at this time was found to amount to One Hundred and Ten besides those in Ireland Aquitain and Normandy King Edward now thought fitting because of his Wars intended against France to confiscate unto his own Use all the Goods of the said Priories with all the Lands Tenements Fees and Advowsons of the same Letting out their Houses to Farm as his Grandfather before him had done in the 23 Year of his Reign upon the like occasion And this was Customary not only before this but also afterwards r id Clem. Reyner in Append Par. 3. p. 146. when ever the Wars brake out between England and France for the Kings of England to seise all the Possessions of the Cluniacks and other Aliens into their Hands and to put them out to Farm to the Religieux themselves on consideration of an annual Pension But when the War ended there was full Restoration made of all again as particularly we shall find four and twenty Years hence or in the 35 of this King. VI. While King Edward was thus busied at home and his Ambassadors equally concern'd in his service abroad there Å¿ Junii 9. obiit Vt apparet ex illius Historiâ in l. dicto Time's Storeh p. 720. Alii 6 Junii ponunt died at his Palace in Valenciennes William the Third Earl of Heinalt Holland Zealand and Friseland Father to Philippa King Edward's beloved Queen who for his Great Mercy temper'd with Justice and other Princely Vertues was sirnamed the Good. One Example of his Exact Justice I shall shew whereby we may guess at his other Perfections The Deed was done not long before his Death upon a Bayliff of South-Holland t Vid. Time's Storeh p. 720. l. 7. c. 30. Engl. Atlas 4 Vol. p. 153. who had unjustly taken a goodly fair Cow from a poor Peasant which had been the sole support of himself his Wife and Children As there are some Kine in that Country which can give twenty u To enforce the truth of this Relation a little Conradus Gesner hath these Words The Oxen of the Belgian Provinces especially in Friesland and Holland are of very great stature For it hath been found by experience that one of them hath weigh'd Sixteen Hundred pounds Trey Weight And when the Earl of Hâ—ochstadt was at Machlin in Friesland there was presented unto him a Fair Large Ox which being killed weigh'd above Two Thousand Five Hundred Twenty Eight Pounds which I reckon to amount to 180 Stone and 8 Pounds Wherefore that succeeding Ages might not mistrust the Truth of so strange a Matter the said Earl caused the Picture of the said Ox to be set up in his Palace at his full Proportion with an Inscription signifying his Weight and the Day and Year when this Ox was deliver'd and killed Conrad Gesner Hist of Foursccted Beasts p. 70. Engl. folio Pottles of Milk and more in a Day The Earl lay then sick on his Death-Bed as it proved but it was his Custom never to Debar the meanest Suitors whether he was sick or well So that upon this poor Countrymans Complaint and Examination duly had the Bayliff was adjudg'd to give unto the Peasant an 100 Crowns of Gold for the great Wrong he had done him which was accordingly performed But then for his Affront to Publique Justice since he was an Officer and had thus abused the Authority entrusted to him the Earl sent for an Executioner and caused him to strike his Head off by his own Bed-side I shall only crave leave to add one more small digression of a matter happening in his Days which thô not pertinent to the History is yet well worthy Memory for its great Rarity In the Eleventh Year of this Earls Government which was the Tenth Year of the Reign of King Edward the Second of England and the Year of our Lord 1316 there happen'd even in England a great Scarcity of Corn as appears by x Walsing hist p. 83. our Historians but in this y Time's Store-house p. 720. Earls Country there was so terrible a Dearth and Famine that poor people fell down dead in the Streets for Hunger Many also were found Dead in the Highways and in Woods and Fields whither they went to seek for Herbs and Roots to stop the Importunities of craving Nature Little Children would die as they indeavour'd to suck at their starving Mothers Breasts and some Women could not refrain eating their Children In this time of Famine a certain Poor Woman of Leyden being extreamly opprest with Hunger came to a Sister of her own who was far better to pass begging of her for Godsake to lend her some Bread which she promised with Thanks to repay when it should please God to enable her The hard-hearted Sister deny'd her oftentimes notwithstanding the other was so importunate and withall told her that she was assured by her Countenance how she must needs have sufficient for her self if not to spare Hereupon the unmercifull Wretch lying both to God and her poor Sister said If I have any Bread to help my self withall I wish to God it may all instantly be turned into Stone It seems the heavy Displeasure of Almighty God laid hold on those rash Words of hers for going soon after to the Cupboard to relieve her self she found all her Loaves of Bread most plainly converted into solid stones so that she her self died for want of that which she had so wickedly deny'd her own Sister It is most credibly told us z Time's Stâ—â—ehouse ibid. that one or two of those Stone-Loaves are yet to be seen in St. Peters Church at Leyden in Memory of this most just and extraordinary Judgement However this Good Earl William King Edward's Father-in-Law having been all along a most Vertuous Prince Victorious in War Wise and Judicious Well-spoken and Learned a great Friend to Peace affable to all Men and universally Beloved after he had Governed his Provinces of Heinalt Holland Zealand and Friesland for the space of 32 Years died as before we said and with a Frois c. 29. great Pomp was buried at the Fryers in Valenciennes The Bishop of Cambray himself sang the Mass and besides the English Lords there were present many Dukes Earls and Barons of sundry Countries as well for the manifold Alliances he had abroad as for that his Fame was Singular and his Memory Dear to all Men. He was succeeded by William the Fourth his Son and Heir who had Married the Lady Joan Daughter to John Duke of Brabant giving her for her b Vid. l. 1. c. 24. §. 7. Joynture the Land of Binche upon the Haysne a fair and goodly Inheritance As for the Lady Johanna Countess Dowager of Heinalt the young Earls Mother and Sister to King Philip of France she resolved to spend the rest of her Days in a Nunnery at Fontaine on the River Scheld where being soon admitted she gave her self wholly to Devotion Almsdeeds and other Pious Offices VII And now
a Knight by the King of England with a Grant of 200 l. per annum so we shall find that he was again Knighted by the Prince of Wales his own Hands with an Allowance from him of an 100 Marks per annum more as will fully appear from an Instrument made unto him c Vid. ad An. Reg. 23. eight Years after this by the Prince himself and two Years after confirmed by the King Thô the second Knighthood was as I suppose that he was then made Banneret After this King Edward marched forward till he came to the Abby of St. Martin where he tarried two Days his People lying abroad in the Country where they made great Havock of all things and the Duke of Brabant was lodged in another Abby hard by The King of France being d Frois c. 39. still at Compeigne a City of Valois when he heard of King Edwards approach towards him enforced his Summons and presently dispatch'd away the Lord Ralph Earl of Ewe and of Guisnes his Constable to St. Quintin a chief City of Picardy to keep the Town and Frontiers there against his Enemies the Lord William de Coucy he sent to defend his own Lands and the Lord of Hesdin unto his besides many other Men of Arms which he sent to Guise and to Ribemont to Bethune and the Fortresses joyning to the Frontiers He for his part went for Perone intending there to make his general Rendezvous Now while King Edward lay at the Abby of Mount St. Martin his Men overran all the Country as far as Bapaume and almost to Perone it self and to St. Quintin They found the Country rich and plentifull for it had seen no War of many years It chanced among many other Adventures too long to be rehearsed that the young Sr. Henry of Flanders being desirous to behave himself worthy of the Knighthood he had lately received together with other Knights whose chief Leader was the Lord John of Hainalt and in his Company his Friend the Lord Faulquemont the Lord of Begues the Lord of Landrecy the Lord of Lens and divers Others the whole amounting to 500 Men of Arms these altogether took notice of a Town thereabouts call'd Hondecourt wherein many of the Country People were gather'd together in trust of the Strength of the Place and had thither convey'd all their best Moveables Sr. Arnold of Baquehen and Sr William of Dunnort with their Men had well view'd the Place before and had given it o're as not hoping to do any good there For the Captain of the Place was an Abbot of great Wisdom Strength and Valour and he had caused to be set overthwart the street without the Town strong Barriers of Timber in manner of a Grate every Bar being about half a foot thick and near a foot distant from each other Within which were great quantities of Stones Quick-lime and other Ammunition and sufficient numbers of good hardy Souldiers to defend the Place But when the foresaid Lords came thither they alighted from their Horses and came boldly on foot to the Barriers with their Swords in their Hands where they made a brave Assault and were as resolutely received by them that were within There stood the Abbot himself arm'd at all points who gave and took many a shrew'd Blow that day and they within cast out stones pieces of Timber Pots full of burning Lime Pitch and Tarr wherewith they hurt many of the Assailants But Sr. Henry of Flanders was still close at the Barriers foyning and striking lustily with his good Sword till the Abbot with his Gauntlets took hold of his sword in both his hands so forcibly that at last he laid hold on Sr. Henry's Arm and drew it to him thrô the Barriers up to the shoulder nor is it to be doubted but he had drawn Sr. Henry's Body thrô had the space been wide enough he was of so great strength Yet for all this Sr. Henry would not let go his Sword thô to save his Life which he valued not equally with his Honour But at the same time the other Knights and Esquires that were next him laid all at once at the Abbot so that by long contending at last they rescued Sr. Henry but the Sword was left behind Which Sword says Sr. John Froisard as I passed that way sometime after the Monks of the Abby shew'd me as a Rarity in memory of so valiant an Abbot This Assault endured thus till Night and many were slain and hurt on both sides especially a Knight of Holland belonging to the Lord John of Hainault whose name was Min Heer van Herment he among Others was slain and many were wounded grievously After all therefore when the Flemish Heinalders English and Almains saw the great Obstinacy and Resolution of those that were within and how they were like to get nothing there but what would cost them very dear they withdrew from the Assault toward night and returned to the Camp. Now on Monday the 4 of October C Dom. Lit. at the instant request of the Duke of Brabant to admit of a Treaty of Peace with France at Mount St. Martin e Ashmole p. 650. ex Pat. Concess hominib Angl. Vascon 13 Ed. 3. m. 12. the King grants unto the said Duke Power in his Name to give safe Conduct to such Persons as he should think fit to come on the French Kings Behalf and meet with his Commissioners at any Place within two or three Leagues from his Camp to treat of Peace the same Power to continue till the Friday following being the 8 of October and all that day but nothing to purpose being then effected I shall pass this matter by While King Edward lay here among Others whom he advanced to divers Honours as well Foreigners as English conceiving f Ex aptis Juventutis ejus auspiciis circumspectionis elegantiae praesagium concepimus Lit. Patent apud Selden Titles of Honor. p. 644. Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 576. a great Hope from the forward Youth Strength Air and Beauty of Sr. Lawrence Hastings a noble Baron of this Realm at that time but just arrived to full Age he resolved to spurr on his promising Vertue by the incentives of Honour Wherefore considering that he was descended from the Lady Isabella Eldest Sister and at last Coheir with Emery de Valence Earl of Pembroke he declared and by Charter constituted him Earl of Pembroke with the Prerogative and Honour of a Count-Palatine as appears by the Letters Patents bearing Date apud Montem Martini 13º Octob. Anno Regni 13. Anno Domini 1339. The * 14 Octob. next Morning King Edward went from Mount St. Martin commanding on pain of Death as well in piety towards God as in gratitude to the Monks his Hosts that no man should presume to do any harm or injury to the Abby Then they entred Vermandois and that day took up their Quarters betimes on the Mount of St. Quintin in good Order of
always Prelate of the Order and then he proceeded to give the same Habit to the other 25 Knights Companions as in Order they follow 2. His Eldest Son Edward Prince of Wales now but in the 14 then in the 19 Year of his Age. 3. His Noble and Valiant Cousin Henry at that time Earl of Lancaster and afterwards Duke of the same Title 4. Thomas Beauchamp the thrice Noble and Valiant Earl of Warwick 5. John q Here Mr. Ashmole is stagger'd because 〈◊〉 he finds it on Record that John de Greilty Son. of Peter was Captal of Buch from the 5 to the 29 of King Edward the III as indeed he was from the 5 to the 50. Yet notwithstanding upon the Original Plate of his Name set up in the Chappel at Wâ—ndsor it is engraven Piers Capitow de la Bâ—uch as if his Name also was Peter When as it is evident that these Plates were not set up at the Foundation but many Years after perhaps after King Edward's Death as may be made manifest to any strict enquirer And his Fâ—ther being of the Name of Peter might cause a mistake at least in the Engraver From whence afterward Authority grew also even to other writings Nay I shall hereafter prove that as great a Mistake as this was engraven upon Queen Philippa's Tomb thô done in King Edwards Life de Greilly Captal of Buch which is a great Lordship in Aquitain the Governour whereof is stiled Captal and the Country it self is called le Captalat de Buch or Busch the chief Town whereof called la Teste de Buch is about seven Leagues Westward of Bourdeaux This Gentleman was a Mighty Man of Valour and most firm of all others to the English side so that after many Renowned Exploits whereof this History will not be silent being at last taken Prisoner by the French he chose rather to die in Prison than to swear never more to bear Arms for England 6. The next Knight in Order was Ralph Lord Stafford Earl of Stafford 7. William Montagu the hopefull young Earl of Salisbury 8. Roger Lord Mortimer Grandson to Roger Earl of March who five Years after obtain'd a Revocation of the Judgement against his Grandfather and thereupon was restored in Blood and to the Earldom of March and to all his said Grandfathers Lands Honours and Possessions Being for his Valour and Worth highly meriting to be inserted into this most Noble Order 9. After him was invested the Couragious Knight John Lord Lisle 10. Then Bartholomew Lord Burghersh alias Burwash Junior at that time but twenty Years old but every way Worthy of this Honour 11. John Lord Beauchamp younger Brother to Thomas Earl of Warwick a Noble Martialist of that Age. 12. John Lord Mohun of Dunstor a Constant Attendant of the Black-Prince in all his Wars 13. Hugh Lord Courtney Son to Hugh Courtney Earl of Devonshire 14. Thomas Lord Holland of Holland in Lancashire who about the time of this his Creation or the 23d. of King Edward was Married to the Beauty of England Joan Sister to the Earl of Kent 15. John Lord Grey of Codonore in Derbyshire 16. Sr. Richard Fitz-Simon whose Services in War rais'd him to this Honourable Title 17. Sr. Miles Stapleton a Man of Great Nobility and Integrity and Expert in Martial Affairs 18. Sr. Thomas Wale a Knight of great Vertue and Worthiness but one who thô by his early Valour he merited so High a Rank yet by his too early Death which happen'd within three Years after the Institution left his Stall void the First of all these Founders 19. Sr. Hugh Wrottesly of Wrottesly in the County of Stafford Knight from whom in a direct Line is Sr. Walter Wrottesly of Wrottesly in the foresaid County Baronet now r Ashmole ità Ano. Domini 1672. living descended 20. Sr. Nele Loring a Knight of great Valour and Nobility and whom we have shewn to have been first Knighted for his signal Courage in the Naval Fight at Sluce 21. The Lord John Chandos a most Illustrious Hero of whose Generosity and Valour to write sufficiently would require a large Volume 22. The Lord James Audley a most Adventurous and Fortunate Commander and Cousin to Nicolas Audley Earl of Gloucester 23. Sr. Otho Holland Brother to the Lord Thomas Holland aforesaid 24. Sr. Henry Eam of Brabant commonly by Historians called Sr. Henry of Flanders a Valiant and Loyal Servant to King Edward 25. Sr. Sanchio Dambreticourt a Valiant Knight of Heinalt now Naturaliz'd in England 26. Sr. Walter Pavely who was Famous for his Exploits in several Warlike Expeditions These were the Names and this the Order of the First Knights of the Garter whom the thrice Noble King Edward chose to be his Companions and Fellows in this Honourable Society All Men of most signal Valour and Conduct of High Birth and untainted Loyalty So Generous and Heroick that they might all seem Worthy to be Kings and their Perseverance in Vertue to the last as it partly declares the sharp Judgement the King used in their Election so it shews of what Power and Efficacy that Honourable Tye was and what Obligations to Vertuous Behaviour it laid upon them But methinks it may justly be Wonder'd how it came to pass that this Great Honour being confer'd on so few those other Worthy Barons who deserv'd it no less being laid aside should notwithstanding never shew the least disgust at the Matter For certainly the Noble and Heroick Lord Walter Manny the Valiant and Daring Lord Reginald Cobham Richard Fitz-Alan the Great Earl of Arundel Robert Hufford Earl of Suffolk Lawrence Hastings Earl of Pembroke William Clinton Earl of Huntingdon Humphry Bohun Earl of Hereford and Essex and his Warlike Brother William Bohun Earl of Northampton the Lord Ralph Basset of Sapcote the Lord Roger Delaware and many more for Birth Wisdom Loyalty Wealth Vertue or Valour were well Worthy of the Highest Honours But this Prudent Prince would not make his Institution cheap by communicating it to many nor have any of his Successors to this Day exceeded the Number of 26. The mean while 't is highly probable that the other Lords thought it more Noble to grow emulous who of them should be most Worthy to ascend the first vacant Place and we find by Degrees that most of them did as the Stalls fell void attain to that Dignity as the two Earls of Essex and Northampton the Earls of Arundel and Suffolk the Lord Walter Manny and Reginald Lord Cobham and others but the Rest either died or were decrepit and past Action almost before their turns came and so found no Room at all VII The Order being thus well-stockt at the beginning has since that obtain'd such an High Esteem thrô all the Christian World that divers Å¿ Ashmole p. 189. Emperours Kings and Sovereign Princes have reputed it among their greatest Honours to be chosen and admitted thereunto insomuch as some of them have with Impatience Courted the Honour of Election
the occasion yet for the Eminence of the Person I shall not pass by the Murder of Sr. John Copland the same who at the Battle of Durham took the King of Scotland Prisoner as we have shewn already This Valiant and Worthy Gentleman upon what Quarrel doth not appear was this Year k Knighton p. 2626. n. 30. murder'd by the Lord John Clifford of Ewyas who thereupon was forced to fly the Land and could by no means obtain his Pardon till about 15 Years after or the last of King l Dagd 1 Vol. p. 341. Edward when upon the Testimony of divers English Peers in Parliament of his singular Valour and of his special Services in the Wars in France the King at last upon the instant Request of the said Peers and Commons of England then assembled in Parliament gave him his Charter of Pardon CHAPTER the NINTH The CONTENTS I. King John of France on the Death of the Duke of Burgundy without Issue takes Possession of the Country and goes to visit the Pope at Avignon Pope Innocent VI dying Urban V succeeds II. The King of Cyprus comes to Avignon to get and against the Saracens A Combat fought there A Croisade proclaimed whereof the King of France is made the General III. The King of Cyprus visits the Emperour the Emperours Opinion concerning the Holy War The King of Cyprus goes to other Christian Princes IV. King Edward allowing the French Hostages some Liberty the Duke of Anjou makes his Escape V. The Kings of Cyprus and Denmark and the Duke of Bavaria come into England King Edwards Answer to the King of Cyprus upon his demanding Assistance for the Holy War. VI. A Parliament at Westminster VII A Convocation wherein the excessive Number of Holydays are retrenched VIII The Death of the Dutchess of Clarence of Edward Bailiol once King of Scotland and of the Bishop of Bath and Wells IX A Man who after execution at the Gallows recover'd is pardon'd by the King. X. The King of Cyprus and the Shrine of St. Hugh of Lincoln robbed XI King David of Scotland comes into England upon a Visit A long and hard Frost I. AN. DOM. 1363. An. Regni Angliae XXXVII IN the preceding Year King John of France undertook a Journey to Avignon to visit the Pope and Cardinals but he chose to ride through the Dukedom of Burgundy because that Provence was newly fallen unto him by the Death of Philip the young Duke Grandson of Duke Eudes the VI and Son of that Philip who was slain at the Siege of Aiguillon and of the Lady Jane of Boulogne who afterwards was married to King John and died the Year before this her Son. In a Favine le Parisiens Theater t' Honour l. 4. c. 3. p. 7. his Person was extinct the First Branch of the Dukes of Burgundy being of the House of France which had produced no less than twelve Dukes and had lasted the space of 330 Years For this young Prince died b Paradin Annal Burgund l. 2. p. 348. about Easter 1362 without Issue himself being but Fifteen and his Lady Margaret of Flanders not above Eleven When therefore King John c Frois c. 216. fol. 112. was ready for his Journey and had appointed his Son Charles Regent and Governour during his Absence he began his Progress from Paris about the latter end of July 1362 having with him in his Company his Cousin the Lord John of Artois Earl of Tancarville the Earl of Dampmartin the Lord Bouciquault Marshal of France and many other Grandees Having by small Journeys and great Expence rode thrô Burgundy he came in the beginning of September to Villeneufe without Avignon where Lodgings were provided for Him and his Attendants He was entertained with great Magnificence of Feasting by the Pope and the whole College of Cardinals and many interchangeable Visits were made between the King and Them But in the heighth of all d Labbei Chronl Techn ad ann 1362. Pope Innocent the VI having sat Nine Years Eight Months and Twenty Days departed this Life at Avignon on the Twelfth of September Whereupon there arose much Difference among the Cardinals about Choosing of a new Pope for each of them aspired to the Dignity himself especially the Cardinal of Boulogne and the Cardinal of Perigort who were by far the Greatest and had most powerfull Friends Wherefore after much Altercation the rest of the Cardinals agreed to put the Decision of the Matter to these Two who finding thereby that neither of them could obtain the Papacy themselves agreed together that neither any of the rest should have it but rather that they would pitch upon some other Indifferent Person There was at that time in the Parts of Lombardy one e Vid. Odor Rainal ad ann 1362. §. 6. Ciacon cum Victor p. 925. c. who was employ'd thither by Pope Innocent about Affairs with the Lords of Milain named William Grisant by some named Grimoardi Abbot of St. Victor of Marseille a Devout and Holy Man of unblameable Life and eminent Learning who was called Anglicus whereupon f Walsing hist p. 172. many have believed him an English Man thô I rather believe he might obtain that name because he was a Gascogner and so by Birth subject to the King of England This Man the Two Ambitious Cardinals chose rather out of Envy to their Fellows than thrô any Love to Him or his Vertue He g Labbei Chron. Techn ad ann 1362. Lit. Domin B. was elected on the 28 or as Some say on the last of October and Crowned on the Sixth of November following being a Sunday at which time he took the Name of Vrban V. It is said of him h Walsingh hist p. 172. that having long waited at the Court of Avignon in fruitless expectation of Preferment he complained to a Friend of his saying I believe verily if all the Churches of the World should fall there would none fall upon my Head. Whereupon this Friend of his coming to visit him after his Coronation said all smiling You lately complain'd most Holy Father that if all the Churches in the World should fall yet none you thought would fall upon your Head. Behold now how God hath disposed things for all the Churches in the World are now fallen upon your Head together Soon i Frois c. 216. fol. 112. after this Mans Creation King John heard News that Peter of Lusignan King of Cyprus intended shortly to come to Avignon to give his Holiness a Visit and that in order thereto he had already passed the Sea whereupon he resolved to tarry still at Avignon till his Coming being very desirous to see him because of the great Renown he had heard of him both for his Valour and Piety and particularly of the great Honour he had won in the War against the Saracens and that among other his Successes he had lately taken from them Sattalia the chief City of Pamphylia and
M.S. p. 562. §. 60. St Tho. de la More p. 7. l. 28. revok'd all Fugitives and Exuls setting at Liberty all Prisoners and Malefactours thrô the Realm who themselves and their Friends flocking to London made no small addition to her Forces Moreover the Politick Queen h Sr Th. de la More p. 6. l. 44. Speed ibid. §. 59. gave out that the Pope had curst all her Enemies and their Abettors and for that end there were then with her in her Camp two Cardinals his Legates thô in truth there was no such matter But however this Report served to amuse those who were to be aw'd by Devotion and as for others whom terrour might dismay her Numbers were made formidable and her i St Tho. de la More p. 6. l. 40. Speed ibid. Forces excessively enhanced by Rumour beside 't was given out that the King of France was ready to follow with innumerable Forces to his Sisters aid And after all this which is the usual Method of Treason only Reformation and the publique Good was pretended For the Queen caused to be proclaim'd that none should fear the least harm or injury but only those who were known to be the Common Enemies of the King or Kingdom to wit the two Spencers Father and Son Robert Baldock k Ità Philipot's Catal. Chancel p. 34. Speed p. 562. Bp. Godwin dubitat sed non negat Catal. Bps. p. 425. then Bishop of Norwich and the King's Chancellour Walter Stapleton Bishop of Excoster with their Favourers who were called the Authours of these present Troubles And to take away all fear or jealousie from those who were willing to be quiet it was further proclaim'd that none of all her Army should presume to touch l Walsingh hist p. 101. For Acts c. p. 486. to the Value of three pence without the Owners leave on pain of loosing a Finger nor to the Value of six pence on pain of loosing a Hand nor to the Value of twelve pence on Peril of his Head. By these and the like fair Pretences the King's Friends were either wholly lull'd asleep or durst not shew their Heads for fear nor indeed could any not concern'd in the Plot imagine at that time that the Queen and the King's Son should ever prove so dangerous to the King 's own Person Wherefore not being able to provide for any probable Resistance after a few vain attempts to escape and to lye conceal'd he was taken and secur'd in Kenelworth Castle where he remain'd that Winter without knowing what would happen to him But in the Parliament met at Westminster in January he was depos'd as we shew'd before and his Son as his next Heir by the Consent of the Lords and Commons admitted to the Crown the Disloyal and ungratefull m Walsingh hist p. 107. n. 10. Churchill's Divi Britan. 38. Holinshead Engl. Chren p. 881. Archbishop of Canterbury thereupon preaching to the Assembly from these Words Vox Populi Vox Dei which Text hath since in our Days been resum'd to the same ungodly Purpose But yet even this Assembly which consisted mostly of such as had offended beyond hopes of Mercy n Holinshead ibid. the few Honest not daring to contradict them Publiquely and Solemnly protested that the Depos'd King should no ways be violated or injur'd in his Person but attended as a Prince all his Days with an Honourable and Sufficient allowance And thus indeed he lived for a while with good Comfort saving that he wanted the Company of his Queen whom he intirely loved but o Sr Tho. de la More vid. Article 9. contra Mortimer Rot. 4. Ed. 3. c. all his sweet Invitations by Letter were frustrated by the Vigilance of Mortimer who perswaded the Queen that his intent was only to Murther her if once he could get her into his power And oftentimes the Old King p Grafton p. 217. M. S. Vet. Angl. in Bibl. C. C. C. c. 215. would say to his Keepers Wherein have I offended Isabella my Wife or Edward my Son whom they have now made King that neither of them will let me speak with them or so much as see their Faces And still those who waited on him q Id. p. 213. M.S. id ibid. being then Persons of Honour and good Fashion answered him Most worthy Lord be not displeased if we declare the Truth unto your Highness it is because they are Both made to beleeve that You intend to stabb or strangle or some other way to destroy the Queen your Lady and your Son if you can get them into your hands Alas Alas reply'd the King Am not I here as a Prisoner and not in my own power but at your disposal God is my Witness I never had so bad a thought but I would to God I might leave this World that so I might end all my Fears and Troubles together This was the greatest of his Miseries and which he laid most to heart that he was never visited either by his Wife or any of his Children But even this Affliction the Distressed Prince bore with Christian Courage and Equanimity and by accustoming his Mind to Patience and Contemplation he began now to be in love with that easie and retired Life the Sweets whereof he ne're before had tasted The very Verses which he is r Daniels Hist p. 218. Ant. Wood Antiqu. Ox. l. 1. p. 101. l. 2. p. 103. Catal. Heno p. 158. Fabian p. 185. sic incipiunt Damnum mihi contulit tempore Brumali Fortuna satis aspera vehementis mali Nullus est tam sapiens mitis aut formosus Tam prudens Virtutibúsque caeteris famosus Quin stultus reputabitur satis despectus Si Fortuna prosperos avertat effectus c. said to have composed himself in this his Confinement for honour of that Princes both Learning and Piety and to satisfie the Curious I have hereunto annexed faithfully Translated from his Own which were Latine and in Rhyme after the manner of that Age. What time rough Winters blasts the Earth did tame Storms of ill Fortune shook my Glorious Frame There 's none so wise so mercifull and fair Prudent and shining with all Vertues rare But he 's by abject Wretches trampled down If Fortune once on his Endeavours frown That Hand that once did Grace to all dispence Can move no Heart to a Remorsefull Sense That Royal Face whose Smiles afforded Bliss With Clouds of dark Dishonour blackned is My Vassals-once do spurn me now And those Whom I esteem'd my Friends do prove my Foes Oh! who that heard how once they prais'd my Name Would think that from those Tongues these Slanders came But sinfull Soul why dost thou thus repine When justly humbled by the Hand Divine A Father's scourge is for our profit meant I see thy Rod and Lord I am content Chide me my Father till thou wilt give o're Afflict till thou art pleased to restore
to Favour and seemingly pardon'd but the Lord Henry Beaumont Sr. Thomas Rosselin Sr. William Trussel and Sr. Thomas Withers as not being included in this Pardon or not daring to trust to it were fain to fly the Land till the Death of Mortimer For to these Men he was implacable they being the first Persons who began boldly to challenge him for the Death of the Old King tho some of them had been concern'd in his Deposal for which this new Earl of March would gladly have had a full Revenge upon them But however upon this their flight he got many good parcels of their Lands and Possessions to be siesed on for the King's Use in name but for his own in reality V. Here because the foresaid Henry Lord Beaumont is not only mention'd on these great Accounts already but must challenge much more to be said of him hereafter as also that it may be seen what kind of Men this proud Mortimer levell'd his aim at and that I may at the same time do right to the Posterity of that Noble Personage I shall not here think it amiss briefly to touch at his Original Most of those that mention his Pedigree bring his Descent from Lewis Son to Charles Earl of Anjou t Dugd. Bar. 2 Vol. p 50. 〈◊〉 a younger Son to Lewis the Eighth King of France which Lewis Son of Charles being Lord of Beaumont in France begot of his Lady Agnes de Beaumont this valiant Lord Henry Beaumont and his Sister Isabell who was wife to John Lord Vesci of Alnwick in Northumberland and is called Kinswoman to Queen Eleanor that vertuous Consort of King Edward the First This Lord Henry married the Lady Alice one of the Cozens and Coheirs to John Cumin Earl of Boghan or Bucquain and Constable of Scotland in whose Title he afterwards obtained that Honour But whereas there are some who by mistake bring this Worthy much later into England in the company of Queen Isabella King Edward the Third's Mother this their error arose we presume from those passages of Froisard which make such frequent mention of the Lord Beaumonts assisting that Queen when it is plain that he means there the Lord John of Heinalt who was also called Lord Beaumont from another place of that name in Heinalt and besides this Lord was u Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 51. Claus 20. Ed. 2. m. 12. confin'd in England upon Suspicion at the time of Queen Isabell's Arrival And yet * Dugd. ibid. p. 50. others derive this noble Vicount Beaumont from Lewis de Brenne second Son to John de Brenne or rather Bremen the last King of Jerusalem VI. But now this Noble Lord with othes of Mortimers Enemies was fain to yield to the iniquity of the Times and to retreat into France till the Storm should be blown over Mortimer in the mean while securely basking in the sun-shine of his Prosperity as great as Heart could wish if Ambition knew any Limits to its Desires Soon after the Young King to do him further honour x Monast Angl. 2 Vol. p. 225. takes a progress toward the Marches of Wales where he gives this new Earl a visit He for his part as he was indeed descended of a very ancient and Noble Family from y Catal. Honor. p. 574. Hugh de Mortimer a Norman Baron who came into England with William the Conqueror and received of him in reward of his good Services the Castle and Lands of Wigmore was besides his natural Ambition very glorious and singularly magnificent in all his Publique Appearances But now upon this Visit 't is incredible what sumptuous Entertainments he gave his Royal Master in his Castles of Ludlow and Wigmore what Sports and Diversions in his Parks and Forests what Gallantry and Expence he exhibited in his Tiltings Tournaments and other Military Pastimes much whereof thô it might proceed from an honourable Disposition and a sense of Gratitude and dutifull Respect to his Soveraign yet as was thought not a little was upon the account of the Queen Mothers presence and that all of it in general smelt rank of a Popular Air and a vain-glorious Humour Whether it was really so or that Pride is so loathsom to all who are at a distance from it that it causes even our best Actions to be misrepresented and be view'd from the wrong Prospect CHAPTER the THIRD The CONTENTS I. King Edward summon'd to do Homage to the King of France for his Dukedom of Aquitain and the Lands of Ponthieu and Monstroile II. A solemn Just held in London for three Days together AN. DOM. 1329. An. Regni III. with the Queen's danger by the Falling of a Scaffold III. The Old Queen and Mortimer compass the death of Edmund Earl of Kent the King's Vncle with the Manner and other Circumstances IV. King Edward goes privately into France V. Soon after his Return a Son born unto him called Edward afterwards sirnamed the Black-Prince VI. Mortimer taken and executed a Parliament I. NOW was a Froisâ—c 24. M. S. Ang. C. C. C. ibid. c. 219. Philip of Valois the French King well settled in his new-acquired Throne having received all the Homages and Fealties of his Subjects and Others who held under him as Peers of France or otherwise except only of the Young King of England his Cozen who by right had ow'd him homage for his Dukedom of Aquitain and the Earldom of Ponthieu and Monstroile had not himself been Heir to the Crown of France and so Supream Lord not only of those Parts but of the Whole But King Philip being too much elevated with his good Fortune never consider'd any such thing or at least had no great apprehensions of King Edward's Courage or Conduct and therefore finding himself now in full and quiet Possession of so flourishing a Kingdom by the advice and consent of his whole Council he resolves to summon our King Edward to make his Personal Appearance before him in France there to do Homage unto him as to his Supream Lord for the Lands which he held of that Crown He therefore soon after dispatches into England the Lord of Ancenis and the Lord of Beausalt with Monsieur Peter of Orleans and Monsieur Peter of Massieres two famous Civilians which Four with all their Retinue after provision made departed from Paris directly for Whitsant where they took the Sea and arrived safely at Dover Here having tarried one day as well to refresh themselves as to unship their Horses and Baggage they rode the next day toward the Court which they heard to be as then at Windsor Being at last come thither in respect to their Master that sent them they were soon admitted to the Royal Presence where they gave the King a full account of their Errand His Majesty answer'd with good Deliberation That the Matter required advice that as for his Part very few of the Lords of his Council were then about him but if they would withdraw to London he
in England even Buchanan t Buchan l. 13. p. 286. himself acknowledges that King Bailiol was surprised almost asleep and half naked He for his part fled away directly for Caerlile where he was kindly u Knighten p. 2562. received of Ranulph Lord Dacres of the North then High x Dugd. 2 Vâ—l. p. 22. b. Sheriff of Cumberland and Governor of Caerlile with whom he stay'd during the Holydays Thence y Rob. Southwell he went into Westmorland where he was honorably entertain'd by Robert Lord Clifford at his Castles z Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 340. of Appleby and Brougham a Rob. Southwell in requital whereof King Bailiol then and there granted unto him and his Heirs for ever Douglasdale in Scotland which had before been given to his Grandfather the Lord Robert Clifford by King Edward the First of England if ever again he should recover that Realm of his Adversaries Not long b Knighton p. 2562. n. 40. sed lege Lancastriam pro illius Leicestriam after this he went into to Lancashire to the Lady of Ghisnes then residing at Mourholme AN. DOM. 1332. An. Regni VI. where for one week more he tarried with his small Company who had with him escaped from the Scots and this Lady who was wife to c Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 761. William Lord Goucy Earl of Ghisnes in France furnished him with Horse Arms and Money for he had lost all that ever he had when he escaped from the Treason of the Scots Moreover King Bailiol d M. S. vet Ang. in Bibl. C. C. C. c. 223. sent to King Edward his Letters Supplicatory Complaining unto him how falsly and treacherously he had been in a little while reduced to shame and sorrow by the perfidiousness of his Liege-men upon whom he had entirely trusted and praying him for the Love of Almighty God that he would maintain and help him against his Enemies On which Condition he would hold the Crown of Scotland of him and render homage unto him for the same King Edward had great commiseration of this his forlorn Condition and promised him very shortly to give him powerfull Assistance IV. In the mean time while King Bailiol was thus recruiting himself again in England and rallying his former Friends to his Assistance the e Buchan p. 286 Scots that held for Bruce nothing ignorant of what they were to expect apply themselves to Archimbald Douglas who was then Viceroy of that Kingdom in the place of the Lord Andrew Murray who had been taken before at Roxborough to consult with him about their Affairs For they had such an inveterate hatred against the English who still claim'd Superiority over them that even for their sakes by whose Assistance he sought the Kingdom and under whose Homage they rightly judged he would submit it as his Father had done before they now unanimously resolve no way to endure the Bailiol for their King. Him therefore they all mark out for a common Enemy and with more alacrity make provision of all things necessary to a War as knowing what a Potent Adversary they were to deal with 'T was here imagin'd how the English who were to take his part would first begin with Barwick that therefore they first furnish with a sufficient Garrison the Lord Patrick of Dunbar being appointed Governour of the Castle and Sr. Alexander Seton a worthy Scotch Knight to defend the Town and Suburbs But William Douglas Lord of Liddisdale a Man of great Wisdom and Courage is sent to Anandale to guard the West of Scotland Here Buchanan sends Andrew Murray the Viceroy to Roxborough but Archimbald Douglas was now Viceroy the Lord Andrew being a prisoner at Durham And Bailiol was not at Roxborough now as he says So mightily do great Men err sometimes for want of Diligence or Integrity The Lord Archimbald the Viceroy undertook himself with more than f Knigh on p. 2562. n. 60. Holinshea Eng. Chron. p. 895. Walsingh hist p. 114. n. 10. 3000 Choice men to enter the Marches of England and to rob and spoil the Borderers to his power as a while after he did by the way of Caerlile making great havock every where but especially in Gillestand and the Lands of the Lord Ranulph Dacres where for 15 or 16 leagues about he lay'd all wast before him And besides all this the Lord John g Bucha p. 286. Randulph is dispatch'd into France to implore the assistance of King Philip against his and their ancient Enemy V. The news of all these Preparations and the apprehensions thereof was that which allarum'd the Parliament at Westminster in that manner as I said before And indeed gave the first Occasion of renewing that War by discharging King Edward of his former Obligations which afterward proved so fatal to Scotland For immediately when the Parliament was reassembled at York Sr. Geoffry h M.S. 19. §. 6. Sr. Rob. Cotton p. 13. §. 6. Scroop declar'd That the King his Master having understood that the Lord Bailiol had proclaimed himself King of Scotland for which Crown on condition of Assistance he proffer'd to render Homage to the Crown of England now therefore demanded whether the Truce being fully expired He should fall upon Scotland in his own Name or claim the Demesne of the same or by making himself a Party should take advantage of Recovering those Services and that Homage which his Royal Ancestours have had before him But because most part of the States were absent these things at that time were not so fully determin'd so that the Parliament was adjourned till the Octaves of St. Hilary the King being fain to send out new Summons strictly enjoyning all Persons to attend and on no pretence whatsoever any longer to delay or hinder the Kings weighty Affairs by their Non-appearance This last default happen'd thrô the Pride of the Spirituality the Archbishops of Canterbury and York not agreeing about the Bearing of their Crosiers so that only the Archbishop of York whose name was William Melton Henry Burwash Bishop of Lincoln and John Kirkeby Bishop of Caerlile with the Abbots of York and Selby came thither But Simon Mepham Archbishop of Canterbury with all his Clergy forbore coming whereby was occasion'd the loss of a fair Opportunity against Scotland besides the indignity put upon the King in thus Frustrating his Expectation and the Insuppoptable Expence and Trouble that must needs accrue to the whole State by a Reassembly I need not say any more of this Parliament because I cannot find it produced any thing answerable to the present Exigence of Affairs or to the King's Expectation Save that upon their Reassembly i M.S. p. 20. Sr. Rob. Cott. 1. p. 14. Wardens were appointed for the Marches of the North and the King enabled by his Subjects either to Invade or Defend But John Stratford Bishop of Winchester and other the Commissioners that were to consult about certain Matters put to them by
Hainalts Territories Whereupon the Earl sends him a Defiance V. After that the said Earl Marches in Hostile manner into the French Pale where being satisfied with Revenge for that time he passes over the Sea for England to enter a strict Alliance with King Edward VI. The mean while King Philip orders his Eldest Son John Duke of Normandy to Revenge this severely upon Hainalt and he himself having try'd in vain to draw off the Flemings from England to his side procures the Pope to Interdict Flanders and Commands his Garrisons that Border'd that way to make sharp War upon them which is done accordingly VII Jacob van Arteveld in Revenge resolves to go and lay Siege before Tournay and invites the Earl of Salisbury and the Earl of Suffolks Eldest Son to come to such a Place and joyn him They in their Passage thither are intercepted and taken Prisoners by the Men of Lille and are sent to the French King who is hardly perswaded by the King of Bohemia not to put them to Death in cold blood VIII The Duke of Normandy Invades Hainalt with the various Rencounters thereupon IX He returning to Cambray Mutual Inroads are made into France and Hainalt by the Garrisons of either Party X. The Duke when the season of War was come Marches again from Cambray and goes before the Castle of Thine l'Evesque The Earl of Hainalt coming home Marches with a great Army to raise the Siege I. NOW thô Philip the French King had upon good Reasons as we shew'd before declin'd to venture his whole Stock upon the chance of one Battle yet was he not wanting to shew himself both Active and Provident in offending his Enemy of England where he imagin'd any probability of Success He a Frois c. 46. fol. 26. therefore appointed the Lord Gaston Earl of Laille who was a right Valiant Leader and as then at Paris with the King to undertake an Expedition against the English in Gascoign and to act as his Lieutenant there making war against Bourdeaux and Boâ—â—delois and all the Fortresses that held still of King Edward At that time the worthy Baron b Walsingh hist p. 133. Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 104. Odoric Rainald ad An. 1339. n. 15. Oliver Lord Ingham was Governour of Bourdeaux and the Parts thereabout who not much doubting any great matter from France in this juncture when the King of Englands Forces were in Flanders For King Edward upon his Departure into England had left in Flanders great Part of his Forces under the Command of the Earl of Salisbury and the Lord c Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 48. Robert Hufford le Fitz eldest Son to the Earl of Suffolk was notwithstanding suddenly surprized to behold a compleat Army of Frenchmen approaching the Walls of Bourdeaux to lay Siege thereto He was not ready enough prepared to make good the Place by pure Force nor had he sufficient Power at that time many of his Men being dispersed into Winter Quarters to man the Walls and make good all other Defences Only this was his Comfort that the Inhabitants were all entirely affected to the English Interest Wherefore putting all his own Men which were under 6000 into Arms in the most secret manner he commanded the Citizens to shew no Fear or Distrust but to follow their Occupations as in time of Peace Then immediately he set the City Gates wide open and rear'd upon the Walls both of Town and Castle the French Lillies The Enemy finding the Gates open enter'd peaceably but when they saw the Arms of France every where erected and also upon the Castle it self supposing the English Garrison fled and so secure now both they within and they without for the most part laid by their Arms but all went in without Order to rifle the Houses of the English and to seize the Castle But just then the Valiant and Politick Lord Ingham with his Men all well-arm'd and in good Order rush'd forth upon them flaying them down by Heaps and driving all before them At which instant the Citizens fell in upon them from all Parts with their Weapons in their hands so that it was impossible for them thô never so numerous to rally again and recover any Order Wherefore with great ease the Lord Ingham prevail'd and vanquish'd them utterly so that they were all either slain or taken almost to a Man the Earl of Laille hardly with a few escaping King Edward upon News hereof besides his Gracious Acceptance of Sr. Oliver's Service sent his Royal Letters of Thanks to his Subjects of Bourdeaux wherein he also promised them considerable Aid very speedily They began thus Edward c. You ought O most loving and loyal Subjects of Bourdeaux greatly to rejoyce for that by your Courage and Loyalty you have purchas'd unto your selves a Name that will be crown'd with immortal Honour And we nothing doubt but you will yet further endeavour to exalt your Glory more high by perseverance in those laudable Beginnings But as for this last piece of your Service to Us We shall take care to requite it with such Bounty that by example of your Rewards obtained from Us other of our loving Subjects may be rendred more prompt and willing to hazard in our Service both their Lives and Fortunes c. When the News of this Success was brought to King Edward it was also shew'd unto him that the Lord d Knighton p. 2575. n. 60. De la Brett and other Lords of Gascoign who had lately yielded to the French King had now for want of sufficient Protection from him return'd to the Obedience of the King of England and wasted the Lands of the French King as far as Tholouse About the same time the English e Stow p. 236. Mariners of the Cinque Ports to revenge in part those late Affronts done to England by the French Navy embarqued themselves in Pinnaces and small Boats well appointed and after the Feast of St. Hilary arrived at Boulogne upon the Sea-coast from whence is the shortest Cutt to Dover The weather was so misty cloudy and dark that they were scarce perceived when they were in the Haven So that by the Lower Town they burnt 19 Gallies 4 great Ships and 20 Small Boats with all their Tackling beside those Houses near the Shore among which one was the Block-House at that time full of Oars Sails Weapons all manner of Rigging and other Necessaries sufficient to furnish 19 Gallies and Men for them After all which they slew many of the Townsmen in a skirmish on the f Knighton p. 2573. n. 50. land set fire to the Lower Town hang'd twelve Captains of their Ships whom they had taken and so bad them farewell for that time II. The mean while King g Frois c. 44. c. 50. Astincle p. 651. Philip bestirr'd himself as One who was sensible how near all these matters concern'd his Honour and Estate Royal he mightily enforced and strengthned his Navy then
victory after a sharp and terrible Conflict In which Battle a mighty Number of our Enemies were destroyed and almost all their whole Navy taken with some Loss also on our Part but nothing like in Comparison to theirs By reason whereof We doubt not but that the Passage by Sea shall hereafter prove more quiet and safe both to Us and our Subjects And also many other Commodities shall ensue thereupon as we have good cause to hope Wherefore We devoutly considering the Divine Favours so gratiously bestowed upon Us do render our most humble Thanks and Praise to Christ our Lord and Saviour Beseeching him that as he hath been and always is most ready to prevent our Necessities in his own good time so he will please to continue his helping Hand ever towards Us and so direct Us here temporally that We may reign and rejoice with him eternally in Heaven Moreover We require your Charitable Assistance that you also Rising up together with Us unto the Praise of God alone who hath so favourably begun to work with us for our Good do instantly in your Publique Prayers and Divine Service as well as in your Private Devotions recommend Us to the Lord since We are here labouring in these foreign Countries and not only studying to recover our Right in France but also highly to exalt the whole Catholick Church of Christ and to rule our People in Righteousness And that You also call upon all your Clergy and People each one thrô his distinct Diocess to do the same altogether invocating the Name of our Saviour on our Behalf that of his Clemency he would please to give unto Us his Humble Servant his Grace and a docible Heart that We may so judge and govern here upon Earth in Equity doing what he hath commanded that at length We may happily attain to that which he hath promised thrô our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ c. An. 1340. V. This Letter was enclosed in another of the Kings directed to his Son the Prince who received them at Waltham And then at last and not before was the Fame of this Victory perfectly credited by the most Scrupulous But thrô France the sad News of this their Loss flew more nimbly thô as yet none durst undertake to be the hatefull messenger of such an unwelcom Relation to King Philip. Till at last his Lords prompted a pleasant Fellow the Kings Jester to do it who is said to have revealed the whole Matter after this manner r Walsingh hist p. 134. n. 30. Fox Acts and Mon. p. 347. Sr. Rich. Baker c. Running carelesly one time into King Philips Presence he began to insult with much vehemence and upbraid the English of flat Cowardise calling them Dastards and cowardly Poltrons with many other Opprobrious Words to that effect Which he repeated with great Bravery till the King asked him the reason why he so extreamly undervalued the Englishmen Why said the Fool because the Cowardlike Faint-hearted Rogues had not the Courage to leap into the Sea so gallantly as our Normans and Gentlemen of France did Certainly We are told by most Writers that in this Fight the English Arrows fell so thick among the French and did so sting torment and fright them that many Men rather than endure them leapt desperately into the Sea To which the Words of this Jester no doubt alluded And without all question the Guns which are used now adays are neither so terrible in Battle nor do such Execution nor work such Confusion as Arrows can do For Bullets being not seen only hurt where they hit but Arrows enrage the Horse and break the Array and terrifie all that behold them in the Bodies of their Neighbours Not to say that every Archer can shoot Thrice to a Gunners once and that whole Squadrons of Bows may let fly at one time when only one or two Files of Musqueteers can discharge at once Also that whereas Guns are useless when your Pikes joyn because they only do execution point blank the Arrows which will kill at Random may do good service even behind your Men of Arms And it is notorious that at the famous Battle of Lepanto the Turkish Bows did more mischief than the Christian Artillery Besides it is not the least observable that whereas the Weakest may use Guns as well as the Strongest in those Days your lusty and tall Yeomen were chosen for the Bow whose ſ Fabian p. 392. Hose being fastned with one Point and their Jackets long and easie to shoot in they had their Limbs at full liberty so that they might easily draw Bows of great strength and shoot Arrows of a Yard long beside the Head. But to proceed VI. About the same time that King Edward sent the foremention'd Letters into England he also directed others from t Frois c. 50. f. 30. Gaunt to the Earl of Hainalt and those who were besieged within the Castle of Thine certifying them of his Arrival and Success When the Earl heard this News and that the French had received such a Blow at Sea because he could not force the Duke of Normandy to a Battle having at last brought off the Besieged in that manner as we related he decamped and giving his Souldiers leave to depart return'd with all the Lords in his Company to Valenciennes where he feasted them all most magnificently There Jacob van Arteveld once or twice declared openly in the Market-place in the Presence of the Earl of Hainalt the Duke of Brabant and all the Lords and Others who were content to hear him What undoubted Right the King of England had to the Crown of France and of what great Puissance the Three Countries of Flanders Hainalt and Brabant were like to be now that they were surely joyn'd in one indissolvible Bond of Allyance whereof King Edward was the Knot Strength and Stay. And more he spake to this purpose with so much Eloquence and Discretion that all who heard him highly applauded his smooth Language and weighty Reasons Saying that he was both a very good Orator and a most sound and expert Politician and therefore most meet and worthy to Govern all Flanders After this the Lords of the Empire departed severally from Valenciennes having first of all agreed to meet again within eight Days at Gaunt to visit the King of England which they did accordingly He for his part received them gladly and feasted them honourably as also did the Queen in her Apartment And here 't was agreed between King Edward and the Lords of Germany that a General Council should be held at Villenort about their present Affairs for which a certain Day was appointed and Notice given to all the Allies to meet accordingly Now the King of England as he had formerly made a Promise to the Flemings had brought over with him certain Bishops and very many Priests and Deacons u Mezeray 2 part 3 tom 16 pag. who being less scrupulous than the Priests of Flanders
the War and were now quite tired out with the length of the Siege So that the very next Morning with the light ye might have seen Tents taken down Carts and Waggons lading and People removing with all speed imaginable The Brabanders therefore went away first as being more eagerly bent upon home the King of England thô much against his Will departed also but he was so earnestly parswaded to the Truce both by his real and false Friends and also by the necessity of his Affairs that he could not but comply And the King of France had so much of the bad Air and hot Weather already that he was glad to make hast away from that unfortunate Place Thus was the strong City of Tournay wonderfully preserved from utter Ruine without Battle given only by the power of a Ladies Tongue and by the Providence of the Divine Goodness which even yet seem'd desirous to give further Warning to King Philip and as it were to offer him one more Opportunity for Deliberation Before it would resign his Kingdom up to those Destructions for which already it was marked out Yet notwithstanding f Frois ibid. the City had been so reduc'd that their whole Provision of Victuals could not as was said have held out above three or four Days longer So in France it was reckon'd that King Philip had the chief Honour of this Expedition because he had as he design'd saved Tournay from ruine and obliged her Enemies to forsake the Siege and to depart the Country On the other Hand the Lords of England said how they had the Honour only because they had tarried so long in the Realm of France without Battle having for more than nine Weeks besieged one of the best Towns thereof wasting and destroying about in the Country all the while at their pleasure and that the French King had not once offer'd to relieve the Place at the time prefix'd in his Letters but had in the end without giving Battle as he ought to have done first himself sought and after agreed to a Truce with them who had done him all this Displeasure King Edward g Frois ibid. went from Tournay directly for Gaunt where he found his Vertuous and Beautifull Queen in good Health with whom about two Months after he went privately for England as we shall shew in due place all his Men being Order'd to follow except those Lords who were to be at the Parliament at Arras King Philip for his Part dismist the Main of his Army and himself went first to Lille whither the Burgesses of Tournay came to wait upon him He received them very Graciously and shewed them much favour upon the account of their Hazard for his Sake restoring unto them at this time all their former Privileges and adding to them several New ones to their great Satisfaction for a while before he had upon some Displeasure taken away their Charter and set over them the Lord Godmar du Fay and other Captains successively to be their Governours But now for their late approved Loyalty and Valour they had their old Form of Government restored and leave to choose a new Provost and Jurats according to their Ancient Customs All which being done and ratified the King went from Lille to Paris XIII While King Edward tarried yet at Gaunt he h Odoric Raynald An. 1340. §. 33. ad §. 37. wrote unto the Pope a Letter wherein thanking him for his diligence in Labouring after a Peace between the two Realms which he himself also mightily desired that thereby he might be at liberty to prosecure the Holy War against the common Enemies of Christendom and declaring how at the importunate Instances of some he had accordingly condescended to a Truce even then when he had almost reduced Tournay to the last Extremity he shews that upon sight of his Holinesses Letters he had prolonged the Term of the Truce that thereby he might give his Holiness suller Information of his own Intentions and also of the Equity of his Cause requiring thereupon his Advice which he should be ready to embrace Also that he had sent his Envoys to the Apostolick See to return Thanks to his Holiness for his Diligence in obtaining the Liberty of Nicolas de Flisco desiring God Almighty to preserve his Holiness in the Government of his Holy Church many and happy Days Datum apud Gandavum 19 no Novembris Anno Regni nostri Franciae Primo Regni verò nostri Angliae Quartodecimo At which time also he sent unto his Holiness the following Justification of Himself and his Cause i Extat apud Benedict Tom. 2. Ep secr 114. in Bib. Vatican Odoric Raynald ibid. These are the things in effect which are reported unto You Most Holy Father our Lord by Us William of Norwich Dean of Lincoln John Hufford Archdeacon of Ely and John Thoresby Canon of Southwell on the Behalf of our Lord the Illustrious King of England Most Holy Father and Lord that your Holiness may be more fully informed of the sincere and just intention of our said Lord the King which is ever prone and ready to accept of a Reasonable Peace something in Fact is to be opened The Lord Philip who now bears himself as King of France from the time that he first occupied the Realm of France verily believing nor without Reason that our said Lord the King directed the Eyes of his mind toward the Kingdom of France or at least would afterwards look that Way was pleased what in the Parts of Scotland by really Adhering to the Scots and what in the Dutchy of Guienne by there Usurping many Places so continually and strongly to divert him that he should have no leisure to intend to the Recovery of his Rights in France And because he being under Age and having no skill in the matter of his Right nor Experience as to what he was to do especially because of the foresaid Snates as is premised prepared for him had not untill of late any way open of duly prosecuting his Rights as to his said Kingdom of France Our said Lord the King desiring Peace and Quiet offer'd unto the said Lord Philip the Methods here under-named only for the Recovery of the Dutchy aforesaid and that he would absolutely refrain from Assisting the Scots Viz. First the Marriage of his Eldest Son for a Daughter of the Lord Philip to be Coupled with him in Matrimony without any Dowry Secondly the Marriage of his own Sister now Lady of Gueldre for a Son of the said Lord Philip with a great and excessive Dowry Thirdly the Marriage of his own Brother the Earl of Cornwall for some one Kinswoman of his Fourthly to redeem the Seisure of his Lands he offer'd unto him a Summ of Mony to be adjusted at the Discretion of the said Lord Philip Fifthly because the said Lord Philip pretended that he would cross the Seas to the Aid of the Holy Land our said Lord the King out of the great Zeal
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
done Exploits worthy of the Voice of Fame However these French Lords knew him by Name for they had seen and known him in the Holy Wars in Prussia Granada and other Places and called out unto Him and his Company saying they would yield themselves his Prisoners Then Sr. Thomas Holland went thither with his Men and took the two Lords and 25. French Knights more who all yielded themselves to Sr. Thomas and those with him among whom we find one Thomas Leigh a valiant Esquire of the Lord Holland's who took the Earl of Tancarville i Holinshead Eng. Chron. p. 931. for which and other his worthy Services done in this and other Expeditions King Edward gave him the Lordship of Hanley in Broxton-Hundred in the County Palatine of Chester which still remains in that Ancient Family But to the Lord Holland besides the great Honours he arrived to afterwards the King k Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 74. gave 4000 Florens of Gold and in lieu thereof took the Earl of Eu for his own Prisoner This done and the Prisoners committed to safe Custody the Lord Holland remounted his Horse hastily and rode into the Streets where by his Authority he interposed and saved many Lives and preserved many Ladies young Damsels and Nuns from violation For now the Common Souldiers rag'd exceedingly because many of the Town being got on the tops of Houses had flung down Tiles Stones Timber and Iron wherewith they did much harm to their Enemies and not only provoked the Souldiers but also the King himself Insomuch that having heard at night how near upon 500 of his Men were in this manner either grievously hurt or killed out right by the Citizens he gave Command that the next day they should put all to the Sword and reduce the City to Ashes But then the Lord Godfry of Harcourt either in a pious Commiseration of his own Country or that he really saw of what ill Consequences such severe Beginnings might prove to the English stept out before the King and said Sir for God's Sake refrain your Passion a little and let what You have already done suffice for this time For You have still much Labour to go thrô before You can arrive at Calais whither You are designed And Sir in this Place there are many People who if driven to Despair will not fail so obstinately to defend their Houses and to sell their Lives so dearly as it may cost You many of your Men unless You resolve to destroy the City and the Spoil together Whereby peradventure You will not be able to accomplish your Design upon Calais which must needs redound to your no small Vexation Wherefore I pray Sir save the Lives of your Men for before a Month come to an end You will have occasion for them even thô You had as many more For besides the many Difficult Passages and Rencounters You will every day meet with I believe in my Conscience your Adversary King Philip will present You with Battle But if it shall please Your Majesty to proclaim a Pardon for all that shall submit I 'll engage that without any more Bloodshed You shall be Lord of this City and all that is therein The King having well weigh'd the Reason of these Words answer'd Sr. Godfry You are our Marshal order all things at your own Discretion So next Morning the Lord Godfry Harcourt rode early from Street to Street with his Banner displayed before him and commanded aloud by an Herald in the Kings Name l M.S. vet Lat. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantab at ante that no Man should presume to set fire to any House to murder any Person or to violate any Woman whatsoever The Townsmen hearing this Proclamation freely admitted the English into their Houses and gave them good Entertainment and many opened their Closets and bad them take what they pleased so they might be secure of their Lives And yet for all that there were many Rapes Murders and Robberies committed in the Town Thus the English were Lords of Caen where they tarried three Days gathering of the Spoil because they made Resistance and were taken by Force among other Riches of Gold and Silver and the like there were found as One m Giov. Villani l. 12. c. 62. p. 872. reckons no less than 40000 Pieces of Fine Cloath Silks and Linnen beside other Wares proportionable All which the King sent down the River Orne to Estrehan where the Navy lay to be carried to St. Saviour the Vicount from whence soon after by the Kings Command the Earl of Huntington conveyed all into England as well Cloth and other Stuff for Garments Vessels of Gold and Silver Jewels and other Riches as all the Prisoners whereof in this Bout at Caen there were no less than n Giov. Villani ibid. 86 Great Lords Barons and Knights and above 300 Rich Citizens IX King o Frois c. 125. Edward having now done his Pleasure at Caen after three Days without Firing the Place departed thence having also taken in Bayeux in the same Order he used before and continued his March thrô the Bishopricks of p Mezeray p. 25. Lisieux and Eureux having among others taken and sacked a good Town called Louviers where he found a vast quantity of Riches Drapery and other Merchandise He took also q Ashmole p. 654. Lisieux it self a chief City in Normandy and abounding with Wealth and Merchandise which his Souldiers plunder'd And hence r Rot. Norman 20 Ed. 3. m. 21. vid. Odoric Rainald ad hunc ann §. 39. He gave Letters of Protection and safe Conduct to Annibald Cardinal of Tusculan and Stephen Cardinal of St. John and St. Paul sent from the Pope to mediate Peace These Men hereupon soon after came to the King he being then at ſ Ashmole p. 654. Gaillon between Pont de l'Arche and Vernon which Place he had newly taken and burnt And here they represented unto him t Giov. Villar l. 12. c. 63. p. 873. vid Epist Papae ad Edvard Regem dat Avin iii Non. August Anno Pentif 5. apud Oder Raynald ad hanc an §. 40. how they were sent from his Holiness to endeavour an Accord between Him and the King of France willing him to remit the whole Matter to the Pious Decision of the Pope But King Edward who could put no Trust in the Pope would not hear of any Accord but presently brake off all Treaty with the said Legates because it appeared to him that the Pope was much more favourable to the King of France than to Him or his Cause Yet forasmuch as some of them had been rifled of what they had by some English Souldiers King Edward not only caused their own to be restored unto them but gave them something over and above of his own to make them amends and so they returned towards Paris The mean time King Edward with his Detachments overran the Country far and near and all the way he went on
Arms for that was try'd in vain but by the Faith he reposed in Your Princely Honour which all Kings should take the utmost Care to keep inviolate My Lord and Father let it not be said that the Heir of France after a Fruitless Siege of many Months was fain to falsifie his Word confirmed with his nay with Your Royal Seal to trepan a Generous Enemy into an Ignoble Death For thô all this proceeded of Your Majesties Pleasure alone yet there is no Man but will believe that it was I who betray'd him and so they justly may unless they shall see him set free again by my Endeavours Set Free again reply'd the incensed Prince let me see who dare pretend to dispose of my Prisoners otherwise than I shall think Convenient Be this your satisfaction that your Father and your King is resolved He shall die For I look upon him as One of my most Deadly Enemies and so would You if You knew how he aims to ravish away for another that Crown which You may one Day Wear Father said the Duke if this be Your final Determination surely I shall never bear Arms on Your behalf against the King of England nor shall any of those on whom I have any Influence For I am not greatly Ambitious to Wear a Crown that is upheld by any Unjust Action and then going out of the Presence in Great Displeasure he repeated his former Words Vowing on that Condition never more to bear Arms for the King his Father again Thus the Matter stood a while King Philip in doubt whether to appease his Son or rid himself of an Enemy the Prince in deep Sorrow Shame and Displeasure and the Lord Manny in great Danger of Death But there was at Court a Worthy Knight of Hainalt named Sr. Mansart de Sue who made it his sole Endeavour to deliver the Lord Manny he held about this Matter several private Conferences with the Duke of Normandy and by his means with the greatest Peers and Barons of France whereupon at last King Philip was so importun'd by their joynt Prayers and Remonstrances that he was content to let him go out of Prison with all his Men their Horses Goods and Armour and all their Costs paid And because now the King himself was ashamed of what he had done he sent for the Lord Manny to his Palace of Nesle in Paris and made him sit down with him at Dinner at his own Table All which time the King spake so familiarly with him and shew'd him so good a Countenance as might become the most Gracious King in Europe to use with his most Loyal Friend and Favourite After all he presented him with great Gifts and Jewels to the Value of a 1000 Florens of Gold. But Sr. Walter would not receive this Present saving on this Condition that if his Master the King of England upon his Arrival before Calais should allow thereof then he would keep them as Tokens of his Princely Bounty but otherwise he must crave Pardon thô he send them all back again to the Royal Donor The King said how he spake like a Man of Honour and so the Lord Manny took his leave and rode Northward till he came into Hainalt where he had his Birth and having only tarried three Days at Valenciennes he proceeded till he came to Calais where he and all his Men were welcome to the King of England But when he had shew'd the King the Particulars of all his Journey and the Danger he was in at first as also how afterwards on certain Conditions he had accepted of Gifts from the French King Edward took him aside and said Sr. Walter You have hitherto served Us with much Loyalty and We doubt not but You will continue so to do Send again to Philip of Valois his Presents You have no need of them We thank God We have enough for our selves and for You too And surely We design for You both great Honour and other Rewards according to the Good and Laudable Service You have done Us. Upon these Words of the King the Lord Manny took immediately all the foresaid Jewels and delivering them to a Cousin of his named Sr. Mansel a young Gentleman of Gallant Shape Deportment and Courage thô at that time of no considerable Office because of his Youth he said Cousin Mansel ride into France to the King there and recommend me to him and tell him that I thank his Majesty a Thousand times for the Favours he was pleased to shew me and the Gifts he gave me But let him know that it is not the Pleasure of the King my Master that I should keep them Wherefore I now send them again unto him This young Knight rode to Paris accordingly and deliver'd his Message with the Jewels to the King But he thought it agreed not with his Honour to take them back again wherefore as Sr. Walter had imagin'd He bad Sr. Mansel take them to himself He for his part as one whose Place laid no such Obligation upon him as the Lord Manny's did thanked his Majesty heartily and made no scruple to bring them along with him to Calais XI Now as soon g Frois c. 136. Ashuncle p. 681. Du Chesne p. 665. Holinshead p. 938. Meâ—â—crâ—y p. 28. Grev. Villan l. 12. c. 76. p. 887. as the Duke of Normandy had Raised his Siege from before Aiguillon and was returned to Paris Henry Earl of Lancaster and Darby who during the Siege had kept at Bourdeaux or la Reole and thereabout when he heard of the Duke's Departure sent his Summons throughout Gaseogne to all the Lords Knights and Esquires of England besides such Gascogners as held for King Edward Among whom were the Lord of Albret the Lord de Le Sparre the Lord of Rosam the Lord of Mucidan the Lord of Pamiers the Lord of Tourton the Lord of Bouqueton Sr. Emery of Traston and others so that the Earls Forces amounted in all to 1200 Men of Arms 2000 Archers and 3000 Foot. With this small but well compacted Army he passed the Garonne between Bourdeaux and Blaye and marching up the way toward Saintogne came to Mirembeau which he took by Storm both Town and Castle and set therein a Garrison of English Then he turned to Mortagne by the Sea-side in Poicton which he took by Assault and Garrison'd also From hence he rode to Taillebourg and wan the Bridge Town and Castle putting all whom he found to the Sword in Revenge of the Death of a Knight of his who was slain in the Assault After this he advanced to Aunay Surgieres and Benon all which he took but the Castle of Marans beyond Rochelle he could not prevail upon by any means Then he went and laid Siege to the Fair Town of St. John the Evangelist called in French St. Jean D'Angely and gave there a great Assault which lasted till almost Night There were no very Expert Captains at that time in the Place wherefore Sr. William de
of Archimbald Douglas who fell in the Battle of Halliden Earl of Douglas and committed to his Charge the Leading of one Brigade III. The first e Holinshead Scotl. p. 240. c. â—t ante Fortress they came to near the Borders was Lidel round which they lay encamped for three Days but on the Fourth after a Vigorous Attack carried it by fine force where they put most of those they found to the Sword But the Captain Sr. Walter Selby before he would deliver his Sword compounded with a Scotch Knight to have his Life and the Lives of his Children saved which was thereupon assured him But when King f Stow p. 243. Holinshead ibid. c. David heard of the Captains being taken he gave order that his Head should be cut off Then the Scotch Knight who had taken him began to intreat in his behalf at least that he might be admitted into the Kings Presence this with much adoe being granted the English Knight upon his knees requested that his Life might be saved for a Ransom But notwithstanding he was again adjudged to die Nor only so but the Cruel Prince commanded two of his Children to be strangled in sight of their Father and having thereby afflicted his Mind almost to Madness with rage and grief he presently caused his Head to be stricken off not allowing him so much time as to make a Confession thô like a good Christian he instantly desired that Ghostly comfort Surely that hatred is Diabolical and Implacable nor only unworthy of a Christian but even exceeding the Barbarity of Infidels which extends beyond this Life and endeavours not only to destroy the Body but also to plunge the Soul into Eternal Ruine After this Merciless Execution the Scotch Army marched to Lenercost where they spoil'd the Abbey of all its Ornaments and whatever was valuable therein and so passing the River Irthing they went by Naworth Castle and leaving Cumberland enter'd on the other side the Picts-Wall into Northumberland wasting all along with fire and sword till they came to the Priory of Hexham which was also pillaged and sacked but the Town was saved from fire by the Kings Command for he was advised to spare four Towns from fire in his Passage to York whither he thought to go without Resistance namely this of Hexham Cerbridge Durham and Darlington to the end they might serve him as so many storehouses to lay in what quantities of Victuals and Provender he should find about in the Country therewith to sustain his Army upon Necessity if he should either stay long in England or be reduced to any extremity At Hexham he lay three Days and thence Marched to Ebchester beyond the River Derwen being one of the first Towns on that side within the Bishoprick of Durham As thus he marched wasting and spoiling the Country on every side toward the City of Durham he destroyed many of the Farms belonging to the Abbey of that City and had utterly ruin'd them all had g Knighten p. 2590. n. 40. Stow p. 243. not some of the Monks who were taken thereabouts and were kept as Prisoners to be Ransomed made an agreement for themselves and the rest of their Fraternity to pay the next Day ready down a 1000 pounds Sterling on Condition they would forbear spoiling the Residue of their Mannors or their Tenents But of all others they h Knighton ibid. n. 10. took one penny for every Head and one penny for every Foot which being done they were left free but otherwise put to the sword And thus they intended to do to every Soul they should meet with even to the River Trent but that they found a stop long before At last King David came and encamped by the Wood of Beare-Park within three Leagues of Durham not far from Nevils-Cross He took up his Lodgings in the Mannor there and daily sent forth strong Detachments to fetch in Booty and to burn and destroy Houses and Villages The Spoil Desolation and Slaughter which Rapine Fire and Sword spread along before the Enemy was both Barbarous and terrible for they spared neither Young nor Old neither Church Chappel nor Monastery but in their blind fury made one General Heap of both Sacred and Profane Not so much as the Goods and Lands belonging to the Patrimony of St. Cuthbert were exempted from Rapine and Plunder as the Scotch Writers themselves confess thô not only the Monks of the Abbey dedicated to that Saint had compounded for their exemption but also as Hector says King David was strictly admonished in a Dream by no means to presume to touch any thing belonging unto his Church IV. Now the Noble Queen of England Philippa being at that time in the North-parts about York when she heard of the first Motions of the Scots was not forgetfull of the King her Husbands Honour and of the Good of his Kingdom But putting on a Spirit worthy of Her that was Confort to King Edward and Mother to the Black-Prince sent out her Summons to all the Lords and Prelates of those Parts and others left by the King for the Defence of the Borders to repair with all speed unto her The Summons were sent forth in the Name of the King of England by the Queen and the Archbishop of York and soon after there came the Lords and Captains of England with their Retinues to York to the Queen where she made her General Musters Then the Queen and the Archbishop sent away an Herald at Arms to King David requiring him to desist from further invading the Country and to return into Scotland till some Reasonable Order for a final Peace might be agreed betwixt him and the King his Master Otherwise he should be sure to have Battle to the Uttermost within three Days after i Hector Beeth l. 15. fol. 324. But that if he refused all terms of Agreement he should remember that there was in Heaven a Just God of Power sufficient to Revenge the Injuries done unto England and especially to his Servants the Priests and other Holy Persons whom he had slain with the Sword neither sparing Church nor Church-Lands nor weak Women nor Innocent Children But all this signified little or nothing to that Prince who was not only stirr'd up by his Youth and an Emulation of his Fathers Glory but also provoked to Revenge as well by the former dealings of his English Enemies as by the manifold Benefits received of his Friend of France Wherefore he sends back a Mortal Defiance and the next Day set his Men in Order to receive their Enemies if they should come forward The first Battalia he committed to the Care of the Lord Robert Stuart Prince of Scotland as being Eldest Son of King Davids Eldest Sister Margaret Bruce with whom was the Lord Patrick Dumbar Earl of March The Second was commanded by John Randulph Earl of Murray and William Earl of Douglas And the Third he Lead himself having with him the French Auxiliaries
Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 356. the Twelfth of February the valiant English Lord Maurice Berkley younger Son to Maurice Lord Berkley and Brother to the Lord Thomas Berkley in the Camp before Calais to the extream Regret of his Master King Edward who set an high value upon his Services of which an Estimate may be from the Retinue he had at the time of his Death Which consisted of six Knights among whom p Dugd. 2 Vol. p. 89. was Sr. Nicolas de St. Maure aliàs Seymour and 32 Esquires with 30 Archers on Horseback and 200 Archers on Foot. Three q Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 356. days after his Death the King in contemplation of his singular Merits gave unto Thomas his Son and Heir a Grant of the Profits of his own Wardship as to his Lands and Marriage This Noble Family of the Berkleys is derived from Maurice the Son of Robert Fitz-Harding who was the Son of Harding one of the Royal Blood or as some say r Vetus M.S. in Castro de Berkley Leland Coll. 1 Vol. p 912. Youngest Son to the King of Denmark who came into England with William the Conquetour The foresaid Maurice Son to Robert Fitz-Harding had in Marriage the Lady Alice Daughter and at last ſ Dudg 1 Vol. p. 352. Godwins Catal. Bishops p. 500. sole Heir to Roger Lord Berkley so called from his Castle of Berkley in Gloucestershire and thereupon changing his Name became Ancestour to this Illustrious Family which since that Time hath flourished and still continues in great Honour to this Day X. I do not meet with any more Persons of Rank that died during this Siege in the English Camp but 't is certain that not a few of the Common Sort were wasted away as we said before The Loss of whom was notwithstanding easily made up by succeeding Recruits from England and other Places For many great Lords of Flanders Hainalt Brabant and Almain came thither to the Camp some indeed onely to pay their Respects to the King and Queen others to joyn with the English Forces And of all the Visitors none departed home again without an agreeable Gratuity from the King. Among all those Lords that won by the Kings Fame or otherwise came now to embrace his Service the Lord t Frois c. 141. Robert of Namur was not the least Considerable This worthy young Lord had lately received the Order of Knighthood at the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem by the hands of that Renowned Christian Souldier the Lord Lespentine and had thereupon continued for some time in the Holy Wars but was now newly returned into the Country of Namur and Liege He was as then in the first flower and vigour of his Age of good Discretion Courage and Conduct and had not since his Return been engaged by either of the two Kings of England or France but now of his own Accord he came gallantly attended and richly provided to the Siege before Calais and there offer'd himself to the Service of King Edward By him he was received very graciously as also he was highly welcome to the Queen and the English Lords but especially he won upon the Kings Affections on the Account of the Lord Robert of Artois his Uncle whose Name he bare and whose Person and Vertues seemed again to be revived in him Nor shall it be forgot that this Martial Knight was a great Friend to the Muses as we may learn from u Frois l. 1 a. 1. f. 1. ad finem Sr. John Froisard For whose laborious and noble History which for the most part contains the Heroick Acts of King Edward and his Children we are not a little beholding to this Sr. Robert of Namur Lord of Beaufort who requested him to set about that Laudable Work and both encouraged and assisted him in it Sr. Robert of Namur bare for his Arms x Ashmoles Garter p. 79. Plate 85. Or a Lion Rampant Sable Crowned Gules and in process of time became Knight of the Garter For from this time forward he became Liegeman to the King of England who thereupon gave him for the first Hansel of his Favour 300 l. per annum to be paid by Yearly Return at Bruges in Flanders and now he continued with his Troops amounting to 300 Men of Arms before Calais till the Place was taken About y Knighton p. 2592. Whitsuntide King Edward sent to all the Abbeys and Priories throughout England for an Aid of their Woolls and for a proportionable Support from all other Religious Houses as lately had been granted unto him in Parliament One z Odoric Rainald ad hanc an §. 24. ex Archivis Vaticani says that he seized on all the Ecclesiastick Wealth under the specious pretence of Borrowing it to maintain him in his Wars against France By whose Example King Philip to defend his own laid hands on the Revenues of all Priests except Cardinals not residing in his Kingdom and of other Benefices he took the Tenths Whereupon the Pope sent unto him Pastor Archbishop of Ambrun and William Bishop of Chartres to restrain him and the Gallican Clergy he exhorted to maintain the Liberties of the Church Threatning a Tem. 5. ep secret 1160. Clem. VI. PPae moreover to use his Pontifical Authority against him unless he would restore the Ecclesiastick Right to its pristine Splendour But we do not find that King Philip alter'd his Course of Proceeding for all this the Necessity of his Affairs calling for extraordinary Supplies XI Before we come to the Winning of Calais it is fit we should take notice of other Matters that happen'd elsewhere the mean while no whit less Worthy of Memory And first we shall enquire after the Condition of Scotland at this time We shew'd before how the preceding Year immediately after the Battle of Durham the English pursuing their Victory recover'd the Castle b Hector l. 15. f. 325. Buchan l. 9. p. 303. of Hermitage with all Anandale Marches Tweedale Tividale and Ethrick Forest besides regaining what the Scots had won in England enlarging their Limits as far as Cockburne's pit and Solway And all this was obtained in a manner with little or no Resistance for the Scots were now brought c Buchan ibid. so low since that blow they received near Durham that for a long while after they were unable to bring any considerable Army into the Field But now early this Year King Edward Bailiol in hopes to recover his Inheritance during this weak Estate of Scotland d Knighton p. 2592. Hector Buchan Holinshead Scotl. enters that Kingdom by Carlile with an Army of 20000 Men and the Lord Piercy with as many more by Barwick made a Road into Louthian and Cliddisdale whence he brought great Booty of Goods and Cattle while the Bailiol raged alike in Galloway Niddisdale and Carrick so that the Scots were at last compelled to yield unto him and accept him for their King. From hence when both the Armies
so much long'd for and have likewise so dearly paid for Wherefore if he cannot pass this way to meet with me let him take what way he can for I will not flinch from him no more than I will unadvisedly give way for him to refresh the Town with Victuals XVIII With this Answer the French Lords were dismiss'd being convey'd beyond the Bridge by the Earl of Lancaster and his Guard of Partizans But that very Morning while the French King was thus busied in contriving how to relieve the Town there came k Frois ibid. Du Chesne p. 668. Holinshead p. 942. Oder Rainald ad hunc annum §. 24. thither two Cardinals Annibald Bishop of Tusculum and Stephen of the Title of St. John and St. Paul who were sent from Avignon by the Pope to mediate about a Truce or if they might a final Peace between the Two Kings King Philip having understood their Errand remitted them to the English Camp to know what his Adversary would do in this case And he upon their earnest Importunities and solemn adjurations in Reverence to Religion admitted of a Truce for Four Days if within that time any equal Proposals might be offer'd him Commissioners for this Treaty on the French part were the Dukes of Burgundy and Bourbon the Lord Lewis of Savoy and John Lord of Beaumont in Hainalt On the English side were Henry Earl of Lancaster William Earl of Northampton the Lord Reginald Cobham and the Lord Walter Manny And the Two Cardinals were as Moderators between both Parties Among other things l Knighton p. 2594. n. 10. 20. the French offer'd to King Edward all Gascogne and Ponthieu and the Marriage of his Son John and rather than fail to yield unto him the Town of Calais saving the Lives and Limbs of the Inhabitants To which the English answer'd briefly Small Thanks for giving a Part which was theirs before now the whole was due That the Town and all therein was now at King Edwards Mercy and not therefore at the Dispose of King Philip. Then the French Commissioners required that Five or Six being chosen out on both sides might be authorised to discuss and adjust the Right of both the Kings and that the Place where they should meet might be assigned by the King of France To this the Earl of Lancaster replyed that then the Place ought to be assigned by King Edward who was the Natural and Right Heir both of England and France For Philip of Valois had no Right at all This was the Sum of the Three Days Treaty during which time m Knighton ibid Stow p. 244. eâ— Tho. de la Mâ—re several French Knights came to the Causey to just with the Englishmen but King Edwards Commissioners would by no means admit of the French Concessions So that the Cardinals were fain to retire to St. Omers and both Armies prepared for Battle for just then there came to King Edward a strong Reinforcement n Stow ibid. eâ— eidem Knâ—ghton p. 2â—94 n. 42. of 17000 Fighting Men English and Flemings Whereupon he offer'd at his own Cost and Charges to fill the Trenches and to remove all Impediments that the French Army might have free access to come and joyn Battle with him on Condition he might have sufficient security that nothing should be convey'd into the Town the mean while But King o Frois c. 145. fâ— 71. M.S. Vet. Angl. in Bibliâ—th C.C.C. c. 228. Philip despairing to do any thing at that time on the Thursday Morning betimes set fire to his Tents and began to Decamp and March off taking his way towards Picardy to go to Amiens where being come he Disbanded his Army But however upon his first Removal the Earls p Stow p. 244. of Lancaster and Northampton followed him at the Tayl and wan Sumpters Carts and Carriages Horses Wine and other things and slew several and took many Prisoners whom they brought to the Camp before Calais XIX Now the Calisians upon this first Arrival of their King had made their Condition known to him in this Manner The first day they set up his Ensign Royal upon the Chief Tower of the Castle together with other Banners bearing the Arms of the Dukes Earls and Barons of France and a little after the close of the Evening they made a Great Light on the Top of their Highest Tower that was directed toward the French Army and at the same time gave a shout and made a Merry Noise with Trumpets and other Instruments of Martial Musick The second Night they did the same only the Light and the Noise was much less than before But on the third Night they made a very small Fire accompanied with a most Lamentable and Dolefull Noise to signifie that their Hopes were almost extinguished and their Condition very Deplorable and then they took in all their Flags and Streamers but only the Standard of France But when at last they perceived that their King was Decamped from Sangate and took his March homeward they pull'd down q Knighton p. 2594. Stow ibid. their Standard of War and with great sorrow cast it into the Ditch and reared up in its stead the Standard of King Edward with the Arms of England and France quarter'd making at the same time a most Lamentable Cry for Mercy Then at the Request of the Inhabitants the Captain of Calais Sr. John de Vienna r Frois c. 146. went to the Walls of the Town and made a sign to speak with some body Upon notice hereof King Edward sent unto him the Lord Walter Manny and the Lord Ralph Basset of Sapcote to hear what he had to say And them the Captain accosted thus Gentlemen I know You are Knights of great Honour and Renown for Deeds of War wherefore I more willingly appeal to Your Judgement in what concerns Us at this time You cannot be ignorant how the King my Master sent me and others to this Place with a Command to keep it to our Power in his behalf so that We neither incurred any blame to our selves nor suffer'd any Loss to fall upon him According to which Command and our Duty We have hitherto maintain'd our Charge to our Ability But now since our Succours have failed Us We are brought so low that We must all either die by the Sword or Famine unless that Noble and Generous Prince Your Master will vouchsafe to take pity on Us. Which that he would please to do We desire You Worthy Lords to be our Intercessors praying him on our behalf that he would permit Us to go out with our Lives and Apparel only and be content to accept the Town and Castle and all the Goods and Riches that are therein which I 'll assure You are in great abundance Sir said the Lord Walter Manny We know something of the King our Master's mind already for he hath upon this occasion before discover'd something of his Resolution concerning the People
which was u Dugd. 2 Vol. Bar. p. 151. ex Clâ—â—s 23. Ed. 3. p. 2. m. â— born in this Adventure by a Noble and Valiant Young Baron of England called Sr. Guy Brian Besides which Lord Mâ—â—ny there were present divers other English Lords who had their Banners in the Fold as Robert Hufford Earl of Suffolk Ralph Lord Stafford the Lord John Montagu Brother to William Earl of Salisbury the Lord John Beauchamp Brother to Thomas Earl of Warwick the young Lord Roger de la Ware the Lord Thomas Berkley the Lord William x Dugd. Bar. 1 Vol. p. 550. ex Bet. Franc. 23 Ed. 3. m 4. Rous the Younger and there were no more Lords that bore Banners in this Exploit All these being come on Horseback in great silence to the Gate that respects Boulogne the Gates were presently set open and they all issued forth in good Order of Battle When the Frenchmen saw them come forth against them and heard them cry a Manny a Manny to the Rescue they saw well the Lombard had betray'd them and began to be in some Confusion But then the Lord Geoffry Charny like a wise and hardy Captain said aloud Messieurs if we turn our Backs we are all lost without Remedy 'T is more safe to expect our Enemies with a good Courage and then we shall obtain the Day The Front of the English hearing these Words said By Saint George You say well A shame on them that turn their Backs first And then the Frenchmen began to light off their Horses and order'd themselves for a standing Fight Whereupon King Edward spake to the Lord Manny Let us also get on Foot for the Enemy I see will expect us And at the same time he order'd a Detachment to go to Newland Bridge For he had heard that a good Body of Frenchmon were just sent thither to make good the Retreat besides a Considerable Party left there at first by St. Geoffry Charny Accordingly there went thither six Banners of England and 300 Archers on Horseback and there they found the Lord Moreaux de Frennes and the Lord of Crequy and others ready to keep the Bridge and before them between the Bidge and Calais stood ready ranged a Brigade of Arbalisters and Cross-bows Here began a terrible Medley the Archers of England piercing and breaking their Ranks thro and thro with their thick Flights of deadly Arrows so that presently there were more than six hundred Frenchmen slain or drown'd and stisted for they were easily beaten away by the Archers slain discomfited and chaced into the Water on each hand This was early in the Morning before Day-break when all things being rendred-undertain those who are set upon are usually the most fearfull However the French Men of Arms kept their Ground and for a while fought gallantly enough and did many proper Feats of Arms but the Englishmen from Calais perpetually flow'd in upon them and the French decreased as fast wherefore the rest seeing they could no longer maintain the Bridge such as had Horses by mounted and shew'd their Backs the English following after them on the Spurr while others were gleaning the Reliques of the Field at the Bridge and slaying and taking those Frenchmen who could not recover their Horses There the Lord of Fiennes the Lord of Crequy the Lord Dâ—deauville and Others that were well horsed saved themselves But far more were beaten and overthrown and many were taken thrô their own indiscreet Hardiness that might else have saved themselves not dishonourably But when at last it was Day light and the Frenchmen could plainly see all about them they began to look back and beheld that the Pursuers was far inferiour to them in Number wherefore they boldly faced about and began to order themselves for Battle and to call upon their fellows to come back and joyn them And here as some y Walsing hist p. 159. Stow p. 249. will have it was the King of England in this Party among the Pursuers eager of Honour thô to the great hazard of his Person and that being at first because unknown follow'd but by a Few namely 16 Men of Arms and about an 100 Archers on Horseback when he saw the Resolution of his Enemies who perceiving his small Numbers turned back upon him he as resolutely dismounted and put away his Horse from him cast away the scabbard of his Sword and set his Men in the best Order he might placing the Archers on the dry hills encompassed with Quagmires and Marshes to preserve them from the fury of the Enemies Horse at which instant lifting up the Visor of his Helmet a little to shew himself unto his Men he exhorted them aloud to play the Game of Honour lustily telling them that he was Edward of Windsor and would bear a part with them in this adventure So that the Hearts of the English were wonderfully exalted beyond their usual height of Courage being as well animated by the Example and Presence of their King as also by Honour and Necessity it self The Archers especially stripping up their sleeves to the shoulder to have the more liberty for Action stood ready to bestow their home-drawn Arrows with such judgement and concernedness that not one of them might fail of due Execution Then the Armed Men on both sides met furiously and the King in the Head of his Men did Marvels taging as z Walsing ibid. M. S. Vet. Angl. in â—â—bl C.C.C. c. 228. One says like a Wild Boar and crying out for Indignation as his usual Manner was Ha! St. Edward Ha! St. George the Archers all this while doing great Execution on the Enemies flank till at last the English being well-nigh opprest by the too unequal Numbers of the Enemy the Young Prince of Wales came opportunely to the Rescue But let who will be of this Opinion I cannot cordially embrace it my self not only because it makes so Great a Captain against decorum too inconsiderate and rash for that Character but also because it seems utterly improbable that the Prince of Wales the Lord Manny and those other Lords who knew of the Kings being there should suffer him to be so lightly attended in so hazardous a juncture or that thô disguised to the rest he was not yet remarkable enough to them Not to say that it is scarce credible the King who had such a zeal for the safety of Calais should leave the Head of the Enemy fighting at the Gates and run forth after Matters of far less Moment leaving the Place in danger of being taken From all which we are enclin'd to believe that when the Causey and Bridge was clear'd by that Detachment which the King had sent thither one Moiety might remain there still to clear the field of the French who could not recover their Horses or who sled not so fast and the other in the mean time follow'd the Chace upon the Spur And perhaps here and there did meet with some resistance till
Whitsuntide King Edward kept in great Splendor at Westminster being accompanied with the Chief of his Nobility and those of France and Scotland that were Prisoners During which t Catal. Nobil by Tho. Mills p. 649. Solemnity the Lord Edmund younger Brother to Richard Fitz-Alan Earl of Arundel was Knighted by the King together with 300 more young Gentlemen At which time u Knighton p. 2607. n. 27. Mezeray p. 39. Tom. 3. par 2. also the Lord Charles of Blois who had been Prisoner in England above four Years by means of Queen Philippa whose Kinsman he was obtained leave to go into France to procure his Ransom his two Sons Sr. John and Sr. Guy remaining still behind as Hostages for the Payment he being by Oath obliged not to bear Arms against England till he had paid the Money Thô one x Knighton p. 2607. says that having obtain'd Leave upon Security given to divert himself in the Island of Jarsey when by walking about frequently he had sufficiently observed the Weakness of the Country he came some Months afterwards suddenly upon them with 300 Men of Arms and put all he found to the Sword like a perfidious and Disloyal Knight and so took possession of the Place himself IX The Lord Guy de Nesle Marshal of France being now at Liberty again to repair the Loss he suffer'd in April raises a considerable Army in Bretagne where about the Middle of August viz. on the 15 Day 1352 y Frois c. 153. Gaguin p. 143. Walsingh hist p. 161. Fabian p. 229. Stow p. 253. he was again valiantly encountred by Sr. Walter Bentley Sr. Robert Knolles and other English Captains near Mauron between Rennes and Ploermel Where after a long and doubtfull Fight the English being but 300 Men of Arms and 600 Archers the Frenchmen thô above Four times their Number were utterly discomfited slain and taken For there fell Guy of Nesle himself who was Lord of Oysemont and Marshal of France together with the Lord of St. Quintin the Lord of Briquebec the Lord of Courtenay the Chastellain of Beauvais the Lord of Rugemont the Lord of Montauban the Lord de l'Aunay the Lord of Mont de Bayeux the Lord de L'Aigle the Lord de Villebon the Lord de la Marche the Lord de le Chastelet Thirteen Lords in all besides an 140 Knights and of Batchelours 500 whose Coat Armours were brought away But the Common-Souldiers were not numbred There were also taken Prisoners the Lord of Brusebeque Son of the Lord Bertram Sr. Tristram de Morlaix the Lord of Malestroit the Viscount of Cominges Sr. Geoffry de Gray Sr. William de la Val Sr. Charles Darcheville Sr. John de Brou and other Lords and Knights Batchelours to the number of 130. This Army of the French and Bretons under the Conduct of the said Marshal had been so order'd by him that having a steep Mountain behind at their Backs they might be enforced to stand to it resolutely by despairing to fly One z Stow ibid. says that no less than 45 Knights of the Star were slain in this Battle but the Number of those Knights who were created the last Year being but 18 't is hardly credible that already the Order should be so mightily overstockt wherefore we pass this by as an Errour However there were many Valiant and Noble Leaders on the French Part and their Array was so dreadfull that it dismayed the Hearts of several Englishmen so that they began to flee But the Couragious Sr. Walter Bentley Lieutenant of Bretagne at that time for the King of England would not flinch a Foot but oppos'd good Conduct and indefatigable Resolution to the fury of his Enemies till after a bloody Fight wherein hardly one of the English escaped unhurt and Sr. Walter himself was grievously thô not mortally wounded by the Grace of God he obtain'd a famous Victory After which in a Court Martial he condemned thirty Archers to be hang'd because they forsook him and fled in the Heat of Battle to the hazard of all his Company This was a considerable Blow to France and a Loss not in many Years to be repaired althô in the room of Guy de Nesle there succeeded the Lord of Beaujeu a most Worthy Captain in the Office of Marshal of France X. As for the Affairs of Gascogne King Edward at this time a Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 1â—0 ex Record constituted the Lord Ralph Earl of Stafford his Lieutenant and Captain General in those parts with special Commission to Treat with any persons of what Nation soever upon terms of yielding aid to the King and receiving mutual assistance from him In which service of the Lieutenancy of Aquitain he was now retained by Indenture bearing Date 3 tio Martii 1352 to continue with an 100 Men of Arms and an 100 Archers on Horseback all of his own proper Retinue till Michaelmas next ensuing And from that time forwards to have an additional Number of 100 Men at Arms and 200 Archers on Horseback provided at the Kings Charge during his stay in those parts The King likewise indenting further with him to send by way of supply under the Conduct of the Duke of Lancaster or one of the Earls either of Northampton Arundel Warwick or Huntington 300 Men of Arms more and 700 Archers At which time the said Earl of Stafford constituted Sr. James Pipe then Seneschal of Aquitain Governour of Blaye scituate in the Enemies Quarters on the other side the Garonne But the mean while in respect of this his necessitated Absence from England he obtained of the King a special Precept to the Judges of the Kings Bench that they should not in any of their Sessions within the County of Essex intermeddle with his Liberties And while he was preparing for this Expedition he had an Assignation of the Town of Hackney in the County of Middlesex for the quartering of his Men and Horses Sixty Men with Lances being among others impressed for that service out of his Lordships of Newport and Netherwent in the Marches of Wales And being in the beginning of May almost b Ashmele p. 690. ex Ret. Frane 26. Ed 3. m. 11. Maii 14. Lit. Dom. A.G. ready to take his journey into Gascogne a Writ bearing Date 14 of May was issued to Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick Admiral towards the West to arrest all Ships of 50 Tuns and upwards for this Earl's passage thither and to bring them to Sandwich by the c Pâ—scha 8. April Fâ—st Trin. 3 Junii Quindene of Trinity or the 17 of June following Being arrived safe in Gascogne he presently after encountred a Great Body of Frenchmen who came forth of their strong hold to meet him of whom he had an entire Victory slaying the greater part of them and taking Prisoner that most valiant Gentleman d Stow p. 253. Sr. Gaudee who afterwards being naturalized made his seat in Suffolk and seven Knights of the Star if
they found no Enemy to oppose them and first let us speak of the Prince of Wales and of his Actions in this Expedition EDWARD the Black-Prince n Frois c. 155. being thus happily arrived in Gascogne as we shew'd before declared o Holinsh p. 951. M.S. Vet. Angl. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantabr c. 230. to the Chief Captains and Lords of the Country the Reasons of his coming thither and fell immediately to advise with them how to proceed for the best Advantage in his Affairs After which having well refreshed his Souldiers and sufficiently augmented his small Forces on the * Lit. Dom. D. Fifth of October being a Monday he marched out of Bourdeaux in this Order In the Vanguard was the Earl of Warwick his Constable the Lord Reginald Cobham his Marshal the Lord Roger Clifford Son in Law to the Earl of Warwick the young Lord John Beauchamp of Somersetshire the Lord Richard Stafford Brother to the Earl of Stafford and Sr. John Wingfield an intimate Friend of his of the Lord Cobhams Retinue and seven stout Barons of Gascogne with 3000 Armed Men In the Main-Battail marched the Valiant Young Prince himself being now in the 25th Year of his Age with a double Ensign with him were the Earl of Oxford the Lord Bartholomew Burghersh or Burwash whose Father was then newly dead the Lord John Lisle the Lord John Willoughby of Eresby the Lord Roger de la Warre the Lord Maurice Berkley the Lord John Bourchier the Lord John Rose the Elder of Bourdeaux the Lord John Greilly Captal de la Buche the Lord of Chaumont and the Lord of Monferrand the Four latter being of Gascogne and in this Battail were 7000 Men of Arms. The Reer which contained 4000 Men of Arms was led by the Earls of Suffolk and Salisbury with whom was the Lord of Nemours who conducted the Carriages The whole Army consisted of better than 60000 Men one with another and being furnished with such a General and such Valiant and Expert Leaders might well be counted very formidable Wherefore the Earl of Armagnac who was Lieutenant to the French King in Languedoc Gaston Phoebus Earl of Foix James of Bourbon who was Lord of Ponthieu and Constable of France and the Lord John Clermont Marshal of France thô they had among them far p Frois c. 155. Mezeray p. 42. greater Numbers than the Prince and were more Powerfull in the Field if their Courage would have permitted a Tryal durst not either for Fear or as Mezeray softens it for jealousie of one another so much as once offer to stop his Victorious Progress Wherefore in little more than two Months time the Prince overran all the Country at his pleasure as far as Beziers and Narbonne burning the very suburbs of Narbonne or rather as will appear by and by the city it self and taking and destroying very many strong Towns and Castles all which are particularly and truly enumerated by Sr. Thomas de la More thô the Names of the Places are there most corruptly written for which reason as well as for the dryness and prolixity thereof we forbear to add the particulars here In this q Stow p. 255 c. Expedition on occasion of a Fire that happen'd one Night in a Town where he lodged he took a Resolution which he kept while he lived never to lie a Night in any Town in an Enemies Country in time of War. Being come to the strong City of Carcassone the Citizens offer'd him 25000 souses of Gold on Condition he would spare their Town from Fire but the Prince answer'd That he came not thither for Gold but to take Cities and Towns with their Inhabitants to succour and cherish his Friends and to offend his Enemies In this Expedition at several times the Prince Knighted all these Gentlemen Jenkin Barefort Giles Stratton Rowland Davis Ralph Basset the Sons of the Lord of Albret Theodorick Dale Porter of the Prince's Chamber and many others In lieu of all whom he lost only one but him a most Valiant and Noble Knight of the Order of the Garter named the Lord John Lisle who on the r Ashmole's Garter p. 673. Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 739. 14 of October received a Mortal wound with a stone from a Wall of which he died the next day to the infinite regret of the Prince and all who knew his Worth and Gallantry leaving behind him his Son and Heir Robert then 22 Years of Age. IV. But because a more particular account of this Expedition cannot better be expected than from the Mouthes of those who were actually concern'd therein besides the former Reference to Sr. Thomas de la More I shall take leave to subjoyn the Words of Sr. John Wingfield a Valiant Knight whose ſ Holinshead Engl. Chron. p. 952. ex Rob. Avesbury c. Ashmole p. 672. two Letters on this subject are most Worthy to be inserted that thereby the Reader may as by a Touchstone try the Truth of Authors who write of the same Matter A Copy of Sr. JOHN WINGFIELD's Letter to a certain Noble Lord then in England My Lord as touching News in these parts may it please you to understand that all the Earls Barons Bannerets Knights and Esquires were in Health at the writing hereof and my Lord the Prince hath not lost either Knight or Esquire in this Expedition except the Lord John Lisle who was slain after a strange manner with a Quarrel the third day after we were entred into our Enemies Country He died the 15 of October And please you to understand that my Lord hath rode thrô the Country of Armagnac and hath taken many enclosed Towns and burnt and destroy'd them except such as He fortified for himself After this He marched into the Vicountie of Rovergue where He took a good Town called Plaisance the Chief Place in that Country which He burnt and destroy'd with the Country round about the same This done He went into the Country of Estarrac wherein He took many Towns and wasted and ravaged all the Country Then He entred the County of Cominges and took many Towns there which He caused to be destroy'd and burnt together with all the Country round about He also took the Town of St. Bertrand the Chief in that Country being as large in compass as the City of Norwich in England After that He entred the County of t t L'Isle en Dodon Lille and took the greater part of the closed Towns therein causing several of them to be burnt and destroy'd as he passed Then going into the Lordship of Tholouse We passed the River of Garonne and another a League above Tholouse which is very great For our Enemies had burnt all the Bridges as well on the one side of Tholouse as the other except those within Tholonse for the River runneth thrô the Town And within this Town at the same time were the Constable of France the Marshal Clermont and the Earl of
Armagnac with a great Power of Souldiers Tholouse is a City of a large extent strong fair and well-walled And there was none in our Host who perfectly knew the Ford of the River but yet by the Grace and Goodness of God we found it So then we mâ—ched thrô the Seigniory of Tholouse and took many good Towns enclosed before we came to Carcassone which We also took a Town greater stronger and fairer than York But as well this as all other Towns in the Country which We took were burnt plunder'd and destroy'd Now after We had marched by many journeys thrô the Country of Carcassone We came into the Seigniory of Narbonne which Town held out against Us but it was won by force and the same Town is little less than the City of London being scituate upon the u u i.e. the Mediterranean in ho◠〈◊〉 Greekish Sea which is not above two Leagues therefrom And there is there an Haven or Landing-place from whence the x x Aude Latinè Atâ—â— River goeth up to Narbonne And Narbonne is but 11 Leagues distant from Monpellier 18 from Aigues-Mortes and 30 from Avignon And may it please You to understand that our Holy Father sent Messengers to my Lord who being not past 7 Leagues from him sent a Serjeant at Arms who was Serjeant Attendant at the Door of our Holy Fathers Chamber with Letters to my Lord requiring of him a safe Conduct to come and declare to his Highness their Message from our Holy Father which was to treat of an Accommodation between my Lord and his Adversary of France But the Serjeant was two days in the Army before my Lord would vouchsafe to see him or receive his Letters The reason whereof was because He was informed that the Power of France was come forth of Tholouse toward Carcassone wherefore my Lord was obliged to turn back again upon them presently as He did But the Third day when We expected to have met them they understanding of our approach retired before day and gat them to the Mountains marching hastily toward Tholouse But the Country People who had been their Guides to lead them that way were taken by Us as they should have passed the Water At which time because the Serjeant at Arms was in my Custody I caused him to examine the Guides that were so taken and because one of the Guides so taken had been the Constables Guide and his Countryman He might well see and know the Countenance of the French upon this his Examination And I told the Serjeant that he might the better declare to the Pope and all those at Avignon what he had now heard or seen But as to the Answer which my Lord return'd to them who had been sent to treat with him You would be hugely pleased if You knew all the Matter For He would not suffer them by any means to approach his Person any nearer but He sent them word by their Serjeant that if they came to treat of any Matter they should send to the King his Father For my Lord himself would not do any thing therein but by command from my Lord his Father But of my Lords turning back to meet his Enemies of his repassing the River Garonne and of his taking Castles and Towns in this Expedition and of other things done against his Enemies in pursuit of them they were all Deeds Right Worthy and Honourable to be told as Sr. Richard Stafford and Sr. William Burton can more plainly declare than I can write unto You For it would be too tedious to commit so much to writing Now my Lord rode abroad over the Country eight whole Weeks whereof He rested not above 11 days in all those places whither he came And know for certain that since this War first Commenced against the French King he never received such Loss and Mischief as he has in this last Expedition For the Countries and good Towns which were laid waste at this time supply'd the French King every Year towards the Maintenance of his War with more than half his Realm hath done beside except the Change of his Money which He maketh every Year and the Profits and Custom which he taketh of the Poictevins as I can shew You by good Records which were found in divers Towns in the Collectors houses For Carcassone and Limoux which is as great as Carcassone and two other Towns in the Coasts of Carcassone found to the French King yearly wages for a 1000 Men of Arms and an 100000 old Crowns to maintain the War beside And know that by the Records which We found those Towns of THOLOUSE which We have destroyed together with the Towns in the Country of CARCASSONE and the Town of Narbonne with others in Narbonnois did together with the Sums aforesaid find him every Year to the Aid of his War 400000 Old Crowns into his Coffers as the Burgesses of the great Towns and other People of the Country who are supposed well able to know have told Us. Wherefore by Gods assistance if my Lord had wherewithall to maintain this War to the King his Fathers Profit and to his own Honour He should greatly enlarge the English Pale and win many fair places For our Enemies are wonderfully astonished At the writing hereof my Lord hath resolved to send all the Earls and all the Bannerets of Quarter in certain places on the Marches to be ready to make inroads upon the Enemy and to annoy them My Lord at this present I have no other News to send but You may by Your Letters command me as Yours to my Ability My Right Honourable Lord God grant You good Life Joy and Health long to continue Dated at Bourdeaux the y y i.e. 22d Decemb Lit. Dom. D. Tuesday next before Christmas This Letter may very well be supposed to have been sent into England by Sr. Richard Stafford and Sr. William Burton Knights who returned thither at the end of the foresaid Expedition especially if we compare what is mention'd of them both in the preceding Letter with what is seen in the Title of the Following which is dated a Month later The Tenour of a second Letter written by Sr. John Wingfield directed to Sr. Richard Stafford Knight who had been in Gascogne and there leaving his Family was now returned into England Right Dear Sir and truly Loving Friend Touching News here after your Departure You may understand that We have taken and forced to yield five Towns enclosed viz. Port St. Mary Clerac Tonneins Bourg z z Ita lego pro St. Pierre vid. Maps Sur Mer Chasteau Sacrat and Brassac also seventeen Castles viz. Coiller Buzet Lemnac two Castles called Bolognes which are near one another Montaut Viresche Frechenet Montendre Rochechalais Montpont Montignac Vauclare Cenamont Leyrac Plassac Montravel And please to know that my Lord John Chandos my Lord James Audley and your Men that are with them and the Gascogners that are in their Company and my Lord a
other Knights and Esquires of their Company few or none in that hurry being taken to Ransom And here the Lord Eustace D'Ambreticourt was found tied fast to a Chair and unbound rescued and remounted by his own Men and he being thoroughly vext that he had so long stood idle did now many Worthy Feats of Arms and took good Prisoners When the Duke of Normandy's Battail which was already hardly matched and had the Captal of Busche upon the Reer beheld also the Victorious Prince of Wales approaching they thought it best not to abide him but to save themselves as soon as they might And so the Duke and two other of the Kings Sons who were but young lightly believed their Tutors and departed out of the Field with more than 800 Spears in their Company who had not struck one stroak that day But however the Lord Guischard Dangle and the Lord John de Santerre by some called Ceintre accounted one of the best Men of Arms in France would not fly on any pretence whatsoever but rush'd into the thickest preass of the Battle The Kings Three Sons took the way to Chauvigny but the Lord John of Landas and the Lord Theobald of Bodenay who were appointed to wait on the Dauphâ—n of Vienna when they had conducted the Three Princes a long League from the place of Battle having charged the Lord of St. Venant not to leave them till they were in safeguard whereby he would better please the King than if he aboad in Battle took their leave of the Dauphin intending to return to the Field again In their way thither they met with the Duke of Orleans and with him a great Company who had also left the Field with clear hands and yet there were among them many good Knights and Esquires who thô they were constrained to accompany their Masters had rather have died than have done a thing themselves so worthy of Reproach Upon the Dauphin's Departure there came b Stow p. 262. one to the French King and said My Lord the Field is fallen to the English and your Eldest Son is withdrawn out of the Battle At which the King said with an Oath that he for his part would not forsake the Field that day without a notable Revenge unless that he were either taken or slain Then the Standard-Bearers were Commanded to move forward and presently there appeared to the Prince of Wales two great Battalions of Armed Men marching towards his small Company At the sight whereof an old Counsellour who stood near the Prince was so extreamly discouraged that he could not forbear crying out Alas Poor Wretches now are we utterly undone But the Prince who was full of Courage and Faith in Christ check'd his Cowardise with these Words Thou liest like a Dastardly Fellow as thou art for We cannot be overcome as long as I am alive And with that the Kings Battail came fiercely on the English consisting of no less than 8000 Men of Arms besides footmen but now the rest of the French being clear'd the English Marshals and the Earls of Warwick Salisbury and Suffolk with their wearied Battails joyned the Prince having first supply'd the exhausted Quivers of their Archers with Arrows drawn from the Bodies of Dead and Dying Enemies And thus Armed with Necessity and Hope from their Prosperous Beginnings a Few weary and wounded Men went on boldly to engage with a Numerous and Fresh Army The Fight was Desperate and for a while well maintain'd on both sides for here were good Men of War and the Kings Presence Armed them with deeper Resolution The King and his Son Philip happen'd to oppose the English Marshals the Earls of Warwick Salisbury and Suffolk and with them were now joyned all the Gascogne Lords as the Captal of Busche the Lord of Pamiers the Lord of Mucidan and the rest aforenamed To the French Kings Battail there came back time enough the Lord John of Landas and the Lord of Bodenay who with their Men alighted on foot and like Valiant Gentlemen enter'd into the thickest of the Battle On one hand of the King there fought the Noble Duke of Bourbon who had with him many Valiant Knights of Bourbonnois and Picardy Hard by were the Poictevins with the Lord of Pons the Lord of Partenay the Lord of Dampmartin the Lord of Montalboto the Lord of Surgeres the Lord John de Santerre the Lord Guischard D'Angle the Lord of Argenton the Lord of Lymiers the Lord of Montendre the Lord James of Beaujeu and the Lord de Chastell Vilaine In another quarter fought the Earl of Ventadour the Earl of Monpenser the Lord James of Bourbon the Lord John of Artois and the Lord James his Brother the Lord Arnold de Cervoles commonly called the Arch-Priest who was clad in the Armour of the young Earl of Alenson there tarried also still in the Field the Lord de la Torre the Lord of Chalenton the Lord of Montagre the Lord of Rochefort the Lord de la Charre the Lord Dachone the Lord Delmal the Lord Norvel the Lord Piers Buffiers the Lord William Nesle the Lord Arnold Reuel the Lord Geoffry de St. Dizier the Lord Guyventon de Chambley the Lord Eustace de Ribemont the Lord of Holey the Lord of Monsalt and many more too tedious to Name and some place here with more probability the Earl Douglas and his Scots who yet suffer'd as before We have related On the English Part the Prince c Walfingh Hypod p. 124. of Wales was no less Remarkable for his Valour than for his Place and Quality performing both the Part of a Prudent and Carefull General and also of an Approved and Experienced Souldier adventering trying and performing whatever might be expected from a perfect and exalted Courage All his Captains did their Parts with much Bravery and Resolution Among whom the Lord John Chandos merited no small Praise both for his discreet Conduct and unwearied Valour 'T is impossible to recount the Particulars of those Noble Exploits that were this Day performed by the Nobility of England But this is certain that as the Earls of Salisbury and Suffolk Oxford and Others were exceedingly remarkable in this Hot Service so particularly the Noble Earl of Warwick fought so long and with such Fury that his Hand was d Dudg Warwickshire p. 317. M.S. in Bibl. Bodleian Cantuar K. 84 123 vid. Dudg Bar. 1 Vol. p. 233. galled with the exercise of his Sword and Poleax Among others he himself took William de Melun Archbishop of Sens Prisoner for whose Ransom alone he had afterwards no less than e Pat. 37. Ed. 3. p. 1. m. 25. 8000 Pounds But all this Courage had been thrown away to no purpose had it not been seconded by the extraordinary Gallantry of the English Archers who behaved themselves that Day with wonderfull Constancy Alacrity and Resolution So that by their means in a manner all the French Battails received their first Foil being by the barbed Arrows so
by the Hands of their own Country-men Being thus resolved they secretly made an Agreement with the Englishmen those that made War against Paris for the King of Navarre knew nothing of this Plot that on such a Night the Provost with his Friends should be at the Gates of St. Anthony and St. Honore at the Hour of Midnight ready to let in the English and Navarrois who were to be near at hand well appointed to overrun rob and utterly destroy the City except only such Houses as should have certain Marks agreed on between them but in all other Houses where such Tokens were not to be seen to plunder and destroy Men Women and Children To this height of Wickedness was the Provost by Degrees carried proving at last a Diabolicall Incendiary instead of a good zealous Patriot as at first he was because his indiscreet Zeal for the People made him at the beginning too bold with his Prince whose Patience when he had abused beyond all hopes of Pardon not daring to trust the Rabble for whose sake he had offended he now resolves for the saving of his own Neck to destroy all even the Innocent with the Offenders had not God blasted his unnatural Design For that same Night on which all this was to have been done John Maillart and his Brother Simon with Pepin des Essards and several other Honest and Loyal Burgesses of Paris having as some think by means Divine or at least Humane received an Intimation that on that Night the City was mark'd out to be destroyed armed themselves secretly and informed their Friends of the Danger that more might be in readiness upon Occasion and so with a compleat Guard being themselves upon the Watch they went the Rounds In their Progress a little before Midnight they came to St. Anthonies Gate where they found the Provost of the Merchants with a small Company having the Keys of the Gates in his hands Then said John Maillart to the Provost Stephen what do you here at this time of Night The Provost answer'd how he was there to look to the safety of the City By God quoth Maillart you shall not come off thus for it is plain by the Keys there in your hands that you are not here at this time of Night for any Good. Said the Provost John you lie falsly in your Throat Nay quoth John 't is thou Stephen that liest like a false Traytor and therewithall offer'd a blow at him and commanded his Guard to slay the Traytors At this the Provost turn'd about and would have fled but John Maillart althô he was his Godfather knockt him down to the ground with an Ax and never left till he had slain him There died with him six more of his Friends among whom were f Da Serres c. Simon Palmier and Philip Guyphart the rest being all seised and clapt in Prison By this the People began to rise at the Alarm and come into the Streets but John Maillart and his Company hasted to the other Gate of St. Honore where they found the rest of the Provost's Friends whom they accused of Treason and having dispatched such as would not be taken lead the rest away to Prison After which they proceeded to take the Accomplices such as had been confessed privy to the Design by those whom they found at the Gates And these they took in their Beds and at their Houses with small ado and sent them away to Prison This is the best Account of several that I have met with For Du Serres as may be seen is a Man that usually models the Circumstances of his Narrations more agreeably to his own Wit or Fancy than to Truth But whoever is minded to compare his Relation with ours may consult it both as he reports it and as Froisard and g Fabian p. 302. Fabian from the French Chronicles do more particularly declare the whole Transaction We are unwillingly by these Foreign Matters detained from the History of England Thô not only what we have already said but something more also is necessary to be spoken for the better clearing of what is to follow VIII To be short therefore h Frois c. 187. 188. f. 101. Fabian Mezeray c. upon this Mans Death the Parisians made their Peace with the Duke of Normandy who thereupon came to Paris with the Lord Arnold D'Endreghan and many other of the Nobility in his Company and was lodged in the Palace of the Louvre But yet not even here did the Domestick Troubles of France cease For King Charles of Navarre being highly displeased at the Death of his Friend the Provost by advice of his Brother Philip sent presently a new Defiance to the Duke of Normandy and his whole House to the Parisians and to the whole Body of the Realm of France And now he began to retain Souldiers on all hands as well English under their Captains Sr. James Pipe and Sr. Robert Knolles as Germans Brabanders Hainalders Luxemburgers and Others all who were called Navarrois because they fought in Navarre's Quarrel The Mony which the Provost had so frequently and so largely sent him stood him now in good stead and he was no way sparing of it to his Souldiers so that all Men were glad to serve him The King himself held his principal Garrison at Melun on the River Seyne and the Lord Philip his Brother had Garrisons at Mante and Meulan on the same River and every day their Forces encreased because their Pay was so large and certain And presently they reduced the strong Town of Creil standing on the Oyse into their Power Being therefore Lords of the Rivers Seyne Marne and Oyse they soon won the strong Castle of le Herelle which lies between Compeigne and Amiens after which they took Mauconsel and St. Valery But we must beg the Readers Patience if we are something more particular in this matter not only because many English Captains were concerned herein thô they acted now in the King of Navarre's Name only and not by any Commission from King Edward nor so much as his Consent but also because the Actions themselves are well worthy of Memory for their variety and importance And also the Sequel of our Story will be more clearly understood thereby Now therefore the Captain of Creil was the Lord Fondregas of Navarre who so aw'd the Parts about him that none could pass from Paris to Compeign or to Noyon to Soissons Laon or other Places without his safe Conduct so that while he held that Garrison he gat more than an 100000 Franks by granting of Pass-ports only The Captain of le Herelle was the Lord John Picquigny by Birth a Picard but by interest a Navarrois and a Rebel to his Lord the French King who had entrusted the King of Navarre to his Keeping but he not only let him have his Liberty but embraced his Cause ever after His Garrison very much straightned those of Mondidier Perone and Amiens and all
put all the Infidels to the Sword. This Peters Ancestor Guy of Lusignan King of Jerusalem k Speed p. 477. §. 40. in Ricardo Primo purchased the Island and Kingdom of Cyprus of our Richard the First King of England sirnamed Coeur du Lyon by Exchange for his Kingdom of Jerusalem ever since which it remain'd in the hands of the said Guy and his Descendants II. King Peter came to Avignon l Frois c. 217. about Candlemas in the beginning of this Year of whose Coming the whole Court was glad and most of the Cardinals together with the French King went forth to meet him and conducted him with much Honour to the Popes Palace where they were highly caressed and after a splendid entertainment the two Kings returned to their Lodgings prepared for them in Villeneufe Thus they tarried during all the season of Lent and made frequent Visits to the Pope and discoursed him of many serious Matters concerning which they came thither While the Kings were at Avignon there happen'd a Controversie in Arms which by the Court Martial was adjudged to be tried by Combat between two Noble and Experienced Knights namely Sr. Edmund de Pamiers and Sr. Fulk de Orillac the King of France being to sit as Judge of the Field Both the Knights behaved themselves with that Activity Skill and Resolution that is was no easie matter to say who was the Better So that when after a long and gallant Fight neither had any apparent Advantage of the other and both their Spears and Swords being broken they were proceeding to Pole-Axes King John presently flang down his Wardour and caused the Combat to cease after which He reconciled them together Now the King of Cyprus spake more than once to the Pope his Cardinals and the French King That it would be both an exceeding Honour and Advantage for all Christendom if some Powerfull Christian King would undertake to lead the Way over the Sea and rear his Banners against the Enemies of the Christian Faith who for want of such Opposition overran all Asia and hung now like a dreadfull Storm over Europe These Words the French King consider'd well and resolved with Himself if he might live Three Years longer to be One among the Foremost in this Holy Expedition not only out of a pious Consideration backed with the Words of the Pope and the King of Cyprus but also for two other Respects the one because his Father King Philip had made a Vow so to do to the m Odâ—r Rainal ad hunc an §. 14 Breach whereof he constantly attributed all the Miseries which had befell France since that time and the other that by so doing he should not only drain his own Country of those Evil Companions who harassed his People without any just Title or Pretence but also thereby prove an Instrument of saving their Souls by making them draw their Swords in the more righteous Cause of Christ These were his Reasons and this his Resolution which he kept secret to himself till Good-Fryday at which time Pope Vrban himself preached in his Chappel at Avignon in the Presence of both the Kings of Cyprus and of Frâ—nce and also of Waldemar King of Denmark who was newly come thither for the same purpose Sermon ended the French King in great Devotion stept forth and professed himself a Champion of Christ and took upon him the Croisade which he solemnly sware personally to set about and to begin the Voyage within two Years from that Time it n Pascha 2 Apr. Lit. Dom. A. being then the last of March. He also requested the Pope to yield his Consent and Furtherance thereto and by his Bulls to authorise this his pious Undertaking The Pope not only most readily agreed to this Request but also granted him his Pontifical Diploma Dat. Aven Pridie Kal. April Anno Pontif. I. Wherein he constitutes him Governour and Captain General of all the Christian Armies and produces these three Causes of that Expedition First the Indignity of the Matter that Christians should suffer those places which our Saviour had honoured with his Footsteps and the Mysteries of our Redemption to be defiled and trodden down of the Mahometans also the seasonable Occasion of Recovering Syria now that the strength of the Saracens was exhausted with a Pestilence and lastly the great Necessity of repressing the growing Tyranny of the Turks when 't was to be feared that all Christendom would be a prey unto them unless their Fury should meet with a timely Check Talayrand the Cardinal of Perigort was the Popes Legate in this Holy Expedition and then Methods were taken how to support the Design with Tithes and other pecuniary Collections the Prelates were commanded to publish this Croisade from their Pulpits and to distinguish those who took it upon them with the Sign of the Cross And then Excommunication and an Anathema was set forth against them who should offer to disswade the French King from his pious Design of recovering Syria On which account circular Letters were sent and solemn Prayers were appointed to engage the Divine Assistance The Pope also sent his Letters to the Emperour Charles to King Edward of England to Lewis of Hungary and to other Kings and Princes that they would now employ all their power and Conduct toward the reducing of Asia unto Christ and because King John could not conveniently set forth till about two Years after by reason that his Realm was so unsettled and he could not in less time finish his Musters and other vast Preparations thereupon wherefore he tied himself to a certain Day which was to be the Kalends of March in the Year of our Lord One Thousand three Hundred Sixty and five The King of Cyprus resolved in the mean time to go about and visit all the great Courts in Europe and as he should succeed to go over before the King of France to whom the Pope o â—dâ—r Rain ad hâ—nc ann §. 19. promised considerable Assistance And thus a mighty Resolution was taken up and the Cross of Jerusalem was worn by John King of France Waldemar King of Denmark and Peter King of Cyprus p Freis c. 217. also by Talayrand commonly called the Cardinal of Perigort thô he was Earl of Perigort and Bishop Cardinal of Alba the same was done by the Earl of Artois and the Earl of Eu the Earl of Tancarville the Earl of Dampmartin the Lord Arnold D'Endreghan the Lord Bouciquault and the Grand Prior of France and many other Lords and Knights then and there present The King of Cyprus was extreamly overjoy'd at the great Zeal he found in all these Christian Worthies and thought his Journey well bestow'd in so great a purchase towards the Advancement of Religion But yet not content with this he design'd to proceed and visit Charles the Emperour and all the Princes and Chief Lords of the Empire he intended likewise to see the King of England the Prince of Wales
seen in me that You should not give me leave to be one of the foremost of those that are to Fight our Enemies this day The Lord Chandos who well knew his own Reasons reply'd Sr. Hugh I do not appoint You to command this Rereguard because You are not as good a Knight as any other No certainly that was never in my mind But I choose You for this purpose because I know You to be a prudent and well-advised Gentleman And Sir believe me it is absolutely necessary that either You or I take this Office if We intend to survive this day Wherefore once again I heartily require You to do it and I dare engage that if You undertake it You will not only do a very notable piece of Service but also obtain to your self much Honour thereby And yet over and above I here faithfully promise to grant You the first reasonable request You shall ever desire of me But all these Words could not Work upon Sr. Hugh for he did not as then imagine any such necessity of a Reserve and he thought it reflecting upon his Honour to stand in a manner idle when others should be adventuring their Lives in the heat of Action Wherefore again he desired him for Gods sake holding up his hands That he would please to give this Charge to some other since he for his part desired nothing more than to fight among the foremost The Lord Chandos was ready to weep at these Words but he added seriously Sr. Hugh consider well what I say For to be short this matter is of such concern to Us all that either You or I must undertake it and then think with your self who of Us can best be spared But don't trouble your self about a false Notion of Honour For he fights best who is most serviceable to his Friends althô he stands still all the while At this Sr Hugh began to reflect upon the Matter for with these last words all his former thoughts were dashed and confounded and then he said Certainly my Lord I know well You are too much my Friend to put me upon any thing which may redound to my dishonour Since therefore it can be no otherwise I accept of your Commands with all my heart and to my Power shall obey your Orders And with that he took upon him the Charge and drew out his Men aside on a Wing where he set them in very good Order to give or receive an Onset His Banner waving aloft in the Front which l True Use of Armory p. 66. GF Dom. Lit. was Argent a Fess Gules between Three Calves Sable Thus on a Saturday which was the 28 of October in the Year of our Lord MCCCLXIV were both these Rival Dukes embattail'd each against other in a Fair Plain near to Auray in Bretagne which no doubt was a delectable sight to behold For there were many embroider'd Banners and Penons waving in the Wind and Rich Surcoats of Sattin diapred with Gold and Silver and bright Armour shining against the Sun But especially the Frenchmen were so well armed at all Points and so Richly beseen that it was a great pleasure to view them And in this manner they fronted one another neither Party as yet making offer to begin VI. Now there was at this time with the Lord Charles of Blois a Great and Potent Baron of Bretagne called the Lord of Beaumanoir who was at that time a sworn Prisoner to England and so was not to bear Arms but being otherwise at liberty might go too and fro between the two Armies or elsewhere as he pleased Of which Power he made this Advantage to endeavour to accommodate Matters between the two Powerfull Competitors All Saturday Morning he went in and out frequently till Noon so that at last he obtain'd a Respite between both Parties for the remainder of that day and for the Night following untill the Sun-rise next Morning Whereupon on both sides they drew to their respective Lodgings and took their ease and refreshed themselves with what they had by them That Evening the Captain of Auray issued out of his Garrison peaceably because the Truce also extended unto him and went to the Lord Charles his Camp who received him joyfully His Name was Henry of Tintineac an Esquire and a good Man at Arms who brought 40 Spears well Horsed and Armed of those who had holpen him to defend the Fortress When the Lord Charles saw him he asked him all smiling of the Condition of his Castle and the Esquire answer'd him Sir blessed be God We have Provision enough to hold Us two or three Months longer if need were Well Henry said the Lord Charles to morrow You shall be wholly rid of the trouble of a Siege either by Peaceable Agreement or the Decision of open Battle God give Grace Sir said the Esquire By my Faith continued the Lord Charles I have here in my Company 4500 Men of Arms besides others all as well provided and as likely to acquit themselves Nobly as ever yet did any Company that came out of France And my Lord said the Esquire that is a great Advantage for which You are to thank God and Sr. Bertram of Clequin and those other Barons Knights and Esquires of France and Bretagne that are come with so much Zeal to your Service Thus the Lord Charles passed his time in discoursing with One or Other about the present State of Affairs But on the other hand the Lord John Chandos was that same Night earnestly desired by the Officers of the English Companions then in his Service by no means to admit of any Accord or Agreement to be had between the Earl of Monford and the Lord of Blois For they said they had already spent all that they had and were almost reduced to Poverty wherefore they resolved now to win something by fighting or to lose all together Upon which account it is said that Sr. John promised them that whatever Treaty he might hold not to yield however to any Agreement otherwise than what the Sword shall appoint From whence there arose a Proverb m John Haâ—ding c. 184. fol. 185. True Use of Aâ—â—â—ory c. Chandos his Treaty spoken when Men make or receive many Overtures in order to an Agreement thô at the same time they are determin'd to decide all by Battle VII On the Sunday Morning early both Armies drew again into their former Field in their appointed Order having first heard Mass and shrived themselves but about Sun-rise the Lord of Beaumanoir came again toward the English Army with a design to renew the Treaty and compose Matters if possible to avoid the Effusion of Christian Bloud which was his earnest Desire He took his way directly to the Lord Chandos where he saw his Banner next to that of the Earl of Monford At his approach my Lord Chandos stept aside to speak with him because he would not have the Earl of Monford hear what was said At the first
Wild Boar and did Wonders with a great sharp and heavy Ax in his hands wherewith he brake and opened the Preass so that none durst abide his stroaks More than once he adventur'd so far among his Enemies that he was in great danger of being lost but he was also seconded by Men like himself who yet had all enough to do to save themselves The Lord Clisson not only gave but received also many great stroaks but his Armour was so good it preserved him and yet one time he received a Blow with an Axe on the Visor of his Helmet so that the Corner Point of the Ax grased cross his Right eye whereby for ever after he lost the sight of that Eye But yet for all this Wound he still behaved himself like a Noble Champion and like Sampson sought to revenge the loss of his Sight with the Death of his Enemies It is in vain to seek to particularize every Mans Actions Sr. Matthew Gournay Sr. John Bourchier Sr. Eustace Dambreticourt and the rest were nothing inferiour to the Lord Clisson but signalized their Valour abundantly And surely every Man must do his Devoir or else he could not have escaped For the Enemy was both Numerous and fought with as much Bravery as was possible The Lord Charles of Blois more especially approved himself a most Accomplished Knight and well Worthy of the Dukedom he fought for And yet Sr. John Monford was not a whit behind him but bare himself with such incredible Courage and Prowess that he ever after obtain'd the Sirname of Valiant The Lord John Chandos did that Day many Wonders in Arms and fought valiantly with a massy Ax of Steel that he had in his Hands wherewith he gave such Blows that no Armour could resist so that the boldest of his Enemies durst not abide him For he was a great and mighty Man well formed of all his Limbs and together with his notable Strength and Courage had much Discretion Skill and Experience All the time of the Battle he menaged the Earl of Monford being very carefull to comfort Him and his Men and said as he saw Occasion Sir do thus and thus and draw to this or that side and the Earl constantly follow'd his Directions In another part Sr. Bertram of Clequin and his Bretons fought couragiously with Sr. Robert Knolles Sr. Walter Hewet and their Men that none could tell to which side the Victory would encline For both English and Bretons were Men of approved Courage and neither Part knew how to turn their Backs All the Lords Captains Knights and Esquires on all hands fought with extream Animosity and Resolution and every Battail had its hands full and were hard at it together except only that of the English whereof Sr. Hugh Calverley had the Conduct he all along kept on a Wing something aloof and minded nothing else but to repair what Breaches he saw to be made among his Friends in any part as they were fighting At last the Lord John Chandos having by this means and by the exalted Courage of his Men very much prevail'd against the Lord Charles of Blois brake quite thrô him making a mighty slaughter among his Men and came and fought with the Earls of Auxerre and Joigny who were hard enough put to it before and whatever brave Resistance he found here it lasted not long for being animated with Success he soon brake that Battail also to pieces so that it was utterly discomfited all their Banners and Penons taken or overthrown to the Earth and the Lords and Captains put to Flight slain or taken For they had no refreshment from any other of their Battails every one had their Hands full already And indeed it ought to be remembred that the Bastard of Blois was afterwards by new Counsels remanded to joyn the Lord Charles because all the stress of the Matter lay upon him and the Earl of Monford and the Lord Chandos began to prevail but still by the Assistance of Sr. Hugh Calverley and his Men this Great Battail was at last broken and overthrown as we have shewn After which now the Earls of Auxerre and Joigny suffer'd the same Fate for they had no Succour to aid them against these New-Comers And to say Truth when a Discomfiture begins a small Matter decides the Controversie for if one flies there follow three more and ten after them and after the ten thirty and then an Hundred Thus it was in this famous Battle of Auray the Lords of the French Party cried their Cries so that those who heard them took Heart and rallied again but many could not hear them at all or not return unto them for the Preass noise and confusion of the Field The Earl of Auxerre being very much wounded was by Force of Arms taken Prisoner under the Standard of the Lord John Chandos together with the Lord of Joigny and the Lord of Prier a Great Baron of Normandy Yet all this while the other Battail kept entire and fought couragiously and indeed all the Bretons and Frenchmen on Sr. Charles of Blois his Part held a long while together with Bravery enough like Good Men of War But to say the Truth q Frois c. 226. f. 123. they kept not their Order so well as the Englishmen and the Bretons with the Earl of Monford did For when they saw their Enemies would not in the least flinch from them but resolv'd to win all or to die their Martial Ardour languish'd by Degrees and they became more remiss in their Discipline as despairing of doing any Good. But surely the Wing which Sr. Hugh Calverley lead stood the English in great stead that Day as we have particularly instanced before So that at last beginning to have an Advantage against their Enemies when they saw their Ranks broken they redoubled their Courage and flew in among them with such Fury that nothing was able now to resist them When some Frenchmen who had their Horses near at hand in the field perceived how Matters were like to go they went away to their Beasts mounted and rode off upon the Spur. Then the Lord Chandos with a select Company leaving the rest to glean the remainders of the Field began to move against the Battail of Sr. Bertam of Clequin which as yet stood firm having done many notable Deeds so that hitherto Sr. Robert Knolles Sr. Walter Hewet and the rest of that Body with all their Endeavours had gain'd but small Advantage upon them But now upon the Lord Chandos his Coming this Battail was open'd also and Ruine rush'd in at the Breaches to the Destruction of many a Valiant Gentleman For now the English gave many terrible stroaks with their heavy Axes and many an Helmet was cloven in sunder and many a Man wounded to Death So that neither Sr. Bertram nor his Men were any longer able to hold out against their Enemies IX There Sr. Bertram of Clequin himself was taken by an Esquire of England under the
them to be reasonable for the ease of his People That 3 s. 4 d. laid upon every Sack of Wooll at Calais and all other unreasonable Impositions may cease The King willeth that all unreasonable Impositions should cease It is agreed that One Staple be at l Melcomb Regis in 〈◊〉 Melcomb and another at Ipsewich and that all Merchants and others for their Ease may ship Woolls at Lewes where the Customers of Chichester shall take the Customs and the Customers of Yarmouth shall take in like manner at Lynn As for the Statutes made in this Parliament I shall refer those who desire to Inspect them to the Statute-Books in Print especially because those of this Year do more exactly agree with the Record Only for my self I must put in this Caution that whereas in the Record and Statute-Books this Parliament is rightly fixed to the 38 of Edward the Third considering that he began not to Reign till the 25 of January before which time the Parliament sat yet I have placed it here as well because I begin the Year constantly with January as because it was indeed the Thirty Ninth of this Kings Inchoate before the Parliament was adjourn'd For on the m Ita M.S. Feâ—â—rd Paâ—l â—â—d Sr. Rob. Câ—ttâ—â—'s Abrid pâ—â—ent Seventeenth legit Seventh of February after the King in Presence of the Lords and Commons had given his Royal Assent to all the Premises He gave his Thanks to the Three Estates and so gave them leave to depart VII Now is King Edward said to have finished all his Wars for he had full Peace with France and Scotland and all the Quarrels about the Dukedom of Bretagne were ended and Aquitaine gladly embraced the Government of his Son Prince Edward and his other Son the Duke of Clarence had brought Ireland to a very good Settlement Wherefore thô in the Midst of his Wars he always would find leisure to exercise Actions of Devotion Piety and Charity yet now he more seriously apply'd himself and in a manner wholly Dedicated his time to such Matters as in his Buildings at Windsor Castle Queenborough Castle and Town St. Stephen's Chappel at Westminster Aberconney in Wales Henley and East-Hamstead and his Royal Foundation of Kings-Hall in Cambridge which being afterwards augmented with the Addition of Two or Three other adjoyning Foundations was by King Henry VIII named Trinity-College and lastly by the Beautifull Accession of a Magnificent Building called the Library is rendred now the most August and Famous Structure that ever the Christian World hath seen Dedicated to the Studies of good Letters Which College is no less adorned with those Illustrious Lights of Learning that have continually shined there Nor have their Beams been confined to any Limits but have spread themselves like the Rays of the Sun over Earth and Heaven and enlightned the Church and State and the whole Universe 'T is now happily Govern'd by the Reverend Doctor John Montagu Brother to the Earl of Sandwich a Person no less conspicuous for his Eminent Parts and Vertues than for his Birth and Quality VIII This Flourishing Condition of our King Edward put the Pope it seems in mind of some Old Debts which he pretended to be due from England to the Apostolick See for the Kingdom of England and Lordship of Ireland which King John promised to hold of the Church as a Fee Farm for ever His n Extant apud Odor Rainald ad hunc an §. 13 Letters bear Date at Avignon Idibus Junii Ano. Pontif. III in which Letters it appears that the Sum demanded was but 1000 Marks sterling per annum and that the last payment was made by this King on the Seventh of July Ano. Dom. 1333 but had ever since by reason of the Wars been discontinued So that at this time there was due no less than 32000 Marks to the Apostolick Chamber Thô in good truth saving the Authority of these Letters I could never find o Vid. John Speed in the Reign of King John p. 500. §. 48. 49. that ever this Annual Pension was paid to Rome since the Days of King John. But in the next Year we shall see how King Edward now resented this Matter For the Pope had besides his foresaid Letters empower'd his Nuntio John Abbot of the Monastery St i Bavonis Gaudensis of the Order of St. Benedict in the Dioecese of Tournay by process to cite the King unto his Court to answer for his Default on Condition he should refuse to pay the Arrears But the effect of this daring Summons we shall see in the Parliament of the next Year IX At this time King Edward p Pat. 39. Ed. 3. p. 2. m. 8. Ashmole p. 669. Sandford p. 178 Dugd. p. 761. Mills Catal. Hon. p. 440. Knighton p. 2628. n. 40. c. gave his Daughter the Lady Isabella in Marriage to the Young Lord Ingelram de Guisnes the Rites being performed with Great Pomp and Splendor at the Famous Castle of Windsor The said Lord was by Birth a Baron both of England and of France and his Titles were Lord and Baron of Coucy of Oisey and Mount-Mirabel of Doüilly of Beauraine and of Barques Earl of Soissons and of Nide and some Years after Arch-Duke of Austria Besides which the King at this time created him Earl of Albemarle to have and to hold the said Earldom for him and the Heirs Male of his and her Body for ever He also confirmed unto him the Mannor of Moreholme the Moieties of the Mannors of Wyersdale and Ashton with the Third Part of the Lordship of Whittington in the County of Lancaster to him and to the said Isabell and to the Heirs of their Bodies lawfully begotten I say he confirmed them unto him For the q Robert Glover Somerset Herald set forth by Tho. Mills Author of the Catalogue of Honour mistakes in saying they were now given him in the name of a Dowry since we find the said Places or the greatest part of them did belong unto his Grandfather r Dugd. 1 Vol. p. 761. William de Guisnes Lord Coucy What further Honours he obtain'd we shall see next Year wherefore at this time we shall only add this that the King gave him Å¿ Dugd. ibid. ex Pat. 39. Ed. 3. p. 2. m. 8. leave to go over with his Lady into France declaring that whatever Children Male or Female they might have between them thô born beyond Sea they should enjoy and inherit all Lands descendible to them in this Realm as Freely as if they were born in England He bare for his Arms t Mill's Catal. Hon. p. 440. ubi haec Arma Periscelidi inveluta cernurtur the First and Fourth Barry of Viverry and Gules the Second and Third Gules A Fess Argent and in process of time he was elected into the Most Honourable Order of the Garter of which Grace he was well Worthy X. In these days King Edward caused the Lord
therefore King Edward sent his Letters of Proclamation commanding them on their Allegiance to go out of France and no longer to infest that Kingdom Some few obey'd but others made answer that as they held nothing there of the King of England so neither for him would they leave their Garrisons and that Livelihood they had got with so much labour The King was so enraged at this piece of Insolence that immediately he prepared to Chastise them in Person with a Royal Army But when the French King heard of his vast Preparations he began to fear lest after he had destroy'd the Companions he himself might be prey'd upon by him to the hazard of his Crown under colour that he ought to pay the Wages of the Army or by whatever other pretence a Conquerour should please to make Wherefore he now again sent to him desiring him to desist and keep at home At which affront the King was so displeas'd that he sware by the Virgin Mary Never to stir again about aiding the King of France no thô the said Companions should endeavour to thrust him out of his Kingdom But yet soon after these outlaw'd Captains having at the King of England's Command deliver'd up their Fortresses and Castles were content to go along with Sr. Bertram of Clequin into Spain upon an occasion of which we shall discourse more fully by and by As yet the Wise Men of France could find no way to purge the Land of them but they saw evidently that unless they could think of a Remedy and a speedy One too either by beating them or buying them out of the Realm they would shortly prey upon the very Vitals of France and perhaps of a good part of Christendom for they were reckon'd to be about 60000 Fighting Men And by Success they were like to be augmented with new accessions of Men of their own ungracious Principles At that time ſ Vid. Odor-Rainal ad hunc ann §. 3 c. Lewis the Valiant King of Hungary having at Buda made an Alliance with John Palaeologus the Greek Emperour who requested his help against the Turks made great Preparations for the War and among others desired much to have these bold Fellows in his Service And thereupon t Frois c. 229. fol. 125. b. wrote to Pope Vrban V then at Avignon and to the French King and also to the Prince of Wales shewing how desirous he was to employ these Warriers in a more Righteous Cause against the Enemies of Christ and to give them good pay So these Three Grand Personages agreed together and offer'd the Companions Gold and Silver and free Passage and the Pope's Pardon but nothing would do they were not so devout to change their Quarters when they were well and they said they would not go so far to fight when they might do it nearer at home For they were well informed by some of their own Company who had already been in Hungary that in those Parts there were such straits that if among any of them they should meet with an Enemy they could never escape but must inevitably die a shamefull Death with which words whether true or false they were so terrified that they absolutely refused to go thither When the Pope and the French King saw they could not be rid of them this way they knew not what course to take till at last another occasion offer'd it self as we shall shew in the following Book more largely The End of the Third Book THE HISTORY OF King Edward IIId. BOOK THE FOURTH CHAPTER the FIRST The CONTENTS I. The Character and Manners of Don Pedro Sirnamed the Cruel King of Castille and Leon He is Excommunicated by the Pope and his Bastard Brother made Legitimate The Companions and others joyn to go and Depose him Sr. Bertram of Clequin being their General II. Don Pedro provides to oppose this Army but being forsaken of all flies to Seville thence to Portugal and thence escapes into Galizia where he absconds a while III. Don Henry the Bastard Conde of Trastamare is by General Consent accepted and Crowned King his Acts Liberality and Designs IV. Don Pedro advis'd to implore the Protection of the Black-Prince sends his Letters Supplicatory unto him for that purpose V. While the said Prince is fitting out a Fleet to fetch Don Pedro from Galizia to Aquitain in safety Don Pedro himself arrives at Bayonne VI. Prince Edward receives him with much Humanity VII The Prince's Council give their Reasons why they would not have him to meddle with Don Pedro with the Prince's Reasons why notwithstanding he thought himself obliged thereto VIII Don Pedro's great Promises to the Prince's Souldiers and Captains the Prince calls a Parliament of his Barons of Aquitain Which Parliament advises him first to learn his Fathers pleasure therein IX King Edward directs his Letters to the Prince and his Council wherein he Wills him to take in hand the Defence of the Exil'd King and Commands all his Subjects of those Parts to be aiding unto him in that his Vndertaking X. The King of Navarre his Friendship being found necessary to this Affair is on certain considerations brought over Don Pedro engages by Oath Bond and Pledges to make suitable Returns to the Prince XI A Copy of a Famous Grant of King Don Pedro's to King Edward and the Prince and to the Kings of England and their Eldest Sons for ever whereby the Memory of this Favour of the Prince's might be Honourably Recorded in Spain to all Generations XII Prince Edward sends to his Captains then in the Bastards service commanding them home the Bastards surprize at the News of the Prince's Design Sr. Bertram of Clequin gives him Counsel and hasts back into France to raise him Friends XIII Divers Opinions concerning this Vndertaking of the Prince's XIV The Bastard renews his Alliance with the King of Aragon which occasions great difficulties to the Companions that came out of Spain with Design to serve the Prince XV. Prince Edward sends the Lord Chandos to retain the Companions in his service and to get the Earl of Foix his leave that they might pass thrô his Country XVI The Prince's zeal for the War and his Methods for raising Money The Lord of Albret promises to bring a 1000 Spears to the service XVII The Companions being Besieged in Montauban beat the French Lords with a great overthrow XVIII They get at last into the Principality where yet they cannot forbear doing much Mischief XIX James King of Majorica comes to Bourdeaux to beg the Prince's aid against the King of Aragon who withheld Majorica from him XX. The Prince by advice of his Council having Men enow otherwise countermands 800 of the Lord Albret's 1000 Spears which prov'd the first occasion of Discontent to that Gascogne Lord. I. AT this time a Frois c. 229. fol. 126. a. there Reigned in Castille a Kingdom of Spain Don Pedro the Son of Alphonso the Eleventh who because of his many Barbarous
the Number of 10000 Horse and they passed the straights on the Monday with much adoe because the Ways were as yet unbeaten On the Tuesday Morning early the Prince of Wales began his March after them with King Don Pedro and Charles King of Navarre in his Company which latter was then newly come to the Prince the better to Countenance the Matter by so frank an Assurance of his Faith and he had also design'd to invite him to his City of Pampelona In this Battail was the Lord Thomas Felton Grand Seneschal of Aquitain with the Lord William Felton his Brother the Lord Baldwin Frevile Seneschal of Sainctogne together with the Seneschal of Rochelle the Seneschal of Limousin the Seneschal of Agenois and the Seneschal of Bigorre the Lord Lewis of Harcourt the Vicount of Chastellerault the Lord of Pinant the Lord of Taniboton and all the Poictevins the Lord Eustace Dambreticourt Sr. Nele Loring the Prince's High-Chamberlain Sr. Richard Pontchardon Sr. Thomas Banister Sr. Dangouses Sr. Lewis and Sr. Edmund of Marville and the Lord of Pierre Buffierre in all to the Number of 4000 Men of Arms and this Battail also consisted of 10000 Horse but they had a very ill Passage by reason of the High Winds and of the Snow which fell that day to their great trouble and vexation However thorough they got and moved forward and pitch'd their Tents in the Country about Pampelona But the King of Navarre led the Prince and King Don Pedro into his City of Pampelona where he entertain'd them at a Royal Supper On the Wednesday there passed James King of Majorica the Earl of Armagnac and his Nephew the Lord Bernard de la Brett Earl of Albret the Lord John Greilly Captal of Busche the Lord Oliver Clisson the Earl of Perigort the Vicount of Carmaine the Lord of Comminges the Lord of Mucidan the Lord De l'Esparre the Lord of Coudon the Lord of Rozan Sr. Petiton of Coutras Sr. Emery de Carse the Lord de la Bard Sr. Bertram of Cande the Lord of Pincornet Sr. Thomas Winstanley Sr. Perdiccas de la Brett the Burgrave of Bretuel Nandon of Bergerac Bernard de la Salle Lortingo de la Salle Edmund Ortigo and the rest of the Companions to the Number of 10000 Horse and these had a pretty easie Passage in Comparison to those who went the Day before And when thus the whole Army had passed the Pirenean Mountains they spread abroad in the Country about Pampelona with the King of Navarre's leave and good liking to refresh themselves and their Horses Here they lay three days because they found the Land plentifull in Flesh Fish Bread Wine and other Provision both for their Beasts and Themselves But the Companions paid not always the full Price of things nor could they refrain from Robbing and Filching what they could get So that about Pampelona and in the way thither they greatly damnify'd those of the Country whereat the King of Navarre was very much displeased But it was too late then to think of Rectifying matters thô it often repented him that he had so freely open'd his Country to the Prince and his Men. For he plainly found that the Damage which he suffer'd thereby overway'd the Advantages granted to him by Don Pedro. But it was now no time to complain for he saw then he was not Master of his own Land. Complaints were daily brought in to him of the abuses and insolencies of the Companions at which he took a deep Resentment thô he forcedly repressed it for the present However he caused some of his Council such as were acquainted with the Captains of these Companions and had sometimes been with them in France Normandy or other places to desire them to abstain from robbing and abusing his Subjects after that manner and they promised to forbear for the future IV. The mean while King Henry the Bastard was fully enformed of the Prince's Passage for he had his Messengers and Spies going to and fro every where Wherefore he addressed himself to raise a mighty Force of Men of Arms and other Souldiers thereby to resist the Prince and Don Pedro his Brother And every day he expected the return of Sr. Bertram of Clequin with a considerable reinforcement out of Bretagne and France He had already sent forth his Special Summons thrô all his Realm commanding all Men on peril of Life Lands and Goods to come to him every One according to his Estate either on Foot or on Horseback to help to defend his Country Don Henry was well-beloved in General and the Castillians had ventur'd hard and taken much pains to bring him to the Possession of the Crown So that being all involved in his Guilt their Hands were strengthen'd to sustain his Quarrel Wherefore they obey'd him more readily and flock'd daily unto his Banners to St. Domingo de la Calzada a City of Castilla Vieja or old Castille to the Number of 60000 Horse and Foot all ready to live and die with him Wherefore when King Henry saw himself thus strong and heard how the Prince with his Army was now in the Realm of Navarre having passed the streights of Roncevaux and saw thereby that of necessity he must now fight the Prince being encouraged with the Numbers and Alacrity of his Men he seem'd to desire nothing more than to shew by his Valour how Worthy he was of that Condition to which he had been so lately Advanced He said aloud to his Lords about him Ha! Sirs this Prince of Wales is a Valiant Knight and because he shall know that this Realm is now mine and that I am ready and willing to fight with him for the Right which I have thereto I will let him know some part of my intent Then he caused his Secretary to write his Letters the Tenor whereof followeth viz. m Don Henrique por la-Gracia de Dios Rey de Castilla y Leon de Galizia de Câ—rdova de Murcia de Jaën del Algarve del Algezira de Gibraltar e Sennor de Viscaya e Mâ—lina c. HENRY by the Grace of God King of Castille and Leon of Galizia of Murcia of Jaën of Algarbe of Algezira of Gibralter and Lord of Biscay and of Molina to the Right-Puissant and Thrice-Honourable Lord EDWARD Prince of Wales and of Aquitain Duke of Cornwall and Earl of Chester Greeting It is given Us to understand that You and your Men have passed the Pirenean Mountains and are marching hitherward and that You have entred Covenant and Alliance with our Enemy and also thereupon Design to make War against Us. At all this We greatly wonder since to our knowledge We never trespassed against You nor ever had the least Intent so to do Wherefore then are You come thus against Us with so great an Army to take from Us that small Inheritance which God hath given Us You have We confess the Grace to be Fortunate in Arms above any Prince now living and We think You magnifie
straight for Paris where he found the King who received him very graciously There the King told him how by Advice and Consent of his whole Council he had pitch'd upon him to be Constable of France Sr. Bertram seem'd very much surpris'd and said Sir I am by no means worthy of so High an Office for in respect of the Great Lords and other Valiant Gentlemen of France I am but a poor Knight althô indeed Fortune hath a little advanced me in the Eye of the World. Sr. Bertram reply'd the King it is to no purpose that you seek to excuse your self You can no ways avoid accepting of this Place For it is a Matter that hath already been absolutely determin'd by our Council and also ordained by the Peers of France and by the Three Estates So that you must not expect that I shall now frustarate what they have on such good grounds Established Then Sr. Bertram who saw that he was hereby set as a Mark for Envy and that his Office would require a more absolute Authority than would be willingly yielded to one of his Degree took another way and said Right Dear and Gracious Sovereign I neither may nor dare in the least contradict or oppose your High Resolutions But Sir this is true that I am but a mean Person and of too low a Rank and Blood to be raised to the Dignity of being Constable of France which is so High and so Noble an Office. For it is convenient that whosoever will rightly execute that Function must have Authority to Command as well those of the Highest Quality as inferior People if not much more And Sir behold here are my Lords Your Majesties Royal Brethren your Nephews and your Cousins who all Command many Men of War in your Armies Now Sir how dare I be so bold as even upon occasion to Command these High-born Princes Surely Sir from such a Matter so much Envy may arise to me that I ought to be very cautious thereof And therefore Sir upon this account also I request Your Majesty to pardon me and to bestow this Charge upon some other who may deserve it much better and execute it far more worthily To all this the King answer'd very seriously Come Come Sr. Bertram neither will this Excuse serve your turn For I have no Brother Nephew nor Cousin no Duke Earl nor Baron in my Kingdom that shall not readily obey You and if any presume to do otherwise I shall resent it so Highly that he shall soon find some evident Marks of my Displeasure Therefore Sir freely in Gods Name accept the Office it is the Desire of all the Realm and it is also my Express Command that You do so Sr. Bertram seeing it in vain to use any further tergiversation fell down upon his Knees and said t Richardi Dinothi Advers Histâ—r p. 150. ex Libro de Bertrandi Gâ—eschinatis Vitâ conscripto Vid. Mensieur Menard in his Life of Sr. Bertram of Clequin c. My Lord ô King I heartily obey your Commands and accept this High Office. But most humbly request that before I take the Sword into my Hands You will grant me one thing which I shall ask it being a Matter no way prejudicial to your Royal Dignity Estate and Honour The King promised him so much and then he proceeded Sr. said he because I have often heard that for the most part Envy and Calumny do frequent the Courts of Great Princes and Detraction by her Officious Insinuations doth many times gain Credit I therefore humbly request that You will never suffer any Man whatsoever to speak Evil of me unto You unless he will dare to affirm that whereof he accuses me before my Face This the King graciously promised and so at last Sr. Bertram of Clequin thô much against his will accepted on the u Mezeray p. 85. 2d of October of the Sword of Constable of France to the general satisfaction of all the Court. And that same day the King to set a Mark of Esteem upon him x Frois ibid. Du Chesâ—e p. 707. made him sit down with him at his own Table shewing him all the signs of Love and Respect imaginable and together with that Office gave him many Rich Gifts and settled upon him considerable Lands and Revenues for him and his Heirs for ever But the Duke of Anjou was the Chief Assistant in exalting Sr. Bertram to this Honour XXIII When Sr. Bertram of Clequin was thus made Constable of France y Frois c. 285. fol. 174. he said to the King Sir if it please your Majesty I will go and ride after Sr. Robert Knolles who I hear is still about the Marches of Anjou and Maine The King was well pleased with this his Offer and commanded him to make what preparations he thought sufficient adding how all his Subjects should obey him But yet he is said z Mezeray p. 85. to have limited him to such a Number of Men to the end that he might only have an Eye to the Enemy and keep him short but not give him Battle However Sr. Bertram was so earnest upon this his First Expedition that to furnish himself the better and to oblige his Followers he sold all his Jewels and Rich Moveables which he had purchas'd in Spain to distribute the profit thereof among his Souldiers So he went from Paris with the Lord Oliver Clisson in his Company and took his way towards Maine making his Garrison in Mans the Chief City of that Province as the Lord Clisson also did at la Suze a Town near thereunto both of them making up about 500 Spears besides others Sr. Robert Knolles indeed was in those Parts with a Great Army but his Captains a Walsing hist p. 179. 180. M.S. vâ—t Angl. in Bibl. C.C.C. Cantab. c. 234. were not all of a Mind for the Young Lords Grandison Fitz-Walter and others would no longer obey their General Sr. Robert nor follow his Directions He advised them now Winter was drawing on to retire along with him into Bretagne where they might Quarter more safely being among their Friends and Allies for at such times they could not live many together and the Frenchmen were all upon the Catch But the Major part of the Captains said how as for that Matter they were strong enough and that the Enemy durst not look them in the Faces they had try'd their Courage sufficiently that Campaigne and therefore they were resolv'd to quarter in their Enemies Country and not burthen their Friends When first this difference of Opinion arose in the English Army it was presently by sly insinuations fomented by an unhappy Villain named Sr. John Menstreworth an English Knight Valiant indeed of his Hands but Deceitfull Covetous Perverse and Disloyal and one that having embezel'd great Summs which were design'd for Souldiers pay was now afraid of being called to an account by his General and so endeavour'd to destroy him thô the same Sr. Robert
with him to lay Siege to St. Severe in Limosin which Fortress also belonged to Sr. John Devereux He had set there however these English Captains under him namely Sr. William Percy Knight Richard Gill and Richard Horne Esquires with a Convenient Garrison of lusty Souldiers who had before this overrun the Country of Auvergne and Limosin and had done so much mischief to the Frenchmen that now the Duke of Berry was resolved to call them to an account and so sent as we shew'd to the Constable desiring him if he could conveniently to come and joyn him for the purpose aforesaid And the Constable for the Reasons above specified having taken Order for the safe-keeping of Moncontour marched thence with all his Forces and went to the Duke of Berry who received him gladly The French Forces being thus joyn'd made up a very Considerable Host even to the Number of 4000 Knights and Men of Arms besides others All who went now to reduce St. Severe vowing not to rise from before it till they had their Design upon the Place Sr. William Percy who was a Valiant English Gentleman and Chief Captain of the Place put himself presently in a posture of Defence and dispatch'd away a Messenger to Sr. John Devereux desiring him to hasten to his Assistance for the Duke of Berry the Constable of France the Dauphin of Auvergne the Lord Clisson and the Vicount of Roüen had besieged his Fortress of St. Severe with 4000 Men of Arms. At this News Sr. John Devereux was very much dejected and said to the Lord Thomas Percy who was there present at the Delivery thereof Sr. Thomas you are Seneschal of this Country of Poictou and have great Authority and Power in your Hands Wherefore I heartily desire you to assist me toward the Relieving of my Men who are all but lost if they have not timely Succour Sir reply'd Sr. Thomas I should be very glad to do them and You this piece of service especially since thereby I serve my King and Country according to my Duty And Sir for your sake I will go hence along with You But let us first go and speak with my Lord the Captal of Busche who is not far hence and let us endeavour to perswade him to joyn Us with his Forces that so We may be the better able to raise the Siege and upon occasion to give the Frenchmen Battle With that he committed the Custody of Poictiers to a Valiant and Loyal Gentleman at that time Mayor of the City named Sr. John Reinolds and himself rode forth with Sr. John Devereux till they met with the Captal who was riding in the Head of an Army toward St. John D. Angely There they shew'd unto him how the French had taken Monmorillon hard by Poictiers and Moncontour also and now lay with a great Army before St. Severe a Castle belonging to Sr. John Devereux wherein were Sr. William Percy Richard Gill and Richard Horne all Captains too Good to be lost To these Words the Captal after some study And Gentlemen what would You have Me to do The Chief Knights about him answer'd Sir We have often heard You say that You desire nothing more than to come to a Battle with these Frenchmen And Sir You can never find them more easily than now Wherefore We are of the Mind that You should draw that way having first sent out your Summons into Poictou and the Marches of Anjou for then We shall be Men enough to fight them considering the Good-will We have to the Matter By my Faith reply'd the Captal I am content And shortly by the Grace of God We shall give them Battle Then immediately he sent forth his Letters to the Barons of Poictou and Sainctogne desiring and strictly Commanding them to come unto him to a certain Place by a time limited His Letters were readily obey'd and soon after there came to him the Lord of Partenay the Lord Lewis of Harcourt the Lord Hughde Vinon and Sr. Thomas his Brother the Lord Percival of Cologne Sr. Emery of Rochechoüart Sr. James of Surgeres Sr. Geoffry Argentine the Lord of Puissances the Lord of Roussillon the Lord of Campenac Sr. John Dangle g Mill's Catal. Hon. p. 919. Son to the Lord Guischard Dangle and Sr. William of Montendre who being joyn'd with the Captal amounted in all to 900 Spears and 500 Archers on Horseback besides Footmen XIII But by this time h Frois c. 304. News were brought into the French Camp that lay before St. Severe to Sr. Bertram of Clequin and the other Lords there how the English and Poictevins were marching thitherward with intent to raise the Siege When the Constable heard this he resolv'd to make quick Dispatch there that so if possible he might reduce the Place before their Succour should come And so presently he commanded all Men to Arms and to begin an Assault worthy of their Name and Nation There was not a Man there that would or durst disobey him So the French and Bretons with mutual Emulation went before the Fortress in good Order well-armed and defended with shields and then there began a most terrible Assault indeed every Lord being present under his own Banner giving Orders and Encouraging his Men. Surely it was a great Beauty to behold this Brisk Contention on both sides the English Lions nodding severely from the Tops of the Towers and the French Banners waving orderly in the Field to the Number of Fourty Nine besides Penons and Streamers The Constable himself was there with the Lord Lewis of Sancerre encouraging their Men to the Assault whereupon many Knights and Esquires of several Nations adventur'd themselves more boldly to encrease their Honour and did Wonders in Arms For some waded quite thrô the Ditches which were full of Water and so came to the Walls not offering once to Retire for all the Arrows Darts and Stones that came against them And on the Dike stood the Dukes of Berry and Bourbon the Earl of Alenson the Dauphin of Auvergne and the other Great Lords beholding and encouraging their Men so that they valued not the Face of Death himself when they found themselves under the Eye of their Lords and Masters Sr. William Percy was not all this while slack in his own Defence but was personally present in all the heat of the Action ordering and commanding and encouraging his Men with his Sword waving about his Head. The English poured down upon their Enemies Arrows and Pots of quick Lime and Stones and Barrs of Iron plenty So that the service was exceeding hot on both sides However at last Sr. William and the two Esquires of Honour Captains of the Fortress perceiving how fiercely they were attacked and that the French grew more resolved and Desperate against them every day so that it was not possible for them to hold out long especially since they knew nothing of the Succour that was now coming to them nor of any Friend that was near them
desiring You as affectionately as we can and more earnestly beseeching You by the Bowels of the Mercies of God that rendring a return of Gratitude to the Lord your God for those things which he hath given unto You You would accommodate your Soul prepare your Heart and dispose your Mind to Peace and Concord For You know that the Great King of Peace by whom You live and reign doth command You to love Peace and refuses to dwell in the Hearts of the Unmercifull And lest we should more prolixly enlarge our Epistle we add unto our Prayers that those things which our Reverend Brother Talayrand Bishop of Alby and our Beloved Son Nicolas titulo Sancti Vitalis Priest-Cardinal Nuntio's of the Apostolick See or either of them in their own Persons or in Others shall relate unto You as to this Point or declare unto You by Letters You would undoubtedly believe and by a pious Prosecution fulfill them with the desired Fruits of your Actions Dat. Aven V. Non. Octob. Anno Pontificatús nostri IV. By other Letters also of the same Date the Pope highly applauded the Young Prince for that he had honourably received the Cardinal Talayrand and had in the midst of Prosperity overcome that insolence of Mind which usually attends Conquerours and gave him his Thanks for having entertain'd the French King with such singular Courtesie Our Reverend Brother says he Talayrand Bishop of Alby Nuntio of the Apostolick See wrote unto us by his Letters that You confirming and enhancing the Nobility which you derive from your Stock by your Generosity of Soul and the exercise of Vertues have entertain'd him with such Honours and such Favours as became a Son to exhibit to his Father in Christ And that which is greater than all these preparing your Mind equally for all Events and not being puffed up with any Prosperity of Successes but always more humble in the sight of the Lord your God attributing all unto him from whom you have received all You do graciously allow unto our Dear Son in Christ John the Illustrious King of France whom the Event of War hath brought into your Prison that Honour which belongs to so great a Prince Vpon which account returning unto your Highness our deserved Praises and hoping undoubtedly that the Omnipotent God who hath respect unto the Lowly but knoweth the Proud afar off will bestow on You more abundantly and freely the Grace of his Benediction c. Dat. Aven V. Non. Octob. Anno Pontif. IV. XV. All this while i Frois c. 169. fcl 75. did Edward the Black-Prince continue at Bourdeaux having with his ready Mony bought up of the Lords Knights and Esquires of Gascogne all those French Prisoners whom he design'd to carry along with the King into England For as for those whom the English Lords had taken he intended not to buy them till they were brought safe home The French King he lodged honourably in a magnificent Apartment in the Abby of St. Andrew and Himself kept Court in the other Apartment of the same Abby like unto it Now there were many Questions Contrasts and Challenges among several Knights and Esquires of Gascogne concerning the Taking of the French King divers of them affirming how they were the Men that took him But Sr. Dennis Morbeque by Right of Arms and true Tokens which he shew'd as the Kings own Gauntlet challenged him for his rightfull Prisoner Yet for all that this Mans Cause seem'd so evident insomuch that the Pretensions of all Others were silenced thereby an Esquire of Gascogne called Bernard de Troutes averred how he had more Reason to lay Claim to that Honourable Action Between these two there was much Fending and Proving in Presence of the Prince and other Lords that sat with him to hear the Cause But when once it came to a Challenge between them then the Prince commanded them both peremptorily to surcease and to forbear any further proceeding till they came into England on pain of his Displeasure for he said no manner of Decision or Determination should be made but by the King his Father However because the French King himself enclin'd more to Sr. Dennis of Morbeque than to any other and wish'd as he said privately that he alone might have the Honour which he had so well deserved the Generous Prince considering that being a banished Man he had little more than his Wages and what he purchased in War caused secretly to be deliver'd into his Hands 2000 Nobles to maintain his Estate handsomly withall against the time he should appear in the Court of England And to end this Matter once for all when the next Year King Edward and his Council had determin'd the Cause in his behalf the Prince k Paul. Aeonylius p. 288. gave him 5000 Crowns of Gold more as a Reward for that Service For as we shew'd before all Prisoners who are valued above 10000 Crowns belong not unto him that took him but to the Prince Thus the Prince of Wales tarried at Bourdeaux providing and ordaining his Affairs as he thought best till it was Lent during which time the Souldiers of England and Gascogne spent in Mirth and Revell especially in the Christmas Holy-days all the Gold and Silver which they had won with the hazard of their Lives For Souldiers and Seamen thô they court Money at the Highest rate of any others take their leave of it as pleasantly and as unconcernedly as any Men whatsoever Those Knights l Frois c. 169. Gentlemen and others who had been present in the Battle of Poictiers upon their return into England were welcomed treated and caressed highly by all Men where-ever they came and in all respects Prefer'd to others of their Rank and Condition So Honourable is it to be Brave upon a good and just account But on the contrary m Frois c. 170. all the Lords Knights and Esquires of France who had fled from the Battle were so hated reviled and pointed at whereever they came that they durst hardly venture to appear in any great Town or publick place of Resort Now about the time n Frois c. 170. that this Battle of Poictiers was fought Henry Plantagenet Duke of Lancaster was in the County of Eureux in Normandy and toward the Marches of Coutances together with Prince Philip of Navarre and the Lord Godfry of Harcourt in his Company These Great Captains endeavour'd all they could to joyn the Prince of Wales before that Battle but they could not by any means Because all the Passages on the River of Loire were so surely guarded However hearing shortly after of the Prince's Success they were wonderfully pleased and Prince Philip of Navarre soon after went for England to speak with the King about the further Progress of his Affairs and the Duke of Lancaster as we shew'd before diverted into Bretagne to the Countess of Monford where shortly after he went and laid Siege to Rennes having constituted the Lord Godfry of
Harcourt his Lieutenant who kept at St. Saviour le Vicount his own Possession to hold frontier War in those parts And this he performed with such Zeal and Success that he alarum'd the Regent of France and obliged him to seek a Remedy as we shall see by and by XVI It is to be observed that the Three Sons of King John who fled from the Battle of Poictiers were all Green and unexpert in managing Publique Affairs especially in such a Confusion as must needs follow so Great and Publique a Loss and in the Kings absence too Charles the Dauphin thô the Eldest yet knew not how to steer his Course in so tempestuous and turbulent a Season However as Regent of the Realm o Fabian p. 282. Frois Mezeray Da Chesne p. 678. on the 29 of September which was but Ten days after the Battle he summon'd a Parliament of the Three Estates to meet him at Paris on the 15 of October then next ensuing At which time the said Duke sitting as Regent in the Parliament Chamber and the Three Estates being present Peter de la Forest Archbishop of Rouën and Chancellour of France declared openly the great Misfortune that had lately befallen the Realm by the taking of their King and Head at the Battle of Poictiers and exhorted them in a long and well-composed Oration to be aiding and assisting every Man to his Ability toward the Redemption of their Lord and Sovereign Whereupon Answer was returned by the Mouth of Dr. John Craon Archbishop of Rheims in the Name of the Clergy by the Mouth of Philip Duke of Orleans King John's Brother in the Name of the Nobility and by the Mouth of Stephen Marcell Burgess and Provost of Paris in the Name of the Commons of the Towns of France That all of them were ready to assist in that Affair to the utmost of their Power but they prayed that they might have a convenient time allowed them to consult together and to consider how to raise wherewithall to do it Which was granted So the Three Estates held their Consultation at the Fryers Minors or the Grey-Fryers in Paris for the space of 15 days In which time they appointed among them to the Number of 50 Persons to inspect and make an Enquiry after many Enormities and things as then out of Order in the Realm These Fifty superintendants chose from among themselves Six Representatives to go to the Duke of Normandy and to Request of him in their Name that he would promise to keep secret what they were about to declare unto him which he granted And then they humbly besought him to discharge all such as they should name unto him and to seise their Goods as forfeited to the Kings use And first they named Peter de la Forest Archbishop of Rouën and Chancellour of France then Sr. Simon Bucy Chief President and Counsellour to the King Sr. Robert de Lorize the Kings Chamberlain Sr. Nicolas Braque Master of the Kings Palace Ingelram de Celer Under-Treasurer of France John Brill de Berry Sovereign Master of the Moneys and Chief of the Accompts to the King and John Channeau de Chartres Treasurer of the Kings Wars All these Officers the said Persons Delegates from the Fifty would have to be discharged of their Offices for ever and moreover they demanded of the Dauphin that the King of Navarre might be deliver'd from his Imprisonment and that He himself would please to be advised and counselled by such as they should assign unto him p Frâ—is c. 170. That is to say Twelve Prelates Twelve Knights and Twelve Burgesses which Thirty six were accordingly forthwith chosen for that purpose But among them were many of whom neither the Duke of Normandy nor his Council had any good opinion And yet these Thirty six were not only to be as so many Tutors to the Duke but as so many Tribunes the whole Power of the Three Estates of Parliament being in a manner Epitomized in them When the foremention'd Officers of State heard what Arbitrary Judges were like to sit upon them they thought it their best way to fly from the impending Storm and take refuge in foreign parts till they might hear better News The Duke of Normandy upon the first proposal of these Requests and others as little agreeable q Fabian ibid. gave this reply that he would know the opinion of his Council and accordingly return them some suitable answer But first he desired to hear what aid the Three Estates would give him toward the Redemption of the King his Father Whereunto they answer'd That the Clergy had granted one Desme and an half to be paid within a Year provided they might obtain the Pope's leave and that the Lords had granted as much to be levied on their Lands and that the Commons had granted the Tenth peny of all their Moveables On the Morrow following the Duke assembled his Council in the Palace of the Louvre and there shew'd them the High Demands of the Three Estates whereupon many scruples were raised and many Messages sent too and fro between the Duke and them But the Estates return'd this final answer That except he would reform all the foresaid Miscarriages and conform himself to their Minds for the Publique Good they would not give him any Aid with their Goods as they had promised him Wherefore the Duke being in a mighty plunge sent secretly to his Father then a Prisoner at Bourdeaux to inform him of all the Premises and the King wrote back to him again That he should not by any means agree to their Insolent Demands for He had rather continue still a Prisoner to an Honourable Enemy than return home to become a slave to his own Subjects The Duke upon receit of these Letters because he would not have such Matters to be scann'd in open Parliament sent for the most Eminent of all the Three Estates to come to him to the Louvre and accordingly there came the two Archbishops of Rheims and of Lyon and the Bishop of Laon for the Clergy Sr. Waren de Luxemburgh Sr. John de Conflent Marshal of Champagne and Sr. John de Picquigny Governour of Artois for the Lords and for the Commons and Burgesses of Paris and other Towns Stephen Marcel Provost of the Merchants and Charles Cusac Unto these the Duke communicated the News he had lately received from the King his Father requiring their Advice whether it were best that day to acquaint the whole Parliament therewith or to defer it till they might be more calm and in a better humour In the end it was agreed that he should defer it till the fourth Day after all which time he waited to see if they would grow more Dutifull and more Modest in their Demands But all was in vain they still ran as High as ever and especially in the matter of Changing the Officers and of delivering the King of Navarre from the Castle of Creveceur in Cambresis where he