taken by Force and every Man within put to the sword both English and Gascogners This Place with the Lands thereto belonging the Duke gave to an Esquire of Beausse called George du Milly and so repassing the Garonne came before Tonneins Which after a Siege of 4 Days yielded on Condition to have their Lives and Goods saved and to be safely convey'd to Bourdeaux So the English Garrison went away free but those of the Town submitted to the Dukes Government who tarried there till it was past * Pascha 16 April Lit. Dom. A. Easter VI. Then he came to Port St. Mary standing also on the River Garonne where he found 200 Englishmen ready to defend the Town and Passage which were well fortified But at last the Place was won by Force and every Man within put to the Sword. The Duke having Repaired what was out of Order and set a good Garrison there went now to the strong Castle of Aiguillon seated upon the Confluence of two Great Rivers the Lot and the Garonne Here they laid their Siege in the Fair Meadows along by the River which was able to bear Ships every Lord with his own Men and every Constable by himself for so the Marshals had order'd as well to raise a mutual Emulation in the Army as that Obedience and Discipline might be more readily observed when the Souldiers should find themselves still under their accustomed Leaders The Castle was well fortified besides its most advantagious scituation and very well victualled beforehand but a braver Garrison could not be found thrô the whole World then those which were now therein There was the Lord John Moubray with an 120 chosen Men set there at first by the Earl of Darby and since that as we shew'd before there were come thither the undaunted Earl of Pembroke the Invincible Lord Walter Manny the Couragious Sr. Frank van Hall and those other Knights and Esquires to the Number of 40 which the Earl of Lancaster and Darby aforesaid had lately sent thither with 300 Men of Arms and 600 Archers to Reinforce the Garrison and lastly to all these the Politick and Worthy Captain Sr. John Norwich was added with all those Valiant Men whom he had brought off so finely from Angoulesme the whole Number amounting to l Giov. Villud l. 12. c. 6â— p. 870. 400 Lords Knights and other Gentlemen Cavaliers and 800 Gascogners and English Footmen besides Carpenters Workmen and Labourers The Defendants wanted no more Provision nor Materials than they did Courage and the Assailants were neither deficient in Numbers nor Animosity nor Art nor Industry so that this Siege was the m Meâ—eray p. 24. ad 〈◊〉 most Memorable considering the Place and the few Hands to Defend it of any We find in all that Age whether We look upon the Attacks or the Defences for it lasted notwithstanding all Opposition from the latter end of April till the Feast of St. Remigius or the First of October when it was Raised as We shall shew in due Place the Fortress being entire and the Garrison in Good Condition VII The French Army consisted of an n Frois c. 12â— Du Châ—â—â—â— c. 100000 Men of War both Horse and Foot so that they could easily afford to make two or three Assaults every Day and most commonly from Morning till the Evening without any intermission For still when one Party was well wearied with Storming there came fresh Assailants in their stead whereby they held the Defendants in continual Action But first the French Lords considering that they could not come freely to the Front of the Castle at the Bridge and Gate unless they passed the River Garonne which was Large and Deep The Duke of Normandy Commanded that a Bridge should be laid over the River whatsoever it cost When the English Captains perceived the Bridge to be more then half finished then they equipp'd three Good Vessels and Manning them well with Select Men of Arms and Archers sent them forth to destroy the Enemies Works These Men came furiously upon the Workmen and chased away both them and their Defenders and presently broke all to pieces what they had been so long in making Upon this the French Lords prepared other Vessels to receive those of the Garrison and then again set their Workmen about a New Bridge which they began in Confidence of these their Protectors They had hardly been at this Work above one half of a day when the Lord Walter Manny himself with the Flour of the Garrison enter'd a Ship and came suddenly upon the Workmen and in spight of all Opposition drove them away and utterly destroyed all their Labour This Course was thus carried on for several Days together till at last the French Lords Defended their Workmen so strongly that the Bridge was brought to its Perfection thô it cost far more than it was worth Then the Lords and all the Army passed over in Battle Array and began an Assault which they continued for an whole Day together without any Intermission but all signified nothing For at Night the Frenchmen being retired to their Lodgings the Garrison mended what was broken as having Materials of all sorts and Workmen enough The next Day the French drew out four Great Detachments every One to Assault the Castle in its turn the First beginning in the Morning was to continue their Attack till Nine then immediately the Second to succeed and to hold till Noon The Third from that time till Three of the Clock and the Fourth from thence till Night came on And this Method they used for six Days together but all the while the Garrison maintain'd their Defence so Bravely that the Enemy wan nothing of them but only the Bridge without the Castle Then the Duke of Normandy was advis'd to go another way to Work He sent to Tholouse for Eight huge Engines of Battery and they themselves made four greater there And all twelve being ready they cast therewith vast Stones both Day and Night into the Fortress but the Garrison had beforehand so well secured themselves against this Device by I know not what Art that o Frois c. 120. not one Stone did them any considerable hurt except that the Coverings of some Houses were now and then a little broken Besides the English Lords within soon provided such Counter-machines as within a few Days brake six of the Assailants biggest Engines all to pieces Frequently during this Siege the Lord Walter Manny would sally out at the Postern with an 100 or an 120 Brave Companions and go on the other side of the River a Foraging and always came back again with much Corn and Cattle in the sight of the French Army One time among others the Lord Charles of Monmorency Marshal of the Duke's Host rode also forth the same way with 500 Men in his Company and was returning back with a great many Head of Cattle which he had gather'd up in the Country to serve the
who kept them before Thus at last the whole Castle was reduced into their power those in the Town knowing nothing of what had happen'd all this while In the Morning the English commanded the Workmen who came to work without the Castle to leave off their Work who thereupon perceiving the Castle to be won fled away carrying the News with them wherever they went. These new Lords however were so Civil as immediately to give the Ladies within the Castle leave to depart whither they pleased on Horseback together with their Apparel Writings and Muniments where they ought to hold their Fees. That same Day there came from Calais to their Assistance as many as they sent for by whose Aid they were now able to keep the Castle against Competent Forces About Three of the Clock the same Day there came thither two Knights from the Lord Walter de Brenne Duke of Athens and in Right q L. 2. c. 10. §. 7. p. 454. of his Wife Jane Daughter to Ralph late Earl of Eu and Guisnes Earl of Guisnes who demanding a Truce desired to know of those within the Castle who they were to whom they belonged and by whose Authority they kept the Castle so taken in the time of Truce To these Demands they within answer'd That being thus intruded they would not declare to any Man their Design till they had tried a longer Possession The Earl of Guisnes being thus sham'd off sent on St. Maurice's Day being the 22d of September Messengers into England complaining how in prejudice of the Truce the said Castle was unjustly taken and therefore by right of mutual Faith and Honour ought to be restored unto the true Owner King Edward answer'd That what was done was neither with his Knowledge nor Consent Wherefore he would send his Command that none of his Subjects presume any longer to detain the Castle of Guisnes but immediately on sight of his Letters to restore it entirely to the Lord thereof The Messengers being return'd with this Answer to the Earl of Guisnes he presently went to the Castle demanding of those within as at other times in whose Name and by whose Authority they held that Place They still affirming that they held it in the Name and Behalf of John Lancaster the Earl required to know if the said John were the King of Englands Liegeman and would obey him or no. Then John answer'd himself That as for his part he knew not what Messengers had been in England nor what Mischief might be brew'd for him wherefore while he was secure he resolved to keep himself so maugre all their subtle Devices At that the Earl offer'd unto the said John Lancaster 40000 Crowns or other Possessions in Exchange and an Indemnity from the King of France for ever To which he received this Answer That before the Taking of that Castle they were all good Subjects of England but now by this their Offence against the Truce and other their Demerits no better than banished Men and excluded from the Peace of their Lord King Edward Wherefore the Place which now they held they would willingly sell or exchange but to none sooner than to their Natural Lord the King of England to whom they would rather sell that Castle thereby to obtain a Pardon But if he should refuse to buy it then they would sell it to the French King or to Him that would offer most for it The Earl being thus mocked went away and the King of England soon after bought it indeed giving unto John Lancaster and his Fellow-Adventurers a Competent Summ which they demanded and also their Pardon for Refusing to obey his Letters so wisely to his Advantage For it was a place always much desired by King Edward as the best Neighbour to Calais if in his hands and the worst if not VII Hereupon King John charging him with Breaking the Truce he replied as we intimated before That there was no one Article in the Truce which prohibiteth Trafficking together or the Entercourse of Buying and Selling. These are the two Accounts of the Taking of this strong Fortress either of which the Reader may prefer at his Discretion thô indeed the French Writers do mostly agree that it was sold by a Frenchman the Captain thereof who afterwards received the Reward of his Treason However when King John and his Council saw r Stow p. 253. that by no means they could prevail to have it restored they advised to build another like unto it for a Bridle to that and a Defence of the Country thereabouts and accordingly they sent the Lord Geoffry Charny somewhile since redeemed out of England with Authority to build and fortifie as presently we shall declare Now as you travel from Guisnes to Calais there was then to be seen on your Left hand almost within Shot of the Town of Guisnes a Monastery called la Bastie of good strong Building but decayed with Age wherein was a Church certain Nuns residing there at that time upon which Account the English had hitherto spared it in Devotion This place might easily be made Defensible for it had very high Walls like a Castle and a large and strong Steeple for a Tower and lying in a Marish Ground might with small Labour be environ'd with a Ditch of great Depth and Breadth Wherefore about ſ Penteco to hec anno 27 Maii contigit Pascha 8 April Lit. Dom. AG. Whitsuntide Sr. Geoffry Charny aforesaid came with 20000 Men and began to lay Siege to Guisnes at the same time turning the Nuns away and making a Castle of the Church and fencing the Walls with a Ditch and Rampire For at that time of the Year the Waters being very low his Men were at liberty to work more freely in the Marish Now the English in Guisnes being thus besieged were not able to go abroad but in their Boats because the Ditches were full of Water and the Marish unpassable and all the usual Avenues stopt up by the French Neither were the Calisians as yet able to Victual them for the same Reasons and especially because of the Siege and the strong Army at la Bastie Yet often the Besieged would appear before the Town with their Arrows and Warlike Engines playing upon the Besiegers but they did no great Execution the Aim being uncertain at that distance and the Reach for the most part too short However one Day by secret Appointment the Calisians being joyn'd with those of Oye Marque and Hames on the one hand and those of the Garrison of Guisnes on the other set all together at one time upon their Enemies unawares with much Bravery and took some slew many and chased more so that the Siege being wholly raised they all together set upon la Bastie burnt it up dismantled it of its Walls and levell'd all to the Ground And thus was Guisnes secured to the English thô the French made huge Clamours thereupon how the Truce was first broken by the English VIII This same
Wherefore the Earl prayed heartily of his Holiness to grant him the favour that the foresaid Thomas Earl of Lancaster might be Translated Now 't is to be remembred that this Thomas who was Eldest Son to Edmund Crouch-back Second Son of King Henry the Third and Younger Brother of King Edward the First had been by King Edward the Second beheaded at Pontefract for Heading the Barons against the King But among the Common People he was look'd on as a Martyr for the Nations Liberties and meriting the name and honour of a Saint However the Pope answer'd Earl Edmund that he the said Thomas of Lancaster should not be Translated untill he should be better certified by the Clergy of England and had seen by their joynt Testimonies what thing God had done for the love of Thomas of Lancaster according to the Suggestion that the foresaid Edmund had made unto him And when Earl Edmund saw that in this request he should not succeed as to the Translation he then desired his Counsel in another matter relating to Edward of Caernarvon his Brother late King of England what he had best to do in order to his Deliverance from Captivity since it was a common Fame thrô England that he was alive whole and sound When the Pope heard him say that King Edward the Second was alive he commanded the Earl upon his Blessing to help with all the Power that he might to deliver him out of Prison and save his Body to the utmost of his Ability in order to which he assoyled him and all his Partakers ab omni poena culpa and promised to bear the charges of the whole Undertaking threatning him also with Excommunication if he did not make use of his best Endeavours to assert his Brothers Right and Liberty Soon after Earl Edmund return'd into England where he set himself about discovering as he thought the Truth more fully and then sent to Corfe Castle that Preaching-Frier of whom we spake One says x Leland Cell 1 Vol. p. 794. that he was also tempted by one of Mortimers Instruments who urging That King Edward the Second was alive and only wanted his Assistance to be deliver'd and restor'd to his former Dignity and the Earl thereupon promising his best Endeavours he was by the same Party accused of High-Treason Walsingham y Walsing hist p. 110. Dugd. Bar. 2 Vol. p. 93. produces an Imperfect confession of the Earl's which he made before Sr. Robert Howel Coroner of the King's Houshold and afterwards on the â—6 of March in the Fourth Year of this King's Reign own'd it for his Confession 1330. REGNI iv before the Lords assembled in Parliament at Winchester whereby we may perceive that he himself sought out to no Body but that others set on no doubt to ruine him came of their own accord to him as well to confirm in him the belief of the Old King 's being Alive as to pretend their Readiness and offering him their Service to deliver him But the whole Cheat will best appear from the Confession it self which amounts to thus much That the Pope had enjoyn'd him on penalty of being Excommunicate to use his utmost Endeavours to work the Delivery of his Brother late King of England promising himself to bear the whole charge of the Undertaking That a certain Predicant Fryer z R. Southwell's Addition to Adam Merimuth M.S. vet Angl. in Bibl. C.C.C. c. 213. named Thomas Dunhead in discourse with him at Kensington near London told him He had conjur'd up a Spirit which assured him that Edward his Brother late King of England was yet living That the Archbishop of York had sent him by his Chaplain Mr. Alleyn a trusty letter wherein he promised towards the delivery of his Brother five hundred Men or more William Iliffe also and William Warham Clerks and Thomas Bromfield Fryer promised him their Assistance in this Business Also that Sr. Ingelram Berenger had brought him word to London from William Lord Zouch that he was ready to lend him his help toward the Restauration of his Brother That Sr. Ingelram came to him again from the Lord John Peche proffering also his Service to the Work and saying that Henry Lord Beaumont and Sr. Thomas Rosselin who were sled the Kingdom for fear of Mortimer had at Paris in the Duke of Brabants Bed-chamber instigated them to this Attempt declaring they were ready to come into England to the furtherance of the same That Sr. Ingelram came unto him yet a third time at Arundel into his Bedchamber over the Chappel and assured him of the Bishop of Londons help That Sr. Robert Taunton brought him word from William Melton Archbishop of York that the said Archbishop had Men ready harness'd to compleat the design and that the said Sr. Robert with two Preaching Fryers Edmund and John Savage had a chief stroak in the Affair And that Sr. Fulk Fitz-Warine coming to him at Westminster told him 't would be the most honourable Action he could ever set about but to appear in the Attempt to which he had promised his best Assistance And lastly that the Letters which he had sent to Sr. Bogo of Bayonne and Sr. John Daverill were sealed with his Seal and that his Wife had wrote another Letter to the same effect and that all this was Truth so that he confesses he has offended and therefore he put himself upon the King's Mercy a M. S. Vet. Ang. in Bibl. C.C.C. c. 220. The truth of it is that by Mortimers cunning being induced to a belief that his Brother the late King was still living and in Corfe Castle he went himself to the said Castle and spake with the Constable thereof Sr. John Daverill and after many rich Presents desired secretly to know of him whether his Brother the late King was yet alive or dead and if he were alive that he might have a sight of him Now this Sr. John Daverill being Mortimers Creature answer'd that indeed his Brother was in health and under his Keeping but that he durst not shew him to any man living since he was forbid in behalf of the King that now was and also of the Queen Mother and of Mortimer to shew his Person to any One whatsoever except only unto them But the false Traitor lied unto him for the Old King was now in his Grave But Earl Edmund was so far deceiv'd by the Constables protestation that he deliver'd him a Letter desiring him to bear it unto his Brother which he promised to do but soon after carried it to Mortimer sealed with the Earls Seal It began thus To the Noble Knight Edward of Caernarvon Edmund of Woodstock worship and reverence with Brotherly Allegiance and Subjection Sr. Knight Worshipfull and Dear Brother if it please you I pray heartily that you be of good comfort for I shall so ordain for you that you shall soon come out of prison and be delivered of that Trouble which you are in And may
ran thitherward with the remainder of their Forces and made the others turn their Faces again and together with them renew the Assault This was a most vigorous and general Onset and Honourably performed but the Besieged still defended themselves most resolutely The Virago Countess was her self Armed Cap à pied and rode about on a large strong Courser from street to street desiring and commanding all Men to make good their Defence The very Women and Maidens she order'd to cut their Garments shorter and to carry Stones and Pots of quick Lime to the Walls to throw down upon the Enemy And she her self to set an Example of Hardiness to her Sex perform'd that day such an Exploit as few Ages can equal but all Writers joyntly attest g Frois c. 80. Du Chesne p. 6 6. Mezeray 2. part tom 3. p. 19. c. When she had thus set all hands to Work she mounted the Highest Tower to see how the Frenchmen were disposed without And there she saw how all the Army was engaged at the Assault and had left the Camp unguarded Hereupon she descended took again her Courser all Armed as she had been and Selecting 300 Horsemen went with them to another Gate which was not Assaulted Here she issued forth with all her Company and taking a Course dashed into the French Camp cutting down and setting fire to their Tents and Pavilions There was no resistance made against her for she met with no body in the Camp but Boys and Pages who ran all away with great outcries When the Lords of France looked back and heard this confusion and saw their Tents on fire they left the Assault and return'd to the Field crying Treason When the Countess saw them Returning she gather'd her Men together and perceiving that without great Danger she could not recover the Town again took another way and made toward the Castle of Brest which was above 22 French Miles from thence But soon after the Lord Lewis of Spain who being Marshal of the Host was returning that way toward the Camp when he beheld such a Company of his Enemies marching off followed after them with a competent Number of his best Horse and pursued the Countess so close that he slew and hurt several of her Men who could not keep up with her But however she and the greater part of her People rode so well that they gained Brest where they were all received with great joy V. The next day the Lords of France having thus lost most of their Tents and Provisions resolved to lodge nearer the Town in Bowers made of Trees But they were mightily surprised when they heard how the Countess her self had headed that daring Exploit However the Besieged were extreamly concern'd for their Lady for of five days together they heard no tidings of Her nor could any way tell what was become of Her. The mean while the Countess took such Care of her Affairs that she had gather'd together no less than 500 Men of Arms besides those whom she brought with her to Brest And having so done on the Fifth day from her coming thither she left the Town with all this Warlike Company and rode forward without noise till about Sunrise she came along by one side of the Enemies Camp to the very Gate whence she had before made that daring Sally which immediately upon knowledge of her Person was opened unto her And so both She and all her Company enter'd Triumphantly with a great noise of Trumpets and Clarious whereby the French Army was roused They admired much at this Rejoycing of the Besieged and made haste to give them a fresh Alarum as those within did to defend themselves For this seasonable Return of the Countess with so good a Succour brought such mighty assurance to the Town that now they made a most notable defence thô their Enemies held them hard at Work all that Morning At Noon the Assault ceased the French having by far the Worst of it as well now as at other times Hereupon it was determin'd in a Council of War that the Lord Charles of Blois and Guy Earl of Blois his Father the Duke of Bourbon and the Marshall of France Sr. Robert Bertrand should go with most of their Troops and lay Siege to the strong Castle of Auray upon the Morbihan which is said to have been built by the Famous Breton King Arthur And that the Lord Henry du Leon Don Lewis of Spain and the Vicount of Roue◠with all the Spaniards and part of the Genouese should tarry still before Hennebond and block it up for they despaired of taking it by Assault But however they sent to Rennes for 12 great Engines wherewith they might cast huge Stones into the Town and Castle Night and Day Thus the French Host was divided the One part lying before Hennebond and the Other before Auray This Fortress of Auray was now well fortified and supply'd with 200 choice Souldiers and Provision sufficient and the Countess of Monford had lately sent them from Hennebond two Valiant and Loyal Captains Sr. Henry Pennefort and Sr. Oliver his Brother About four Leagues from this Castle was the strong City of Vannes which still held for the Countess by whom the Lord Geoffry of Malestroit was made Captain of the Place Not very far off was the good Town of Guingand the Governour whereof the Lord of Dinant was now in Hennebond with the Countess but he had left the Town well provided both of a Captain and what else was necessary his Wife and Children being in the Town of Dinant whereof Sr. Reynald of Dinant his Son was Captain Between Guingand and Vannes stood a strong Castle belonging to Sr. Charles of Blois called Rosternan well Garrison'd with Souldiers of Burgundy whose Captains were Sr. Gerard of Morlaix and Sr. Peter de Portbeufe These two wasted all the Country about them and prov'd a great Nuisance to both the foresaid Towns so that neither Merchandise nor Provision could be sent to either of them without Danger of being intercepted and lost For one day they would ride toward Vannes and another toward Guingand and still when one Captain went forth the other kept the Castle One day among the rest it happen'd that Sr. Reynald of Dinant had laid an Ambush for these Prolers at which very time Sr. Gerard of Morlaix their Chief Captain being ridden forth had taken 15 Merchants with all their Goods and Commodities and was now driving them to his Castle of Rosternan But in the way he fell into Sr. Reynald's Ambuscade who took Sr. Gerard and Twenty five of his Men Prisoners rescued the Merchants and all their Goods and return'd safe to Dinant Whereby the Young Man deservedly got much Commendation VI. All this while h Frois c. 80. fol. 42. Sr. Charles of Blois gain'd no great Advantage at Auray But Don i Hecame from Prince Ferdinande Eldest Son to Alphonso X King of Castille and Leen and from
came with all his Host to Nantes where he was extreamly welcom to the Lord Charles of Blois and Himself with his Lords and chief Captains lodged in the City but their Men were quartered about in the Country for both the City and Suburbs were unable to hold them and besides the Suburbs had been lately burnt by the English While the Duke of Normandy lay thus at Nantes The Earl of Salisbury and the other Lords of England who were still before Rennes made one Day above the rest a fierce and terrible Assault upon the City which endured with all possible Animosity for all that Day and yet thô they had also dives Engines and Instruments to batter and shake the Walls they gain'd no Advantage but lost many Men in the Assault Those that so well defended this Place were besides the Bishop of Rennes the Lord of Ancenis the Lord of Pontrieux Sr. John de Malestroit Sr. Owen Charnells and a young Breton named Bertram de Clequin who afterwards became the most considerable Captain of his Days and was in time Constable of France of whose notable Exploits this Work will not be silent Nor let any Man wonder that these Cities of Vannes Rennes and Nantes should hold out so stifly now against the Forces of King Edward when as we shall find them all to have changed their Lord more than once within the space of two Years For when Bretagne only fought against Bretagne the People were divided some enclining to one side and some to the other and easily altering their Minds again But now they look'd upon the English as a common Enemy and beside the Lord Charles was better provided at this time than formerly However the Earl of Salisbury continued his Siege before Rennes for all this and daily wasted and ravaged the Country round about Now when the Duke of Normandy who had well consider'd of the Business he had in hand was certainly informed how Rennes was in little or no danger but that Vannes was in much hazard of being lost it was so mightily prest by the King of England thither he resolv'd first to bend his Course and either by Battle or otherwise to raise the Siege The two Marshals of the Host the Lord Charles of Monmorency and the Lord of St. Venant led the Van the Duke himself was in the Main Body and the Lord Geoffry Charny with the Earl of Guisnes brought up the Reer In this Order they came before Vannes and lay over against the King of England in a fair Meadow between the Rivers of Claye and Vilaine and made a great and deep Ditch round about their Host but the Marshals and Van-currours of each Army met often and skirmished together XVII King Edward upon the news of their Approach had sent for the Earls of Salisbury and Pembroke to break up their Siege from before Rennes and come strait to the Camp to him which they did for he expected to have Battle with the Frenchmen at this time without fail His Forces both English and Bretons made up but about b Frois c. 98. 2500 Men of Arms and 6000 Archers and about 6000 Others on Foot beside those who were left to keep the Navy and Others in Garrisons and with the Countess at Hennebond But these few were all select Men under good Leaders strongly entrench'd in their Camp So that the French could not without Disadvantage to themselves oblige them to a Battle thô they on the other hand were four times their Number at least together with the Reinforcement of the Lord Charles of Blois from Nantes and all well appointed for the War. Thus these two Armies lay fronting one another for several Days without any Action further than some light Skirmishes For the French as was shew'd could not force the English to a Battle nor durst they attempt them in their Camp and King Edward thought it not Wisdom to leave his Defences and attack the Enemy at such odds to so great a Disadvantage as he knew the Aggressor must needs submit himself unto especially since he must then leave so strong a City at his back to second the Enemy Nor yet did he give any more Assaults to the Place because of keeping his Men fresh and entire against the time a Battle should be offer'd which then he resolv'd to accept Wherefore different Considerations deterring both Armies from Engaging the Winter began to incommode them not a little when it pleased God to incline the Heart of Pope Clement the VI. to labour earnestly for a Peace between them He had now sent thither two Cardinals c Rot. Parl. 17. Ed. 3. n. 8. vid. Claus de ced an p. 1.25 Dersc Victorell p. 892. Oderâ—c Rainald ad hunc 〈◊〉 §. 24. Peter of Palestrina or Praeneste and Annibald of Tusculum who rode daily between both Parties But as yet neither of them would accept of any equal Conditions For the French thought to keep the King there in manner of a Siege till he should even be forced to come forth and give them Battle to his great Disadvantage and the King expected that at last they must adventure to force him considering he was inferiour in Number and more conveniently encamp'd for the Weather than they Yet to say Truth both Armies endur'd their Inconveniences the French found much vexation with Wet and Cold for it rain'd upon them Night and Day whereby many of their Horses died and at last they were obliged to dislodge and remove into the plain Fields their Tents were so full of Water in the Meadow And the English thô they were more dry and warm durst not go a Foraging but in very considerable Bodies for fear of the French who infested the Country and Don Lewis of Spain so narrowly watched the Sea-coasts with his Fleet that little Provision could be brought to the Kings Army but with great Danger These difficulties prepared the Minds of both Princes and rendred them more susceptible of the Cardinals Offers Wherefore they were at last both brought to allow of a Peace for Bretagne and because the Cardinals urged that Point also to appoint a Time for a Treaty of a final Accommodation between England and France But only here the King protested that he would never allow the Pope any Power to determin of his Quarrel but added That unless a Treaty might be had both honourable to Himself and profitable for his Allies he would never consent to have the same brought before the Pope nor then neither but only as before d M. S. p. 48. §. 8 Sr. Rcb. Cotten p. 37. §. 8. Ashmele p. 653. an indifferent Friend and no Judge otherwise he would pursue his Quarrel However at last these Holy Men labour'd so effectually that they obtain'd a Truce between England and France and their Allies to hold for three Years during which time the whole Controversie then depending should be weigh'd and impartially consider'd and some equal Method of Peace
went in a Body to speak with their Captain as it were by way of asking Advice to learn what his Resolution might be He answer'd them in a few words bravely Gentlemen look to your Defences in your several Stations as I shall in mine I tell you we are able to keep this Town half a Year if there be occasion Hereupon they went away very well content as to outward appearance but at Night when he little thought of it they seised him suddenly and clap'd him in Prison vowing never to let him out unless he would consent to yield and make their Peace with the Earl of Darby Whereupon he swearing to do his endeavour they let him out and so he went to the Town Barrs and made a sign to speak with some body whereat the Lord Manny coming up to him he said Sr. Walter Manny You need not think it strange that at your first coming We shut our Gates against You for We have all sworn Allegiance to the Frenâ—â— King Thô I see well there is no sufficient Captain in his behalf that comes forth to stop You in your Career So that I doubt You are like to proceed further But Sir as for my self and those of this Garrison I desire of You that We may be permitted to remain as We are upon this Composition that neither of Us offer or do any the least hurt to other for the space of one Moneth that if within that time the French King or the Duke of Normandy come in Person into this Country so strong as to fight with You then We to be quit of our Covenant but if neither the One nor the Other appear on our behalf then We all to put our selves entirely under the Obedience of the King of England Sr. Walter Manny went straight to the Earl of Darby to know his Pleasure in this Matter the Earl because he would not linger there was content on Condition that those within should make no new Repairs or Fortifications during the term and also that if any of his Men wanted Victuals or ought else they might have it of them for Money This was all agreed and 12 of their Richest Burgesses sent as Hostages to Bordeaux they also refreshed the English with Victuals but would not let a Man enter Matters thus settled here the Earl proceeded wasting and spoiling all the Country which was Pleasant and Fruitfull and so at last came and sat down before the strong Castle of Aiguillon Where he had scarce appeared but the Captain of the Castle came and yielded all up unto him only conditioning for Life and Goods All the Country thereabouts was amazed at this easie Bargain for it was reputed One of the strongest Castles in all the World and it stood most Advantagiously scituated between the Lot and the Garonne two great Rivers able to bear Ships of Burthen The Earl of Darby newly Repair'd what was out of Order in the Castle and left within it the Lord John Moubray with an 120 lusty Souldiers to defend it But the Captain who had thus basely yielded so Noble a Fortress without one stroke giving or taking failed not of the Reward his Cowardise deserved For being come to Tholouse about 20 common French Miles from Aiguillon they apprehended him condemned him of Treason and hung him up immediately The Earl of Darby the mean while went and lay before Segart which having taken by Assault and put all within to the Sword he marched thence to the Town of Reole standing on the Garonne This was p Pros c. 109. a great and strong Place wherefore the Earl of Darby invested it quite Round and made Bastions near the High-ways and other Avenues to hinder Provision from coming into the Town and almost every Day he alarum'd them with his Attacks But still the Besieged held out so that while the Earl lay here the Moneth being now expired wherein they of Monsegur had Covenanted unless they were Defended by a Royal Army to yield themselves and embrace the Service of the King of England he sent thither requiring them according to Composition to make Performance They all readily agreed and that Hardy Loyal Captain Sr. Hugh Batefoile himself not thinking Him fit to Reign over France who in all that while either durst not or would not or could not Protect his Subjects own'd Edward of England for his Sovereign and he and all his Men enter'd into his Service on certain Wages Now the Earl of Darby had layn before Reole more than 9 Weeks in which time he had made two vast Belfroys or Bastilles of Massy timber with three Stages or Floors each of the Belfroys running on four huge Wheels bound about with thick Hoops of Iron and the sides and other parts that any way respected the Town were cover'd with Raw Hides thick laid to defend the Engines from fire and shot In every one of these Stages were placed an 100 Archers and between the two Bastilles there were two Hundred Men with Pick-Axes and Mattocks From these six Stages six Hundred Archers shot so fiercely all together that no Man could appear at his Defence without a sufficient Punishment So that the Belfroys being brought upon Wheels by the strength of Men over a part of the Ditch which was purposely made plain and level by the Faggots Earth and Stones cast upon them the 200 Pioneers ply'd their Work so well under the Protection of these Engines that they made a considerable Breach thrô the Walls of the Town Hereupon the Burgesses came to one of the Gates and desired parly The Earl of Darby sent thither the Lord Walter Manny and the Lord Ralph Stafford to hear their Proposals which were that they would accept the King of England for their Lord so they might suffer no harm either in their Bodies or Goods Sr. Agoust de les Baux a Native of Provence who was Chief Commander within when he saw they were resolv'd to yield up the Town retired into the Castle with all his Men and while the Townsmen were busie about the Treaty he convey'd into the Castle great quantities of Wine and other Provisions and then closing the Gates said he was not minded to yield as yet This mean while the two English Lords aforesaid went back and told the Earl of Darby that the Town would yield upon security of Life and Goods Then the Earl sent to know if the Castle would do the like but word was brought they intended the Contrary After a little musing said the Earl Well go take them of the Town to Mercy for by the Town We shall win the Castle Then the said Lords took the Town to Mercy on Condition they should all go forth into the Field and present the Keys of the Town to the Earl of Darby saying Sir from this time forward We acknowledge our selves Subjects and will ever be obedient to the King of England This they did and sware further that they would never give any Assistance to those within the
Chron. ad an 1348. 14000 and so proceeded to Paris where as if it had been yet fasting it made a more Plentifull Banquet of no less than 50000. At Lubeck a City of Germany in one Year it swept away no less than l Cluverii Epit. Hist p. 573. Lampad Pezelan Sleidan par 3. p. 365. 90000 whereof 1500 are reported to have died within the space of Four Hours And thrô all Germany there are reckoned 1244434 to have died of the Plague only It would be both incredible to hear and almost impossible to declare the Wonderfull havock it made in other Foreign Parts even as we have said throughout the whole world Insomuch m Giov. Villani l. 12. c 83. p. 893 that many Towns and Cities nay whole Provinces were in a manner left desolate of Inhabitants Wherefore we shall have done with this Tragical Truth when we have shewn how our own Country fared thereby For at last this fiery scourge of God came over the Seas to afflict our World also VI. About the n Fox Acts Mon. Stow p. 245. c. First of August 1348 it began in the Sea-port Towns on the Coasts of Dorsetshire Devonshire and Somersetshire whence it ran up to Bristow So that the Glocestershire-men forbad all entercourse with the Bristolians But this Familiar Fury wanted no Medium to introduce it For as the Scripture says of the Pestilence that it walketh in Darkness or invisibly its Progress not being to be found out so unexpectedly and contrary to humane Precaution this Plague also walked or rather flew among the Glocestershire men whence it went o Anton-Wood Antiq. Oxon. l. 1. p. 171. 172. â—ox Acts Men. ibid. Stow p. 246. to Oxford and about the First of November it reached London and finally spread it self all over England scattering every where such Ruine and Desolation that of all sorts hardly the Tenth Person was left alive In the p Annal. Ecclesiae Prior. Yarmouth apud Stow ibid. Church and Church-yard of Yarmouth were buried in one Year no less than 7052 Persons all of the Plague So that the Parsonage which before was worth 700 Marks per annum was hardly afterwards worth 40 pounds as it was certified to King Henry VII in the 22 Year of his Reign and was written upon the Gates of the Church of that Town In the City q Stow ibid. ex Registro Nâ—rvicensi Sandford's Geneal Hist p. 166. sed male ibi London pro Norwich Daniel's Hist p. 241. Godwin's Catal. Bps p. 427. Blome's Britan. p. 169. of Norwich from the First of January to the First of July which is but half a Years Space there died no less than 57104 or as others have it 57374. In the City r Knighton p. 2599. of Leicester out of the small Parish of St. Leonard there fell no less than 380 In the Parish of Holy-Rood 400 more then in St. Margarets 700 and so proportionably in other Parishes In the City Å¿ Tho. Stubbs apud Decem Angl. Hist Scriptores p. 1732. of York it raged most furiously from about the Ascension to the Feast of St. James the Apostle But in the Famous City of London Death was so outragiously Cruel that every day at least 20 sometimes 40 sometimes 60 or more dead Corpses were flung together into one Pit and yet the Church-yards not sufficing for the Dead they were fain to set apart certain Fields for additional places of Burial And yet even so those Offices were not performed with any usual Decency or Honesty for the Numbers of the Dead being so great they were fain to t M. S.Vet Ang. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantabr c. 228. make deep Ditches and Pits very broad wherein they lay'd a range of Carcasses and a range of Earth upon them and then another range of Dead Bodies which were all together cover'd and after this manner were all People buried at that time except those of the better sort Among those who charitably took care of the Dead in this manner we find u Stow Chron. p. 246. and Survey of London p. 477. Bp. Godw. Catal. Bps p. 198. Monast Angl. Vol. 1. p. 961. that the Noble and Valiant Lord Walter Manny so often mention'd in this our History having a Pious Regard to Gods Judgements and the common Frailty of Humane Nature purchas'd a piece of ground adjoyning to a place called No Mans Land and lying in a place called Spittle-Croft because it belonged to St. Bartholomews Spittle or Hospital in Smithfield since that called the New-Church x Haw apud Veteres Yard sonat Haw containing 13 Acres of Land and a Rod and caused the same to be inclosed and consecrated by Ralph Stafford Bishop of London In which one place besides those buried in other Church-yards Churches and Monasteries in and about London there were buried within one Year more than y Fabâ—an p. 227. Stow Chron. p. 246. and Survey of London 478. 50000 Persons as I have read says Mr. Stow in the Charters of Edward III. The same Author affirms also that he had seen and read an Inscription fixed on a Stone-Cross sometime standing in the same Church-yard in these Words ANNO DOMINI MCCCXLIX REGNANTE MAGNA PESTILENTIA CONSECRATUM FUIT HOC COEMITERIUM IN QUO ET INFRA SEPTA PRAESENTIS MONASTERII SEPULTA FUERUNT MORTUORUM CORPORA PLUS QUAM LM PRAETER ALIA MULTA ABHINC US QUE AD PRAESENS QUORUM ANIMABUS PROPITIETUR DEUS AMEN But especially between Candlemas and Easter this Year there were buried in the place aforesaid about z Fâ—x Acts Mâ—n p. 507. Holinsh p. 945. ex Reb. Avesbury 200 Corpses per diem every day Wherefore the said Noble Lord Walter Manny in memory of the vast Numbers of Christian People there buried and in Pious Charity as he thought to their Souls caused afterwards on the same ground a Chappel to be builded of rare Workmanship with Design to make it Collegiate for 12 Priests and a Provost and to endow it amply a Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 150. eâ— Mcnasi Ang. 1 Vol. p 961. And there for about twenty two Years Offerings were made in which time it is to be noted that above an 100000 Bodies of Christian People had been buried in that Church-yard For the said Sr. Walter Manny had purchased the Place for the Burial of Poor People Travailers and others to remain for ever and order was taken to avoid contention thereupon between That House and Parsons of Churches But in the Year 1371 the said Lord Manny changing his Mind in stead thereof obtained b Dugd. ibid. ex Monast Ang. ibid. a Licence to found a Monastery of Carthusian Monks to pray for the good Estate of himself and of Margaret his Wife during their Lives in this World and afterwards for their Souls As also for the Souls of Alice of Hainalt Michael Northburgh sometime Bishop of
with unspeakable Boldness presently upon their coming assaulted the Town passed the Ditch mounted the Walls and took it the first Night When immediately the Lord Bartholomew who commanded in Chief knowing the strength of the Castle set a good Number of Pioneers at Work promising them Large Wages if they hasted to finish their Task effectually These Men encouraged thus by their Lord began to Work night and day till at last with much obstinate labour they had gone far under the Great Square Tower still setting up huge Props of Oak as they went along and canying the Earth out in the night So that the Besieged knew nothing of their being undermin'd In about sixteen days the Miners having done their Work so that the Tower was ready to fall when they pleased their Captains went to Sr. Bartholomew and assured him of their Success whereat he was well content but commanded them to proceed no farther till they heard from him For he was resolv'd in his Mind to try all fair means to reduce the Place before he would fire the Mine as thinking it more Honourable for a Christian Captain to overcome his Enemies than to destroy them Wherefore taking along with him the Lord John Botetourt he went toward the Castle and made offer to speak with some of those within The Chief Captain there at that time was one Sr. Henry de Vaulx a Knight of Champaigne who came to the Battlements of the Castle and demanded what they would have Sr. Bartholomew answer'd Captain I would that You forthwith yield your selves and all You have into my Hands for else You are no better than Dead Men upon my Word Pray how said Sr. Henry That 's a pleasant Matter indeed And therewith he began to smile We are proof against the hardest Siege and You ask us to yield up simply But surely Sir We are not so low either in Wit or Courage as You take us to be Well said Sr. Bartholomew then your Blood must lie upon your own Heads For if You knew in what Danger You are at this time You would yield up simply without any more adoe But if You have no Faith You cannot be saved Why Quoth Sr. Henry what Danger are We in I see none Unless it be that We are like to lose your good Company because You despair to take us Sir said the English Captain that You may then understand your Condition come forth your self with so many more as You please and I 'll shew You how I have You all at my mercy And after that if You shall be minded to hold the Castle upon my Honour You shall have liberty to return back unhurt and there to take your Fortune Sr. Henry with three more of his Captains came forth in confidence of the English Knight's Word and went to him and there he shew'd them all the Mine and how their great Tower stood only on Stages and Props of Timber When Sr. Henry saw this most imminent Danger in which both He and all his Men were he said with much Submission Honourable Sir it is true We were all at your Dispose when we thought our selves most secure Surely this Favour of yours extended to us proceeds from a Noble and Generous Spirit We therefore henceforth yield our selves and all We have to your pleasure Then Sr. Bartholomew took them as his Prisoners and all the Rest within the Castle and sent in Men to take all the Goods and what was of any Value and that done he caused Fire to be put into the Mine to burn the Props and at last the Tower clave insunder with an hideous Noise and fell suddenly into Ruines Look You now said Sr. Bartholomew to Sr. Henry and mark if I did not tell You the Truth Sir reply'd He We thank You for this great Courtesie For if some other had such an Advantage over us We should not have fared so well Thus was the strong Castle of Cormicy taken and overthrown and the Prisoners brought to the Camp before Rheims CHAPTER the SIXTH AN. DOM. 1360. An. Regni Angliae XXXIV Franciae XXI The CONTENTS I. The Duke of Normandy's Method to resist King Edward the French take land at Winchelsea and after doing much harm are beaten away II. The Kings Lieutenant in England takes Order against the like Mischief for the Future III. The King of England rises from before Rheims and marches in Hostile manner thrô Champaigne The Lord Roger Mortimer Earl of March dies IV. The great Pomp and Order of the English Army V. King Edward is bought off from destroying Burgundy and turns toward Paris VI. He sits down before Paris two Treaties offer'd at in vain Whereupon the King challenges the Dauphin forth to Battle the Lord Walter Manny skirmishes at the Barriers a remark on Mr. Stow. The King resolves for Bretagne and to renew the Siege before Paris at a better season VII A Party from Paris worsted by an English Ambush VIII The great Miseries of France with the Predictions of a certain Fryar concerning the same IX The Dauphin finding a necessity for Peace sends overtures after King Edward who being moved by a Remarkable Tempest enclines to accept them A Treaty had thereupon X. A True and Authentick Copy of the Famous Peace made at Bretigny near Chartres XI The two Eldest Sons of England and France solemnly sworn to uphold the Articles of the said Peace with the Manner thereof The Parisians not staying till the Conclusion of the Peace buy certain Fortresses of the English XII King Edward returns for England shews King John the Copy of the Agreement and sends him over to Calais XIII The Pope quickens King Edward to finish the Peace King John's difficulties for want of Money XIV King Edward goes over to Calais and consummates the Peace XV. The Copy of King Edward's Letters of Renuntiation wherein he lays down his Title to France XVI The Copy of King John's Renuntiation of certain Lands and Territories in lieu thereof XVII The Names of the Grandees sworn on both sides XVIII The Copy of King Edward's Orders to all his Captains enjoyning them to deliver up their Respective Places to the French King. XIX Other things relating to the said Peace and also a step to reconcile the two Pretenders to Bretagne XX. King John's joy at his Freedom and the mutual Friendship of the two Kings King John takes his leave of King Edward and goes to Boulogne XXI King Edward returns with the Hostages for England where he gives Order for their favourable usage The Pope congratulates the French King his Liberty XXII The Death of the Earl of Oxford of the Earl of Northampton of the Earl of Hereford and Essex of the Earl of Warwick's Brother and of Thomas Holland Earl of Kent Also of the King of Cyprus I. IF any Man should ask me what the Duke of Normandy what the Lords and the Captains of France and what the Three Estates of that Kingdom did at this time now that
p. 59. Country also compounded with the King as Burgundy had done But he laid waste all the Country in Gastinois and Brie thrô which he marched toward Paris with an high Hand In this y Fabâ—an p. 238. March the Prince of Wales passed with his Battalia by a little Town on the Loing in Gastinois called Moret till he came to a strong Fortress named le Plessis aux Tournelles near the Forest of Provins which was then an English Garrison but had been beleaguered by the French for some time who having fortified their Camp with a strong Tower fenced with Ditches gave many fierce Alarms to the Englishmen And thô now they heard for certain that the Prince of Wales approached that way they had such Confidence in their Works that they would not stirr from the Place But yet they were deceived for the fifth day after the Princes Coming their Tower was won and most of them within put to the Sword no more than 47 who were the Chief among them being taken alive of whom were the Lord of Bonneville the Lord of Angreville Sr. John de Barrois and Sr. William du Plessis VI. Thus at length King Edward succeeded so in his Victorious Progress that on the last z ED. Lit. Dom. Pascha 5. April Day of March being the Tuesday before Easter he a Vid. Frois c. 210. Fabian p. 238. Mat. Villani l. 9. c. 85. 86. p. 759. c. came with his Army before the City of Paris and took up his Quarters at Bourg la Reine within two little Leagues of Paris the Army being encamped all along at Longemeau between Mont-lehery and Chastres and in the Towns thereabout even to Corbeil At sight of this Formidable Army Charles Duke of Normandy and Regent of France began to think of some Offers towards a Treaty especially because King Edward b Knighton p. 2623. n. 40. in reverence of the approaching Festival of our Lords Resurrection forbare all Hostilities intending not formally to lay his Siege till after Easter Hereupon c Fabâ—an Hoâ—â—st c. by the especial Intercession of Father Simon de Langres Provincial of the Jacobin Fryars and Legat from Pope Innocent VI King Edward yielded to admit of a Treaty to be seriously held at the Maladerie or Spittle of Longemeau on the Good-Friday following the Solemnity of the Day being look'd on as an Enforcement of so Christianlike an Undertaking At the Time and Place there appeared for King Edward Henry Plantagenet Duke of Lancaster Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick William Bohun Earl of Northampton the Lord John Chandos the Lord Walter Manny and Sr. William Cheney and for the Regent of France there appeared the Lord Moreau de Fiennes Constable of France the Lord Bouciquault Marshal the Lord of Garenciers the Lord of Vignay en Vienne Sr. Simon Bucy and Sr. Guischard D'Angle But we pass by the Debates of this Treaty because they came to no good Effect Wherefore King Edward the rather to quicken the French to a sincere desire after Peace on d 7 April Easter-Tuesday removed something nearer to the City of Paris Whereupon on the Fryday following being the Tenth of April at the earnest Importunity of the foresaid Simon de Langres and of Androine de la Roche Abbot of Cluigny who was then newly come from the Pope for that Purpose another Treaty was appointed to be held but neither yet could Matters be brought to any good issue So that again they parted leaving the Breach as wide as ever Wherefore on the Sunday following King Edward drew down his whole Army before Paris and embattail'd them in a Field by St. Marcels in three Great Battalia's each Battalia being divided into Three Bodies and then he forthwith sent the Duke of Lancaster with his Heralds to the Regent of France who was within the City with a great Army to demand Battle of him assuring him e Walsing hist p. 167. n. 10. M. S. vet Angl. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantab. c. 230. that if now King Edward should lose the Day He would never after claim or assume any Right or Title to the Crown of France But for all this the Cauteous Regent declin'd to answer his Desire While the Messengers were about this Demand the King honoured no less than f Speed p. 583. M.S. id ibid. 400 Esquires and Young Gentlemen with the Order of Knighthood among whom g Frois c. 211. were John Lord Fitz-Walter Robert Lord Vavasour Thomas Spencer John Nevil and William Torceaux but Collart Dambreticourt younger Son to Sr. Sanchio Dambreticourt and Esquire of the Kings Body declin'd the Honour at that time by saying that he could not find his Headpiece and Corslet For he had made an Oath to do some notable piece of Service before he would accept the Order of Knighthood But when upon the Return of the Duke of Lancaster and the Heralds the King heard how he should not have Battle he was wonderfully displeased and upon the Lord Manny's Request sent him forth with all the new-made Knights and such others as were thereto appointed to skirmish at the Barriers and to burn what they could of the Suburbs so to h Meâ—eray ad hunc an p. 59. provoke the Frenchmen to come forth or at least to offer more ample Conditions The Assault was vigorous and lasted from Morning till Noon and the French defended their Post at the Gate and Barriers with Valour becoming their Circumstances nor would they have been content to have stood so long on the Defensive Part only for there were many Noble and Resolute Knights and Gentlemen within the City at that time but it was the Duke of Normandy's peremptory Command that no man on pain of his Head should presume to issue out of the Barriers without his Order So well had that Prince afterward sirnamed the Wise learn'd how to deal with this English Hannibal not only by the Example of the old Roman Fabius but of two nearer Relations even of his own Father and Grandfather whose frequent and great Losses proceeding from their too forward Courage taught him now to oppose a Shield to this Conquering Sword and not easily to put his last Stake to the Fortune of a Battle But however one i Knighton p. 2623. n. 60. says that after Noon when the Lord Walter Manny's Skirmish was over about 30 of these new-dubbed Knights went to the Barriers requiring a few Courses on Horseback according to the Law of Arms in those Days Against whom says he came forth 60 Frenchmen if the Number is not mistaken for Thirty as I rather believe and between these there arose an hot Skirmish But in the end the English by the Grace of God had the better having slain some grievously wounded others and obliged the rest to retire It is said that while the King stood before Paris the k Stow p. 264. Where he says this happen'd on the 14 of April and the Morrow after
Chief Justice Sr. Henry Green and Sr. William Skipworth another of his Justices to be arrested and imprison'd on the account of many notorious Enormities which he understood they had committed against Law and Justice Nor could they redeem themselves from Prison without refunding to the King many large Sums of Money which by Injustice they had got from others But for ever after they were secluded both their Places and his Favour XI We have frequently heretofore mention'd the great Diligence which Peter King of Cyprus us'd in travelling to most Courts in Europe in Order to raise a Power sufficient to stem the furious Tide of Pagan Insolence which threatned a Bloody Inundation to all Christendom Now therefore being pretty well furnish'd with Valiant Souldiers of several Nations after that by the Pope's means he had made a Peace with Genoa which had some resentments against him u Philippus è Mazeriis c. 15. c. in Vità Becti Petri Thomx â—pud Bâ—llâ—nd Tâ—n 2. XXIX Januar. he went from Venice to Rhodes where he was Magnificently received by the Master of the Hospital and whither he had sent before many Ships laden with Armed Men and about 500 good Horses for the War. He had some Months before wrote to his own Brother the Prince of Antioch his Lieutenant in the Kingdom of Cyprus that having left a sufficient strength at home he would by such a time send an Army of his Realm of Cyprus to meet him at Rhodes which was done For the King had been but a little while in that Island when an Army of Cyprus came thither namely sixty sail one with another laden with Men of Arms Arrows Crossbows and other Weapons in good quantity to which the Master of the Hospital added an hundred chosen Knights of his Order and commanded his Gallies to be fitted up And all the while St. Peter Thomas Patriarch of Constantinople the Pope's Legate who had an extraordinary Zeal for the Work encouraged the King and his Souldiers and blessed them and pray'd and preach'd and signed them with the Cross and heard Confessions and absolved and reconciled Sinners one while labouring in the Kings Council another while among the Mariners and poor People now among the Lords and Knights and the Master of Rhodes and now again with the Common Souldiers in great humility Now he visited the sick and presently he fell to pacifying of Rumors sometimes he conversed with the English sometimes with the Cypriotes Venetians French Spaniards and Germans but always he exhorted to Unity and Charity to Faith and Courage and to the War of God And every Christian Soul in this small Army was by this Holy Legate a few days before they left Rhodes admitted to the Sacrament of Gods Body and strengthned with Divine Power by feeding on their Redeemer whose Cross they were going to advance At the time of their Departure from Rhodes the King in secret Council proposed to invade the Soldan of Babylon who usurped the Holy City of Jerusalem and his Inheritance not in the Tail but in the Head and to Steer his Course towards Alexandria and so taking leave of the Grand Master he went on board his Galley with a Fleet consisting of more than an 100 Vessels of all sorts above 10000 good Souldiers and about 1400 Nobles and Men of Arms with their Horses besides Mariners Being come to the Haven of Alexandria after about an hours resistance made by the Saracens they gain'd Land and soon after put all their Enemies to flight and made them retire into the City in great Confusion and shut their Gates But their Hearts were so lost that upon the Christians approach to the Walls and setting fire to their Gates they fled away towards Grand Cairo or New-Babylon Wherefore the City of Alexandria was taken by the Christians on the Fourth of October 1365 about Nine of the Clock in the Morning and all the Pagans found therein put to the Sword. But many of these Christians being now satiated with spoil began forthwith to cool in their Devotion and so were for leaving the City now it was rifled nor could the King of Cyprus nor the Zealous Legate with all their Endeavours prevail with them to the Contrary wherefore upon News of the Soldan's Arrival with the Prince of Assyria and a Mighty Army who were coming to relieve the City on the Fourth or Fifth day after he had won it he was forced to leave it to his great Grief The occasion of which dishonourable Departure is by the Legate in his x Eâ—tant apud Odor Rainal ad hâ—nc an § 20 Letters attributed to the English and to their Leader and by y Petrarch l. 8. Senil Fp. 8. l. 13. â—p 2. Petrarch to the Transalpine Auxiliaries in General who he says being always better at Enterprising than at Compleating forsook the King in the midst of a most Glorious Work and because they follow'd him not for Devotion but for Gain when they had laden themselves with spoils went away and being rendred Masters of their Greedy desire made him fail of his Godly Design The Prosecution of this Matter may be seen at large in the foremention'd Philip è Mazeriis who was himself present in this Expedition and also in z Odor Rainal ad 〈◊〉 §. 18. ad §. 22. Vid. Pan 〈◊〉 1. V 3. Odoricus Rainaldus We shall only add that the Englishmen and Gascogners who had been at the taking of Alexandria upon a Walsing â—â—st p. 174. n 30. Speed p. 584. §. 129. their return into England and Aquitaine brought many rich pieces of Cloth of Gold Velvets and Precious Stones as witnesses of their Success in those parts XII It is said by some b Therton's Nottinghamshire p. 116. that John Lord Roos after this Expedition died at Paphos in the Island of Cyprus leaving no Issue behind him by his Wife the Lady Mary de Orrebe So that his Brother William succeeded in his Honours Thô to say the Truth this Lord John was not Born till this Year For Sr. William Dugdale shews c Dugd. 1 Vol. Baren p. 551. that his Death happen'd about 28 Years after this viz. in the Seventeenth of Richard the Second at which time he was but d For 18 years old Ano. 7. Rich. 2. id Dugd. ibid. p. 550. ex Esc 7. R. 2. n. 68. 28 Years of Age. Notwithstanding I grant that about this time as e Thoroton Nottingh p. 455. Thoroton says there died the Lord Thomas Furnival Sirnamed the Hasty leaving no Issue behind him whereupon he was succeeded by his Brother William Lord Furnival Who about 17 Years after died also leaving behind only One Daughter Joan. Her Sr. Thomas Nevile Brother to Ralph Earl of Westmorland and Treasurer of England taking to Wife became in her Right Lord Furnival But here again I am fain to correct Thorton's many mistakes by comparing him f Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 727. with a more accurate and