wardship of all Pupils and Orphanes wythin the same towne beside diuerse other liberties Moreouer they were in like maner constreyned to seale three seuerall obligations in which the Abbot and Conuent were bound to the sayde Inhabitantes as to a communaltie of a corporation in .vij. M. pounds as in two M. by one obligation and in two M. by another and in three M. by the thirde obligation and further they were driuen to seale a letter of release of all trespasses and other things that myght bee demaunded agaynste the sayde Inhabitauntes with a generall acquittaunce of all debts Beside this the sayde riotous persons tooke the same tyme forth of the Abbey great ryches as well in plate Armor Bookes apparell as in other things They also brake downe two houses or Messuages that belonged to the Abbey and situate within the towne of Burie they also destroyed his fish pondes and tooke out such store of fish as they found in the same they cut downe also .lx. Ashes there growing on the soyle that belonged to the sayde Abbot and did many other great outrages and enormities so that it was founde by the inquest that the Abbot was damnifyed to the value of other fortye thousande poundes These ryottes may seeme grieuous and verie straunge The châ—… but yet the same were not so heynously taken as an other whiche the sayde Inhabitants of Burie attempted agaynst the sayde Abbey in maner of a plaine commotion vpon S. Lukes day in the same yeare at what time as by the Recordes of that Abbey it shoulde appeare both the Abbot and his house were in the kinges speciall protection and the sayde Inhabitantes prohibited by his letters to attempt any iniurie agaynst hym or hys Conuent But neuerthelesse we fynde that not onely the Inhabitants of Burie but also a great number of other misgouerned persons that resorted to them from places there about arrayed and furnished with horse armour and weapon after the maner of warre came and assaulted the Abbey Gates sette fyre on them and burned them wyth dyuerse other Houses neare adioyning that belonged to the Abbay and continued in that theyr ryotous enterpryse all that daye and nyght following The same night also they burnt a Manor of y e Abbots called Holdernes barn The Mâ—… Holdâ—… bâ—…ne w t .ij. other manors called the Aunianers berne and Haberdone also the Grangles that stoode withoute the South gate The Manour 〈◊〉 Westley â—…ne and the Manour of Westley in which places they burned in corne and graine to the value of a thousande pounde The nexte day they entered into the Abbey Court and burnt all the houses on the north side as stables Brewhouses Bâ—…houses Gray â—…is and other such houses of offices and on the other side the Court they burnt certaine houses belonging to the Aumenerie On the next day they burned the More hall and Bradford hall with the new hall and diuerse chambers and sollers to the same halles annexed with the Chapell of S. Laurence at the ende of the hospitall hall Also the Manor of Eldhall the Maner of Horninger with all the corne grain within and about the same The next day they burnt the soller of y e Sollerer with a chapel there also the kytchen the larder and a part of the Farmarie On the Thursday they burnt the residue of the Farmarie and the lodging called the blacke lodging with a Chapell of S. Andrew therein In executing of all these riotous disorders one Geffrey Moreman was an ayder who wyth diuerse other persons vnknowne departed forth of the towne of Burie The Manour 〈◊〉 Fornham â—…n by the assent of the other his complices he burnt the Manor of Fornham The same day also other of their companie as William the sonne of Iames Neketon Raufe Grubbe Richard Rery and a great number of other persones vnknowne by the assent and abbetment of the other that committed the sayd disorders burnt two Manors belonging also to the sayde Abbey in great Berton with all the corne and graine there founde Vpon knowledge had of these great riots and perillous commotions there was a commission directed from the king vnto Thomas Earle of Norfolk high Marshall of EnglaÌ„d to Thomas Bardinâ—… Robert Morley Peter Wedall Iohn Howard and Iohn Walkfare authorising them with y e power of the counties of Suffolk Norffolke to apprehend trie and punish such lewde disordered persons rebellious malefactors which had committed such felonious enterprices to the breach of the kings peace daungerous disquieting of his subiects but the said Commissioners proceeded not according to the effect of their CoÌ„mission in triall of any felonies by the same persons committed and done but onely caused them to be indited of trespas albert Robert Walkfare and Iohn Clauer with their associates Iustices of peace in their Sessions holden at Elueden the Tuesday next after the feast of the Apostles Simon and Iude in the sayd first yeare of this king Edward the third proceeded in such wise against the sayd Malefactors y e Iohn de Berton Cordwayner Robert Forton and a great number of other were indyted of felonie for the mysdemeanours afore mentioned and the Indytements so founde were after sent and presented vnto Iohn Stonore Walter de Friskeney Robert Malberthorpe and Iohn Bousser who by vertue of the kings Commission of Oier Determiner to theÌ„ directed sat at S. Edmundsbury the Wednesday next after the feast of Saint Lucie the virgin and then and there sent forth precepts to the Sherife commaunding him to apprehende the sayd Berton Forton and others that were indyted of the foresayde felonies and also to returne a sufficient Iurie to trie vpon theyr arraignment the sayde Malefactors by order of law the Fryday next after the sayde feast of Saint Lucie Herevpon Alane de Latoner and Robert Dalling with .xvij. others being arraigned were founde guiltie and suffered death according to the order appoynted for felons One Adam Miniot stoode muet and refused to be tryed by his countrey and so was pressed to death as the law in such case appoynteth Diuerse other were saued by their bookes according io the order of Clerkes conuict as Alexander Brid person of Hogesete Iohn Rugham person of little Welnetham Iohn Berton Cordwayner and diuers other Some were repriued as one woman named Iulian Barbor who being big bellied was respited till she were deliuered of child Benedict Sio and Robert Russell were repriued and committed to the safe keeping of the Sherife as triers or appeachers as we terme them of other offenders and bycause there was not anye as yet attached by theyr appeales they were commaunded againe to prison One Robert de Creswell was saued by the kings letters of special pardon which he had there readie to shew As for Robert Foxton Adam Cokefielde and a great number of other whome the Sherife was commaunded to apprehende hee returned that he coulde not heare of them within the precinct of his Baylifewike wherevpon
the Purification of our Ladie next ensuing by the handes of Walter the Archbishop of Canterburie ◅ers ◅ted And bycause he was but .xiiij. yeres of age so that to gouerne of himselfe he was not sufficient it was decreed that .xij. of the greatest lordes within the realme shoulde haue the rule and gouernment till he came to more perfite yeares The names of which lords were as followeth The Archbishop of Cāterburie the Archbishop of Yorke the Bishops of Winchester of Hereford Henrie Erle of Lancaster Thomas Brotherton Erle Marshal Edmond of Woodstocke Erle of Kent Iohn Erle of Warren the Lord Thomas Wake the Lord Henry Percy the Lord Oliuer de Ingham and the Lorde Iohn Ros. These were sworne of the kings counsaile and charged with the gouernment as they woulde make answer But this ordinance continued not long for the Queene the Lorde Roger Mortimer tooke the whole rule so into their handes that both the king and his sayde Counsaylours were gouerned only by them in all matters both high and lowe He confirmed the liberties and franchises of the citie of London and graunted that the Maior of the same Citie for the time being might sit in all places of iudgement within the liberties therof for chief Iustice aboue all other The franchises of the Citie of London confirmed the kings person only excepted and that euery Alderman that had bin Maior shoulde be Iustice of peace through all the Citie of London and countie of Middlesex and euery Alderman that had not bene Maior should be Iustice of peace within his owne warde He graunted also to the Citizens that they shoulde not be constrayned to go forth of the Citie to any warres in defence of the lande and that the franchises of the Citie should not be seased frō thenceforth into the kings hands for any cause but only for treason and rebellion shewed by the whole Citie Also Southwarke was appoynted to bee vnder the rule of the Citie and the Maior of Lōdon to bee Baylife of Southwarke and to ordaine such a substitute in the same Borough as pleased him In the first yeare of this kings raigne Recordes of Burie wee finde in the Recordes belonging to the Abbey of S. Edmondsburie in Suffolke that the Inhabitants of that towne raysed a sore commotion agaynst the Abbot and Monkes of the same Abbey and that at seuerall tymes as first on the Wednesday next after the feast of the conuersion of Saint Paule in the sayde first yeare of thys Kings raigne one Robert Forton Rycharde Drayton and a great number of other assembling themselues togither in warlike order and array assaulted the sayd Abbey brake downe the Gates Wyndowes and Doores entered the house by force and assayling certain Monks and seruaunts that belonged to the Abbot did beate wounde and euill entreate them brake open a number of Chests Coffers and forcers tooke out Chalices of golde and siluer bookes Vestments and other ornaments of the church beside a great quantitie of riche plate and other furniture of housebolde apparel armour and other things beside fiue hundred pounds in readie coyne and also three thousand Florens of gold All which things they tooke and caried away togither with diuerse Charters wrytings and miniments as three Charters of Knute somtyme king of Englande foure Charters of king Hardiknute one Charter of king Edwarde the Confessour two Charters of king Henrie the first other two Charters of king Henrie the thirde which Charters concerned as wel the foundation of the same Abbey as the grauntes and confirmations of the possessions and liberties belonging thereto Also they tooke away certaine writings obligatorie in the whiche diuerse persons were bounde for the payment of great summes of money and deliuerie of certaine wines vnto the hands of the sayd Abbot Moreouer they tooke away with them ten seueral bulles conteyning certaine exemptions immunities graunted to the Abbots and Monkes of Burie by sundrie Bishops of Rome And not herewith contented they tooke Peter Clopton Prior of the said Abbey and other Monkes forth of the house and leading them vnto a place called the Leaden hall there imprisoned them till the Thursday next before the feast of the Purificatiō of our Ladie and that day bringing them backe againe into the chapter house deteyned them still as prisoners till they had sealed a writing cōteyning that the Abbot and conuent were bound in ten M. pound to be payd to Oliuer Kemp and others by them named And further they were cōstreyned to seale a letter of release for all actions quarels debts transgressions suites demaūds which the Abbot might in any wise clayme or prosecute against the sayd Oliuer Kempe and others in the same letters named For these wrōgs and other as for that they would not permit the Abbots Baylifes and officers to kepe their ordinarie courtes as they were accustomed to doe as well three dayes in the weeke for the Market to wit Monday Wednesday and Fryday as the Portman mote euery Tuesday three weekes and further prohibit them from gathering such tolles customes and yearely rentes as were due to the Abbot for certain tenements in the towne which were let to ferme the Abbot brought his action against the said Foxton Drayton others hauing it tried by an inquest on the Friday next after the feast of S. Lucie the virgin in a Sessions holden at Burie by Iohn Stonore Walter Friskney Robert Maberihorp and Iohn Bousser by vertue of the kings writ of Oyer and Determiner to them directed the offenders were cōdemned in .40000 pounds so that the sayde Richard Drayton and others there present in the Court were committed to prison in custodie of the Sherife Robert Walkefare who was commaunded also to apprehende the other that were not yet arested if within his Bayliwike they might be founde and to haue their bodies before the sayd Iustices at Burie aforesayd on Thursday in Whitsonweeke next ensuing Beside this there was an other inditement and action of trespasse founde there the same day agaynst the sayde Richard Drayton and others for a lyke disorder and ryot by them committed The seconde ryot on the Thursday next after the feast of the Purification of our Ladie in the same first yeare of this king at what time they did not onely breake into the Abbey and beate the Abbottes menne but also tooke the Abbot hymselfe beeyng then at home wyth certayne of hys Monkes keeping both him and them as prisoners til the next day that they were constreyned to seale certayne wrytings And amongest other a Charter in which it was conteyned that the Abbot and his Conuent did graunt vnto the Inhabitaunts of the towne of Burie to be a corporation of themselues and to haue a common seale wyth a gylde of Marchants and Aldermen also they were cōpelled to seale another Charter wherein was cōteyned a graunt to the sayde Inhabitaunts that they should haue the custodie of the towne gates and likewise the
the whole couÌ„saile there assembled that the kings sergeants and Attourneyes should go to the L. Chauncellor to haue a sight of all the sayde leagues and charters of truses to the intent they might frame their indytements according to the matter And note that iudge Fineux sayd that al such as were parties to the said insurrection were giltie of high treason as wel those that did not commit any robberie as those that were principall doers therein themselues bycause that the insurrection in it selfe was highe treason as a thing practised against the regal honor of our souereign lord the king and the same law holdeth of an insurrection said Fineux made agaynst the statute of laborers for so sayd he it came to passe that certaine persons within the Countie of Kent began an insurrection in disobedience of the statute of labourers and were attainted therefore of high treason and had iudgement to be drawn hanged and quartered He shewed where and when this chaunced c It was further determined by the same Fineux and all the Iustices of the lande that vpon the sayde Commission of Dyer and Terminee in London the Iustices named in the same commission might not arraigne the offenders and proceed to their tryall in one selfe day no more than myght the Iustices of peace But Iustices in Eyer myght so doe as well as the Iustices of Gaole deliuery and as the sufficiencie of the Iurours wythin the Citie to passe betwyxte the King and the sayde Traytours the Iustices determined that hee that hadde landes and goodes to the valewe of an hundred Markes shoulde bee inhabied to passe vppon the sayde indytementes And thys by the equitie of the Statute of Anno vndecimo Henrici septimi the which wil that no manne bee admytted to passe in any Inquest in London in a Plea of landes or other action in which the damages shall passe the value of fortie shillings excepte hee bee woorth in landes or goodes the valew of an hundred Markes On Saterday the seconde of May in thys ninth yeare all the Commissioners wyth the Lorde Maior Aldermen and Iustices wente to the Guylde hall where manye of the offendours were indyted as well of the Insurrection as of the robberyes by them committed agaynst the truses Herevppon they were araigned and pleading not guiltie hadde day gyuen till the Monday nexte ensuyng On which day being the fourth of May the Lorde Maior the Duke of Norffolke the Earle of Surrey and other came to sitte in the Guilde hall to proceede in theyr Oyer and Determiner as they were appoynted The Duke of Norffolke entred the Citye with thirtene hundred armed men and so when the Lordes were sette the Prysoners were brought throughe the Streetes tyed in Ropes some menne and some laddes of thirtene yeares of age Among them were dyuerse not of the Citie some Priestes some Husbande menne and labourers The whole number amounted vnto two hundred three score and eyghtene persons This daye was Iohn Lyncolne indyted as a principall procurour of this mischieuous insurrection and therevppon hee was arraigned and pleading not guiltie had day giueÌ„ ouer til Wednesday or as Hall sayth tyll Thursday next ensuyng He was charged with such matter as before ye haue hearde concerning his suyte vnto Doctor Standish and Doctor Bele for the reading of this bil in their sermons and opening the matter as before yee haue heard all whiche matter with the circumstances he had confessed on sunday the thirde of May vnto sir Richard Cholmley sir Iohn Daunsie sir Hugh Skeuington Diuerse other were indited this Monday and so for that time the Lordes departed The next day the Duke came againe and the Erle of Surrey with two M. armed men which kept the streetes It was thought that the Duke of Norffolk bare the citie no good will for a lewd priest of his which the yeare before was slaine in Cheape When the Maior the duke the erles of Shrewsburie and Surrey were set the prisoners were arreyned .xiij. found guiltie adiudged to be haÌ„ged drawne quartered for executioÌ„ wherof were set vp .xj. paire of galowes in diuerse places where the offences were done as at Algate at Blanchchapelton Gracious streete Leaden hall and before euery Counter one also at Newgate at Saint Martins at Aldersgate and at Bishopsgate Then were the prisoners that were iudged brought to those places of executioÌ„ and executed in most rigorous maner in the presence of the L. Edmond Howard son to the duke of Norffolke and knight Marshall On Thursday the seuenth of May was Lyncolne Shyrwin and two brethren called Bets 〈◊〉 Lincolne the Author of 〈◊〉 May day â—…ed 〈◊〉 â—…eside and diuerse other adiudged to die They were layd on Hardels and drawne to the Standert in Cheap and first was Iohn Lincolne executed and as the other had the rope aboute theyr neckes there came a commaundement from the king to respite the execution and then was the Oyer and determiner deferred till an other day the prisoners sente againe to warde and the armed men departed out of London and all things were set in quiet Thursday the .xxij. of Maye the king came into Westminster hall The king coÌ„meth to Westminster Hal there sate in iudgement himselfe and with him was the Cardinall the Dukes of Norffolke Suffolke y e erles of Shrewsbury Essex Wilshire Surrey with many lords other of the kings couÌ„sell The Maior and Aldermen with other of the chief Citizens were there in theyr best liuereys by nine of the clocke in the morning according as the Cardinall had appoynted them Then came in the prisoners bound in ropes in ranke one after another in their shirtes and euery one had an halter about his necke being in number foure C. men .xj. women When they were thus come before the kings presence the Cardinall layd sore to the Maior and Aldermen their negligence and to the prisoners he declared howe iustly they had deserued death Then all the prisoners togither reyed to the king for mercie and therewith the Lordes with one consent besought his grace of pardon for theyr offences The king pardoneth al the rebels at whose request the king pardoned them all The Cardinal then gaue to them a good exhortation to the great reioysing of the hearers And when the general pardon was pronounced all the prisoners shouted at once cast vp their halters into the roofe of the hal This company was after called the blacke Wagon After that these prisoners were thus pardoned All the gallowes within the Citie were taken downe and the Citizens tooke more heed to their seruants than before they had done The Quene of Scots retourneth into Scotlande The .xviij. of May y e Q. of Scots departed out of LondoÌ„ toward ScotlaÌ„d richly appoynted of all things necessarie for hir estate through the kings greate liberality bountiful goodnesse She entred into Scotland the .xiij. of Iune and was receiued at Berwik by hir
third péece vpon the North side of the Wâ—â—râ—…she néeâ—â— Falbrocke as Barkeshyre hath one percell also vpon the selfe side of the same water in the verye edge of Glocestershyre â–ª Lykewyse an other in Oxforde shyre not verye farre from Burford and the thirde ouer agaynst Lache lade which is parted from the mayne countye of Barkeshyre by a lyttle strake of Oxford shyre Who woulde thinke that twoo Fragmentes of Wilshyre were to be séene in Barkeshyre vpon the Loden and the ryuer that falleth into it whereof and the lyke sith there are verye manye I thinke good to gyue thys briefe admonition For although I haue not presentlye gone thorowe wyâ—â— them al yet these maye suffice to giue notice of thys thinge whereof most readers as I perswade my selfe are ignorant But to procéede with our purpose ouer eache of these shyres in time of necessity is a seuerall Léeâ—…tenant chosen vnder the Prince 〈…〉 who beyng a noble man of calling hath almost regall authoritie ouer the same for the tyme beyng in many cases which doth coÌ„cerne his office otherwyse it is gouerned by a Shirife 〈◊〉 who is resident dwelling somewhere within the same couÌ„ty whom they call a Vicount in respect of y e Erle or as they called him in time past the Alderman that beareth his name of the Countye although it be seldome séene in Englande that the Earle hath any great store of possessions or oughtes to doe in the County whereof he taketh hys name more then is allowed to him thorowe his personall resiauns if he happen to dwell and bée resident in the same In the election also of these Magestrates dyueâ—â—able Persons aswell for wealth as wisdome are named by the commons at a tyme and place appointed for theyr choyse whose names beyng delyuered to the Prince he foorthwyth pricketh some suche one of them as he pleaseth to assigne vnto that office to whome he coÌ„mitteth the charge of the county and who herevpon is Shirife of that shyre for one whole yeare or vntill another be chosen 〈…〉 The Shirife also hath his vnder Shirife that ruleth holdeth the shyre courtes law daies vnder hym vpon sufficient caution vnto the high Shirife for hys true execution of Iustice and yéelding of accoumpt when he shall be thervnto called There are likewyse vnder him certayne Bayliffes â—…ifes whose office is to serue returne such writtes processes as are directed vnto theÌ„ froÌ„ the high Shirife to make seazure of the goodes and cattelles and arrest the bodyes of such as doe offende presenting eyther their persons vnto him or at the leastwyse taking sufficient bonde or other assuraunce of them for theyr due apperance at an appointed tyme when y e Shirife by order of law ought to present them to the Iudges according to his charge â—…e â—…nstaâ—… In euerye hundred also are one or moe high constables according to the quaÌ„tity of the same who receyuing writtes and iniunctions from the high Shirife vnder his seale doe forthwith charge the pety constables of euery towne with in their limites â—…y conâ—…es with the execution of y e same In eche countye likewise are sundrye law dayes holden at their appointed seasons of which some retaine the olde Saxon name and are called Motelaghe 〈…〉 They haue also an other called the Shirifes turne which they holde twyse in their times in euery hundred and in these two latter such small matters as oft aryse amongst the inferior sorte of people are hard and determined They haue finally their quarter sessions wherein they are assisted by the Iustices and Gentlemen of the countrey and twise in the yeare Gaile deliuerye â—…e deâ—…y or 〈◊〉 assiâ—… at which time the Iudges ride about in theyr circuites into euerye seuerall countye where the nobilitye and Gentlemen wyth the Iustices there resiaunt associate them and mynister the lawes of the realme wyth great solemnity and Iustice Howbeit in doing of these things they retayne still the the olde order of the lande in vse before the conquest for they coÌ„mit the full examination of al causes there to be heard to y e coÌ„sideratioÌ„ of 12. sober graue â—…uests wise men chosen out of y e same countye which number they call an enquest and of these inquests there are more or lesse impaniled aâ—…euery assize as the nuÌ„ber of cases there to be handled doth craue and require albeit that some one inquest hath often diuers to coÌ„sider of when they haue to their vttermost poure consulted and debated of such thinges as they are charged with all they returne againe to the place of Iustice wyth theyr Verdicte in wryting according whereunto the Iudge doth pronounce his seÌ„tence be it for life or death or any other matter whatsoeuer is brought before him Beside these officers afore mencioned there are suÌ„dry other in euery countye as Crowners whose duety is to enquire of such as come to their death by violence to attache and present the plées of the Crowne Iustices of peax and quorum to make inquirye of treasure founde c. There are dyuers also of the best learned of the lawe beside sundry Gentlemen where the number of Lawyers doe not suffise and whose reuenues doe amount to aboue twenty pound by the yeare appointed by especiall commission from the prince to looke vnto the good gouernement of hir subiectes in the Counties where they dwell and of these the least skilfull in the lawe are of the peace the other both of the peace and quorum otherwise called of Oyer Determiner so that the first haue authoritie onely to heare the other to heare determine such matters as are brought vnto their presence These also doe dyrect theyr warrantes to the kéepers of the Gayles which in their limitations for the safe keping of such offenders as they shal iudge worthie to be kept vnder warde vntill the great assizes to th ende their causes may be further examined before the residue of the countye these officers were first deuised in the eightéene yeare of Edwarde the thyrde as I haue béene informed They méete also and togither with the Shyrifes doe hold their Sessions at foure times in the yeare Quarter sessions whereof they are called quarter Sessions and herin they inquyre of the common anoyaunces of the kings léege people sundrie other trespasses determining vppon them as iustice doth require There are also a thyrde kinde of Sessions holden by the high Constables and Baylifs afore mencioned called Petie Sessions Pety sessions wherein the weightes measures are perused by the Clarke of the market for the countey who sitteth with theÌ„ At these méetings also Victuallers in like sort seruants labourers roges and runnagates are often reformed for their excesses although the burning of vagabounds thorow their eares be referred to y e quarter sessioÌ„s or higher courts of Assise where they are adiudged also to death if they be takeÌ„ the third
other their baggage and stuffe whiche they had aboute them in the keepyng of none but of their women and boyes The baggage of the English lansqueneiz spoyled by the Scottish horsmen wherevpon those Scottes horsemen not minding to suffer such a pray to escape theyr handes came gallopping in and tooke all the beste stuffe they coulde lay holde vpon and returned in safetie before any enimy might come backe to the reskew The Almaignes were in no small chaufe for the losse of their garments and other necessaries but there was no helpe then to seeke remedy in that behalfe for the Scottes were withdrawen and got quite out of daunger The English army after that the Frenchmen were thus fledde and gone passed foorth to Hadington with their cariages laden with vitailes to the great comforte of them within that fortresse standing in great necessitie before this coÌ„uoye came Hadington vitayled This sommer also and a litle before the vittellyng thus of Hadington vpon knowledge had that Iulian Romero with his bande of Spaniardes Iulian Romero distressed wherof he was Captaine seruyng the king of Englande was lodged in Coldingham a sixe miles distant froÌ„ Berwike certaine bandes of Almaignes and Frenchmen came thither vpon the suddeÌ„ and surprising the Spanyardes before they were aware of theyr approche set vpon them in their lodgings tooke and slew in maner the whole number of them Fast castell recouered by Scottes Moreouer about the same time Fast castel was recouered by a trayne out of the Englishmens handes certayne Scottishmen fayning themselues to bryng prouision of vittayles to them that kepte it and getting entrie within the gate first slewe the porters that warded at the gate and after assayling the other within the house slew the most parte of them tooke the residue obteyning thereby possession of the Castell Things passing in this wise in Scotland in y e sommer of this yeare 154â—… the EnglishmeÌ„ were not onely in the meane time sore troubled with commotions raysed by the commons of that realme but also with the warres which the Frenche king made agaynst them within the countrey of Boullongnoys so that they had not meane to imploy their forces against Scotland as they had determined to haue done as partely before and more largely in the history of England is mentioned Hadington rased and lâ—…ft by the English men by reason whereof anone after Michaelmas they gaue ouer y e keepyng of HadingtoÌ„ rasing their fortificatioÌ„s there they returned into England to the great reioysing of the inhabitantes of Louthian to whome that towne had giuen occasion of greate troubles calamities Vpon the giuing ouer thus of Hadington the Gouernour the Queene Dowager were aduanced in hope to recouer againe al that the EnglishmeÌ„ helde within the boundes of Scotland but first it was thought good to assay the winning of Broghtie Crag for it sounded as was thought greatly to the diminishing of the estimation aswell of the Scots as Frenchmen that the Englishmen should keepe foote so farre within the realme in dispite of their whole puyssance 1550. Herevpon Monsieur de Thermes about CaÌ„delmas hauing all things in a readinesse for the siege came thither and did so much what with shot of Canon to make batterie other meanes of enforcements that giuing the assault both with Scots Frenchmen Broughty crag wonne by the Frenchmen they entred the forte the .xx. of February by fine force so that al those within were eyther taken or slayne wherevpon those Englishmen also that kept the castel rendred vp the same without further resistance amongst other prysoners sir Iohn Lutterell the Capitayne was one In this meane time there were certayne coÌ„missioners appointed betwixt the two kings of England and Fraunce to commune of a peace A treaty for peace but bicause they continued long in their treatie ere they could agree the Scots and Frenchmen surceassed not in occasions of aduantage to pursue the warre so that comming before Lowder they besieged that fortresse skirmishing with the Englishmen that issued forth to encounter them droue theÌ„ in at the gates with some losse on either parte and this done the French helde them within so straytly besieged that if the peace had not ben the sooner coÌ„cluded Sir Hugh Willoughbae sir Hugh Willoughby capitayne of that forte muste needes haue yeelded through lacke of shotte other necessary things seruing for defence whiche were spent so that they were constrayned to vse theyr pewter vessell in steede of bullets But as it fortuned a peace was accorded passed confirmed A peace concluded that very selfe time betwixte the twoo kings of England Fraunce The names 〈◊〉 the commissioners appoâ—…ted to treate of peace through the diligent orderly trauell of the CoÌ„missioners appoynted to deale therein whose names ensue first for y e king of England the right honorable Iohn Erle of Bedford knight of the Garter and Lorde priuy seale WilliaÌ„ Paget lord of Beaudesert knight also of the Garter sir William Peter knight chief secretary to the sayd king sir Iohn Mason knight secretary to him for y e French tong For the French king were appoynted Frances de Montmorance Lord of Rochepot knight of the order of S. Michael and Lieutenant for the same king of Picardie in absence of Monsieur de Vandosme Gasper de Colignie Lorde of Chastillon knight also of the order and Capitayne generall of the footemen of Fraunce the sayde kings Lieutenant generall in the countie of Bullongne Andrew Guillard lord of Mortier knight also of the order and one of the same kings priuy Counsell Guillaume Bouchetell lord of Sassy knight likewise of the order and Secretary of the estate of the finances Among other articles coÌ„prised in this peace The article of the peace it was couenanted that all such fortes castels places as the EnglishmeÌ„ held in any part within the Scottish dominions shoulde be deliuered restored to the Scots that the fortes of DuÌ„glas Roxburgh and Aymonth which the Englishmen had buylte reysed out of the grouÌ„de should be rased and throwen downe to auoyde all occasions of new controuersies that might growe by reason of keepyng or defending the same so as the peace nowe concluded mighte in all poynts be firmely and truly kepte obserued aswell betwixt England and Scotland as England Fraunce and betwixt all and euery the subiectes of the same realmes Monsieur de Mourret bothe by sea lande Monsieur de Mourret was sente into Scotland with the copie of this peace by whose meanes it was proclaymed anone after Easter about the beginning of Aprill and euery thing vsed and ordered according to the articles of the agreement concluded In May the Frenchmen Almaignes were enbarqued at Leith in .xvj. French shippes The Frenchmâ—… returne homâ—… and certayne Scottish shippes and departing from thence returned into Fraunce A fewe there were as
till the Monday following This man hadde bin a Preacher the space of twentie yeres and bycause his doctrine was not according to the religion then by the Bishoppes mainteined he was firste prohibited to preache in any churche or chappell and when he ceassed not for all that but set forth his doctrine in the streets and fieldes where he mighte haue audience at length hee was committed to prison Iohn Ball his prophecie out of the whiche he prophecied that he shoulde be deliuered with the force of twentie thousand men and euen so it came to passe in time of the rebellion of the commons IOhn Scheepe Saint Marie Priest of Yorke and nowe of Colchester greeteth well Iohn namelesse and Iohn the Miller and Iohn Carter and biddeth them that they beware of guyle in Bourrough and stande togither in Goddes name and biddeth Piers Plowman goe to hys worke and chastise well Hob the robber and take with you Iohn Trewman and all his fellowes and no moe Iohn the Miller y ground small small small the Kyngs sonne of heauen shall pay for all Beware or yee bee woe knowe your friend from youre foe haue ynough and say whoe and do well and better flee synne and seeke peace and holde you therein and so biddeth Iohn Trewman and all his fellowes This letter he confessed himself to haue written as Thomas Wals affirmeth with many other things which he had done and committed to the disquieting of the Realme for the whiche hee was drawen Iohn Ball excuted at S. Albons hanged and beheaded at Saincte Albons the fifteenth of Iuly being Monday in this fifth yeare of King Richards raigne The same day the Kings Iustice sir Roberte Trisilian sate vpon the Rebels of Saint Albōs and other of the Countrey of Hertforde afore whome by suche policie as he vsed there were a great number endited and diuers being arreigned were found giltie as William Grindecobbe William Cadindon Iohn Barbor and certaine others which were hanged and drawen to the number of fifteene persons in all diuers chiefe men of the Towne were committed to prison as Richard Wallingforde Iohn Garleeke William Berewill Thomas Putor and others of the Countrey about There were committed to prison to the number of fourescore persons the which neuerthelesse by the Kyngs pardon were releassed and dismissed The hatred which the Townesmen had conceyued againste the Abbot and couent of Saincte Albons was surely greate and manye deuises they had to haue saued those that were executed And where as well the Townesmen as other of the Abbots and conuēts tenauntes both of Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire had gotten of the Abbot and Conuent letters of discharge from doing any bound seruice the King directed hys letters vnto certaine Commissioners as to Iohn Ludowicke Iohn Westwicombe Iohn Kenting Richarde Perers Walter Saunforde Richard Gifforde Thomas Eydon The Kyng calleth in by proclamation all such letters of manumission as the Abbot of saint Albons had graunted to his bondmen and to William Eccleshal commaunding them to cause proclamation to bee made in all suche townes and places as were thought necessarie through the whole countreys of Buckingham and Hertford that all and euery person and persons that ought and hadde bin accustomed to doe or yeelde anye maner of seruices customes or dueties whether they were bound men or free vnto the sayde Abbot and Couente of Saint Albons shoulde doe and yeelde the same seruices customes and dueties in suche like forme and manner as they had bin vsed to doe before the time of the late troubles and not to chalenge or clayme any libertie or priuiledge whiche they enioyed not before the same troubles vpon their faith and allegiance in whiche they stoode bound to him and vpō payne to forfaite all that they might forfait and in case any were founde to doe contrary therevnto the same commissioners hadde authoritie and were commaunded to arrest and emprison them till for their further punishment order mighte be taken On Saint Margarets day the Kyng beyng ready to take his iourney to Berkhamsteede in the greate Court of the Abbey of Saint Albons The commōs of Hertfordshire sworne to the Kyng had all the commons of the countie of Hertforde before him that had summons there to appeare all that were betwixt fifteene and threescore yeres of age where they tooke an othe togither from thenceforth to be faithfull subiects vnto him and neuer to rise or make any commotion to the disturbance of his peace and rather to die than to consente vnto anye rebellious persons whome they shoulde to the vttermost of their powers doe their best to apprehende and deliuer them to the Kings prison that they mighte he foorthe comming After they had receyued this othe they were licenced to depart and the King rode to Berkhamsteede where hee remained for a time and after went to Esthamsteede to recreate himselfe with hunting where hee was enformed that those whiche were hanged at Saint Albons were taken from the gallowes and remoued a good way from the same with whiche presamption he was so stirred that he sent forthwith his letters to the Baylifes of the Towne of Saint Albons commaunding them vppon the sighte of the same to cause cheynes to be made and to bring the sayde bodyes backe vnto the gallowes and to hang them in those chaynes vpon the same gallowes there to remayne so long as one peece myghte sticke to an other according to the forme of the iudgement giuen The teste of this writ thus directed to the Baylifes of Saint Albons was at Esthamsteede the thirde of August in the fifth yeare of this kings raigne The Townesmen of S. Albons durst not disobey the kings commandement and so hanged vp againe in cheynes the dead bodies of their neighbours greatly to theyr shame and reproch when they could get none other for anye wages to come neere the stincking carcasses but that they were constreyned themselues to take in hande so vile an office And such was the ende of the tumultes at Saint Albons where as well as in other places the vnruly cōmons had played their partes To conclude and make an ende of these diuelish troubles to y e ende it may appeare in what daunger as well the K. as whole state of the Realme stoode by the mischeuous attemptes of the vnruly people I haue thoughte good to declare the confession of Iacke Strawe one of their chiefe Captaynes and next in reputation amongst them vnto Watte Tyler when he came to be executed in London The confessiō of Iacke Straw at the time of his death The same time said he that we were assembled vpon Blackeheath and hadde sente to the king to come vnto vs our purpose was to haue slayne al suche Knightes Esquiers and Gentlemen as should haue giuen their attendance thither vppon hym and as for the King we woulde haue kepte hym amongst vs to the ende that the people myghte more boldly haue repaired to vs sith they shoulde haue
he might bee lettâ—… and was likeso to be 〈…〉 thought good rather to assent to their humble request and so seeme to gratifie them thaâ—… by drâ—…ying it to procure their euill willes and returned the nearer of his purpose When king Henrie and enfourmed of hys landing hee was ryght glad thereof and wente vnto Sir Iohn Garâ—… land to Sir Thomas Trencharde 〈…〉 they shoulde entertayne hym in the most 〈…〉 they coulde deuise 〈◊〉 he might come himself in person to welcom him Beside this he sent the Earle of Arunâ—… with many Lordes and knights to attende vpon him Which Erle according to the kings letters â—…eceiued him with three hundred horses all by threâ—… light to the great admiration of the strangers King Philip seeing no remedie but that hee must needes tary woulde no longer gase after King Henryes comming out tooke hys iourney towardes Wyndsore Castell where the King lay and fiue myle from Windsore the Prince of Wales accompanied with fiue Erles diuerse Lordes and knights and other to the number of fiue hundred persons gorgeoustye apparayled receyued him after the most honourable fashion And within halfe a myle of Wyndsore the king accompanied with the Duke of Buckingham and a great parte of the nobilitie of thys Realme welcomed him and so conueyed to him to the Castell of Wyndsore where hee was made companion of the noble order of the Garter After him came to Wyndsore his wife Queene Iane sister to the Princes Dowager â—…e wife to Prince Arthure After the two kings had renued and confirmed the league and amitie betwixt them King Henrie desired to haue Edmond de la Poole Erle of Suffolke to be deliuered into hys handes To whome the King of Castile aunswered that he â—…eâ—…ly was not wythin hys Dominion and therefore it lay not in him to delyuer hym In deede he was loth to be the authour of his death that came to him for succour and was receyued vnder his protection yet vppon the earnest request and assured promise of king Henrie that he would pardon him of all executions and paynes of death he graunted to king Henryes desire And so incontinently caused the sayde Earle secretly to be sent for After this to protract tyâ—… till he were possessed of his pray king Henrie conueyed the king of Castile vnto the Citie of London that hee might see the heade Citie of his Realme there ledde hym from Baynards Castell by Cheape to Barking and so returned by Walling streete againe during whiche tyme there was shot out of the Tower a wonderfull peale of Ordinance But he woulde not enter into the Tower bycause as ye haue hearde before hee had â—…owed not to enter the Fortesse of of any foraine Prince in the which a garnison was mainteyned From London the King brought him to Richmonde where many notable feares of armes were prooued both of tylte iourney and barriers In the meane season the Earle of Suffolke perceyuing what hope was to be had in forraine Princes and trusting that after hys lyfe to him once graunted king Henrie would briefly set him at his full libertie was in maner contented to returne agayne into his natiue countrey When all partes and couenaunts betweene the kings of Englande and Castile were appoynted concluded and agreed king Philippe tooke hys leaue of king Henrie yeelding to hym most heartye thankes for hys highe cheare and Princely entertaynment And being accompanyed with dyuerse Lordes of Englande came to the Citie of Exceter and so to Falmouth in Cornwale and there taking shippe sayled into Spaine where shortly after hee dyed being .xxx. yeares of age He was of stature conuenient The death 〈◊〉 deseri pâ—… Philip king 〈◊〉 Spaine of counteâ—… amiable of bodie somewhat grosse quick witted bolde and hardie stomacked The tempest that he suffered on the Sea was huge and wonderfull also vpon the lande insomuch that the violence of the wynde blew downe an Eagle of Brasse being set to shewe on which part the wynde blewe from a pynacle or Spiâ—…e of Paules Churche and in the falling the same Eagle brake and battered an other Eagle that was set vppe for a signe at a Tauerne dâ—…re in Cheape side And herevpon men that were giuen to gesse things that shoulde happen by â—…king of straunge tokens deemed that the Emperour Maximilian which gaue the Eagle should suffer some greate mysfortune as hee old â—…ly after by the losse of hys sonne the sayde king Philip. Also shortlye after the departing of Kyng Philippe the King of Englande beganne to suspect Sir George Neuill Lorde of Burgeynye and Sir Thomas Greene of Greenes Norton as partakers in the begynning of the conspiracie wyth the Earle of Suffolke and so vpon that suspition they were commaunded to 〈◊〉 Tower But shortly after when they had 〈◊〉 tryed and pourged of that suspition hee commaunded them both to be set at libertie But sir Thomas Greene fell sicke before and remayned in the Tower in hope to be restored to hys health as well as to his libertie but by death he was preuented This yeare the King beganne to be diseased of a certayne infyrmitte An. reg â—â— whiche â—…hriâ—… euerye yeare but especially in the Spring tyme sore â—…eâ—…d him and bycause for the moste parte the harme that chaunceth to the Prince is parted wyth his Subiectes the â—…ting sickenesse whiche as yee haue hearde in the fyrst yeare of this king fyrst afflicted the people of this realme nowe assayled them agayne The sweâ—… fieâ—…esse eftsâ—… returâ—…neth howbeâ—… by the remedie founde at the begynning of 〈◊〉 nothyng the lyke number dyed thereof nowe thys second time as did the first time til the said remedie was inuented But nowe the thirde plague â—…gall to the Pestilence ensued by the working of the Maisters of the forfeytures and suche infourmers as were appoynted thereto By whose meanes many a riche and wealthie person by the extremitie of the lawes of the realme were coÌ„demned and brought to great losse and hinderance A greate part of which theyr vndoyngs proceeded by the inconuenience of suche vnconscionable officers as by the abuse of exigentes outlawed those that neuer hearde nor had knowledge of the saytes commenced agaynst them of whiche harde and sharpe dealyng the harme that thereof insueth considered if the occasion might be taken away by some other more reasonable fourme and order of lawe deuysed whereby the partie myght haue personall warning it woulde both preserue many an Innocent manne from vndeserued vexation and daunger of vnmercifull losse of goodes and also cedounde highly to the commendation of the Prince and such other as chaunced to bee refourmers of that colourable law where they be called only in the counties without other knowledge giueÌ„ to theÌ„ or theirs at their dwelling houses But now to returne such maner of outlawries olde recognisaunces of the peace and good abearings escapes riottes and innumerable statutes penall were put in execution and called vppon that euerie man both of the
to witte the Earle of Bedforde the Lord Paget sir William Peter the Kings chiefe Secretarie and sir Iohn Mason arriued at Calays By reason of whose comming the Earle of Huntingdon and the armie sent ouer before for the defence of the frontiers were countermaunded froÌ„ any attempt so that litle or nothing was done in that voyage sauing certaine skirmishes at diuerse times not much materiall to be written of These commissioners being thus arriued passed from Calais to Bollongne there to meete with the CoÌ„missioners appoynted for the French king where as a certaine house was newly erected for the said treatie to be had which was vpon the side of Bollongne haueÌ„ next to France where after diuerse meetings and conferences of the CoÌ„missioners of either partie a finall peace was at last concluded betwixt both the realmes But chiefly among other things for the restitution of Bollongne Bollonois vnto the French which was vpon certaine conditions following A yeaâ—…e concluded with 〈◊〉 First that the French king should yeelde and pay to the king of England a certaine summe of money and the same to bee payde at two payments as it was then agreed and for the same summe the king of Englande shoulde render the towne of Bollongne and all the Fortes thereto adioyning which he then enioyed with all suche artillerie and munition as was there founde at the taking of the same vnto the French king And for the sure payment of the sayde summes the French king sent into England for hostages and pledges the Counte D'Anguim Lewes the duke of Vandosme his brother the Vidame of Charters and the duke de Aumale and other And on S. Markes day next following Bollongne giuen vp to the French bring the .xxv. day of Aprill about .viij. of the clocke in the morning the English men did deliuer to the French men the possession of Bollongne and the Castels and fortes in the Countie of Bollonois according to the agreemeÌ„ts and articles of peace aforementioned He entreth And the fiftenth day next following the Frenche King entred into the sayd towne of Bollongne with Trumpets blowne and with al the royall triumph that might be where he offred one great Image of siluer of oure Ladie in the church there which was called our Ladie church the whiche Image he had caused specially to bee made in the honor of the saide Ladie and caused the same to be set vp in the place where the lyke Image before did stande the which before was taken away by the English men at the winning of the towne Soone after this agreement The duke of Somerset deliuered out of the Tower bycause of suspition of displeasure and hatred that was thought to remaine betwene the Earle of Warwike and the duke of Somerset lately before deliuered out of the Tower a meane was founde that theyr friendship should be renued through alliance A mariage and a mariage was concluded betwene the Earle of Warwikes eldest sonne and the Duke of Somersets eldest daughter the whiche maryage was solemnized at Shene the King being then present After the solemnitie of this maryage there appeared outwardlye to the Worlde great loue and friendship betweene the Duke and the Earle but by reason of carie tales and flatterers the loue continued not long howbeit many did berie earnestly wishe loue and amitie to continue betwene them About this tyme there was at Feuersham in Kent a Gentleman named Arden 1551 An. reg 5. Arden murthered most cruelly murthered and slaine by the procurement of hys owne wife The which murther for the horriblenesse thereof although otherwise it may seeme to bee but a priuate matter and therefore as it were impertinent to thys Hystorie I haue thought good to sette it foorth somewhat at large hauing the instructions delyuered to me by them that haue vsed some diligence to gather the true vnderstanding of the circumstances Thys Arden was a manne of a tall and comelye personage and matched in maryage with a Gentlewoman yong tall and well fauoured of shape and countenaunce who chauncing to fall in familiaritie with one Masbye a Tayler by occupation a blacke swart man seruaunt to the Lorde North it happened thys Masby vpon some misliking to fall out with hir but she being desirous to be in fauour with him againe sent him a paire of siluer Dice by one Adam Foule dwelling at the Floure de Lice in Feuersham After which he resorted to hir againe and oftentymes lay in Ardens house insomuch that within two yeares after he obteyned suche fauour at hir handes that he laye wyth hir or as they terme it kept hir in al using hir bodie And although as it was sayde Maister Arden perceyued right well their mutuall familiaritie to be muche greater than theyr honestie yet bycause he woulde not offende hir and so lose the benefite which he hoped to gaine at some of hir friendes handes in bearing with hir lewdnesse which he might haue lost if he should haue fallen out with hir he was contented to winke at hir filthie disorder and both permitted and also inuited Mosby verie often to lodge in his house And thus it continued a good space before anye practise was begonne by them agaynst maister Arden Shee at length inflamed in loue wyth Mosbie and loathing hir husbande wyshed and after practised the meane howe to hasten his rude There was a Painter dwelling in Feuersham who had skill of poysons as was reported shee therfore demaunded of him whether it were true that he had suche skill in that feate or not and he denyed not but that he had in deede Yea sayde she but I woulde haue suche a one made as shoulde haue most vehement and speedie operation to dispatche the eater thereof that can I doe quoth hee and forthwith made hir suche a one and willed hir to put it into the bottom of a Porenger and then after to poure Mylke vpon it which circumstance she forgetting did cleane contrarie putting in the Mylke first and afterwarde the poyson Now Maister Arden purposing that daye to ride to Canterburie his wife brought him hys breakfast whiche was woont to bee mylke and Butter he hauing receyued a spoonefull or two of the Mylke mislyked the tast and colour thereof and sayd to his wife Mistres Ales what milk haue you giuen me here wherwithal she tylted it ouer with hir hande saying I wene nothing can please you Then hee tooke horse and road towardes Canterburie by the way fell into extreeme purging vpwards and downwardes and so escaped for that time After this his wife fell in acquaintance with one Greene of Feuersham seruant to sir Anthony Ager from which Green maister Arden had wrested a peece of ground on the backside of the Abbey of Feuersham and there had blowes great threates passed betwixt them about that matter Therefore shee knowing that Greene hated hir husbaÌ„d began to practise with him how to make him away and concluded that if he