched Thus then hauing shewed by example the harme and inconuenience that cannot but many times happen through the littlenes and nicenes of such differences I haue thought it not amisse to laie before you the differings that antiquitie vsed that by comparing them togither you may discerne the great wisedome of our ancestors and our owne imperfections in this point for want of due consideration which was done at the first by changing of the deuise borne into other colors onely but when that would not suffice for the number of leaders manie times all of one house then were they forced to varie their markes by adding of either bars bends cheurons cheefes quarters borders labels losinges or such like and verie seldome should you see in those times cressant mollet or such like small little thing borne for a difference and if anie did yet was the same made so large and faire that it might be seene as well as any other the deuise which should be in the shielde or banner And for the proofe I will giue you the example but of one house onelie for your better information though I could do the like of manie others namelie that of the Bassets who indeed in my iudgement varied their markes of honor verie finelie and that vpon good respect Thus haue I set downe vnto you though something tediouslie the vse that the antiquitie followed in a verie glorious line for Lords Knights and Gentlemen which florished diuers hundreds of yeeres sithence and you may see that these men though they were manie of them great Barons were not
to gard the towne at best And thither doth the Duke of Aniou mooue Enuirning close the towne in such a wise The dwellers thinke it best for their behooue To render it and do their strength despise Thunstable commons like Protheus guise Are so delighted in ech chaffring change Like fleeting tides their thoughts do euer range The captaine also was becommen French infest with loue of glittering ticing gould Too foule a swill a soldiers minde to drench That thoughts to honor euer fasten should And his giue promise permanent to hould I vnderstood how all this practise went At Bergareth and to be there I ment At this deliuerie sir Thomas Phelton and My selfe do ride what time the sun was plast Betwixt the east and west in lower land We came as French were reddie entring fast At thother gate to Batfoyle spide I hast Traitrous Batfoyle was busie t' entertaine My croching foes in hope of greedie gaine In hands I shooke my suer bright shaking sword Enflamde with courage as reason did requier I plainly shewd I came not now to bourd Traitor I said take heere deserued hier Treasons no more thou shalt from hence conspier And as I spake I lent him such a bloe That soule and bodie doth a sunder goe A iust reward for such foule treason don But when the French our wefting banners vew Their backs they turne and swift away they run Lightly clad with feare they nimbly flew The townsmen ginne their dealing false to rew Lay all the fault in him that I had slaine And so the towne did English still remaine The Duke and Glesquine went to Limoges Where the Dukes Berrie and Burbon siege do hould Which citie yeelded was by th tretrousnes Of their Bishop which matter being tould Vnto the prince he sware reuenge he would So vile despite by his deere fathers soule Which oth he kept unbroke and euer whole From Coynoc then he marcht in braue aray Twelue hundred Lords knights and hardie squiers A thousand archers so many Brigands sway That all the countrie dread their flaming iers On sharp reuenge do boile their hot desiers Sir Thomas Percie and Lord Rosse was there Who did in gules three siluer Bogets bear Sir William Mesnile a chiff of burnisht gold Three gemels finely set in Azurd shield Sir Simon Borley six bars equall told Of black and yellow in his chiff he held Of the mettaile two pales as first is speld In midst a scuchion of Rubie fairly dight In it three bars of ermins plainly pight Right fierce assault the citie so was tane Many an innocent with the nocent died Man woman childe were brought to blooddie bane Such wofull rigor did this towne betide The duke of Lancaster stoutlie here was tried In single fraie the erle of Cambrig and The erle of Penbroke fighting so are fand Which tripart combate was so noblie fought As sick prince tooke pleasure it t'behould Causing his litter neerer to be brought The French resist so long as ear they could And lasht and stroke with noble courage bould But conquerd yeeld and yeelding fauor finde As noble arms her sacred lawes assinde Deuine mercy whose lore I euer loud The soueraine good that God to man affords Most like to God man hath his likenes prooud That treasure such within sweete heauen hords And you great captains and renowmed Lords That manage arms hold mercy in your minde Bloods wilfull spiller seld doth mercie finde I was right glad from this that so I bide At Bergareth the frontier to sustaine And now through Fraunce with ventring troupe did ride Sir Robert Canole to the Frenchmens paine Welth and treasure did such abundance gaine His soldiers but siluer and gold esteemd Oystrige feathers or what was daintie deemd Not vertues selfe can lengthen mortall daies Yet fame prouides that vertue should not die Obliuion repugnes good fame alwaies True writers of braue acts doth still defie Ech wight depriud of honor shut should lie She much desiers all couered with the corse Of valiant deeds she taketh no remorse If Phrigian Poet should the praises shew Of noble Priam and his woorthie sons Their high exploits set foorth in order dew Although large fame of all their doings runs Yet but defendaunts when toth sight it cums Assailant conqueror this braue English king Triumphant victors his noble ofspring As Priam nor his sonnes left nought behind But golden praise pronounst by writers skill And none could now their names or dooings find So hugely woxt the vastie world to fill Vnlesse it had dropt from a heedie quill So Muse and Mars togither must agree The first the last makes liue eternally And since our Hector stout came out of Spaine He languished which greatly made vs grieue For stealingly ech hower increast his paine Gainst which with courage good he much did striue Wasting sicknes quite doth his strength depriue Now into England to returne he ment Of peyred helth to seeke amendement He sent for all his squiers knights and Lords That of him hold and when we present were Such princely gentle language he affords As might braue courage and allegance steare Full sweetly spake he like a noble peere In euery thing he wild vs to obay His brother Gaunt which regent heere should stay Then shipping takes the gentlest knight aliue And most renowmed for his woorthines Right pensiue I that sicknes did depriue His health that bread the Frenchmens sikernes In batteled Arms they found him matchles For so he pinde and inly grew his griefe As finall death did worke his first reliefe He newly gon fowre Britton knights aduaunce Themselues to take Mountpaon and they sped So well by practise as the matter chaunct The Lord therof French turned in that sted Which known did make Duke Iohn to shake his hed Sommons he forst and vowd it to regaine In conquering wise or die with deadlie paine It toucht him near bicause it lay him near So on a day with kindled courage stout From Bourdeux accompanied strongly faire He doth depart with his braue warlike rout Of Poyctow Xanton and Gascoine there about Of th'english Phelton Freuile and Rosse there was Sir Michael Delapole did in this iourney passe Whose cornerd shield was laid with skilfull blew A fesse between three Liberds heads of gold Sir William Bewchampe gay as bridegroome new Armed in red right stately to behold A girdle plast between six martlets told Glistering bright like Phoebus in his pride Well could he iust and comly could he ride Now when we were this castle plast before And ordred had ech thing in order dew We raisd assault but were resisted sore A whole long day then back our soldiers drew This castle was inuirond with deep stew So fast we fild with fagots vp the mot As to the wals with much adoe we got And now much worke and buisnes was begun And many a man reuerst and ouerthrowne More feller stut was none vnder the sun So that this newes was bruted wide and knowne
which pertaind to him of right King Charls well nie excepting him had all The Brittons harts now so it did befall His castle siegd gaue hostage for a staie To yeeld it vp not rescude by a daie Sir Hue Brooe that this strong fortresse heild That marchet made who bare in banner red On siluer cheuron three roses of the feild Sir Robert here ariued in that sted Before the rendring day expired A herauld French Constable sent to kno Hostage whether they would redeeme or no. Sir Robert flatly held not any one In absence his his castle so should mart Thanswerd messenger backe is lightly gone Tould his Lords they make him soone depart And shew sir Robert if he so do start His hostages ech one should hedded be Herauld he said saie to thy Lords from me Three knights one squier in prison here I haue If they a hundred thousand frankes would giue And mine do die no one of these thest saue The French of life the hostages depriue Which seene sir Robert a scaffold made beliue His prisners brought in duke of Aniou sight Their harmles heds he caused off to smite The siege brake vp this execution done The castle with sir Robert doth remaine True hostage true prisners death haue won Such chaffring brought good harts their deadly paine But noble captains such rigor should refraine Lest when their frends they need in such like cace They make refusall doubting the disgrace Iustice oft from ancient custome growes Affection seldom lookes with single eie Strict iustice like iniurious dealing showes Hard law to make the innocent creature die And yet good right appeered for to be God loues not right which doth to rigor tend Neither of both their crueltie can defend I likewise heard how noble Iohn of Gaunt Ariud at Callis with puissant power Puissantly the Frenchmen doth he daunt Fearfull makes both towne and many a tower Numbers my old acquaintance in that stower As Chanoyne Robersart sir Hue Caueley Sir William Bewchamp sir Henrie Percie Sir Walter Huet sir Steuen Gousenton With many more which some did to me name Sir Lewis Clifford sir Richard Pontchardon To heare of whom to sorrow brought some game I hopt and wisht the French that they might tame But in their cheuachey a venture did befall That was at Parris talkt with ioy of all Fowrscore horse of sir Hue Caueleys band Were ridden foorth aduentures for to trie The Lord of Busiers doth it vnderstand The Lord of Chin sir Iohn Buell these three With sixscore launce against them ridden be Lord Chin was slaine through his great hardines Which to his friends was cause of heauines Thus when they were assembled in such sort Right felonous and cruell was the fray And many a deed was don of good report Chin his banner disueloped that day Which seen the English orgulous words did say Gainst Lord Cowcie which English houerd still Who was in Austrige warring at his will This Chin did raise Lord Cowcies faire deuice Which was six bars of varrey and of red This was the same or difference small so nice and slender that mongst them this error bred Which now were either taken slaine or fled All men of yoonger house that banners bear Should haue their difference glistring large and fair I likewise heard the flower of all our pride The valiant Prince of Wales departed life No earthly thing so good may alwaies bide Nor honor such preuailing ouer strife Where glories most mischaunce is euer rife Great things great fals and far abroad are blown Low things low fals their fallings are not known His falling known was fall of all my ioy His death depriuer of my comfort chiefe His losse the loder of my sad annoy His want the wanting of my freed reliefe Ah filching death thou felonous bloodie thiefe Bereauer of my sole deliueraunce Dispoiler of my worldly pleasaunce For could it be that any marshallist Such one as loud to cloth himselfe in Arms But honorable presence thine he mist And many waies thy losse did worke his harms And froward mischiefs backward on him swarms Farwell fairst flower of Plantagenets line Adiew all comfort to this life of mine Full many treaties had the English now Made with the French which came to small effect Some of my friends oftimes did tell me how In these their parleys they had of me respect Yet did no good which made me to suspect That neuer I my weldie Arms should don For griefe wherof I pine away with mone The yoong Earle Saint Pole and three other knights In exchange they offerd for me alon Which Lord Comigines tane had in faire fights by th subtill traine of sir Iohn Harleston By his coursers bountie sir Hue Chatelon Was saud or else he had full dearly paid Bicause from England he was late mistraid The matter thus after we came from Spaine And that the quarrels fresh gan to renew All things to strife and battaile woxt againe The French at first the countie of Ponthew Regaine this Lord of Chatelon named Hue Vnwares he doth sir Nicholas Loudine rest His prisner and by slight he him surprest When as the valiant duke of Lancaster At Callis riud new come from Turnehen Intending the Frenchmen proud to master He fast prepard to make a rode agen With store of squiers knights and noblemen Trauasing Fraunce vp and downe at pleasure In burning spoiling and gaining treasure If oppression to minde valiant Be offered by wisdoms warie guid It so couerneth through much discontent As if euer happie chaunce betide It shoes the fier close couered it doth hide And breaketh foorth into reuenging flame If euer good occasion mooue the same Deepe rooted malice doth not lightly die When as the duke passed by Abuile To Louaines mind repard the iniurie That Chatelon had done to him erewhile Sir Nicholas laid a bushment by a wile Neere to the towne for all the streights he knew Whole three yeers space he vsed them to vewe Sir Hue Chattelon at that instant bode Within the towne as gardant of the same Near vnto it he knew the English rode Then of the crossebowes he bare the maisters name Them to aduise he thought was for his fame Only ten and armed saue his head He came where as the tending bushment stead When valiant Louaine saw his shield of guels Three varey pales on chiffe of loued gold A martlet blacke himselfe he scarcely ruels For ioy the man quoth he I most desier would In all the world I comming do behould The ransome deere to him this yeer I paid Shall rendred be if that he may be staid And foorth he breaks the Frenchmen in that sted Do maruell much from whence doth noise proceed One cried Chatelon yeeld or thou art ded To whom said he to Louaine now with speed Replied sir Nicholas ioying at his deed Being knightly armd in red fresh to behold A siluer fes tween many billets gold And to the host in iolitie retiers Prowd of his prisner afterward
that saith Possessio fratris de feodo simplici facit sororem esse haeredem called the said Hastings also hauing remooued the difference of his marke for that he was then heire male of that house into the Court of cheualry and there hauing a iudgement against him the said Hastings was compelled to vse a difference which was a Label of siluer vpon his marke a faire red sleeue of his Ladies vpon his golden vesture Since which the heires of that yoonger familie haue vsed the said Labell euen vntill this our age So that you may see by this that the law was then taken to be such that such an heire male as had not the inheritance of his Ancestors should not be suffered to beare his marke without distinction for it should seeme by this that the issue of them that had married the heire generall of any familie being by reason thereof possessed of the lands had not onely an interest in the Armes but might also forbid any man the bearing thereof and moreouer it would also appeare that the law was then supposed to be such that the owner of euery marke might dispose of the same as of his lands and inheritance and that the Donee had power by vertue of such gift to vse the same as his owne proper Armorie for I haue seene a deed importing thus much A tous y ceux qui Cestes leÌ„res verrount au orro unt Thomas le fytz monsr Iohn de Herovill Chr. Salutz en deuyn Sachetz moy auoir donÌ„e Grauntte A Roger de Wyrley vn escquÌ„choun darmes queil iamoy per descent apres le mort Iohn monÌ„e frere ceste a sauoir lesquÌ„choun de sable ou deus leouns passantz d'argent Coronez vnglez de or ou vne flour deliz de Azure deuz pies Auoir tenire A dit Roger ses Heyrs a tous iours leauandit esquÌ„chioun a dit Roger Wyrley ses Heyrs en Contre toutez Gens Garrantt En Tesmoignanc de quell Choses a Cestz escriptz ay meys mon Seall pery ceux tesmoignes Iohn de Bredwas Roger Basset Iohn de Herouile William Herouile Iohn Dimock et autres Estptz a Westbromwich le mardy prochayn a vant le Chaundelme lan du regne le roy Edward 3. puis le Conquest querente vnsieme And for proofe that the said grant was not made without warrant of law authorizing the same the said Roger Wyrley although he and diuers others his ancestors bare other armes as proper to their owne familie long before the said time as may appeere by diuers and sundrie peeces of euidence sealed with the same dated many yeeres before this grant yet did the said Roger vse and beare the said cote by Heronvile to him granted by vertue of the said deed after the same was to him granted as by diuers seales and other moniments thereof may appeere so that the vse concurred with the grant and therefore not to be doubted but that the law did then take the said grant to be good and vailable And for a further proofe amongst diuers I wil giue you one other testimonie and so leaue to trouble you any more in this point A tous yceux qui Cestes presentz leÌ„res verrount ou orrount moy Iean Dowmvill de modberlegh saluts en dieu Come moy Ceciliae ma feme Auons ordegney que margerie nostre fille les heyrs de son Corps engendres seruont enherites si bien de ma heyritage la dteÌ„ Cecile auer apres nostre deces come per fines leues en playn Countee de Cestre poet Apparere plus apleyn Sacheut tous Gens qui ê‘ cella cause autres causes qui me moeuont ie a ville ordeigne doune graunt ê‘ ycestes qui Thomas de Holes fitz Heyre Aparaunt lauant dteÌ„ margeri quile Thomas ie appele teigne mon fitz demesne eit eniouse a luy ses Heyres a tous iours mes entier Armes a porter vser apres mon deces dont les Colors sont Cestasauer le Chiffe d'azure ove vne leon rampant d'argent ouesque vne coller de Gules Et prie a dit Thomas luy Charge saaoir ma beneson de portere vsere les ditz Armes en la forme suys dter en Tesmoignaunce de quel chose a cest escrit ia y meis mon Seale de les Armes Auant dteÌ„s ê‘ y cestes tes moygnes Edward le mascy Hue de Holes Thomas de Swettenham Autres done A modberleyh le darrey ioure de mars lan du Reigne le roy Richard 2 puis le Conquest Seszime And this law I thinke was grounded vpon this reason that forasmuch as euery tenant that held lands by a knights fee was tied to do his Lord escuage or shield seruice proportionable to the tenure he held it is agreeable vnto equitie that he may giue or leaue his Armour to such a person as he meaneth to make owner of his heritage whereby he shall be bound to the same seruice that himselfe by the said law was charged to do as hauing with the marke maintenance answerable thereto And that this matter was of regard in my Authors time it appeereth by the request both of sir Iohn Chandos himselfe made to the Prince of Wales as in the discourse of him I haue touched and of sir Thomas Triuet a gallant soldier of that time speaking to the Earle of Buckingham being rested before the citie of Troys in Fraunce in this maner the words of my Author concerning this matter be these Et msr Thomas Triuet apporta sa banniere toute enueloppe deuant le Countie de Bucquenham et lui dist monseigneur sil vous plaist ie desuelopperay au iourdui ma banniere car deu mercy iay asses de reuenue pour maintenir estate comme a la banniere appartient il nous plaist bien respondit le counte c. so that by this the thing is manifested for that the chiefest reasons wherby they thought to induce the one the Prince and the other the Earle to giue them leaue to raise their banners was that they had sufficient reuenue to maintaine the estate that to a banner did appertaine And it may also appeere that it is not necessarie for any to haue marks but such as be warfaring men hauing either reuenues to maintaine soldiers or at least a charge or some office pertaining to men at armes vnder their Soueraigne which thing if it were performed according to reason there should not need so many mollets and cressants for to distinguish yoonger brethren for that none but such as medled with warlike affaires haue need of Armore and they I doubt not would for their owne necessitie be forced to vse some more large and apparent deuise than such little ones as be now of no value in vse There is also another matter out of square which is that euerie man that obtaineth large possessions whether the same be acquired by his
common sort With sir Reignald Cobham three Heraulds sent Searching the fields of truth to giue report For to be slaine so fully were we bent To fight when as we hard the Kings intent Some Knights yet thought he dealt but ouer hard That of his succour we were so debard This happie day by noble valiantnes We vanquished immortall fame we gaind And so the King held on his purposes To Callis where as we long time remaind That stoutest Knights garding the towne constraind Surrender make of Callis to his will All which he doth with English people fill Duke Hanniball when as graue senate sent And him home cald to aid his natiue soyle From Italy with no lesse anguish went Then did Duke Iohn from Aguillon recoyle Long hauing lean was loth to suffer foyle But his sad father wild him thence in hast Vs to resist that much his Countrie wast How turning times do trauerse humane course From ruffling war to calmest quietnes And doth allay the mightiest rage and force Appearing plesant temperat stilnes Freed of Tumult stur or buisnes For clanging trumpet and harsh armors sound Daintie blis and meriment is found For Cardnall Guy of Bullen he was sent As legate into Fraunce well doth intreat Firme peace between the kings vntill was bent Their raged minds t' endure without deceat Twixt them and theirs till two yeers out were beat Home went our king but Britton was except Where two braue Ladies cruel wars they kept The one of Mountfort intitled Countesse Whose husband dide a prisoner late in France Redoubted Lady of great valientnes Sharp wars maintaind for all hir Lords mischance Amason like would ride with sheild and Launce Defend hir selfe with battelous axe in fist Threatning blowes bestow and well resist On swelling seas puissance hath she tride In stormie fight amongst the mightiest With enimies blood the marble waters dide With braue Bundutia or Viragoes best Great Edelsleda or the woorthiest Of manly dames that wouen maile haue worne She may compare for valerous adorne Th' other possest a Lions hart in brest Little Inferiour to hir couragious foe Sir Charls of Bloys hir husband now did rest A prisoner fell fortune would it so Gainst whom she oft hir mightie power did shoe These warlike dames hard wars do still maintaine T'on for hir sonne th' other for husbands gaine The two yeers truce expierd King Phillip died And Iohn his sonne was Crowned in his sted Our Prince of Knights when he his time espied Surnamed blacke from England is he sped And into Gascoine warlike Knights he led Whose vertue good and courage did abound And for no death would flee on foote of ground To Thoulous and Carcasson led his host Late before the Riuer of Garron past Hauing burned and spoyled all the cost With pillage store and prisners fiaunct fast To Burdeux safe returned at the last Tho th' earle of Arminack and th' earle of Fois Had Countries charge with soldiers of some chois The prince fresh in the flowers of his youth So much desierd to follow martiall deeds As duly to recount of him the truth His noble thought thereon he onely feeds Right busie Lord to sow wilde otes his seeds A second rode doth into Berry make And countrie round at pleasure spoile and take King Iohn informed of our chevachaunce His sommons cald but first of all he sent Three Barons wise t' aduise our ordinaunce Lord Craon Bowciqualt and the Herment Cald of Chaumount who ordred their intent Vs to intrap abushment one they plast From which we droue them to a castle fast Cald Remorentine the prince doth me command To go persuade these foresaid knights to yeeld I salued them which done I do demand Surrender of the castle which they held Vnto my Lord that matters so would weld Of curtesie vnto his rendred foe Of custome vsed in like case to shoe This rendring mart they thought too bad to make All three men of prooued valure much In silken white that puffing blast did shake Blacke egle spred whose either head doth tuch The banners sides sir Bowcequalts was such That foorth he hoised wefting in the winde Thinking he doth himselfe in safetie finde Plaine said he would no follie such commit As to become a prisner without cause Trusting right well himselfe for to acquit But morrow morne they yeelded without pause Thereto compeld by raging fiers lawes Of well conceiued hope they were beguild Their fortresse left forsaken and exild Like sparkling lightning droue by southern blast Scorching all it findeth in hit power The valerous prince proceedeth with like waste In burning Townes in raising many a Tower Such hideous stormes he on the French doth shower Rich spoiles we gained and great booties wone Without controle of ought which we had done The valiant and renowmed king of Fraunce When as he hard our Prince in field to be Vowed to fight in armes to prooue his chaunce And carefull was by Poyicters towne least we Should there repasse or that he should vs see Woorthie king most woorthie glorious crowne Right valiant Lord though Fortune now did frowne He sommoned braue Dukes stout Earles and Lords In batteled armes before him to appeere With so much haste as hastie speed affords Encountring strength against vs foes to reare Resolud to fight as one deuoid of feare No spare of coste to furnish his intent Loftie thoughts on vengfull battaile bent When this great masse of men all mustered were The battailes three ordained out of hand Gay duke of Orleaunce first well gouernd there Where sixe and thirtie wauing banners stand Long pennons twice so many there were fand Beate with fine armes of euerie Lord and knight Most glorious vnto the gasers sight Charls duke of Normandie had second guiding The third stout king and there drest to behold Faire knights in glistering armors shining Proud stamping steeds richly trapt in gold High placed crests that hautie helme doth hold Trim flower of France in their braue araie For gallantnes here present were full gaie Ordred did mount on steed as white as snowe Of courage like the king that on him sate Knightly armd ride foorth from ranke to rowe With smiling grace his men to animate Did pleasing and right stirring words relate So Castor like with kingly resemblaunce And kindled heat his speech he did aduaunce My Lords in parle at Parris when you be Your English foes you stoutly menace Desiring that so happie day to see To find them ranged in some open place Heere is the thing apparant to your face The onely thing that you so much did craue The English plast in open field you haue And as the king was in this parlaunce Lord Ribamount who had our battels seen Sent for that cause to view our guidaunce Approcht the king saying sir as I ween Your enimies in one battell placed been Are men at arms two thousand as I gesse Fiue thousand fiue hundred archers no lesse Right sagely they and warily ordred ar With bowmen they
haue all the hedges lind None can approch the streights the watching bar We hard aduenture and perilous find If we assaile the king requiers his mind Which way were best for he ment to inuade Then presently all things were readie made As thus the king prepared was to fights The cardnall of Perigourt came in hast Full lowly on his knees toth king resits How dangerously he might deere subiects wast Pondring if it pleasd his grace to cast With him all his peers his enimies wear A desperate remnant waying what was thear Willing the King to giue him leaue to prooue Whether the Prince so to him would agree Peace might be had the Prince thereto did mooue If with his honor it might concluded be Faire offers made king Iohn would none but he Himselfe and more a hundred in his field Of his owne choice as prisners all should yeeld Whilst busie cardnall spent this day in vaine It being truce some speciall knights did ride Their foes to view and maner of their traine I riden foorth returning me espide Lord Cleremount who quicklie to me hied Chandos quoth he how long thus haue you borne My sole deuise and for your owne it worne We both were clad in vestments wrought as one A Ladie blew in glistering Phoebus raies I then replid its onely mine alone And none of yours whereto the Frenchman saies You English ianglers vse such speech alwaies Of your grosse wits can nothing new deuise What others weare is pleasing to your eies But if the truce withheld not I would prooue It whole were mine and that you did me wroong Why sir I said to morrow I le not remooue From of the field I will be in the throng But if it chance I meete you them among I le make it good for all your fluent tong That properly to me it doth belong Contrarie vnto sacred vsage I was not in my armes inuested Ware strange deuise too great abusage And an others which he not disgested No knightly minde should be infested With error such his owne armes not to weare But found conceits and others toys to beare Too cruell I causd this braue noble kild The morrow when hydeous was the fray For checking me I made his blood be spild His murther I commanded that same day Prouiding that no ransome he should pay For which God would the like to hap to me In my discourse as you shall plainly see What greater burden to a noble mind Then to be clogged with murtherous thought What mightier harme can braue captains find Then when their noble doings are foorth sought That they vnto their fame such blame haue brought This cholerike action oft I did repent When God on me threw equall punishment When labring Cardnall could no truce obtaine He did depart but we that day had spent Right busily did ech deuise ordaine That best was thought or Art could best inuent Eight thousand we that in this iourney went Threescore our foes mongst which two thousand knights Full goodly Armd t' aue seene these gorgeous sights The morrow day when blushing sunne did rise Great pleasure t was thus to behold vs dight One of the things that most delights mans eies Is for to see a glistering Armie bright Faire drest in Armes in order duely pight Prepard to ioine euen so both parties were And euer I about the Prince was nere Who Hector like in battelous Armes was clad Enuirnd as he intending to haue burnd The Greekish fleets said noble harts be glad High victorie almightie God hath turnd To fewest folkes and greatest number spurnd If we be slaine we all haue valiant friends To venge our deaths on those that worke our ends Therefore I pray ech Lord in presence now To prooue his best and haue regard to see His honor kept I heer my Lords do vow A Knight most good and resolute to be And that no chaunce shall make me yeeld or flee Most mightie Prince thy words did so inflame Our setled minds to die was but a game And as the battailes now approchen near Sir Iames Audley clad in glorious red Faire fretted gold doth to the Prince appear Requesting that for former seruice led T' is father and to him in loyall sted To giue him leaue the foremost man to be For to assaile the ventrous enimie Sweetly accords the prince to his desier Gaue him his hand and wisht him well to speed Such speciall grace that he might there acquier All present knights in vertue to exceed He chose a place to make his vow a deed And by the helpe of four right trustie squiers He woon th'achieument of his high desiers Sir Eustace Dabrigcourt fearing t' be behind Did baisse his gleaue and well imbrace his shield And as the arrow from the bow doth twind He flieth towards the enimies field An Almain knight his comming well behield In siluer targ that bare fiue roses red They strongly meet and both downe tumbled Dabscote no harme receiued by his fall But lightly vp himselfe againe doth rease Fiue Almains streight they light vpon him all At once and beare him downe with mightie feas So mongst his foes tide to a chear he staies Vntill that we that ground recouered had Losd he fard like tiger raging mad Heere lustie knights were and aduenturous As euer foming courser carried At good vertue most brauely aemulous Euer thinking too long they tarried Vntill that enimies stout they harried The venturous hart doth oft aduenture chieue That manie hearers scarcely will beleeue So hideous waxt the stur so strong the broyle So fell the fight so cruell was the shot And men at armes they stroue with forced toyle Nor shields nor armors gay defended not The bodies from the shafts who paid the scot Where right they hit and thus discomfit was Their martiall host that foremost on did pas I waited time and spake vnto the prince Sir sir passe foorth the iourneys yours I see Set on the king good fight must him conuince He valerous is I know he will not flee This day you vowd a knight most good to bee He quickly said Iohn forward le ts aduaunce We so performe we tooke the king of Fraunce With as much toile as Phillips sonne did take Darius we the French kings person wan No need there is large prosses for to make Or slaughter shew how it befell as than Or prisoners name but seuenteen earls we wan With many Lords and knights which we did gaine And near six thousand one and other slaine In this strong medle taken was a knight The Chattelon of Dampost neer alide Toth Cardnall th'inflamed prince had sight Of him humblie had I not denide Distressed Chattelon suddenly had dide The noble prince tooke in high dispite That 's maister would against him let him fight This battaile to the French maulpartuis Two leagues from Poycters cruell and furious Enduring with horrible noise and huis From prime till noone the prince desirous Like stoutest lion t' be victorious With princelike
courage foes pursues apace And many knights beares he downe in chase No heed tooke I good prisoner rich to gaine But had regard the prince so well to guide Hot fresh and yoong wherfore I ply my paine As dutie would lest harme should him betide His owne desier was I should abide His person near in thickest of the fraies He credits what I speake to my great praise All as we would glad prince did franke bestow A stately supper t'prisoner king and praid His good content though buisnes gainst him goe For your owne selfe renowmed king he said Your prowes past all those to you obaid by th true censure of our best skilled knights The soueraigne praise you wan in all the fights What triumphing in England knowne these newes At Burdeux what great reioicing seene In forren courts how honored all our crewes Where they became my seruice as I weene That heere I did was highly in esteeme About a prince men thought me meet to be As well for counsell as for cheualrie King Iohn int'England gladly was conueid On trampling steed through London doth he ride Note fortunes change a king that scepter sweid With large command through noble Fraunce doth bide In forren land there pricking him beside His conquerer on cole black hobbie plast On whom the woondring vulgars praises blast No Romain in his triumphs glorious Through citie passing with trumpets sounding More apparant appeered victorious Than our braue prince by modest riding At peoples plause with ioy abounding Remembring those high words he earst did say Neuer shall England ransome for me pay Betwixt the kings there grew agreement And if performd then backe Iohn should retier The peeres of Fraunce denide their kings intent Wherat king Edward stormd with furious yer And vowd their plague with wastfull sword and fier Vntill they grant the thing which he thought good Strongly prepard he past the swelling flud Lands at Callis thence marcheth in aray With brauerie such and shew of martiall might In goodly armors dect so fine and gay All beat with Arms fine banners tossing light On vs dan Phoebus ioyd to haue a sight With fauning face he seemd on vs to smile We fresh be seen reflexion cast the while Vndoubtedly in all the world was not More noble band than heer were present now What knight was he that honor had not got In some strange land well shone his vertue how For leader good a man might him allow Most happie realme thrise happie is that king Whose subiects fame in forren regions ring First if the prince of Wales I should recite Or Henrie Duke late Darbie Earle before Or Reignald Cobham that much renowmed knight Lord Mowbray Manny Basset with great store Lord Audley Willoughby and many more Than now I shew what if I tell my name And say that Chandos was not lest in fame Fame our names imblasoned not so far For tennise plaie or handling of a lute Nor dauncing fine or glistering as a star As women drest in most vnseemly sute Our chiefest musicke trumpe and checking flute Our daunce our march our tennise oft to feele Thundring blowes our clothing tried steele Through Picardie and Artoys spoyld we passe Int fertile Cambray making there some stay In former places found we little grasse Toward Thyriach we martch anone away Till foulding siege to Cittie Reames we lay Which countrie was so wasted and so foild That all our horse for want wel ny wer spoyld Sir Barthelmew Burwash whilst siege doth hold My selfe Lord Audley and Lord Mucedent Sir Richard Pontchardon a prudent knight and bold agreed all fowr and with our troups we went To Chalous in Campayne for ventures bent We approcht strong Cragney a castle hey Whereas two knights couragious captaines be Ton Caples cald who bare in golden sheild An ancred crosse of sables we asseild Rudely the hold from whence some one did weild A mightie stone that head a peeces peild Of Lord Mucedent but it was not feild For to reuenge his hard mischance againe Tooke the hould and all the soldiers slaine Seauen weeks at Reames the king made his abode and forrage faild and men began to want For still we knights the countrie ouer rode Whereby ech thing waxed exceeding scant Then to remooue the king and nobles mant Chalous Troys and countries neere we wast Passing the riuer Muson at the last So foorth we marcht keeping same ordinance At first ordaind to Aguyllon we came Did hauke and hunt passing in pleasaunce Oft tride our horse and vsed warlike game Which still among much did the Frenchmen tame Nothing vnlesse too hot for vs could staie T'heauie or cold but we did beare away Sweeping from hence to Paris ward apace The countie of Neuers and Gastenoys we waste Raunge at our wils continuing foorth our race Vntill that we at Burge le royne were plast Two leagues fro Paris and so the towne we facst Well famed Fraunce might waile for nought but flame Was to be found in bowels of the same Where Meroue puissant warrier raind Whom fierce Attila ouerthrew in fight Where Charls le main that many kingdomes gaind In all Europa feared for his might Vnconstant fortune taking so far flight Sometimes the yoke on others shoulders laid With biting snaffle now are strongly staid From Burg le royne to Mont le herri we In sightly wise our battailes all do draw Our constant dealing when the french Lords see Perseuering still in Fraunce to make a flawe Consuming all as fier doth the strawe Vnto a peace to mooue our king they ment Their Chaunclor and their learned counsaile sent They vnderstood our king would not depart Till pleasing peace he conquerd as he voud Which thing neere toucht duke Charls his tender hart And nobles for owne harmes too hawtie proud Faire conditions twixt them were aloud By thundring storme which God from heauen sent And knotted haile our king doth first relent A written deed at Charters there was framd Betwixt the kings their heires allies and friends In which faire townes strong castles all were namd toth king and his were giuen for amends For passed paine and so the strife it ends More Castles Townes more Cities and more ground Were giuen then in England could be found Some speeches were braue dukedome to inclose Of Britton in the charter of this peace Yet do they not of it so well dispose So as fresh wars in that place did not cease How track of time hard bound doth of release Charls thoughts vpbound within his stubborne brest Them foorth to loose supposed now his best Home went his grace soone I repasse the seas As regent and lieuetenant for my king Taking the othes possessions and the keas Of Lords Cities Castles which did wringe Some Frenchmens harts like percing adders sting Great griefe it was subiuged to be bound To strangers most vncurteous they had found I stewards bailifes and captaines do ordaine As liked me and this when I had done Came to Nyort there purposd to
this time Red sprinkling bloud our weapons doth begrime A brauer battell better fought by skill Was neuer seene our present age vntill Our enimies more than we in number were And opened vs by strength of fighting well Sir Hugh Caueley quickly succord there Beat backe fierce foes eger stout and fell Four times that the very truth to tell His siluer banner with gulie fes in sight Between three calues of sables set vs right Like armed Mars with weldie axe in hand Complet formd and full of valiantnes In hammered steele strongly do I stand Full fraught with strength as well as hardines Few durst abide me in my furiousnes The Earl I wild to do now this or that He me beleeud wherby much fame he gat On th'erle of Aucer and fierce French I set With courage such as they discomfit were To say the truth right valiant knights we met As by prooud vertue plaine they made appere Which nought auaild by strength was taken there Th'erle of Aucer Iognie and Lord of Preer Rich Norman baron ransome cost him deer Their banners torne and cast down to the ground Their companie in maruels mischiefe then In battell if that one to flee be found He causeth three if three there flieth ten If ten twentie and then a hundred men When giuen them was this stronge ouerthro On Glesquine I and sturdie Brittons go Where many a mightie feat of Arms was doon Where many heauie sounding blow was giuen Where many a prisoner rescude was and woon Where many a basnet was a sunder riuen Where many a man dead to the earth was driuen Hote Earle of Raix who maruels wrought that day I prisoner tooke and swore with me to stay Vnder my pennon was brauely taken heer Sir Bertram Glesquine then all fled that might Excepting some that held their Lord full deer Which strong vnite and sharply gan to fight But thither streight my selfe and power I dight Then was atchieued many a feat of Arms Slaine were our foes and beaten downe by swarms Heer murthered was Right noble gentle knight Sir Charls of Bloys his face towards his foes For so it was determind ouer night Ton of these Earls vnto his ending goes Our enimies the selfesame thing dispose Both parts resolud this day should be the last Betwixt these Earls and so the dice were cast No man of honor almost doth escape For when they forced were to fearfull flight Much mischiefe fell for many knights mishape For cruell slaughter happened in this fight The scambling chace eight leags endurd right Ending almost at the gate of Reans And som our friends in it good booties geans This battell finisht was neer to Alroy Whilst Phoebus in the ballance wandred The present yeer of mans eternall ioy A thousand threescore and three hundred And single four as some haue numbred Earle Montforts banner on high bush was pight Returning friends of it might haue a sight As ech commander foes left to pursue From weary chase he thither might him get Long time it was or all togither drew Much ioy was made when as we all were met My Guydhome next vnto th'earls Ermins set Sir Eustace Dabscote sir Mathew Gorney Bare palie gold and Azure euenley Sir Robert Canole sir Iohn Bouchier came Sir Walter Huet sir Hue Caueley stout For this daies seruice woorthie lasting fame Who ordred vs we ginning to disrout From mongst his friends strong foes he beateth out I wild the Earl to ioy at his good hap Since he was placed in dame Fortunes lap He said your prowes it sir knight atchiud all knights so thinke that here with vs remaine Deserued honor ought not to be depriud Next vnto God by you I battaile gaine And drinking recht a flagon glad and faine To me and said drinke now to our good speed And thus on conquest gladed thoughts do feed As ioyfull meriment was in making nowe All chaffed from the chase like wounded bore Sir Oliuer Clisson with eie beate from his browe Comes bringing with him prisners noble store Though his great wound did greeue him very sore Approching yet light from his courser downe Et fut receue cōme cheualier asses boune Now to Duke Iohn by Heraulds word was brought His late riuall dead they saw to lie Then said the Duke he shall of me be sought I rather would in such estate him spie Then for the Dukedome striuing armd to bee When slaine he sawe him couered with his shield He wept but soone I tooke him from the field More needfull cause had I to weepe alas Then he because I caused so his death And from that place I willed him to pas For sir quoth I euen thus the matter swaieth By this mans end the Dukedome with you staieth On these great Lordships fie vpon them all That are possest by others deadly fall To Guingant Towne good Earle of Bloys was borne In reuerent sort he there entombed lies Whose name the Clargie do so much adorne With martiers crowne for truths defence that dies A heauie clog might on my conscience pries That would no peace vntill this Earle were ded Almightie God causd me with like be sped For measure such as we to other meat Is oft vnlookt remeasured againe By iustest God from his tribunall seat Wherefore great Lords that now in world do raine Warelie heed what harme to selues you gaine And all your dooings peasd with temperaunce Brings quiet end freed from anoyaunce This valerous hap soone blasted was abroad How by my counsaile had Lord Mountfort don Which caused many me with praise to load When knowne how knightly we the battaile won Displeasd king Charls fraile Fortune so did run Much sorrow he for cosen Bloys doth make And much for Glesquine and for others sake Duke Mountfort letters writ of credence Vnto king Edward ioifully he sent By a Poursuuant performing diligence Found the king and shewd how buisnes went For which good newes he so his fauor bent As for a Herauld true he him allowd Surnamed Windsore fairely him indowd We hold the fields win Townes and Castles strong Wasting spoiling conquering as we go Colde king of Fraunce tooke counsaile ear too long Wise message sent Earle Mountforts minde to kno The Dukedome whether he would hold or no Of him but then Lord Latimear was sent Int ' England for to know the kings intent Which vnderstood these parties do accord That our yoong Earl should Duke of Britton be But lowly homage now he must afford Vnto king Charls and so they all agree Without heirs mals if that he hap to die It shall descend vnto the Bloys his son Still quiet now and brawling wars are done Our Irish seas do neuer rage so rough When northern windes doth on their billows smite As though they would the threatning rocks so tough Make leuell with their calmnes for dispite And ouldest pilote from passage doth affright Yet brething Zephirus can their raging slake As gentle as the meanest standing lake How soone great God can
thanks with no they farwels take Some English knights with them a partie make The latest night of all forepassed yeare My valiant friends and I disceuered Aduenterous harts well worthy arms to beare Come to my house from saddle alighted Sir Thomas Percy me kindly asked If I determind here to make my staie Till morrow morne that it were perfect daie Why gentle knight quoth I do you inquier Replieng said departing I request Him wished I remount at s owne desier In melancholious troubled thoughts I rest Which to remooue attendants gan to iest With iangling words and chatting meriment A stranger entreth with fast approchment Saieng my Lord I speedy newes haue brought I what he told sir Lewis and Carnet were Both ridden foorth and so aduentures sought Of small account I hould the thing I heare Perhaps say thel ' buy their ventring deare Our armed friends to ride that had a minde Are strong inuffe if that they may them finde I foorth inquier which way French captains hould To Poicters ward he said with speedie race Most carefull I lest seeking enimies should Do some dispite sounding t'my disgrace Deepe pondering vpon that thing a space Called to ride but little hauing gon We caught the track of Frenchmens horse anon Fast galloping strong brig for to attaine Vnder which Vingenna doth swiftly slide Percy them spieng strikes with spurs amaine It first to gaine being on the other side With so quicke and valiant speed he hide There ariuing to stop fierce foe doth light With companie few like valerous knight A foote lights the foe it apperceiuing Egerly bent him stoutly to assaile Who noblie trusted to good defending As manly he their bouldnes could not quaile French horses giuen vnto their boys i th taile Of them came I with floting banner spred Which seene they knew and fast away they fled Leauing their masters horses in the place To whom I riding briefely gan to say With taunting words intend you French a space That armed raunge this countrie night and day Rich prisoners take and ransoms beare away Castles townes and other things you gaine In stealing sort where seneschall I remaine Asking of me no leaue at pleasure Riding you two so mightie maisters be From of this soile springs all your treasure We now must reckon how so we shall agree For iniuries so great you offer me And know this thing doth please me passing well We fit are met that I these words may tell More than a yeer and halfe haue I desierd Conueniently to incounter you Told haue I been how greatly you requierd In open plaine my personage to vew I am Iohn Chandos aduise me this is trew Your feat of Arms from which your praise doth grow We mean to prooue and lessen much I trow Still stood the French holding themselues all coy Seeme not dismaid but whilst to them I speake A hardie Britton thinking not to toy Vnto one Dodale my seruant gaue a beake Downe from his horse he tumbled all too weake Which busling buisnes when I had espide Chaffing a fresh I to the rescue hide I hastly turning of my men demaund Why suffer you your fellow to be slaine A foote a foote with speed I do commaund feard Dodale rescude was with little paine And to sharp battell ech one doth him straine Ech one prepard for fending and defence And on all parts the battell doth commence Foorth I proceed in knightly order clad In weldie armes and in right faire addresse Side vesture wide of glistring white I had Which two large piles full goodly do impresse Of glorious red that wrongs seeke to redresse Downe to the ground doth sweeping vestment flake One pile before and one plast on my backe In my right hand strong thretning instrument Prepared for to worken wrathfulnes Targ on my left in which faire mark imprent Of rightfull arms true signes of noblenes High crest on helme gay note of woorthines Big chiftains hed white wreath inueloped In proper colours featly dressed With kindled courage as I forward rusht Purposing my enimies ouerthro My foot did slide and all proud brauerie crusht Flundring almost flat on earth I go But Iaques Marten sent at me a blo Whilst thus I staggered which doth attaine Near to my eie and entred to my braine The mischief double my visor was not downe Besides the stroke at all I did not see For that i th lands that long to Burdenx towne In chasing of a hart I lost my eie Most foolish sport great harme thou bredst to me Fiue yeere before the dolor that I feele By this same stroke I to the earth do reele Twise wallowing ore as wounded vnto death Striuing Frenchmen would win me to their side But Edward Clifford my vnkle bout him laith So mightily none durst fell blowes abide Betwixt his legs me wounded doth bestride Where friendship and true kindred are conbind There neuer doth knit true loues band vntwind Vnhappie wight that gaue my deadly wound Heeded by a valiant English squier Vpon him running purposd to confound The striker with inraged furious ier Striuing for reuenge with hot desier Sir Iohn Cambo sir Bertram Case do fare Like men through rage depriud of wisdom are Though maruels well my valiant seruants fought Against their foes and for reuenge do striue Yet being too few their striuing was for nought Ah how they mist their maister now aliue That wonted was prooud courage to reuiue Aliue alas I lay in pitious plight With deadly wound right dolefull to their sight Lusac brig built high is in the middest Where Percie Frenchmens comming doth abide The foes and I met in the valley lowest Wherfore of him bad buisnes was not spide The foe recoyld he thought doth t'Poyicters ride Knowing lest of sorrowfullest mischaunce How groueling I prostrate on ground in traunce The French though winners angerly complaine Bicause of horse they thus frustrated be Our garcons void seeing my mischaunce amaine Theirs fled so soon as they my banner see The place they said by vertuous cheualrie Remains with vs yet we sore traueled Laden with armor must needs be staied By enimies since in countrie wandred Of theirs we be six leags from any friend Our hurt people and many sore wounded T'whom reasons laws wilds vs to attend Two foorth they sent thus staying at wits end Three warlike captains fast toward them praunce Hauing them sought with armd two hundred launce Sir Richard Dangle sir Lewis Harcourt Sir Baldwine Freuile with wasting banners light Which when the French see in so stronge effort With glistering Arms for sought battell dight Vnto my men these words they vtter right We you acquite from othes and promise free Desiering in faire Arms good companie You losse haue had we rather you should gaine Then yonder foes that come gainst vs so fast Sad were my friends for me their maister slaine Yet condescend vnto their wils at last Mischieuous fortune thus to and fro doth cast These conquerors now are prisoners to their thrall
increast They still increast outragious waxed Neuer meaning from mischiefe to haue ceast But practised who should be likst a beast Of their bad horrible acts one I le recite To shew the substance of their vile delight Within his house they tooke a woorthy knight And on a broch they thrust his murthered corse Then rosted him in wife and childrens sight Now after twelue had rauisht hir perforse To eate the scorched flesh without remorse Of hir deare Lord they did compell then slew Hir piteous selfe that lothed life to vewe What cruell Atreus might the like deuise What bloodie Progne like torture could inuent Nor he nor she nor Diuell I surmise Might haue bethought more dierfull bad euent Or worken thing of more astonishment Most villanous doer of wicked thing Their hellish voice make him their beastly king At Chalons occasion offered stay In our returne from Pruce to enter Fraunce Of these helhounds we heard the people say How diuers Ladies like were to mischaunce In Meulx for these dogbolt crewes aduaunce Thither enragd with spoile and rauishment Sad murther cause of wofull pale lament Which newes foorth told the Earle and I accord To rescue them or do our best deuoyre There once ariud vs welcoms they afford Most glad the Ladies of their present power Ioy makes their tears distill like siluer shower Faire Duches of Normandie and Orleance With more three hundred all in like mischance Though I were English yet tender pitie mooud My melting hart to fauor their distresse Twixt both the kings peace for a space was prooud If not what armed knight could haue done lesse Than to comfort chast Ladies comfortlesse Against such feends sterne bent to rude vprore Nine thousand thought yea som did number more And to the gates of Meulx inragd they came Which opened were by th villains of the towne Full were the streets with catiues void of shame With chilling fear the Ladies swapped downe In deadly sownd to heare ech rakehell clowne Yeall showting threts which made our house to shiuer Compasd part with Marne the gentle riuer Against their rage our gates we open wide Wherin there stood in glorious arms so bright The Earle of Foix and goodly armd beside Him stands the Duke of Orleance warly dight Their noble banners before them both they pight Foix bare gold three pales of streaming blood Thother Fraunce with faire large difference good With thretning Axe in hand I was at hand And my disuelopt pennon me before Thus when these clowns perceiud vs fearles stand Purposely Armd their filthie corps to gore As cewting Curs trudge when the lions rore So hartlesse clowns fled from our tried might Base clowns base thoughts and basely take their flight We slew the beas till wearie conquering tooles Were foule distaind with filthie rascald blood This dunghill broode these brainsicke fuming fooles That furies rage incensed raging wood Of their wild gore we make a gushing flood Of these base slaues we seuen thousand slew Fetherd with fear the rest fast nimbly flew Lothing the slaughter of this rascald rout Cause chaffering townsmen taken had their part Bright flaming fier we cast the towne about To teach them learne more ciuill kind of art The Ladies court vs with freed willing hart High praises ring of this that we had wrought Clownish practise soon are to ending brought A speciall time for valure to be shone A rare aduenture for heroique spirits Heer was that boyling valure might be shone We ours extend and giue vs but our rights The clowns nine thousand gatherd in our sights My cosen Foix and selfe had threescore launce With them we did atchiue this happie chaunce In such a cause for noble knight to die And sacrifice himselfe for iust defence Of Ladies truth beleeue it suer will I Of mightie God he shall haue recompence And in some sort for other sins dispence Braue knight chast Ladie bound is to defend Chast dame braue knight in honor to attend Ech knight that clothes himselfe in burnisht steele For Ladies truth and noble damsels right Least that reproch and bashfull shame he feele Must hazard life and enter dangerous fight As heer did we Ioue abled much our might These rascald peasants like to mad dogs slaine With thanks rewards remercied was our paine About this time from Parris safe was fled By cunning sleight king Charls king of Nauare His buisnes slie so craftily he sped Or that the busie regent were aware Spitefull defiance to him he doth declare And to the mightie realme in generall The like and then he ward vnto them all His part I tooke with those of my retaine He frankly paid and we did freshly serue Stoutest Frenchmen we mightily constraine For hunger many readie were to sterue The earth vntild none did the vineyard carue We patisd all the countrie to and fro That no man durst without our pasport go Thus of the fields and of the riuers Lords Faire castles towns we daily wan and tooke Vntill the Legate Cardnals set accords Between the Regent and the king who tooke His oth to be bon Francoys on a booke Before Melune his brother Philip was All malecontent from thence he soon did pas Int Normandie he and I to Cleremount For iarring wars were thundred openly To Fraunce for that they held not of account The treatise made in England sincerely In Beauesine I warred right fiercely Till Edward king safe past the raging streames Fully resolude to place his siege to Reames For me he sent I speedily obeyed Hauing wadge war to all the countrie round And came in time when as his siege he leayd To th' intended towne and all the prochaine ground We rifled and toth siege brought what we found The countries neere were growne so passing pore With thriftie hand the creasing yearth none store From thence the king remoud to Aguylon Staid there the lent for that an English squier Had tane Flauigni cald Iohn Dalison Wherein prouision was of great acquier With as good wine as need would well desier The squier was armed all in trustie blew A shining siluer scuchion faire to vew From thence toward Parris with consuming waste No costly building from our wrathfulnes Ech thing almost we turne vnto degaste Proud Frenchmens ioy we bring to balefulnes Their arbors spoile and vineyards pittiles That fairest buildings make we fowlest place And goodliest worke we batter breake and race Neere to the citie when the king was plast Commands a Herauld to him speedilie Toth regent Charls he said depart in hast And shew him here is staid his enimie That much desiers him and his knights to see In warding arms as noble knighthood should Defend his countrie by his courage bould This messenger performs commanded charge But Charls in battaile so to trie ne ment Some noble Lords hearing this message large To issue out for fight were fully bent But th'regent staid them dreading detriment For by experience had he learned late In pitched feilds that little
haue waid They thinke to vs no good I easly see But tole vs from the strength wherin we bee Suddenly back vnto his men he hide And fight he would whatseuer should betide And boldly spake such as my person loue Rest not behind with battelous glaue in fist He forward floong but when I saw him moue Of great presumption that deed I tooke and wist The knight too far the enimies meaning mist I frowning said he fights not without me Our foes in order swiftly turned be This English knight right brauely dealt his blowes Amongst the Brittons with couragious stower With mightie force he many ouerthrowes In haste I came to aid him with my power At first our foes do find their turning sower Saint George we cride our Ladie Glesquine they So fell and bitter gan this mortall frey Now when the battel 's strong assembled were Th'arch priest streight departed from the field Willing his men his banner on to bere And crie his cries as if his place he held Gainst me himselfe his Arms would neuer weld He promise kept well made to me before For which of treasons some accusd him sore Sir Iohn Ionel who first this fray began Payed for rashnes at too high a rate Mad furie that confoundest euery man Who wisdome wants thy raging to abate Doth oft too soone his error find too late When strength and blood and life and all is lost Purchast too deare the wit that so much cost Who wars doth vse must nought at all be greeud To haue the worse or conquerd be in field For he that triumphs most of all atcheeud Hath eftsoons lost his strong resisting shield Vnconstant fortune is constant very sield Losse is no shame nor to be lesse then foe As selfe esteemes ech man is euen soe This hardy knight sore wounded was and dide Who had before delt thundring strokes amaine Lord Beumont French among the dead doth bide Sir Baldwine Danekine here likewise slaine They bought it deare before the place they gaine My ventrous men stroue with commended pride Presuming victory would with them abide Th'instructed thirtie found me where I deale So huge and mightie bloes as that no plate No hardned steele no quilt nor warped meale Could make resist but yeelded open gate To my sharpe axe my bloes so heuie sate But here these thirtie sease me in the fray And by fine force they bear me thence away Fast to the rescue crie my friends apace When they perceud me rauisht in this wise Much broyling there much foyning for a space Forth ' rescue some and some to saue their prise But foes preuaile as earst they did deuise To Vernon then I was transport in hast And there in saftie strong and suerly plast As much respect they tooke to win the field Such heedie care was had lest I were slaine The noble mind with murther very seld His fame and estimation will distaine His foe may liue and ransome yeeld againe To saue when one may slay an enimie Is chiefest vertue praisd in cheualrie From Vernon t'Parris with ioy I was conueid Where tharchpriest of the king is fouly blamde For his depart but all the matter weid Although the Lords of Fraunce him much defamde Yet holpe I much t' excuse him badly namde The matter furthered for that he lately had In Burgoyne slaine foure hundred robbers bad What harme tooke I through much mistrustfulnes Toward him that did my faithfull friend remaine Calling his truth in question questionles That faire my fauor sought to entertaine His carefull message flatly I disdaine Preiudicating his intendiment Was for to worke me some foule bad euent Yet time discouered his fidelitie And my outragious rash mistrusting Great mischiefe bred through wicked ielousie Of frendly honest thoughts often working The minde from truth by bad misdeeming The friend suspected without giuing cause Is breach sometime of truest trueloues lause Tharchpriest he sent vnto me for my good But I refused to heare his message Being distempered in my cholericke moode Which bare the rule then vnto my dommage Reason I taste the follie of my rage Yet now we talked at Parris being And good leasure had of cold agreeing For by the meanes of Lord Dalbreth I went About the citie where I pleased best The coward Charls so cruellie was bent Against Lord Saqueuile with me distrest As he cut off his noble cheefest crest Lord Ganuile at that present time had dide But that his sonne a meane did well prouide Who notice gaue vnto this king of Fraunce That if he vsd t' is father any tort Or that he died reprocht with sad mischaunce The Lord Lauall a man of great resort His prisoner now would vse in equall sort By this braue deed this noble sonne did saue His fathers life they sought for to depraue Renowmed act well woorthie woorthie sonne For parents life to hazard life and all Careles striuing owne selfe to be vndon Rather then suffer so his fathers fall No danger strange he danger ought to call That sonne or friend desireth to be namd Suffering father friend by death defamd I well haue seene a master guide his barke When blustring winds and tumbling waues did rage Sauing himselfe and friends with care and carke Vntill the swelling surges did aswage This skyphier haue I seene through dotage To sand his ship in calme and quiet floud When neither blasts nor tides his course withstood More harder much in compas good to liue When careles heed our minde hath whole possest And sense to daintie pleasure quite is giue Then when we are with anguishment distrest In troublous times we hide our guidment best For hundred vice the thoughts doth conquerd make When bathing hart doth floting pleasure take As by my selfe a patterne of reproofe Who well did saile when fretting tide did thret From sholes and flats I warie lay aloofe No gaping fish no hoped praie could get My leueld course by carde and compas set Yet did I ground when least was winde and tide Strike on the cliues in danger to haue dide For whilst at Parris prisoner I remaine In banding pleasure void of warines The king and nobles me sweetly entertaine So that I furthered much their buisnes Holpe to perswade a band of sikernes And peace betwixt the Kings Nauare and Fraunce So was I quite of ransome and finaunce The Lord Dalbreth full often for me spoke And greatly holpe the battaile of Alroy Which was performd with manie a blooddie stroke Which to king Charls brought little cause of ioy Yet treaties had and faire exchanges coy Which all fell out to further my desier I was redeemd as prisoner could requier Subtile Charls shewed me great signes of loue Castle Denemoux with thappurtnance gaue Willing my seruice for his more behoue His pension rich far more then I did craue I homage yeeld for these rewards I haue Into Acquitaine to the prince I came Who hearing this full sharpely doth me blame And said I was too woondrous couetous Lands to
take in Fraunce where nothing loud Nor honored and thus dispiteous Spake he by reason none it could be prooud That I two Lords might serue thus Iulie moud A squier I resent vnto the king Surrendring castle and ech other thing Making abodement with the loued Prince Whose wisdome seeing me bashed in such sort And how his words so much did me conuince He all forgot turnd all to pleasant sport Endewd me rich for to maintaine my port Doubtles I loude his fauor so entier Than Croesus coine I did it more desier Let him that stands heed well he do not slide For he that in a Princes fauor dwels Must wary watch lest blame to him betide And carefull be when meaner sences swels It to surpresse when seuer it rebels And not to yeeld to ought that may displease His soueraines mind and breed his owne disease Heed and temperance are the things whereby Men must them rule that liue in Princes grace Far out stretched recheth his persaunt eie Vewing ech person time and secret place Much beond his rule and dreded mace Therefore disseuerd from thy soueraines sight Doe as his eie vpon thy act were pight I with my Prince and in my Countrie staid Till that Don Peter was come out of Spaine Bastard Henrie of crueltie he vpbraid In crueltie deposing him of raine The Prince resolud to place him there againe Sending for me and many a Gascoine Lord That vnto him our legence due afford Him I attend and highly was esteemd Amongst the noblest held I euer place For highly was my knightly seruice deemd As well for Mars as prudent Pallas grace With Lord Clisson sprong of Brittish race This Spanish iourney did I companie hould An expert knight in ventring arms right bould And when the prince this king restored had To former height inuest in Royall state Full like him selfe he dealt with vs but bad His peruersnes too long were to relate His breach of promise wrought the great debate That hapt between the Gascoins and my Lord The prince fell cause of war and much discord Though many Gascoin Lords my kinsmen near The English left and French themselues out shoe Yet I gainst them did still my banner rear In fronting war my time I did bestoe With Chandos to Mountaboune armd I goe That soon I trust we made our foes to feele Our Axes sharpned were with caruing steele Now when the French the English had defide And noise of strifes were bruted openly Sport was to see the captains them diuide As their affections led them stirringly Without requests to yeeld them willingly Those that were French did English streight become Contrariwise there changed other some Lord Chanoyne Robersart he English turnd Whose hautie seruice welcomed our king Sir Perducas Dalbreth toth French returnd Who gulie shield about his neck did fling Wrapt with dented bordure siluer shining Do what one can affection will be free Spite of desert or highest dignitie Bold sir Hue Caueley now in Arragon This thundring newes of wars had plainly hard With all his soldiers he arriud anon At Angolesme a partie for to ward The prince him had in reuerent regard And presently him noble chiftaine made Of thousands two and sent him to inuade The lands of Lord Dalbreth and Arminacke The greatest two of all our Gascoyne Lords Where many a tower and towne he fiercely bracke And fier and bloud vnto his foes affords Thus all we captains growing of accords Seeke to defend and to offend our foes Which likewise so themselues towards vs dispose When Canole Chandos and sir Thomas Phelton Who did in red two ermine lions beare Passant crowned gold my selfe for one Go to the prince who held vs all full deare Such companions as behinde vs weare We promised new fortresse if they gaine And then besiegd we rescue will amaine Which of our friends did three encourage so As they Belperch do win and there they kept About this time did fortune ouerthro Lord Chandos for whose losse great numbers wept The Duke of Burbon little space he slept For that our captains held his mother fast Within Belperch where they perforce were plast Duke Burbon hauing purueied iollie store Of warlike knights strong siege did bout them lay With battering engins he constraind them sore His power still increasing day by day To sir Iohn Deuereux they sent without delay Which Seneschall of Limson was and he Toth former promise was a partie This gentle knight toth prince in haste he came And did their case with such effect declare In shewing that to vs it would be blame If that we should not succour them that bare Themselues so well good words he did not spare For their behoofe and so it was agreed The captains should be rescude with some speed Th erle of Cambrige faire brother to the prince Th erle of Penbroke prest for deeds of arms Sir Iohn Montague who Batfoyles did conuince Sir Thomas Phelton dreadles of his harms Sir Robert Canole that oft the Frenchmen charms My selfe we met a noble knightly crew As of so many eie did euer vew At Lymoges the erls their musters tooke Fifteene hundred launce our selues we found Three thousand others bent on their foes to looke And ioyne with them though numbers do abound This hard the French trencht in a peece of ground With strong inclosure like a castle wall That from the fight their ventring foes should stall But when we were in opposition plast Against the French a herauld soone was sent Toth Duke who closed lay more halfe agast The herauld told him through bould hardiment We there were riude with vigerous entent With him to fight the Duke this answere drest That fight he would not so at our request And looke how he was dard at Turnehen So was he now our herauld morrow morne To him rewent who safe himselfe doth pen He said sir Duke euen she that hath you borne Before your face shall led be to your scorne Way with my Lords lesse her you rescue will We tooke her thence cold Duke he sate him still Shirle trumpets sound fresh courage to inflame We all are raungd in battelous aray Launte Wiske and Sale these ventrous three I name That from the castle issued at noone day And Burbons mother brought with them away Two noble knightly soldiers did receaue Led her thence and askt the Duke no leaue When Thaniou Duke his armie mightie made And Glesquines power to his he had vnite They forward came the Princes land tinuade Tooke Aguillon by th' thretning siege they pight Which made me woonder when I knew it right The selfe captaine did once so well it hould That hundred thousand men ne take it could On Dordon riuer a towne is planted faire Cald Lind a league from Bergareth no more Which Phelton and my selfe did well repaire With vittails and artilleries fencing store Well puruied now with that it had before Sir Touius Batfoyle captaine there doth rest And promise voud
At saint Maquere all our striuing showne Where Iohn Maltrait Siluester Buds did hold Two hardie Brittons couragious tride and bold These two could not agree which he should part To sucker sieged frends then by accords They cuts would draw so fortune and not art Should chuse and chance the longest cut affords To Buds whereat they laugh with pleasant words Foorth he comes with twelue right hardie men Got in where we his frends full close do pen Loue of frend despiseth dangerous feare We one whole quarter of the wall downe breake Then marshalling our selues to enter there A lowly herauld they sent in haste to speake Vnto our Duke finding themselues too weake Enraged he so much in angrie minde Small was the grace that they were like to finde But then sir Richard Dangle sought for me As one to mercie greatly bent he knoeth This noble Duke toth reasons doth agree That we pronounce for deer he loude hus both So we appeased his conceaued wroth Buds his cutting a raunsome deere him cost And thus againe the French the fortresse lost Mountcounter castle in the marches stands Of Aniou and of Poictow very strong Foure leagues from Thouars two captains with bands Of men it kept offering neighbors wrong The peece toth Duke of Aniow did belong Sir Thomas Percie Poictow seneshall To come to him doth good commanders call Assembled soone three thousand armors bright From citties frends doth mightie engins bring And fiercely it assailed day and night Incessantly they battring engins fling Here were companions courage stirring Whose harts eirned ought should them resist Still toth assault they forward do persist Sir Walter Huet and sir Iohn Carswell heare Daui of Hulgreue in ermins finely clad A scuchion gules these three them well do beare And cheefest praise at this assailment had Companions three the Frenchmen greatly drad By heedy force and skilfull warie paine Won was Mountcounter neere alth'warders slaine And to these three was this faire castle giuen Strong frontier war against the French t' maintaine Booties rich from them they often driuen And patised the countrie for their gaine Idle to rest for busie wits is paine Braue captaines and good soldiers at assaies Deserue rewards as well as pleasing praies Faire Ladie Blanch the noble Henries heir Duke of Lancaster and of Darbie erle Whose titles Iohn of Gaunt did rightly beare But death his percing dart too soone did therle Bereft her life the worlds sweete orient perle In widdowers state this hautie duke did bide When he thaffairs of Gascoyne had in guide Don Peter king of Castile and of Spaine Slaine he left two daughters heirs behinde Which Ladies yoong in great distresse remaine Lest froward bastard vnkle should them finde Sir Guiscard Dangle had this thing in minde Imparts to me these Ladies titles faire Then to the duke both we the same declare Perswading him to comfort their distresse He speciall knights of good account foorth sends Declaring how for their behoofulnes It was he so himselfe to them commends And for their safetie all his thoughts attends They come he likes the eldest doth he wed Thus of a wife and kingly title sped Till September with vs he made his staie Then into England purposd he to saile My selfe Mucident and Lespaire the swaie He left of Gascoyne hoping to preuaile So with the king as that we should not faile Of succors when the spring time did returne He gon in Gascoine made I my soiorne The sommer prochaine truely to record Was to vs sent much succors and reliefe By th'erle of Penbroke and many a noble Lord Which all was lost vnto our heauie griefe No worser dispite or blinder mischiefe Could haue befalne the erle two daies did fight In Rochell hauen in the townsmen sight Yet could not sir Iohn Arden Seneshall There at that time perswade the paultrie maire With any of his the erle to helpe at all But like a broking varlet dasht with feare Or traitrousnes no reasons foorth could steare In daintie ermins armed was this knight Gold and azure in fes faire chekered right I hard of this and thither hide amaine And many knights of England willing bent The Lords of Gascoyne with their gallant traine Of noble harts fraught with hardiment We come too late our enimies tooke Le vent Which made me storme and fret with anger sad That they and we so hard mischaunce had had The Constable French assembled mightie power With him the dukes Berrie and Burbon both Gay erls and Lords drest for warlike stower In gaining forts his time he whole bestoth Besieged one made sir Iohn Deuereux wroth Saint Seuer namde at Poicters he did bide When as the siege Saint Seuer doth betide Sir Thomas Percie he earnest doth desier To further that his men may rescude be Who condescends to that most iust requier So foorth they come and both encounter me Shewing the state of friends extremitie The ground and strength that French foemates hield We purposed to seeke them in the field So foorth to friends we letters sent in haste good numbers gaine and for the rescue pace Our enimies receiue these newes at last Which mightily their courage doth abace No will they had t'meete vs in open place Our friends ignorant of our present post Yeelded and our desiers were wholie lost When sir Iohn Deuereux of this yeelding hard He chaft and stampt for his the castle was And thus with vs our Poyctaine buisnes fard Thus wauering fortune too and fro doth pas Worldly triumphs are like to flowering gras Whose fragrant smels and hewe at suns vprise With liked fauor vades ere night and dies No knight that cloths himselfe for wars affaires That alwaies can atchiue his harts request All are alike to fortune none she spares Her coiest darlings oft she makes distrest Now is she sloe and then too forward prest She dandles him and then on him she frowns Here spades she giues and there she deales her crowns Oftenest times when least we do mistrust With some od toy are soonest ouertane Euerie hower ech daring captaine must Be well resolud for to attend her wane Often she sports to bring vs to our bane Yet noble minds must still despise her might Braue honor liues maulgree so wicked wight It is a world to marke the iollitie Of seamen floting in the Liquid sea His careles thought of dredles ioperdy His buisie prattle his so plesant lay Full merrie mate like gladsome bird in may Fairely forward with spredded canuas flies Like him that would attaine the hautie skies Of all the liues led vnder Phaetons wheele He thinkes none can compare in blisfulnes With his such tickling ioy his hart doth feele And laughing pride at present happines Right cherefully whistles to their buisnes His company not any helliers end Hawser booling but soone he will amend Scarce little chip shall lie vpon the hatch But for the swabber hastely doth call Cleane and fine ech buisnes to dispatch Then to his ioy a fresh