the third sonne of King Penda in the nonage of yong Kenred the sonne of Vulfhere who in his tender yeeres rather desired a priuate life then any publike authority in the Common-weale succeeded his brother both in the Kingdome of Mercia and Monarchy of the Englishmen But when hee had raigned thirty yeeres gaue ouer the Crowne to his Nephew the said Kenred and became a Monke in the Monastery of Bradney in Lincolne-shire where hee died Anno 716. His Wife was Osfryde Daughter to Oswyn King of Northumberland and issue Chelred that succeeded Kenred in the Mercian kingdome KEnred the sonne of Vulfhere his Vncle Ethelred changing his Princely Crown for a Monks Coule beganne his Raigne ouer the Mercians and his Monarchy ouer the English Anno 704. wherein he raigned the space of foure yeeres and then with like deuotion of those times addicted to an easie and quiet Religion abandoned both Crowne and Country and went to Rome where of Pope Constantine hee receiued the tonsure and habit of a Monke at the Apostles Tombes and entring a Monastery therein spent other foure yeeres of his life to the day of his death which was Anno 708. hauing had neither wife nor issue to reuiue his name or to rule his kingdome CHelred receiuing the resignation of Kenred his Cosin-german when he went to Rome and of sufficient yeeres and discretion to haue succeeded Ethelred his Father what time the said Kenred was ordained King raigned with great valour ouer the Mercians and was likewise Monarch ouer the Englishmen His peace was disquieted by Inas his West-Saxons who for seuen yeeres continuance inuaded his kingdome His Wife was Wereburge saith Marianus and Florentius the Monke who ascribe to her a long life and to die without Childten This Chelred raigned the space of eight yeeres and died the yeere of grace seuen hundred and fifteenth whose body was buried in the Cathedrall Church of Lechfeild EThelbald after the death of Chelred was made King of the Mercians and Monarch of the English the yeere of Christs Incarnation seuen hundred sixteene He was a Prince giuen to peace but withall a most lasciuious Adulterer insomuch that Boniface Archbishop of Mentz wrote his Epistle vnto him in reprehension of the same which tooke such effect that in repentance of his foule facts hee founded the Monasterie of Crowland driuing in mighty Piles of Oake into that moorish ground whereon hee laid a great and goodly building of stone He was the son of Aâ—…wr the elder sonne of Eoppa the second sonne of King Wibba the brother of King Penda and raigned fortie two yeeres in the end whereof he was slaine in a battell fought against Cuthred King of the West-Saxons at Secondone three miles from Tamworth the yeere of Christ seuen hundred fiftie fiue and was buried at Repton in Darby-shire hauing had neither Wife nor Children OFfa slaying Bernred the murtherer of King Ethelbald entred vpon the gouernment of the Mercians and the Monarchy of the Saxons An. 758. He inlarged his dominion vpon the Britaines ouercame the Kentish in a battell put to flight the Northumbrians and vanquished the West-Saxons the East-Angles also he seised vpon after he had murthered Ethelbert their King He raigned thirty nine yeeres and died at Ofley the nine and twenty day of Iuly the yeere of our Lord seuen hundred ninetie foure and was buried without the Town of Bedford in a Chapell now swallowed vp by the Riuer Owse He was the son of Thingfryd the sonne of Eanulfe whose Father Osmund was the sonne of Eoppa the brother of King Penda and son of King Wibba whose Father was Crida the first King of the Mercians His Wife was Quendred and children many of whom and of them we will further speake when we come to the time of his Monarchy EGfryde the sonne of great Offa was by him made King at his returne from Rome being the only ioy of his parents and heire apparant to the Saxons Monarchy vpon which he entred the day after his fathers death and liued himselfe but a hundred and fortie daies after deceasing the seuenteenth of December in the yeere of our Lord God seuen hundred ninety six hauing had neither wife nor issue that wee reade of and his body honourably interred in the Church of the Monasterie of Saint Albanes founded by Offa. KEnwolfe the cosen a farre off to King Egfrid deceased and both of them remooued in bloud no lesse then six descents from Wibba the second Mercian King was the sonne of Cuthbert as the Monke of Worcester deriues him the sonne of Bassa the sonne of Kenrowe the sonne of Kentwin the sonne of Kenwalk the sonne of Wibba aforesaid and succeeded King Egfryd in his Dominions But of this Mercian Monarch more shall be written in the succession and time of that his gouernment Hee raigned two and twentie yeeres and deceased the yeere of our Lord eight hundred and nineteene and his bodie interred in the Monasterie of Winchcombe in the Countie of Glocester being of his owne foundation His wife was Queene Elfryde the daughter as some suppose of Offa who had beene betrothed to Ethelbert King of the East-Angles slaine by her father by whom he had issue Kenelm Quendred and Burgemhild of whom more followeth KEnelm the sonne of King Kenwolfe a childe of seuen yeeres old succeeded in the Kingdome of Mercia but not in the Monarchie as his fathers had done Egbert the West-Saxon at that time being grown great in his fortunes This young King Kenelm raigned only fiue moneths and then by the ambitious desire of Quendrid his sister who seeking the gouernment by the shedding of his guiltlesse bloud instigated one Askbert his Instructor by promises of great preferments and rich rewards to make him away who only stood as she thought in her way to the Crowne This wicked practise was foorth with as impiously performed for hauing him foorth vnder pretence of hunting he slew the innocent King whose vertuous inclination promised great hopes and whose harmlesse yeeres had not attained to any worldly guile His bodie hee secretly buried vnder a bush and if we will beleeue the Golden Legend where his life is described was thus found out A white Doue which belike had seene the deed done and had got it ingrossed in a scrole of parchment posted therewith to S. Peter in Rome and vpon the High Altar laid it to bee read where in the Saxon characters thus it was found In Clenc kon baâ—… Kenelme Kinbaâ—…ne lieâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is At Clenc in a Cow pasture Kenelme the Kings childe lieth beheaded vnder a thorne But most true it is that an obscure sepulcher the body had at the first and howsoeuer found out was afterwards with great honour and ceremonie translated to the Monasterie of Winchcombe which his father had founded The murderesse Quendrid
still beating in their faces and there taking horse the same night got to the Castle of Wallingford to the great ioy and also admiration of all that were therein 39 In the meane while Earle Robert with Prince Henrie were arriued in England at Warrhame hauen and presentlie besieged the Castle there so to withdraw the King from siege of his sister but hearing of the happie escape of the Empresse came with young Henry vnto his mother whose sight made her forget the griefe and sorrowes that she had long indured Then was Oxford vpon conditions yeelded to the King and Wilton fired by the bastard Earle Robert The Towre of London with the Castles of Walden Pleises and Lincolne yeelded to Stephen the Castles of Warham and Portland yeelded to Robert The Earles of Chester and Essex surprized by the King William Martell the great fauourite taken and imprisoned by the Earle Thus sundrie yeeres passing with variable successes to and fro and euery yeere heaping on each side fresh calamities to the great ruine of the whole land the Empresse euen wearied with those warres and vncertaineties of successe went into Normandie chusing rather to be vnder the protection of her husband in peace then to raigne in England perplexed with troubles and to the same end she had not long before sent her young sonne Henrie to his father who desired to haue him rather heire of a Dukedome with safetie then of a Crowne with daylie hazard 40 Stephen that by a fresh surprizall of Randall Earle of Chester had got Lincolne and entring thereinto which no King before him durst doe for that certaine wizards had prophesied euilluck vnto such at christmas did there weare the Regall Crowne on his head and after the Empresses departure caused the Barons of England to sweare allegiance vnto Prince Eustace his sonne by which two complements hee supposed all had beene sure on his side and the rather for that the most faithfull puissant and euer-renowned Earles Robert of Glocester and Milo of Hereford the two great and glorious pillars which had by many Conquests supported their Anioueians cause were now conquered by death and the rest of the Nobles applying themselues to the Times kept themselues quiet in the absence of these Competitors all which gaue no little assurance vnto Stephens estate 41 But Henry Fitz-Empresse grown now from a Child thought it best a while to leaue Mercury for it is said hee was Bookish and to follow Mars so knowing his presence would preferre much his purposes for men would bee loth to hazard all for one who himselfe would neglect all hasted againe into England with an Armie of valiant and choice Souldiers to whom ioined the discontented Earle of Chester Roger the sonne of Miles deceased with many more Knights and Gallants of the English hee therefore tooke into the North and met with Dauid his cosen King of Scotland of whom hee was most honourably receiued and solemnely sacred with the Military honour of Knighthood and thence forward sought all occasions to prouoke both King Stephen and his sonne Eustace against him and hauing setled some courses with certain Peeres for the pursuit of his designes in England hee returned into Normandy to compose set forward some other businesses which might be auaileable for these his ends 42 Where long he staied not but that Geffrey his Father departed this life and left him his Heire both of Aniou and Normandy and the yeere following he matched in marriage with Eleanor Dutches of Guien and Aquitane lately diuorced from Lodowicke King of France for consanguinity and adultery saith Paris after shee had borne him two daughters Lodowicke fearing issue-male by this marriage to the disheriting of his said daughters greatly impugned Duke Henry and Stephen suspecting his greatnes now being Duke of Normandy Aniou Aquitane and Guien both of them sought each way to impeach his peace Lodowicke with Prince Eustace in the parts beyond seas and Stephen in England to make sure his succession sought to inuest the said Prince Eustace with the English Diademe both to preuent and vtterly depriue Henry Fitz-Empresse for euer for calling a Counsell at London King Stephen commaunded Theobald Archbishop of Canterbury to consecrate Prince Eustace for their King which hee refused to doe and that by commandement from the Pope whose holy See can deale on both sides as makes most for their aduantage alledging now that his Father was an vsurper and periured Intruder whereupon the honest Archbishop fled into Normandy and the King seized vpon al his possessions It may seeme that one cause of the Popes inclining to yong Henries title was to strēgthen him against his enemy King Lewis of France who had highly offended his Holines for casting the Popes Bulles whereby hee required the fruits of Vacancies of all Cathedrall Churches in France into the fire saying hee had rather the Popes Bulles should rest in the fire then his owne soule should frse in hell 43 King Stephen thus defeated of his purpose and seeing his Title questioned by the Church who had before approued it resolued to make it good by the sword for winning the Castle of Muby fortified Malmesbury and laid a strait siege vnto Wallingford against which hee erected the Castle Cranmerse to stoppe the passages of their reliefe or comming forth But Henry after hee had calmed the boisterous stormes of warre in the parts beyond the seas came ouer into England well appointed vnto whom also resorted many of the Nobility who yeelded vp themselues and aboue thirty strong Castles to the young Duke now well furnished hasted to raise the siege of Wallingford and there vndertooke a great enterprice for hee incircled the Bestegers with a great and deepe Trench whereby hee kept them from reliefe as they did keepe the Besieged 44 Stephen following hastily to succour his men though with the lesse edge for that hee neuer sped well in any assault of that Castle pitched downe his Tents euen neere his enemy and ready on both sides to giue battaile the Winter stormes were suddenly so troublesome that nothing could bee done but those somewhat ouerblowne and the Armies scarse three furlongs asunder as King Stephen was busied in disposing of his hoast and giuing direction for order of the battaile his horse vnder him rising with his fore-feet fell flat vpon the earth not without danger to his Rider and thus did he thrice ere he left which thing his Nobles secretly muttering interpreted for an vnlucky presage when William Earle of Arundell a bold and eloquent man went to him and aduised him to a peace affirming the title of Duke Henry to be iust that the Nobility on both parts there present were neerely linked in Alliances Bloud and how these stood affected was very doubtfull yea that Brethren were there assembled the one
the honour of his Church and his Person he could not renounce his Bishopricke whereas on the other side the King was bound aswell for his Soules health as for his honour to renounce those ordinances will you know the reason because the Pope and hee had condemned them And so that designe for peace was frustrate 29 The King of England tempestuously storming at these affronts and daily encrease of new salues wherewith like a guilefull Chirurgion he still made the wound more to fester menaced the Monkes which in their Abbey at Pontenei had now for two whole yeeres entertained him to thrust all of their order out of England if they durst releeue his enemy any longer Whereupon they dismissing him Lewis the French King tooke him to Sens with himselfe where for foure yeeres hee remained and was if wee may credite King Henry a great instigator of the French King and also of the Earle of Flaunders against the King of England as was also by diuers Euidences most certaine if the two said Cardinals told not a lie to the Pope But that the Peace was broken and warres renued betwixt the the two Kings chiefly for Thomas his sake Geruase the Monke himselfe doth record it as most credible 30 Howbeit by mediation at length the two Kings were againe reconciled and at their friendly enteruiew Beckets wel-willers aduised him to submit himselfe in the presence of both kings without any more reseruations which he seeming to yeeld to presented himselfe verie humbly and referred the cause to the king not now Saluo ordine suo but yet on a new point Saluo honore Dei wherewith the king exasperated told the French king such was the humor of the man that whatsoeuer disliked him he would say it was against Gods honor and so would bee neuer the neerer to conformity with which and other speeches King Lewis offended with Becket asked him whether hee thought to bee greater or holier then Saint Peter and the Peeres of both Nations accused him of much arrogancy as being himselfe the wilfull hinderer of his own and the Churches tranquility 31 Notwithstanding the Pope forgot not his faithfull Thomas and therefore after hee had graced him with a confirmation of all the Priuiledges and powers which any of his Predecessors in that See did enioy to the daring and defiance as it were of the kings vtmost indignation the king sent a letter into Germany declaring that hee would forsake Pope Alexander and ioine with the Emperour and Antipape Whereupon when the Bishop of Rome had commanded Gilbert Bishop of London to admonish the king to giue ouer his courses and customes preiudicious to the Church the said Bishop obeyed and in his answere sought to perswade the Pope to a conniuencie and forgets not to iustifie his Soueraigne as That the King was ready to obey the sacred hests of the Church sauing to himselfe his own his Kingdomes dignity That as for Appeales he claimed that honour by the ancient institution of his Kingdome that is to say That no Clerke should for a ciuill action depart the same vntill right could not be had in his Courts at home and then he would hinder noâ—…an That hee did not banish the Arch-bishop of Canterbury who might returne at his pleasure so as he would obserue all those his Grandfathers customes which once hee had giuen his faith to doe That the King thinks himselfe greatly iustified in that hee is willing to stand to the iudgement of the whole Church of his owne Kingdome c. 32 But when mediations letters messages or other waies would not preuaile the Pope admonisheth the King that he meant no longer to restrain the Archbishop from reuenging his owne and his Churches iniuries with the sword of censure and thereupon for a beginning the Archbishop excommunicates Gilbert Bishop of London and proceeded so farre with others that there was scarce found in the Kings owne Chappell and presence such as might performe the wonted ceremonies 33 The King both touched with his owne wrongs and tender of their case who for his sake vnderwent that seuerity animates Bishoppe Gilbert with most louing offers to beare the charges of prosecuting his appeale against Becket and desires the Pope to send him Legates which might absolue his excommunicated Subiects and settle a peace or else he should bee compelled to prouide otherwise for his own security and honour 34 Two Cardinals therefore Gratian and Viuianus comming into France to end the contention returne notwithstanding without possibility of doing good for that Becket would not yeeld in any point to those Customes at which he had once excepted but with his ordinary limitations At last yet by the popes mediation the two kings of England and of France met at Paris whether the Arch-bishop repaired and yet no peace ensued for that the king refused the kisse of peace with him and Becket would either haue a sound and full peace or none at all where though the king of England refused to satisfie any thing vnder the name of restitution as being against his honour because all restitution implied a wrong yet in the other maine matter of his Auitall Customes offering to stand to the iudgement not of his owne onely but euen of the Parisian Diuines and Church of France hee came off from that conference with some aduantage fauour in the opinion of the hearers 35 King Henry for all this seeing no issue of his long disquietnes and vnregall vsages vnderstanding also that the Archbishop of Seins in person had solicited the Pope to put the Kingdome of England vnder Interaict which is the prohibiting of the publike vse of Christs Religion Christian Burial throughout the whole land hee beeing then in Normandy sends forth his Edict That if any man bring from the Pope or Becket any letters of Interdict he should prèsently suffer as a Traitour to the King and the State That no Clerke whatsoeuer goe forth of the land without a Passe from his Iusticiaries and none returne againe without letters of licence from the King himselfe That none receiue any message from the Pope or Becket nor make any appeale vnto them nor hold any Plea by their mandates That if any Prelate or Clerke or Lay-man shall obey any sentence of Interdict he and all his Kindred shall be forthwith expulsed the land and all his goods escheated to the Crowne That all Clerkes who haue rents in England returne home within three Moneths or else all their rents to fall to the King That certaine Prelates specified bee cited to answere in the Kings Courts for interdicting Earle Hughes lands That Peter-pence be not paid to Rome but reserued Thus as Geruase the Monke lamentably complaineth all from the eldest to the yongest throughout England were made to abiure obedience to Pope Alexander
in the space betweene the Chappels of King Edward and Saint Bennet EDVVARD THE FIRST LORD OF IRELAND AND DVKE OF AQVITAINE c. THE FORTIE-SEVENTH MONARCH OF ENGLAND HIS RAIGNE ACTS AND ISSVE CHAPTER X. EDward who followed K. Henry in wearing the English Crowne but far out-went him in all regall vertues was abroad at the time of his fathers death still pursuing his high desires for the Holy Warres wherein what he performed being yet but a Prince against the publike enemies of Christians it shall not bee impertinent to touch before wee come to his actions as a King hauing already remembred with what valour and felicity hee had subdued his Fathers domesticke enemies setled the peace of his Kingdome and reestablished the raines of Soueraignty in his Fathers hands which those potent Rebels had formerly extorted 2 King Lewis of France whose perswasions had enflamed this noble-spirited Prince to associate him in this glorious quarrell hauing first set forth for the enterprise lay now in siege of Tunis in Africa where Prince Edward with all his forces arriuing the French King greatly reioycing in his wished presence together with the King of Nauarre and other Princes of his Army went forth to meet him and receiued him in the kisse of Peace This place which they beleaguered was as then not great yet by reason of the situation it greatly impeached the Christians in their passages through those Seas being built out of the scattered ribs and wasted ruines of that mighty and famous City Carthage riual once in Maiesty and Ambition with ancient Rome as contending with her about the Empire of the World Therefore to secure the Mediterranean Seas it was thought necessary to beginne that enterprise for Asia with this in Africa but not long after Lewis yeelding vppe his holy Soule to God at the siege and sicknesse by reason of the heates in those Regions for it was August raig of homage to seize vpon the whole Fee of the said Prince marcht with an Armie into Wales his good fortune there was accidentally augmēted by a prize which foure shippes of Bristol tooke about the Isles of Sillie wherein the daughter of Simon Montfort late Earle of Leicester who according to a secret contract betweene their friends went to be giuen in marriage to Lewelin and Aimericke her brother were surprised but shee found honourable vsage of the King her neere kinsman 11 Meanewhile Lewelines affaires by the manhood and diligence of Pain de Canusijs and others who had takē West-Wales in broght it to the Kings peace thriuing but poorely and the saide Prince feeling the foundations of his safetie beginning manifestly to faile and shrinke from vnder him sued for peace and had it vpon such termes which in likely-hood were not as Polydor Virgil would haue it seeme granted by King Edward lest he should leese his cost and care by warring against bogs and mountaines In the conditions of Peace which was procured with great difficulty the most remarkeable as carrying the shew of a farre greater riches in the possession of the Welsh euen at that time then some preiudicated can easily beleeue were these 1. That the Prince should pay to the King for his peace and goodwill fifty thousand pounds sterling the payment whereof should bee in the Kinges will and grace that is as wee conceiue it how much thereof the Prince should pay or not pay and when 2. That the said Prince should haue the Isle of Anglesey in Fee-farme of the King to him and to the lawfull issue of his body in generall taile for fiue thousand Marks readie money for gressom or a fine in hand paid the yeerly rent of a thousand Marks The rest of the articles being about eight amounted to so much as a plain Conquest or dissolution of the Principality of Wales after Lewelins death who was to enioy the same during his time vpon conditions 12 Now whereas the said Lewelin had three Brethren Dauid whom King Edward fauoured Owen and Rodericke it was enioyned to him at this conclusion made by the Lord Robert Tiptoft and certaine other Commissioners vpon eyther side appointed that hee should appease and satisfie his said Brethren but because Dauid was afterward a principall Actor in the calamities which fell vpon himselfe his house and his Country we must not neglect to speake somwhat particularly of him This Gentleman for some causes flying into England from his Brother Lewelin for his faithfull seruice to the State of England was there honoured contrary to the manner of his Nation with the order of Knighthood and receiued also by the bounty of King Edward for his maintenance the Castle of Denbigh with lands to the yeerly value of one thousand pounds and the Daughter of the Earle of Derby being then a Widow to wife with all which bounty the King did but entertaine a reuealer of his secrets as some not improbably doe affirme The State of Wales thus composed and the Castle of Aberistwith which seemes to bee the same that by another is said to haue beene built in West-Wales at Lāpader Vaur being built by King Edward for assuring those parts the King as he was munificent and roiall the more to tie Lewelins faith gaue vnto him the Lady of whose surprise at Sea we haue mentioned to be his consort honouring the Nuptials with his owne presence and his Queens And whereas Alexander King of Scots came about the same season into England to treat with Edward concerning important affaires and had formerly sent to the Welsh warres certaine aides of the Scots the said Alexander being iealous on his Countries behalfe that those aides might bee interpreted to haue beene sent vpon duty obtained letters testimoniall from King Edward declaring that they were not sent of duty or in respect of seruice due 13 Though King Edward were thus desirous to gaine the Welsh-Nation rather by his largesse then puissance hauing so honourably vsed Lewelin hee could not yet retain their hearts for whether it were which some to amoue the note of ingratitude turbulency from them affirme for that there was partiality vsed by the English officers in distribution of iustice vpon the Marches or which seems to some as likely for that they aspired in vaine to their ancient liberty being miserably seduced with certaine blind prophesies the Welsh betooke themselues afresh to Armes for Dauid himselfe whom the King had laden with so many benefites and graces became to them a principall leader and to giue them full assurance of his fastnesse to their cause reconciling himselfe to his brother the Prince he sodainely and treacherously vpon Palme-Sunday seised the Castle of Hawardin surprising Roger de Clifford a noble famous Knight whom the King had dispatched into those parts as Iusticiar of all Wales and slaying such vnarmed men as offered to resist that violence whence
sent her complaints to the king of France her father which concerned iniuries in the highest kind as in her bed the King being drawne by Gaueston to adultery and in her honour and maintenance Whereupon the Peeres of the land animated by the King of France so confidently dealt with Edward that his Earle now the third time did abiure the Realme but the King of France and his enemies making forraine parts vnsure for him to abide in he returned in Christmas to the generall perturbation of the Kingdome and to his owne certaine ruine for that the Barons his aduersaries had gotten him banished with this Prouiso that if at any time afterward hee were taken in England hee should be forthwith apprehended and suffer death But an Angell from heauen could not seeme more welcome then this most faithful friend as that Courtier cals him was vnto King Edward who forthwith aduanced him to be his principall Secretary 11 Vpon report of Gauestons returne the chiefe Lords aswell Ecclesiasticall as temporall Walter Bishoppe of Couentree excepted who allowed the Kings affections towards Gaueston and procured him to breake the former agreements which were made and sworne in the Parliament at London consulted vpon a desperat course of reformation in this point and made choise of Thomas Earle of Lancaster to be their leader This Thomas was sonne of Edmund Earle of Lancaster Leicester and Ferrers second sonne of Henry the third King of England and in right of his wife after her fathers decease which hapned about this time Earle of Lincolne Salisburie and besides many other great Lands in Yorkeshire Cumberland and Wales hee had the Earledom of Artoys in Picardy so that without comparison hee was the greatest subiect of the Kingdome 12 The Issue of which combination before we pursue wee may not here in our way ouerslippe a strange alteration both here in England and in all Christendome by the vniuersall extinguishment of the Order of the Templars wrought about this time by the procurement of the French King who being so gracious with Pope Clement that formerly hee sent Ambassadors to craue of his holinesse with great importunity that the bones of his Predecessor Pope Boniface might bee burnt as being an Heretike so now also he so farre preuailed with him that in the Councel at Vienna this so highly esteemed Order was vpon clear proofe of their generall odious sinnes and scarse credible impieties vtterly abolished through Christendome The French King caused 54. of that Order together with their Great Maister to bee burnt at Paris and though that King hoped to conuert all the Lands of that Societie to his sonnes vse whom hee intended to make King of Ierusalem yet the Pope and Councell annexed their possessions to the Order of the Knights Hospitalers called commonly Knights of the Rhodes Notwithstanding in England where such Papall commands went not alwayes for lawes the heires of the Donours and such as had endowed the Templars here with landes entred vpon those parts of their ancient Patrimonies after the dissolution of the Order and saith our Courtier detained them vntill not long after they were by Parliament wholly transferred vnto the Knights of the Rhodes or of S. Iohn of Ierusalem 13 King Edward was now at Yorke and Earle Thomas according to that which had beene concluded among the combined Lords who resolued to trie all extremities rather then any longer to endure Peirs Gaâ—…eston as being perswaded while that King-bane breathed peace could neither be maintained in the Realme nor the King abound in treasure nor the Queene enioy his loue sent humble petitions by honourable messengers to their Soueraigne requesting him to deliuer the man into their hands or to driue him from his company out of England But the selfe-wild King preferring the dearenesse of one stranger before the loue of the whole Realme would not condiscend 14 Afterward Peirs whom the Earles pursued with an Armie being entrusted for his safeguard to Aimerie de Valence Earle of Pembrok was left by him but one night at a Village or Manour called Dathington betweene Oxford and Warwicke being a place neither farre enough off nor strong enough pretending to haue conuaied him on the next day to the Castle of Wallingford the said Aimerie in the meane space departing to lodge with his Countesse who lay hard by but the said Aimerie conniuing thereat as our Courtier chargeth him who also writes that hee tooke a solemne oath before the king to doe his best to safe-conduct Gaueston the king purposing in the meane time to labour his peace with the Lords vpon any conditions Guy Earle of Warwicke with his people surprised him the same night and took him to his Castle of Warwicke where in a place called Blacklow afterward Gaueshead his head was stricken off at the commandement and in the presence of the Earles of Lancaster Warwicke and Hereford as of one that had beene a subuerter of the lawes and an open Traitour to the Kingdom In which bold attempt themselues who yet pretended so much standing for the liberties of the land did most vnaduisedly infringe a Capitall branch of the same Franchises in putting to death an Earle and so deare a friend of the Kings without any iudiciall proceeding by triall of his Peeres which caused a lasting hatred betwixt the King and his Nobles 15 There wanted nothing now to King Edward but present meanes to reuenge the bloud of his friend or rather of his halfe-selfe the lacke wherof did encrease the sorrow he tooke for his death which being well knowne to the Lords they resolued not to lay downe Armes till they had prouided for their security and the performance of all such points as concerned the temperament of the Regall power that vnder colour thereof the Nobles themselues might finger some part of the Soueraigne gouernment The King was then at London and the Lords at Dunstaple but by the continuall interdealings of the Prelates and of Gilbert Earle of Glocester who stood neutrall the kindling displeasures were for the present allaied vpon condition that the Lords should restore to the King all such things once belonging to Peirs Gaueston as they had taken at Newcastle which they accordingly did 16 King Edward neuerthelesse as if his soule were ouercast with some blacke cloud continued mourning till it pleased God to enlighten the world with the birth of a young Prince whose noble Acts did afterward redeeme all the blemishes wherewith his Fathers infelicities had darkned the brightnesse of the English name and at this present cleared the mind of the sorrowfull King his father for vpon Saint Brices day Isabel his Queene brought forth her first sonne at Windsor which caused great reioycing through the Kingdome Her French kindred and friends which were there in good numbers of either sexe among them as chiefe the Queens owne brother
King that many more went voluntary then constrained All which puissance was notwithstanding thus eluded 12 About this time died strucken with leprie Robert Bruce King and recouerer of Scotland and the most approued Warriour of the world in that age by whose losse it was soone found how much the vertue and fortune of one man are worth in any Nation But before hee died that peace was made with the Scots by the meanes of the Queene and the Lord Mortimer which is so much dispraised by our Writers and in the end proued capitall to the principall Actor Mortimer 13 For at this treaty it was that the King then in his Minority sealed Charters to the Scots at Northampton whose contents were contriued by the Queene the said Lord Mortimer and Sir Iames Dowglasse without the priuity of the English There was also deliuered to them that famous Euidence called the Ragman Roll and the King acquited them of all claime and pretence of right to the Superiority of Scotland rendring backe sundrie Iewels taken by the English from the Scots among the which was one speciall called the Blacke Crosse of Scotland There was it also granted that all Englishmen should leese their lands in Scotland vnlesse they would inhabite vpon them and becom Liege-men to the King therof besides many other things to the high discontentation as was the humor of those times of the English Subiects Moreouer vnder the specious colour of restitution of dammages King Robert was to pay to King Edward thirty thousand Marks sterling with which as the meed of treason the Lord Mortimer was afterward publikely charged and for the same and other his crimes was executed as a Traitour Finally vpon the seuenth of Iuly Dauid Bruce Prince of Scotland a child of seuen or eight yeeres old and sonne and heire to King Robert married Ioan sister to K. Edward at Berwicke by which peace the English were made-obnoxious to some reproaches the Scottish Nation in scorne calling the said Lady Iane make-Make-Peace 14 And therefore saith one of this part of King Edwards raigne that drawne aside with euill aduise by reason of his age hee committed many foule errors in State at the beginning of his Gouernment which is also the generall opinion of all our Writers whereunto this verse is by some applied Vae pueri terrae saepissimè sunt ibi guerra Where Children Rulers are There oft is woe and war 15 There died likewise about this time Charles the Faire King of France to whom King Edward had not long before done homage for his Dutchie of Gascoigne the third and last sonne of Philip the Faire King of France by whose decease the Crown of that noble Kingdome deuolued to this our Edward King of England in right of his mother Queene Isabel And because vpon this Title king Edward did afterward claime the said Crowne wee will here once for all instruct you in the iustice thereof 16 Three sonnes there were of King Philip the Faire to wit Lewis Hutin Philip le long and Charles the Faire who all successiuely raigned in France one after the other and none of them leauing any Issue at such time as king Edward made his claime the whole right seemed to be in Isabel the onely Child of the said Philip which had any issue for an other sister which shee had died an Infant 17 The case thus seeming plaine was not for such accepted by the French who receiued to the Crowne Philip of Valoys whose father Charles of Valois was yonger Brother to Philip the Faire aduancing the Brothers sonne before the daughters son not following the propinquity or descent of blood but the meliority of sexe vpon which ground they had also freshly put by Ioan daughter of Lewis Hutin preferring Philip le long her vncle The French in barre to her interest pretended a fundamentall law or entaile by which no woman was inheritable to the Crown of France and in defence of that opinion withstood King Edward afterward with so much losse and calamity though that very law made Edwards title the stronger as himselfe truely pleaded hee being the Male albeit his right descended by the Female 18 This Title to so glorious a Monarchy though it accrewed to the English by this match with Queen Isabel yet doth Walsingham freely pronounce That neither that affinity nor any other contracts with the French was euer auaileable or brought any benefite to England which opinion as it may seeme strange so will it answere a wise Readers paine in the fruit to obserue through the course of our stories whether the said graue Writer had iust occasion so to speake or no. Another conceit there was of this Edwards marriage with Philippa the Earle of Henaults daughter which about this time was consūmated though Philip de Valoys king of France by intrusion as our Annales repute him was her vncle her mother being his owne sister 19 There stood now at home against the stream of the Queene and her Lord Mortimers absolute sway some great personages who did not wholy allow their doings among which was the Kings vncle Edmund Earle of Kent whose death they shortly procured Meane-while the more to despite and dare their ouerlookers Roger Mortimer was created Earle of the Marches of Wales at a Parliament holden at Salisburie at which time also Iohn of Eltham the Kings Brother was made Earle of Cornwall and the Lord Butler of Ireland Earle of Ormond From whence the Lord Henry Earle of Lancaster and sundry other of the Peeres seeing the King troden as it seemed to them vnder foot did absent themselues meditating ciuill armes for redresse who notwithstanding by the labour of Simon de Mepham Archbishop of Canterbury was reconciled This Archbishoppe very worthily also excommunicated all such as had any hand in the sacrilegious parricide of that noble and loiall Prelate Walter Bishoppe of Excester or any waies violated him their aiders complices or abettors whosoeuer But after the Coronation of Philip the yong Queene in another Parliament at Winchester the said Earle Edmund was condemned for conspiring to deliuer his brother late King of England whom likely inough by Mortimers practise he was drawne into an absurd beliefe to bee still aliue Thus for deuising to set a dead man at liberty this noble Earle Edmund the kings half vncle had his head strucken off though from Noone till fiue at night hee stood at the place of death without the Castle-gates none being found to behead him till a base wretch of the Marshal-sea was sent and did it so little conscience did the malice and ambition of his potent aduersaries make of shedding the Roiall bloud which by Gods iuster iudgement was not long vnreuenged 20 To supply which losse to the regal stemme with a very large amends the young Queene Philip at Woodstocke in Oxfordshire vpon 15. Iune being Friday brought forth her first begotten
before his superiour Lord of whom they said he held by homage and fealtie This practise of the disloyall Lords for what could they bee else seeing King Edward and his heires were absolutely freede by vertue of the said Treatie from all manner of seruice for any of their Dominions in France King Charles did openly at last entertaine and vpon hope to recouer by surprise and plot what the English had won by dint of sword and perfect manhood proceeded to summon the Prince of VVales to Paris there to answere such accusations as his subiects made against him 137 To encrease the indignitie of these deuises you should hear the French kings Orators before the Pope and Emperour to whom king Edward had seuerally sent Ambassadors full of complaints against King Charles laying wholie vpon the French the blame of the new warre as vpon open breakers of faith and violaters of the league most confidently on the contrary part charge the English We had suffered the French hostages to visit their friendes at home vpon the French Kinges word that they should come backe by a day contrary to which word they nor any of them either were or are returned That not so much as the Law of Nations was kept with vs which ties Princes to demaund restitution by their Officers of Armes or vpon deniall to defie them but where say we are the Heralds which King Charles did send We say that without notice hee surpriseth by stealth the Earledome of Ponthieu King Edwards vnquestionable right and hath disseised vs in Aquitaine which doth no lesse belong vnto vs then Pontheiu That Margaret the Inheritrice of Flanders which had beene promised to the Lord Edmund one of our Kings sonnes was by their iniurious practise wonne away and bestowed in marriage vpon Philip Duke of Burgundie Finallie wee say that Lewis Duke of Aniou one of the pledges making an escape by that contrary to honour and the league was by them receiued and not returned which points being all of transcendent qualitie are say wee directly contrarie to the Treatie and sworne agreement at Bretigny The French hereunto answere and charge vpon vs to shew the fault of first breach not theirs but ours That we by vertue of the said Treaty were bound immediately to withdraw our Armie out of France which yet they said we did not during all the raign of Iohn their King That the peace was made thereby more noyous and hurtfull then the warre and that they were faine to purchase the departure of our Souldiers with a greater charge then would haue maintained a very gallant Armie That this breach was ours because the Souldiers were ours That King Edward was bound in an open assembly of the States of both Realmes to renounce his right in the Crowne of France when say they was this done Thus they and Serres ads that the Estates of those Countries which had beene assigned by the Treatie to the English asseuered that it was against the fundamentall laws of France to alien anie part that they neither could nor would cease to be members of that Crowne 138 So ye behold that the fortune of the great is neuer to want friends to speake for them nor occasions to slip out or in whensoeuer profit and aduantage doe inuite Memorable if true is that part of the Frenchmens defense in that polite and learned Italian P. Aemylius where it being obiected with what honour and clemencie King Iohn was vsed by vs they breake out and affirme that wee being their Beneficiaries or Free-holders for such Countries as wee held in France tooke more gold for the onely ransome of King Iohn then they paied to redeeme S. Lewis their king his brother the Peeres and whole French Army captiuated in the Christian warres by the barbarous Soldan But good Aemylius say that were so yet cannot you say that the summe wee tooke was worth the least Countrie in France and when all France was ours was it not great bountie to take so small a pittance If you replie that we had many Countries besides wee reioine and trulie say that wee quit more then we acquired But let vs proceed for now all claimes quarrels were as open as if no obstacle had euer beene interposed the ignominie of their late terrible foiles wounded all true French hearts and they desire king Edward growne aged not to seeme by sitting still vpon so many thornes of disgrace and losse to haue beene outwarred though ouer-warred and though in two or three battels inferior yet not to haue beene clearely debellated 139 What doth our King Edward now Hee cals a Parliament declares the breach praies aid obtaines it and claimes the crowne of France afresh Iohn Duke of Lancaster and Humfrey de Bohun Earle of Hereford are sent ouer to Calais with a great force to inuade France No great matter as then ensued Thomas Beauchamp Earle of Warwicke comming ouer in hope to haue worke for his Curtelax for the French affronted our armie vnder the conduct of Duke Philip le Hardy though at this time scarce shewing himselfe worthy that surname but rose vpon the Earles arriuall and retired accused the Lords for sloath and sware he would abroad among them to find fighting while English bread was as yet vndigested in his souldiers stomacks Somewhat he did but death by a pestilentiall dart preuented the rest This Earle had with him a learned man as Scipio had Polybius to register the acts which hee saw done A worthy example ill followed by posterity The Duke of Lancaster peirced vp with his armie so farre as Roan The same Polydor wondering why they of Pontheiu hauing for an hundreth and twelue yeeres that is euer since King Edward the first had it giuen to him with his wife been ours should reuolt only daring the greatnesse of the English can find no other reason for their doings but this pleasant one that as dispersed cattell gather to their owne heard so Frenchmen flocke to the French and English follow English 140 Stirring Princes cannot containe themselues within their owne quietly possessed rights Otherwise who sees not how much better it is for the people that their Princes should manage well that which they haue rather then graspe at more For King Edward notwithstanding his continuall manifold victories comes back to the Subiect who yet had gained hugely by the warres and therefore might the better doe it for supportation and they yeeld it but his age was abused for the money was not expended as the pretences were made Priuate turnes were serued with publicke loanes Neuerthelesse after Midsomer day that renowned Captaine Sir Robert Knols whom martiall vertue had raised from the lowest rancke to the highest reputation though some also affirme him borne noble was sent by King Edward into France with an Armie where while obedience lasted to his direction all things prospered But by the instigation of one Sir
August His fame grew principally by martiall deedes in the great warres of France vnder Edward the third but spred and setled it selfe by good workes among which the goodly stone-bridge at Rochester in Kent was one 46 In the meane space the wars of Wales were managed by Prince Henry who tooke the Castle of Aberistwith but Owen Glendowr soone after got it againe by faire fraud and thrust into it a Garrison of his owne Thus Owen prospered for a time but the Earle of Northumberland and Lord Bardolf forsaking Wales and seeking to raise a force in the North were encountred by the Sherife of Yorkeshire who after a sharpe conflict slew the Earle in the field and so wounded the Lord Bardolf that hee died thereof The Earles head was cut off which being first ignominiously carryed through London was fixed vpon the Bridge The King hauing thus vanquished his chiefe enemies went to Yorke where inquiries were made for the Earles adherents of which he condemned ransomed and emprisoned many The Abbot of Hales because hee was taken fighting on the Earles behalfe had sentence to die which was executed vpon him by hanging In fortaine and transmarine parts the Kings affaires had mixt successe for Edmund Earle of Kent at the siege of Briant in Britaine was strucken with a quarrell into the head whereof hee died but yet after he had first taken the said Castell and leueld it with the earth 47 The peace of Christendome hauing beene long tempestuously troubled by a Schisme raised by ambition of opposite Popes wherof the one was chosen at Rome the other at Auinion by contrarie factions of the Cardinals A generall Councel was summoned to bee held at Pisa in Italie whither the King of England sent his Ambassadors and the Clergy elected Robert Alum Chancellour of Oxford Bishoppe of Sarum to signifie that vnlesse both the Popes would giue ouer their Papacie neither of them should thenceforward be acknowledged for Pope The King in his letter then sent to Pope Gregory chargeth him as Platina likewise doth with Pertury and that this Papall emulation had beene the cause of the murther of more then two hundreth and thirty thousand Christians slaine in warres There assembled a great number of Cardinals Archbishops Bishops and mitred Prelates who elected a new Pope Alexander 5. a man trained vp at Oxford where hee tooke degree in Theologie reiecting the two others who long and bitterly had contended for the place The King also cals his Parliament to find out meanes for more money to the custody and charge whereof hee ordained Sir Henry Scrope creating him Treasurer as Thomas Beaufourt the Kings halfe brother Lord Chancellour In which Parliament was reuiued the sacrilegious Petition of spoiling the Church of England of her goodly patrimonies which the pietie and wisdome of so many former ages had congested But the King who was bound by oath and reason to preserue the flourishing estate of the Church detested their wicked proposition and for that cause denied all other their requests The Duke of Burgundies prouisions which he had made to reduce Caleys to the French dominions stored at Saint Omars were consumed with casuall fire to ashes 48 About these times the great and bloudy factions betweene the Dukes of Burgundy and Orleance brake forth The cause was for a murther committed vpon Lewis brother to the French king and father of the said Duke of Orleance as he came late one night from the Queenes lodging who at that time lay in of a child The murtherers to preuent pursuit strewed galthrops behind them The Duke of Burgundie iustified the fact for that Lewis had as hee said laboured with the Pope to put the King from his seat vpon pretence that hee was as vnfit to gouerne as euer Childericke was whom Pope Zacharie pronounced against This prepared the way for that scourge wherwith God meant to chastice the pride and sinnes of France Each partie sought to fortifie it selfe with friends aswel at home as abroad The Duke of Burgundie had the King and the Dolphin on his side the other had the Kings of Nauar and Arragon the Dukes of Berrie and Britaine with many of the mightiest Earles and Lords The Duke of Burgundie who together with the King and the face of gouernment kept in Paris perceiuing his aduersaries strengthes to bee more then his owne offers to the King of England a daughter of France in marriage with the Prince and many great promises so as hee would ioyne in defence of the King send ouer competent forces whereunto hee is said to haue answered Our aduise is that you should not in this case aduenture battell with your enemie who seems to prosecute a tust reuenge for the death of his Father but labour to asswage the displeasure and anger of the exasperated yong man by all the good meanes which are possible If that cannot bee then stand vpon your guard and draw into place of most safety with such force of men as may best serue for your defence After all this if hee will not bee appeased you may with the better conscience encounter him and in such case wee will not faile more fully to assist according as you request For the present he sent ouer the Earls of Arundel and Kyme and many men of Armes with plenty of English Bow-men who came safe to Paris where they in nothing diminished the ancient glory of their nation but behaued themselues valiantly 49 The Duke of Orleance and the Peeres of his faction seeing their successe consult how to draw the King of England from their enemie and thereupon send ouer one Falconet and others with solemne letters of credence whom they made their irreuocable Procurators to entreat agree and conclude on their behalfes with the most excellent Prince Henry by the grace of God King of England and his most noble sonnes c. for the restitution and reall redeliuerie of the Dutchie of Aquitain with all the rights and appurtenances which as is affirmed are the inheritance of the said most excellent Lord the King of England by them to bee made and done c. The Ambassadors hauing shewed forth this Proxie exhibited the points of their negotiation in these Articles by which wee may see how farre the desire of reuenge will transport great minds 1 They offer their bodies to be imployed against all men for the seruice of the King of England sauing their faith to their owne Soueraigne as knowing the King of England would not otherwise desire them 2 Their sonnes daughters nephewes Neeces and all their Cosens to bestow in marriage at the King of Englands pleasure 3. Their Castles Townes treasure and all their goods to be at the seruice of the sayd King 4. Their friends the Gentlemen of France the Clergy and wealthy Burgers who are all of their side as by proofe they said shall well appeare 5. They finally
bottome that Beda and Asser report them so to remaine in their times All which notwithstanding the Romans passed with the repulse of their enemies and Caesar who grew now to the height of his honour marched further into the Continent and comming forward was met by Ambassadours from the chiefest Citie of the Trinobants which first of all the States profered submission and promised subiection with this intreatie also that Mandubrace who being Caesars follower and doubtlesse the contriuer of this submission might be Gouernour of their Citie 9 Caesar ready to worke vpon such aduantage seized them at forty hostages with sufficiencie of graine for his whole armie which with all expedition those Suppliants performed preferring the satisfaction of their owne discontentments before the common cause of their Natiue Country thus laid open and betraied into the enemies hands from whose example many other States without stroke yeelded to Caesars command yea further treacherously shewing vnto him both the power and place of Cassibelans abode who had now retired himselfe into his owne Citie called Verolam well fortified both with woods and marish grounds Thither Caesar came and with little losse or labour won the place and many of the miserable Britaines both taken and slaine Cassibelan now despairing of his owne power farre vnable to match and much lesse to ouermatch his Enemies instigated the Gouernours of Kent being foure in number Cingetorix Caruilius Taximangulus and Segonax whom Caesar termeth Kings to raise all their strengths and suddenly to set vpon the Romanes Campe that guarded their ships which enterprise was accordingly attempted but with such successe that the Britaine 's were on each side slaine and Cingetorix taken prisoner the rest sauing themselues by flight 10 Cassibelan beholding these vnfortunate proceedings feared the end of vnhappie successe for hee saw his Country wasted his owne designes defeated and himselfe forsaken by the traiterous reuolt of many Cities and States on euery side Therefore as bootlesse to bandy against fortune he sought to hold his owne with others and sent Comius King of the Attrebatij to be his meane to Caesar for peace which was the willinglier heard and granted for that he determined to winter in Gallia his affaires so requiring it 11 The conditions were hard but necessitie must be obeied for Caesar imposed a grieuous Tribute to be taxed of the Britaines of no lesse then three thousand pounds yeerely to be paid and moreouer included the safety of Mandubrace with his Trinobantes taken into friendship and protection of the Romans lastly that these Couenants should be faithfully obserued he cōmanded hostages for assurance forthwith to be deliuered These things thus compounded he tooke the Seas about the second watch of the night which then began to equalize the day in length and safely arriued in the Continent of Gallia Hauing rather shewed the place to posterities then deliuered to the Romans the possession thereof as Tacitus saith supposing it his glory sufficient to vndergoe a matter so rare and difficult and at his comming to Rome to haue presented his British Captiues whose strangenesse for attire and behauiour filled the peoples eies both with wonder and delight He offred also in the Temple of Venus genitrix a Surcoat made all of British pearles as a Trophey and Spoile of the Ocean And now his fortunes comming to the highest the title of perpetuall Dictator then which the State of Rome could affoord nothing greater sufficed him not but a King hee will be and sole gouernour ouer all though contrarie to the Law and liking of the Romanes whereof in short time grew such heart-burning and hatred that seuenty principall men conspired his death and after his many dangers of enemies in battles abroad was in the Senate-house amongst his supposed friends and in peace if treacherie may be called peace cruelly murdered receiuing in his body three and twenty wounds whereof he died after he had sate Emperour only fiue moneths 12 I am not ignorant that the British Writers doe varie from Caesar in relating these his proceedings and speake more honourably of their owne resistance then himselfe hath set downe namely that by the valour of Cassibelan their King in his first attempts hee was twice driuen backe without his purpose and forced to take the Seas to the great hazard of his ships and men yea and with the losse of his owne sword which with great prowesse was wonne from him in a single encounter by Nenion Cassibelans brother And surely howsoeuer Polydore accounteth their Story new and Caesar carrieth himselfe gloriouslie in his owne affaires yet by sundry other renowned writers it seemeth that the currant of his Conquest went nothing so smooth and vntroubled or with so little losse of the Romans nor the Britaines liberties forgone by so easie resistance which may be collected euen out of some couert passages of Caesars own words where it appeareth that hee durst not at sundry times giue the Britaines battle though they were only harnessed in leather and his Souldiers were all old Legionaries of long seruice called for their huge armour Milites grauis armaturae as hauing a helmet corslet and boots all of massy brasse or iron with a large target a strong two-edged sword and a great staffe or clubbe headed with an iron pike which oddes notwithstanding had not Cassibelan been vndermined by Mandubrace and traiterously forsaken which Caesar himselfe confesseth by the Princes which promised him assistance but euer mangned him and had now a faire time of reuenge perhaps Caesar might haue missed this parcell of his glory Yet for all these helpes Lucan saith expresly of him Territa quaesitis ostendit terga Britannis He Britaine 's found but left them soone by fright Eutropius saith He was wearied out and quelled both with the fierce battles of the enemie and cro◅es of tempests Tacitus saith Hee found out Britannie for the Romans but could not winne it for them which was the very cause why as Dion witnesseth for twenty yeeres after Caesars entrance Britannie kept their owne Kings and their owne lawes and had no forraine Prefects to command them And Beda sheweth that Caesar in this Land was both receiued with sharpe and sore fight and weakened by the losse of his ships and with the most part of his men at armes Tacitus also vsing the speech of Caractacus to his Souldiers hath these words He called saith he vpon the names of his Ancestors which chased Caesar the Dictator out of the I le by whom and by whose valour they were deliuered from Hatchets and Tributes and enioied freely their wiues and childrens bodies vndefiled Againe in the consultations of the Britaine 's intending a reuolt hee allegeth their arguments whereof one was the sudden departure of Caesar out of this Iland little better then a slight With whom Dion Cassius also agreeth affirming that Caesar got nothing
greatnesse as it seemed euen burdensome vnto it selfe whereby this remote Iland lay ouershadowed from their sight whereunto may be added that the presence of Kymbeline the British King as their historie recordeth in great fauour with Octauian was a great furtherance to the peace euen without paiment of the formerly imposed Tribute But yet the truth is as Dion Cassius hath it that Octauian desirous in all things to be like vnto Caesar seeing their tribute neglected had intended a voiage towards Britaine but hauing set forwards into Gallia he had there tidings of the sudden reuolt of the Pannonians against whom he diuerted his prepared power and left his first designement for that time Notwithstanding he still retained the desire of their subiection and foure yeeres after made a second very great preparation thitherward proceeding with his power againe into Gallia 4 The Britaines that had felt the force of the Romans and in regard of their own distractions at home were hopelesse of strength to withstand them sought the fauor of Augustus by their submission and to that end sent ouer their Ambassadours who presenting themselues before him in Gallia Celtica appeased his wrath with promise of obedience and full satisfaction for their Tributes deteined whereby Caesar was again staied and the Britaine 's taken into sauour and protection Notwithstanding the mindes of their Magistrates were so vnconstant or else the money so hardly drawen from the people who naturally hated all such obliged seruitudes hauing euer liued a free Nation as Aegisippus speaketh of them that they againe failed their paiment whereat Augustus was sore offended and the third time prepared his voiage that way which yet a while was hindred by the reuolt of the Byscayans and some other Prouinces 5 The Britaines seeing themselues thus still sought after sent vnto Caesar their excuses with presents to be offred in the Capitoll to the Romane Gods hauing now learned with the rest of the world to appease Princes by gifts and rewards yeelding part of the Iland and swearing him fealtie in the Temple of Mars and so were registred subiects to the Romane Empire At which time also they agreed to pay tollâ—…s and customes for all wares which they transported into other parts their merchandize chiefly consisting of Iuorie boxes Iron Chaines and other small trifles of Amber and Glasse All which agreements and compositions were afterward so loyally obserued and the Land so composed to quietnesse that one band of souldiers with a small troope of horse as Strabo saith or foure Legions as Iosephus writeth were sufficient to containe so great a multitude in a setled forme of obedience 6 Ouer the Trinobantes the greatest and most potent State of the Britaines then raigned the happie Prince Cunobeline for so in his Coines yet remaining we finde it corruptly written Kimbeline the sonne of Theomantius nephew to Cassibelan before spoken of whose abode and principall seat was Camalodunum as by the reuerse of the said Coines may appeare This Prince to make his estate more respectiue caused his owne Image to be stamped thereon after the manner of the Romans who now had newlie taken vp that fashion his paiments before consisting for the most part in rings of iron and plates of brasse seized at a certaine waight which vsually passed for currant amongst the Britaines as Caesar reporteth and as those rings are yet witnesses whereof we haue seene some This man trained his people to a more ciuill life then formerly had beene accustomed and enioied peace with the rest of the world which then stood vniuersallie in quiet as waiting the comming of that Prince of peace whose going foorth had beene from euerlasting and of whose kingdome there shall bee no end euen Christ the anointed Emmanuel and sonne of the liuing God so long before expected and now in the fulnesse of time manifested at whose birth warre went downe as Virgil speaketh or rather to vse the words of the Prophet when 〈◊〉 were made into mattocks and speares broken into 〈◊〉 And as in the building of Salomons Temple neither 〈◊〉 of axe nor the sound of hammer was heardâ—… so his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the true Temple hee came and was â—…arnate at such time when the sound of warre did not awake the world but a calme and quiet peace incompassâ—…d it as by the Angels was proclaimed amongst the Iewes and now was more publikely made knowen amongst the Gentiles by the shutting of Ianus Temple in Rome This vniuersall peace was so famous and so admirable that it found matter for the finest wits amongst the Heathens to enlarge themselues whereupon Virgil framing the perswasions of Iupiter to his daughter foresheweth the happy successe of her seed and in what tranquillity they should sit when the hands of Mars were thus restrained from fight as he thus expresseth Aspera tum positis mitescent secula bellis Cana fides Vesta Remo cum fratre Quirinus Iura dabunt dirae ferro compagibus arctis Claudentur belli portae furor imptus intus Saeua sedens super arma câ—…ntum vinctus â—…enis Post tergum nodis fremet horridus ore cruento Then men shall milder prooue cease shall fierce warres Faith Gods and Princes all shall iustly guide Warres gastly gates with bolts and iron barres Fast shut shall stand and Mars cashierd shall hide Mongst heapes of rusty armour where his hands Bound fast shall be with hundred brasen bands And yet further in his Ecloge from the Sibyls who in all likelihood had it from the diuine Oracles hee vseth the very words of the Prophets in speaking of a Maid and a Child of a new progenic borne and sent downe from heauen by whom the brassy and iron-like world should cease and a pure golden age succeed Thus he sweetly singeth Vltima Cumaei venit iam carminis aetas Magnus ab integro seclorum nascitur ordo Iam redit Virgo redeunt Saturnia regna Iam noua progenies coelo demittitur alto Tu modò nascenti puero quo ferrea primùm Desinet ac toto surget gens aurea mundo c. Now is the time of which Sibylla said The old world doth his prime againe renew Now hath the world a pure vnspotted Maid Now raignes the * God of Gods whose off-spring new Descends from heauen Bless'd be the babe whose raies Hath turn'd our iron age to golden daies In which Ecloge are sweetly couched many other most diuine allusions to our Sauiours Deity birth and humanity pouerty graces crosses kingdome and redemption of the world from sinne death and hell So likewise Marcus Tullius Cicero saw in his dreame as himselfe reporteth a childe of an ingenuous and beautifull countenance let downe from heauen by a golden chaine And Suetonius in the life of Augustus from Iulius Marathus hath obserued that
thus wrote to Lucius King of Britannie for the reformation of the King and the Nobilitie of the Kingdome of Britaine You desired vs to send vnto you the Romane and Imperiall Lawes which you would vse in your Kingdome of Britannie The Roman Lawes and the Emperours wee may at all times mislike but the Law of God by no meanes By the Diuine Clemencie you haue of late receiued in your Kingdome of Britannie the Law and Faith of Christ You haue with you in your Kingdome beth the Old and New Testament out of them in Gods name by the Counsell of your State take you a Law and therewith by Gods permission gouerne your kingdome of Britannie For you are Gods Vicar in your Kingdome as the kingly Prophet saith The earth is the Lords and the plenty thereof the whole world and they that dwell therein And againe in the same Propheticall King Thou hast loued righteousnesse and hated iniquity wherefore God euen thy God hath anointed thee with the oyle of gladnesse aboue thy fellowes And againe Lord giue thy iudgements vnto the king and thy iustice vnto the Kings sonne He saith not The iudgement or iustice of the Emperor And the Kings sonnes are the Christian Nations and People of the kingdome such as liue and abide together in your Kingdome vnder your Protection and peace according to that in the Gospell As the Hen gathereth her Chickens vnder her wings The Nations of the Kingdome of Britanny are your People who being now seuered you ought to gather them vnto Vnity Concord and Peace and reclaime them to the Faith and Law of Christ and to the holy Church to foster them cherish them protect and rule them and alwaies to defend them from all iniurious malicious and hostile attempts For Woe be to the kingdome whose King is a child and whose Princes rise early to banquetting Neither doe I call a King a child for the tendernesse of his Age but for the folly and wickednesse and madnesse of his disposition As that roiall Prophet saith Wicked and bloud-thirsty attaine not to halfe their Age. And by banqueting I meane gluttony by gluttony luxury by luxury all filthinesse peruersity and lewdnesse according to that of King Salomon Wisedome shall not enter into the wicked soule nor shall it dwell in a Body enthrald to Sinne. A King hath his name from Ruling and not from his Kingdome and so long shall you be indeed a King while you rule well which if you doe not the name of a King will not continue with you but you shall lose that roiall title which God forbid Almighty God grant you so to rule your Kingdome of Britanny that with him whose Vicar you are in your said Kingdome you may raigne eternally To whom with the Father c. 9. The date of this Epistle as by some other Copies it appeareth being the yeare of the second Consulship of Commodus and Vespronius may giue great light and satisfaction to such as are curious to know the truth and to reconcile the differences of our Historians touching the time That Consulship being about the yeare of Christ one hundred and eighty which was at the beginning if not a little before of Commodus his raigne and therefore whereas some refer it to the one hundred sixty ninth yeer after Christs Passion it is apparant to be the only error of transcribers who so writ in stead of one hundred seuenty nine after his birth which was anno currente the very time of Commodus being Consul the second time and on this yeere agree both forrain and domestick writers of this matter And albeit the very texture of this Epistle carieth with it the true Character of Antiquity yet because our worthy writers mentioning this Epistle are charged of flat forgery by such who challenge to be Masters in all ancient knowledge we will adde somewhat to wash off those false aspersions both from the Record and from the mentioners thereof Their first exception is that the Latin Copy would doubtlesse haue been produced by them if it had not beene counterfeit Whereto what need we answer sith now we haue produced it and can produce as many as there are Copies of King William the Conquerors Lawes wherein it is expresly repeated The next is that the English translations of it differ each from other A reason more childish then the former sith euery man hath a seuerall conceit of that he translateth and sometimes the very Originalls by transcribers ignorance or omission cause variety of translation as may appeare in the variae lectiones of this Copy prefixed The last but most saucy and ignorant exception is that the places of Scriptures mentioned in the letter are so sottishly and senselesly applied as is vnworthy to be fathered on the learned Eleutherius Let vs therefore in a word bring the diuinity of this Grand-censurer to the touchstone For Eleutherius proueth first that Kings are Gods Vicars in their kingdome because the whole Earth is properly Gods and therefore Kings haue it not as their owne but as his Lieutenants Next that as Dauid typically and Christ impliedly was by God annointed King for the execution of Righteousnesse and Iustice so euery godly King ought to make that the only end of his high honor that being by God aduanced he might likewise aduance Righteousnesse Iustice and the seruice of God whose vassall he is and that therefore Gods iudgements and Lawes are to be preferred by them before all humane Lawes with which they should rule and cherish their godly subiects as their children and protect them and gather them vnder one faith as Christ their master doth who therefore compareth himselfe to a Hen gathering her Chickens vnder her wings The defects of which Princely duties Eleutherius most liuely expresseth afterward in so proper applications as if the learnedst fathers on these places be duly examined they will be found no whit to exceed the apprehensions of this Godly Bishop But if Robert Cowback would haue cast his eie on the moderne Popes and their Cardinals applications of Scriptures what would he then say God made a greater light and a lesse therefore the Pope is as much greater then the Emperor as the Sunne is bigger then the Moone Christ said to Peter Kill and eat therefore the Pope may excommunicate and depose Kings yea and kill them too for a need Peter said Behold two swords therefore the Pope hath both Temporall and Spirituall Iurisdiction ouer the world So God said to Ieremy he should plant and transplant therefore the Pope may dispose and transpose all Kingdomes at his pleasure Christ to Peter thou art Cephas and Cephas is a head therefore the Pope is head of the Church Domini sunt Cardines Terra The earth is the Lords therefore the Cardinals are the Lords of the Earth On such pillers and applications of Scriptures is the whole Papall greatnesse founded and yet these late Scribes can
to death but being too late perceiued was yet so hastily pursued that he was hewed to peeces before his tongue could reueale the principall Traitour Iulia his incestuous wife hearing of his death with poison slew her selfe at Antioch leauing her shame to suruiue her life 8 Antoninus Caracalla saith Eusebius raigned Emperour seuen yeares and sixe moneths but Herodian Spartianus and Dio allot him sixe yeeres and two moneths he died the eight of Aprill and yeere of Christ two hundred eighteene The testimonies of these many writers notwithstanding together with the place and circumstances of his death and the person by whom it was committed the British Historians do contradict reporting him to bee slaine in Britaine in Battaile against the Picts by one Carauceus a man of a lowe and obscure birth But by this it may seeme some wounds receiued by him in those British warres gaue occasion to that errour He left a sonne not by his incestuous mother nor by Glantilla his wife whō he exiled into Sicily but by a mistris whose name was Iulia Simiamira his cosen German and indeed no better then a common strumpets which corrupt rootes brought forth as bitter fruits euen Heliogabalus of whom hereafter we shall haue occasion to write OPILIVS MACRINVS CHAPTER XXV IN prosecuting our intended course for setting downe the Acts and Liues of sundry Emperours heereafter succeeding I know I shall hardly satisfie my Readers being no way able to giue content to my selfe in that on the one side finding very few remembrances concerning the state of this our Iland till the raigne of Dioclesian the Historie of that Interim may seeme impertinent to our purpose and yet on the other side considering how vnfit it is that the Succession of all our British Monarks should be interrupted that Royall Title being likewise annexed to those other Emperours I suppose it will bee expected that somwhat also be said of them though managing their affaires in places farre remote It seemeth that the continuall striuing for the Imperiall Diademe and their neerer hazards at home made them contented to giue Britaine some peaceable breathing and so depriue vs of the Romane Records of those times which want if I should supply out of our home-bred British Writers I might be thought not so much to repaire the ruines of our Monuments as to heape more rubbish vpon them And therefore necessitie so enforcing I must craue patience if I proceed to the rest of our Countries Monarkes though I cannot to the residue of our Countries Exploits and Affaires in those daies 2 Opilius Macrinus from obscure and base parentage by fauours of the Emperour without any notable desert in himselfe first aspired to the Office of a Prefect and at last by the election of the Souldiers to the Dignitie Imperiall So farre from suspicion of Caracallaes death by the outward appearance of a seeming sorrow that hee was held of all most free from the Treason and the second person worthy of their voice For first the Title was conferred vpon aged Audentius a man of good sort much experience and an excellent Captaine whose wisdome could not bee drawne to aduenture his life vnder the weight of so vneasie and dangerous a Crowne but excusing himselfe by the priuilege of his age as farre vnfit to wield the troubles much lesse to increase the glorie of the Empire refused their offers but with returne of as many thankes as they had giuen him hands or voices Whereupon they againe consulted and determined for Macrinus which as willingly receiued as Audentius refused vnto whom they swore fealtie but not long after failed in performance 3 He made for his Caesar Diadumenus his sonne changing his name a vsuall custome at their election into Antoninus because that name was gracious among the Romans The Senate at home confirmed all that the Armie had done abroad vnto whom it seemed their right as it were by prescription to haue the election of the Emperours 4 His first expedition was against Artabanus King of the Parthians that hasted against the Romans for wrongs receiued by Caracalla deceased but after three great and dangerous Battles came to an attonement and a peace betwixt them concluded After this as free from further troubles he returned to Antioch in Syria and there spent his time in Banquets and other sensuall pleasures being drenched so farre therein that the Armie began to dislike his Gouernment and to fauour young Bassianus the sonne of Caracalla then present at E◅esa a Citie in Phoenicia with Moesa his Grandmother by his Mothers side who there had built a Temple consecrated to the Sunne and therein ordained him a Priest for which cause he was called Heliogabalus that is to say in the Phoenician Language The Priest of the Sunne 5 To this Temple in their vaine deuotions resorted many of the Romane Souldiers and seeing the beautie of the youth allured Moesa to bring him to their Campe where knowne to be the sonne of Caracalla the Souldiers proclaimed him Emperour and maintained his right against Macrinus who after this reuolt met young Heliogabalus in the Confines betwixt Phoenicia and Syria where was fought a bloudie Battle and Macrinus forsaken of all and driuen to flie who with his sonne hasting thorow Asia and Bithinia came lastly to Chalcedon where he fell sicke and was there together with Diadumenus put to death the seuenth day of Iune the yeere of Christs Incarnation two hundred and nineteene when hee had raigned one yeere one moneth twenty eight daies ANTONINVS HELIOGABALVS CHAPTER XXVI YOung Bissianus surnamed Heliogabalus the sonne of Caracalla before mentioned thus elected and prospering at his entrance gaue hopes to his raisers of many princely parts and signes of those things that in sequele by better proofe appeared to be onlie signes indeed for nature had plentifully adorned him with the complements of her gifts had his mind beene answerably furnished with vertue But as the one was ouer-prodigall and lauish in his outward forme so was the other as sparing and defectiue in bestowing of her inward gifts insomuch that both in minde and garment he seemed to bee that which in truth he was not This Emperour as appeareth by the reuerse of his money tooke it no meane addition of honour to his Imperiall Dignitie to be stiled The Priest of the Sunne which in the Assyrian Tongue is called El from whom he tooke the surname Elagabal 2 Assoone as hee had settled the Empire firme vpon himselfe by the death of Macrinus he began to discouer his owne dispositions and in wantonnesse apparell lightnesse and diet to exceed any that had gone before him in Rome and so farre differed from the manners of men that modestie will not suffer vs to record his greatest vices 3 His apparell was rich and most extreme costlie and yet would he neuer weare one garment twice his Shooes embellished with Pearles and Diamonds his Seats
that of all men he best deserued the name Probus that is vertuous was made a Tribune also In which Office with great praise he serued vnder Galienus Aurelianus Claudius the Emperours vnder whom besides other exploits he fought seuerall single-combats to the great honour of himselfe and Countrey and receiued as markes of victories many Ciuicall Crownes Collars Bracelets Launces Banners and other Ensignes of Martiall deuice and Priuiledge Preferred to be Generall in Africa he subdued the Marmarides In Egypt the Palmerines vnder Aurelianus the Sarmates and Germans vnder Claudius the Gothes and in all places so famous for his Acts that hee was compared with Hannibal and Caesar. 3 His first seruice after hee became Emperour was in Gallia against the Germans that had made themselues Lords thereof where in one Battell continuing two daies he slew foure hundred thousand of them and recouered seuentie Cities from the Enemy as himselfe signified by his own Letters to the Senate After this warring in Sclauonia he quieted the Prouinces of Muscouia Russia and Polonia And entring Thracia did no lesse in Greece Syria Arabia Palestina and Iudea whence passing into Persia hee had honourable compositions of Narseus their mighty King Wherupon issued so vniuersall Peace that there were no warres heard of in all the Prouinces of the Empire insomuch that it was a common Prouerbe The very mice durst not gnaw for feare of Probus But long this lasted not ere hee was disturbed for the Egyptians erected one Saturninus a Captaine both wise and valiant for Emperour and that so sore against his will as he was like to be slaine by them for gaine-saying their desires and by a speech deliuered to his Erectors he made known to them his aduers◅es from so dangerous an ambition to this effect 4 Fellowes and Friends by my whole endeuours I haue alwaies sought to preuent that which now I see I cannot shunne I meane the Throne of Maiestie which howsoeuer to others it may seeme full of glory and securitie yet to my self I fore-see it will proue both base and dangerous Base for that I am no more the master of mine owne affections which hitherto in my priuate estate were bestowed freely where I thought best but must hēce-forth be caried at other mens dispose and cast vpon those that deserue them least That little time that I vvas wont to take in retyring my selfe to my selfe must now be straitned to serue others and my thoughts wholly spent to preuent those weapons which are borne in shew for my defence but are in truth the keyes of mine Imprisonments I cannot go without a Guard I cannot sleepe without a watch I cannot eate without a Taster these are but bondages to a free condition and neuer neede in a priuate fortune That it is dangerous it is no lesse apparant for besides the sharpe-pointed waighty sword hanging onely by a twisted-thred ouer our heads Probus is not a Galienus to compound for the Diadem but to touch his scepter is to awake a sleeping Lion What should moue you then to stir vp his wrath to seeke my death and your owne destructions For assure your selues when I die I shal not die alone So all our fame purchased in so many yeers imploiments shal be lost by this one daies worke and my Conquests in Africa of the Mores and in Spaine branded lastly with the eternall scares and infamie of Rebellion 5 These speeches as Flauius Vopis the Writer therof receiued them from the report of his Grand-father who was there present and heard them could nothing at all diuert the resolution of the Souldiers but that they persisted and maintained their Election against Probus who vpon notice thereof hastning toward them with a mighty power offred them pardon as one vnwilling to shed Ciuill-bloud or to lose so worthy a man as Saturninus was but vpon refusall of his proffered Clemencie hee gaue him a most sharpe battell wherein most of the Reuoulters were ouer-throwne and Saturninus in the assault of a Castle besieged was slaine to the great griefe of Probus who sought to haue saued his life 6 But with his death ended not all Ciuill Broiles for Bonosus Proculus two monsters of that age though of different kinds of vices opposing themselues against him and assuming the Title and Robes Imperiall vsurped the Prouinces of Britaine Spaine and some part of Gallia knowing that in these places Probus was not much beloued Bonosus vvas borne in Britaine but brought vp in Spaine without note of action but onely in his cups for hee was esteemed the greatest drinker of all men liuing insomuch as Aurel. said of him he was born nō vt viueret sed vt biberet not to draw breath but to draw in liquor yet as it seemeth hee was in good account vnder the said Aurelianus hauing a charge of Ships vpon the Germane Seas which either by treacherie or negligence were burned by the Enemy in the mouth of Rhine and as Probus tooke it not without the priuitie of Bonosus who therefore not daring to stand to the triall made all his powers against the Emperour but was in Battell ouercome and despairing euer againe to make head put his owne in a halter whereupon it was said that a Barrell was hanged and not a Man 7 Proculus was a Lygurian borne as vnsatiate a vassall to Venus as the other to Bacchus and therewithall so impiouslie impudent that as hee had a heart to commit any filthinesse so a forehead to boast of it openly as appeareth by his owne Letters wherein hee vaunteth how many scores of faire Virgins hee depriued of that faire name in one fortnight but this Graund-General of Venus Camp was suddenly forsaken by his Souldiers and came to his deserued end 8 Some stirs there were at that present in Britany by the incitements of their Gouernor vvhose name though Histories doe not specifie yet he may seeme to bee that Cl. Corn. Lalianus whose ancient Coynes are found in this Iland and not else-where and his meanes to the place was Victorinus a Moore in great fauour with Probus who taking himselfe not cleare from suspition got leaue of his Emperor to repaire vnto Britaine where giuing it out that he was come thither for safetie of his Life was courteously receiued by the Generall Whom secretly in the Night hee murthered and then speedily returned to Rome hauing by this Expedition both appeased the tumults in the Prouince and approued his fidelitie to Probus About this time as is recorded certaine Vandals and Burgundians that had inuaded Gallia were sent into Britaine by the Emperour to inhabite who though they had troubled the Romans peace in Gallia yet did them good seruice in Britaine to stay their subiection and the Britaines themselues for some good seruices were now suffred by these Emperours to plant Vines and make Wines with other matters aswell for
of the Empire wherein the rage of Satan so preuailed that seuenteene thousand men and women were crowned with martyrdome within the space of one moneth besides infinite numbers of such as were otherwise punished As in other Countries so heere in Britaine the Christians Churches were demolished their Bibles and other godly writings burned and themselues tormented with a more cruell and longer continuance then formerly had beene vsed for this endured the terme often whole yeeres together leauing no time of intermission nor place free from the staine of Martyrs Bloud And amongst others it made Britaine to be honored with the glory of many holy Martyrs which constantly stood and died in the Confession of the Faith whereof the first is reported to bee Albane of the City Verolanium who was beheaded at Holmehurst since called Derswold where now the Towne of S. Albans bearing his name is built and in whose honour Offa the great King of Mercia founded a most magnificent Monasterie Of this Alban the ancient Fortunatus Priscus in his booke of the Praise of Virginitie maketh mention thus Albanum egregium foecunda Britannia profert Britaine fertill of all good Washt with glorious Albans blood 12 His Instructor Amphibolus afterwards apprehended was brought to the same place and whipped about a stake whereat his intrailes were tied so winding his bowels out of his body was lastly stoned to death Sundry others also in other places laid downe their liues for their Professions sake as Iulius and Aaron at Leicester saith Beda or rather at Caer-leon in Monmouthshire as our Grand-Antiquarie iudgeth and in Leichfeild so many that the place became another Golgotha A Field of dead Corps For which cause the Citie doth beare an Escocheon or Field charged with many Martyrs for their Seale of Armes euen vnto this day 13 This last rage is by Orosius and Beda accounted the Tenth Persecution from Nero and by others the Tenth Horne of the Imperiall Beast who had receiued his Power from the Dragon the diuel and Forme from those foure Beasts deciphered by the Prophet Daniel whose mouth was as the Lyons mouth of Asshur his feete like the Beares feete of Persia his spots as the Leopards of Greece and these ten hornes taken from the Monster of the Grecians parted kingdome the Seleucies and the Ptolemies called in Ezekiel Gog and Magog and here alluded vnto by S. Iohn that thus made battel against the Saints But as those foure Beasts perished and were crushed by the fall of The stone cut without hands Emmanuel borne in our flesh so this Beast compounded of them Foure fell in the destructions of these most wicked Emperors whereof all almost died so vntimely and vnusuall deaths as the like is not read of elsewhere 14 For some slew themselues as Nero and Otho did some were smothered to death as was Tiberius some poisoned by their wiues as Claudius and Commodus some tugged and torne in pieces by their own Subiects and Souldiers as Vitellius Heliogabalus Pupienus and Balbinus some stabbed by them whom they most trusted as Caligula Domitian Didius Gallienus and many others some tumultuously murthered as Pertinax Seuerus Maximius Aemilius and Probus were some slaine in battell and defence of their titles as Macrinus and Gallus some hanged themselues as Gordianus and Maximianus did some drowned and swallowed vp as Decius and Maxentius were some slaine by a thunderbolt from heauen as Carus was some died in most miserable captiuitie as Valerianus did whose skinne was fleaed off he yet aliue some cut their owne veines and bled to death as Quintilius and Florianus did some dying mad as did this our Dioclesian some few and them somewhat fauoring Christians died in their beds a thing most strange to see in these times wherein the Wrath of God thus fought against them in his Iustice and the power of his Gospell preached by his Apostles and Disciples that as a Conqueror crowned and riding vpon a White horse bare a Bow in his hand and shot the sharpe Arrowes of death into the hearts of these the Kings enemies as in the opening of the First Seale is seene and in the Second is described and made manifest by a Red Horse prepared for Battell whose Rider bare a Bright sword and had commission To take peace from the earth which most effectually wee haue seene performed in most of these preceding Emperours And as Famine in great Warres is not greatly strange so Scarsitie exceeding Plentie was seene vnder the opening of the Third Seale whence a Blacke horse sent from God pased through the earth whose Rider bare a Ballance to weigh Corne as it were Spice for dearth and in the raigne of this last Tyrant Dioclesian they that had Eagles eies might see the threefold iudgements of God in the opening of the Fourth Seale when Sword Famine Death went all together as a pale-horse sent from the presence of the Lamb whose rider was Death and Hell following as his Page These were the times of calamities wheas the Soules of the righteous in the opening of the Fifth Seale cried for vengeance for the bloud of the Martyrs whom these ten hornes had gored to death and vnder the Sixth Seale both then and for euer the wicked are said to call for the Mountaines to fall vpon them and for the rockes to hide them from the presence of Him that sate vpon the Throne and from the wrath of the Lambe before whom none could stand But why doe I weake man thus open the Curtaines of Gods most sacred Tabernacle to behold the Mercy-seate of his diuine Mysteries in the accomplishments of these holy Oracles when as they who haue worne the Ephod and in whose hand Aarons Rod hath Budded with a religious reuerence haue feared to look into the same Therefore with the charge of Ioshua I will not approach neere the Arke and with Iobs hearers will Lay my hand on my mouth and returne to the prosecution of my purpose 15 It was the nineteenth yeere of his raigne in the month of March when this Tyrant sent forth his wicked Edicts through all his Empire That all churches should bee vtterly ouerthrowne that the Scriptures should be burnt that all Christians for honour should bee held infamous and all Christian seruants should bee vncapeable of freedome that all Pastors should be enforced to offer to Idols c. 16 The fountaine chiefe cause of these miseries lighting on the Church of Christ did arise from the Christians themselues as Eusebius in these words declareth After that our conuersation through too much libertie and licentiousnesse was degenerated and holy discipline corrupted whiles euery one of vs did enuie bite and backbite each other waging intestine warres within our selues and piercing one anothers hearts with the sharpe speares of opprobriouswords so that Bishops against Bishops and people against people were at bitter contention Lastly whiles
the Sea as that they ouer-slowed and laid leuell an infinite number of buildings and Cities And therefore in this furious discord of the Elements the surface of the world being couered represented strange and wonderfull sights Among which S. Ierome reporteth that there rained Wooll from Heauen so perfect and good that no better grew vpon the Sheepe the naturall Producer But to returne 12 Fraomarius whom Valentinianus had ordained to be King of the Bucinobantes in Germanie was made Tribune and Colonell ouer a Regiment of Almains in Britaine which for number and valour in those daies were renowned where no doubt matter enough was ministred for him to worke vpon but the death of the Emperour presently following admits no mention of further discourse which happened in this manner The Quadi after many molestations done to the Roman Legions and their Confederates sent their Ambassadours vnto him desiring pardon for their former faults committed and an abolishment of all remembrances thereof 〈…〉 conference suddenly the bloud 〈…〉 mouth and being laid vpon his 〈…〉 â—…ed of an Apoplexie or rathâ—…r of the Plague 〈…〉 Markes appearing vpon his dead body gaue â—…cture Nouember the seuenth of his age fiftie fiue yeeres hauing raigned eleuen yeeres eight moneths and two daies in the yeere of our Christ three hundred seuenty fiue 13 For presence he was Maiesticall of bodie fat his complexion faire his eies gray and hauing therwith somwhat a scue cast his haire shining bright his ioints strong and well knit he was a Prince mercifull and louing and mitigated many Tributes formerly imposed on the Prouinces a wise Warriour sterne in countenance hastie of speech and chast 〈…〉 body a good Iusticer and impatient of all delaies But these his Vertues with some Vices were accompanied for he is taxed with enuie and partialitie in punishing seuerely the poore Souldier for small offenses but remissiue to the faults of their Captaines and Leaders and that was the cause by Amianus his report of the troubles in Britaine the losses in Africke and the wasting in Illyricum 14 His Arian brother Valens suruiuing him raigned Emperour in the East by whose sufferance the Barbarous Gothes entred Thracia which presently proued to be the bane of the Roman World for that these Gothes a strange and vnknowne People till then being forced out of a secret Nooke in Scythia by the Hog-Backt Hunnes rushing as an vnresistable Whirle-Winde from those High Mountaines infested the Coasts about Danubius and obtained licence from Valens to passe the Riuer Donaw into Thracia where long in quiet they staied not but like a violent Floud running with a full currant they ouer-whelmed all before them ouercomming the Romans in many Battles and in one slew the Emperour Valens with most of his approoued Captaines and twenty fiue Tribunes that had charge of Regiments the third part of his Armie hardly escaping vnslaine Some report that Valens flying the Field tooke into a house neere Adrianople whither being pursued by the Enemie and his Hold fired vpon his head was therein burned to ashes after he had sate Emperour fourteene yeeres FLAVIVS GRACIANVS Emp. FLA. VALENTINIANVS IVNIOR CHAPTER LI. GRacianus the Eldest Sonne of Valentinianus by his Empresse Seuera was made his fathers Collegue in the Empire in the fourth yeere of his Raigne notwithstanding six daies after his death his second Sonne Valentinian a Childe of Foure yeeres old by the aduice of the Counsell and generall consent of the Camp was also stiled and proclaimed Emperor These Brethren liued in much loue and ruled in the West as their vncle Valens did in the East of whom wee last spake And albeit Gracian had cause of displeasure that this his Younger Brother was thus aduanced without his allowance yet he as a Prince kind and naturall regarded his Brother exceedingly and brought him vp in all tender affection forgetting the wrong offered vnto himselfe and his owne Mother for Valentinians mothers sake 2 The Mother of this Valentinian was Iustina a damsell of an admirable feature and exceeding beautie surpassing all other women so farre that the Empresse her selfe fell in loue with her and vsually conuersed with her familiarly as her equall imparting her most priuate secrets vnto her as her trustie Counseller and often bathing together in the same Bath Neither was her ardent affection contained within the measure of Womanish modestie insomuch as she refrained not in the hearing of the Emperour her Husband to extoll her incomparable beautie preferring her far aboue any creature in the World Whereupon Valentinianus so farre affected this Lady as that he tooke her to his Wife by whom he had this young Valentinian and also three Daughters notwithstanding Seuera was yet liuing 3 The stormes of the Gothes as a violent tempest beating still against the Shoares of the Roman Prouinces caused Gracian to beare Sayle toward the safest Harbour and to commit the guidance of his shippe to the most assured Pilot their forces being so great and their outrages so terrible that hee thought it best not to aduenture his owne person but to imploy some other approoued Captaine For which exploit none was held more sufficient then Theodosius the Sonne of that Theodosius who was so famous for his British Warres and whose life was taken away by Valens the Easterne Emperour Him he made first Captaine Generall of the Roman Empire and immediatly vpon his first seruice against the Gothes his Fellow Emperor and Augustus allotting him those parts in the East that his vncle Valens lately had enioyed 4 In many Battels fought to the last drop of bloud this worthy Generall ouercame the Gothes so that their King Athanarius was lastly inforced to sue for his Peace which vpon honourable compositions was graunted and himselfe in most princely manner entertained by Theodosius in the Imperiall Citie Constantinople where falling sicke after three moneths he died and was both much lamented and sumptuously buried by the Emperor These reports caused Sapor the most puissant King of Persia to submit himselfe vnto Theodosius and by his Ambassadors attending his Court obtained his Amitie Thus gloriously raigning and perfect peace established he ordained his young sonne Arcadius his Fellow Emperor in the East 5 But the affaires in the Westerne Empire proceeded nothing so fortunately for Gracian a meeke and soft spirited man ballanced with Theodosius was held without regard and Valentinian by his Prefect Probus held both Rome and Italy at his deuotion onely Gallia obeyed Gracian For Clemens Maximus borne in Spaine but descended lineally from Constantine the Great by his affability and liberal carriage had wonne the affections of the Britaine 's to side with him a man no doubt both Valiant and Wise had he held his alleagiance to his Soueraigne Lord. But the time fitting his purposes when the Scots and Picts with their wonted inroads sore indamaged the Prouince he set himselfe for
and the Vnion of the whole Iland to be brought into one intire Monarchie by the rightfull Succession and thrice-happie entrance of our most gracious King IAMES are yeeres fiue hundred thirtie six But of these three last we are to speake hereafter and now returne to finish vp the falling Estate of the Romans Greatnesse 3 Theodosius the sonne of Arcadius beganne his Empire in the yeere of the worlds saluation foure hundred and eight and was gouerned with a speciall protection by the Persian King during his Minoritie vnder the charge of Antigonus an excellent man But now growne to yeeres and some variance happening betwixt him and his Tutor he was left to the dispose of himselfe and his vncle Honorius leauing at his death great troubles vnquenched in the West the mightiest Potentates assaied to make themselues Emperours ouer seuerall Dominions and from the richnesse of the Imperiall Diademe each one sought to plucke a Iewell to beautifie his owne Crowne So the Barbarous Nations out of this one Monarchie began the foundations of many succeeding Kingdomes For in Spaine the Vandals 〈◊〉 and Alanes not contented with their portion therein assigned betooke themselues to Armes The Frankes and Burgundians which had been driuen out of France resolued againe to returne The Gothes that were Lords of Barcelona Narbona and Tolosa did as the rest The Hunnes entred Hungarie Iohn the Tyrant held Rome and in Africa Boniface became a Neuter These stirres mooued Theodosius to nominate Valentinian his kinsman Emperour in the West whose raigne and affaires so farre as they touch Britaine we will follow being the last of the Romane Emperours that held out the succession of our British Monarkes 4 This Valentinian was the sonne of Constantine made Augustus as is said and of Placidia Galla daughter to the first Theodosius Emperour which Lady in the sacking of Rome by Alaricus the Gothe was taken Prisoner and by him giuen in mariage to his neere kinsman Athaulphus who afterwards was King of that Nation and by her sweet demeanour and prudent meanes a Peace was concluded betwixt her Husband and her Brother but with such dislikes to the Gothes that they presently killed him and raised one Wallia for their King who likewise comming to composition with Honorius deliuered Placidia according to Couenants whom the Emperour her Brother bestowed in Mariage vpon Constantine his Generall in regard of his good seruice and Victories by him atchieued 5 Shee with young Valentinian New-made Emperour being sent into Italie selected the best approued Captaines to secure her sonnes Estate whereof Aspar was one that in Rome slew Iohn the Vsurper who had there made himselfe Emperour stamping this his face and stile vpon the currant Money of the State and by his Tyrannies held his fortunes for fiue yeeres continuance Aetius likewise that had beene Gouernour of Spaine was imploied into Gallia where the Frankes and Burgundians vnder the conduct of Clodius their second King sought to establish as shortly they did their Kingdome in that Countrey giuing it the name of France according to their owne by which name they were neuer knowne to Caesar Strabo Pliny Tacitus Mela nor Ptolemie whereby the great blast of their Antiquitie is shewed to be but a puffe of winde 6 At this time the Britaines were againe sore oppressed by the Scots and Picts who hauing notice that the Aides sent by Honorius were returned passed ouer the Water in their Boats at both the ends of the Wall and inuaded the Prouince with such force that they bare downe all before them The Britaine 's in this lamentable plight sent their Ambássadours to Rome with their Garments rent and dust vpon their heads vnto Valentinian the Third bewailing their most miserable Estates and crauing his helpe The Emperour mooued to remorse sent a Regiment of Souldiers into Britaine vnder the Command of Gallio of Rauenna a most valiant man who hauing put backe the Enemie with the assistance of the Ilanders gaue some small comforts to the distressed Britaines But the Burgundians passing the Rhene and threatning to waste Italy Aetius was compelled to recall Gallio with his Legion to secure the Countrey about Paris whilest himselfe with his followed the dangerous Enemie 7 He now ready to depart for France told the Britains that it was not for the Romans to take so long and painefull Iournies neither at that time especially when their own Empire was in danger to be ouer-run Therefore he willed them thenceforth to stand vpon their Guard and to prouide for their owne safeties and to that end in regard of their good seruices done to the Romans he taught them the vse of their Armour and Weapons as also to strengthen their Fortification and Wall of Turfe which now they began to build with firme Stone laid eight foot in thicknesse and twelue foot in height This Wall saith Gildas they drew in a straight line at the publike charges of the State from East to West and from Sea to Sea planting Bulwarkes and raising Turrets with conuenient spaces distant one from another which gaue a faire and farre prospect into the Sea And so the Romans gaue a finall Farewell meaning neuer to returne againe and burying part of their Treasures heere in the Earth whereof much hath beene found and more is still sought left Britaine about the yeere of Christ fiue hundred after the first inuasion thereof made vnder the conduct of Iulius Caesar. 8 This vnfortunate Emperour Valentinian lost not only Britaine but suffred also Africa France and Spaine to be plucked from his Empire and the weaknesse of the Romans power whose strength consisted most in Forraine Aides as Tacitus saith was left vnable to defend it selfe when they had bereft this Prouince of all the Flower and Choice of Men as Gildas in that age complained saying Britaine is despoiled of all her armed men with her militarie forces her Rulers cruell though they were are wasted her Garrisons withdrawn and defense laid open and an exceeding great number of her stout couragious Souldiers taken from her to serue the Romans in their warres With which his sayings the Roman Writers themselues agree and record the Musters and great multitudes of Britaines that haue beene transported by them out of this Iland as when Trebellius Maximus with his British Forces made strong the Faction against Otho in Germanie and then also Honorius Flaccus brought thence eight thousand chosen Souldiers to vphold Vitellius in his cause Clodius Albinus banding against Seuerus the Emperour assuming the Title and stamping the Moneyes of the Imperiall Estate as by this here inserted is to be seene which comming to our hands since his Storie was written we hold it more acceptable to set heere though out of place then to giue it no place at all in this Worke being so worthy an Antiquitie and so much concerning the Britaines vnder whose Banner the Flower of
receiue some breath of hopes and to shew themselues out of their Caues This Ambrosius saith Beda was a gentle natured man which only of all the bloud of the Romans remained then aliue his parents being slaine which had borne the name of the King of the Countrey Hee with his brother Vter commonly called Pendragon returning out of Britain Armorica where they had remained from the Tyrannie of Vortigerne landed at Totnesse in the West of this Iland vnto whom resorted great Troopes of Britaines His first Expedition was against Vortigern the scourge of his Country and murderer of his King whose Castle straightwaies hee besieged and by the iust reuenging hand of God with wilde fire consumed wherin those adulterous and incestuous persons were burned to ashes 16 Next following the common Enemie hee gaue battle to the Saxons on the North of Humber at a place called Maesbell wherein Hengist was discomfited and in flight taken by Earle Edol of Glocester and beheaded at Conningsborrow saith he of Monmouth Howbeit Matthew of Westminster maketh him fight another battle vpon the Riuer Dun in Anno 489. wherein saith he Hengist was taken And Polydore saith that in the same battle Hengist at the first onset was slaine with many of his Germans the fame of whose victorie saith he is had in memorie with the Inhabitants of those parts euen vnto this day Yet Gildas Beda and Ethelward Writers of those ancient times and two of them Saxons mention not the death of Hengist neither this great victorie of the Britaines And Marianus the Scotish Monke seemeth to affirme the contrarie where he saith that Hengist raigned thirty foure yeeres in great glorie and died peaceably leauing his sonne Eske to succeed him in the Kingdome of Kent With whom also Florentius the Monke of Worcester agreeth Howsoeuer sure it is had not the diuine power of God otherwise determined the waning estate of Britaine doubtlesse had recouered her former strength both by the praiers of Bishop German the prowesse of this last spoken of Ambrosius the valorous attempts of Vter Pendragon and the worthy industries of the Christian King Arthur The famous resistances of this last mentioned Arthur the Monke of Monmouth with such fables hath augmented that his Acts and Trauels may bee compared to those of Hercules or with the Conquests of Caesar himselfe insomuch that he hath beene accounted and ranged in the Catalogue of the worlds nine Worthies And surely by the testimonie of Malmesbury hee was a Prince of great worth and did often aduenture with his small power to meet the Saxons in the face and in Field But the Britaines strength daily decreasing and new supplies of these Saxons daily arriuing brought the one in despaire to enioy their owne right and the other to triumph in their intrusions of wrongs For continually incroaching forward and inlarging their limits wheresoeuer they came droue the inhabitauts before them from their wonted possessions seated themselues in the southern and best part of the Land laying the stones as it were of those foundations whereupon in short time they raised their most glorious buildings 17 For euery seuerall Captaine or Commander accounting that part his owne wherein he first entred or made conquest of with full resolution determined to keepe what he had got and as an absolute King commanded his Prouince whereby the Land became burdened with seuen of them at the first as Hengist of Kent Ella of those parts now called Sussex and Surrey Cherdik of the West Erchenwin of the East Ida of the North Crida of the Middle-land Vffa the parts now Middlesex and Essex which Kingdomes thus begunne and erected stood not long vnshaken by ciuill dissensions among themselues each King enuying his equals greatnesse and seeking to inlarge his owne Dominions vpon the next In which combustions few or none of them came to the graue in due time but were either slaine in warres or treacherously murdered in peace or else inforced to sheare himselfe a Monke and resigne his Crowne to another To speake of all these together I hold would bring too great a confusion to our Historie and a needlesse surcharge to the Readers memorie To auoid which I will briefly set downe the Conquests Circuits Acts and Descents that in euery seuerall Kingdome happened while they stood in their Heptarchie before they were vnited to an absolute Monarchie and then according to my prefixed purpose continue the succession of GREAT BRITAINES Monarchs 18 For albeit the Land was diuided into 7. seuerall Kingdomes and each of them carrying a soueraigne command within his owne limits yet one of them euer seemed to be supreme of the rest and that Prince who had the greatest power or successe in his warres was euer accounted and called The King of the English-men as Venerable Beda in the fifth Chapter of his second Booke and Historie of England euer termeth them 19 Such therfore as held the rest vnder either by Armes or alliance in amitie or subiection swaied the whole Monarchy and were acknowledged as Supremes in power ouer the rest which succeeded not euer in the same Familie neither continued in one and the same Kingdome without reuersement but were carried vpon the Flouds and Ebbes of variable successe or as destinie pleased to alter the chance wherof each of them sauing the East-Saxons only did attaine to the height of that gouernment as to the hauen of their wished desires See therefore if you please a generall view of the whole and afterwards the seuerall Histories of euery Kingdome apart before wee enter into the Succession of the English-Saxons Monarchs Heptarchy Kingdomes Counties Kings Successions Kingdomes Continuance Kings first Christians The Saxons Heptarchy The Kingdome of Kent contained Counties Kent Kings raigning 1. Hengist 31. 2. Eske 24. 3. Octa 20. 4. Ymerick 29. 5. Ethelbert 56. 6. Eabald 24. 7. Ercombert 24. 8. Egbert 9. 9. Lother 11. 10. Edrik 6. 11. Withred 33. 12. Edbert 23. 13. Edelbert 11. 14. Alrik 34. 15. Ethilbert 3. 16. Cuthred 8. 17. Baldred 18. Beganne in An. 455. Continued yeers 372. Ended in Anno 827. Ethelbert The Kingdome of Souh-Saxons contained Counties Sussex Surrey Kings raigning 1. Ella 32. 2. Cissa 75. 3. Edilwach alias Ethelwolf 25. 4. Berthum 5. Authum Beganne in An. 488. Continued yeers 113. Ended in Anno 601. Ethelwolse The Kingdome of West-Saxons contained Counties Cornwall Deuon-shire Dorset-shire Somerset-sh Wilt-shire Hant-shire Bark-shire Kings raigning 1. Cherdik 33. 2. Kenrike 26. 3. Cheulin 33. 4. Ceaclik 5. 5. Chelwold 12. 6. Kingils 32. Quithelin 1. 7. Kenwald 30. 8. Eskwyn 2. 9. Kentwin 9. 10. Ceadwald 7. 11. Inas 37. 12. Ethellard 14. 13. Cuthred 16. 14. Sigebert 2. 15. Kenwolfe 29. 16. Brightrik 16. 17. Egbert 19. Beganne in An. 519. Continued yeers 561. Ended in An. 1066. Kingils The Kingdome of East-Saxons contained Counties Essex Middlesex Kings raigning 1. Erchenwin 34. 2. Sledda 10. 3. Sebert 21. 4. Sexred Seward
vengeance from Heauen wanted not to the punishment of this vnfaithfull King for he was plagued for a season with often phrensie of minde and raging fury of an vncleane Spirit but by Laurence Archbishop of Canturbury he was at length conuerted from his Idolatry and incestuous Matrimony and being baptized indeuoured to maintaine the state of the Gospell He married Emme the daughter of Theodebert King of Austrasie now Lorrayne by whom he had issue a Daughter named Enswith who died a Virgin at Fulkestone a Religious House in Kent of her Fathers foundation and two Sonnes whereof Ermenred the elder died before his Father and left issue Dompnena who was married to a Mercian Prince Ermenberg that died a vailed Virgin Ermengith a mention Ethelred and Ethelbert both murthered by their Cosin-german King Egbert His younger Sonne was Ercombert that succeeded him in the Kingdome This Edbald built a Chapell within the Monasterie of Saint Peter and Paul at Canturbury in honour of Mary the blessed Mother of God endowing that Church with sufficient maintenance wherein after the continuance of twentyfoure yeeres raigne he was buried neere to King Ethelbert his Father Anno 640. ERrcombert the Son of Edbald by Emme his Wife succeeded his Father in the Kingdome of Kent in the yeere of grace 641. He was a vertuous religious and Christian King for the Temples of the Heathen Idols he suppressed and commanded the fast of Lent to bee obserued His Wife was Sexburg the daughter of Anna King of the East-Angles by whom he had issue Egbert and Lothair both Kings of Kent after him Ermenhild Wife to Wolfere King of Mercia and Erkengode a professed Nunne in the Monastery of Saint Brigets in France where she died and was interred in the Church of Saint Stephen In his daies the state of the Church growing to a well setled forme of gouernment the Prouince of Kent was diuided into Parishes by Honorius the Archbishop as testifie the Records of Christ-Church in Canturbury This King hauing raigned twenty foure yeeres and odde moneths died in the yeere of our Lord 664. EEgbert the elder Sonne of King Ercombert in the nonage of his yong Nephewes Ethelred and Ethelbert the sonnes of his Vncle Ermenred obtained the Rule of Kent and had not their murther much blemished his peaceable Gouernment hee might well haue held place with the worthiest of those Kings but thirsting after an absolute soueraigntie and fearing lest his owne power should diminish by their growths and rightfull successions he set his mind on that bloudy traiterous and vnnaturall attempt and with the assistance of one Thurne found fit place and opportunitie to worke that diuellish designe casting their bodies into a Riuer that so their Murthers might not be knowne But God saith Malmesbury that searcheth the heart reueiled the act by casting vp their bodies on the shore and to the open view of the next Inhabitants who with great reuerence there buried them and built a small Chapel ouer their Monument whose bones afterwards were remoued and new interred in the Abby of Ramsey in Hantshire The Lady Dompnena their Sister and next Heire to the Crowne that was married to Merwald a Prince of West-Mercia and borne him foure Children founded the Abbey of Minster in Kent Wherein saith Stowe she became the first Abbesse her selfe and Mildrith her daughter succeeded her therein saith Capgraue This King in great quietnesse raigned nine yeeres and died in the yeere of grace 673. in the moneth of Iuly leauing issue Edrik and Wigtred both Kings of Kent succeeding after Lothaire LOthaire the brother of Egbert by strong handobtained the gouernment of Kent For notwithstanding Egbert left issue Edrik and Wigtred as is said yet Lothaire taking the aduantage of their minorities and the example of his brothers intrusions made himselfe King against his as he had done against the Sonnes of Ermenred but did not inioy the same with the like peace as he had done For not onely Ethelred the Mercian warred strongly against him but also Edrik by the assistance of the South-Saxons cōtinually sought to recouer his right whereby the peace of the Kentish was much molested and lastly in a bloudy battell was Lothaire shot thorow with a dart whereof he died vnder his Chirurgeons hand the sixth day of February in the yeere of Christ 685. after hee had raigned eleuen yeeres and seuen moneths The punishment of the Murther committed by his brother Egbert was on him repaied saith Malmsbury who derided and made iests at the laments for young Ethelred and Ethelbert that were by the people held and accounted Martyrs His body was buried with his Predecessors Kings of Kent in the Monastery of S. Peter and Paul in Canturbury Anno 685. EDrik the Sonne of King Egbert hauing slaine his Vncle Lothaire in battell succeeded him in the Kingdome of Kent wherein he sate onely two yeeres and those in continuall warres with his subiects in which ciuill broiles lastly hee was slaine leauing the Kentish Kingdome so torne with dissensions that it became a pray to many Vsurpers and gaue occasion to Ceadwalla the West-Saxon to seeke the annexion thereof to his owne Kingdome who with his brother Mollo entred Kent and with fire and sword made waste where they came To meet these the Kentish assembled and getting the aduantage burned Mollo to death in whose reuenge Ceadwalla persisted and wasted the most part of that Prouince before he departed so that after for six yeeres continuance no King raigned in Kent but the Country lay exposed to the tyrannies of oppressors WIgtred or Withred seuen yeeres after the death of his Brother tooke vpon him the gouernment of Kent which hee purchased with the good opinion that his subiects conceiued and with a great summe of money paid to King Inas for his peace He entred his Kingdome the yeere of Mans Redemption 693. the eleuenth of Nouember and two hundred and fiue yeeres after the death of Hengist the first Saxon. With him raigned one Swebharde as Beda declareth but without mention from whom or vpon what occasion He founded the Priorie of S. Martin at Douer and behaued himselfe worthily both in Warre and Peace his raigne was thirty yeeres thirty three saith Beda and death in Anno 725. leauing issue Edbert Ethelbert and Alrick all three succeeding successiuely in the Kingdome EGbert the first Sonne of Withred succeeded his Father in his Kingdome vertues valours whereby a peaceable gouernment is allotted him by all Writers of these affaires for the continuance of twentie three yeeres without relation of any notable accident peculiar to himselfe and Kingdome besides the appearances of two fearfull Comets in Anno 729. and fourth of his raigne the one arising immediately before the Sunne in the morning and the other shewing his fierie beames presently vpon the Sunnes set both of
them striking their gleames into the North and by West foreshewing it may be the scourge and desolation that the Pagans intended who were at that instant entred into France and Spaine EThelbert the second Sonne of King Withred and Brother to the last King Edbert began his Raigne ouer the Kingdome of Kent the yeere of Mans Saluation 749. and raigned without any memorable act either of his or of his Kingdomes affaires the space of eleuen yeeres leauing this life in Anno 759. and was buried say some in the Monastery of Peter and Paul in Canturbury without issue of his body to succeed him howbeit the Annales of Canturbury affirms him to bee buried at Reculuers in the I le of Tanet whose Monument is shewed at the vpper end of the South I le in the Church and is mounted with two Spires if there be not a mistaking of him for Ethilbert his Successor ALrick the third Sonne of King Withred by the death of his brother Ethelbert obtained the kingdome of Kent the yeere of Christs Incarnation 760. no other glory attending his affaires saith Malmesbury besides his vnfortunate fight at Otteford against Offa King of the Mercians wherein it seemed some honor though with his ouerthrow to withstand so puissant and impugnable an enemie Hee is the last King of Kent that held the scepter in a lineall succession the rest that followed both got and enioied it by tyranny and vsurpation This King is said to raigne thirtie foure yeeres and to die in the yeere of grace seuen hundred ninety three EThilbert surnamed Pren vsurped the Title and Authoritie ouer the Kentish Dominions when that Prouince was sore oppressed with the inuasion of the Mercian Kenulfe whose warres against Kent by succession from Offa were continued with such rigour and valour that the Countrey lay desolate where hee had beene and the people distressed whither he came This Pren Kenulse tooke prisoner and lead away with him into Mercia but at the dedicatiō of a Church that he had then founded at Winchcombe in presence of ten Dukes and thirteene Bishops he released him at the High Altar without either intreatie or ransome of redemption The King returning againe into Kent could not there bee receiued his place either being supplied by another or himselfe so disliked as not worthy any longer to raigne and hauing had experiēce of the worlds mutabilities is left againe to his priuate fortunes from whence hee had stepped hauing held his estate but for three yeeres continuance CVthred saith Malmesbury was made King of Kent by Kenulfe King of Mercia when hee had ouer-come and captiuated Ethelbert notwithstanding hee is accounted for an Vsurper and bare the title of King the tearme of eight yeeres without any other act worthy of remembrance inheriting his predecessors euill happe and calamitie through factions and ciuill discords BAldred after the death of this Cuthred tooke vpon him the princely dignitie of Kent about the yeere of Christs Natiuitie 805. But now the heauenlie prouidence determining to bring againe together that which the Saxons had diuided raised from exile little Egbert to make him the Great Monarch of the English-men His first wars were against Bernulfe King of Mercia and his second against this Baldred King of Kent whom in Battle he vanquished and forced him out of his Kingdome after he had sate on that princelie Throne the space of eighteene yeeres This Baldred is said to haue fled ouer Thames and to leaue Kent to the will of his Conquerour whither againe he neuer returned neither yet was heard of after his ouerthrow This Kingdome then that was erected by Hengist the yeere of mans happinesse 455. continued her gouernment 372. and ended her glorie in the yeere 827. being made a Prouince vnto the West-Saxons SOVTH SAXONS KINGDOME THE CIRCVIT AND CONTINVANCE THEIR KINGS SVCCESSIONS ISSVES AND RAIGNES CHAPTER VI. THE Kingdome of the South-Saxons containing the Countries of Sussex and Surrey had on the East side Kent on the South the Sea and I le of Wight vpon the West Hant-shire and the North ◅de inuerged with the riuer Thames This Kingdome was erected by Ella a Saxon-Captaine that in the second yeere of Hengists entrance as some say brought a supply of his Saxons into Britaine with whom came his three sonnes Kymen Plenching and Cissa these landing at a place which from Kymen was afterwards called Kymenishore and discomfiting the Inhabitants that made resistance became himselfe King of those Southerne parts But doubtlesse there are many opinions of this mans first entrance and new erected estate for some as M. Sauile in his Table set it in the second yeere of Hengists first arriuall Anno 452. Others in the second of Aurelius and no lesse then thirty yeeres after that Anno 482. Harrison will haue it forty three yeeres after the Saxons first entrance and fourth yeere after King Hengist his death Anno 492. And M. Ferrers in his Succession of the English Monarkes placeth it in the three and twentieth yeere of King Hengists Kingdome and in the fifth after his owne arriuall the yeere of our Redemption 488. Of such vncertaintie is the beginning of this South-Saxons Kingdome whose Continuance and Successions are nothing cleerer insomuch that Malmesburie making seueral Chapters vpon the other six omitteth only this of the South-Saxons and therefore as wee finde them let vs haue leaue to relate them and for the present to leaue Ella as hee was King till wee come to a fit place where more shall be spoken of him as he was Monarch whose raigne is set by Stow to bee thirty six yeeres by Sir Henry Sauile twenty foure and by M. Henry Ferrers thirty two and to hau◅ed in the yeere 514. CIssa the third and youngest sonne of King Ella then onely liuing at his fathers death succeeded him in the kingdoome of the South-Saxons leauing the Monarchie to Cherdike king of the West-Saxons who had planted his kingdome betweene him and the Britaines hauing taken the charge of warre against them for maintenance whereof Cissa yeelded him a yeerely contribution and liuing himselfe in long rest and peace founded Chichester and Chisbury the one a Citie for resort of his people the other a place of repose for himselfe which last he fortified about with a strong Trench for a further defense against all dangers Of any other his actions little is recorded by Writers onely in this they concurre that hee was a man of great age and small acts some affirming that hee raigned the space of seuenty six yeeres EDilwach by some called Ethelwolf and Athelwold succeeded King Cissa in the kingdome of the South-Saxons and was the first Christian of that Nation conuerted by Bishop Wilfride as some conceiue out of Beda yet Beda saith expresly that the King was baptized before Wilfrides comming And the History of S. Swithune
saith it was done by S. Berinus Bishop of Dorchester who vsually preaching the Gospell in the kingdome of the Mercians in the Citie of Oxenford and presence of Wulpherus King of Mercia it hapned that King Athelwold then a Pagan was present who by the indeauour of Vulpherus and instruction of Berinus receiued the lauer of Baptisme whom also Wulpherus receiued at the Font for his God-sonne and in signe of that adoption gaue vnto him two Prouinces to be annexed to his former kingdome that is to say the I le of Wight and the Prouince of Manures in the West of England at which time also Berinus by King Athelwolds permission baptized the chiefe Dukes and Nobles of that Prouince His Queene Ebba was baptized in her owne I le the Prouince of the Viecians being the daughter of Eanfride who was brother to Eanheres and both of them Christians But it is generally held that King Edilwach gaue vnto Wilfride the Peninsula as the Latines speake of Seoleseu now Selsee in the West with the demaynes of eightie seuen Tenements wherein he built the Monasterie that bare the same name and was his owne Episcopall Sea Against this Edilwach Ceadwald a valiant young Prince of the Bloud-royall of the West-Saxons being banished his Countrey making head with the assistance of friends and followers entred his Territories with an impetuous incursion and slew the King as he made resistance when hee had raigned twentie fiue yeeres in whose raigne and Countrey raged such an extreme Famine that both men and women in great flockes and companies cast themselues from the Rockes into the Sea 4 Berthun and Authun two Dukes of the South-Saxons maintained the Warres and defence of their Country against Ceadwald and by manly valour forced him to retire These Captaines betwixt them held the dominion of that Prouince vntill such time as Ceadwald had gotten the Kingdome of the West-Saxons who bearing in mind the remembrance of his former proceedings and thinking to inlarge his owne Kingdome with the subiection of the South-Saxons entred againe that Prouince and in Battell slew Duke Berthun harrying the Country miserably before him Which State vnable to withstand the West-Saxons puissance was by Iue the next King succeeding made a subiected Prouince their Gouernment thence forward resting vnder his Successors after it had stood one hundred and thirteene yeeres and ended in the yeere of Christ 601. by ordinary computation But whosoeuer shall compare the times of the foresaid Kings Wulpherus and Athelwold together will easily finde that it is not easie to finde the certaine concurrence of times in affaires so clouded in obscuritie and so farre remote from our preseut times THE KINGDOME OF THE VVEST-SAXONS THE CIRCVIT THEREOF AND SVCCESSION OF THEIR KINGS VNTO EGBERT WITH THEIR ISSVES AND RAIGNES CHAPTER VII THe Kingdome of the West-Saxons though in time later then the two former yet in circuit and fame surmounted them both whose Monarch was the Maull that first brake the Scepters of the other six Kingdoms in sunder and made one Crowne of these their seuerall Diadems more glorious then they all and that first worne vpon Egbert the West-Saxons heads and the Scepter swaied in his Imperiall hand vntill whose time and person wee will continue the succession of their Kings beginning with Cherdik that first made it a Kingdome and briefly shew their Acts whilest it so stood in the Saxons Heptarchie THis Cherdik is said to haue brought a second supply of Saxâ—…s forces into Britaine in the yeere of our Lord 495. and fifth of the Monarchy of King Ella his landing being at a place on that occasion called Chederik-shore who with his sonne Kenrik was encountred by the Britaines vnder the conduct of Natanleod a British Prince whose Country was then called after his name whom he slew in Battell with fiue thousand more of his Britaines the fortune of which field gaue resolutions and hopes of better successe it was fought neere vnto a Brooke vpon that euent called Cherdiks-ford now by contraction Chard-ford Heereupon establishing his new erected Kingdome which contained Cornwal Deuonshire Dorsetshire Somersetshire Wiltshire Hantshire and Barkshire he inlarged the same with the conquest of the I le of Wight the gouernment whereof was by him giuen to Stuffe and Withgar his Nephewes which later slew the Britaines there inhabiting and named the place of his victory Withgarbirg assuming the name of King and was buried at his Citie Withgar in the same I le About seuen yeeres after Cherdiks entrance Porth a Saxon with his two Sonnes Megla and Beda landed in the West at the place from him called Portesmouth whose aid with Kent and Sussex assisted Cherdik in his Conquests His raigne is set to be thirty three yeeres and his death in the yeere of grace fiue hundred thirtie fiue hauing had two sonnes Kenrik and Chelwolf the one of which died before his Father and the other succeeded him in his Kingdome Chelwolf had issue Cuthgils whose sonne was Kenfridd and his sonne Kensy the Father of King Eskwin who was the Successor of King Kenwalk and predecessor of King Kentwin in the Kingdome of the West-Saxons KEnrik the eldest Sonne of King Cherdik hauing formerly made proofe of his prowesse in the assistance of his Father was after his death also verie fortunate in obtaining two victories ouer the Britaines the one at Searesberige and the other at Beranbrig whose raigne beginning Anno 534. continued twenty six yeers ending in the yeere of our Redemption fiue hundred sixty He had issue three Sonnes of which Cheaulin the eldest succeeded him in his kingdome Cuthwolfe the second assisted his Brother in his Warres and was partaker with him of his victories who died Anno 672. leauing issue one onely Sonne named Chell or Cearlike who proued nothing so vertuous and dutifull a subiect as his Father had beene for he rose in rebellion against his Vncle and by strong hand expelled him his kingdome The third Sonne of King Kenrik was Cuth famous in his issue though mentionlesse for action in himselfe for hee had three sonnes of which Chelwolf the eldest was King of the West Saxons as shal be declared Chell the second was father to Kingils the sixt and first Christian King of the West Saxons and Grandfather to Kenwall and Kenwin the seuenth and ninth Kings of that Kingdome and Ched the yongest was father of Kenbert Grandfather to Chedwall the most renowned King of the West Saxons of whom we are presentlie to speake and of them all in the succession of thâ—… English Saxons Monarchs and now to returne againe to the issue of King Kenrik CHeaulin his first sonne entred vpon the gouernement ouer the West-Saxons Anno 561. and euen at the first began to disturbe the quiet peace of his neighbour Prouinces taking aduantage at the young yeeres of Ethelbert who was made King of
Kent in the same yeere that Cheaulin was whom he discomfited and slew his two Captaines Duke Oslaue and Duke Cnebba at * Wibbandune as we haue said Other Victories he obtained ouer the Britaines both at Bedford Deorham Glocester Cirencester and Bathancester But the fortunes of warres being alwaies variable at length his successe altered and at VVannes ditche in VViltshire he was ouerthrowne and dispossessed of his kingdome by Cealrik his brother Cuthwolfs sonne when he had raigned thirty three yeeres Hee had issue Cuth and Cuthwin the former serued valiantly in the warres vnder his father at Wimbledon in Surrey where King Ethelbert of Kent was chased and his souldiers slaine and with the like valour and victorie hee fought at Fethanleygh against the Britaines notwithstanding that therein he lost his life the yeere of our Lord 585. and the fiue and twentieth of his fathers raigne Cuthwin his younger brother suruiued his father but succeeded not in his Kingdome being then by reason of his young yeeres vnable to recouer his right He had two sonnes Kenbald and Cuth the latter of which was father to Chelwald whose son Kenred had issue Ine the eleuenth King of the West-Saxons and Ingils his brother whose sonne was Eoppa the father of Easa whose sonne was Alkenmud the father of Egbert the eighteenth King of the West-Saxons who reduced the Saxons diuided Heptarchie into an absolute Monarchie CEarlik the sonne of Cuthwolfe who was brother to this last King succeeded in the kingdome by the eiection of his Vncle and was the fourth King of the West-Saxons He began his raigne in the yeere of our Redemption 592. and continued it the terme of six yeeres without any memorable act by him atchieued besides his Treason spoken of before CHelwolfe the sonne of Cuth the sonne of Kenrik and Cosen-german to Cearlik the preceding King began his raigne ouer the West-Saxons the yeere 598. on whose first entrance this prouince of the West-Saxons was inuaded both by the Britaines and also by the Scots and Picts and the East-Angles likewise molested his peace vnder the conduct of Redwald at that time Monarch of the Englishmen But hee wading thorow these troubles harried the Prouince of the South-Saxons with inuasions and calamities in the prosecution whereof he died leauing the pursuit of his warres and possession of his kingdome to Kingils his Nephew that immediately succeeded him after he had raigned the space of fourteene yeeres KIngils the Sonne of Chel who was Brother to King Chelwolfe succeeding his Vncle in the kingdome of the VVest-Saxons in the yeere six hundred and twelue in his third yeere associated vnto him in his Gouernment Quinchelme his Sonne who ioyntly managed the West-Saxons affaires both of warre and peace And fighting with victorie against the Britaines at Beandune they there slew of them one thousand forty six persons and after that against Penda King of Mercia neere vnto Cirencester about the fift yeere of his raigne where lastly they came to a conclusion of peace This King at the preaching of Berinus an Italian Diuine afterward reputed for a Saint and by the perswasions of Oswald the most Christian King of Northumberland who was a suiter to become his Son in Law by the mariage of Kineburg his daughter and was made his Godfather by receiuing him at the Font receiued the Word of Life and became the first Christian King of all the West-Saxons in witnesse whereof he gaue the City Dorchester neere vnto Oxford to his Conuerter who therein erected his Episcopall Sea He raigned the space of thirty one yeeres some say but seuen and twenty and had issue besides Quinchelinus who raigned with him and died before him Kenwin and Kenwald that succeeded him and Kineburg his Daughter married to Oswald as is said Quinchelinus had a Sonne named Cuthred that was baptized with his Father at Dorchester and is said by Stowe to haue raigned after the death of Kingils but I take it rather to be Kenwen whom some suppose to be his Fathers Associate the terme of foure yeeres but neuer sole King himselfe KEnwald whom Beda calleth Senwalch succeded his Father Kingils in the kingdome of the West-Saxons His beginnings by Matthew of VVestminster are compared to be with the worst and his endings with the best of those Kings At his first entrance he fought with victorie against the Britaines at 〈◊〉 whereof he became most insolent and refused not onely to receiue the Christian Faith but also put from him his lawfull wife Sexburg the sister of Penda King of Mercia whereby hee became hatefull to his owne Subiects and sore assaulted by the Mercian King who followed the reuenge so farre that he forced Kenwald out of his kingdome who being driuen to extremity sought succour at the mercie of Anna the Christian King of the East-Angles where he was both courteouslie entertained and at last wonne to the Christian Faith was baptized by Bishop Foelix whereupon hee did recall his wife according to prescript of Christianitie and recouered againe his former Maiestie which he much aduanced by his pious workes He founded the Cathedrall of Winchester and the Abby of Malmesburie and when he had raigned thirty one yeeres gaue place vnto nature in the yeere 673. leauing no issue of his body to succeede him whereupon Segburg his wife tooke vpon her the gouernment of the West-Saxons the same yeere that Lothair was made King of Kent shee being a woman of great spirit and vnderstanding and sufficiently worthy to haue managed the Kingdome had she not beene preuented by death or rather as some write by a religious deuotion that the affaires of this present life might not hinder her zealous meditations of the future in desire whereof she abandoned her Regencie and built a house of deuotion in the I le of Shepey wherein her selfe became a Vowesse and afterward was elected the Abbesse of Elie. ESkwin after the departure of Queene Segburg succeeded in the kingdome of the West-Saxons Hee was the sonne of Kensy the sonne of Kenfrid the sonne of Cuthgils the sonne of Chelwolfe the sonne of Cherdik the first King of that Prouince his raigne lasted but two yeeres in which time he fought a great Battle with Wulfere King of the Mercians at the place then called Bidanheaford and wherein many of the Saxons on both sides perished leauing neither issue to succeede him nor other matters to be spoken of him though as it seemeth hee had dispossessed Kenwin who had more right to the Crowne then himselfe or as Beda and Malmesbury auerre he raigned with him the space of two yeeres and Kenwin alone for seuen yeeres more KEnwin the brother of Kenwald and sonne to King Kingils in the yeere 677. became the ninth King of the West-Saxons and raigned the space of nine yeeres Hee was a great scourge vnto the weake and ouer-borne Britaines making Conquests of their
raigned thirty seuen yeeres and odde moneths and professing a voluntarie pouertie so great was the zeale and so little the knowledge of that age went to Rome where in the habit of a Religious Man he ended his life in poore estate and Ethelburga his wife became a vailed Nunne and was made Abbesse of Barking neere London wherein she ended her life The brethren of this Inas were Kenten whose sonne was Aldelme Abbat of Malmesbury and Bishop of Sherborne and Ingils that was the progenitour of Egbert the first Saxon Monarch of the whole Iland and his sister Cuthburga maried into Northumberland sued a diuorce against Osrick her King and husband and in the habit of a Nunne ended her daies at Winburne in the Countie of Dorset EThelard the kinsman of King Ina whom he ordained his successour at his departure to Rome was the sonne of Oswald and he of Ethelbald the sonne of Kenbald the brother of Cuth and both of them the sonnes of Cuthwin the sonne of Cheaulin the sonne of King Kenrik the sonne of Cherdik the first West-Saxon King He began his raigne the same yeere that King Edbert did his ouer the Kingdome of Kent and with him was terrified by the dreadfull appearance of two Blazing Starres of whose Acts no other mention is recorded sauing that at his entrance into regall estate Oswald a Norman of the West-Saxons bloud emulated his glorie and troubled the quiet peace of his prosperous beginning but not able to winne fortune to fauour his proceedings he quite abandoned his natiue Country and so left Ethelard to rule the Kingdome in peace who therein quietly raigned the space of foureteene yeeres without any mention of wife or issue CVthred cosen to King Ethelard succeeded him in his Dominions and was much disquieted by Edilbald King of Mercia both by open warre and priuie practises but these two Kings comming to a conclusion of peace ioined both their Powers against the ouer-borne Britains and in a bloudy battle gaue them a great ouerthrow In this time saith Beda the bodies of the dead were permitted to bee buried within the walles of their Cities which thing before was not lawfull but their corps were interred without in the Fields many of whose Tombes as yet are witnesses to vs that daily finde them in the digging of the grounds adioining and reserue them for sight or other necessarie vse The peace of this King was molested by his owne subiect an Earle named Adelme who boldly encountred his Soueraigne in Battle and fought it out euen to the point of victorie but failing thereof and forced to flie his life was pardoned And hee made Generall against the Mercian Edilbald Cuthreds ancient foe wherein by his valiant prowesse with the flight and discomfiture of the Enemie hee made a worthie amends for guerdon of his life and was euer after held in great fauour and honour This King raigned in great fame and victories the space of fourteene yeers and died in the yeere of our Lords Passion 753. Hee had issue one onely son whose name was Kenrik a valiant young Prince who in the ninth yeere of his Fathers raigne was seditiously slaine in his Armie for bearing himselfe as it may seeme ouer-rigorous towards the Souldiers SIgebert obtaining the Principalitie of the West-Saxons raigned therein no long time and that without all honour or fame His parentage is obscure and vnknowne but his vices are made apparant and manifest for hee wallowing in all sensuall pleasures added exactions and cruelties vpon his Subiects setting aside all lawes and rules of true pietie from which vicious life when hee was louingly admonished by his most faithfull Counsellor a worthy Earle called Cumbra so farre was his minde from abandoning his impious courses as that he caused this Noble Personage to be cruelly slaine whereupon the rest of the Peeres seeing their State and liues were euery day in danger and the common subiects whose Lawes were thus violated being incensed into furie they rebelliously rose vp in Armes against him and would acknowledge him no longer their Soueraigne Sigebert by nature as fearefull as he was audacious vnto vice fledde into the woods as his only safeguard where like a forlorne person he wandred in the day and in caues and dennes lodged in the night till lastly he was met with by a Swine-heard that was seruant to Cumbra and of him knowne to be Sigebert was presently slaine in reuenge of his masters death in the wood that was then called Andreads Wald when hee had raigned not fully two yeeres KEnwulfe sprung from the bloud-Royall of the West Saxons after the death of wicked Sigebert was made King of that Prouince and appeasing some tumults that were stirred for Sigebert obtained many victories against the ouermastred Britaines but had not the like successe against Offa King of the Mercians who at Bensington gaue him a great ouerthrow He founded the Cathedrall Church of S. Andrewes at Wels which afterwards was an Episcopall See and in great honour raigned for the space of twenty foure yeeres but then Fourtune turning her face away from him the rest of his raigne did not sute to that which was spent for he giuing himselfe to pleasure and securitie banished Kineard the brother of his Predecessor Sigebert who dissembling his wrong gaue place vnto time and occasion being offered made his vse thereof For Kenwulfe comming to Merton to visit his Paramore was there set vpon and slaine and his body conueied and buried at Winchester after hee had raigned twenty nine yeeres leauing no memoriall either of Wife or Children BRithie lineally descended from Cherdik the first King of the West-Saxons a man of a soft and quiet disposition succeeded Kenwulfe in that Principalitie in the yeere of Christs Incarnation 784. He married Ethelburga the daughter of great Offa the Mercian King by whose power he expelled Egbert that ruled a Lordship in his Prouince vnder him whose fame increasing through his feates of warres draue many icalousies into King Brithries head and the more by the instigation of Ethelburga his Queene who bearing her selfe great because of her parentage practised the downfall and destruction of them whom she hated and by her suggestions this Egbert was banished on suspicion of conspiracie It afterward chanced that shee preparing poison to make an end of one of the Kings Minions wrought thereby though vnwittingly the Kings death for he by tasting the confection ended his life after hee had raigned the space of sixteene yeeres Wherein she fearing the iust reuenge of his subiects fled into France by Charles then King was so courteously entertained as that for her great beauty there was offered her the choice of him or his sonne But she in her youthfull and lustfull humor choosing the sonne was debarred from both and thrust into a Monastery in the habit not the affection of a Nunne where not long after
Redwald King of the East-Angles who in his quarrel forthwith assembled his forces and meeting Ethelfrid in the field slew him neere the Riuer Idle after hee had raigned twenty three yeeres in the yeere of Christ his Incarnation 617. He had issue by his Wife Acca the daughter of Ella Eanfrith King of Bernicia Oslafe and Oswald King of Northumberland Oslake and Offa with two Daughters canonized for Saints Oswith and Ebba the Nunne as also by his Concubine Oswy the tenth Monarch of the Englishmen EDwine thus raised by the helpe of King Redwald returned to his Country and was of the Inhabitants made King of Northumberland and afterward Monarch of the Englishmen as in their succession shall be declared Beda somewhat too much addicted to fabulous miracles of him reporteth this storie That whilest hee lay banished in King Redwalds Court Ethelfrid instigated his receiuer by promises to take away his life or if he refused threatned him warres for feare whereof Redwald partly inclining to this wicked purpose reuealed the same to the Queene his wife which a friend of Edwins hearing told him of his danger and wished him to flie Edwine thus perplexed with troubled thoughts in the dead of the night sate solitary vnder a tree in dumps musing what was best to be done to suspect and flie from Redwald that had honoured him so much he held it a wrong and to thinke himselfe safe in other Prouinces against so powerfull pursuers he thought it was vaine Thus distracted in casting what way might be safest suddenly approched a man vnto him vtterly vnknowne who after salutation demanded the cause why hee sate at so vnseasonable a time in so vncouth a place and pensiue manner Edwine thinking him to be his deaths-man resolutely answered It nothing concerned him at all either to aske or to know his estate Oh Edwine said he thinke not but that I know thy sorrow and the cause of thy sitting thus vpon that stone thy death is pretended and euen at hand but what wouldest thou giue to rid thee of that danger and to make King Redwald thy assured preseruer Any thing quoth Edwine which is in my power But what shall be his reward said the other that shall set thee vpon the throne of thy Kingdome and that with such glory as none of thy Progenitors euer attained vnto I would bee thankfull to that man said Edwine in all things and at all times as reason required and of right I ought But tell me Edwine said he what if the same man shew thee a more safe way to preserue the life of thy soule then either thou at this present knowest or any of thy Parents euer heard of wilt thou consent and imbrace his counsell Yea said Edwine God forbid that I should not bee ruled by him that thus should free me from this present danger set me vpon the throne of a Kingdome and after these great fauours should also teach mee the way to an eternall life Vpon this answere laying his right hand on Edwines head he said vnto him When these things shall in order come to passe then call to minde this time and what thou hast promised and so vanished from his presence The young Prince thus left betwixt hope and despaire his friend that had forewarned him of his death came hastily to him with a more cheerfull countenance Come in Edwine quoth he and surcease thy cares for the Queene hath not onely changed Redwalds mind to saue thy life but he also hath granted to maintaine thy right against Ethelfrid thine enemy Which shortly he did and slew him as we haue said Edwine thus placed vpon the Princely Throne his first Wife Queenburg being dead in his exile receiued in marriage Ethelburga surnamed Tace a fit name for a woman the Daughter of King Ethelbert and Sister to Edbald King of Kent a most chaste and vertuous Christian Lady whose teacher was Paulinus and both of them Gods instruments for the Conuersion of the Northumbrians to the imbracement of Christian Religion But because we shall haue occasion to speake of this Edwine as he was Monarch of the Englishmen we will reserue his Acts Issues and Raigne to bee further related in the course of his Succession Hee was slaine in battell against Cadwall King of the Britaines and Penda King of the Mercians when he had prosperously raigned seuenteene yeeres the twelfth of October Anno 633. and was buried in Saint Peters Church at Streanshall after called Whitby Vpon whose death the Kingdome of Northumberland was againe diuided OSricke the Sonne of Alfrid Edwines Vncle succeeding in the Prouince of Deira and Fanfrith the Sonne of Ethelfrid the Wilde in the Prouince of the Bernicians these with the rest of Ethelfrids Children for the continuance of Edwins Raigne had in banishment beene preserued among the Scots and Red-shanks and there had receiued the Sacrament of Baptisme but after the death of their Enemie these Princes returned to their owne Country and former superstitions renouncing againe the profession of Christ. Yet this their Apostasie saith Beda remained not long vnpunished For Cadwallader King of the Britaines with wicked force but with worthy vengeance slew them both the next Sommer ensuing Osrike vnprepared and his whole Army penned in the Suburbs of their owne Citie he miserably slew and possessing the Prouince of the Northumbrians not as a King or Conqueror but rather like an outragious Tyrant destroied and rent in tragicall manner all things before him Eanfrith vnaduisedly with twelue chosen persons comming to Cadwallader to intreat vpon peace were cruelly put to death This yeere saith he continueth vnhappy and hatefull euen vnto this day as well for the Apostasie of these English Kings as also for the Britain Kings furious tyranny Wherefore the Historiographers of that time haue thought it best that the memory of these Apostate Kings being vtterly forgotten the selfe-same yeere should be assigned to the Raigne of the next following King Oswald a man dearely beloued of God OSwald the sonne of Wild Ethelfrid and brother to King Eanfrith beganne his raigne ouer the Northumbrians Anno 634. hauing first embraced Christianitie and receiued Baptisme in Scotland wherein hee was secured all the raigne of King Edwin and had withall learned some experience in warre Hee comming vnlooked for with a small Armie but fensed saith Beda with the Faith of Christ obtained against Cedwald King of the Britaine 's a great victorie the manner whereof with his other acts atchieued wee will further declare in his succession among the Monarkes of the English-men whereof hee was the ninth from Hengist He sent for Aidan a Scotish Diuine to teach his people the Doctrine of Christ inlarged his Kingdome and reconciled the Deirians and Bernicians who were at mortall enmitie He was slaine and cruelly rent in peeces by the vnmercifull Pagan Penda
the Mercian at Oswaldstree in Shrop-shire quinto Augusti the yeere of our Lord 642. when hee had raigned nine yeeres and was buried at Bradney in Lincolne-shire His wife was Kineburg the daughter of Kingils King of the West-Saxons and his sonne Ethelwald young at his death and therefore defeated of his Kingdome by Oswy his Vncle the Naturall Sonne of King Ethelfrid the Wild. Notwithstanding when Oswin King of Deira was murdered by this Oswy of Bernitia and he not past sixteene yeeres of age entred by force vpon Deira and kept the same Prouince by strong hand so long as hee liued and dying left it to his cosen Alkfrid the Naturall Sonne of the said King Oswy OSwy the illegitimate sonne of Ethelfrid the Wild at thirty yeeres of age succeeded King Oswald his brother in the Kingdome of the Bernicians at whose entrance Oswyne the sonne of Osrik that had denied the Faith and was slaine of King Cedwall raigned in Deira This Oswyne was slaine by King Oswye after whose death seizing all Northumberland he spread his terrour further into other parts and was the tenth Monarch of the Englishmen as in his succession we will further speake His wife was Eanfled daughter to Edwine King of Northumberland by whom he had many children His raigne was 28. yeeres and death the fifteenth day of Februarie in the yeere of grace 670. and of his age 58. EGfrid the eldest sonne of King Oswy by Queene Eanfled had beene Hostage in the Kingdome of Mercia and after his father was made King of Northumberland in the yeere of Christ 671. Hee warred but with great losse against Edilred King of Mercia neere vnto the Riuer of Trent wherein his younger brother Elswyne was vnfortunately slaine to the great griefe of both the Kings the one being his owne brother and the other his brother in law by mariage whereupon a peace and reconciliation was made But Egfred being by nature of a disquiet disposition inuaded the Irish and destroied those harmelesse and silly people which as Beda saith had beene great friends to the English Their resistance consisted chiefly in curses and imprecations for reuenge which though they could not open heauen yet saith hee it is to be beleeued that for their cause he was cut off the next yeere ensuing by the Picts or Red-shankes against whom he prepared contrary to the aduice of his Counsell and by them was slaine among the strait and waste mountaines 20. Maij the yeere of mans felicitie 685. and of his age fortie after hee had raigned fifteene yeeres His wife was Etheldred the daughter of Anna King of the East-Angles shee was both Widow and Virgin first maried to Tonbert a Noble man that ruled the Giruij a people inhabiting the Fenny Countries of Norfolke Lincolne Huntington and Cambridge-shires and after him also in virginitie continued twelue yeeres with her husband King Egfrid contrarie to his minde and the Apostles precept that forbiddeth such defrauding either in man or woman except it be with consent for a time and to the preparatiō of praier affirming elswhere that Mariage is honourable and the bed thereof vndefiled wherein the woman doth redeeme her transgression through faith loue holinesse and modestie by beating of children This notwithstanding she obtained licence to depart his Court and got her to Coldingham Abby where shee was professed a Nunne vnder Ebba the daughter of King Ethelfrid Then went shee to Ely and new built a Monasterie whereof shee was made Abbesse and wherein with great reuerence shee was intombed whose vertues and remembrance remained to posterities by the name of S. Andrie she being canonized among the Catalogue of English Saints ALkfryd the illegitimate sonne of King Oswy in the raigne of his halfe-brother King Egfrid whether willingly or by violence constrained liued like a banished man in Ireland where applying himselfe to studie hee became an excellent Philosopher and as Beda saith was very conuersant and learned in the Holy Scriptures and therefore was made King ouer the Northumbrians where with great wisdome though not with so large bounds as others had enioied hee worthily did recouer the decaied estate of that Prouince ruling the same twenty yeeres and odde moneths and departed this life Anno 705. His Wife was Kenburg the daughter of Penda King of the Mercians and by her he had issue only one sonne that succeeded him in his Kingdome OSred a child of eight yeeres in age for the hopes conceiued from the vertues of his father was made King ouer the Northumbrians whose steps hee no wayes trod in but rather in filthy abuse of his person and place wallowed in all voluptuous pleasures and sensuall delight violating the bodies of vailed Nunnes and other religious holy women wherein when he had spent eleuen yeeres more to his age his kinsmen Kenred and Osrick conspired against him and in battle by his slaughter made an end of his impious life His wife was Cuthburga the sister of Inas King of the West-Saxons as by the time may bee gathered from the computation of Marianus and the Annales of the English-Saxons who vpon a loathing wearinesse of wedlocke sued out a diuorce from her husband and built a Nunnery at Winburne in Dorset-shire where in a religious habit shee ended her life and hee by Kenred and Osricke leauing his Kingdome to them that wrought his death KEnred the sonne of Cuthwyne whose father was Leolwald the sonne of Egwald and his father Adelm the sonne of Oga the naturall sonne of Ida the first King of Deira after the death of Osred raigned two yeeres no other remembrance left of him besides the murder of his Soueraigne Lord and King OSrick after the death of Kenred obtained the Kingdome of Northumberland and raigned therin the space of eleuen yeeres leauing to the world his name stained with bloud in the murder of young Osred no other mention of parentage wife or issue of him remaining for want whereof hee adopted Ceolnulph brother to his predecessor Kenred and died vnlamented the yeere of Grace seuen hundred twentie nine CEolnulph the brother of Kenred after the death of King Osrike was made King of the Northumbrians which Prouince hee gouerned with great peace and victorie the space of eight yeeres but then forsaking the Royall Estate and Robes of Maiestie put on the habit of a Monke in the I le of Lindesferne or Holy Iland These were the daies saith Beda wherein the acceptable time of peace and quietnesse was embraced among the Northumbrians who now laid their armour aside and applied themselues to the reading of holy Scriptures more desirous to be professed in religious houses then to exercise feats of warre or of Armes For not only Priests and Lay men vowed and performed Pilgrimages to Rome but Kings Queenes and Bishops also did the like
so great so blinde I might say a deuotion was in their hearts and so holy a reuerence held they of the place Vnto this King Ceolnulph the said Venerable Beda a Priest in the Monasterie of Peter and Paul at Werimouth neere vnto Durham a great Clerke and Writer of the English Historie dedicated the same his Worke which he continued till the yeere seuen hundred thirty one and from the first entrance of the Saxons containing 285. yeeres according to his owne account EGbert the sonne of Eata who was brother to King Kenred succeeded his vncle Ceolnulph in the Kingdome of Northumberland and ruled the same with the like peace and pietie the time of twenty yeeres and then following his example also forsooke the world and shore himselfe a Monke as diuers other Kings in those daies had done whereof Simon Dunelmensis writeth and noteth their number to bee eight as Inas King of the West-Saxons Ethelred and Kenred Kings of Mercia Sigebert King of the East-Angles Sebbi and Off a Kings of the East-Saxons and Ceolnulph and this Egbert Kings of the Northumbrians These forsaking the world as they tooke it left the Charge that God vpon them had imposed whose authoritie in earth they swaied and wherein they might much more haue aduanced Gods glory and Christs Gospel then for a more easie and priuate life not warranted by his word but rather disliked and perhaps foreshewed by those heauenly creatures the Sunne and Moone which in those daies were fearefully darkned and for a time seemed to haue lost their light for Anno 733. 18. Calend. Septemb. the Sunne suffred so great an Eclipse that the earth seemed to bee ouer-shadowed as with sack-cloth And Anno 756. 8. Calend. Decemb. the Moone being in her full appeared both darke and bloudy for a Starre though there be none lower then the Moone seemed to follow her and to depriue her of light but passing before her shee againe recouered her former brightnesse This King Egbert had a brother that bore the same name and was installed Arch-bishop of Yorke where he erected a beautifull Librarie a worke well befitting a Noble Prelate and plentifully stored it with an infinite number of learned bookes His sonne was Oswulph that succeeded in the Kingdome OSwulph when his father Egbert had put off the Robes of Maiestie and clad himselfe with a Monkes Cowle ascended the Throne of Northumberland and sa◅e therein only one yeere for before hee had made attempt of any memorable act he was traiterously murdered by his own seruants at Mikilwongton the ninth Kalends of August leauing the Crown vndisposed of vntill the Nones of the same moneth in the next yeere EDitwald or Mollo was then made King of Northumberland and with great valiancie defended his Subiects Some say that at the end of six yeeres hee resigned his gouernment yet others affirme his raign to be eleuen yeeres and lastly that hee was slaine by Alured his Successour ALured the murderer of his Lord and Master beganne his raigne ouer the kingdome of Northumberland the yeere of Christs Incarnation seuen hundred sixty fiue and continued the same with such dislikes that hee lastly was expelled out of the Prouince by his own subiects enforced to abandon the same He was the son of Ta◅win the son of Bie◅hom the son of Bofae the son of Ailrick the naturall son of Ida the first King of Bernicia And the sonnes of this Alured were Osred afterwards King of Northumberland and Alhnud slaine by the Danes and canonized a Saint EThelred the sonne of Mollo was aduanced to the Regiment of Northumberland and in the fifth yeere of his raigne was driuen out of the same by Edelbald and Herebert two Dukes that warred against him who hauing discomfited and slaine his Generall and souldiers in a fierce battel so weakened the hopes of King Ethelred that he fled his Country and left the Kingdome in a miserable estate through the dissensions of those ambitious Princes ALfwald the brother of the foresaid King Alered aspiring to the Soueraignty of the Northumbrians ruled the same in great Iustice to his worthy commendations notwithstanding the wickednes of his people was such that without all guilt he was traiterously murthered by the conspiracie of Siga 23. Sept. the yeere of Christs Incarnation seuen hundred eightie eight after he had raigned eleuen yeeres and his body buried at Hexhaem His sonnes were Alfus and Alfwin both slaine by King Ethelred OSred the sonne of King Alured tooke vpon him the Rule of Northumberland the yeere of grace seuen hundred eightie nine and the same yeere finished his gouernment thereof being expelled by his subiects and depriued of all kingly authority EThelred the sonne of Mollo reuoked from exile wherein he had liued the space of twelue yeeres was againe restored to the Crowne but he minding the iniuries that his Lords had formerly done him sought the reuenge by their deaths as also to establish his Throne the surer slew Alfus and Alfwin the sons of Alfwald as wee haue said the right heires to the Crowne and inticing Osred the former deposed King into his danger commanded him to be put to death at Cu◅burge the fourteenth of September and yeere of Christ seuen hundred ninety two And to strengthen himselfe the more against all his opposites the same yeere he married Lady Elfled the second Daughter to great Off a King of Mercia forsaking his former Wife without any iust cause giuen on her part These things sate so neere the hearts of his subiects that after seuen yeeres from his second establishment they rebelliously rose in Armes and at Cobre miserably slew him the eighteenth day of Aprill the yeere of Christ Iesus 794. AFter whose death the Northumbrians were sore molested with many intruders or rather Tyrants that banded for the soueraignty the space of thirty yeeres The first whereof was Oswald that held the title of King only twenty eight daies then was forced to saue his life by flight vnto the King of the Picts Next Ard◅lfe a Duke reuoked from exile then Alfwold E◅red Ethelred Readulph Osbert and Elle slaine by the Danes in Yorke at a place frō Elle his slaughter called to this day Elle-Crofte and the Kingdome yeelded to the protection of Egbert King of the West-Saxons who was now become Englands first absolute Monarch as holding all the rest of the Kings no longer for his Associates but his subiects in the yeere nine hundred twentie six after it had stood in forme of a Kingdome three hundred seuenty nine yeeres and was made a Prouince and ioined with the rest vnto the English Monarchie THE CIRCVIT AND SVCCESSORS OF THE MERCIAN KINGDOME VNTILL IT WAS SVBIECTED TO THE WEST-SAXONS CHAPTER X. THis Kingdome of Mercia contained more Counties and the skirts of that royall Tent were spread with a wider compasse then any
of the rest in the Saxons Heptarchie for in the middest of the Iland this Kingdome was seated and from the verge of Northumberland touched some part of Middlesex which was the possession of the East-Saxons the North thereof was bounded with Humber and Mersey the East was inclosed with the German Ocean the West extended to Seuerne and Dee and the South part neerely touched the Riuer of Thames containing the Counties now known by these names of Cheshire Darby-shire Nottingham Stafford and Shrop-shire Northampton Leicester Lincolne Huntington and Rutland-shires Warwicke Worcester Oxford and Glocester-shires Buckingham Bedford and part of Hertford-shire The first raiser of that Title and name of a Kingdome was Crida the sonne of Kenwald who was the sonne of Cnebba the sonne of Ichell the sonne of Eomer the sonne of Engengeate the sonne of Offa the sonne of Weremund the sonne of Withleg the sonne of Waga the sonne of Wethelgeate the third of the fiue sonnes of Prince Woden This man without more fame of his further acts is said to haue raigned the space of ten yeeres and to haue died Anno 594. His issue was Wibba that succeeded him in his Kingdome and a daughter named Quenburge matched in mariage with Edwin afterwards King of Northumberland with whom she liued in the Court of King Redwald in the time of his troubles and died before him in that his banishment She bore him two sonnes Osfrid and Edfride as in the succession of Edwins Monarchy shall be shewed notwithstanding Beda reporteth this Quenburge to be daughter of Ceorle the third King of Mercia and grand-child to this first Crida VVIbba the sonne of King Crida not onely held what his Father had gotten but also inlarged his dominions by intrusion vpon the weake Britaines His issue was Penda Kenwalk and Eoppa all three Progenitors of Kings afterwards in that kingdome with a daughter named Sexburg married to Kenwald King of the West-Saxons whom he without iust cause diuorced from him for which cause great troubles afterwards ensued as in the raignes of those Kings wee haue said He in great honour raigned twenty yeeres and giuing place vnto nature left his kingdome to be inioied by another CEorl not the son but the Nephew of King Wibba succeeded in the dominions of the Mercians about the yeere of grace six hundreth and fourteenth He was sonne to Kinemund the brother of Wibba the younger sonne of King Crida who was the first King of that kingdome His raigne is set to be ten yeeres without mention either of Act or Issue PEnda the sonne of Wibba beganne his raigne ouer the Mercians the yeere of Christs Incarnation six hundred twenty six continued the same the space of thirty yeeres He was a man violent in action and mercilesse in condition cruell and vnsatiate of blood he shooke the Cities and disturbed the borders of the Saxon-Kings more then any other in that Heptarchy before him had done Against Kingils and Quincheline Kings together of the West-Saxons he ioined battell neere vnto the Citie Cirenchester where both the parties fought it out to the vtmost with the effusion of much Saxons bloud but those comming to concord he with Cadwallo King of the Britaines slew in battell Edwine and O◅wald Kings of Northumberland Sigebert Egfrid and Anna Kings of the East-Angles and forced Kenwald King of the West-Saxons out of his Country in quarrell of his Sister Of these his prosperities he became so proud that hee thought nothing impossible for his atchieuement and therefore threatning the destruction of the Northumbers prepared his Army for that expedition Oswy then raigning King of that Country proffered great summes of mony and most precious Iewels to purchase his peace which being refused and the battell ioined more by the hand of God then power of man this Tyrant was slaine and his whole Army discomfited His Wife was Kinswith and issue by her Peada who after him was King Vulfere and Ethelred both Monarchs of the English Merkthel a man famous for his great holinesse and Merwald that gouerned some part of Mercia whose Wife was Edburga the foundresse of Minster in Tanet and daughter to Egbert King of Kent by whom he had issue Meresin a man of noted deuotion Milbury and Mildgith both holy Virgins and Mildrith also Abbesse of Tanet all foure canonized for Saints The daughters of King Penda were Kineburg the Wife of Alkfrid King of Northumberland afterward a Votaresse in Kinesburg Abby and Kineswith who maried Offa King of the East-Angles and became also a Nunne with her sister Kineburgh PEada the sonne of King Penda in the daies of his father and with his permission had gouerned the middle part of Mercia and after his death by the gift of Oswy of Northumberland all the South of that kingdome from the Riuer Trent vpon cōposition to marrie his daughter and to imbrace Christianity which thing this Peada performed and was the first Christian King of the Mercians His Baptisme receiued to witnesse the first fruits of his profession hee laid the foundation of a faire Church at Medeshamsled now called Peterborrow but liued not to finish the same for that he was slaine by the treason of Alkfled his wife in the celebration of Easter as Beda saith hauing had no issue by her But Robert de Swapham an Author of good antiquity who saw the stones of that foundation to be so huge as that eight yoke of Oxen could hardly draw one of them saith that Peada was brought to his end by the practise of his Mother and not of his Wife as in these his words is manifest Peada saith he laid the foundation of a Monastery at Medeshamsted in the Giruians or Fen-Country which he could not finish for that by the wicked practise of his Mother hee was made away Whereby this blot is taken from this Christian Lady and brands the face of her that most deserueth it This King raigning as substitute to King Oswy of Northumberland aforesaid by some is not accounted for a Mercian King his regiment resting vnder the command of another VVlfhere the Brother of murthered Peada set vp by the Mercians against King Oswy prooued a Prince most valiant and fortunate For hee expelled the Northumbrians Lieutenants forth of those dominions fought victoriously against Kenwald King of the West-Saxons conquered the I le of Wight and attained to be sole Monarch of the Englishmen whereof more shall be said when wee come to the times and successions of their raignes This Vulfhere is said to raigne in great honour for seuenteene yeeres and his body to bee buried in the Monasterie of Peterborow which he had founded His Queene Ermenheld after his death became a Nunne at Ely vnder her Mother Sexburg and there died His children were Kenred Vulfald and Rufin with a daughter named Wereburg a Nunne in the Monastery of Ely EThelred
Woden His raigne is accounted only seuen yeeres without any mention of further matter worthy the recording and his death to haue hapned in the yeare fiue hundred eighty one TItulus the second King of the East-Angles and only sonne of Vffa that is read of beganne his raigne the yeere of Christs Incarnation fiue hundred eighty three continued the same for the space of twenty yeeres And although the Writers of these times haue made no further mention of his Acts yet may we well suppose that his daies were not altogether so quietly spent both in the infancy of that newly erected kingdom and when such wars were commenced for the obtaining the whole Iland His issue was Redwald that immediatly succeeded him from whom other Kings of that kingdom were lineally descēded REdwald the greatest of all the East-Angles Kings succeeded his father Titulus in the Dominions of the East-Angles and Ethelbert of Kent in the Monarchie of the Saxons He receiued and succoured in his Court Edwyne with his wife in their Exiles and assisted him against Ethelfrid King of Northumberland that sought his life as before wee haue shewed and hereafter in the succession of his Monarchy wee shal haue further occasion Hee raigned Monarch eight yeeres and King of the East-Angles thirty one by the account and computation of the Table annexed to Malmesbury and others of our English Writers and died the yeare of our Saluation six hundred twenty-three ERpenwald the younger sonne of King Redwald Reynhere his elder brother being slaine in battle by Ethelfred in the quarrell of distressed Edwine succeeded his Father in the Kingdom of the East-Angles the yeer of our Lord God six hundred twenty foure He was the first King of that Prouince that publikely professed the Christian Faith which hee receiued at the friendly motion and zealous exhortation of King Edwine of Northumberland but so much to the discontentment grudge of the people as thereupon they presently entred into conspiracy to practise his death which a Pagā Ruffian named Richebert not long after most traiterously executed His raigne is placed in the foresaid Table of our Writers as it is compared with the other Kings of those times to extend twelue yeeres after whose death those people returned to their wonted Idolatrie and for three yeeres continuance embraced their former Gentility from which they were reclaimed by Sigebert his brother in law who succeeded him in his Throne hee hauing no issue to whom it might be left SIgebert the sonne of the second wife to Redwald and by her born to a former husband whose name is vnknowne was greatly mistrusted by his Father in law King Redwald that he went about to aspire his Crowne the motiues of which suspition notwithstanding all the endeauours of innocent Sigebert were still followed with an enuious eye and his subiectiue semblances as notes of popularity were euer conceiued to aime at the supreme authority which blot of iealousie when it could no otherwise bee wiped out he abandoned the Court of the King and Country of his birth and in France as an exile al the time of Redwald the Father and likewise the raigne of Erpenwald the sonne spent his time in study of good Literature contemplatiue exercises where learning the truth of Christs Doctrine and hauing receiued the lauer of Baptisme after the death of this said Erpenwald his allied Brother returned and was made King of the East-Angles This man saith Beda following the examples of France brought the light of the Gospell into his Dominions and by the assistance of Felix Bishop of Dunwich for a more firme plantation thereof built a Schoole for the education of children appointing them Schoole-masters and Teachers after the maner of the Kentish-men who are * supposed to haue at that time the Liberall Sciences professed among them in their Metropolitane City Canterbury which was the paterne saith that Countries Perambulator that this Sigebert followed in the erection of his but whether at Cambridge or elsewhere hee leaueth for Doctor Caius of Cambridge and M. Key of Oxford to be disputed of And indeed Beda assigneth not the place for this foundation nor once nameth Cambridge vnlesse you will say that out of the ruines of Grantcester an ancient Citie decaied in his daies the same arose and whereof hee maketh mention in his fourth Booke vpon this occasion as followeth Queene Etheldred saith he that had been a Virgin wife to Egfrid King of Northumberland the tearme of twelue yeeres and Abbesse of Ely for seuen more for her reputed holinesse after her death and buriall was thought worthy by Queene Sexburg her sister who had beene wife to Ercombert King of Kent and succeeded her Abbesse in the same Monasterie to bee remooued out of her wooden Tombe meane place of buriall into the Church and richer Monument but for want of stone which was scarce in those parts certaine brethren were sent to find out some for that vse who comming to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a little City lest desolate and vninhabited found by the walles a Tomb of white marble verie faire and couered with a like stone This they thought to be found not without miracle and therefore most fit to intombe her corps which accordingly they did But that this had beene the place of Sigeberts Schoole hee mentioneth not But whether by him or no wee know it now the other Vniuersity of England a seed-plot of all diuine and humane Literature and one of those springs whence issue the wholesome waters that doe bedewe both the Church Common-wealth both famous for the Arts for Buildings and Reuenewes as their like is not to be found in Europe saith Peter Martyr and that most truely But to returne Sigebert being wearied with the waighty affairs of this world laid the burden thereof vpon Egricke his kinsman and shore himselfe a Monk in the Abby of Cumbreburge which himselfe had built wherein he liued vntill that wicked Penda the Mercian King with his heathenish cruelty molested the peace of the East-Angles who after long resistance finding themselues too weake besought Sigebert for the better incouragement of their souldiers to shew himselfe in field which when he refused by constraint saith Beda they drew him forth where in the midst of them hee was slaine in battle vsing no other weapon for defence sauing only a white wand when hee had raigned onely three yeeres and left no issue to suruiue him that is any where recorded EGricke cosin to King Sigebert and by him made King as wee haue said was sore molested by the continuall inuasions of Penda the cruell King of Mercia who lastlie in a set battle slew him with Sigebert about the yeere of Christ his incarnation sixe hūdred fifty two And when himself had raigned 4. yeers deceased without mentiō either of wife or child that is read
vomit and became worse then he was before for despising his first mariage he became enamored vpon the wife of his brothers sonne whiles he was liuing and after that he had kept her a certaine time murthered them both In these sinnes hee continued the terme of fiue yeeres and dying without issue left his Crowne to another By these reprehensions of Gyldas it should rather seeme that these Princes liued all together at one and the same time vnto whom hee spake personally and mouth to mouth which could not be if such successions and such yeeres had beene expired as heere is laid downe And therefore not without cause some haue affirmed that these Captaines vsurped authoritie together in diuers parts of the Iland and not successiuely one after another neither indeed as Kings but rather Tyrants polluted with these greeuous sinnes as you haue heard and are so termed by their own Historian that bringeth one more to tyrannize whom neither Monmouth nor hee of Westminster hath spoken of which is Cuneglasus whom hee calleth a Lion tawney Butcher a Beare a Contemner of Religion an Oppressour of the Clergie that fought against God with his many grecuous sinnes and warred vpon man with his martiall weapons Hee saith hee did put away his lawfull wife prouoked the godly with many iniuries was proudly conceited of his owne wisdome and set his whole hope in vncertaine riches If then the head was so sicke could the body be sound that as Beda saith were so set to breake all orders of truth and iustice that scant any token or remembrance thereof remained And for witnesse against them calleth their owne Historian Gyldas that accused them of many impieties and this not the least that those Britaines neglected the preaching of the Gospell to the Saxons For these sinnes assuredly God gaue their Land to another Nation and themselues to exile or to the swords of their enemies Howsoeuer some latter Britaine hath rather excused their sinnes by the ouer-rash zeale of Gyldas whom he tearmeth a Pulpit-Priest but no perfect Historian that beat down sinnes with an ouer-sharpe censure of the sinners as the maner of many Preachers is at this day But saith hee let the true renowne of the Britaine 's appeare to the world and surely so shall it doe for me And againe I returne to my intended purpose CARETICVS 10. CAreticus succeeded Malgo in the gouernment of Britaine as destitute of vertue and fluent in vice as any of these his preceding Kings for it is recorded that hee was a nourisher of dissensions and sowed ciuill warres among his subiects a sinne odible to God and Man and vnto the vnconstant Britaines gaue occasion of his hatred which when the Saxons perceiued was further instigated and with the assistance of Gurmund an Arch-pirate and Captaine of the Norwegians followed against the King who not able to resist them fled into the Towne of Chichester for safety but by the deuice of his pursuers certaine sparrowes being caught and fire fastned to their feet were let flie into the Towne where lighting vpon straw and other matter fit for flaming burnt in short space the whole Citie and Careticus flying beyond Seuerne secured himselfe among the Mountaines of Wales wherein he died after he had vnprosperously raigned three yeeres and from that time foorth saith Randulphus the Britaines lost their whole Kingdome in the East part of the Iland and were confined in the West by the Riuers Seuerne and Dee CADWAN 11. CAdwan after foure and twenty yeeres ciuill dissension maintained among the Britaines euer since they had forgone their Country and betaken themselues to those vast but securing Mountaines of a Ruler only of North-wales was made Gouernour of all those parts a man deseruing well before hee came to that estate and being risen maintained himselfe and subiects in great honour and peace His first affaires against the Saxons was to reuenge the deaths of his Britaines and harmelesse Monkes of Bangor slaine as we haue said by wild Ethelfrid the mighty King of Northumberland who in Field had assembled all their powers wherein the fatall end either of the Britaines or Northumbrians must needs haue ensued had not the quarrell beene staied by the mediation of friends These Kings then and there reconciled embraced peace with such true friendshippe that they continued amitie together so long as they liued Harding saith that this British King Cadwan honorably receiued and worthily cherished Acca whom this King Ethelfrid had put from his bed for the loue he bare vnto his Concubine but is deceiued in making her the mother of Edwin that was his sister and Cadwan to raigne but thirteen yeeres whereas others allot him two and twentie CADWALLO 12. CAdwallo or Cadwallin the sonne of Cadwan was made King ouer the Britaines the yeere of Christs Incarnation six hundred thirty fiue He warred most strongly against the Saxons and either by Conquest or Alliance ioined amitie with Penda the cruell King of the Mercians a Pagan Idolater himselfe by the report of Beda although a Christian in name and profession yet in minde and manners so rude and outragious that hee spared neither womens weaknesse nor childrens innocencie but put all to death with greeuous and bitter torments to fulfill his cruell and vnmercifull tyrannie wasting a long time and raging ouer the Prouinces purposed to exterminate out of the borders of Britanny the whole Nation of the English and to extinguish the very name of them Neither did he ought esteeme any reuerence or honour to the Christian Religion which those men embraced so that â—…en to this day saith he the Britaines custome is to set light by the Faith or Religion of the Englishmen neither will they communicate with them more then with Heathens or Pagans These two cruell Kings slew the most Christian Edwyn King of Northumberland with his sonne Prince Osfride in a great and bloudy battle at Hethfild the yeere of Christs incarnation six hundred thirty three and the yeere following with wicked force saith Beda but with worthy vengeance Cadwallo the Britaine slew Osrike and Eanfrid Kings of Deira and Bernicia that were become Apostataes from their Christian Faiths and that with crueltie and losse of the Saxons as their owne Historians held it fit neither to mention their names in their monethly Calendar nor register the yeere wherin they were slaine in account of their gouernment but assigned it vnto the raigne of their Successour King Oswald which was so obserued vnto his daies so terrible was this worthy Cadwallo and odious the remembrance of this vnfortunate Battle But this cursed Captaine saith he enioied not this felicitie long for the said Oswald to reuenge his brothers death came with a small power but strongly fensed in the faith of Christ and neere to the Riuer Denise gaue him battle wherein himselfe and late-victorious Host were all slain and confounded But we must rememher that Beda
was a Saxon in whose behalfe his penne hath somewhat passed the bounds of equitie if not veritie in charging this most valiant Conqueror with tyranny and his Martiall Sword with crueltie that was drawne and strucke in defence of his natiue Country wherein the Saxons claime stood only vpon vniust intrusion So likewise himselfe being a Monke and Priest hath euery where blamed the Britaines for dissenting from the Roman Church in celebration of Easter and other Ceremonies whereas in doctrine they were as sincere which is the true substance of the Gospell But the Britaines record that this valiant Cadwallâ—… died not in Heuenfeild neither by the hand of King Ofwald but that he raigned in great honour the space of eight and fortie yeeres and in peace died 22. of Nouember in the yeere of Christ Iesus six hundred seuentie seuen His body the Britaine 's buried in S. Martins Church in London neere Ludgate whose Image great and terrible triumphantly riding on horsebacke being artificially cast of Brasse they placed vpon the same West gate to the further feare and terror of the Saxons as Vortimer before had commanded his at Stonar But this relation as also that he married the sister of King Penda as my often named Manuscript reporteth I leaue to the best liking of my Reader About this time the most blasphemous doctrine of Mahomet began to infect all the Easterne World For although himselfe liued some nine yeeres before the gouernment of this Cadwallo yet presently after his death his doctrine was more publikely imbraced He was borne in Arabia of a poore and base stocke and being fatherlesse was sold for a bondslaue vnto an Ismaelite whose name was Abdemonaples a man of exceeding great riches and in great trade of merchandizing and Mahomet for his subtiltie in wit was his fit instrument and greatly in his fauor The Master dying left Mahomet his chiefe Factor who hauing great riches in his keeping married his Mistris and so became heire of all with whom consorted one Sergius a Monke which for heresie was fled into Arabia who instructed Mahomet in the heresie of the Nestorians and now for his wealth and Magicall Arts wherewith hee bewitched the minds of the people assumed to himselfe the name of the great Prophet of God and began to be famously published for the doctrine which he taught the which was none other but a confused Chaos of all the heresies that had been before him for with the Sabellians he denied the Trinitie with the Manichies he affirmed but two persons to bee in the Deity with Eunomius hee denied the equalitie of the Father and the Sonne and with Macedone taught that the Holy Ghost was a creature He borrowed of the Iewes Circumcision of the Nicholaitans pluralities of wiues and of the Gentiles much Superstition and more to cloake his diuellish inuented fantasies somewhat he tooke from the veritie of the Gospell Of these compounded he deuised a Law and wrote this his Religion in the booke called his Alcaron and those his Professors he named Saracens from Sara the wife of Abraham Hee died of the falling sicknesse which long time hee had dissembled saying forsooth after his trances that the Angell Gabriel had conference with him the brightnesse of whose glorie hee could not behold CADWALLADER 13. CAdwallader the sonne of Cadwallo and last King of the Britaines after the death of his Father succeeded him in his dominions and with great valour fought against the Saxons as hee of Monmouth affirmeth of whom heare him speake in his owne words Cadwalader saith he raigning victoriously the time of twelue yeeres fell lastly into a dangerous sicknesse with despaire of recouery and vnable to gouerne Much debate and strife arose among his great Lords and others of high estate insomuch that they warred each against others to the no small annoiance and detriment of the whole Country At which very time likewise so great a dearth of corne and victuall raigned that herbes and roots were the Commons chiefest sustenance whos 's third calamitie was mortalitie and pestilence raigning so sore and so suddenly that in their eating drinking walking and speaking they were surprised with death and in such number that the liuing were scarce able to bury the dead which miseries lasted no lesse then eleuen yeeres continuance whereby the Land became desolate and brought forth no fruit at all insomuch that the King and many of his Nobles were driuen to forsake their natiue Country and to seeke releefe in forraine parts Cadwallader repaired to the Court of Alan his cosen the King of Little Britaine in France where he was honourably receiued and maintained But now the Angeâ—… 〈◊〉 God sheathing his sword from slaughter and 〈◊〉 earth answering man againe with her former abundance those Saxons that were escaped sent for more of their Nation to their further supplie who replenished the Cities and manured the Countrey at this day called Lhoyger containing all the Land that lay on the East of Seuerne and Dee dispossessing the poore Britaines of their rightfull inheritance and diuiding their Lands vnto their owne vse Cadwallader hearing of their daily arriuage and their vniust intrusion vpon his home-bred subiects minded their redresse by his present returne and to that end had wrought King Alan for his succour assistance But see how it chanced He being now ready to imbarke his Host and to hoise vp his sailes for Britaine and in the silent night much spent in praier supplication that God would prosper with good successe these his great affaires behold an Angell appeared to him or at leastwise to his seeming he heard a voice that forbade him the enterprise declaring that it was not Gods will that hee should vndergoe that Voiage or that the Britaines should rule their Land any longer but contrariwise bade hie him to Rome and of Pope Sergius receiue the habit of Religion wherein hee should die and rest in peace This dreame for I hold it no other being told vnto Alan search was made into the Bookes of both the Merlines as also into the speech of the Eagle at Shaftesbury pronounced eight hundred and eighty yeeres before the birth of our Sauiour Christ if wee doe beleeue these to be true wherein it was prophecied forsooth that the Britaines should lose their Kingdome and that the same should be possessed of others vntill the time that the bones of Cadwallader should bee brought from Rome By such toies and illusions in those daies of darknesse the euer-erring minds of men were content to be lead for not onely Cadwallader a quiet and meeke-spirited man was possessed with this conceit that it came vnto him by a diuine prouidence but also King Alan perswaded him to obey his Oracle and thereupon preparing for his Pilgrimage gaue ouer his expedition for Britaine and left his distressed Subiects to bee ouer-runne by strangers and the Land to bee enioied by a forraine Nation and receiuing the habit of seeming Religion
suiter for Lady Ethelburg daughter to Ethelbert King of Kent deceased and sister to King Eadbald then raigning whose Ambassadours were answered that it was not lawfull for a Christian Virgin to bee espoused to a Pagan lest the faith and sacraments of the heauenly King should bee prophaned by the matching with that earthly King which knew not to worship God aright But Edwine hearing of the Virgins beautie integrity and pietie was so farre ouergone and rauished therewith that hee condescended shee should with her place retain her owne Christian Profession and enioy the Christian societie both of her men women Priests and seruants to bee her attendants in his Court These couenants thus confirmed the Lady accompanied with Paulinus the reuerend Bishop and an honourable retinue all of them Christian came to King Edwins Court and with great ioy shee was espoused his Queene 4 The greatnesse and prosperitie of this Northumbrian King was both feared by them a farre that raigned in no such power and beheld by his neerer with an enuious eie among whom Quinchelme that raigned with his father king ouer the West-Saxons sent a desperate Ruffin whose name was Eumerus to murder Edwin the next yeere of his mariage who repairing to his Court then resident neere the riuer Deruent at the place that is now called Aldeby in Yorkshire with a double-edged short sword the point thereof poisoned and girt vnder his garment vpon Easter day entred his Palace as an Ambassadour and with craftie speech reteined the Kings attention where getting occasion and stepping forward drew his sword which one Lilla the Kings seruant saw and wanting wherewith to defend his person put himselfe betwixt the King and the sword and thorow his bodie so slaine the same was so farre runne that it dangerously wounded the King with his point and with the same sword before he could be beaten down by the Guard slew another seruant whose name was Fordhere 5 It happened the same night being holy Easter Sunday that Queene Ethelburg was brought to bed of a daughter for ioy whereof and her safe deliuerance the King gaue thankes to his Idols which Bishop Paulinus then in presence greatly reproued and bade Edwin to giue thankes vnto God from whom only all goodnesse came and spake vnto him of our new birth in Christ at which conference the King much reioiced and promised that hee would euer after renounce all his Idols and worship that Christ whom he preached if that God would grant him his life and giue him victorie against that King who had sent this Manqueller to murder him in pledge wherof he assigned Paulinus to baptise his daughter the which vpon Whitsunday following was performed in her by the name of Eanfled and shee the first of the Northumbrians which receiued that Sacrament At which time also Edwin being recouered of his wound so lately receiued made an Armie and marched forth against the West-Saxons and in battle either slew or tooke prisoners al them that had conspired his death and as a victorious Conquerour returned to his Country 6 Where continuing in honour and his affaires prospering to his owne desires hee was yet in minde distracted and his thoughts continually perplexed what God he should worship The sanctitie of the Christians mooued him much and the ancient customes of his Ancestours sate neere his heart betwixt whom there seemed a combat in himselfe And in these dumps sitting one day alone it chanced Bishop Paulinus to haue accesse to his presence where laying his right hand vpon the kings head demanded of him whether hee remembred that signe whereat Edwine suddenly fell at the Bishops feete whom hee in haste and reuerence presently lifted vp and spake vnto him as followeth Behold O Soueraigne said he by the bountifull band and power of our God you haue escaped the hand and vengeance of your most hated and dreadfull enemie Behold also by his most gracious goodnes you haue obtained the soueraigntie of raigne and rule of the Kingdome Remember now therefore the third thing which you promised him and deferre no longer to accomplish the same by receiuing his faith and keeping his Commandements who hath deliuered you from your temporall aduersities and exalted you to the honour and Maiestie of a King whose holy will if you hereafter obey and doe his precept which by mee is preached hee will also deliuer you from the perpetuall torment of Hell and make you partaker with him in his heauenly Kingdome and eternall blisse without end 7 Whereupon conferring with his Counsell whereof Bishop Coyfi was chiefe for the establishing of the Gospell and suppressing of Idolatrie it was then concluded that the true God should bee worshipped and the Altars of their wonted Idols ouerthrowne vnto which action Coyfi himselfe became the first man for mounted on horsebacke in armour with a girt sword and launce in his hand all which was vnlawfull for those Idoll-Priests he brake downe their Altars Grates and Barres and destroied their Temples wheresoeuer he came Some ruines thereof not farre from Yorke and neere vnto the rising of the riuer Derwent remained to be seen vnto the daies of Beda and were then called Gotmund in Gaham And king Edwine himselfe with all his Nobilitie and most of the Commons receiued the lauer of Baptisme the eleuenth yeere of his raigne and of Christs Incarnation six hundred twenty and seuen one hundred and eighty yeeres after the Saxons entrance into Britaine The king was baptized the twelfth of Aprill being Easter Sunday at the Citie Yorke in the Church of S. Peters built then of wood and was the kings Oratorie which he enclosed about with a deepe foundation and laying the walles with squared stones made it the Cathedrall Church and his Conuerter Paulinus Arch-bishop of that See 8 The Gospell thus established in these Northerne parts spread daily further into other Prouinces and with such fruit of peace that in the raigne of this Edwin and thorowout his Dominions a weake woman with her new-borne babe might haue passed without dammage or danger ouer all the Iland euen from Sea to Sea And so much did the King tender his Subiects that his prouident care was extended to the way-faring passengers for whose vse he enclosed cleere Springs by the waies where he set great Basens of brasse both to wash and to bathe in which either for loue or displeasure of the king no man defaced or tooke away And so great was the magnificence of this Monarch that according to Bede he had not only in Battle the Ensignes proper to battle borne before him but in his ordinarie passages thorow the Cities and Towns of his kingdome there alwaies went an Ensigne-bearer before him And to vse the words of the same venerable Author he went not in any street in which there was not borne before him that kinde of Standard which the Romans called Tufa and the English Thuuf That the Romans had such an
Ensigne as that which here is called Tufa Iustus Lipsius in his Commentarie vpon that place in Vegetius lib. 3. cap. 5. where the seuerall Ensignes of the Romans are recited doth declare correcting that place of Vegetius where Rufa was set for Tufa by this place of Bede and in the same shewing that Tufa signified a Ball as the Ball by the example of Augustus was an Ensigne of Monarchie or absolute gouernment 9 But as the Sunne hath his rising his height and descent and euer is moouing in the circle of his celestiall orbe so man hath his birth time being and death and till then is neuer staied in one certaine point Kings therefore as they be Kings are the Suns of their owne world but as they are men goe to the shadow of death neither can the strength of their power wisdome or policie loue or applause stay the hand heere that holds the fatall knife for so in this King Edwin wee see raised aboue hope to attaine the Diademe and ruling in loue and liking of the people was notwithstanding cut off in the midst of his glorie and greatnesse of strength 10 For Penda the stout Mercian enuying his peace and Cadwallo the Britaine seeking to receiue his right ioined in friendship against this Monarch and met him as his enemies in the face of a Field The plaine was large and called Hethfeild where after a long and most bloudie fight king Edwin was slaine with prince Offryd his sonne his whole Host put to the sword or most shamefull flight which chanced the fourth of October the yeere of our Lord six hundred thirty three the sixth of his Christianitie the seuenth of his Monarchie the seuenteenth of his kingdome and the forty seuenth of his age His bodie was lastly buried in S. Peters Church at Streaâ—…shall after called Whitby His Wiues 11 Quenburg his first wife was the daughter as Beda reporteth of Ceorle but as all other Writers doe witnesse of Crida King of Mercia She was married vnto him in the beginning of his youth and when he was dispossessed of his inheritance by the Tyrant Etheifrid as we haue said with him shee liued a great part of his banishment and in the Court of Redwald King of the East-Angles deceased before her husband could recouer his Kingdome 12 Ethelburg surnamed Tate was the second wife of this King who was the daughter of Ethelbert King of Kent and of Queene Berta his first wife She was married vnto him in the yeere of grace six hundred twentie fiue being the second of his Monarchy and was his wife six yeeres but suruiuing him and desirous to liue a religious life shee returning into Kent withdrew her selfe to a place not far from the Sea side called Lymming wherein shee built a Monasterie of Nunnes and among them spent the rest of her life and therein died and was there buried His Issue 13 Offride the eldest sonne of King Edwine and Quenberg his first wife was borne in the time of his fathers exile among the East-Angles He was baptized in the faith of Christ by Paulinus the first Archbishop of Yorke and was slaine the same day and in the same battell that his father was He had a sonne named Iffy who was baptized also by Bishop Paulins and after the death of his father and grand-father for feare of King Oswald was conueied ouer the Seas into France to bee brought vp in the Court of King Dagobert where he died in his childhood and was there honourably interred 14 Edfrid the second sonne of King Edwine and Lady Quenberg his first wife was borne in the time of his fathers exile and baptized with his brother Offrid by Bishop Paulinus After his fathers death for feare of King Oswald hee fled to Penda King of Mercia who was his fathers enemie and his mothers kinsman by whom hee was most treacherously murthered He left behind him a son named Hererik who by his wife Bertswith had issue the vertuous learned lady Hilda Abbesse of Streansbalch Queen Hereswith her sister the wife of Ethelbere King of the East-Angles brother to King Anâ—…a by whom shee had issue Ald wolfe Elswold and Beorne all three succeeding Kings of the East-Angles 15 Ethelme the third sonne of King Edwine and the first of Queen Ethelburg his second wife was baptized by Paulinus Arch-bishop of Yorke not long after his father and halfe-brethren but in short space after his baptisme he departed out of this world euen in the time that he wore the white attire which in those daies was vsed to bee worne by such as were newly baptized for a certaine space His body was with all due funerall obsequies enterred within the new Church of S. Peter in the Citie of Yorke which his father had newly founded 16 Vskfrea the fourth sonne of King Edwine and the second of Queene Ethelburg his second wife and the last and youngest of them both bare the name of his fathers great grandfather He was baptized by the Arch-bishop Paulinus at one time with his brother Ethelme After the decease of his father his mother carried him with her out of Northumberland into Kent and from thence conueied him ouer into France with his Nephew Iffy the sonne of his halfe-brother Offrid where hee continued in the custodie of King Dagobert being his mothers cosen-german and there died and was honourably buried in a Church with his Nephew Iffy 17 Eanfled the elder daughter of King Edwine and Queene Ethelberg his second wife was borne the night following that her father was wounded and baptized hee being a Pagan Shee was afterwards married to Oswy the fourth King of Northumberland and tenth Monarch of the Englishmen as shall bee said 18 Etheldrid the younger daughter the fifth and last-borne child to King Edwine and of Queene Ethelburge was baptized at the same time with Ethelwe and Vskfrea her brethren She died an infant the white clothing not yet put off which in those daies was vsually worne at certaine set times after their baptisme and was with like funerall obsequies buried by her brother Ethelwe in the Church of S. Peters in Yorke which their father had founded OSVVALD KING OF NORTHVMBERLAND AND THE NINTH MONARCH OF THE ENGLISHMEN HIS RAIGNE WIFE AND ISSVE CHAPTER XXI OSwald the fifth King of Deira the ninth of Bernicia the third of Northumberland and the ninth Monarch of the Englishmen began his raigne the yeere of Christs incarnation six hundred thirty foure He with Eanfrith and his brethren the sonnes of wilde Ethelfrid and Osrik also the sonne of Alfrid King Edwins Vncle had been secured in Scotland all his raigne and among the Red-shanks liued as banished men where they learned the true religion of Christ and had receiued the Lauer of Baptisme But Edwines death wrought and divulged these Princes returne again to their Country and the Northumbrians Kingdome lately gouerned by one was now againe diuided into two seuerall parts as formerly it had been 2
of Osrike who did apostate from his faith and ruling his Prouince in plentie and peace the space of seuen yeeres was therefore greatly enuied by Oswy of Bernicia and lastly by him prouoked into the field Their hosts met at the place then called Wilfares Downe ten miles West from the village Cataracton and there attended to hazard the day But Oswyn finding himselfe too weake for Oswy and to saue the effusion of Christian bloud forsooke the field accompanied onely with one Souldier and went to Earle Hunwald his friend as he thought to secure his life But contrary to trust hee deliuered him vnto King Oswy who cruelly slew him the twentieth of August and ninth of his raigne at the place called Ingethling where afterwards for satisfaction of so hainous an offence a Monasterie was built as vpon like occasions many the like foundations were laid whose stones were thus ioyned with the morter of bloud 3 Of this Oswine thus slaine Beda reporteth the Story following Among his other rare vertues and princely qualities his humility saith he and passing lowlinesse excelled whereof he thus exemplifieth The reuerend Christian Bishop Aidan vsing much trauell to preach the Gospell thorowout that Prouince the King for his more ease gaue him a goodly Gelding with rich and costly trapping It chanced one day as the Bishop rode to minister the word of life that a poore man demanded his almes but hee not hauing wherewith to releeue him and pitying his distressed poore estate presently alighted and gaue vnto him his horse and rich furniture whereof when the King heard he blamed him and said What meant you my Lord to giue to the begger the horse that I gaueyou with my saddle and trappings Had we horses of no lower price to giue away to the poore To whom the Bishop replied And is the brood of a beast dearer in your sight then this poore man the childe of God The King 〈◊〉 reprooued turned himselfe towards the fire and there â—…dly pausing vpon this answer presently gaue from him his sword and in haste fell at the Bishops feet desiring forgiuenesse in that he had said The Bishop much astonied suddenly lift vp the King desiring him to sit to meat and to be mery which the King immediately did but the Bishop contrariwise began to bee pensiue and sadde and the teares to trickle downe his cheekes in which passion hee burst out into these speeches and said to his Chaplaine in an vnknowne tongue I neuer till this time haue seene an humble King and surely his life cannot bee long for this people are not worthy to haue such a Prince to gouern them But to returne to King Oswy 4 Who after many cruell inuasions of the mercilesse Penda was forced to sue vnto him for peace with proffers of infinite treasure and most precious iewels all which reiected and the Tyrant comming on Oswy sought his helpe by supplication to God and with such zeale as then was embraced vowed his young daughter Elfled to be consecrated in perpetuall virginitie vnto him with twelue Farmers and their lands to the erection and maintenance of a Monasterie and thereupon prepared himselfe for battle 5 The Armie of this enemie is reported to redouble thirty times his all well appointed and old tried souldiers against whom Oswy with his sonne Alkfryd boldly marched Egfryd his other sonne then being an hostage with Cinwise an vnder Queene of the Mercians Ethelwald the sonne of Oswald tooke part with Penda against his naturall Vncle and natiue Country so did Ethelherd the brother of Christian Anna side with this heathenish and cruell Mercian 6 The battle was fought neere to the riuer Iunet which at that time did ouer-flow his bankes so that the victorie falling with Oswy more were drowned in the water then slaine with the sword And heerein proud Penda lost his life with the discomfiture of all his Mercian power Heerein also died Ethelherd the East-Angles King who was the only motiue to these warres and Ethelwald escaping returned with dishonour vnto Deira The day was thus gotten the thirteenth yeere of King Oswy his raigne the fifteenth day of Nouember and yeere of Christ his Incarnation six hundred fifty fiue 7 After this victorie king Oswy raigned in great glory the space of three yeeres subduing the Mercians the south parts of the English and made the northerne parts likewise subiect vnto him He it was that decided the long controuersy for Easters celebration and founded the Cathedrall Church in Lichfeild for a Bishops See which Citie with all South-Mercia diuided from the north by the riuer Trent hee gaue to Peada the sonne of king Penda in mariage with his naturall daughter Alkfled on condition that he should become a Christian all which the said king not long enioied but was murdered in his owne Court. And the Mercians erecting Vulfhere his brother and their natiue country-man for king rebelled against Oswy and freed themselues from a forraine subiection 8 Thus Oswy ending in troubles as he began in warres raigned the space of twenty eight yeeres and then falling sicke was so strucke with remorse for the death of good Oswyn and bloud which hee had spilt that hee vowed a pilgrimage to Rome in which reputed holy place hee purposed to haue ended his life and to haue left his bones therein to rest but his disease increasing and that purpose failing he left this life the fifteenth of Februarie and his body to remaine in S. Peters Church at Streanshach the yeere after Christs birth six hundred seuentie and of his own age fifty eight His Wife 9 Eanfled the wife of this king was the daughter of Edwin and Ethelburg king Queene of Northumberland She was the first Christian that was baptized in that Prouince and after her fathers death was brought vp in Kent vnder her mother and thence maried vnto this Oswy whom she suruiued and spent the whole time of her widow-hood in the Monastery of Steanshalch where her daughter Elfred was Abbesse wherein she deceased and was interred in the Church of S. Peter hard by her husband king Edwin His Issue 10 Egfryd the eldest sonne of king Oswy and of Queene Eanfled was borne in the third yeere of his fathers raigne being the yeere of grace six hundred forty fiue In the twenty fifth yeere of his age and of our Lord God six hundred seuenty one he succeeded his father in Northumberland but not in his Monarchie of whose life and acts wee haue further spoken in the seuenth Chapter of this Booke 11 Elswine the second sonne of king Oswy and of Queene Eanfled was borne in the yeere of our Lord six hundred sixty one being the ninth of his fathers raigne at whose death he was nine yeeres old and in the ninth yeere after being the eighteenth of his age was vnfortunately slaine in a battell wherein he
is by the same Writer reported to be his brother and the supposed sonne also of Vulfhere the King Their murthers as he saith was committed the ninth Calends of August which is with vs the foure and twenty of Iuly vpon which day there was yeerely celebrated a solemne memoriall of their martyrdomes in the same place where they both suffered and where their Monument was then remaining 9 Wereburg the daughter of King Vulfhere and Queene Ermenhild was in her childhood committed to the bringing vp of Queene Etheldrid her mothers Aunt in the Monastery of Ely by whose perswasion she professed virginity and returning to her Country in the raigne of King Ethelred her Vncle was by him made ouerseer of all the Monasteries within his dominions She deceased at Trickingham now called Trentham in Stafford-shire and was buried at Hanbery Her body was afterwards remooued to Westchester where Leafrik the Earle built in honour of her a goodly Church called S. Wereburgs which to this day is the Cathedrall Church of that Citie ETHELRED THE SEVENTH KING OF MERCIA AND TVVELFTH MONARCH OF THE ENGLISH HIS ACTS WIFE AND ISSVE CHAPTER XXIIII EThelred the third sonne of King Penda and brother to the last declared Vulfhere in the yeere of Christ Iesus six hundred seuenty fiue beganne his raigne in the kingdome of Mercia and at the same time in the Monarchy of the Englishmen being the seuenth King among them that ware their Diademe and the twelfth person that bare the Imperiall title of the whole his claime was not immediately nor next in succession young Kenred his Nephew standing betwixt him and the Crowne But himselfe a child in yeeres and in them also addicted vnto a priuate life he gaue his Vncle way to vndergo so publike a charge which without contradiction was likewise accepted of the subiects 2 His entrance was with warre against the Kentish Lothaire whose Country he destroied sparing neither Churches nor religious Abbeys the King not daring to appeare in field The Citie Rochester felt also his fury whose Citizens were ransacked their buildings ruinated and their Bishop Putta driuen to such distresse that he became a Teacher of good Arts and Musicke in Mercia to maintaine his aged yeeres from the necessity of perishing want These stirres saith Beda happened in the yeere of grace six hundred seuenty seuen and the next following so fearefull a Blazing starre as was wonderfull to behold first discouered in the moneth of August and for three moneths together continued rising in the morning and giuing forth a blazing pile very high and of a glittering flame 3 The remorse of conscience for the bloud he had spilt and the places of Oratories by him destroied besides his intrusions into another mans right strucke so deepe a wound into King Ethelreds breast that euer hee bethought him what recompence to make First therefore building a goodly Monastery at Bradney and that most fruitfully seated in the County of Lincolus thought that not sufficient to wash away the scarres of his foule offence but determined in himselfe to forsake the world for that was the terme attributed to the monasticall life wherein notwithstanding in lesse cares they liued and their persons more safe from all dangers attempted then when they publikely administred their lawes to their people the iust executions whereof many times breed the ouerthrow of their Princes and their Persons neuer secure amidst their owne gards 4 But such was the religion then taught and the godly zeale of the good Princes then raigning whose works haue manifested their vertues to posterities and faith in Christ the saluation of their soules in whose Paradise we leaue them and Ethelred to his deuout intent who to reconcile himselfe first vnto Kenred bequeathed the Crowne solely to him although he had a sonne capable thereof then putting on the habit of religion became himselfe a Monke in his owne Monastery of Bradney where he liued a regular life the terme of twelue yeeres and therein lastly died Abbat of the place when hee had raigned thirty yeeres the yeere of Christs natiuity seuen hundred sixteene His Wife 5 Offryd the wife of King Ethelred was the daughter of Oswy and of Lady Eanfled King and Queene of Northumberland She was married vnto him in the yeere of our Lord six hundred seuenty seuen being the third of his raigne and the twentieth of her age Shee was his wife twenty yeeres and passing thorow the North parts of Mercia she was set vpon and slaine by the people of that Country in reuenge of the death of Peada their King who had long before bin murthered by Alkefled his wife and her half sister as we haue said And thus strangely came shee to her vntimely end the yeer of our Lord six hundred ninety seuen the twenty three yeere of her husbands raigne and the fortieth of her owne age His Issue 6 Chelred the sonne of King Ethelred and of Queene Offryd his wife was the heire apparant of his fathers kingdome and of sufficient yeeres to haue succeeded him when he entred into religion but that it was his fathers will to make amends to his Nephew Kenred sonne to his elder brother King Vulfhere that now he might raigne before his sonne who should haue raigned before himselfe KENRED THE EIGHTH KING OF MERCIA AND THE THIRTEENTH MONARCH OF THE ENGLISHMEN CHAPTER XXV KEnred the sonne of Vulfhere because of his minoritie at his Fathers death was defeated of his dominions by his Vncle Ethelred and vntill it pleased him to resigne his Crown liued a priuate life whereunto by nature hee was most inclined But King Ethelred for the wrongs to him committed and to redeeme the time that in warre and wealth he had prodigally spent yeelded the Scepter vnto his hand and set his seeming ouer-heauy Crowne vpon his Nephew Kenreds head who began his raigne at one and the same time both ouer the Mercians and Monarchy of the Englishâ—… which was the yeere of Christs Incarnation seuen hundred and foure 2 He is in account the eighth King of that Prouince and the thirteenth Monarch since Hengist the Saxon. He raigned in peace the space of foure yeeres then weary of gouernment and desirous of contemplation after the example of his Vncle sought a more priuate and religious life and thereupon appointing Chelred his Cosen germane to rule in his place in the fifth yeere of his raigne abandoned his kingdome and Country and departed for Rome accompanied with Offa King of the East-Saxons and with Edwine Bishop of Worcester where both these Kings were made Monks in the time of Pope Constantine the first Iustinian the younger then wearing the Imperiall Crowne and in a Monastery at that citie both these penitent Conuerts in the Coules and Orders of Monks spent the rest of their liues and therein died and were enterred this Mercian King Kenred hauing had
neither wife nor child that I can reade of 3 It is not greatly to be wondered at in that these times to much ouershadowed with superstitious zeal the holy acts of men which no doubt were many the habit of Monks the accounted holy garments of humility were so meritoriously respected and reputed in the deuout hearts of the religious when by the Clergy that are accounted the light of the world in a Councell at Rome held vnder Pope Constantine the first it was decreed and commanded that carued Images which neither had action nor life nor could saue themselues from the stroke of destruction should bee made to the memoriall of Saints and should be set vp in Churches with respectiue adoration contrary to Gods most expresse commandement and condemned for idolatry by the warrant of sacred Scripture CHELRED THE NINTH KING OF THE MERCIANS AND THE FOVRTEENTH MONARCH OF THE ENGLISH HIS RAIGNE AND SVCCESSION CHAPTER XXVI CHelred the sonne of King Ethelred was of sufficient yeeres and well able of rule at such time as his father resigned his Scepter vnto his Nephew Kenred had not the pricke of that sinne touched his conscience which made him to bestow the same as he did notwithstanding the Crown being too waighty for Kenred to weare he as freely againe gaue it the sonne as he had receiued it of the father before and relinquished his claime and title thereto 2 Chelred thus aduanced before he it expected entred his gouernment with great applause of the people in whose opinions he was held the onely man worthy of their Crowne Ouer the Mercians he raigned the ninth King and of the English Monarchs the fourteenth in number beginning them both in the yeere of grace seuen hundred nine and the fourth of Iustinian the younger Empire 3 His quietnes was disturbed by Inas the West-Saxon whose fame for his fortunes beganne then to grow great For Kent he had forced to buy their peace with mony the Britaines subdued and had inlarged his confines vpon them And now against Chelred this new rise Monarch he meant to try chance whose glory he looked at with an ouer enuious eye 4 His greatnesse likewise Chelred suspected who either to himselfe or successors by the foundation which he laid would diuert the Monarchy from him and his Mercians and entaile it to himselfe or his West-Saxons Hereupon great preparation was made and each set forward with all the powers the one to attaine and the other to keep the glory and title that both of them so much thirsted after At Wodnesbury they met and with vndaunted spirits so fought that the victory was doubtfull for neither could say the battell was his or that he departed with the lesser losse 5 These emulations were followed betwixt these two Princes the space of seuen yeeres and longer had done if Chelred had liued or Inas not been strucke with remorse of conscience for his ouermuch spilling of bloud Of this Chelred some Authors haue censured that he was maruellous in prowesse and valiant of courage but his Country miserable by his vntimely death whose raigne lasted only seuen yeeres and death in the yeere of our Lord seuen hundred and sixteene his body was buried in the Cathedrall Church of Lichfield and he died without any issue His Wife 6 Wereburg the wife of King Chelred is mentioned by Marianus the learned Scotish Historian and by Florence of Worcester who was the follower and continuer of his History whom we may reasonably credit in this matter being not incredible although she must of necessity be thought to haue been married very young or to haue died very old because they record her decease to haue beene in the yeere of Christ seuen hundred eightie one which was almost sixtie yeeres after the death of her husband and towards the end of the long raigne of King Offa. ETHELBALD THE TENTH KING OF THE MERCIANS AND THE FIFTEENTH MONARCH OF THE ENGLISHMEN HIS RAIGNE AND ACTS CHAPTER XXVII EThelbald cosen germane once remoued vnto King Chelred succeeded him in the kingdome of the Mercians whereof he was the tenth in number and of the Monarchs ouer the Englishmen the fifteenth in account He beganne his raigne in the yeere of grace seuen hundred sixteene and with great honour raigned ouer all the Kings on the South side of Humber whose time for the most part was spent in peace yet some wars he had and those with variable euents 2 For in the eighteenth yeere of his raigne hee besieged Sommerton and wanne it and inuading Northumberland without proffer of resistance returned with great riches by spoile The Britaines also that were ioined confederates with the West-Saxons hee molested and ouercame for whose reuenge King Cuthred gaue him battell neere vnto Burford where he with his Mercians receiued the foile and lost the Banner wherein was portracted a Golden Dragon the thirty seuenth yeere of his raigne 3 The sinnes of these times both in Prince and people were many and great as by the Epistles of Boniface an Englishman and Archbishop of Mentz is most manifest wherein he reprooued his adulterous life who refraining to marry wallowed in filthy lecheries by whose example the Noblemen of Mercia did the like and their women as well Nunnes as others made away their chilaren borne out of wedlocke whereby the graues were filled with dead bodies as hell it selfe with damned soules And in another Epistle sent vnto Cuthbert Archbishop of Canterbury he complaineth of the English Nunnes who wandring in pilgrimage vnder shew of deuotion liued in pleasure and wanton fornications through all the Cities of France and of Lumbardy 4 This his Epistle tooke so good effect that in repentance King Ethelbald released and priuiledged the Church from all tributes to himselfe and built the Abbey of Crowland in Lincolnshire for the pacifying of Gods wrath towards his sinnes when also it was enacted by Cuthbert and his Clergy in a Conuocation held in his Prouince that the sacred Scriptures should be read in their Monasteries the Lords Praier and Creed taught in the English tongue which accordingly was done Which Councell was held in the thirty yeere of this Kings raigne and of Christs incarnation seuen hundred forty eight 5 Finally when he had ruled forty two yeeres fighting against Cuthred the West-Saxon in a warre not prudently vndertaken he was traiterously slaine by his owne subiects at the procurement of Bernred a Leader of them who affecting the kingdome by this stratagem of Treason sought to attaine it but was himselfe slaine by Offa the Mercian before that this ill sowen seed could take any roote The place of this Great Ethelbalds death was Secondone three miles from Taâ—…worth in the County of Warwicke and of his buriall Reptâ—…n in Darby-shire where with honourable obsequies he was enterred the yeere of Christs humanity seuen
was like him in all vertuous conditions by him was ordained to succeed in his Dominions whereby hee became the thirteenth King of the Mercians and the eighteenth Monarch of the Englishmen in the yeere of our Lord seuen hundred ninety seuen At home he was an example of piety peace and religion set the scale of Iustice without respect to all alike abroad temperate humble and courteous without vain ostentation or ambitious conceits in warres hee was stout and victorious in peace studious to enrich his subiects briefly at all times so carrying himselfe that enuie could not touch him with her tongue 2 Whether vpon a new quarrell begun or the old retained as inheritable to the Mercians against those of Kent I cannot say but true it is that in the entrance of his raigne he entred that Prouince with a great host of men and in a fore fought field discomfited the Kentish and carried away prisoner their King whose sirname was Pren. His kingdome hee gaue to Cuthred and kept him captiue in Mercia to his great griefe and his subiects dishonour 3 But Kenwolfe in peace minding the works of true piety gaue himself to the building of a goodly Church at Winchcombe in Glocestershire where vpoÌ„ the day of dedication in the presence of Cuthred assigned his Viceroy in Kent thirteene Bishops ten Dukes many Nobles and a great concourse of people he led Pren this Kentish captiue vp to the high Altar and there without either his entreaty or ransome for Redemption released and set him free shewing thereby his deuotion to God and the heroicall parts of a magnanimous Prince 4 His raigne was twenty two yeares and death in Anno eight hundred nineteene beeing solemnely buried in the Church of the Monastery at Winchcombe aforesaid which himselfe had founded His Wife 5 Elfryd the wife of King Kenwolfe hath not her parentage certainely reported by any of our Historians yet some later vpon a likelihood of her name the place and time agreeing haue thought her to be the daughter of Offâ—… affianced to King Ethelbert as hath beene said but in these obscurities coniecture may wander astray His Children 6 Kenelm the sonne of King Kenwolfe and of Queene Elfryde his wife was very yong at his fathers death and succeeded in the Mercians Kingdom but not in the Monarchy of the English King Egbert the West-Saxon King then growne too great And in the same yeare that he beganne his raigne by the treason of his vnnaturall sister hee was murthered and first obscurely buried but afterwards solemnly remoued and reposed neere to his Father in the Monastery of Winchcombe as in the Mercian Kings successions wee haue said 7 Quendred the eldest daughter of King Ken-Wolfe and Lady Elfryd his Queene after the decease of her father ambitiously aspiring to compasse the sway of the Mercian Kingdome wholy to her selfe wickedly conspired the death of her brother King Kenelme which was traiterously acted by Askebert her instrument who had the charge of him but the same turning to her reproch for very shame of so damnable a deed shee within short time after ended her life but not her ignominie 8 〈◊〉 the yonger daughter of King Kenwolfe and of Queene Elfryd hath not been so famous to posterity as her sister Quendred was for her infamous Act notwithstanding she may reasonably be supposed to haue lead a better life and to haue died a better death especially of vs who find her noâ—… sâ—…ained with any aspersion of misdeseruing EGBERT THE EIGHTEENTH KING OF THE WEST-SAXONS THE NINETEENTH BVT FIRST SOLE AND ABSOLVTE MONARCH OF THE ENGLISH-MEN HIS ACTS WIFE AND ISSVE CHAPTER XXXI THe Saxon Heptarchy drawing now to a period the spring of an entire Monarchie began to shew it selfe and the glory of the Englishmen more cleerely to arise for thongh they had weakned each other by their own wars yet stood their power strong in the possession of the whole and the ouerborne Britaines held still at the worst 2 But such is the dispose of the sole disposer of Empires that they haue their risings their fuls and their fals neuer staying in one and the same point neither entailed to one and the same Nation how strong politicke or populous soeuer The proofe whereof is apparant in all the Kingdomes of the earth and this of ours as mutable as any whose change of State vnto and in this seuen-fold Gouernment hath hitherto beene seene the seuerall Kings thereof long contending to branch their own fountaines furthest and fairest lastly let them fall into one streame which so meeting made a more famous confluence in this Monarchy then the seauen heads of Nilus in the Egyptian Sea 3 Formerly the Kentish South-Saxons East-Angles Northumbrians and the Mercians through no lesse then eight descents had worne the Emperiall Diademe whose rayes shone now so bright in the West-Saxons eyes that they againe sought to reestate themselues in so glorious a possession For whereas Brightrik was possessed and contented with the West-Saxon Crowne neither that worne without iealousie and feare yet others of the bloud royall from Cherdik raised the wings of their soaring thoughts much higher among whom Egbert was one neither the last nor the least in the opinion of the people or suspect of his Prince 4 This Egbert hauing commaund of some part of that Prouince so carried himselfe that his fame grew fearefull to Brightrik the King and hatefull to the enuious Ethelburg his most proud Queene by whom he was enforced first to secure himselfe with the Mercian Offa and lastly constrained to flie into France where vnder Charles the Great he turned his aduersity into an occasion of his valour by seruing in his warres and learned by his politicke gouernment how to rule a quiet or disturbed State 5 But King Brightriks death acted and his Queene the contriuer banished Egbert is solicited to the wearing of the West-Saxon crowne where hee became the eighteenth King in number and nineteene yeares after the nineteenth Monarch of the Englishmen entring his raigne the yeare of Christ Iesus eight hundreth being the same yeare that Charles was made Emperour of the West and Conwall then ruling ouer the Scots 6 His first warres were against the Cornish and their associats the Welsh both of them a remnant of the old Britaines who had beene oftentimes vanquished but neuer would seeme to be subdued and for foureteene yeares continuance held side against Egbert which their resistance so prouoked his furie that hee enacted a most seuere law against them commanding that no Britaine should presume to passe ouer great Offaes ditch and present death to them that durst set foot vpon any English ground Their great Caer-legion now West-chester hee tooke from them and at London from their West-gate cast downe the brasen Image of Cadwallo there set vp by the Britaine 's for a terrour to the Saxons as we haue said
Wife of King Ethelbald was the widow of his owne Father a most vnlawfull matrimonie contracted against all law of God or of nature which being both dissolued and punished by the hastie death of the King and she returning towards her father and Country in Flanders was rauished by Baldwin the Forester of Arden in France and by him forcibly kept vntill shee consented to become his wife who in regard of that marriage when he was reconciled to the Emperor Charles her Father was by him created the first Earle of Flanders by whom she had issue Baldwin the second who espoused Lady Elfrid the youngest daughter of Elfred King of England from whom through fiue descents lineally Maâ—…d Queene of England Wife to William the Conquerour descended and from her all our Norman English Kings vnto this day ETHELBERT THE TVVENTIETH ONE KING OF THE VVEST-SAXONS AND THE TWO AND TWENTIETH MONARCH OF THE ENGLISHMEN HIS RAIGNE AND ISSVES CHAPTER XXXIIII EThelbert the second sonne of King Ethelwolfe who had succeeded his Vnckle Ethelstan in the kingdome of the South-Saxons Kentish and East-Saxons and for fiue yeeres continuance ruled those Countries with great equity and valour after the decease of his brother Ethelbald succeeded him also both in the West-Saxons kingdome and the whole Lands Monarchie whereof he was the one and twentieth King and the two and twentieth Monarch 2 His raigne began in the yeere after Christs natiuity eight hundred and sixtie and was disquieted from first to last by the inuasions of the bloudy Danes For presently after his coronation these common enemies entred the Land ruinating all before them vnto the Citie Winchester which they sacked and left it troden vnder their destroying feete euen to the ground But in their returne were encountred by the Barkshire-men vnder the leading of Osrick Earle of Hampton by whom they were vanquished the prey recouered and a great number of those Infidels slaine 3 In his first yeere also a nauie of Danes and Normans entred into the Iland Tanet and began their wonted spoiles among those people whereupon the Kentish compounded their peace for a great sum of money giuen Notwithstanding these miscreants which knew not God gaue little regard to their promised couenants and before the daies of truce were expired like a sudden floud ouer-bare all before them These their irruptions to withstand the Kentish then prepared rather aduenturing themselues vpon the chance of battell then to rest vpon a seeming truce wherein their destruction was too apparant and forthwith assembling all the powers together set vpon those truce-breakers and with much slaughter forced them at length out of their Country 4 But the date of King Ethelberts life being expired hee yeelded his body to the course of nature and his Kingdomes to his next Brother after he had raigned ouer the Kentish South and East-Saxons the terme of ten yeeres and had sate Monarch of the whole onely fiue He died the yeere of grace eight hundred sixty six and was honourably buried in the Cathedrall Church of Shirburne in Dorset-shire by his brother King Ethelbald Hiâ—… supposed Issue 5 Athelm the brothers sonne of King Elfred mentioned in the last will and testament of the same King seemeth by all likelihood to be the eldest son of this King Ethelbert elder brother to the same King Elfred although hee succeeded not his father in his Kingdome For in those daies if the Kings sonne were vnder age the succession went to the next brother and if that brother left his sonne at full age then it went vnto him otherwise it reuerted to the elder brothers sonne 6 Ethelwald surnamed Clitâ—… which is a word of addition giuen to all the Saxon Kings sonnes of England is mentioned in King Elfreds wil to be his brothers sonne and is most likely to be the sonne of this King Ethelbert he prooued a most deadly enemy to his cosen King Edward the sonne of King Elfrid his Vncle destroying his townes in Dorset-shire and being driuen out of England ioined himselfe with the Danes who made him their King in Northumberland and vnder his leading greeuously assailed the Countries of the East-Saxons East-Angles and Mercians wherein hee was lastly slaine the yeere of our Lord nine hundred and fiue being the fourth of King Edward his cosen-germanes raigne ETHELRED THE TVVO AND TVVENTIETH KING OF THE WEST-SAXONS AND THE TWENTY THIRD MONARCH OF THE ENGLISH-MEN HIS ACTS AND ISSVE CHAPTER XXXV EThelred the third sonne of King Ethelwolfe after the decease of his Brother succeeded him in his Dominions and was in number the two and twentieth King of the West-Saxons and the twenty third Monarch of the Englishmen he beganne his raigne in the yeare of our saluation eight hundred sixty and six and for the time that hee was King raigned in continuall warres against the Pagan Danes whose numbers now were greater and footing surer in this land then formerly had beene 2 In the first yeare of his raigne there arriued vpon the English coasts a huge Army of these Danes whereof Hungar and Hubba men of incredible strength and cruelty were the Captaines These wintred in East Anglia made truce with the inhabitants vpon certaine conditions and forbare a time from their wonted rauening 3 But in the next yeare the King being busied to put backe a fresh inrode of Danes in the South and West of the Iland then entred these deuourers tooke aduantage vpon the ciuil broiles commenced among the Northumbrians who in these turmoiled times sought to withdraw their subiections from the West Saxons and to set vp Kings againe of their owne The foresaid Captaines Hungar and Hubba hauing in time of their truce strengthned themselues with new supplies of aid marched further into the North where finding the people vnprouided of strength and the two Kings Osbright and Ella of reconciled enemies to be made no sure friends they harried the Country before them and entring Yorke slew the two Kings with infinit number of the English which City they consumed with fire and burnt therein all those that had fled thither for succour 4 The State thus standing and their forces encreasing euery day brought new feares vpon the inhabitants when euery late victory with increase of Captiues and rich spoiles ministred occasion meanes of some other conquest to follow which these Pagans so pursued till lastly they set a substitute King to raigne vnder them ouer all the North Borders beyond the riuer Tyne and so retiring themselues out of Northumberland into Mercia came to Nottingham which City they wanne and therein wintred the third of King Ethelreds raigne who with the aid of Burthred the Mercian King constrained the Danes to sue for peace and a safe departure yeelding the City and againe retyring themselues ouer Tyne remained in Yorke all the next winter 5 The Summers opportunity approching their wonted desire for spoile was with it encreased and
brother 2 Hee beganne his raigne in the yeare of his age twenty two and of our Lord God eight hundred seuenty two being crowned in the City of Winchester the twenty third King of the West-Saxons and the twenty foure Monarch of the Englishmen but of some Historians he is famoused by the stile of the first absolute Monarch 3 His raigne beganne with troubles and wars in defence of the land which the Pagan Danes intended to destroy and though his powers were smal yet was he forced into the field within one month after his Coronation the place was Wilton in the County of Wiltstire on the south-banke of the riuer Wily where the Danes at first gaue backe and fled but seeing the fewnes of their pursuers reenforced their battle and got the field with whom the West-Saxons entred league and compounded for their departure from among them 4 These Rouers then with their associates at Reading got themselues into London where they wintred with whom the Mercians likewise compoūded for their peace which proued shortly to be the destruction of their princely bloud and lastly the lands subuersion to a forraine nation For the Danes hauing got footing in the North the West and the South of this land vnto whose aide many new-come guests from their Easterne countries were arriued vnder the leading of other three Kings Gurthrun Esketel and Ammond all together set their griping tallents with such fast hold vpon Mercia that at Ripendon they constrained Burthred the King with his Queene Elswith out of the land and in his stead placed a King of their owne choise vpon condition to deliuer vp the same againe vnto them when they would demaund it 5 In the fourth yeare of King Elfred their armies diuided themselues into two parts the one of them guided by King Halden returned into Northumberland where hee bestowed that Country among his followers and therein remained for two yeares continuance doing much harmes both to the English and Picts The other part led by the last new-come King came to Granabridge whence they wintered and spoiled the Country and there spreading themselues as Grashoppers vpon the face of the earth eate vp all where they came so that King Elfred was enforced to compound for their departure out of his owne kingdome in West-Saxia to which couenants they promised and swore yet contrary to both tooke into Deuonshire and wintred at Excester vnto whom a further supply by sea sought to ioine themselues but met with such boisterous blasts that one hundred and twenty of their ships were cast away by tempest at Swanwicke vpon our coasts and their land-army marching towards Excester were there welcommed with so sharpe an encounter by King Elfred that they gaue him both pledges and oath to depart with all speed 6 But Fortune euer dallying with them whom shee meanes to down-cast set the chance of losse presently vpon the Saxons side for now the three Kings Gurthrun Esketel and Ammond thought it not good to let Elfred thus rest and thereupon drew their forces westwards towards him where at Chipingham a Mannor of his they wintred and compelled th West-Saxons there either to yeeld or to forsake the Country 7 King Elfred therefore with such strength as he had hasted towards them and seuenteene miles from Bristow pitched downe his tents euen in the face of the enemy where betwixt these fierce nations a great battaile was fought to the infinite losse of bloud on both sides and that vpon such equall departure as neither could challenge to bee masters of the field yet the report went that King Elfred was discomfited which turned greatly to his aduantage for thereupon many of the English hasted to his succour lest the ouerthrow of him should be the bane of them all his strengthes thus renued with an vnexpected supply no time was detracted to stay the Danish rage who were now returned further into the heart of the land and at Abington by Oxford had pitched their standreds for fight 8 Thither the English repaired and the next morning he ordered his Army neither were the enemies vnprepared but with braues stood ready to receiue the encounter The battaile ioyned continued with such losse of bloud that it is accounted one of the sorest that euer betwixt them before had beene fought and onely parted by the approch of the night neither party challenging the honor of the day the losse being so great vpon both sides Seuen of these battailes are reported to be fought in that yeare whereby both their strengthes were much abated and their spilt bloud so cooled their liuers that lastly they concluded vpon a peace one article was this that the Danes should admit no more of their nation to arriue in this Iland but how soone that was broken the sequels did shew 9 For in the yeare eight hundred seuenty sixe saith Simon Dunelmensis Rollo a nobleman of Denmarke with a great Army entred into England with no lesse spoile and destruction then other of those Danes before him had done notwithstanding the truce with whom King Elfred met and gaue him so hoat welcome that hee liked not greatly his entertainement and being warned forsooth in his sleepe that better fortune attended him in France hee left his countrimen to tugge with the English 10 The Danes then accounting the peace to be broken like Bees from the Hiue infect all the land insomuch that this vndaunted King Elfred was ofttimes brought to such extremities that he hid himselfe out of sight and in the Fens Marsh grounds was forced with such small companies as he had to liue by fishing fowling and hunting of wild beasts for his food hauing no more of his great Monarchy left him but Somerset Hamton and Wiltshires only neither yet them free from the incursions of the Danes 11 The solitary place of his most residency was an Iland inclosed with the two riuers Tho◅e and Parret at their meeting in the County of Sommerset commonly called Edelingsey where he in very poore attire disguised was entertained into a Cow-heards house if not into his seruice where on a time as he sate by the fire in trimming of his bow and shafts a cake of dow baking vpon the hearth before him chanced to burn the Cowheardesse comming in and seeing him mind more his bow then his bread in a great fury cast away both his bow and arrowes and checking him as her Groom said Thou fellow doest thou see the bread burne before thy face and wilt not turne it and yet art thou glad to eate it before it bee halfe baked little suspecting him to be the man that had beene serued with more delicate cates 12 But this Prince the very mirrour of Princes more minding the wealth of his subiects then the maiesty of State disguised himselfe in the habite of a common Minstrell and in person repaired to the Danes Campe who lay like sena◅ wallowing in
retained life And the King of Norway sent him a goodly shippe with a guilt sterne purple sailes and the decke garnished all with gold 13 Of these accounted holy reliques King Ethelstan gaue part vnto the Abbey of S. Swithen in Winchester and the rest to the Monastery of Malmesbury whereof Adelme was the founder and his Tutelar Saint in honour of whom he bestowed great immunities vpon the towne and large endowments vpon the Abbey hee new built the monasteries of Wilton Michelnesse and Midleton founded Saint Germans in Cornwal Saint Petrocus at Bodman the Priory of Pilton new walled and beutified the City of Exceter and enriched euery famous Abbey in the land either with new buildings Iewels Books or Reuenewes 14 As also hee did certaine Cities with the Mintage of his money whereof in London were eight houses at Winchester sixe at Lewis two at Hastings two in Hampton two in Warham two in Chichester one in Rochester three two for the King and one for the Bishop at Canterbury seuen foure for himselfe two for the Archbishop and one for the Abbat although it appeareth the Archbishop had his before the raigne of this King For among these ancient Saxon-Coines we find one of Ceolnothus who sate there Archbishop in the yeare 831. which both for the antiquity authority of truth wee haue here inserted 15 This Prince King Ethelstan was of an indifferent stature not much exceeding the common sort of men chearefull in countenance his haire verie yellow and somewhat stooped forward as he went for valour inuincible in resolution constant and for his curtesie beloued of all he raigned in great honour the space of fifteene yeares and odde monethes and deceased in the City of Gloucester vpon wednesday the seuenteenth of October and was buried at Malmesbury the yeere of Christs Natiuity 940. hauing neuer had wife mentioned in our histories His supposed Issue 16 Leoneat the supposed daughter of King Ethelstan is reported by Iohn Rouse and Papulwick writers of the mistrusted story of Guy of Warwicke to bee married vnto Reynburn Earle of Warwicke and sonne to the same Guy whose remembrance and reputation is preserued kept with no lesse renowne among the common people for the liberty of England saued by his victory in single combate against Colbrand the Dane then was Horatius the Romane for the preseruatio of Rome whose historie I wil leaue for others to enlarge that haue more leasure bettet inuention EDMVND THE TVVENTIE SIXTH KING OF THE VVEST-SAXONS AND TWENTIE SEVENTH MONARCH OF THE ENGLISHMEN HIS RAIGNE ACTS DEATH WIFE AND ISSVE CHAPTER XXXIX EDmund the fifth sonne of King Edward borne vnto him by Queene Edgiua his third and last wife at the age of nineteen yeeres succeeded his brother King Ethelstan in his kingdome and Monarchy hee began his raigne the yeare of the worlds saluation 940. and with great solemnity was crowned at Kingston vpon Thamesis in the fifth yeare of Otho the first Emperour of that name and his brother in law his valour had often beene tried in the warres of King Ethelstan against those stout and sturdy enemies the Danes Scotish Irish and Welshmen that often had assaied to disturbe his peace 2 Athelstan deceased and the crowne scarse set vpon King Edmunds head but that the Danes in Northumberland disliking subiection called again Anlafe out of Ireland to be their King who now in the infancy of Edmunds estate with great power of men purposed to subdue all before him but Edmund as forward with full resolution ment to keepe what was got and so gathering his power proceeded towards the North and at Leicester encountred with the Danes howbeit through the interceding of the Archbishops of Canterbury and Yorke Odo and Wolston the matter was mitigated before it came to the vttermost 3 The next yeare of his raigne the said Anlafe whom some hold to haue beeene the King of Norway being dead an other Anlafe sonne to King Sithrick of whom we haue spoken intruded vpon the Kingdom of Northumberland These heads as Hidras springing vp each after others drew King Edmund againe into the North who raging like a prouoked Lion subdued as he went those townes where the Danes kept and got from them Lincolne Leicester Darbie Stafford and Nottingham compelling them to receiue Baptisme and to become his Subiectes so that the Country was wholy his vnto Humber These his proceedings caused Anlafe and Reinold the sonnes of the Danish Gurmo subduers of Yorke to yeeld themselues wholy to his deuotion offering him subiection and withall to receiue the Christian faith for performance wherof they likewise receiued Baptisme vnto whom King Edmund was Godfather to Reinold at his Confirmation and to Anlafe at the Font but how soone they fell from both the sequell shewed for casting off the faith and fealty thus promised they stirred the Northumbrians to another rebellion yet with no better successe then desert for they were forced into a perpetuall exile and King Edmund adioined that Country to his owne gouernment without the admittance of any Secondary or Vice-roy to rule there vnder him 4 Cumberland also which seldome was quiet hauing beene a Kingdome entire of it selfe and now aided by Leolin King of Southwales he vtterly wasted and apprehending the two sonnes of Dunmaile King of that Prouince commanded the eyes of those ouer-bold Princes to be puld out and gaue their inheritance to Malcolme King of Scots to hold the same by fealty from him Thus by power and policie clearing those coasts whence the sharpest stormes had continually blowne hee returned into the South and there set himselfe to ordaine lawes for the good of his people the which left time the consumer of al things might chance to obliterate were by the labours of the learned Lambert translated into Latine and imprinted in the yeare 1568. next to shew his loue to God and bounty to his Church he gaue the towne of Saint Edmondsbury with the liberties thereof wholy to that Martyr and to the Monks that liued in seruing at his Altars 5 But as each thing hath his spring growth decay so all men their dates howsoeuer eminent in degree the shank of their Compas so set in a center that the Circle of their lines are oftentime abrupt before it be drawn to the full round for so with others we may see in this Monarch who being safely returned from many great dangers of war at peace in his Pallace came to a lamentable vnexpected end for at his Manor of Pucle-kerkes in the County of Gloucester whiles hee interposed himselfe betweene his Sewer and one Leoue to part a fray was with a thrust through the body wounded to death the twenty sixt of May in the yeare of our saluation 946. when hee had prosperously raigned the space of fiue yeares and seuen moneths and his body with no lesse sorrow
then solemnity was buried at Glasenbury His Wife 6 Elfgine the onely wife of King Edmund hath not her parents declared for ought I find by any of our Writers but this is affirmed that shee was married vnto him in the first yeare of his raigne which was the yeare of Grace 940. and that she was his wife foure yeeres vpward after whose slaughter she remained a mournfull widdow all the rest of her life which she spent with so great vertue and opinion of the people as by the writers of that age shee is commended to posterity by the name of a Saint His Issue 7 Edwy the eldest sonne of King Edmund and Queene Elfgine his wife was borne in the second yeare of his fathers raigne Anno 942. When his father died hee was but foure yeeres of age and in respect of his minority was not permitted to succeed him in the Kingdome but forced to giue place to his vncle Edred vnder whom he liued nine yeares and in the tenth his vncle being dead and himselfe then growne to the age of thirteene was admitted to the succession of the Monarchy 8 Edgar the second sonne of King Edmund and of Queen Elfgine was borne in the third yeare of his fathers raigne the yeere of Christ Iesus 943 and was but three yeeres old when his Father died notwithstanding he proued afterward a Prince of great expectation and in the second yeare of King Edwy his brothers raigne being then but foureteene yeeres of age he was chosen King by the Mercians and Northumbrians both which people he gouerned vnder the title of King of Mercia for the space of two yeeres befor his brothers death and then succeeded him in the whole Monarchie EDRED THE TVVENTIE SEVENTH KING OF THE VVEST-SAXONS AND TWENTIE EIGHTH MONARCH OF THE ENGLISHMEN HIS ACTS RAIGNE AND ISSVE CHAPTER XL. EDred the sixth sonne of King Edward borne vnto him by Queene Edgiua his third and last wife at the age of twenty three yeeres succeeded his brother King Edmund in the nonage of his children in al his dominions and was the twenty seuenth King of the West-Saxons and the twentie eight Monarch of the Englishmen He began his raigne in the yeere of Mans saluation 946. and was annointed and crowned at Kingston vpon Thames in the County of Surrey vpon Sūday the seuenteenth day of August by the hands of Otho Archbishop of Canterbury 2 His Coronation robes scarsly put off news was brought him that the Northumbrians had reuolted and stirred a dangerous insurrection notwithstanding the Couenants that his brother Edmund had made with Malcolme King of the Scots to secure the same Therfore lest delaies might proue dangerous with a great Army hee entred into the verge of Scotland without sight of enemy or any resistance But peace being concluded betwixt Edred Malcolme and the Northumbrians yea and the same confirmed strongly by oath yet was it little regarded of the last named lurers for no sooner was Edred returned but that they sent into Ireland for Anlafe the sonne of Gurmo the Dane who had been expelled the Country as we haue said 3 Anlafe gathering a fleete and forces accordingly came into Northumberland where he was with great ioy receiued and made their King which title hee maintained for foure yeeres continuance banding against Edred and still holding him play till lastly the Northumbrians disloiall to both took their feather out of Anlafe his plume and sent him packing to the place whence he came electing one Hericus King in his stead 4 Edred awaked with the wasts that they made prepared a iourney into those parts where with fire and sword hee bare downe all before him and albeit he was a man religiously bent yet spared he not the Abbey of Rippon from flames but laid all vnto ashes as he went the enemy not daring to shew the face In his returne suspecting no perill suddainely an hoast brake out of Yorke and fell vpon the Rere-ward of his Army marching but carelesly and broken out of their array whereby many perished before any complete order of resistance could be made The King seeing this bold attempt of these Rebels stroke downe his standard turning his face againe to the North and threatened the reuenge with the Countries spoile and their liues 5 In this plot of sedition Wolstan Archbishop of Yorke had sowne some seed of treason both in the assistance of action and counsell for the enterprise very ill beseeming a man of his ranke this Wolfe therfore hauing thus awaked the Lion from rest was the onely man that fell in his pawes for the Northumbrians expulsing their statelesse Hericus with submissiue teares and golden showers so pacified the King that their offences were therewith cleane washed away but hee good man a Saint at the least was mued vp in prison against whom accusations daily came and namely that he had commaunded sundry of the Burgesses of Thetford to bee slaine where heeabode till he was by Edred vpon a reuerent regard of his calling released from thence for as this King is commended for his lenity towards the vertuous so is he no lesse for his iustice towards the vitious and for the practise of his Religion as forward as any suffering not onely his manners to be reproued and corrected a quality truely roiall and best beseeming Princes but also so much below the pitch of soueraigne Maiesty his body to bee chastised at the will and direction of Dunstan Abbot of Glasenbury vnto whose custody he also committed the greatest part of his treasure and richest iewels to be lockt in his chests and vnder the keyes of this Monastery 6 The stately Abbey of Mich at Abington neere Oxford built by King Inas but destroyed by the Danes he newly repaired indowing it with lands faire reuenewes and confirmed the Charters with seales of gold hee also ordained Saint Germans in Cornwal to be a Bishops See which there continued till by Canutus it was annexed to the Episcopall See of Kyrton in Deuon both which Sees were afterward by King Edward the Confessor translated to the City of Excester but sith the brightest day hath his night and the highest tide his present ebbe what maruaile is it if then Edred in the middest of his strength were seazed vpon by sicknesse and death which surprised him after hee had raigned in great honour nine yeeres and odde moneths to the great griefe of his Subiects who solemnly interred him in the old Minster within the City of Winchester the yeere of Christ Iesus 955. whose bones with other Kings to this day are preserued in a guilt Coffer fixed vpon the wall in the south side of the Quier His Issue 7 Elfred the sonne of King Edred was borne before his Father was King neither find I mention of his Mother or any act by him done onely in the sixt yeare of King Edred his raigne which was the yeere of Grace 952.
against excessiue drinking ordaining a size by certaine pinnes set in the pot with penalties to any that should presume to drinke deeper then the marke 5 His policie was no lesse prudent but much more successefull for the destruction of Wolues that in his daies did great annoiance to the land for the tribute imposed vpō the Princes of Wales by the English King Ethelstan as we haue said he wholy remitted and in lieu thereof appointed certaine numbers of Wolues yeerely to bee paid and Ieuaf or Iage Prince of North-Wales did for his part pay him yeerely three hundred which continued for three yeeres space but in the fourth was not a Wolfe to bee found and so the tribute ceased 6 His Nauie roiall containing three thousand and sixe hundred ships he diuided into three parts appointing euery of them to a seuerall quarter to waffe the Seas and secure the coasts from Pirats and forraine enemies wherein himselfe euery summer would saile with those in the East parts vnto those in the West and sending them backe to their charge would with the West saile into the North and with the northerne fleete compasse againe into the East whereby the seas were scowred and his Kingdom exceedingly strengthned 7 The like custome vsed he in the winter season in his ieysts and circuits throughout his Country so to take account of the administration of his lawes and the demeanour of his great men especially of his Iudges whom seuerely he punished so often as he found the execution of their places ballanced either with bribery or partiality so that there was neuer lesse robbery deceit or oppressions thē in the raigne of this worthy King 8 His state thus flourishing in peace and prosperity he caused diuers Princes to bind themselues vnto his allegiance but perchanceit may iustly be doubted whether in such performance of homage and seruice as Malmsbury Florentius Randulphus Marianus Houeden and other writers affirme to haue beene at the City Chester where they say Kennadie King of Scots Malcolme of Cumberland Maxentius an Arch-Pirate with the petty King of Wales Duffnall Griffith Hunal Iacob and Indithil did with oares row his Barge vpon the riuer Dee from his Pallace to Saint Iohns Church and thence againe backe to his Pallace himselfe the while steering the helme and saying in his glory that then his successors might trulie account themselues Soueraigne Kings of England when they enioyed such a Prerogatiue of sublimity and supreme honour although saith M. Fox he might much better and more Christianlike haue said God forbid that I should reioice but in the Crosse of our Lord Iesus Christ. 9 Warres he had none in all his raigne onely towards the end the Welshmen moued some rebellion which to preuent hee assembled a mighty Army and therewith entred into the County of Glamorgan sharply punishing the ringleaders thereof but his souldiers doing great harms in the country laden with spoiles for the returne the King out of his bounty commanded all to be againe restored whereby hee purchased singular loue and honour of the inhabitants 10 To his magnanimity was ioined much deuotion but most especially towards the Monks for whom and for Nunnes hee built and repaired forty seuen Monasteries intending to haue continued their number vnto fifty as himselfe testifieth in these words of his Charter The Monasteries aswell of Monks as of Virgins haue beene destroied and quite neglected throughout England which I haue now determined to repaire to the glory of God for my soules health and so to multiply the number of Gods seruants and handmaides and now already I haue set vp forty seuen Monasteries with Monks and Nunnes in them and if Christ spare me life so long I am determined in offering my deuout munificence to God to proceed to fifty euen to the iust number of a Iubilee And by this his Charter did not onely approue the enlargement of S. Maries Monasterie in Worcester and the restoring of Votaries in stead of married Priests but himselfe either new founded or repaired many others as the house of Ely Glasenbury Abington Burgh Thorney Ramsey Wilton Wenton Winchorne and Thumstocke with great cost and large endowments hauing the Clergie in an high and reuerent esteeme and most of all his Confessor Dunstan but with this wheate there were tares growing though the late Monkish Writers bind them vp for good corne for some men tell saith Randulphus Higden that Edgar in his beginning was cruell to Citizens and lecherous to maidens whereof these his actions ensuing beare sufficient witnes 11 The first was committed against the virgine Wolfhild a sacred Nunne as some affirme though others somwhat mitigating that sacrilegious offence haue reported that she to auoid his fleshly and lasciuious lust was forced to take the habite of a Menchion vpon her and in the same brought to his bed wherein the chast S. Edith was begot and for whom say they he vnderwent his seuen yeeres penance without the wearing of his Crowne 12 A like offence hee committed against the virgine Ethelfleda the daughter of Ordmar a Duke among the East-Angles who for her surpassing beauty was surnamed the White on whom he begat his eldest sonne Edward for which fact as M. Fox affirmeth hee did his seuen yeeres penance inioined by Dunstan and indeed by Osberne it appeareth that Edward was not legitimate where he writeth that the child begotten of the harlot he baptized in the holy fountaine of regeneration and so giuing his name to bee called Edward did adopt him to bee his sonne With whom agree Nicholas Trinet in his English story written in French Iohannes Paris in his French story written in Latine both of them calling Edward a sonne illegitimate as also doth Vincentius and Antoninus howbeit William of Malmsbury Mathew Paris Mathew of Westminster Randulphus and others will haue her his first and lawfull wife and Edward in true matrimony to haue descended from them 13 An other instance of his lasciuious life is produced by the forenamed Writers and thus both occasioned and acted It chanced Edgar to heare a Virgine and daughter to a Westerne Duke exceedingly praised for her incomparable beauty the touch of which string from his care resounded to his heart and as a bait it drew him presently into those parts where comming to Andeuer commanded the damsell to his bed The mother tender of the Virgins honour brought in the darke her maid but not her daughter who all as well pleased the King in his sinnefull dalliance the day approching this late laid maid made hast to arise but the King loth to part yet with his supposed faire Lady demanded why she made such hast who answered him that her taske was great and hardly would her worke be done if day should preuent her ere she rose but yet being staied aboue her howre vpon her knees she made this humble request that shee might be freed from her
Saint Denisse which her selfe had caused to bee built EDVVARD SVRNAMED THE MARTYR THE THIRTIE ONE MONARCH OF THE ENGLISH-MEN HIS RAIGNE AND DEATH CHAPTER XLIII GReat were the troubles sidings that presently ensued the death of King Edgar about the election of one of his sons to succeed Queene Elfrida with Alferus Duke of Mercia and many other Nobles combined for young Ethelred disauowing Prince Edward as illegitimate and therfore not reputable for succession against them and Ethelred stood Dunstan and the Monkes holding their states dangerous their new-gotten footing vnsure if in the nonage of the King these their opposites should rule all vnder him whereas Edward was altogether wrought in their mould whose title they abetted as being lawfully borne and begot in the nuptiall bed of Queene Ethelfleda Their claimes thus banded amongst these States-men began to be diuersly affected among the Commons and had put the game to the hazard if the wisedome of Dunstan had not seene to the chase for a Councell being assembled to argue their rights the Archbishop came in with his banner and crosse and not staying for further debating de iure did de facto present Prince Edward for their lawfull King and the assembly consisting most of Clergy-men perswading peace drew the approbation of the rest and so was the Prince admitted and proclaimed their Soueraigne 2 He beganne his raigne at twelue yeares of age in the yeare of Saluation 975 and was soone after by Archbishop Dunstan crowned King at Kingston vpon Thamesis being the thirtie one Monarch since Hengist of the Englishmen His beginning was miserably afflicted with barrennesse of the ground 〈◊〉 mine amongst his people morraiâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 their further terrour a fearefullâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which men thought to bee signes from heauen as sent from God for the sinnes committed against the married Clergy whose cause was much pittied especially of the Nobles whose complaints of wrongs they instantly vrged that without deserts they were expulsed from their ancient possessions a thing which neither God nor goodmen euer allowed and was contrary to the prescript rule of Christ that wils vs to doe as wee would be done vnto whereto the Monkes answered that Christ respected neither the person nor place but onely them that tooke vp the Crosse of Penance and followed him as themselues in their single life pretended to doe But they good men little knew the incumbrances of wiuing for otherwise they would haue felt that the condition of the married was more truly a suffering of the Crosse and enduring of Penance 3 These Church men thus diuided and rent were diuersly sided as affection did moue and that not onely of the meaner sort but euen of the Nobles great Ones for the Mercian Duke Alferus fauouring the iust cause of married Priests destroied the Monasteries in his Prouince cast out the Monkes and restored againe the ancient reuenewes to them their wiues contrariwise in East-Anglia the Priests went to wracke where the Monks were maintained by the authority of Edelwin their Duke who in their quarrell with the assistance of his brother Alfred and of Brightuoth Earle of Essex raised a mighty Army and stood with that power for their defence 4 The fire thus blown from a sparke to a flame was feared to mount higher if not quenched in time and therefore by mediation armes laid aside the cause was referred to be heard in Councel at Winchester first the assembly was held where after long dispâ—… 〈◊〉 â—…ch against the Monkes it was greatly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…ide had 〈◊〉 â—…own 〈◊〉 â—…at the matâ—… vpon the refectorie Wall where the Councell sate To this great Oracle S. Dunstan desired them deuoutely to pray and to giue diligent eare for an answere who with as great bounty as they in deuotion made it not squemish to giue them this aduice God forbid it should be so God forbid it should be so said he you iudged well once and to change that againe is not good This was authority sufficient to suppresse the Priests who now with their wiues went downe the wind and indeed too blame they were to suspect this their Iudge who neuer was heard to giue wrong sentence before but they vnsatisfied men thought once more to blow the coale though therewith they were likely to burne their owne lips for perswading the people that this was but a subtile practise of the Monks in placing behind the wall a man of their owne who through a truncke vttered those words in the mouth of the Roode it was therfore instantly desired that the cause might once more come to scanning 5 This lastly was granted and a great assembly congregated at Cleue in Wiltshire whither repaired the Prelates with most of the States of the land besides Gentlemen and Commons an innumerable sort This Synode being set and the controuersie propounded a hote and sharpe disputation ensued and a while was maintained with many bitter inuectiues ill beseeming such persons But whether through the weakenesse of the foundation or the ouer-presse of weight or both the ioysts of this vpper-loft wherein the Councell was held suddainly brake and down fell the floore with all the people thereon whereof many were hurt and some slaine outright onely Archbishop Dunstan then President and mouth for the Monkes remained vnhurt for the Post whereon his chaire was set and not without miracle stood wholy vntouched Thus by this fall fel the cause of the secular Priests and the Monkish foundations vnderpropped with more surer pillars Dunstan vuburdened of many imputations the peoples affections drawne to the Monkes and the Priests at liberty now to accompany their wiues without any cure though not without care and all this was wrought by the prouidence of Dunstan and his strange preseruarion on the post no lesse wonderfull then that which with the like truth is related of him how when a huge beam of a house was suncke out of the frame and like to ruinate the whole building with onely making of the signe of the Crosse thereon with his fingers hee made it returne to his former place so wonderfully potent was he in such woodden miracles To which why should wee not giue credite since the very Harpe which hee had touched could worke miracles as when of it selfe it sounded melodiously that Hymne Gaudent in coelis animae Sanctorum c. Yea sith the blessed virgine Mary her selfe is said to haue come to solace him with her songs Cantemus Domino Sociae c. For as for Angels singing familiarly vnto him and Diuelsin shape of dogs foxes and beares whipped by him that was but ordinary as likewise his making the shee-diuel to roare when comming to tempt him to dalliance in shape of a beautifull lasse hee caught her by the nose with hote burning pincers and so spoilde a good face But to leaue those figments wherewith our Monkish stories are stuffed to
raged a sicknesse till then vnknowne in England which was a strong burning feuer and bloody fluxe as also scarsity of victuals and murraine among cattle This hand of God thus correcting the sinnes of all was receiued as sent for the offences of some few and wholly imputed to the King and his Raisers Dunstan still prophesying further woes to the land when himselfe should be dead 6 The Danes hereupon more boldly assaulted each shore and in so many placcs at once that the English were to seeke where first to withstand In the West they were encountred by Goda Earle of Deuonshire as saith Simon Dunelmensis by whom they were ouerthrowne though with the losse of his life as also of Sternwold a man of great esteeme and valour in those parts who serued there vnder him 7 In the East their leaders Iustine and Guthmond warred with better successe for at Malden in Essex they gaue Brightnod the Earle a great and bloody battaile wherein himselfe with most of his people were slaine The Danes thus prospering more boldly went forward and where they set their tallants there they held fast and lay on the land like vnto Grashoppers These euils King Ethelred could not redresse his strengthes being small and his subiects affections lesse therefore calling to Counsell his Statesmen Peeres demanded their aduice what was best to bee done Some few of these proffered the King their assistance but more of them perswaded vnto a composition whereof Siricius Archbishop of Caterbury was chiefe and in fine ten thousand pounds paid to the Danes for their departure 8 This golden Mine once entred was more eagerly digged into by these still-thirsting Danes who finding the branch so beneficiall at first hoped the veine in following would proue farre more bountifull and therefore regardlesse of promise the next yeere prepared themselues againe for England and with a great fleete dispatched to sea the newes whereof strucke such terror into the English hearts that despairing of hope they accounted themselues the bond-slaues of misery The King therfore with much adoe prepared a Nauie whereof hee made Elfrick Earle of Mercia Admirall who setting from London vnto the seas had power sufficient to put backe the enemy but hee once a traitor could neuer proue true for hauing been banished forgiuen and now taken into fauour found meanes to bee false and to betray his charge and sending the enemy intelligence of his power and intents gaue the way to their escape and another fleete of Danes encountring with the Kings at first hee fainedly and faintly fought against and lastly turned to their side through which treason many Englishmen died and the Kings Fleete and power was greatly weakened but he escaping due punishment himselfe left his sonne to answere the fault whose eyes King Ethelred caused to be put out 9 About which time also another Danish Fleet entring Humber wasted the countries of Yorkeshire and Lyndsey against these King Ethelred sent his power vnder the charge of three valiant but trecherous Captaines namely Frena Godwin and Fredegist for the battle but begun these with their followers fled away which was the occasion of a great ouerthrow of the English notwithstanding the country people not able to disgest their intollerable dealings fell vpon the Danes slew some and chased the rest At what time also other of the Danes with ninety foure ships sailed vp the riuer Thamesis and laid their siege against London giuing it a great assault but the Citizens thereof so manfully defended themselues that they chased the Danes thence to their shame and great losse yet fell they so foule vpon Essex Kent Sussex and Hampshire that the King was enforced to compound a peace with the payment of sixteene thousand pounds for confirmation whereof Ethelred sent to Southampton for Anlaf these Norwegians King and honourably entertained him at Andeuer where the same time he receiued Baptisme King Ethelred taking him at the Font for his God-sonne and with great gifts returned into Denmarke without any further harme done to the English 10 But God and destiny suffering it that would haue the Saxons to fall before the Danes as formerly the Britaine 's had done before them no couenant could be so surely made but was as slackly in thē performed for albeit this Anlaf honourably kept both faith and promise yet others of his Country continued their inuasions and as an other Hydra shewed their still-reuiuing heads 11 For the nineteenth yeare of King Ethelreds most troublesome raigne and of our saluation 997. the Danes with a great fleete sailed about Cornwall and came into the mouth of Seuern robbing as they went Deuonshire Cornwal and South-Wales and marching further into the Continent consumed Lydford and the Abby of Saint Ordulfes at Essingstocke thence passing through Dorsetshire with fire sword found not a man in the way to resist them and wintering in the Wight liued by spoiles gotten in Hampshire and Sussex 12 The next Spring they put into the mouth of Thamesis and so by the riuer Medway arriued at Rochester thither the Kentish with their strengthes repaired but vnfortunately fought and left the field to the Danes who shortly after hoised their sailes with a merry gale arriued in Normandy 13 King Ethelred thus rid of these his vnlooked for guests sought to remoue those leigers that lay in Cumberland whither hee repaired and with sore warre wasted the Country before whose sword the Danes were notable to stand which somewhat encouraged the spirits of his people and bettered their conceits towardes him but farre this sunne past not without a cloud nor was his successe entailde to be fortunate 14 For the next yeare those Danes that departed from Kent came now from Normandy with their full sailes and landing in Exmouth their first and greatest fury was against the City of Exceter which when they fiercely besieged they were so valiantly beaten by the Citizens as that enraged aboue measure with the ignominy of that repulse they thence as a sodaine floud bare downe all that stood in their way and then plainely beganne to appeare the rise of the Danes which euery where lorded it where they had to doe and the fall of the Saxons whose ouertopped Monarchy and weake walles now wanted props to hold vp the weight for the Captains of the English saith Higden wanting lore in deeds of Arms their direction neuer prospered if ships were made they neuer sped well but were either chased of the enemy or destroied by tempest if the Nobles euer assembled to consult of the State that time was rather spent in whetting the spleene each against other then iointly agreeing how to redresse their present danger or to represse the common enemy for most of the Nobles were allianced into the Danish bloud whereby not onely the secret of those consultations were reuealed but being imploied in seruice many of them reuolted
to the enemy The Clergy as backward as any denied the King their assistance pleading their exemptions from warre and priuiledge of the Church when the land lay bleeding and deploring for helpe and scandalized all his other proceedings for demaunding their aide to these were ioined scarsity hunger and robberies These miseries caused the summes of their compositions to bee augmented whose last was sixteene thousand now twenty thousand immediately twenty four then thirty and lastly forty thousand pounds vntill the land was emptied of all the coine the Kingdome of her glory the Nobles of courage the Commons of their content and the Soueraigne of his wonted respect and obseruance 15 The Danes thus preuailing did not a little glory in their fortunes and grieued the poore English whose seruice they emploied to eare and till the ground whilest themselues â—…ate idle eate the fruit of their paines abusing the wiues and daughters of their hosts where they lay and yet in euery place for feare and reuerence were called the Lord-Danes which afterwards becam a word of derision to such sturdy and lazy lozels so that the like daies of miserie the land neuer felt To redresse which the carefull King Ethelred was farre too weake and therfore intending to doe that by policy which he could not by strength he deuised a desperate stratagem that proued the destruction of the Saxons royall bloud and conquest of the land to another nation 16 For seeking to disburden the Realme of these deuouring Danes which by open force hee could no waies doe he attempted in a bloudy massacre to destroy them giuing a secret commission vnto euery City within his dominions that at an appointed time they should set vpon and kill all the Danes the day was the thirteenth of Nouember being the festiuall of S. Bricius the yeare of Christ Iesus 1002 and presently after his marriage with Emma the flower of Normandy in confidence of which affinity hee presumed to do what he did His commaund was accordingly performed and with such rigour that in Oxford the fearefull Danes for refuge tooke into the Church of S. Frideswyd as into a Sanctuary of venerable antiquity and priuiledge among ancient Kings but they in fury regarding neither place nor person set the Church on fire wherein were burned a great sort of those Danes with many rich ornaments and the Library thereof vtterly defaced At which time if Malmsbury say true King Ethelred himself was in that City and had summoned a Parliament both of Danes and English with which euen the King was much grieued and therefore at his very great coâ—… beautifully repaired the Church and all the losses accruing by the fire endowing it with large priuiledges and donations as appeareth by his owne Charter mentioning the tenour of that Danish slaughter In this massacre Lady Gunhild sister to Swaine King of Denmarke a great and continuall friend to the English with her husband and sonne together were slaughtered although she lay in hostage vpon conditions of peace whose husbands name was Palingus saith Malmsbury an Earle of great might both of them Christians 17 Newes brought into Denmarke of this suddaine stratagem no neede there was to vrge them to reuenge or to adde more fuell vnto that ouer kindled fire for preparation being made the yeere ensuing Swain with a great Nauy landed in the West spoiled the Country and gaue assault to the City of Exceter which by the trechery of one Hugh a Norman whom in the fauour of the Queen King Ethelred had made Gouernour of that City he razed and leuelled with the ground all along from the Eastgate to the West This treason and stirres great of themselues but made much more rufull in the relating caused Ethelred presently to muster his men ouer whom hee made Earle Edrik for his couetousnes surnamed Streton his Generall who bare a braue shew till it came to the push and day of battle but then to couer his treason he fained himselfe sicke and left his souldiers to shift as they could The Danes hereupon rifled Wilton and passing forward tooke Salisburie in their way to which they were as welcome as water into ships but hearing that the King himselfe in person was preparing to giue them battle they left the land and tooke againe to sea 18 The next yeare following which was the twenty foure of King Ethelreds raigne and of grace one thousand and foure King Swaine with a mighty fleete of ships arriued vpon the coasts of Norffolke where landing his men hee made spoile of all before him and comming to Norwich sacked the City with great slaughter of the Citizens then tooke he Thetford and set it on fire notwithstanding hee had entred a truce with them but for want of victuall which then was scarse in the land he returned to sea and so into Denmarke 19 Where making preparation for another expedition encreased his Nauie and number of men and the next Spring arriued at Sandwich miserably desolating the Countries along the sea side neuer staying in any certain place but to preuent the Kings Forces roued from coast to coast euer carrying to their ships their booties and prayes and to encrease the calamitie the haruest was neglected and in many places spoiled both for the want of labourers by the feet of the souldiers which lay in field all that season who from place to place trauailed although in vaine Towards the Winter the Danes tooke into the I le of Wight and in the deepest time thereof passed through Hampshire into Barkeshire vnto Reading Wallingford Colesey and Essington making clean worke wheresoeuer they came for that which they could not carry they consumed with fire with triumphes euer returning to their ships 20 The King lying in Shrewsbury vnable to resist called to him his Councell to consult what was best to bee done whereof Edrik was a principall and in so high esteeme with the King that he created him Duke of Mercia and gaue him his daughter Egith in marriage notwithstanding these gluts of fauours wrought onely the disgestion of falshood in him who could taft nothing vnlesse it was saused with treason This man then the Kings onely Achitophel perswaded him to pay thirty thousand pounds to the Danes for their peace whereof no doubt some fell into his owne Coffers 21 This intollerable imposition extorted of the Subiects especially at that time when the land was least able made many suspect great matters against Edrik and some did not feare to accuse him to his face to bee the onely causer of this payment charging him as ouer-affectionated to the Danes and to haue bewraied the Kings secrets and designes vnto them but he seated in the heart of his Soueraigne rubd off this staine with a few fawnings and a faire shew being 〈◊〉 in wit subtle in speech eloquent and for riches
this King 5 But his vices were more and concerned more personnes for a great Epicure hee was and giuen much vnto Cuppes whereby he trained the body to belly cheere and sense to bee subiect to sloth and drunkennesse foure times euery day were his tables spred and plenteously with all Cates furnished euer commanding that his courtiers guests and seruants should rather leaue for superfluity then call for lack which howsoeuer it was in him accounted for Roiall bounty yet it caused in the people who vse to praise the Soueraignes vertues but imitate his vices a riotous loosenesse and the Common-weale to lie sicke of consumptions bred by such excesse of those grosse humours in her body 6 This wrought in him a carelesse neglect of gouernment in State so that â—…he whole managing thereof was committed to his mother Queene Emma a woman extreamely couetous and to Goodwin the rich and politicke Earle of Kent who seeing the present state carried wholy away with present pleasures thought that a fitte subiect for him to worke vpon for the King not married vnlesse it were to his lewd will and Edward likely to succeede of an ouer soft temperature hee thought these both might proue aduantageous to his ambition and therfore bethought him how the crowne might bee worne by him or his 7 Therefore to separate the hearts of the subiects from the Prince then which there can bee no greater a wound vnto both hee caused the King to impose heauy tributes vpon the English onely to pay the Danes in his Fleete appointing euerie common Souldier and Mariner to receiue eight markes in money euery officer and Master twelue which amounted to the summe of thirty two thousand one hundred forty seuen pounds for the payment whereof there was so great a grudge that two of the Collectors Thurstane and Feader were slaine by the Citizens of Worcester which caused their City to be burnt and part of the country spoiled by the Kings commaund and their Bishop Alfred expulsed the See till with money hee had purchased his peace This Bishops hands as was said were deepe in the murther of Prince Alfred the Kings half brother whom we spake of yea and Goodwin himselfe was put to his purgation by oath for the clearing of his suspitions in that treacherous and brutish fact which oath was the lighter vrged and the easier receiued for his rich and bounteous gifts immediately before presented to the King and that was a shippe whose sterne was of gold with fourescore souldiers therein placed all vniformely and richlie suited On their heads they al wore guilt Burgenets and on their bodies a triple guilt habergion a sword with guilt hilts girded to their wastes a battaile-axe after the manner of the Danes on their left shoulders a target with guilt bosses borne in their left hands a dart in the right their armes bound about with two bracelets of gold containing sixeteene ounces in weight 8 Aimundus Bremensis writing the Stories of those times sheweth that the three sonnes of Canute were possessed of the three Kingdomes England Denmarke and Norway though the father by Will had disposed of the first otherwise which moued Hardi-Canute much to maligne the roialtie of Harold whose Crowne by birth and couenant belonged to him and therfore with great preparation intending to recouer his right hee entred the Sea and came into Flanders where hauing notice of the vsurpers death his rage was staied and he peaceably came in and receiued the Crowne 9 And that Swein called the Younger King of Denmarke to assist his vncle Hardi-Canute against Harold the vsurper of Englands Crowne with a great Armie prepared thitherward and taking the Seas were by tempest driuen vpon the coasts of Hadelâ—… where his Armie doing some hurt was set vpon and discomfited by the souldiers of the Arch-bishoppe himselfe amongst them beeing taken prisoner and brought into the presence of the Arch-bishop was by him most honourably receiued and conueied vnto Breme who there entered a league with him and with gifts and other complements after a few daies suffered him to depart who likewise hearing of the death of King Harold returned backe to his owne Countrey where shortly after he was much molested by Magnus the sonne of Olaf then raigning King ouer the Norwegians 10 Hardi-Canute in England hearing of those stirres thought it his part to aid his Nephew King Sweyn against the inuasions of Magnus and therefore hee sent one Sueno his kinsman with an Armie of the English to reestablish King Sweyn in his Throne These entred Norway and the Field against the Norwegians but by them were so ouerlaied that hee left Magnus the vanquisher and returned againe for England but before hee could arriue the Shore King Hardi-Canute was dead with whom dyed the issue of that warre whose death was suddaine and after this manner 11 At the celebration of a great marriage contracted betwixt a Daenish Lord called Canut-Prudan and Lady Githa the daughter of a Noble-man whose name was Osgot Clappa in a solemne assembly banquet at Lambeth the eight of Iune reuelling and carousing amidst his cups hee suddainly feldown without speech or breath whose losse was the lesse lamented for his excesse riotousnesse and vnwonted exactions but chiefly because a much better was then to succeede him hauing himselfe had neither wife nor child that is read off Yea so farre were all sorts from bewailing him that in regard of the freedome from the Danish yoke which they attained by his decease euer since among the common people the day of his death is annually celebrated with open pastimes in the streetes as the old Romanes kept their fugalia for chasing out of their Kings which time is now called Hoctide or Hucxtide signifying a time of scorning or contempt which fell vpon the Danes by his death His body with all due obsequies was interred at Winehester by his fathers after hee had voluptuously raigned two yeeres lacking ten daies and departed his life and kingdome the yeere of Christ Iesus 1042. 12 With the death of this King died all rule of the Danes in this land and the sacred sparke of the Saxons fire through three of their successions buried in their owne ashes beganne now to take flame and to burne most bright which was Prince Edward now commonly called the Confessor the sonne of King Ethelred and albeit there were others betwixt him and the crowne as namely Edward and Edmund the sonnes of the Iron-side yet the one dying in Hungarâ—… without issue of body the other there liuing as a banished man by surname the Out-law was neither so well regarded nor thought so worthy of gouernement as this other Edward was whom therfore they sent for and with so great applause and acclamations proclaimed that the present ioy seemed to prognosticate a perpetuall happinesse to the English who had beene most miserably afflicted by the Daenes for the space of two hundred forty
two yeeres though this line againe failed before it was well begunne EDVVARD THE CONFESSOR SONNE OF KING ETHELRED THE THIRTIE SEVENTH MONARCH OF THE ENGLISHMEN HIS RAIGNE VERTVES AND MARRIAGE CHAPTER VI. EDward the Third of that Name before the Conquest halfe-brother to the deceased Hardi-Canute and sonne to King Ethelred by Queene Emma his wife was by the prouident care of a Mothers affection when the variable successe of Warre doubtfully depended betwixt Edmund the English and Canutus the Dane sent into Normandy to Duke Richard her Brother there to bee secured from all domesticall stirres and now before the dead corps could be enterred wi◅ generall consent of the Nobles was elected their King 2 I know well that in the legend of this holy mans life more things are recorded then with safetie of truth may be either beleeued or deliuered as that he was chosen King by consent of Parliament when as yet he was in his mothers wombe Ethelred his Father at the same time hauing many other sonnes aliue as also when the destroying Danes had extinguished by their warres almost the whole Royall issue of the English the holy Monke Brightwold of Glastenbury deploring their losse and the Lands miserable estate had in vision this Edward then an Exile presented vnto him by the Apostle S. Peter himselfe who then annointing him King in his sight telling him that his Raigne should be peaceable and twenty three yeeres for continuance Brightwold yet vnsatisfied who should next succeed demanded the resolution and was answered by Peter that the Kingdome of England was Gods owne Kingdome for whose successors himselfe would prouide With such vaine predictions our otherwise true Stories are ouer-charged which moued Comineus the worthy French Historian to tax the English with ouer much credulitie that way 3 But most true it is that the English Nobilitie disclaiming all Danish subiection presently vpon the death of King Harold enacted That none of their bloud should any more raigne ouer them putting this their decree in execution by cassiering all Danes from the Castles Forts and Garrison Townes throughout all the Land whence some euen of their Bloud Royall were forced to depart Then sending securitie into Normandy with proffer of the Crowne vnto Prince Edward had his consent and assistance of Duke William his cosen germane 4 This Edward as elsewhere hath been said was borne at Islip neere vnto Oxford and tenderly educated by Queene Emma his Mother and after his Fathers death for safety sent into France where by his sweet conuersation hee gained the loue of all and as much himselfe affected those strangers which was some blemish of policie in the face of his gouernment when he had got the Diadem as being of disposition ouer-soft and euer too pliant an imperfection in a Soueraigne to take the impresse of any stampe In which mould the aspiring Goodwin Earle of Kent doth cast the fabrick of his owne designes who had made away Alfred his younger but of a more resolute spirit that so the basis of his owne piller whose top in time he hoped to crowne might be set if not vpon yet with the neerest to the Throne 5 Hee therefore the formost both in will and power vsed both to establish Prince Edward in his right being seconded by Leofrick Earle of Chester and Lyuingus Bishop of Worcester and indeed with the generall assistance of all the English who now were so iealous of all forraine powers that they forbad an ouergreat traine of Normans though comming for his aid to attend their new-chosen King 6 His Coronation was at Winchester with great concourse of people and the celebration performed by Edsine Archbishop of Canterbury vpon the very day of Christ his resurrection being also a new-rising day to the English Nation the yeere of grace 1042. himselfe being aged then towards forty and was in number the thirty seuenth Monarch of England where he raigned with such Iustice Piety that he obtained the venerable name of Saint and vnto posterities is distinguished from the other Edwards by the adiunct Confessor 7 In the entrance of his gouernement to witnes his loue to his people hee sought euery way the furtherance of their wealth and afterwards remitted the most heauy Tribute of forty thousand pounds yearly gathered by the name of Dane-gilt which had bin imposed by his Father and payed for forty years continuance out of the lands of all except only the Clergie because say our ancient lawes the Kings reposed more confidence in the prayers of holy Church then in the power of Armies Then from the diuers Lawes of the Mercians West-Saxons Danes and Northumbrians he selected the best and made of them one body certaine and written in Latin that all men of anie learning might know wheron to rely to be the touch of his Common-wealths Pleas and the squire by which he would haue euery right to be measured being in a sort the fountaine of those which at this day we terme the Common Lawes though the formes of pleading processe therein were afterward brought in by the Conquest 8 The raigne of this King by most writers records was more spent in peace works of true piety thē in warres and bloud though some dissensions happened both domesticall and forreine for about the yeare one thousand forty fiue and third of his Raign a royal Nauy was rigged in Sandwich hauen against Magnus King of Norway who then intended to inuade England and indeed had so done if the wars of Sweyn king of Denmark had not diuerted his purpose 9 This Sweyn was the sonne of Duke Wolfe by Ostryd his Duchesse sister to Hardi-Canut who as I find written in the manuscript of Aimundus Bremensis being in possession of two kingdomes prepared his Nauy for the conquest of England also But saith hee King Edward gouerning that Kingdome with great Iustice and Loue chose rather his peace with proffers of Tribute and promises that after his death the Crowne should be his yea though himselfe should haue children how beit this seemeth not to sound for truth For Sweyn sending his Ambassadors vnto Edward to craue ayde against Magnus his grieuous and mortall Enemy could obtain none and Harold Harfager the successor of Magnus and enemy to Sweyn presently thereupon sent vnto Edward for a league of amity which was ratified firmely betwixt them 10 Neither may wee thinke that euer hee meant his Crowne that way for that besides the decree enacted against all Danish claims his desire to establish it in the English bloud is most manifest by sending for Edward his Nephew the sonne of Edmund Ironside remaining in Hungary and that so long out of England that hee was called the Outlawe who comming ouer brought with him his wife Agatha and children Edgar a sonne and Margaret and Christian his daughters him Edward meant to haue made heire to the Crowne had he not beene preuented by hasty death
to Duke William of Normandy so great a trust he euer reposed in strangers This Swaine vpon a remorse of conscience for the bloud he had spilt and especially for the slaughter of Beorne his cosen intercessor who sued to the King for his peace vndertooke a pilgrimage to Ierusalem and in his returne died in Licia whether through an extremity of cold or by the hands of Saracens that spoiled all they met it is vncertaine 19 Goodwin now restored and in great credit with the King cast the eye of disdaine vpon the Arch-Bishop Robert as commonly fauorits emulate each others and himselfe being a man eloquent and politicke so possessed the King both against him and his Normans that he requited his owne banishment with al theirs out of England some few excepted that were fauoured by the English and now promising himselfe much honour and authority was suddainly cut off by the stroake of death surprizing him as hee sate at Table with the King vpon Monday in the Easter weeke but died not till the Thursday following which happened at Winchester where hee was buried 20 Besides these former forraine and ciuil molestations other calamities happened to the land for in the yeare of Grace 1047. and moneth of Ianuary there fell so great a Snow which couered the ground vnto the middle of March that Cattle Fowles perished abundantly and on the first day of that Month the yere following a strange and terrible Earth-quake happened which seemed to rent the ground asunder and withall such Lightnings as burnt vp the Corne growing in the fields wherby an excessiue Dearth followed so that his raigne was neither so peaceable nor prosperous as Brightwold the Monke dreamed it should be But as all these were scourges sent from God vpon the Land for sin so both Prince Pastors and people had all seuerally their part thereof as being iointly the causers of the same 21 For the King in case of these Strangers put the Land more then once in danger to bee lost and himselfe refraining the bed of his vertuous wife committed thereby the offence forbidden by the Apostle and caused her his Queene either to commit or be accused to haue committed adultery The Clergie likewise altogether vnlearned wanton and vicious for the Prelats neglecting the offices of Episcopall function which was to tender the affaires of the Church and to feede the flocke of Christ liued themselues idle and couetous addicted wholly to the pomp of the world and voluptuous life little caring for the Churches soules committed to their charge and if any told them saith Higden that their liues ought to be holy their conuersation without Couetousnes according to the sacred prescript and vertuous examples of their Elders they would scoffingly put them off with Nunc aliud tempus alii pro tempore mores Times haue mutations So must mens fashions and thus saith he they plained the roughnes of their doings with smoothnes of their answers Briefly the whole people were so loose and riotous that as Geruasius Dorobornensis recordeth they fell so fast to commit wickednes as to bee ignorant of sinfull crimes was then held to be a great crime it selfe And by the testimony of Malmesbury the sinnes of those times euidently foreshewed a generall destruction for the Englishmen saith hee transformed themselues into the strange manners of the French and that not onely in speech and behauiour but in their deeds and Charters their vse was then to goe fantastically appointed their garments reaching but to the mid knee their heads shorne and their beards shauen all but the vpper lippe which grew with long mustaches continually wearing massie bracelets of gold about their armes carrying markes vpon their skinne pounced in of sundry Colours and the Clergiâ—… contenting themselues with triuiall literature could scarcely hacke and hew out the words of the Sacrament These then were Englands dolorous times both of blindnesse lewdriesse drawing downe Gods wrath for their destruction 22 But howsoeuer this King is reported to bee louing and facile towards strangers which in it selfe is a princely vertue if it be opportunely and warily vsed yet to his owne Mother and Wife vnnaturally ouer rigorous imprisoning and bereauing them both of all Prince-like honor Against Queene Emma his Mother were instigators Robert Arch-Bishop of Canterbury and Earle Goodwin of Kent the two greatest fauorites of the King The causes obiected were her marriage with Canut the Capitall enemy of England her regardlesnesse of succouring himself and his brother in their exiles whom as was alleaged shee contriued to haue made away and that vnder colour of priuate deuotions she had vsed the company of Alwine Bishop of Winchester ouer familiarly to her great dishonour and the Kings disgrace for these and the like hee tooke away all her Iewels and other substance and committed her to safe custody in the Abbey of Werwell 23 Indeed Malmsbury doth tax her to haue been insatiably couetous and that shee was more tenderly affectionate to her Danish then English children whereby her loue was measured to their fathers But for the imputation of her incontinencie she washed it off with as sharpe a triall as any that is recorded for truth by vndergoing that ouer-hard law Ordalium when in presence of the King her Son many of his Peeres she passed ouer betweene nine plough-shares glowing red hot bare-footed blind-folded without any hurt vsing this speech to her leaders as not knowing shee was past all danger O Lord when shall I come to the place of my purgation but hauing her eyes vncouered and seeing her selfe cleerely escaped fell vpon her knees and with teares gaue thanks to her Deliuerer whereby she recouered both the loue and her former estate of the King with the good esteeme and applause of the people in memory whereof shee gaue nine Mannors according to the number of plough-shares to the Minster of Winchester wherin she had that triall and adorned the same with many rich ornaments as likewise the King repenting the wrong he did her bestowed on the same place the Iland so then it was called Portland in Dorsetshire being about seuen miles in compasse for so the chance in those daies was set that whosoeuer lost the monks did winne 24 Neither were this Kings proceedings better with his owne Wife howsoeuer some haue cloaked that Fraud so the Apostle tearmes it vnder the faire robe of Chastity For hee marrying Editha a Lady incomparable both for beauty and vertue in whose brest saith Malmesburie there was a Schoole of all Liber all Sciences refused her Bed but whether it were for his debility or hatred to Goodwin her father or loue of Virginity I determine not but am fully perswaded that the accusation of Adultery wherewith Robert the Arch-bishop did charge her was more vpon enuy to her father then truth of so foule a fact in her whose vertues were so many and so memorable
a sudden gale arose which blew all the sailes spred for that winde into one Port. And that was Harold sonne to Earle Goodwine a man duly prizing his many worthy parts not vnmeet for a kingdom who first succeeding his father in his Dukedome and next Edward his brother in Law in his Kingdom in patience clemency affability bare himselfe most approuedly towards the vertuous but with a Lions courage and fierce countenance chastised the disordered and indeede became another Maccabeus vnto the distressed Land Whose kingly state before wee touch it shall not bee amisse to lengthen his short raigne with his Acts and Life as hee was a Subiect both with and against his Lord and Predecessor 2 That hee tooke part with his Father against Eustace of Bulloigne and King Edwards hasty commission wee haue shewed himselfe then enioying the Earledom of Oxford and so affected by those of Essex Suffolke and Norfolke Cambridge Huntington-shires that they sided in his cause against the King But these designes failing as commonly it is seene all attempts of Subiects against their Soueraignes doe hee learned by banishment what was the losse of true honour and by forbearance of battle when halfe the Kingdome stood for him his dutie obliged vnto the Common-wealth And growne againe into fauour with the King carried himselfe answerably vnto both 3 Some iealousy conceiued Edward without any cause banished Algar the son of Leofrike Earle of Chester who with the helpe of the Irish and Welchmen vnder the conduct of Gruffith ap Llewelyn Prince of North-Wales who had married his daughter did much hurt to the English putting Rodulph Earle of Hereford to flight with the slaughter of fiue hundred men spoiled the City burnt the Minster and became Masters of mis-rule in those parts Against these was Harold sent and with such manhood pursued his flying enemies that passing through North-Wales vpon the Snow-downes he pitched his Field The Earle and Prince Gruffith not daring to abide his presence fled thence vnto South-Wales and again tooke into Hereford whereof Harold hauing intelligence hasted thitherward leauing sufficient in the Snow-downes to mate the Welsh and recouering the City with a deepe trench and high rampire fortified it about where for the sauing of more bloud and not vngratefull to Algar who without grudge had resigned to him his Earldome and whole Reuenewes at his returne from exile a peace was concluded and at Harolds request Earle Algar and Prince Gruffith were pardoned 4 But Algar being again accused again aided by his old associate Gruffith recouered his Earledome by force whereat King Edward was highly displeased but most against Gruffith who euer was ready to assist any against him whereupon Harold the second time appointed Generall with a great host entred North-Wales without sight of enemy where he only burnt downe the stately Palace of Prince Gruffith so returned to the King But long the Welsh were not quiet nor the Prince pleased of the harms to him done Wherefore making his forces verie strong he again molested the English 5 To restraine whom once more was Harold set foorth who with such terrour burst into Wales that Prince Gruffith in secret stole from his Campe leauing his Souldiers if they would to fight for themselues whereupon his whole army yeelded themselues to Harolds mercy and hauing Prince Gruffith in their hands cut off his head and sent it to Harold giuing him pledges for assurance of p◅ce and the paiment of the ancient tribute which for a time had beene reteined yet euer after hee carried so heauy a hand on the Welsh that as Iohn of Salisburie in his Policraticon writeth he ordained a law that what Welsh-man soeuer should with weapon passe ouer Offaes ditch should haue hi◅ right hand cutte off by the Kings officer 6 All now in quiet and Harold withdrawne to his Mannor of Boseham vpon the riuage of the sea in the confines of Sussex there for his recreation one day hee tooke into a Fishers boate with small attendants neither those very skilfull Mariners when no sooner were they lanched into the deepe but a contrary wind came about and droue the boat vpon the coast of Ponthieu in France where hee was taken by the Country people and presented to Guido their Earle who a while retained him his prisoner in hope of gaine by his ransom but Duke William requiring it he was conueied into Normandy where he cunningly perswaded the Duke that his secret comming out of England was purposely to enter a league of amity with him The Duke then hauing present wars with the Britaine 's in France tooke this his new friend and guest with him for his companion at Armes whose ready policies followed with forward practise wan him great estimation with the Duke whereupon betwixt them a couenant was made for the reseruation of the English Crowne to the Norman if it chanced King Edward to die without children and the same ratified by Harolds corporall oath with the affiancing of Lady Adeliza the Dukes fift daughter then a child and Harold a widower which afterwards fell to his owne destruction and the lands subuersion as shall bee said 7 His last imploiment by holy King Edward was against the tumultuous Northumbrians which had expulsed Tosto their Earle and Harolds owne brother where a peace was concluded without shedding blood but with condition that Tosto should lose his Earledom whereupō in great displeasure he with his wife children fled into Flanders and euer after hated the person and emulated the glory of Harold The originall of these two brethrens quarrels beganne at Windsor where in the presence of the King they fell from words vnto blowes and that in such manner as if rescue had not come Tosto had died for which disgrace hee secretly hied him into the Marches of Wales and neere the City Hereford at Portaflyth where Harold had a house then in preparing to entertaine the King he slew all his brothers seruants and them cutting peecemeale into gobbets salted some of their limmes and cast the rest into vessels of the meath and wines sending his brother word that hee had furnished him with poudred meats against the Kings comming thither which barbarous act caused deseruedly his name to be odious vnto his Northumbrians and was lastly repayed with his owne death 8 Now albeit some Heralds make Harold by birth but a Gentleman of one and the first descent which were it so should no whit blemish him who was more truely enobled with princely vertues yet therein also it may seeme hee is mis-esteemed seeing his Father was Goodwin a Duke by degree the son of Wolnoth and he the sonne of Egelmar who was the sonne of Egelricke surnamed Leofwine and brother of Edrick Duke of Mercia that married the daughter of King Ethelred of England of whom wee haue spoken The mother of Harold was Githa the daughter of Duke
kingdome is now brought to a setled estate and with such loue and liking of the English as that they will neuer admit any more a stranger to rule ouer them And as touching the contract with his yonger daughter hee well seeth that God hath taken away that occasion of alienating the Crowne and surely his Law hath likewise prouided remedy against such rash vâ—…ws whose precepts I mean to follow and therefore said he will your Duke to weigh my estate with his own both his and mine now in quiet sufficient for two and either of them employment enough for one mans Gouernment and therefore both of them too much to bee well gouerned by one seeing that God himselfe had set a sea betwixt them With these and the like speeches hee shifted off the Dukes Ambassadors without all princely entertainements or courteous regard 18 The messengers returned and Harolds answeres declared William lion-like enraged casteth his thoughts about plotting reuenge and making some oddes euen that might impeach his designes prepared all things for open warre Harold likewise not sleeping his businesse made ready his Fleete mustered his souldiers and planted his Garrisâ—…s along the Sea-coast But in these his proceeâ—…gs beholdâ—… great and fearefull Comete appeared seldom a figne to Princes of fortunate successe vpon the twenty fourth of Aprill and lasted onely seuen dayes which drew the minds of the English into great suspense now ready to enter into a double warre 19 For as 〈◊〉 the Norman for his part claymed England by gift so Harfager the Daâ—…e did by succession the rumors of both which greatly terrified the heartes of the inhabitants and yet behold a third terrour vnexpected contrary to nature and most mens opinions suddainely arose for Tosto the cruell Earle of Northumberland and brother to Harold expulsed by his people and proscribed by King Edward fled into France where by the instigations of William whose wiues sister hee had married both of them the daughters of Balwine Earle of Flanders he got for his reuenge a Fleet furnished with men at Armes and thus prepared his first fury was shewed in spoiling the I le of Wight then coasting the shore shrewdly endammaged Kent whence hoisâ—…ng saile fell foule vpon Lincolnshire where Morcar and Edwine Earles of Chester and Yorkeshire aided with the Kings Nauie droue him from thence though with some losse of their men 20 Tosto for more succour fled into Scotland where of King Malcolme he had but cold comfort himselfe being busied with ciuill broiles but howsoeuer his expectation there failed yet his purposes were continued with the assistance of Harold Harfager that is the Faire-lockes King of Denmarke who with three hundred shippes had entred the riuer Tyne for Englands inuasion after his conquest of the Iles of Orknes Tosto therefore ioining his Fleet to these Danes in warlike brauerie both of them enter the mouth of Humber and drawing vp the riuer Ouse at Richhall landed their men making spoile of the Country wheresoeuer they came To meet with these the foresaid Earles Edwin and Morcar in a tumultuous hast raised their powers but were so ouerlaid by the Norwegians that many were slaine and more drowned in passing ouer that riuer 21 The enemy grown proud by this late victory hasted towards Yorke the chiefe Citie of the North where planting his siege it was presently yeelded vp and hostages deliuered vpon both parts for the performance of couenants The Danes thus prospering had most strongly encamped themselues for backed they were with the German Ocean flanked on the left hand with the riuer Humber wherein also their Fleete rid at Anker and had on their right hand and afront the riuer Derwent so that it seemed impossible to raise this siege 22 But Harold thinking the coasts cleere from all danger the Equinoctiall at hand and Nauigation now past the victuals in his Fleet spent and notice from Earle Balwin of Flanders that Duke William meant not his voiage that yeere was about to disband his Army When this sudden newes from the North pierced his eare no need it was then to bid him make haste thither the case standing so neere him as it did Therefore recalling his Army posted to Yorke and from thence marched against the Norwegians who lay secured with such aduantage as wee haue said Notwithstanding Harold couragiously ordered his battell and assaied to passe the Bridge called Stamford built ouer Derwent which one onely Dane made good for a time against his whole host and with his Ax slew forty of his men till lastly this Dane was slaine with a dart 23 The Bridge gotten and the English reduced into their rankes Harold most boldly set vpon his enemies euen in their Campe where the battaile with equall valour and fortune was maintained a time till lastly the Norwegians disarraied and scattered were slaine outright and among them the two Chieftaines Harfager and Tosto with may others of worth and account lost their liues Olane the sonne of this Harfager and Paul Earle of Orkeney who kept their Fleet Seas whilest his Father and followers fought vpon land were brought to King Harold and to haue their liues spared abiured the Land and thenceforth to attempt no hostilitie against the English peace and with twenty small vessels to cary away their slaine and hurt were suffered to depart bringing heauy newes into Denmarke of the losse of their King and ouerthrow of his Army 24 By this victory thus happily obtained fell vnto Harold an exceeding rich booty both of gold and siluer besides the great Armado of Tosto and Harfager whereby his mind was soone set aloft and he began to grow both proud and odious vnto his Army the rather for that he diuided not the spoiles vnto them that had deserued it a wrong that the common Souldier doth continually murmure at and commonly endure 25 Now in this current of King Harolds fortunes William the Norman had the more leasure to strengthen his owne and often conferring with his Captaines about Englands inuasions found them euer resolute and cheerefull that way the difficultie onely rested how to prouide money enough the very sinewes whereby the vast body of an Army must be knit strengthned for a subsidy being propounded vnto the assembly of the Norman States it was answered that a former warre against the French had empouerished much of their wealth that if new wars were now raised therein their substance spent to gain other parts it would be thereby so wasted as that hardly it would be sufficient to defeÌ„d their own that they thought it more safety to hold what he had then on hazard of their own to inuade the territories of others that this war inteÌ„ded iust though it were yet seemed not necessary but exceeding daÌ„gerous besides said they the Normans were not by their allegiance bound to Military seruices in forrein parts therefore such paiments could not bee assessed vpon them
signified to Rollo choosing out the tallest and goodliest persons of his company and such as were of greatest wisedom with them he very ioyfully meeteth the King is entertained presents him with great gifts but receiueth greater Then sitting downe to talke and commune 12 I am saith King Alstenus right gladde most worthy Duke Rollo to see you in this my Court. The renowne of your Nation hath beene related to mee a Martiall kind of Peopleyee are and infight vnconquerable And you your selfe also for your prowesse are not vnnoted among the rest of your famous Worthies your valiant exploits are well knowne vnto vs It is right pleasing vnto vs to enter with such men into amitie Behold our whole kingdome is before you choose out a seate for your selfe and your people wheresoeur you best like for wee will haue an euerlasting league between vs. 13 Rollo glad of so faire promises replied Most worthy and renowmed King I highly esteem of your bountifull and most liberall proffers God grant a happy successe of our affaires I doe thinke myselfe most bounden deuoted to your worthines and if destinie euer answer to our desires we will not be vnthankfull for this your so great benignity To seate ourselues in your kingdome though indeede we are very willing and your Royall proffers do much more incite vs yet Fate doth not permit it I haue determined and will certainly performe to goe into France For your gifts bestowed on me I esteeme them in the highest degree and right well content I am to haue a perpetuall League with you that the like Fortune may betide vs both the one to be a safeguard to the other This I both offer and accept of I his League God grant may to vs both proue happy and fortunate 14 With such like interchanges the time much spent and night drawing on they were brought to banquet And early the next morning comming forth of their lodgings most louingly embraced each other when each gaue receiued presents best suting with their estates and occasions Neither doth Krantzius stay his penne there but proceedeth to particular affaires betwixt these two Princes without the concurrence of any of our owne writers 15 As how the English rose in Armes against Alstenus their King taking oportunity of the time for that Rollo whom they knew to bee ioined in a most strait confederacy with their Soueraigne beeing then imployed in the warres of France could not come or send to his aide Alstenus therefore oppressed with a tumultuous kingdome remembred Rollo his faithful friend and sending Ambassadors declared vnto him what distresse he was in who not vnmindfull of the firme league betwixt them left his French wars and prepared for England with all his Forces where entring the Iland he easily quieted the tumultuous rebels ransacking their Cities curbing their wildenes and so reducing them at last to an orderly subiection For which his great loue care pains the King not vnthankful resolued to requite him with the halfe of his kingdom appointing the Cities and limiting the bounds which each of them should rule and gouerne as their owne possessions 16 Rollo in the meane time as carefull of the peaces continuance as regardlesse of so great remunerations taketh pledges of the Rebels for securing their loialtie to the King and peaceable bearing towards himselfe vpon accomplishment whereof repairing to Alstenus he thus bespake him 17 Seeing King Alstenus you haue so highly rewarded me both with princely entertainment and bountifull presents I can doe no lesse then willingly bestow vpon you these my paines for your safetie it iâ—… no more then your deserts doe challenge neither will I accept or seeme so vncourteous as to expect for my paines any part of your dominion Your selfe now may well gouerne it for France calles for my presence keepe therefore those your Pledges brought to you by your Subiects and there is no doubt but you shall hence-forward gouerne your Kingdome in a setled and contentfull quietnesse 18 The King could not containe those his eies which now beheld in a stranger so strange and vnexempled kindnes from resoluing into teares giuing him both hearty thanks and rich gifts seeing hee could not fasten on him any portion of his Kingdome of whom all that Rollo desired was this that he would giue licence to such voluntary Souldiers as would goe with him into France whereto Alsten ready in all things to gratifie his desire gladly condescended and furnished him with attendants 19 But leauing Krantius the Dane as likewise Gemeticensis the Norman to fauour their Country these their reports to the best liking of the iudicious most certaine it is that the French King Charles commonly called the Simple gaue the Duchie of Normandy with his daughter Gilla whose mother was Aeguina the daughter of Edward the Elder King of England vnto Rollo the Dane as is recorded in an old manuscript belonging to the Monastery of Angiers And when Rollo was baptized Charles receiuing him for his God-sonne at the Font he was there required to doe homage for his Dukedome receiued and inioined therein to kisse the Kings foot which hee did but with some disgrace to King Charles and bound it with an oath that hee did not receiue it vpon courtesie 20 This Rollo by his second wife Popee for Gilla died childlesse daughter to the Earle of Bessin and Baileulx had a sonne named William surnamed Longespee and a daughter called Girlâ—…ta who was afterwards married to the Duke of Guyan 21 William Long-espee so called of the Long Sword he vsually wore the second Danish Duke of Normandy took vnto wife Spâ—…rta the daughter of Hubert Earle of Seâ—…tlis by whom hee had onely Richard his sonne this William receiuing baptisme receiued therewith a new name and was thenceforth called Robert who hauing gouerned his Dukedome with great moderation the space of twenty yeeres was guilefully murthered by the working of Lewes King of France to the great griefe of his people who so far followed the reuenge that they intercepted Lewes in the Citie Rothâ—…mage and deteined him their prisoner till he agreed to these Articles That young Richard should succeed his slaine Father in the foresaid Dukedome and that thenceforth when the King Duke should conferre together the Duke should bee girt with his Sword and the King disabled either of Sword or knife to which Lewes yeelded vpon his corporall oth 22 Richard thus established gouerned his Dukedome the space of fifty two yeeres Hee was a man of an admirable fortitude and therefore was called Richard the Hardy His first wife was Agnes daughter to Hughle Grand Earle of Paris Lord Abbat of Germans and Father to Hugh Capet of France but she dying issuelesse he secondly married Gâ—…or a Gentlewoman of the Danish bloud whom he had kept his Concubine before by whom he had three sonnes and three daughters the first was Richard that succeeded in his dominions the second
the one side to acknowledge him for the Normans Patron and on the other for the English King as in the sculpture thereof at the entrance of his history is seene which beareth this sense This Signe doth VVilliam Normans Patron show By this the English him their King doe know 21 These snares of his lawes accounted the fetters of the Natiues were by the Nobility sought to be cast off for Edwin and Morcar the two stout Earles so often mentioned fainedly reconciled to the King not long before combining with Fretherike the bold and rich Abbot of S. Albanes set vp Edgar Atheling their Generall once againe and fell into a new conspiracy William Lion-like storming at the loose and regardlesse allegiance of these vnsufferable subiects daily with fresh attempts so disturbing his peace with a mighty power hastened against them and armed aswell with the spirituall sword of Lanfranck then aduanced to bee Archbishop of Canterbury as with maile of Iron or coats of steele laied all barren wheresoeuer hee came his opposites for their parts knowing his purpose as desperately maintained what they had begunne and fully were resolued to make the sword their Iudge 22 The King by his Spials hearing the encrease of their power and knowing to his restlesse trouble the vnwilling subiection of the English entred consultation with his Archbishop who as Rhehoboams Sagâ—…s gaue him counsell somewhat to beare with their abuses rather then to hazard the ruine of all in fight and so farre preuailed in this his aduice that an assembly was appointed to meet at Berkhamsted in the County of Hertford where the King entring parley with the English Nobility so far did wind himselfe into their good opinions being a very politike and faire-spoken Prince that they all forth with laid down their weapons 23 And hee for his part fearing to lose the crown with shame which he had gotten by the effusion of so much bloud gaue his oath vpon the holy Euangelists and the reliques of Saint Albane the Martyr the same being ministred vnto him by Abbot Fretherik swearing to obserue and inuiolably to keep the ancient laws of this land most especially those compiled by King Edward the Confessor though as the euent soone shewed hee little ment to doe as hee pretended 24 Peace thus established among other conferences beseeming such estates it chaunced King William to demand the reason how it came to passe that his fortune should bee in one daies battaile to subdue the English which the Danes before him could not doe in many to which question whilst each stood looking on others expecting what to answere the stout Abbot Fretherick stept forth and said 25 The reason thereof may easily bee giuen if the occasion bee well weighed for wontedly the land was defended by dint of swords vntill that their warlike wearers vpon their godly deuotions laid them from their sides vpon the Altars of Orisons which through ouerlong rest are growne very rustie and their edges too dull now for the field for said hee the maintenance of martiall men with a great part of this lands reuenewes are daily conuerted to pious imploiments to maintaine and defend these holy votaries whose praiers pierce more deeper then the sword and therefore thou art obliged ô King to maintaine their peace that haue beene the cause of thy so easie purchase 26 But William before the words were well out of his mouth replied and said Is the Clergy so rich and so strengthned that the land thereby 〈◊〉 weakened of her men at Armes and to keepe onely the religious in safetâ—… shall the Laitie lie exposed to the 〈◊〉 of the Danes and other forreine Enemies surely out of your owne mouthes I will iudge you and for redresse will first begin with thee whereupon hee tooke from the Abbey of Saint Albanes all the lands and reuenewes that lay betwixt Barnet and London-Stone Abbot Fretherick whose ouerbold answers had now offended the King without delay called a chapter of his brethren shewing them their approaching dangers and to auoid the present storme went himselfe to Ely where hee desisted not from his wonted machinations against the Conquerour 26 This conference ended and the Kings oath receiued the English Armies disband themselues as dreaming they had now good Fortune by the foot and hoping the greatest stormes of their dangers were past which presently proued but a Vaine surmise for King William hauing compounded with the Danes that lay all this last Winter in Northumberland and paid them a great summe for their departure beganne extreamely to hate the rebels and with full resolution of their destruction suddainely set vpon them apart which he durst not attempt when they were vnited so that slaying many imprisoning others and prosecuting all of them with fire sword wel was he that could be first gone 27 Edgar Etheling got again into Scotland and Edwin Earle of Yorkeshire following with the like intent was slaine in the way by his owne souldiers Egelwin Bishop of Durham Morcar Earle of Chester Siward surnamed Bran and Hereward a verie valiant Knight got into the I le of Ely relying wholly on the aduantage of the place This Hereward had receiued a hallowed sword and benediction of his vnckle the Abbot of Peterborow and had most valiantly defended his owne inheritance against the Normans and with no lesse couragewithstood the Conquerour being made captaine of those now assembled 28 But the King lest delay should giue them aduantage and harbor more of such his vnbrideled subiects with a great power hasted thitherward stopping vp the East passage from all flight or reliefe drew a causy on the west through the deepe Fennes euen two miles of length where likewise he then built the Castle of Wisbech against which they in the I le raised another of timber and turffes and called it according to the name of their Captaine Hereward at which place many assaultes bickerings being made but yet no entrance gotten Morcar by boat escaped out of the I le and in Scotland obtained by price what these distressed could not by praier so that Malcolme the King in rescue reuenge of them inuaded Cumberland and forraged all Theisdale Hereward also went out of the I le and got a gallant crew of choise and youthfull souldiers which stood most stoutly for the defence of their liberties 29 In the meane while the Monkes oppressed with miseries sued for mercy vnto the King Thurstan the Abbot repairing to Warwick where William then lay offered him entrance vnto the I le if hee would restore to their Abbey the ancient possessions the King then reioicing to obtaine that by wit which Canutus could not do by maine strength accorded to the request and in great hast but no little difficulty got into the I le where slaying a thousand of the Common sort hec vsed great cruelty against the better imprisoning many and
dismembring others some of their hands some of their eies and some of their feete Egelwine Bishop of Durham hee imprisoned first at Abington then at VVestminster whose diet was either so sparing or stomack so great in forbearance or both for both are reported that ere long he died of hunger 30 Howsoeuer the Monkes of Ely kept their promise with William for betraying of the I le he contrariwise brake his for their preseruation and peace for by no means their praiers would enter his eares tâ—…l the sound of seuen hundred markes had opened the way to collect which they were forced to fâ—…ll both the iewels and ornaments of their Church which being brought to his receiuers there wanted whether by error or deceit a groat in weight form those daies greater summes passed by weight not by tale whereof when the King vnderstood hee in greate but captious rage denied them all composition for peace whereupon with much suite he was entreated to accept of a thousand Markes more to raise which they disfurnished their Monastery euen of things of necessary vse 31 But the English Fugitiues who had gotten the Scots to stick to them were not yet pacified but entring into Cumberland they wasted the Country before them vnto the Territories of Saint Cuthbert city of Durham to meet whom King Wiâ—…am sent Gospatrick who lately reconciled to his fauour and created Earle of Northumberland shewed the like measure of cruelty vpon the Scotish Abetters 〈◊〉 they had done against the English The Conqueror therefore not a little moued against King Malcolme for that his Country was a receptacle of his Rebellious Subiects and himselfe now the cheife Leader of the Male-contents into his Kingdome hasted into Scotland with a desire and purpose to haue done much more then hee was able to accomplish for entring Galloway hee more wearied his Souldiers in passing the Marish grounds and mountaines then with encounter or pursuite of the Enemy so that hee was forced to giue ouer his enterprize and then drew his forces towards Lothiam where King Malcolme and his English late being fully resolued there to end by battaile either his troubles or his life 32 But Malcolme wisely considering the euent of warre and that the occasion thereof was not for his own subiects but for a sort of forraine fugitiues beganne to thinke that the wrongs therein done to another hee could hardly brooke himselfe and sent therefore to William proffers of peace whereunto lastly the English King inclined and hostages deliuered vpon further Conferences what time as I take it vpon Stane-more not far from an homely hostilerie called the Spittle a Stone-Crosse on the one side of whose shaft stood the picture and armes of the King of England and on the other the Image armes of the King and Kingdome of Scotland vpon that occasion called the Roi-crosse was erected to shew the Limits of either kingdome some ruines of which Metre-marke are yet appearing for King William granting Cumberland vnto Malcolme to hold the same from him conditionally that the Scots should not attempt any thing preiudiciall to the Crowne of England for which King Malcolme did him homage saith Hector Boetius the Scotish writer and the English being reconciled to his fauour after hee had built the Castle of Durham returned as cleared from all Northren troubles 33 But his Norman Dukedome stirred somwhat vnto rebellion called King William into those parts where by the prowesse of the English hee soone brought all things to peace and returned for England better conceiting of that Nation especially of Edgar Etheling whom he courteously receiued and honorably maintained in â—…is Court allowing him a pound waight of Siluâ—… euery day to spend a rare example of a victorious Conquerour shewed vpon a man so vnconstant who twice had broken his oath of fidelity and dangerous to be so neere vnto his person being as he was a Competitor of his Crowne 34 Whiles the King was in Normandy Ralph de Ware Earle of Suffolke and Norfolke tooke to wife Emma the daughter of William Fitz-Osberne and sister to Roger Earle of Hereford cosen to King William and that without his consent by whose affinity he conceiued no small pride and euen on the wedding day when wine had well intoxicated the braine with a long circumstance perswaded his Guests vnto a Rebellion vnto whom yeelded â—…oger Earle of Hereford his Brides brother and Waltheof Earle of North-hampton with many other Barons Abbats and Bishops But the next morning when Earle Waltheof had consulted with his Pillow and awaked his wits to perceiue the danger whereunto he was drawne repaired straightwaies to Archbishop Lanfranke who was left Gouernour of the Land in King Williams absence reuealing vnto him their Conference and Treasons intended by whose aduice he went ouer into Normandie and there with submissiue repentance shewed the King what these Lords and himselfe had intended 35 The Earles therefore of Norfolke and Hereford whose state now lay open to chaunce as desperate men tooke themselues to Arms sought how to vnite their two powers into one This sudden sound of warre soone roused the Subiects so that Wolstane Bishop of VVorcester and Egelwine Abbat of Euesham hauing called to their aide Walter Lacie and Vrse the Sheriffe of Worcester so manfully withstood Earle Roger that he with his Army could not passe ouer Seuerne to joine with his brother Norfolke And he againe was so sore laide at by Odo Bishop of Bayeux and Geffrey Bishop of Constance who had assembled a mighty Army both of English and Normans that they constrained him first to Norwich where in the Castle he bestowed his Countesse and thence fled himselfe into Little Britaine whither shortly shee followed 36 William now returned from Normandy and some reliques of Rebellion remaining in the West he hasted thitherward where with small adoe hee got Earle Roger into his hands and condemned him to perpetuall prison the Welsh his Aiders of whom also were many at the said Marriage he vsed with great seuerity for of some he put out the eies of others he cut off the hands hanged some vpon gibbets and he that scaped best went into banishment neither Earle Waltheof notwithstanding hee reuealed the conspiracie escaped vnpunished for after that the King had taxed him with ingratitude he hauing formerly restored the Earledome vnto him he caused his head to be chopt off at Winchester although he had before promised his pardon and life his great possessions be ing his greatest Enemies for he is reported to haue been Earle of Northampton Northumberland and Huntington thought by the King to be fitter dignities for the Normans his followers and the desire of a new Marriage moued Iudith his wife not a little to set forward and hasten his death 37 These beginnings against the Welsh King William prosecuted farther entering into Wales with
no Necessity required alwaies couetous yet neuer thrifty and still gathering yet neuer enriching his Coffers All Ecclesiasticall promotions then vacant he assumed into his owne hands and kept the See of Canterbury without an Archbishop aboue foure yeeres setting to sale the free-rights of the Church and he that would giue most came soonest to preferment wherby both the Lands and good esteeme of the Clergy was daily diminished These greeuances were complained of vnto Pope Vrban but he ouer busied to forward an expedition of Christian Princes for the winning of Ierusalem had no leasure seriously to thinke vpon their estates or else lesse minde to diuert Kings out of their owne byas whose persōs he meant to reserue for his own gain 12 The Storme thus clecred without any thunder King Rufus set the eye of desire vpon Duke Roberts dominions who lately had done the like with his and suddenly burst into Normandy as Scipio did into Africke pretending reuenge of injuries done to his Kingdome first therefore surprizing the Castles of Saint Valery and Albemarle hee stored them with his owne Souldiers then piercing forward did great spoile in the Countrie Robert destitute of meanes and knowing his Normans euer vnfaithfull sent to Philip the French King desiring his assistance against this Brother-Enemy who preparing towards Normandy was stopped with such golden showres from King William that he could not passe so that Duke Robert was constrained to make a peace with his brother though for himselfe a very sorry one as saith Gemeticensis which as Paris reporteth was effected by twelue Princes vpon either part and the conditions as followeth that King William should retaine and enioy the County of Ewe with Fescampe the Abbacie of Mount Saint-Michael and all the Castles he had gotten in Normandy for the Duke it was agreed that his brother King William should aide and assist him to recouer thoselands territories beyond the seas which had beene belonging to their Father That all such Normans as had lost their liuings in England in taking part with Duke Robert should be restored and lastly whether of them should die first the suruiuer should be his heire 13 Peace thus established and both their powers vnited they bent altogether against Henry their yongest brother who fearing after-claps had strongly fortified the Castle of Mount Saint-Michael situated vpon the confines of Normandie and Britaine him whom they ought to haue prouided for saith Gemeticensis they went about to expell and all the Lent long laid siege aginst him It chanced one day as his men sallied out made a brauado in the face of their beleaguers King William alone more bold then wise rode against them thinking none so hardy as to encounter him single but presently a Knight slew his horse vnder him his foot entangled in the stirrupe hee was ouer-throwne his enemy therefore with drawn sword was ready to haue slaine him had hee not reuealed himselfe by his voice the armed men with great reuerence then tooke him vp and brought him another horse when the King not staying for the stirrup sprang into the saddle and with an angry countenance demanded who it was that ouerthrew him the Knight as boldly answered and shewed himselfe who he was by Lukes face quoth William for that was his oath thou shalt bee my Knight and be enrolled in my Checke with a Fee answerable to thy worth 14 During this seige Prince Henry being sore distressed for water and knowing Duke Robert to be of the milder temperature sent him word of his want desiring to haue that permitted which God had made common and giuen euen to brute beasts aswell as to men Duke Robert therefore commanded him to be supplied whereat William was wroth telling his Brother he wanted discretion policy in warre which allowed all aduantages to surprise the Enemy And dost thou said Robert esteeme more of water which is euery where to be got then of a Brother hauing no more but him and me In which dissension Earle Henry got thence and by policy tooke a very strong towne called Danford where presently was a reconciliation made amongst these three brethren who thereupon forthwith tooke the Seas together for England 15 About this time in the yeere of Grace 1091 and fourth of King Rufus his raigne one Eneon the sonne of Cadinor Lord of Dyuet mouing rebellion against Rees ap Tewdor Prince of Southwales drew to his side Iestyn Lord of Glamorgan vpon promise to become his sonne in law by the marriage of his daughter Iestyn notwithstanding iudging their faction too weake sent Eneon into England where hee was well acquainted to procure aide against Rees who entring conference of his businesse with Robert Fitz-hamon a worthy Knight of the Kings Priuie-Chamber wrought so far with him being a man easily drawne to the exercise of warre that for a Salarie hee vndertooke the seruice and with twelue Knights and a competent number of Souldiers went into Wales where ioining with Iestin in battle slew Prince Rees ap Tewdor with Conan his sonne Robert Fitzhamon now minding to return demanded his pay according to couenants which Iestine in some part denied alledging that Eneon had gone beyond his commission whereupon such discord arose that these friends fell out and Eneon thus touched in his reputation sided with the English against his owne Country-men whereupon a battaile was fought and Iustin with most of his Welsh slaine so that Robert with his followers obtained a fruitfull possession in those parts which by their posterties are enioied euen to this day whose names as they are found written in a British record were as followeth NAMES POSSESSION 1 William de Londres Ogmor 2 Richard de Grana Villa Neth 3 Pagan de Turberuile Coity 4 Robert de S. Quintin Lhan Blethyan 5 Richard de Syward Talauan 6 Gilbert de Humfreuile Penmarke 7 Roger de Beckrolles East Orchard 8 Raynald de Sully Sully 9 Peter de Score Peterton 10 Iohn Le Fleming Saint George 11 Oliuer de Saint Iohn Fonmon 12 William de Estirling Saint Donats 16 As these things were commenced betwixt England Normandy and Walles Malcolme King of Scotland entred into the English Marches as farre as to Chester in the Streete doing much harme whose farther outrage to preuent William incontinently hasted sending by sea a great Nauie of Shippes and by land his brother Robert though with much losse of either for his Fleet was torne by tempest and his horsemen through hunger cold perished in those barren parts at length the Kings come to an Interuiew where by the meanes of Edgar Atheling a peace was concluded to both their contents for William restored vnto Malcolme twelue Villages which he had held in England vnder his Father and gaue him yeerly twelue Markes in gold And King Malcolme for his part promised to keepe true peace with him as hee
had done with the Conquerour whereunto hee gaue him his Oath as saith Mathew Paris 17 But as these two Kings of Enemies were made friends so the two Brethren of reconciled friends became againe enemies for Duke Robert well perceiuing that King VVilliam meant nothing lesse then performance of couenants protracting time vpon some secret purposes as his iealous head conceiued in great displeasure returned into Normandy taking with him Edgar Atheling whom he held in an especiall account 18 King VVilliam then repairing those Castles which the Scots had destroied new built in Cumberland the City Carleil which two hundred yeares before had beene spoiled by the Danes and hauing defenced it with walles built there the Castle Churches and Houses wherein hee placed a Colonie of Southerne Souldiers with their wines and children granting large priuiledges to the place which the City enioieth euen vnto this day 19 And hauing setled his affaires thus in the North returneth with triumph into the South where immediately hee fell dangerously sicke in the sixth yeere of his Raigne at the Citie of Gloucester whose sinnes beganne to sit so neere his heart not looking to continue to commit many more that hee sore repented him of the same making many promises to amend his life if God would be pleased to giue him longer life the hard lawes against the English he vowed to reforme as also his owne vices and to settle peace and good order in the Church then farre out of frame almost all the Monkes in England liued rather like Consuls being Hunters Hawkers Dicers great Drinkers saith Higden little regarding the rules of their profession Those Bishopricks Monasteries that were vacant and in his owne hand hee forthwith and much against his wont freely bestowed the Archbishopricke of Canterbury vpon Anselme a learned Norman Abbot the See of Lincolne hee gaue to Robert Bluet his Chancellour a man of meane learning and some other touches but otherwise of many singular parts 20 But the danger past and health recouered hee beganne to bee more sicke in mind soon repenting him of his too-soone Repentance for as in spending his owne wealth hee was very prodigall so was hee very diligent to enter into other mens estates and to gaine from them what he could and therefore tampereth with Anselme perswading him that the trouble of the Archbishops place was very burthenous especially for a man wholly brought vp within the walles of a Monastery deuoted to contemplation and vnexperienced in the mannage of great affaires of State But all this Art could not induce him to let goe his hold-fast of the Kings absolutely passed promise nor yet to satisfie his great desire with mony and therefore the King paid himselfe out of his Lands Likewise from Roger of Lincolne hee exacted fiue thousand pounds and the Commons hee fined for transgression of his penall lawes and in truth molested all for money None were rich but Treasurers and Collectors none in fauour but vnconscionable Lawyers and none rewarded but Promoters so that his ouer-haled subiects fled daily out of the Realme against whom he published Proclamations with an inhibition that none should depart without his safe Conduct 21 Soone after this Malcolme King of Scotland came vnto Gloucester to conferre with King William touching the Peace of both the Realmes but conceiuing a grudge for that hee was not entertained according to the Maiesty of his estate departed in displeasure without speech with the King and immediately raising a power against England destroied the Country vnto Alnewicke Castle Robert Mowbray then Earle of Northumberland a most valiant Souldier seeing his Countrey thus ouerrunne made head against him not staying for directions from his King and lying in Ambush for his returne so sore and suddenly distressed his forces that both King Malcolme himselfe and his son Prince Edward were there slaine 22 Heereupon Earle Mowbray growing proud and greatly suspected by King William began to fortifie the Kings Castles with Munition for Armes against the like inuasion and indeed against the Kings will who sent him word somewhat roughly to desist from his doings and presently to repaire to his Presence which whilest hee lingered and neglected to doe King William sent his brother Henry to spoile Northumberland and immediately followed after himselfe where without much adoe he tooke the Earle and committed him prisoner to Windsor Castle 23 These stirres in the North are diuersly reported for Walsingham in his Ypodigma Neustriae saith that Robert Moubray and William of Anco with others conspired to depriue the King both of crown and life and to haue set vp Stephen de Albamarle his Aunts sonne the issue of which treason was preuented by surprizing Mowbray who died a Prisoner William of Anco was punished with losse both of his eyes and his virility and William Aluerie the Kings Godfather Kinsman and Sewer cruelly whipped and all naked goared in bloud though guiltles was hanged Hector Boetius the Scotish Historian relates somewhat otherwise of the death of King Malcolme as that the English hauing gotten the Castle of Anwike King Malcolme with a strong siege enuironed it about when the English distressed and ready to surrender a certaine Knight amongst them attempted a very desperate enterprice for mounted vpon a swift horse vnarmed excepting onely a light Speare in his hand vpon the point whereof he bare the keyes of the Castle he rod directly to the Scotish Campe and was with great applause brought vnto their King where couching his staffe as though hee meant with submission to deliuer him the keyes suddenly ranne him into the left eye and through swiftnes of his horse escaped leauing the King there dead for which act King William saith he though erroneously changed the Knights name into Perceeye whence that Noble Family is descended Gultelmus Gemeticensis saith indeed that it was reported that King Malcolme was slaine by a guile declaring not the manner but by the hands of Morell Nephew to Earle Mowbrey where likewise died Prince Edward his sonne and the greatest part of his Armie with which dolefull newes saith Hector his Queene Margaret called the Saint within three daies after died of griefe But Paris hath set it downe as is said and in the same yeer makes William the Conquerour of Wales since which time the English Monarches haue beene accounted their chiefe Gouernors 24 Grudges now grown betwixt King William and Duke Robert his brother ech accusing other of breach of oath and of Couenants William from Hastings set saile into Normandy where some bickering fell betwixt the two Brethren but by the mediating of certaine graue persons their quarrels were comprimised and Princes chosen to be their Arbitrators which hearing indifferently all allegations adiudged King Rufus in the fault who thereupon as thinking nothing right but what went with him was so farre from
following their award that being offended with their censure he presently assaulted and tooke the Castle of Burren neither did Robert for his part sleepe the whiles but surprised the Castle of Argenton which was by former couenants giuen to King William drawing likewise Philip the French King to his side who with his Army entred Normandy for his assistance 25 King VVilliam then waying into what danger hee had brought himselfe all approuing Duke Robert and disallowing his Acts he sought to doe that by money which he could not by sword Therfore to those souldiers which in heat of his furie he had commanded to bee sent him into Normandy euen twenty thousand now in readinesse and at Hastings staying for a wind he sent a countermand exacting of euery common souldier ten shillings in money for the release and so without further trouble to return to their homes with which summe he so pacified the French King that hee now left Robert to looke to himselfe who thus forsaken was constrained to come to an vnreasonable peace 26 And the more willingly for that the holy wars for Ierusalem deliberated of fiue yeares before were now hotely pursued by Pope Vrbane the second whome Bibliander blameth to be the causer of much Christian blood-shed onely to set vp that which Christ by Prophesie had laid in desolation Among these Christian valiant Captains Duke Robert would be one but wanting money no newes at all to his coffers hee sent to his brother King VVilliam to bee supplied and for the summe of sixe thousand sixe hundred sixty sixe pound of siluer Paulus Aemilius saith sixe thousand nine hundred thirty foure more morgaged his Dutchy vnto him giuing him the possession thereof before his departure 27 To make vp which summe hee did not only oppresse and fleece his poore subiects but rather to vse the words of Paris with importunate exactions did as it were flea off their skins for the Churches and Monasteries hauing sold away their Iewels and Chalices to satisfie his appetite and answering they could make no more the King replied with some scorne And haue you not I beseech you Coffins of Gold and Siluer for dead mens bones Accounting the money laid out vpon this holy Expedition to be better imploied then to garnish the reliques of the dead 28 The King thus finding his fortune in all things pliable to his wishes and his heart therewith greatly puffed vp his purpose was now at his returne from Normandy to make a full conquest of Wales therefore redoubling his forces hee drew into the Marches where piching his Tents hee consulted with his Captaines what was best to bee done The Welshmen finding themselues ouerweake fled according to their accustomed manner into the Woods and Mountaines taking thereby such aduantage against their pursuers that the King returned without any notable deed done and with the like successe he vndertooke an other Expedition against them the yeere following 29 But bearing a minde still to subdue al Wales he had first in his eie the Iland Anglesey against which he sent Hugh Mountgomery Earle of Shrewesburie and Hugh Lupus Earle of Chester who there executed their Conquests with very great cruelties cutting off the Noses Hands and Armes of their resisters without regard of age or sexe nor sparing either places or persons sacred or prophane At which very time it chanced Magnus King of Norway the sonne of Olanus the sonne of Harold Harfager to haue made his Conquest of the Iles of Orkeney and then wafting along the Seas sought to come on Land in Anglesey whom to impeach these Earles made all their powers where Hugh Mountgomery armed at all parts but onely the sight of his Beuer was shot into his right eye whereof hee died eight daies after 30 The holy voyage now set forward vnto which Pope Vrbane was a chiefe instigator thirty thousand Christians tooke the Signe of the Crosse wearing it on their garments as the cognizance of their deuoted warfare The chiefest Captaine of which Princely Army was Peter a poore Hermit who returning from Ierusalem certified the Pope of the Christians great miserie vnder those mercilesse Infidels but the good man more exercised in praiers the weapons of Votaries then expert to guide an Army was soone entrapped among the Bulgares and slaine with most of his souldiers But yet the businesse still prosecuted the number of all degrees and ages flocking to the seruice is reported to haue amounted a thing almost incredible vnto seuen hundred thousand In chiefe commaund of which huge Armie were imploied many braue Princes of Christendome as Godfrey the famous Duke of Loraine with his brethren Eustace and Baldwin Bohemund Duke of Naples and his Nephew Tancredus Robert Earle of Flanders Hugh le grand brother to Philip the French King Raymund Earle of S. Egidius and besides many other great Princes the foresaid Robert Duke of Normandy not the last in esteeme for his renowned seruice as his memorable prowesse in that imploiment did afterwards make apparant vnto the world All these meeting at Constantinople where Alexius was Emperour passed ouer Hellespont and proceeded with better successe then the Hermit had done subduing Cities and Countries before them with the slaughter of an hundred thousand Infidels and purchase of great spoiles and lastly tooke Ierusalem the holy City in the thirty ninth day after the Siege thereof But let vs from Iewrie returne into England 31 King William at rest whilst his Brother and the rest were in warres thinking now both of fortifying and beautifying his Kingdome caused new walles to be built about the Tower of London and at Westminster * where before was the ancient Palace of Saint Edward and his Ancestours said new foundations of a most large and Princely Palace the Hall whereof by the testimony of Paris should haue extended if he had liued to finish it from the Riuer Thamesis euen vnto the common high way as might appeare by the first groundworks at the time wherin Paris wrote but that stately Building which now we cal the Great Hall he finished as it now standeth containing in length two hundred and seuenty foote in breadth seuenty foure yet when some praised the largenesse thereof hee found fault that it was not made bigger accounting it scarse worthy the name of a Bed-Chamber in respect of that which he intended to build And certes of a right magnanimous disposition was this Rufus as appeared at such time when sitting at dinner purposing forthwith to take his pleasure in hunting a messenger brought him sudden newes of the Siege of Mayne a City in Normandy whereto when the King answered He would take aduice what to doe But thy Subiects replied the party are in distresse and cannot be delaied whereat the King swore his wonted Oath that if they could not they should not and
into England with promise of their assistance to recouer the Crowne 8 King Henrie for his part resoluing to hold what he had got neglected no meanes to keepe the Diadem as it was set and therefore rigged forth his Nauie to secure the Seas manned his fortresses and with a great Army repaired towards the Coast where neere vnto Hastings he lodged his Campe relying more vpon his owne strength and valour of his People then any iust title he had to the Kingdome 9 Duke Robert by this time had taken the Seas and was vpon the Kings fleete before they were aware where preparing for Conflict the most of the English fell to the Normans either by the perswasion of the Duke or in hatred of Henry that then began to tyrannize ouer them as they did imagine By which meanes the Duke had safe landing at Portesmouth and did not a little reioice in this his fortunate beginning threatning his brother to be reuēged for his wrongs blaming the Nobility for suffering him thus to be abused whilst he for the common good of Christendome was imploied in the Holy-Lands warre King Henry as wise as the other was valorous wrought vnder hand for an agreement of peace for hee very well saw that the euent of warre hath commonly issue from the first successe and at one and the same time doth bolden and weaken the courage of the multitude therefore certaine Noblemen on both sides so trauised the businesses that the Brethren in short time became friends and a composition made to both their contents The agreement was thus that because Henry was borne after his fathers Conquest of this Land and stood now the Crowned King with common consent hee should during his life enioy the same paying Duke Robert in way of fealty three thousand Markes by yeere and the suruiuour to be heire to his brother deceased if hee died without a sonne In which it was also concluded that all either English or Normans which had taken part with the King or Duke should be pardoned of all offences and their Liuings againe restored for the Confirmation whereof and the performance accordingly twelue Princes vpon either parties took their Corporall Oathes and the Armies presently dissolued 11 The Norman Duke princely entertained the space of sixe months in the Court of King Henry shewed himself rather opē credulous then any way suspitious in al his carriages so with much liking loue to his brother departed vnto his own Country But the Sunne-shine of these faire daies began forthwith to be ouercast by the incitation of such as endeuoured to sow discord betwixt the two Brethren and not onely those in Normandy which euer buzd iealousies into Duke Roberts eares but euē in England also some fell in dislike of King Henry and affecting alteration with the malignant eie of enuy beheld the glory of his beauteous Crowne 12 Amongst whom Robert Beliasm Earle of Shrewsbery the eldest sonne of Roger Mountgomery strengthened the Towns and Castles of Shrewsburie Bridgenorth Tichile and Arundell with victualls munition and men against the King alluring likewise the fickle Welshmen vnto his designes Henry therefore in rage hast marched thitherward with a great power against Arundell Castle hee raised another of wood and tooke it besieged Bridgenorth which presentlie yeelded and Shrewsbury sent him their keyes and pledges of their obeisance when Beliasme with his brother Arnulfus and Roger de Poytiers were constrained to abiure the Land for euer and thereupon went into Normandy where they ceased not to raise more sparks from that brand which others before them had blowne 13 Neither were those men busier to raise stirs abroad then was Archbishop Anselmus to doe it at home who being a man of a stiffe resolution in a Councell holden at London drew on him the offence both of the King and Clergie for therein first he excommunicated all married Priests halfe the Clergie of England at that time being either maried or the sons of married Priests next he inhibited all lay men to heare their masses But this thing saith Paris howsoeuer it seemed good to some yet vnto others very dangerous lest while they affected after a purity which was aboue their strength they might fal into impurity of a higher quality In this Councell also Anselme peremptory vpon the Popes assistance depriued many great Prelates of their promotions because they had accepted their Inuestures from the King which was done by receiuing of a Pastorall staffe and a ring an ancient rite testifying that their donation was from their Soueraigne as S. Wulstan receiued his Staffe from S. Edward and therefore professed hee would resigne it onely to him in which number were the Abbots of Ely of Ramsey of Perscors of S. Edmunds of Tauestock Peterborrow Burch Bodiac Middleton and Stoke for which his bold parts and for refusing to consecrate certain Bishops aduanced by the King great contention fell betwixt him and the Archbishop who taking himselfe much wronged by the present ouer-bearing power appealed vnto his Holy Father Pope Paschall and soone after went in person to Rome vnto him 14 Vnto whom likewise the King sent his Ambassadors namely Herbert Bishop of Norwiche with Robert Bishop of Lichfield both of them of his priuie Counsell and William Warenast his procurator a Clergy man of a very bold spirit and speech who in debating his Soueraigns cause before the Pope and cardinals with threatning language and countenance auouched that the King his Master would not lose his right in the Inuestitures of the Church for the losse of his Kingdome whereto the Pope no Crauant to bee dared on his owne dunghill as stoutly answered If as thou sayest the King will not lose the donation of Churches for the losse of his Kingdome know thou for certaine before God I speake it that I would not suffer him to enioy them without punishment no not for the sauing of my head notwithstanding which braue words against the King yet the degraded Abbots were restored throgh the Clemency of the Papall see which is neuer wanting to any as long as the white and red to vse the very words of a Monke make intercession for them But from the Church to the State 15 Robert Curtuoise either to sound his brothers designes or to congratulate him in a brotherly loue came into England where hee was so roially entertained that all suspition was quenched and himselfe so well contented that at the onely motion and request of Queene Maud he remitted the three thousand Marks couenanted to bee paid yeerely vnto him though he were lesse able to forbeare then King Henry to giue But when his wants told him of this his ouer lauish releasement he openly exclaimed against King Henry that hee had craftily circumuented and deceitfully cheated him and now giuing open eare and credit to such as sought their
disunion gaue his Brother all occasions of enmity who was ready enough of himselfe to make the least very great For besides this present displeasure conceiued against Duke Robert he added others and this especially that he had wilfully wasted the Inheritance which his father had left him to wit the Dukedom of Normandy hauing nothing now almost in that Dominion besides the City of Roane which he would haue parted with also had not the Cittizens thereto denied their consents 16 Neither was it the least motiue to King Henries displeasure that his traiterous subiects were so willingly receiued by his brother for besides Robert Beliasme and others William Earle of Mortaigne in Normandy and of Cornwall in England the sonne of Robert halfe brother to the Conquerour because the Earledome of Kent which he made claime vnto as heire to his vnkle Odo was denied him in a discontent got him into Normandy where besides his valiant assaults of the Kings Castles and Souldiers hee much endangered the possessions of Richard Earl of Chester then a child and the Kings Warde so that the flames of warre raised by these seditions seemed to be blown from England vnto the parts beyond the Seas and to fire the territories of the English there neither is it easie to declare saith Houeden what misery the meane while by exactions the land felt here at home 17 For the King incited into Normandy vpon these occasions by large distributions of money carried out of England wonne the Normane Nobility to reuolt from their Lord and tooke the Towne and Castle of Cane by composition and burnt Bayon with the beautifull Church of Saint Maries whereupon the Priories of Normandy yeelded themselues vnto his Protection by whose example the Britaines and those of Aniou did the like so that their Castles and forts were filled with the Garrisons of King Henry Duke Robert in no wise able to resist which done Henry with triumph returned into England 18 The Curtuoise by his Normans thus vncourteously dealt with saw it was bootelesse against so great a streame to striue and therefore thought best to lay away weapons and to become himselfe a Mediatour for Peace With which resolution taking the seas hee followed his brother vnto Northampton where humbling himselfe in a more deiectiue manner then either his birth or owne nature could well brooke desired the Kings peace both in respect of their brotherly vnion and the regard of his owne accustomed clemency willing him to consider that warre was not only vnnaturall betwixt brethren but that a reproch euer followes the chariot of the Victor desiring him not to triūmph in his ouerthrow who was now ready to render all that he had into his hands but King Henry muttering to himselfe turned away from his brother without any answere 19 For God saith Paris not pleased to giue the effect though the Beau-clearke felt a remorse in conscience for vsurping his Kingdome being indeed very learned and well vnderstanding the duties both of equity and law and thereupon beganne both to feare some violent insurrection of the subiects and also the reuenging wrath of God vpon him for his trecherous and vniust dealings towards his elder brother to whom vndoubtedly the Kingdome by all right did appertaine yet stood hee rather in feare of men then God whose fauours he cunningly laboured to keepe whom he meant to please another time by building of an Abbey for his satisfaction Duke Robert then seeing and detesting the Kings swolne pride posted backe vnto Normandy to gather his powers Henry also held it good policy not to giue passage vnto Roberts wrath knowing him a Souldier and well waying his desperate estate and therefore calling his Lords vnto London in an assembly tickled their eares with these delectable and smooth words 20 My friends and faithful Counsellors and natiue Countrimen you know by true report how my Brother Robert was elected and by God himselfe called to be the fortunate King of Ierusalem and how vnfortunately or rather insolently he refused that sacred estate whereby hee is now most iustly reprobated of God you also know by many other experiments his pride and arrogancy for being a man of a warring humor hee is not onely impatient of any peace but also wilfully desireth to trample vpon you as men of abiect and contemptible disposition vpbraiding you for idle droanes for belly-gods and what not But I your King naturally inclined to bee both humble and peaceable take delight in nothing more then to do you good to maintaine your tranquillity and ancient liberties as I haue often sworn vnto you and meekely and willingly to yeeld my selfe to your aduises whereby I may circumspectly gouerne you as a clement Prince and to that end euen now will I confirme if your wisedomes so thinke fit your ouer-worne and vndermined Charters and will roborate them most firmely with a new oath and ratification Meane while all the lawes which the holy King Edward by Gods inspiring did establish I doe here commaund to bee inuiolably obserued hereby to moue you to adhere stedfastly vnto mee in repulsing cheerefully willingly and powerfully the wrongs offered me by my brother shal I say nay by my most deadly enemy yours and of the whole English Nation For if I bee guarded with the valours and affections of Englishmen I shall scorne the threates of him and his Normans as forcelesse and no whit to bee feared And with these faire promises which yet afterwards hee vtterly neglected hee so wonne the hearts of them all that they would die with him or for him against any hostility whatsoeuer 21 Duke Robert gone and preparing for warre Henry thus setled in his peoples affection followed him with all expedition hauing in his company the choice Nobility of England Normandy Gaunt and Britaine so that hee was exceedingly strong With Robert for men of chiefe account were Robert Beliasme Earle of Shrewsburie and William Earle of Mortaigne in like displeasure with the King and therefore armed with the like desperate boldnes 22 Henry with his Army had pierced into Normandy euen as farre as Tenerthebray a Castle of the Earle of Mortaigne vsing all meanes possible to surprise the same for whose rescue the Duke with these his Consorts made all diligence to dissolue the siege and after some few skirmishes ioined a bloody battaile brauely fought on each part where at the first onset the Kings power though much greater in number went down but by their multitude and manhood especially through the * Kings example and encouragement they soone preuailed where Duke Robert with Earle William and sundry others of good note manfully fighting in the very presse of their enemies were taken prisoners but * Robert Beliasme escaped by flight And thus as Mathew Paris obserued Gods Iustice Mercy tooke effect his Iustice vpon Robert for his refusall of Ierusalems title and vnto Henry his
fauour according to the prophesie of King William his Father This battaile was fought and Normandy wonne vpon Saturday being the Vigill of S. Michael euen the same day forty yeares that William the Bastard set foot on Englands Shoare for his Conquest God so disposing saith Malmsbury that Normandy should be subiected to England that very day wherein England was subdued to Normandy 23 Robert Curtuoise that now vnfortunate Prince and William Mortaigne that valiant but head-strong Earle were forthwith sent into England and imprisoned the Earle in the Tower of London and the Duke in Cardiffe Castle in Wales after he had gouerned the Dutchy of Normandy nineteen yeeres and was for esteeme in Chiualrie accounted among the best Captains that the world then afforded had hee not beene as commonly martiall spirits vse to be too rash and vnstaied in his other enterprises which headinesse did now draw vpon him a penance of twenty sixe yeeres continuance in the afflicted state of a forlorne Captiue And Henry now no longer as a brother receiuing the keyes of Normandy as a Conquerour returned into England 24 But long it was not ere Duke Robert weary of this vnwonted duresse sought to escape and hauing liberty to walke in the Kings Meadowes Forrests and Parkes brake from his Keepers without any Assisters or meanes for security who being mist was presentlie pursued and taken in a quag-mire wherein his Horse lay fast whereupon the King hearing of this his attempt considering that woods were no walles to restraine the fierce Lyon and that to play with his claw was to endanger a state commanded him not onely a greater restraint and harder durance but also a thing vnfit for a brother to suffer but most vnworthy for Beauclearke to act both his eyes to bee put out causing his head to be held in a burning bason to auoid the deformity of breaking the eye-bais vntill the glassie tunicles had lost the office of retaining their light 25 Hauing thus quieted all forraine oppositions King Henry set his minde to preuent Domesticke and therfore about this time those Flemmings whose Lands the Seas had deuoured some few yeeres before and place was granted them in Cumberland first by King Rufus and afterwards by Henry were now by the King vpon better aduisement remoued into Wales both to disburden his Inland of such guests and that so they might bee a defence betwixt him and those euer-stirring people Which proiect nothing deceiued his expectation for by the testimony of Giraldus They were a Colony stout and strong and continually endured the warres of the Welsh a Nation most accustomed to seeke gaine by cloathing by triffique also and Marchandize by Sea and Land vndertaking any paines or perils whatsoeuer A people of very great power and as time and place requireth ready by turnes to take plough in hand and till the ground as ready also to goe into the field and fight it out and that I may adde thus much more saith hee a Nation most loially deuoted to the Kings of England and as faithfull to the Englishmen 26 By the which his policy he attained that which his brother Rufus could not who many a time had but small successe in those parts though otherwise euer sped most fortunatly in all his aduentures of warres But it is thought by some that as the Mountanous cragginesse of the Country and sharpnesse of the Aire encouraged them in their rebellion so the same impeached Rufus his successe But King Henrie saith Malmesburie who with many a warlike expedition went about to force the Welshmen euer stirring vnto Rebellion for to yeeld and to submit themselues in the end resolued vpon this whole some policie for to take down their pride he brought thither all the Flemmings that dwelt in England a great number of which Nation in those daies in regard of his mothers kindred by her Fathers side flocking hither were closely shrouded in England in so much as they for their multitude seemed burden some vnto the Realme Wherefore he sent them all together with their substance their Wines and Children vnto Rosse a Countrey in Wales as it were into a common auoidance thereby both to purge his own kingdome and also to quatle and represse the desperate boldnesse of his Enemies 27 And now being free from all feare of subuerters King Henry growing disdainefull saith Paris refused to fulfil what he had so oftē promised to his Nobles heaping threats vpon threats for God had bestowed on him three bounties wisdome victory and riches aboue any of his Predecessors but for all these hee shewed himselfe to God most vnthankeful And of his Clergy wee may say too regardlesse in suffering Anselm newly reconciled to lay heauy punishmēts vpon the married Priests putting many from their places because they denied to put away their Lawfull wiues whereof great contention followed and grieuous sinnes in short time committed both against God and Nature 28 Among these proceedings in England Philip King of France deceased and his sonne Lewis surnamed Crassus succeeded in his gouernement which how he stood affected to Henry was doubted and therefore to make sure worke the King sailed into Normandy furnishing his Townes Castles and Fortresses with all habiliments of warre with prouisions befitting such suspected times and so returning he found attending his comming the Ambassadors of Henrie the fourth Emperour as suters from their Master to obtaine Lady Maud the Kings daughter in Marriage then not past fiue yeeres of age which was willingly graunted and the espousals by way of Proxy solemnized with great feasts and magnificent triumphes 29 About which time the death of Archbishop Anselme happening gaue no small hope to the Clergy as themselues conceited againe to enioy the liberty of matrimoniall society wherein they were not a little deceiued for the King seemed willing that the Ecclesiasticall Ordinance before made should bee more neerely looked into whereupon men for feare and in the sight of men carried themselues accordingly but if in secret they did worse saith Eadmerus let the charge light on their own heads sith euery man shall beare his owne sinnes for I know saith hee that if Fornicators and Adulterers God will iudge the abusers of their owne Cosens I will not say their own Sisters and Daughters shal not surely escape his iudgement 30 The Kings peace which seemed to be secured by his new affinity with the Emperour and his glory raised to the high began now to bee enuied and his brother Duke Roberts extremities greatly to be pitied both by some English and also Normans For Foulke Earle of Aniou both threatned the reuenge and by corrupting the inhabitants wanne the City of Constance from his obeisance To stay whose irruptions King Henry passed into Normandy where hee vsed great extremity and put to death Helia Earle of Cenomania who held that
County against him for which cause Godfrey Earle of Gaunt tooke such displeasure that hee entred into that Earledome and marrying the said Helia his daughter kept the County perforce against King Henries great power But Robert de Beliasme that had escaped at Duke Roberts ouerthrow was then taken and committed prisoner to Warham Castle too gentle a punishment for so blood-thirstie a man whose nature was such that he delighted himselfe onely in cruelty an example whereof hee shewed vpon his owne sonne who being but a childe and playing withhim the father for a pastime put his thumbes in the boies eyes and thrust out the balles thereof 31 These warres somewhat asswaged King Henry returned into England where the people conceiued much grudge at his importable taxes and the Clergy no lesse at his reseruation of Church liuings in their vacancies vnder pretence of keeping them for the worthiest but how vnworthily he oftentimes bestowed thē may be gathered by that prety reproof of Guymundus his Chaplain who grieuing to see vnworthymen for the most part aduanced to Bishoprickes and other dignities when on the Rogation day he celebrated diuine seruice in the Kings Chappel being to read that lesson out of Saint Iames it rained not on the earth III. yeares and VI. moneths hee purposely read it it rained not one one one yeares and fiue one monethes All men either laughing or wondring at his reading the King checkt him for it and askt him the reason marry quoth he I see you bestow your preferments onely on such as can read so which secret touch the King well weighing did both presently preferre him to the gouernment of Saint Frideswides in the Vniuersity of Oxford and afterward was more carefull in all other his choices 32 The King had not beene long in England after his returne from Normandy before the Welshmen then a restlesse people were in Armes against such English as had set footing in that Country which were Gilbert Strangbowe Earle of Strygil and others whose lands in the south part Owen ap Cadogan sore molested and spoiled the like did Gruffith ap Conan Prince of North-Wales vpon Hugh Earle of Chesters County and both of them denied King Henry either seruice or tribute These Earles so incensed the King touching these and other outrages of the Welshmen that in a rage he vowed not to leaue one aliue in al North Wales nor in Powys-land and straight repairing thitherward diuided his Armie into 3. parts The first was led by Earle Gilbert against South-wales the second band by Alexander King of Scotland and Hugh Earle of Chester against North-Wales and the King himselfe lead the third vnder whose Standard was the chiefe strength of middle England But the Welsh seeing themselues far vnable to withstand this present preparation tooke into the Mountaines and Woods their surest holds where being followed with great difficulty many of them were slaine and the rest yeelded to King Henry who now as a Conquerour in triumph returned to London 33 Whither immediately resorted vnto him the Ambassadour of his sonne in law the Emperour to haue his wife Lady Maud now marriage-able to be sent vnto him to which request the King most willingly condescended and to furnish her forth accordingly laid a taxe vpon his Subiects taking three shillings for euery Hide of land wherupon shee was presently conducted by his greatest Peares into Germany and at Mentz married to the Emperour Henry the fourth being there consecrated and crowned his Empresse 34 Shortly after King Henry tooke the Seas for Normandy and there created his sonne William about the age of twelue yeeres Houeden saith but eight Duke of that Country causing the people to sweare him fealty whereof grew a custome that thenceforth the Kings of England made euermore their eldest sonnes Dukes of Normandy which done he returned and nothing recorded of his next yeres aduentures but onely that the Sea gaue place to the Sands and by low Ebbes restored some part of her treasures that long had laien hid and buried in her depth the riuers likewise forgat their wonted swiftnes and as it were seemed vnwilling to pay their ancient tribute into that deiected Element and among them Thamesis not the least whose waters so failed for two daies that betwixt London Bridge and the Tower she became passable and scarse two foot deepe 35 King Henry free now from all forraine domesticall trouble onely Gruffith ap Rees somewhat vnquiet in Wales gaue his thoughts to assure the Crowne into his line and to ordaine lawes for the well gouerning of his people for calling an assembly at Salisbury caused the Estates both Spirituall and Temporall to sweare fealty to himselfe and to his sonne Willam the Hope of succession then reforming many abuses and ending certaine contentions both of his Nobles and Prelates laid here the first foundation of our High Court of Parliament for the English Kings in elder times ordered the affaires of the Common-wealth by their Edicts by their officers and by the Gouernours of euerie Country and seldome had the ioint aduice of their people sauing onely at beginning of their gouernment and in time of warre whereas now the Subiect best vnderstanding his owne grieuances hath both liberty in choice of their Knights and Burgesses as also free voice to complaine thereof in that honourable assembly 36 At this time Theobald Earle of Blessis Nephew vnto King Henry vpon occasion of displeasure rose vp in Armes against the French King to whose aid King Henry sent whereat Lewes found himselfe sore agrieued and drew to his side Baldwine Earle of Flanders and Foulke Earle of Aniou who together tooke oath to dispossesse Henry of Normandy and to make William the sonne of the Curtoise Duke thereof to whom it belonged by right and descent to which also many of the Nobles of Normandy consented pittying the wrong of the noble spirited Child and the wretched captiuity of the blind and ouer-borne Father 37 Henry as wisely wrought against their designes and leauying a great taxe vpon his Subiects passeth therewith into Normandy where vniting the aides of the foresaid Theobald as also of the Earle of Britaine with his English hee made a great shew in the field at which time King Lewes with the Earles of Flanders and Aniou being entred Normandy and hearing of King Henries approch and power staid scarsly one night but as mē without hart or courage returned and left the Country for him so that all things seemed well quieted for a yeare or two nothing disturbing King Henries peace excepting only the expectance of the Popes Legate whom hee prohibited to enter England and the death of his Queene Maud the very mirrour of piety humility and princely bounty 38 But coales of displeasure kindled betwixt King Henry and Lewes of France were not quite extinct though they
to the Kings commaund and his owne Oath hauing receiued consecration and thereupon forbidden by the King to put foot againe within his Dominions his holines commanded his New-Creature should be installed against all right and custom without professing any subiection to the See of Canterbury and threatned with his curse to interdite both Prouinces till that was performed The cause of the Popes indignation against Ralph is supposed to bee for that hee had receiued his Inuestiture of the King who contrary to the Canons of the late Romane Synode did still challenge and practise that * Regall prerogatiue 43 Whether it were about this contention of Inuesting or about a Fryer of the Holy Sepulchre whom as Malmsb. saith the King had imprisoned or about Thurstans hard vsage certaine it is that the Pope much desiring to haue priuate talke with the King came to him into Normandy and so at Gisors conferred saith Paris the Great King and the high Priest but notwithstanding the Popes threates or intreates Thurstan was kept in banishment full fiue yeares and then for the Popes pleasure was restored But at this meeting the King was so liberall of rich gifts to the Pope and his Cardinals that therfore the Pope saith a Monke held him a most wise and eloquent perswader and his actions very iustifiable But it seemeth the Cardinals were neither so eloquent nor learned as they should be for that saith hee two youthes in the Kings Company sonnes of the Earle of Mellent learned both and therefore fitte to be with that learned King reasoning of some points with them and disputing Scholler-like with Logicall Syllogismes the Gâ—…d Rabbies vsed to other exercises at Rome then studying were quite grauelled and had nought to say but that more learning was in these Westerne parts then they had thought But as these Church-stirres did not a little disquiet the King so also did new Welsh tumults raised by Meredith ap Blethyn who with the three sonnes of Cadogin Encon Madoc and Morgan sore troubled the Kings people and peace by breaking into the Marches and especially into Cheshire where they burned two Castles The King therefore making towards them had sent his maine Armie to conduct the Carriages whilst himselfe with a small Company tooke a neerer way through the Mountaines and Straites which being forelaid by the Enemy was with great courage set vpon and through the aduantage of the Place many of his men slaine and more hurt by the Welsh Archers whose showers of Arrowes rained thicke vpon them from the higher ground amongst which one was so leuelled at the King that it strucke him on the breast yet being surely armed did him no hurt but hee therewith all wonderfully dismaied and by likelihoode fearing some treason amongst his owne for then hee swore by our Lords death his vsuall oath that no Welsh-man shotte that Arrow but one of his owne Prouincials and considering that by these his ouer-rash proceedings his glory purchased in more famous parts might againe bee lost in this wild and rude Country came to a Parley Peace receiuing of the King a thousand head of Cattle and leauing Kord Fitzwarren Lieutenant of the Marches returned to England where hee held three Parliaments in the same yeare one at Norwich another at Northampton and the third at London 44 The Normans still repining at the Captiuity of Robert their late Duke and standing well affected vnto his Sonne thought now the time fitting Prince William being dead to raise the other William his Cosen Germane into his place who as the Monke of Chester affirmeth married Sybil the other daughter of Foulke Earle of Aniou with whom hee receiued the Earledome of Cenomannia vpon displeasure that King Henry withheld the formers dowry in England The chiefe in this action was Robert Earle of Mellent who was lately fallen off from the King Henry therefore hasting into Normandy besieged his Castle Pont-Audomar and tooke it and at that time built a large and high wall with many Bulwarkes about the Tower of Roan repaired the Castles of Caen Arches Gisors Faleise Argenton Damfort Vernon Ambres and sundry others 45 In the meane time Earle Mellent desirous to bee reuenged vpon the King associated Hugh Earle of Montfort and others vnto his aide who entring Normandy with fire and sword did much harme as they went thinking to bring all to their obeisance against whose outrages William Tankeruile the Kings Chamberlaine and Lieutenant in those parts addressed himselfe and training them into danger of an Ambush laid for that purpose after long fight tooke them both prisoners and presented them to his Master whereby the warres ceased for a time in those parts 46 In this the Kings absence but yet with his licence Iohannes Cremensis the Popes holy Cardinal came into England sent by Honorius the Second there to redresse the still continued sinne-seeming abuse of the Clergy in retaining and vsing according to Gods owne Ordinance the Society of their wiues This Pontificall Prelate was entertained by all the Bishops and Abbots with great and costly Presents and afterward being solemnely set in a Councell at London vpon the birth-day of the Blessed Virgine made a soleme Oration in praise of Virginitie and Chastity with a terrible inuectiue against the maried Priests and to amplifie their sinnes the more hee shewed what extreme impiety it was to rise from the bed of vnlawfull lust for so was their chaste Marriage termed and with polluted hands to touch the Sacrament of the body of Christ but the same night following he * hauing that very day consecrated that holy Sacrament was himself taken with a Whore the matter being so apparant that it could not bee hid neither ought it to be silenced saith Huntingdon to the great reproach of those most vnchaste boasters of Chastitie as both Paris and Higden themselues doe confesse and so hee returned to Rome with shame enough but with little successe in that intended businesse till some few yeers after King Henrie seeming very desirous to settle his pretensed continency in the Clergy in a Councel held at London obtained through simplicity of the Archbishop of Canterbury saith Paris that himselfe shold haue the execution of iustice and punishments of the Priests that offended either in keeping of their wiues or vsing of Concubines for likely those that liked not the one loued the other as well as Cremensis but euen then also the Kings end being onely to get in summes of money which hee had still occasions to vse euery man redeemed his liberty by his purse and matters rather proued worse then any whit reformed 47 Whilest King Henry about his said affaires lay in Normandy newes was brought him that Henry the Emperour his sonne in law was dead whereupon hee presently sent for his Daughter the Empresse and with her he returned into England
parts complete with natures endowments of personage passing comely of disposition louing cheerefull and affable to the meanest alwaies very liberall but now especially knowing his Purse the best Lawyer to plead for his Title and in Martiall prowesse gaue place to none of that time wherein though his whole raigne was continually spent yet by reason of King Henries great Treasure left neuer burthened he the Commons with any exactions a thing that euer gaineth the loue of the common sort neither is he taxed with any other obseruable crime saue onely his periurie against the Empresse Dowager and her sonne 4 Hee entred his gouernement the yeare of Christ Iesus 1135. the second day of December and was crowned at Westminster the twenty sixt of the same Moneth being Saint Stephens day by William Corbell Archbishop of Canterbury who with the rest of the Prelates doing him homage and knowing now hee would yeeld to any conditions for performance whereof his * Brother of Winchester did there engage himselfe for a pledge they all tooke their oath of allegiāce conditionally traiterously I might say to obey him as their King so long as he should preserue their Church Liberties and the vigour of Discipline And that the Lay-Barons made vse also of this policie appeareth by Robert Earle of Gloucester who sware to be true Liegeman to the King as long as the King would preserue to him his dignities and keepe all Couenants wherupon the King promised for the present that he would speedily reforme the ouer-hard lawes of his Predecessors and mollifie the extreames thereof to their owne likings vnder his Seale and Charter and so thence hastening to meete the Corps of his deceased vncle which was now brought into England he honoured that pompous funerall with his owne and all his great Prelates and Peeres attendance at Reading whence presently he went to Oxford where he sealed his fore-promised Charter of many indulgent fauours prefacing therein that hee attained the Crowne by Election onely and that Pope Innocentius confirmed the same whereby may be conceiued that his Holinesse either out of hatred to the Empresse whose husband Henry was no friend to the Papacie or for some other holy ends had no small hand in aduancing Stephens periured and disloiall intrusion The Tenour of the Charter it selfe is That all Liberties Customes and Possessions graunted to the Church should bee firme and inforce that all Persons and Causes Ecclesiasticall should appertaine onely to Ecclesiasticall Iudicature that none but Clergy men should euer intermeddle with the vacancies of Churches or any Church-mens goods that all bad vsages in the Land touching for rests exactions c. should be vtterly extirpate the ancient Lawes restored c. As Stephen well knew that they had chosen him their King onely to make their vses of him so these immunities he granted rather to bleare their Eies then * with any purpose to manacle his own hands with such Parchment-Chaines 5 This his entrance was very peaceable saith Geruasius of Canterbury but by little and little ciuill discordincreased to the lamentable destruction of men and the land whereto Robert Earle of Gloucester halfe-brother o the Empresse whose wisedom and power King Stephen much feared gaue a secret beginning when amongst them that swore him fealty hee concluded his as we said with this reseruation that his owne authority should be nothing empaired meaning no longer to respect him as his King then the King should him as a Peere and a generall sufferance to erect Castles for strength throughout the land was no security to his peaceable estate Intended indeed to strengthen the Kingdome against Maud the Empresse but proued the bane of all subiectiue obedience which was politickly considered by Henry Fitz-Empresse in the conclusion of Peace betwixt King Stephen and him when a thousand one hundred and fifteene Castles so raised were againe razed and cast downe 6 The first man that professedly set himselfe opposite to Stephens vsurpation was Baldwin de Reduers who fortified the City and Castle of Excester against him the Welshmen also bearing in minde the harms that K. Henry had done them desired reuenge and made many slaughters vpon the Kings people Against these Stephen proceeded with his band of English and Flemmings and after a strong and chargeable siege by famine drew foorth Baldwin his wife and children all which hee disherited and expulsed the Land vsing so great lenity towards all other offenders there that it gaue great encouragement to others rebellions But in Wales the businesse prospered not so well where at Cardigan a great battell was fought with such slaughter and ouerbearing of the English that the men by women were taken and led away Captiue and so many drowned by the fall of a Brige ouer Temd that a passage was made ouer the water with the dead Carcases therein heaped 7 Neither thus onely but some of the English also distasting King Stephen secretly instigated Dauid King of Scotland to reuenge the wrongs done to the Empresse Maud a seruice as they vrged it very gratefull vnto her and euen pleasing to God and Man He therefore consenting inuaded the borders and tooke from the English both Carleile and Newcastle which he stuffed with Garrisons Against these King Stephen prepared and with a great power came into those parts where diuers accidents by diuers reporters are related yet all agree that ere long peace was concluded Carleil still enioied by King Dauid and the Earledome of Huntington by Prince Henry his sonne for which hee did homage at his fathers command Dauid himselfe refusing so to doe as Hector Boetius the Scotish writer affirmeth for that he had giuen his faith before vnto Maud the Empresse 8 King Stephen returned and all in good quiet he suddenly fell sicke of a Lethargy yea in such danger of life that the common report gaue foorth hee was dead which stirred great troubles both in England and else where for thereby his friends were stricken into great feare and the factious more bold to prepare for Queene Maude for Hugh Bigot one of his chiefest and first raisers fortified himselfe in the Castle of Norwich and would not deliuer it vnto any saue onely to the King yea and very vnwillingly also vnto him and in Wales Owen and Cadwalader the sonnes of Gruffith ap Conan Prince of that Country carried great spoiles from the English as of other goods so also of Horse and Armour and habiliments for warre likewise in Normandy Conspiracies began to bud forth for Geffrey Earle of Aniou who in right of his wife made claime vnto all easily got the hearts and endeauours of many to adhere vnto the true heire possessing himselfe of certaine Castles but entring further on the Demaines of one Taleva◅ a man of note proscribed for some offence or displeasure by King Stephen the
Against whom the Northren Lords prepared at 〈◊〉 command of Thurstan Arch-bishop of Yorke 〈◊〉 King Stephen Lieutenant in those parts who beeing by sickenes kept from the Field appointed Ralph Bishop of Durham his General whose Inuectiue Oration before their ioyning of battaile occasioned vpon the foresaid misdeameanors of some vndisciplined Scotish is at large set down by Houedon Huntingdon Wendouer and others in the close whereof he absolueth from punishment of sin all such of his side as should die in this battaile which made the English more desperate in fight who so sorely pressed vpon their enemies that they forsooke their King he notwithstanding valiantly persisting til his dearest friends ernestly vrged him to auoid But his son Henry esteeming more of glory theÌ„ life rushed in amongst his retiring souldiers and with vndaunted courage perswading them to regard themselus and his presence with threat of shamefull deaths to all such as fled he held them in for a time till at length ouer-laid with the maine-battaile of the English the magnanimous Prince Henry likewise quitted the field bitterly cursing the frowardnesse of Fortune and the mischance that hapned that day 15 With like fortunate successe proceeded Stephen against his disobedient Barons and wanne from them the Castles of Hereford Gloucester Webley Bristow Dudley and Shrewsbury whereby hee weakned Earle Robert so much that he was constrained to flie into France and there instigated his sister the Empresse to come into England 16 These domesticke opposites thus remoued out of his way King Stephen re-addressed himselfe for the North to prosecute that which Thurstan had begunne first therfore winning the Castle of Leids he went into Scotland where by the persuasion prowesse of Mars and Vulcan saith Paris a Peace was concluded betwixt the two Kings and Stephen thence returning brought Prince Henry whom he created Earle of Huntingdon with him into England and at the siege of Ludlow Castle the aduenturous Prince was almost surprised where the besieged with an Iron Grapple pluckt him from his horse and so had taken him but that King Stephen himselfe with great valour and honour recouered him who hauing wonne the Castle went presently to Oxford whither newes was brought him that the Empresse was preparing for England 17 To make all sure as he went Stephen thought it good to demolish and race those Castles lately built hauing had experience to what troubles they had brought him and to preuent the building of new and namely that of the Diuise now as hee surmised in fortifying against him hee therefore sent for Roger Bishop of Salisbury the Founder both of that Castle as also those other of Sherborn Malmsbury a man who in a bad cause had stood King Stephen in good stead howsoeuer some enuying his greatnes had incensed the King against him and other Prelates as if they were fallen from his side The Bishop standing peremptorily on his innocencie yet mistrusting the euent craued the company of Alexander Bishop of Lincolne and of Nigell Bishop of Ely so with a great and well appointed traine repaired to Oxford vnto the Court where Stephen had summoned a Grand-Councell of the States 18 The King who expected of Church-men humility seeing them now armed as men for the field commanded his attendants to take armour likewise and so entring communication of diuers matters with his Peeres and Prelates their Souldiers casually meeting fell at variance where the Bishops friends had the worse so that many of them were wounded and the rest forsaking their masters ranne away This great assembly thus disturbed the King required the Bishops to satisfie his Court for these outrages of their seruants which satisfaction should be to deliuer the keyes of all their Castles to the King as pledges of their fidelity which they refusing the Bishops of Salisbury and Lincolne were laid hold of but Ely escaped to the Castle of Diuise Alexander was imprisoned till hee had yâ—…ded him his Castles of New-werke and Slaford Roger the Castles of Sherborne and the Deuises accounted then one of the goodliest Castles of Europe besides forty thousand Markes in siluer which losses the Bishop did not long suruiue The King imployed the money to purchase Lady Constance sister to Lewis King of France to be wife vnto his sonne Eustace all which was to strengthen himselfe against the Empresse Maud whose comming he continually feared now before his expectation she was landed in England at a fitte time for her designes when all the great Prelates who formerly were his chiefest friends were highly incensed against the King for such oppression of their Brethren 19 The place of her arriuage was at the port of Arundell into which Castle shee was ioyfully receiued by William de Albeny who had married Queen Adeliza the late wife to King Henry whose Dowrie it was from hence Earle Robert diuerting his course onely with tenne horse-men and as many Archers for in all hee brought ouer but one hundred and forty with him for so great an exploit passed throgh the Land vnto Wallingford and Gloucester soliciting his Complices for the aid of his sister the Empresse A man who then liued holds him in this bold attempt with so small forces no way inferiour to Iulius Caesar whom Liuie reports to haue begun his ciuill war and to haue set himselfe against the whole world onelie with fiue Cohorts of Souldiers 20 King Stephen as then lay in siege of Marleburgh Castle but hauing intelligence of this more dangerous an enemy dislodged thence and with all expedition made towards Arundell whereat the Empresse wanting her Counsellor was wonderfully perplext yet wanted not a womans wit to helpe at need insomuch that by the report of Geruasius lest her dignity and right might any way be endammaged shee tooke an oath that none of these the Kings enemies by her aduice or consent had entred the land but with condition to carry themselues orderly without impeachment of the honour and allegiance due to the King by which policy to giue it no worse name she so satisfied King Stephen whom al do censure for too much credulity and facility towards his foes that hee caused her to bee conuaied honourably vnto Bristow where she remained the space of two monethes and then got thence vnto Wallingford 21 Earle Robert in the meane while dispersed the newes of the Empresses approch vnto whose aid so many gathered that the same Monke reporteth no man was able to set downe their multitudes in context of historie much lesse by way of Computation then beganne saith he both labour and dolour which brought the whole Realme to a most grieuous diuision and in a maner to an vtter ruine for those that fauoured the King what euill soeuer could be wrought or imagined they did against them that tooke part with the Empresse and contrariwise Earle
to doe and accordingly the Prelates themselues by ioint consent adiudged him of Periury and by the mouth of the Bishop of Chichester disclaimed thence forward all obedience vnto him as their Archbishop The next day whiles the Bishops and Peeres were consulting of some further course with him Becket not as yet daunted caused to be sung before him at the Altar The Princes sit and speake against me and the vngodly persecute me c. And forthwith taking his siluer Crosier in his owne hands a thing strange and vnheard of before enters armed therewith into the Kings presence though earnestly disswaded by all that wished him well wherewith the King enraged commanded his Peeres to sit in iudgement on him as on a Traitor and Periured person and accordingly they adiudged him to be apprehended and cast into prison The Earles of Cornewall and Leicester who sate as Iudges citing him forthwith to heare his sentence pronounced hee immediately appealed to the See of Rome as holding them no Iudges competent wherupon all reuiling him with the name of Traitor and the like he replying That were it not for his function he would enter the Duell or Combate with them in the field to acquit himselfe both of Treason and Periury sped from the Court and from thence without delay into Flaunders disguising himselfe vnder the name of Dereman 24 The King on the other side to leaue nothing vndone whereby to atchieue his desire forthwith dispatched away Gilbert Bishop of London William Earle of Arundel to the French King that hee would not harbour nor cherish one that was fled as a Traitor but preuailed not for hee vpon the contrary dealt with the Pope That as he loued the Roman Church and the aid of France so he would support the cause of Thomas against the King which whether hee did it out of Faction rather then Deuotion let others iudge for as wee may easily thinke that the French would gladly incommodate the king of England so this is not to bee denied that Lewis was often afterward a Mediatour for peace and vndoubtedly held the man himselfe in great estimation both aliue and dead 25 The Archbishoppe growing thus in fauour with the Pope King Henry sends an Ambassage vnto him of many great Personages as Roger Archbishop of Yorke the BB. of London Winchester Chichester Iohn of Oxenford William Earle of Arundell c. whose whole emploiment being prece vel pretio by requests and gratifications to procure disgrace vnto Becket their finall suit was That the Pope would send two Cardinals into England fully to end the matter but the Pope denied it as holding it derogatory to his owne absolutenes saying like Gods Vice-gerent at least That is my owne glorie which I will not giue to any other but when he is to bee iudged I will iudge him my selfe For he knew the King of England was mighty both in speech and meanes and that Legates might easily be corrupted as being men more thirsty after gold and siluer then after iustice and equity and the Pope and Cardinals wisely resolued saith the Monke of Canterbury that as if this Archbishop were now vpheld in his cause it would be a patterne for others in like case to resist Kings so if he should sinke no Bishoppes euer after would darc oppose themselues to their Soueraignes pleasure and so the State of the Catholike Church would be shaken and the Popes authority be crushed 26 The King hauing receiued this foile and impatient of repulse where his owne subiect was a party thought the indignity offered by the Pope vnsufferable and to let him vnderstand how hee tooke it directs his Writs vnto the Sheriffes in England commanding them to attach such as did appeale to the Roman Court the fathers mothers brothers sisters nephewes and neices of all such of the Clergy as were with the Archbishop and to put them vnder sureties as also to seise the reuenewes goods and chattels of the said Clergie-men Again by other his letters to Gilbert Bishop of London he sequestred the profits and liuings which within his Diocesse did belong to any of the Clergie who were fled to Thomas that without the Kings leaue they might haue no part thereof Lastly to his Iustices he signified that they should safe-keepe whosoeuer did bring any interdict into England till the Kings pleasure were further knowne hee also caused the Church of Canterbury and all the Archbishops goods to bee confiscated grounding himselfe as may probably bee supposed vpon the iudgement giuen against Becket at North-hampton notwithstanding that the saide sentence was expresly nullified by the Popes Bul and not onely by word of mouth as * Mathew Paris seemes to mistake it Neither was this all for hee banished out of the Realme all the kindred of the Archbishop man woman child and sucking babes and for bad that hee should be any longer publikely mentioned and praied for in the Church as Arch-bishop of Canterbury 27 The Archbishop on the contrary part the contention being now wither the power Ecclesiasticall or Secular should worke most did solemnly in France where he abode excommunicate all such as obeyed defended or had occasioned the saide lawes and Auitall Customes and some of the parties by name as Richard de Luci Richard of Poictou Iocelin de Bailull Alan de Neâ—…ile and other who presently appealed but the King hauing further notice that Becket after his publike sermon on a great Festiuall day had solemnly threatned the like thunderclap against his Roiall Person either to terrifie his aduersaries or to reuenge himselfe if any such sentence should bee against him gathered a mighty Army vnder pretence of subduing Wales where yet hee did little The meane while Iohn of Oxenford who not onely followed the Kings cause stoutly but also writ a learned Booke in iustifying of it against Becket preuailed so farre at Rome that two Legates à latere should bee sent into England to reconcile the King and Thomas but when they were gone the Pope hearing that they were resolued vtterly to confound the Arcâ—…shop sent letters after them to rebate their absolute power they being men saith Geruasius who too much thirsted after gold and glory 28 When these two Cardinals came to Thomas he refused to put his cause to them vnlesse there were first a plenary restitution made to him and his of all that had beene taken away but being then counselled by them to submit himselfe to the king his answere was he would sauing Gods honour and the Churches liberty sauing his own honour and his Churches possessions and sauing his owne and his friends right being further demanded whither to resettle peace in Gods Church which hee seemed onely to desire he would renounce his Bishop-ricke if the king would renounce his customes he answered The proportion was not alike for that with
and Becket 36 After all this it came into King Henries mind to sweeten these his many cares with some solace and to crowne his eldest sonne yongue Henry King of England now in his owne life time A counsell not more temerarious then infortunate but of which yet he did hope to reape this consolation that it was done in contempt of Becket whose office it was to haue crowned the King with some aduantage also toward the perpetuation of the Auitall Customes and that also without scruple of conscience his sonne receiuing the Crowne without caution to preserue the Churches libertie either by him put in or by others exacted Yea rather an Oath ministred and by the yongue King taken to maintaine those Auitall Customes to the vttermost 37 This solemnitie was performed at Henrie the fathers commandement by Roger Arch-bishop of Yorke the anciently riuall See of Canterbury contrarie to the Popes expresse Inhibition the father himselfe King Henrie being present thereat though without any fortunate presage in comming or cause of consolation in the action For he in his inauspicious passage out of Normandy arriuing not without very great perill at Portsmouth the best and newest ship he had was suncke in the stormes and therein besides Henrie de Agnellis and his two sonnes Gilbert de Sullemni Mr. Ralf de Bealmunt the Kings physition and fauourit with about foure hundred men and women more were deuoured of the working waues And at the feast the ioifull father himselfe carrying the first dish and the Arch-bishop of Yorke saying in pleasance to the yongue King Reioice my faire sonne for their is no Prince in the world hath such a seruitor attending at his table as you The vnnaturall yongue man answered why wonder you at that my father knowes hee doth nothing that misbecomes him for so much as hee is roiall borne but of one side but our selfe are roiall borne both by father and mother 38 Adde heereunto that this vnluckie Coronations triumphes were celebrated with bon-fires kindled by the furies in Normandie which Lewis the French King inuaded with fire and sword because his daughter Margaret was not crowned aswell as the yongue King her husband but the father speeding into those parts quencht this flame with a promise to recrowne his sonne and then his daughter Margaret should be honoured with like ceremonies Thus the fathers patience was exercised on euerie hand and worse things were feared 39 So now yet at last in the seuenth yeere of Beckets banishment another meeting was had at Sens whither the two great Kings and the Arch-bishop of Sens and Bishop of Neuers beeing together the Arch-bishop of Canterburie repaired and the treatie of Peace was entred into which at Ambois in an other meeting at procurement of Rotrod Arch-bishop of Roan was finished and the Archbishop knowing the King was terrified with the expectation of the foresaid imminent Interdiction was restored to the Kings fauour and permitted to haue full vse of his Metropolitane See and all the profits thereof with the arrerages Which conclusion the King signifies to his sonne into England whither the Arch-bishop returnes and lands at Sandwich And thus the controuersie betweene the King and his Arch-bishop seemed to bee ended 40 But the Arch-bishop had not beene long in England before hee published the Popes letters by which Roger Arch-bishop of Yorke and Hugh Bishop of Duresme were suspended from the vse of their Episcopall function for crowning the yongue King in preiudice of the See of Canterburie and the Bishops of London Exceter and Salisburie cut off from the Church by censure for assisting the said Arch-bishop at that Coronation whom Becket would not but vnder conditions at the yongue Kings request absolue Whereupon a great complaint was carried into Normandy to the father King by some of the Bishops and in the meane time the Arch-bishoppe Thomas putting himselfe vpon the way to visite the yongue King at Woodstocke in Oxford-shire was commanded not to approach 41 At the newes of these late censures the father King was so sore displeased that some words slipping from him and arguing his great discontent mooued Hugh Moruill William Traci Hugh Brito and Richard Fitz-vrse knights and courtiers topost into England and there in a furie without either warrant or priuitie of their Soueraigne to murther the Arch-bishop being then about forty and eight yeers old in his owne Church of Canterburie which sacred Place and Time besides his high Calling might haue pleaded for pittie had not the men been wholly transported with barbarous rage For howsoeuer we are farre from their fancies who for his zeale to the Popes Soueraignety haue so mounted him to the top of Martyrs glory that not onely the basest part of his Shrine was pure gold and his old Shoe was deuoutly kissed by all passengers but also shamelesse and numberlesse Miracles are blindly ascribed vnto him and his Bloud almost matched in vertue with our euer-blessed Sauiours yet wee no lesse condemne their butcherly execution who how great so euer his offence was against the King and State had no lawfull authoritie to beare them out or acquit them from the guilt of Bloud 42 To shut vp this long contention which as you see would not be extinct but by bloud nor take end but by his death because any censure of our owne will be said to sauour of Time-seruing or State-pleasing we will onely annexe the bare iudgement of the forecited learned Monke of that time who thus speaks Indeed though most mens custōe is in those whom they loue and praise to extoll whatsoeuer they haue done an argument of their great affection but slender wisdom yet in plain truth those things which the venerable Arch-bishop so acted that no profit at all thence proceeded but the Kings wrath onely was kindled whereby so many mischiefes afterward arose I doe not thinke to bee praise-worthy though they sprang from a laudable zeale as it was in the blessed Prince of the Apostles who attaining the top of Apostolicall perfection taught the Gentiles by his example to Iudaize for which the Doctor of the Gentiles declares that he deserued to be reprehended though hee did it with a praise-worthy and pious intent And in another place The Arch-bishop was hot in zeale of Iustice but whither fully according to knowledge God knoweth for it is not for a man of my meane quality rashly to iudge of so great a mans actions but I thinke the blessed Pope Gregorie would haue dealt more mildly and winkt at those things which might haue beene borne without any hazard of the Christian faith c. and then concludes Therefore that which the venerable Arch-bishop then did I neither iudge that it is to bee commended neither presume I to condemneit c. For good men are so to bee loued or lauded by vs that wee neither loue nor laud those acts wherein
in great numbers so as nothing seemed wanting but onely a good cause which such as it was Queene Elianor like an Alecto kept aliue so much as lay in her with perpetuall fomentations And indeed the scope of these confederats did require no lesse a combination it beeing to depose the Father whom it pleased them for countenance of their vngodly armes to repute no King because hee had crowned his sonne 66 Though nothing then could come more greeuous to the bleeding heart of a most louing father then such a warre yet not to bee vnprouided hee like a souldier prepares himselfe when faire meanes faild and found multitudes readie to liue and die with him the indignitie of the vnnaturall reuolt did so much inflame all honest courages which acknowledged him their Soueraigne 67 The particular accidents of the wars would fill a volume At one time Normandie Guien and Britane were inuaded by the confederats in France and at the same time Cumberland by the Scots But the King of England had friends in all those parts and himselfe hearing that Vernuil was besieged by the French King in person hee beganne at last to kindle hauing like a sleeping Lion sitten still all that while and for that the place had vpon parlea agreed to render if aid came not by a day hee arriued to their succour within the time sending King Lewis word that hee should gette him foorth of Normandie with speed or he would without faile come and see how hee did vpon that verie day Lewis meaning nothing lesse then to put his owne Crowne in danger while he sought one for his sonne in law and therefore in all the warre-time would neuer set vp his rest vpon a battell but willing otherwise to doe to King Henrie the father all the harme hee could by countenancing the faction and supporting the reuolted malecontents with his best meanes and knowing King Henry was a sower and terrible Prince when he came indeede to fight immediatelie raised his siege and with as much hast as hee might abandoned the place leauing his Camp tents and warlike prouisions behind and retired into France 68 And though King Henrie beginning now indeede to shake his dreadfull sword had many faire daies of his enemies mixt with some losses both of men and other strengths though not great nor many in regard of the ouerthrowes which on his behalfe were giuen For that in Britane his forces had in battell vanquished Hugh Earle of Chester Ralph de Foulgiers and slaine about one thousand and fiue hundred of their army in England Reignald Earle of Cornwall and Richard de Lucie had in bloudie battell ouerthrowne the insolent Earle of Leicester and entred the towne of Leicestâ—… by force and that he had the persons of the said Hugh Lupus Earle of Chester Ralph de Fulgiers and verie many other prisoners of especiall note and Nobility yet Lewis the French King moouing a parlea the father desirous to vse the good fortune of war to reclaime his rebells was so willing to make peace that hee might seeme to haue outgone expectation in the qualitie of his offers but through such wicked perswasions as were vsed preuailed not 69 A violent firebrand in this diuision was Robert Earle of Leicester beeing matched with a Ladie no lesse proud and stomachous then himselfe who at this meeting was not contented to haue affronted King Henrie the father on the behalfe of his yongue Lord and Master the sonne but after many words of reproach is said to haue laid his daring hand vpon his sword with purpose to haue strucken the King had he not been with-holden and where such spirits had to doe it is easie to gesse what kinds of counsell were like to be embraced and pursued hauing forsaken the father not for that the others cause was more honest but for that saith Thomas Walsingham the father King labouring to enlarge the regall power sought to set his foote vpon the neckes of the proud and haughtie 70 But God who ment to chastise the King and not to deliuer him vp into his enemies hands destroied those hopes that mooued the sonnes to their vnnaturall attempts for it was not long after when newes came into Normandy that his faithfull friends and seruants Richard de Lucie and Humphrey de Bohun high Constable of England together with the powers of Reignald Earle of Cornwall the Kings vncle Robert Earle of Glocester and William Earle of Arundell not farre from Burie couragiouslie encountred with the Earle of Leicester and his Flemings of whom aboue fiue thousand were slaine or taken and among the prisoners was the Earle himself and his Amazonian Countesse whose persons at his commandement were not long after brought ouer into Normandie 71 This great victorie and other good successe did so much aduantage the King that Lewis beginning to distrust the enterprize sought for sixe monethes truce for himselfe and had it granted but because there were yet in England two principall men the Earle of Norfolke and Roger Mowbray which held out hauing Leicester for their Randenou and seat of warre with no small numbers of partakers notwithstanding that Geffrey the Elect of Lincolne the Kings base sonne had taken two of Mowbraies Castles and done other good seruice for his Lord and Father the truce serued the enemie for no other purpose but to breath and to repaire himselfe 72 The father of whom Lewis said that hee seemed not to goe but to flie he went with such celerity from one place and Kingdome to another in the meane while recouers Xaincts from Richard his violent sonne weakning that partie by so much and would haue weakned it farre more but that aduertisments came post declaring such matter as made him speede into Normandie 73 Thither came vnto him out of England Richard the Elect of Winchester sent with all hast by the Kings Iustitiaries to lay open vnto him the dangerous estate wherin the Realme at that time stood For after that Philip Earle of Flanders had solemnelie sworne to inuade England in supportation of yongue Henries quarrell sundrie forces arriuing and ioining with Hugh Bigot Earle of Norfolke had taken and spoiled the Citie of Norwich and done otherwise much harme whereby the yongue King and his faction had taken great encouragement as if the die of warre were turned and aswell the yongue King as the Earle of Flanders were come with forces to the Coasts there to transport for England Moreouer Robert Earle Ferrers of Derby who was falne from the father had suddenly entred vpon Nottingham burnt the towne beaten out the Kings Garrison slaine the people and enricht with spoile retired to Leicester whether about the same time Anketill Malorie Constable thereof had also brought about two hundred prisoners taken at Northampton which he with slaughter of the like number of the Towns-men had also suddenly
great conflicts with hiâ—…e put himselfe most humbly into his Fathâ—…â—…cy and throwing himselfe with teares 〈◊〉 obtained the pardon hee begd and 〈◊〉 â—…ion to his most inward grace and fauoâ—… 〈◊〉 â—…istan fatherly wise happy Act 〈◊〉 â—…ercome with this vnexpected and 〈◊〉 â—…nes neuer desisted till hee had brought tâ—… young King to a finall attonement armes being laid apart vpon all hands The chief points of that wished peace were 1. That Henry the yong King with Richard and Geffrey his brethren should returne freed from all oathes of confederation to the King their Fathers obedience as to their Lord and Father 2. That Prisoners should be set at large without ransome on all hands 3. That William King of Scots the Earle of Leicester and Chester Ralph de Fulgiers other who had compounded for their ransome before this conclusion should haue no benefite of this exemption 4. That King Henry the Father should take assurance of loialty toward him by hostage or oath of such as were enlarged 5. That King Henry the son should ratifie that Grant which his Father the King had made to his son Iohn of some Castles yerely rents in England c. The Seale it selfe wherwith the yong king made this mentioned Ratification we haue here annexed 80 Touching King William of Scotland his fore-mentioned compounding our Historians all agree not some saying more some lesse but Hector Boetius a Scotish Historian of some credit with that Nation writes 1. That King William was to pay 100000. l. Striueling for his ransome the one half in present coin the other 50000. l. vpon time 2. That for assurance of that summe the Earledomes of Northumberland Cumberland Huntington should rest in morgage 3. That K. William should moue no warre against England for the retention of those lands 4. That for the moresecurity of the premisses the Castles of Berwick Edenbrough Roxbrough Striueling should bee deliuered to the English 81 In the meane while King Henry according to Couenants dischargeth out of captiuity nine hundred sixty and nine men of Arms taken in those late warres and King Henry the sonne discharged aboue one hundreth and hauing accomplished whatsoeuer might content or secure his Father they prepared for England where the ioious letters of their comming written by the Father had begotten great and longing expectations in the subiects which hee did saith Paris That whom the generall danger of warre had afflicted the common gladnesse might recomfort In their trauaile thitherward the confidence was such vpon this fresh reconcilement that one Chamber and table serued both for whom before one Kingdome was not wide enough They landed at Portsmouth vpon Friday 20. Maij 1175. 82 The face of England at this present was like that of a quiet skie and sea no blast no billow no appearing signe of discontentment which the better to continue King Henry the Father accompanied with the King his sonne omitted no office of a iust and prudent Gouernour visiting a great part of his Realme in person consulting ordering and enacting such lawes and courses as might most establish the good of Peace Hence it came that at London both the Kings were present in a Synode in which Richard lately chosen Archbishop of Canterbury did publish with the Kings assent certain Canons for the better gouernment of the Church of England beginning thus At the true fountaine of all happy rule that is to say at the honour of God and establishment of Religion Discipline c. amongst the rest this one Canon in especial words is enacted both by authority of the King Synode and indeed worthy for euer to bee in force That euery Patrone taking reward for any presentation should for euer loose the Patronage thereof And the same Kings not long after being at Woodstocke in accomplishment of such holy purposes by aduise of the Clergy prouided men to such Bishopricks Abbacies and principall cures as were vacant where King Henry the Father forgat not his true friend Iohn of Oxenford whom he preferred to the See of Norwich 83 From hence comming to Yorke he set those parts in peace whither William King of Scots* repairing sundry matters of importance were handled betweene the two Kings as likewise afterward at Windsor where the King had called a great assembly of the Lords Spirituall and Temporall Rotherick King of Connaught in Ireland at the suite of his Ambassadors the Archbishop of Thuamon and Toomund others of that nation subiects to Rotherick was receiued into protection fauour and became Tributarie K. Henry being vnwilling to fish with an hooke of gold which in warring vpon Ireland hee should seem to do In an other Parliament not long after at Northampton he caused England to be diuided into six circuits to each Circuit three Iusticiars Itinerants deputed and aswell to giue his lawes more free passage as also the better to secure himself he threw to the earth sundry Castles which had bin formerly kept against him as Leicester Huntington Walton Groby Stutesbury c. and had the rest both in his English and in his French Dominions committed to his disposition 84 The young King about these times discouered fresh alienations in his mind against his Father who yet dissembling all did arme notwithanding vpon the defensiue and replenished both England and Normandie with Garrisons which drew the sonne the sooner to come in 85 But the old King not vnwilling perhaps lest the Brethrens concord might proue no better then a conspiracy against the Father that his warlike Children should contend did nourish debâ—…te among them Certaine it is that to diuert the warre from himselfe he appeased his sonne the King with an encrease of maintenance for himselfe amounting in the whole to an hundreth pounds Aniouin by the day and ten pounds of the same money for his wife the Queene and whereas Alice daughter of Lewis then King of France who was maried at three yeares of age to Richard second sonne of King Henry when hee was but seuen and now demanded of King Henry the Father to the intent that Richard her husband might enioy her the old King who was suspected to haue deflowred her for that time shifted of the deliuery of her person in such sort that peace was not hindered thereby 86 But while the yong King by his Fathers instigation sought by force to constraine young Richard to doe homage to him for Aquitaine and King Henry the Father for the same cause commaunded Geffrey his third son Duke of Britaine whom * some for his extraordinary perfidiousnes in this seruice toward his Father and manifold sacrilege cals the Child of Perdition to aide and assist his said elder brother while also the iealous Father out of the strife of his sonnes sought his own safety and in nourishing it had by the treachery of the said sonnes
rights whereupon the King gaue the same to his sonne Iohn whose Coronation stung with the like before his father onely did delay at such time as two Cardinales offered to celebrate that solemnitie 92 At Windsor therefore his father giuing him the Order of knight-hood at which time hee was about twelue yeeres old sent him foorth with into Ireland where the Arch-bishop of Dublin and the State entertained him but by reason of such parsimonie toward his souldiers as was vsed hee returned the same yeere without doing much but not without hauing wasted the most part of his Armie in skirmishes with the Irish. His Stile in his seale of Ireland though Houeden saith his father made him Regem aâ—…king was onely Sigillum Iohannis filij regis Angliae Domini Hiberniae Lord of Ireland 93 King Henrie hearing now that his martiall sonne Earle Richard had fortified in Poictou against him and vanquished Geffrey Earle of Britane prepares a puissant armie vpon terror whereof Richard came in rendring vp Poictou to his mother Elienor whose inheritance it was at his fathers commandement The same yeere wherein the West was thus defiled with vnnaturall diuisions the East was likewise polluted with the cursed Apostasie of one Richard de S. Albane whom wee shame to thinke was English who renouncing the Christian beleefe vpon the Patriarcks discomfortable returne became a principall Commander vnder the Sultan of Babilon Saladine whom the Christians draue with losse and slaughter of his armie from Hierusalem But on the other side reuenge of disobedience still pursued Gef frey sonne of King Henrie who was in a Torneament at Paris troden to death vnder the horse feete A miserable end and a fearefull 94 About which times betweene the French and English all things stoode vnsure now warre then peace and warre againe by reason that Philip who had been crowned King some yeeres before during the life of Lewis challenging the custodie of Arthur the Posthumus sonne and heire of Geffrey Earle of Britane and sometimes one thing and sometime another could not haue his will Whiles Earle Richard turning to Philip against his Father but obtaining a truce for two yeeres such amity if there be any amity among mighty Princes grew between king Philip and Earle Richard Heire apparant of England and Normandy c. that one bed and boord serued both The Father perplexed cals his sonne home who pretending many griefes as the detention of Alice his Spouse the doubt of disinherison and other things stood out againe and againe after a while submits to his Father Then bursts forth Philip into Armes and things so standing the heauy newes of Ierusalem lost flew into Christendom When this City was formerly recouered by Godfrey of Bolein an Vrban was Pope a Fredericke was Emperour an Heraclius Patriarch so now when it was lost an Vrban was Pope a Fredericke was Emperor and an Heraclius Patriarch 95 Vpon these news Henry and Philip meet and for the honour of God laying downe displeasure in presence of William Archbishop of Tyre at which time some say a Crosse appeared in the aire take vpon them as Souldiers of Christ the badge of the Crosse and there the better to distinguish themselues it was agreed that the French should weare read Crosses the English White and the Flemish Greene. And this determination was seconded with warlike preparations leuies of money and institution of martiall Discipline all which notwithstanding nothing went forward 96 At Richard began the breach of this honourable confederation who taking reuenge vpon certaine Rebels of his in Poictou who brooked not his hard hand one mischiefe drew another and at the last both the Kings of England and France became parties to the quarrell greatly against the minde of K. Henry whose heart was firmely 〈◊〉 as it seems to reuenge the cause of Christ vpon Sultan Saladine for that in his answere to the Patriarch of Antioch imploring aide he concludes That among other Princes himselfe and sonne reiecting this worlds glory and despising all pleasures whatsoeuer and setting behind all things which were of this World would in their owne person with their whole Forces by the fauour of the Lord speedily visite him And sure the state of those parts required it Saladine hauing slaine many of the Knights Templars and Nobles and aboue thirty thousand footmen with innumerable other in Cities and Townes by him subdued Among all which grieuous accidents we cannot to season sower therby with sweet omit one noble protestation made by the chiefe crossed Lords Philip Earle of Flanders the Earle of Bloys and other who being required to take parts made answere That they would not contrary to their promise to God put armour on against any Christian till they had done their deuoire against Saladine 97 In the treaties therefore between Henry and Philip the demaunds of Philip on the behalfe of Richard were such and so vnsafe for the King as that all his subiects should sweare fealty to Richard during the Fathers life but yet reseruing their allegiance to the Father that Richard apparantly fell off and became Liegeman for Normandy c. to Philip King of France and at a new Treaty by mediation of a Cardinall Legate the demaunds of Philip being more hard then before as that King Henry should not onely settle the Kingdome vpon Richard but take Iohn also with him into Palestine or that otherwise Richard would not goe being iealous of his brothers grace with his Father Henrie would consent to none of those insolent propositions but disdaining to seeme to be enforced they betooke them selues on all sides to their swords 98 The effect whereof was that former good fortunes forsaking King Henry hee sustained many losses by the Armies of King Philip and Richard was driuen out of Mentz in Main the city where he was born which he loued aboue all other places by firing of the Suburbes before the enemy came being casually consumed hee was glad to yeeld to such conditions as it pleased Philip to prescribe It is written that at the meeting of these two Kings the skie being cleare a thunderbolt stroke betweene them and after a little pause comming together againe it thundered more terribly so that Henry had falne off his horse but that his people sustained him whereupon hee came presently to an end though it were to his vnspeakable griefe his Kingly heart being vsed to giue and not to take conditions 99 Fearefull was the speech which King Henrie when hee abandoned Mentz by reason of the fire vttered against Richard which was That sith he had taken from him that day the thing that hee most loued in this world he would requite him for after that day hee would depriue him of that thing which in him should best please a Child to wit his Heart But after the peace concluded vpon mediation between the sides another thing strucke neerer for finding the name of his
violence or to engage others in the impietie gaue three thousand Markes of King Richards ransome to make siluer Censers through all the Cistercian order who generally refused the gift as parcell of an accursed spoile for as for those* seuenty thousand marks which hee forgaue to King Richard with as bad a purpose being to hinder peace betweene him and the French as he had taken the other vniustly they are not to be accounted as restitution but as the wages of sinne reuenge forsooke him not being pursued by his owne wife the Heire of the Crowne of Sicilia in reuenge of some cruelties done to her Countrimen and after reconcisement with her falling dangerously sicke he died at Messana excommunicated for King Richards cause And albeit hee had in his life time sent his Chancellour out of Burgundie of purpose to offer King Richard recompence for the iniuries he had sustained and although Constantia the Empresse had sent the Archbishoppe of Messana while the Emperours body lay aboue ground without buriall to Pope Celestine in humble manner praying Christian buriall yet vnlesse the mony which hee had extorted from the King of England were restored hee could by no entreaties obtaine it which accordingly was promised 54 Neither were the King of Englands afflictions vnprofitable vnto him for they gaue him occasion to reforme his life taking home to him his Queene Berengaria whose society for a long time he had neglected though she were a roiall eloquent beauteous Lady and for his loue had ventured with him through the world 55 King Richard after his ioyous returne into England hauing at the Abbey of Saint Edmunds in performance of his vow as may seeme offered vp the rich Imperiall Standard of Cursac Emperour of Cyprus which hee tooke among the spoiles of the Griffons Campe thence he marched and tooke in by surrender such Castles as the seruants of his brother Iohn beleeuing that the King was not returned held against him but Henry de Pumeray who had fortified Saint Michaels Mount in Cornwall hearing for certaine that King Richard was come died for very feare And now forty daies of summons being exspired which were allowed to Earle Iohn Hugh Bishop of Couentry for making their appearance to answere to such heinous matter as was prepared and they not appearing Iohn was adiudged by the Peeres and States of England to haue forfeited all that hee might forfeit in the Realme and the Bishop to be punishable by the Ecclesiasticall censures as hee was a Bishop and likewise as an Officer of the King by the Laitie Richard afterwarde bestirres himselfe to draw in money more greedilie then did become so great a Maiesty wherein yet saith * one he was rather to be pardoned then accused for that hee was presently to lead a mightie Armie against the French 56 But first of all to wipe away both the sadnes and contumelie of his late restraint for a better fortunes beginning he caused himselfe to be crowned againe at the City of Winchester which celebritie was honoured with the presence of William king of Scotland who bare a sword before King Richard betweene which two Princes there* followed great amity and tendernesse of loue then beeing granted to him and his successors Kings of Scotland a certaine pension with sundry other allowances and princelie attendances from the first day of their friendlie entrances at any time into England til their returne 57 The King likewise caused a new broad Seale to bee made requiring that all Charters granted vnder his former should be confirmed vnder this whereby he drew a great masse of money to his Treasurie subscribing such renued Charters thus This was the tenor of our Charter vnder our first Seale which because it was lost and in the time of our beeing captine in Almaine was in the power of another wee caused to bee changed c. Some haue obserued that as this Richard was the first of the English Kinges who bare Armes on his Seales as appeareth by the former so was hee the first who carried in his shield three Lions passant borne euer after for the Regal Arms of England And whereas we see heere the Moone in her full which in the other was but a Crescent which is the Turkish Ensigne it may seeme to be done Emblematically in that sence as wee read of another Prince who going against the Turkes gaue a Crescent with this word Plenior redibo I will returne more full The true draught of this second Seale we haue here annexed 58 A good Author reports that after this the King being at dinner at Westminster and receiuing aduertisement of the siege laid to Vernoil by his restlesse enemie Philip of France sware that hee would neuer turne his face till hee had gotten thither with his Armie to fight with the French whereupon hee caused the wall to be cut through the signe of which breach appeared aboue two hundred yeares after neuer resting till with an hundred great Shippes hee had crost the seas from Portsmouth into Normandy where the onely rumor of his approch made the French King raise his siege and without stroke or sight of his magnanimous Enemie but not without losse and shame to quite the field 59 Neither was his clemency lesse then his courage whereof needs no greater testimony then when vpon Earle Iohns dutifull submission his mothers intercession he so freely forgaue him as that he calmely said Would that thy fault may so be forgotten of me as that thy selfe maiest keepe in memorie what thou hast done and afterward restored his possessions vnto him the Earle from that time forward becōming his true Knight doing him very noble seruices especially against the French who had seduced him as a louing brother faithfull Leege-man whereby he made amends for his former excesses and fully recouered the hearty affection of his Lord and brother 60 There were after this sundry skirmishes takings of Prisoners and Townes and conferences betweene the French and English moued belike by such as religiously tendered the effusion of Christian bloud so as no great matter was yet effected that which was being rather by Stratagems and starts then by battle but within * thirty seuen daies after the French mens flight from Vernuil King Richard in reuenge of that desolation which the French King had brought vpon the City of Eureux where he neither spared age sexe nor Church comming to Vendome with purpose to surprise the King of France had the spoile of the French Campe their King a thing almost incredible now the second time flying without battle Many of the French were slaine and taken together with much treasure the Chappell roiall the Indentures of such as had left Richard to serue King Philip and all the * tents carriages and other furnitures for warre and from hence marching in Poictou and Engolisme hee had such successes
There were also taken 200. great horse whereof seuenscore had barbs and caparisons armed with yron King Richard in his owne person did most nobly for with one speare he threw to the earth Mathew de Mummerancie Alan de Rusci and Fulke de Giseruall took them So haue we vanquished the King of France at Gysors saith the King howbeit wee haue not done the same but God and our right by vs and in this fact we did put our owne head and kingdome in hazard aboue the counsell of all that were ours Howsoeuer therefore the French or others may slubber ouer such a noble Iourney wee haue not doubted vpon so good warrant to record the same 66 The warre continuing still many vertuous men laboured to make a finall accord and the new Pope Innocentius the third hauing proclaimed a new vndertaking of the Holy-warre sends a Cardinall Deacon to attone the two mighty Kings of France and England At length Articles of peace were drawne but Richard being farre before hand was nothing hastie to conclude and therefore put it off till his returne from Poictou whether hee went to chastice his rebels though * some say hee did then conclude the peace 67 At this enteruiew or treatie Philip King of France the sower of strife though he sought peace shewed to King Richard a deed in which Earle Iohn newly yeelds himselfe Liegeman to King Philip against his brother A wonderfull thing saith Houeden that Richard should beleeue it being perhaps but a Copie of that deuice or tricke if it were a deuice which they once had iointly put vpon the same Iohn as in the end of King Henry the second you heard who thereupon forthwith disseised the Earle his brother euery where But the Earle hauing searched and learned the cause of the Kings sudden displeasures whose loue hee had before redeemed with many loiall seruices Hee sends two men of Arms to the French Court who should on his behalf in what sort soeuer defend his honour and innocency against any his accusers but there was no man found in that Court neither King nor any other who would vndertake the proofe or maintenance thereof wherupon euer afterward Richard held his brother more deare and gaue lesse credite to King Philips words 68 But now ensued the fatall accident which drew the blacke cloud of death ouer this triumphall and bright shining starre of Cheualrie the vnworthy occasion of which misaduenture makes it the more lamentable which notwithstanding for a document to the Great ones against the outrage of Auarice and Cruelty God suffered thus to fal on him Widomare Vicount of Limoges hauing found a great * horde of gold and siluer sent no small portion thereof to King Richard as chiefe Lord with which being not contented as pretending that treasure troue was wholy his by vertue of his prerogatiue royall or else misliking that the Vicount should make the partition came with a power to a Castle of the Vicounts called * Chaluz where hee supposed the Riches were the Garrison of which place offered to yeeld the same and all therein if onelie their liues and limbs might be saued but hee would not accept of any conditions bidding them defend themselues as they could for he would enter by the sword and hang them all It grieues me to thinke that such a Prince should so forget himselfe but behold the seuerity of Gods iudgement An Arbalaster or Archibalista standing vpon the wall seeing his time charged his steele bow with a square arrow or quarrell making first his praier to God That hee would direct that shot and deliuer the innocency of the besieged from oppression Whereupon discharging it as the King was * taking a view of the Castle within the danger and distance of such an Engin the King vpon hearing the bow goe off stooping with his head was mortally wounded in the left shoulder the anguish perill wherof was extremely augmented by the butcherly and vnskilfull hand of the Surgeon who hauing drawne out the wood and not the enuenomed yron mangled the arme with cruell incisions before hee could preuaile the paine whereof hastned his end 69 Concerning the name of this tragicall Archer there is so much variety as that we could willingly take that vncertainety for a warrant to silence it being loth to ennoble him with our pen it being a thing worthily punishable with vter obliuiō to haue shed though defensiuely or but casually the bloud of such a King Mathew Paris in calling him Peter Basilij seemes to allude to some ominous conceit in Basilii which with the Greeks signifies a King him Thomas Walsingham followes therein as Mathew Paris followed * another there want not * some who also giue him a third name but Houeden who deliuers this accident as all the rest of this Kings life in the most probable and fullest manner cals him Bertram de Gurdonn applying vnto him certaine verses of Lucan in commendation of his vnapalled constācy when he came before King Richard where thou maist perhaps for satisfaction of thy mind with beholding some reuenge desire to know what became of the Actor After that the Castle by continuall assaults was taken and by the Kings command none left aliue but he as being reserued perhaps to some more shamefull death the king vpon a christian magnanimity for gaue him the fact which the party without shew of dismay did neither deny nor excuse but alledged the necessity of his case and the iustice of Gods worke in it for that the king had slaine his Father and two Brothers with his owne hand being hereupon set at liberty and one hundred shillings sterling giuen him by the king Markadey Captain of the Mercenarie Rowtes after the king was dead tooke him flead him quicke then by hanging ended his life 70 King Richard feeling the approch of certaine death disposed his worldly estate thus to his brother Iohn he gaue the kingdome of England and his other dominions with three parts of his Treasure commaunding such as were present to sweare him fealty to his Nephew Otho king of Almaine he bequeathed as it seemes all his goods and chattels money excepted and the fourth part of his said tresure he gaue to his seruants and the poore And hauing thus discharged his last cares toward the world concerning his transitory state he prepared himselfe for the presence of God strengthning his soule with hartie contrition confession and participation of the holy Sacrament commanding further that when he was dead his bowels should be buried at Charro◅ among the rebellious Poictouins as those who had only deserued his worst parts but his Heart to bee enterred at Roan as the City which for her constant loialty had merited the same and his Corps in the Church of the Nunnerie at Font-Ebrard in Gascoigne at the feet of his Father
towards the Subiect obtained an oath of Fealty to himselfe in remainder in case his brother should die childlesse hauing now therefore the way to those his designs made smoother by the last Wil of King Richard and allegiance of his Nobles then attending for these courses may facilitate but not make a iust claime wee may not thinke that either hee was cold now for the accomplishment of that which so hotely hee had before pursued or so nice as to neglect a Kingdome vpon scrupulous points of Titles and Right Propinquity of Bloud pleaded for Iohn as Lineall descent for Arthur the Kings Brother being neerer then his Brothers sonne but Iohn who knew that the weaker vse to argue their Titles whiles the stronger hold the possession resolued to trie the strength of his claime by no other Law then of Armes and therefore being at time of King Richards death in those forraine parts hee makes it his first care to fasten to himselfe by present largesse and large promises of future fauours the vsuall Rhetoricke of Competitours all the Stipendiary Souldiers and other Seruitours of his deceased Brother To winne himselfe the like assurance of loue at home and to settle it it might be an vniuersall quiet he forthwith despeeded into England there to concurre with Queene Eleanor his experienced mother three of the choisest men of the State Hubert Lord Archbishop of Canterbury William Marshall a potent Peere and Geoffry Fitz-Peter the great Iusticiar by whose seuerall interests the three States of Clergy Chiualry and Commonalty might best bee eyther allured to him by fauours or awed by feare himselfe the whiles posting to Chinon where King Richards great Treasure was kept as knowing that hee should hardly get or keepe a Crowne by Forces or Friends if hee wanted Coine Crowns to winne and hold such needfull Ayders 3 The Treasurer though himselfe with his Store Castles and Fidelity thus assured to the Earle had yet a powerfull Nephew the Castellan of Angiers wholy deuoted to Duke Arthur to whose vse hee yeelded vp that City and Castle with whom also sided the Nobility of Aniou Maine and Turaine surrendring those large Territories as to their liege Lord iointly auowing it to be the Law and Custom of those Signiories that the heritage which was to accrew to the elder Brother if hee had suruiued should descend vnto his Sonne But Constance Arthurs mother no lesse desirous to be Regent to a King for her son was but twelue yeeres young then Queene Eleanor disdainefull to goe below a Dutchesse did not dare to build her high hopes on so low grounds for that such subordinate Princes as fauoured her cause might easily be corrupted by faire meanes or crushed by foule and therefore vpon newes of King Iohns successes in England for with general applause and homages hee was now proclaimed King distracted with violent and Woman-like Passions Ambition of her sonnes Right Rage for his Wrong Feare of his Safety and not the least Emulation that Queene Eleanor whose Prudence and Grace with the English had swayed exceedinglie should effect more in a wrong then her selfe in a iust cause shee flies to Turon to the French King Philip to seeke a Wolfe to whom shee might commit her Lambe to whose Protection shee wholy surrenders his Person his Cause his Countries Philip pretending as Princes vse atender care of his neighbour Princes state but meaning indeede out of so wished a prize to raise aduantage to his owne forthwith without regard of Truth or Truce sworne to King Richard reenforceth all Arthurs Cities and Castles with his French Garrisons some of which had scarse put their foot into Maunz but King Iohn was at their heeles to prouide them their last lodging sacking that Citie and demolishing it to the ground for a terror to all others which after fealty once sworne vnto him as they had done should dare to reuolt 4 Queene Eleanor who hauing setled England in Peace was now come ouer to forward her sonne in the Warres and was present at the surprising of Maunz is censured to haue too much sharpened his edge against her Nephew Arthur and his friends out of her implacable disdaine and Enuie towards Constance her Daughter in-Law and appears no lesse for the King passing thence into Aniou left there his Captaines and Forces with his mother who made Angiers participate the Fortunes of Maunz the City ruined the Citizens captiuated whiles himselfe comming to Roan was there by the hands of Walter the Archbishop in the Cathedrall Church with great pompe on Saint Marks Festiual girt with the Ducall Sword of Normandy and crowned with a Coronet of Golden Roses taking his Oath for faithfull administration in that Dukedome which was the pledge or earnest of his vnquestionable admittance to the English Diademe which euery day now expected him Neither yet may wee thinke albeit King Iohns mature experienced age his home-bred and well knowne education his reannexing of Irelands Kingdom to Englands made his person more gracious then Arthurs that yet his Agents all this while in England found no rubbs in their way before all the Earles Barons Burgesses Free-holders could bee induced to disclaime Arthurs apparant Right and to sweare fealty to King Iohn against al men liuing yea many of the English Peeres who through their last Kings absence and others conniuences had habituated in them a conceit of vncontrouled Greatnes which they miscalled Liberties and Rights vnder vayle whereof they after drew not onely vndue restraints vpon the Regaltie but also infinite calamities and massacres on the people whose good they pretended in the great Assembly at Northamton yeelded onely to sweare a Conditionall Fealty to keepe Faith and Peace to King Iohn if hee would restore to euery of them their Rights which was the first seed of disloyalties which after grew to so great a height Thus howsoeuer all domesticke difficulties ouerblowne and Queene Eleanor left in Aquitane to prouide against Forraigne King Iohn arriued at Shoreham and the next day comes to London preparing for his Coronation to bee at Westminster the morrow following being Assention day 5 Strange it was to consider if ought bee strange in State-plots how men otherwise very prudent transported once with Wordly and seemingpoliticke respects can so wilfullie cloud their Reason as to attempt those things which leaue both a present staine on their Soules and a lasting disreputation both of their Integrity and Wisedome wherein so much they glory For what else did Hubert Archbishoppe of Canterbury the man so famoused as the Pillar of the Common-wealthes stabilitie incomparable for deepe-reaching Wisedome when in that sacred and celebrious Assembly of all the States addressing for the roiall Inauguration hee added
to those Lay-Peeres Conditionals his Clergy-Sophismes and second Seede-plot of Treasons perswading them by a cunning but disloyall speech which yet some by transforming haue more deformed that the English Crowne was meerely Arbitrary and Electiue at the peoples deuotion That they all in discretion were to know how that no man hath Right or any other fore-Title to succeed another in a Kingdom vnlesse first with innocation for Grace and Guidance of Gods Holy Spirite hee be by the Body of the Kingdome thereunto chosen and be indeed some choice man picked out for eminencie of his vertues by the President of Saul the first Annointed King whom God made Ruler ouer his owne people though neither the Sonne of a King nor yet of any Regall descent So after him likewise Dauid the Sonne of Ishai the one for being valourous and a Personage fitting royall dignity the other for being Holy and Humble minded To shew that so he whosoeuer in a Kingdome excelleth all in Valour and Vertue ought to surmount all in Rule and Authority yet so as that if any of the Ofspring of a deceased King surpasseth others it is fitte iointly to consent in election of such a one Thus hee spake as hee professed in fauour of Iohn who then was present whose most illustrious Brother King Richard dying without any Heire from him descending Him they had all first imploring the Holy Ghosts assistance as being a Prouident Valiant and vndoubtedly-Noble Prince vnanimiously Elected as wel in regard of his Merites as of his Royall Bloud So vniust a speech from so great a Person could not but moue both Offence and Wonder to many euen to Iohn himselfe who doubtlesse meant to stand to his right of proximity by bloude but they durst not then and there moue Questions thereof as afterward some did to whom he gaue a reason of it as strange as the speech it selfe saying that he was assured by some diuining foresight that King Iohn would work the ruine of the Kingdome and that therefore to bridle him from so doing hee had affirmed his Admission was to be by Choice and not Hereditary Succession implying that as by Election he got the Crowne so by Eiection on demerite hee might as iustly loose it But for that present the Ceremonies all pompouslie accomplished where three Oaths were ministred to him To loue Holy Church and preserue it from all oppressors To gouerne the State in Iustice and abolish bad Lawes Not to assume this Royall honour but with full purpose to performe that he had sworne the first act and bounty of his kingly Power was to reward those whose hands had lifted him to it making William Marshall and Fitz-Peter Earles of Pembrooke and Essex and the Archbishoppe Lord high Chancellour who seeming to glory in that addition of honour was told by the Lord Bardolf that the height of Archiepiscopall dignity was such as it was euer reputed a great aduancement for a Chancelor to be made Archbishoppe but none for an Archbishop to be made a Chancellour 6 The Kings Enemies who kept their heads in whiles hee was there in Armes founde opportunities to impeach him while hee was here setling his Peace the French King in Normandy surpriseth the City Eureux recouers the County of Main the Britaines regaine the City Angiers with other strong holds the newes whereof caused King Iohn with all speed to passe the Seas to giue stoppage to that current where on his arriuall his Army of Friends and Voluntaries was so encreased that King Philip was soone content to take truce for fiftie dayes on expiration whereof an Enteruiew was agreed on to establish a lasting Peace But Philip a long time noted of dubling ill beseeming any but chiefly a Prince the very day before the two Kings should meet giuing Duke Arthur the Belt of Knighthood and taking of him Homage for the Signiories of Aniou Poytou Turaine Mayne Britanny and Normandy hee made him faithful vow to yeeld him powerfull helpes for acquiring those possessions Neither was King Iohn behind him in that kind of preuention when Philip Earle of Flanders the French Philips professed Enemie comming to Roan and disswading King Iohn from trusting anie French friendship did there sweare vnto him both faithfull Helpe and Homage Yet the two Kings keeping touch for the day though not for the purpose of amitie and yet making faire shew of that too held Parley betwixt Butauant and Guletun two dayes by Commissioners inter-current the third by presence and priuatie that not one of their Nobles or Attendants who on each side lay farre aloofe for the space of an howre vnderstood any passages betwixt them This much yet came to notice by after relation that King Philip then required for Himselfe the large Country of Veulguessine pretending that Geffry Earle of Aniou graunted it to Lews le Grosse for aiding his Sonne King Henrie the second against King Stephen and for Arthur all Poictou Aniou Maine and Turayne both which immoderate demaunds with others King Iohn conceiuing with Salomon Why doth he not also aske for Adoniah the Kingdome neither would nor ought to graunt vnto him whereby their amities intended ended in more hostile defiances But Philips capitulating then for Arthur was onely perfunctorie and complementall as his owne words and afterward his actions bewraied when being questioned by his Fauourites of his implacable hatred against King Iohn who had neuer harmed him professed it was onely for that hee had not defeated Arthur but possessed himselfe of Normandie and the other Demaines without asking him leaue or offering him Homage 7 The flames thus on all sides breaking forth the stronger by how much the more they had been for a time kept in many Earles and Barons of France who formerly adhered to King Richard became Homagers to King Iohn they swearing neuer without his assent to reuert to Philip and hee neuer to make Peace with Philip but they therein to bee concluded In the heate of which sidings if not before a chiefe adherent of the foresaid Earle of Flanders now col-leagued with King Iohn being the Bishop Elect of Cambray fell into the hands of the French at which time also Philip Bishop of Beauois a great French Peer was held in prison by King Iohn and neither of them willing to forgoe their mitred Champions Petrus de Capua the Legat interdicted France for the one and Normandy for the other till they as persons sacred inuiolable should bee dismissed yet King Iohn whose Person and Title the Pope and Papals as yet much tendred had the fauour to wring out of his prize sixe thousand Markes for his release and an Oth neuer whiles he breathed to beare Armes against any Christian. This Legat in King Richards time had made agreement with
King Philip for a fiue yeeres Truce which expiring with Richards last breath hee still laboured to establish it betwixt the now Kings but King Philips great heart would not so come downe which was likely to haue cost him deere For pursuing whither his Furie a bad guide did lead him after his siege of Lauardin Whence vpon King Iohns approach with his Army hee fled to Maunz and thence again fled King Iohn comming thither seized the Castle of Balun which belonged to Arthur and to preuent his enemy as is likely he leuelled it vnto the very ground which fact Duke Arthurs Generall William de Rupibus wrathfully expostulating with King Philip as hauing done therein contrarie to Couenants with his Lord Arthur hee as scornfully answered that hee would not for his Lord Arthures pleasure forbeare his owne in doing as himselfe listed with such forts as hee tooke The Generall seeing Arthur was but the outward maske vnder which Philip reuelld for his hidden ends seriously perswaded his Lord to reconcilement with his vncle King Iohn and rather to hazard his hopes on the clemency of a Generous Foe then on the guiles of a false hearted Friend so making his peace with King Iohn hee presentlie yeelded vp to him both Maunz with Lady Constance the young Duke also the important matter of so great contentions But Heauens were not so propitious to these Reconciliats as so to hold them long some Philippines buzzing such needlesse terrors of Imprisonment into the Noble Childs eares that the next night Feare giuing wings to his flight as Loue did to his Mothers for leauing her husband Ranulph Earle of Chester shee was amorous of and married Guido a gallant Gentleman who thē fled with her they escaped into Angiers Arthur neither sure of K. Philip nor sure to K. Iohn had now cast himselfe betwixt two Milstones but howsoeuer Philip ment the greist in the end should be his 8 The breach betwixt these two great Kings was the more irreconcileable by reason of the hatred betwixt King Philip and the Emperour Otho King Iohns Nephew whose aduancement to the Empire himselfe perhaps aiming to it Philip still endeauoured to impeach not regarding that the Pope whose power Kings then regarded only while it made for their purpose had thundered his Anathema against all his Opposers and Otho in gratitude to King Richard who procured him the Diadem Imperiall and in tender regard of his vncles honour sent him aduise not to hasten any finall attonement with the French King for that himselfe would bring him his vtmost Imperiall assistance Notwithstanding by the Cardinall-Legates assiduous interceding a Truce was concluded till the Feast of Saint Hilary at which time the Kings comming to a Treaty betwixt Wailun and Butauant Castles it was agreed that Lewis the Heyre of France should marry King Iohns Neece Blanch Daughter of Alfonsus King of Castile that King Iohn should giue for Dowry the City and County of Eureux with sundry Forts in Normandy and thirty thousand Markes in siluer vowing also not to aide his Nephew Otho with men or means to attain the Empire further promising to leaue if he died without Issue vnto Lewis al the Territories he held in France all which Articles were formerly engrossed but finally cōcluded betwixt Butauant Guletun the one K. Iohns the other King Philips Castle the Octaues of Saint Iohn Baptist when these Counties were actually surrendred to Philip the Lady Blanch espoused to Lewis his son Duke Arthur Philips once vowed but now vnualued charge yeelded ouer and made Seruant and Homager to K. Iohn for his own Dukedom whom yet his vncle was content to leaue with King Philip who had now so left him and erst had vpheld him onely as the baite of his owne aduantage If Princes can bee thus vnprincely degenerous what trust can men repose in baser vassals King Iohn hereupon proued much more stedfast to Philip then either Philip was to him or himselfe to Otho the Emperor who sending his two Brethren Henry Duke of Saxony and William surnamed of Winton to demand the Counties of Yorke and Poictou with the Treasure and Iewels which King Richard bequeathed him King Iohn denied to yeeld thereunto only in regard of his Oath which hee had passed to Philip to yeelde no kind of aide to the Emperour And further to testifie yea further then he ought his faithfull meaning to preserue intire this amity with Philip by his aduise he diuorced Hawisia his wife as too neere of Bloud by sentence of the Archbishop and Bishops of Burdeaux Poictoirs and Xanton and by the Archbishops hands espoused Isabell Heiretrice of Ailmar Earle of Angolisme a faire yong Lady but dedestined to another bed 9 This Finall Concord so called but not prouing so with Philip who now acknowledged Iohn the rightfull Heire of King Richards Crowne gaue him more leasur to receiue peaceably all Submitties and bring in forceably all out-standers of those his transmarine Dominions and after to look home to the affaires of his Kingdome from which hee had beene and we there following him too long absent Yet in the heate of those forrain imploiments hee on occasions had his recourses hither to settle his State-affaires and Crowne-Reuenewes to enact wholesome lawes for forraine and domesticke Commerce to collect an Ayde for his Neeces great Dowry and Martiall vses which later being three shillinges on euery Carrucata though his first and onely Subsidie since his comming to the Crowne caused much heart-burning especially by meanes of his owne brother Geffry Archbishoppe of Yorke touching whom the King was forewarned that hee would bring a Sword not Peace into England who bearing himselfe too bold on his bloud and place forbad the Collectours of that Aide in his precincts though it were granted to the King generally for all England and also being required by the King to attend him into France to conclude the Peace and his Neeces Espousall he very vndutifully denied his seruice The King iustly moued with those his disloyalties caused all his Temporalities to bee seized on by his Sheriffe whom therefore Geffry adding fresh fuel to the fire did solemnly excommunicate caused the Kings Officers to beare blowes and interdicted the whole Prouince of Yorke So partiall and vnhistoricall is the report of one a Stranger by birth but more strange for bold vntruthes who faines the onely incentiue of such indig nation in the King was that Prelates reprehension of his Rapines on the people For to giue a further taste of that Authors vehement fond malice iustly so taxed what ancient Iudicious Writers call an Aid necessarie for Warres that he enstileth Rapines and Spoiles where they make Iohn his Brothers Heyre by Will
hee makes Arthur they say hee was a valiant man hee saith he was a Coward where they make him pursuing and Philip flying hee chargeth him to haue made only plaints when he should haue drawne swords where they charge the Peeres for drawing backe from his Warres hee makes them the onely Hasteings and Iohn the Hinderer briefly if a fire-shooting Meteor appeare aboue it portends Heauens fury on Iohn if the watry Element ouerflow it bodes Iohns fury on his Land But surely that part thereof which fell on Geoffry it was you see not vndeserued notwithstanding vpon the Kings returne into England and Geoffreys to his more loyall carriage submission his Peace was made at the very time for the more celebrity of Queen Isabels Coronation with whom the King himselfe was again crowned at Westminster by Archbishop Hubert 10 The Pompe of that solemnitie ended the King resolued of ending a long depending controuersie with King William of Scotland who formerlie before Iohn was proclaimed King had challenged as his patrimoniall Right the Counties of Northumberland and Cumberland and afterward seeing he got but words and delaies was ready King Iohn being then in France with an hotter and more forceable argument to winne what hee could not craue but being in dark deuotion all Night at Saint Margarets Hearse the still true English-hearted Queen perswaded him by a Dreame for certainely it was no other not to infest England her natiue soile who therupon sent backe his Army But now he commeth with a more friendly traine vpon King Iohns sending to him in Honourable Embassage the Earles of Huntingdon and Hereford King Williams Brother and Nephew his three Sonnes in Law Lacy Vescy and Ros with others to desire him to giue him meeting at Lincolne where accordingly they both meet with kingly curtesies and the next day King Iohn to auspicate his Temporall affaires with Spirituall deuotions and yet to shew what hee thought of some superstitious follies of those times went vndauntedly into the Cathedrall Church being much disswaded by many for Monkish Impostures perswaded many it was very ominous for a King to enter that and certaine other places and there offered a golden Chalice on Saint Iohns Altar which no King before him durst doe Where his Deuotions performed the two Kings in presence of three Archbishops thirteene Bishops the King of South-Wales with a multitude of English Scottish French and Irish Princes and Peeres ascending the toppe of that conspicuous high hill on the North side of the Citie did there in a glorious solemnity sweare amitie and faithfull loue vpon the Crosier of Archbishop Hubert 11 That Spectacle so roial to the beholders was seconded with another no lesse Honourable to K. Iohn for Humility in such great ones is more glorious then their glory when the King hauing latelie left Hugh Bishoppe of Lincolne called the Saint for the opinion of vnfained integrity though blemished with some obstinacies and surcharged with Legends of fained Miracles at London very sicke where himselfe with gracious care went to visite him and both confirmed his Testament and promised the like for other Bishoppes after now hearing hee was dead and his Corpes then bringing into the gates of Lincolne hee with all that princely Traine went forth to meete it the three Kings though the Scottish was to depart that very day with their roiall Allyes carrying the Hearse on those shoulders accustomed to vphold the weight of whole kingdomes from whom the Great Peeres receiued the same and bare it to the Church Porch whence the three Archbishops and Bishops conuaied it to the Quier and the next day it there lying the meane time open faced mitred and in all Pontificall Ornamentes with Gloues on his hands and a Ring on his finger interred it with all solemnities answerable Yet here the King rested not to giue proofe in so great a height of his lowly mind and then benigne how euer afterward auerted to the Clergy when twelue Abbots of the Cisteaux Habit whose whole Order had displeased him by refusing to giue Aid towardes his great payment of thirtie thousand pounds came now to Lincolne and all prostrate at his feet craued his gracious fauour for that his Forresters had driuen out for so the King had giuen commaund of his Pastures and Forrests all their Cattle wherewith themselues and Christs Poore were sustained The King touched with remorse on so venerable a troope of Suppliants though so great offenders commaunded them to rise who were no sooner vp but the King inspired with diuine Grace fell flat on the ground before them desiring pardon adding that hee not onely admitted them to his loue their beasts to his Pastures a speciall fauour which Kings had graunted that Order but would also build an Abbey for men of their sort if they would designe some choice seat wherein himselfe meant to bee enshrined Neither did he promise then more then hee performed nor were those wylie Humiliates regardlesse of choosing a delicate plotte for the purpose where hee built a goodlie Abbey of their Order deseruedly for the pleasance of the place named Beaulieu and of rich Reuenue and excessiue Priuiledge continuing long of great renowne as a Castle of refuge inuiolable our Auncestors thinking it most hainous sacrilege thence to draw any though wilfull Murderers or Traitors wherein the Founders of such vnsanctified Sanctuaries Temples of Mercy so they called thē throughout this Kingdom seemed rather to take Romulus for their President thē Moses who granting fauor to casuall Manslaughters yet commanded wilfull Murderers to bee drawn from the Altar to the slaughter 12 By what degrees men not onely of such reputed-religious habit but also of the Secular-Clergy fell afterward more and more from such fauours of the King and hee from theirs a man that will not purposely winke may easily behold both sorts standing so stiffe on their persons and their possessions Exemption from Regall commaund that whiles the Pope could haue all for any superfluous imploiment the King could get nothing though his Kingdome were in hazard as you heard by the disloyall obstinacies both of the Archbishop of Yorke who denied the King his personall attendance and those Cisteaux Monkes whose Coffers were thus lockt against him The like pretended Exemptions of their Clergie-Prelacies as well as of their Persons and Purses wrought also like offences both with former Kinges and now with King Iohn who on the death of Bishop Hugh resoluing to conferre by gift as his Ancestors did and himselfe elsewhere lately had that See on some whom either merite or affection had endeared to him the rather because men of those places in those dayes were vsually their Soueraignes bosom-Counsellors hee was with peremptory affronts
also more strengthned with a new knot of Association wherein sundry great Lords of either side were by indentment of Writing made suerties to the counter-part with condition that whither of the two Kings did first violate the Couenants all his cautionary Lords should bee released of their alleagiance to him and become Leegemen and Assistants to the Prince offended And that the world might take more notice of their combined loues they both agreede to contribute to the Holy-Warres which now beganne to bee on foot the fortieth part of the whole Reuenewes of their Crownes sending their letters abroad into their Dominions to encourage all their Nobles people by their examples to doe the like With which intercourses other cōplements three daies being spent betwixt them King Philip the deeper to serue himselfe into King Iohns good opinion the surest way to ouerreach another in any commerce by intreaty obtained his company first to S. Denises Pallace where hee entred with a pompous Procession of the Clergy and lodged with royall entertainment by the King and the next day to Paris where hee was receiued with very rich Presents of the City and great applause of all sorts to see so noble arguments of affection betwixt two so great princes lately so mortall enemies where the French King betaking himselfe to a more priuate mansion left his owne pallace to accommodate and honor Englands King After some dayes there bestowed in princely delights and entertainements King Iohn conducted forth of the City by King Philip and parting with mutuall attestations of loue neuer to bee parted tooke his iourney towards Normandy in ful hope to enioy thence forward the contentment of quiet to himselfe and peace to his Dominions but those windy hopes soone changed with his change of the aire 15 For whiles at Chinon hee was roially entertaining Queene Berengaria his sister whom hee there also bounteously satisfied in performing the Ioynture promised her by King Richard giuing her thecCity and Signiory of Baion two Castles and their Demaines in Aniou with a thousand Markes yeerelie for tearme of life and at Argenton in Normandy where hee kept his Christmas was solacing himselfe with his faire Queen Isabel the Earle of March Hugh surnamed Le-Brun a Peere of great power and alliance to whom Isabel was first promised though for her vnripe yeares he neuer bedded her enflamed with loue of her who was now thought worthy to bee a Queene drew on other Poictouine Nobles to thinke that hee was vnworthy to bee a King who wrongfully had taken her from him and would if not preuented do the like in time with them So once againe young Arthur whose former hopes were all cold is re-kindled by these fire-brands and set vp by their malice to supplant his vncle but by Heauens Decree to ouerthrow himselfe howsoeuer the Britaines then fascinated with his ominous Name dreamed that the ancient Great Arthur was risen againe in him and that the Translation of the English Kingdom was now by him to be effected Neither was the French King for all his late painted pretensions of loue deafe to their suggestions who laboured to incense his hatred against Iohn whereto hee had these further inducements that King Iohn might quicklie waxe too potent a Neighbour in that Continent if his quiet and power were not timely rebated that now the meanes to worke it were more then before the English Peeres being alienated in affection from him for denying their claimed Liberties but chiefly that the profite such base ends can some propose of so Noble a Band which hee hoped for by his amity being the enioying of those Signiories in the Continent if hee died sans Issue was now in a manner cut off Queene Isabel beginning to giue apparant hopes of some faire fruite from so faire a stemme Thus whiles Earle Hugh out of his loue Duke Arthur out of Ambition King Philip out of Auarice ah that the noblest person should haue the basest end but all out of Hatred were contriuing King Iohns ruine hee was farthest from suspition when neerest his danger and yet they who thus were forwardest to vndermine his Greatnes were themselues formost to bee crusht with the weight thereof 16 But these slie Serpents shrowded in secret their enuenomed heades till the warmth of the Spring a time suiting for martiall mischiefes called them forth when King Philip hauing newly cast his skinne and as most able so was most willing to break the way desired another enteruiew with King Iohn who comming thither the place was twixt Vernon and Lisle Dandale vvith expectation of some fruits of those louely courtesies which their last meeting seemed to haue engrafted he there found that this last winter had nipt all those faire blossomes For Philip forgetfull of all former Compacts and pretending some imaginary wrongs in outragious manner required him without delay to redeliuer into Arthurs hands all his Transmarine dominions Normandy Turayne Aniou Poictou or otherwise as Lord Paramount of those Countries which Iohn held by Homage he peremptorily cited him personally to appeare in Easter Terme at Paris there to answere what should bee laide to his charge and to abide the Arrest of his Court of Iustice. The colour on which hee thus did cite him was say some King Iohns sharpe repressing of some rebellious attempts of Hugh le brun the former yeer whereof the Earle complained to King Philip as to the chiefe Lord. King Iohn much amased to see not onely hony so soone distempered into gall but the French King also turned into an Apparatour disdained both his Citation and Commaunds as very vnnoble for Englands King to accept or the French to offer neither indeed did Philip thus put the matter to daying as intending any such legitimate proceeding but onely to make his aduersary secure of any other assaults then by Petty-foggers For whether it be true or no that King Iohn for his non-appearance was by sentence of the French Peeres adiudged to loose all his Territories in the Continent certaine it is that no sooner was the Conference with indignation broken off but Philip hee had before prepared to effect what hee had proiected with power and fury assailes Butauant Castle whose Turrets high-reared by King Richard hee leuelled with the Foundations and thence sodainely like a flash of lightning beganne to inuolue the neighbouring partes with ransakings and ruines till giuing an assault which had held him eight dayes to the Castle of Radepont King Iohn comming to the rescue forced him with shame to speed away To repaire which dishonour and to empaire the English forces by distraction of imploiments returning to Paris hee there appoints for Arthur to whom hee had now affianced his yonger daughter both certaine selected Nobles to bee protectors to
secure and guard his person also bands of Souldiers to attend his commaund amongst which were 200. the choice Knightsof France all which in very pompous Troupes followed him with Philips directions and also supply of great summes of money into Poictou to reduce those partes to his Allegiance which was no hard matter to effect the greater part of Commaunders there being fore-wrought expecting nothing more and the better part suspecting nothing lesse then these perfidious assaults 17 Queene Eleanor Regent of those prouinces attended with a very slender guard yet strong inough for daies of quiet which both her Age did now desire and her Homage done to Philip and Philips faire shewes to her did promise hauing no speedier notice of those incursions then the vnpleasing effects thereof for on Arthurs good successes K. Philip proclaimed him Lord of those Dominions betooke her selfe into Mirabeau one of the most tenable townes in Poictou sending to King Iohn whose forceâ—… were then in Normandy and Mayne repressing or preuenting Philips attempts for present aids Which yet could not so speedily come but Arthur who knew that vpon seisure of such a prize as Eleanour hee might draw her sonne to any conditions had preuented them besieged her and possessed himselfe of her towne though not of her person as some by mis-understanding haue mis-related For she retiring into the Castle made it good against her Grandchilds incessant batterie about which whiles he with his continuall supplies of Poitâ—…ine and Anioâ—…ine princes was indefatigably busied King Iohns Army neere at hand for his expedition both by day and night to his mothers rescue is recorded as admirable brought the newes of their owne approch which caused the great Army of the Leagers so industrious before to impeach others no lesse sollicitous now to defend themselues Both Armies martially ranged Arthurs Battalions not onely vndauntedly but also very pompously comming on to the shocke the fight proued most fierce and terrible each side resoluing by reason of both the Competitors presence in the field that the End and vpshot of all their designes depended on that dayes succese which in the end by the fortunate prowesse of King Iohn and his English fell disastrouslie on Arthur his French and other Assistants who after a great slaughter made amongst them turning their backs to him from whom they had before turned their Faithes tooke their flight towards the Towne to shelter their liues within those walles which so late the Seat of their triumphes became now the cage of their captiuation and the Toombe of all Arthurs ambitious hopes though himselfe so vnhappy as to suruiue them for together with the tumultuary flyers the victorious King his Armie entred renued a most bloudy fight repossessed the Town freed his mother enthralled his Enemies and recouered all the prouinces which had reuolted 18 This victory was so glorious to King Iohn and so dreadful to his Enemies for King Philips two chiefe confederates Arthur and Hugh Brun Raymund Father to Guido the husband of Constancia all the Peeres of Poictou and Aniou aboue 200. French Knights and others of command besides the vulgar multitudes were taken prisoners that both then King Philip though very hote in the siege of Argues in Normandy presently cooled and confounded with newes thereof brake vppe his fortnights fiege and returned home and since the French fawning fauourites and King Iohns maligners haue sought to extenuate the matter auerring against all truth of record that it was exploited before the French were come to Arthurs aide and when all his Souldiers were both vnarmed and vnordered But as others highly extolling king Iohns valour herein interprete those fore-doomes of Merlin to haue beene ment of him that hee should hee crowned with the head of a Lion should cut out the tongues of Bulles and lay yron chaines on the backes of râ—…ring Beasts and indeed hee chained them hand and foot and so conuayed them away in Carts a kind of riding till then vnusuall with them so King Iohn himselfe duely acknowledging the greatnesse of Gods goodnesse therein sent his Letters to all his Barons wheresoeuer thereby to encourage the loiall and hold in awe the tomultuous inciting them so render all prayse vnto God for so admirable a worke and so gratious assistance and soone after hee dispersed his noblest Captiues into sundrie Castles in Normandy and England Arthurs sister Eleanor called the Damosell of Britaine being committed to Bristow Castle where shee long liued with very honour able vsage And though the kings displeasure was iustly incensed against her brother Arthur for so frequent wauering in his faith yet meaning to trie all meanes of winning him who had thus lost himselfe hee sent for him being then at Falaise in the custody of Hubert L. Chamberlain and entreated him very gently promising him all honourable respects if as yet he would resolue to forsake the French kings amity and frame both his mind for hearty loue and his Actions for peaceable obseruance towardes him his vncle and Leege Lord. Which exceeding clemency the ill-aduised young Gentleman for what wisedome is it to shew pride where wee neede mercy and to giue threates beyond possibility of performance requited onely with arrogâ—…nt and vndutifull language furiously obraiding the king with violent and fraudulent detention of the English Crowne which menacingly he there required of him and allother King Richards Countries as his lawfull inheritance affirming with an Oath that vnlesse he did forthwith restore them hee should not long line in peace With which incorrigible pertinacy the King prouoked as seeing no place left to better hopes committed him to stricter custody vnder Robert de Veypont in the Castle of Roan 19 The Britaines fury and conspiracies which King Iohn hoped to abate by this their Princes durance were thereby much more augmented like Serpents most strugling with their traines when they feele their head in pressure Which moued the King who was now returned into England and in triumph of his late victory wore his crowne againe at Canterbury at the cost of his former host to take aduise of his Councell touching his troubled affaires whose sentence was if wee will credite the reporter that Arthur should loose his eyes But the escaping of such tortures is by some ascribed to the commiseration of Lord Hubert by others to the mediation of Queene Eleanor who interceded with her Sonne for her Grandchild as long as she liued which was not long Deathes vnpartiall hand and griefe of heart some say laying that great prudent Queen the wife of two mighty Kings and mother of three where Princes and Pesants are all equals Her Nephew much behind
Engines of battery against it but eftsoones before one stone of the wals was shaken or any one of their men had lost the least haire of their heads they dishonourably surrendred the Fort a matter of very great consequence to King Philips pleasure who though abundantly pleased with the deed yet so contumeliously but most iustly and prince-like recompensed the Doers for Traytors alwayes become odious though the Treason becommodious that for so base a part he commanded them to be fettered in chaines and basely intreated in close prison till they had deerely redeemed their liberty though they could hardly their reputation Another noble Baron Captaine of Castle Galliard which being built on a very high Rocke ouer Seyne King Richard had made impregnable by his vndaunted prowesse and great slaughter made vpon Philips hoast lying 6. moneths in siege about him was far from any suspition of dastardie but yet escaped not the blemish both of ingratitude and infidelity in that at length hee not onely yeelded vp that Castle to the enemies but also secretly by night brought them into the Castle of Montfort which hee betraied vnto them not weighing his faith to his Leege Lord who had bestowed on him that Castle with all the honour and demaines thereto belonging Otherwise for his first surrender his case had beene more excusable the famine an vnresistable enemy in the Castle being so great that as the French Recorders themselues confesse when the Women and others of the vnseruiceable sort were put forth for sparing of prouant and being betwixt the Castle and the Enemies found pitty and releefe of neither in the sight of them all a Woman great with Child was deliuered and her infant presently eaten vp Amongst those and other of King Iohns reuolting Barons like so many falling Starres if we should pretermit that fixed and bright Starre of vnmoueable fidelity and resolution the Lord Robert de Lacy wee should bee guilty of high offence against true honour who hauing receiued of his Prince the custody of the goodly Castle Rocke-Andely which was builded also by King Richard did brauely beare of the siege and power of King Philip and his hoast almost a whole yeere in which space though by their continuall batteries and vnderminings a great part of the walles were flatted yet they could neuer make entry vpon him but were repulsed with slaughter till his prouision of victuals being now spent to the last howre he called his Souldiers together encouraging them after so long proofe of their Manhood not to faint now in the last Act but to consider that though it were better for them to die by famine then to liue with reproch of false or faint-hearttednesse yet it is more noble for souldiers to die fighting then famishing and together with their owne liues to sacrifice to their Countries honour the bloud of their slaughtered enemies Whereupon fiercely sallying forth with his Resolutes after a bloody shambles made in the middest of his beleaguers hee was by multitude ouerborne and taken but in regard of his exemplary faith and prowesse in maintaining his charge by King Philips expresse command a second princely and prudent fact to discipline his Subiects by thus entreating his foes hee was honourably vsed and without râ—…int of a prisoner 23 But as the fact of this Peere was peerelesse so was this Clemency in that King but rare and vnaccustomed towards such Cheiftains as stifly out-stood his assaultes some of whom formerly hee had caused to bee dispiteously dragged at horse-heeles for the terrour of others Of which indignities other irkesome extremities the inseparable companions of warre indured by his people when King Iohn had notice by Messengers sent vnto him for reliefe and aides no maruaile is it if his griefe were aboue beleefe or measure finding himselfe vtterly destitute of meanes to relieue their wants or his owne losses albeit for the time hee bare it out with a manly shew saying that these were but the French pilferings of which he meant in due time to exact an account with interest For what else could hee doe The Normans to omit those others in open Rebellion either wholy fallen away from him or but dissemblingly adhering to him his Barons from home failing him at his need his Nobles there about him being vnder pretext of a speedy comming againe returned into England by which meanes the King was left very dispeopled hauing onely a small traine which could in so great a need doe him but very small seruice but that these important and vnportable matters did no whit moue him nor could retriue him from the bosome of his too-dear Enchantresse which occasioned some to think him infatuated with sorcery is a thing past capability of beleefe 24 The King thus disfurnished of all helps Innocentius the stirring Bishoppe of Rome made fayre shew to salue these temporall wounds with a spirituall playster which doubtlesse made King Iohn more secure then stood with his good for 〈◊〉 in so great distresses there was no forraine Prince fitter for the King to conbine with then Otho the Emperor his owne Nephew and Philips professed enemy so the Pope on the one side beginning to bee-iealous of Otho's greatnesse mistrusted the concurrence of two such great friends and therefore vndertooke to vmpeere the debates betwixt those two great Enemies and King Iohn on the other side willing to make vse of the Popes fauour durst not yet comply with any whom his Sanctitude any whit disfauoured His Legates for this businesse were the Abbots of Cafmer and Troisfons his motiue that these dissentions of Christendom weakned the wars against Turky his colour that this contention being a matter of faith-breach as of Leagues Oath and Couenants the cognizance thereof did properly appertaine to his sacred iudicature whereof hee made so little doubt as that the very letter then sent to the French Peeres is to this day registred for a pontificall decree and this audacious Law then by Innocentius first brought to the world for current That whensoeuer one Prince is delinquent against another the correction thereof appertaines to the Pope Their Commission was to call the Bishops and Princes of both Kingdoms for setling a Peace to inhibite all hostility to reserue the further triall of the Right to the Pope as Soueraigne Iudge to enioyne that all Religious places by the warres destroied or empouerished should be restored to their due State if either of the Kinges should bee refractary his whole Kingdom presently to bee put vnder Interdict Philip albeit the Pope was then offended with him vpon other terms for that hee imposed towards his warres a taxe of certaine Tenthes vpon his Clergy against the Popes will alleadging it was necessary that out of their priuate abundance they should beare a charge in the
went that onely three were slaine vpon both sides the Earle of Perch one of Du-Brents Knights and an obscure fellow belonging to some or other of the Barons 8 The Kings Gouernour after the victory rode presently with the gladsome tidings in the heighth of speed to the King and Legate who with teares of ioy gaue God thankes But the noble Earle not leauing his worke imperfect seekes to embarre Lewis from forraging about London Meane while by the diligence of Lady Blanch the wife of Lewis Eustace the ruffianly Apostata who of a Monke becomming a Demoniacke was now vpon the Sea with a fresh supply of men and munition bound for London But God was no better pleased with these then with the other scatterlings at Lincolne For the English Nauie hauing the wind of the French sunke diuers of their shippes by tilting at them with the yron Prowes or Beakes of their Gallies vsing also vnslaked lime in dust or powder which they threw into the faces of their enemies and blinded their sight so were the hopes of Lewis for any present succours absolutely frustrated Eustace himselfe found after long search and drawne out from the bottome of the Pumpe in a French shippe at Douer had his head cut off though some say hee was slaine by Richard a base-sonne of King Iohn The newes of which successe being brought to the King did not more reioice him then they wounded Lewis for the losse was not onely great in men but in all sorts of riches and prouisions To giue now no rest to Lewis his declining fortunes the Earle of Pembroke with a mighty Army besieged London and Lewis therein aswell by Water as by Land seeking to driue him by penurie to render the City It came to capitulation and in an Ilet in the Riuer of Thames not farre from Stanes the King Wallo the Legate and William Marshall the Kings Gouernour met with Lewis the Barons to finish the Peace for Lewis had promised to doe as Wallo and the Earle would deuise so that it might not tend to his dishonour or scandall Heades or Articles of the agreement which Lewis sware vpon the Gospell to performe were 1. That Lewis the Barons and other his partakers should stand to the iudgement of the Church whose censures they had now some yeeres contemned and from thenceforth bee and remaine true to the same 2. That he and his should forthwith depart the land neuer to return again with a purpose to doe harme 3 That he should doe his best to draw his Father to make restitution of all such things in France as belonged to the King of England and that Lewis when himselfe was King should quietly part with them 4. That Lewis should immediately render to King Henry all holdes and places taken in the warre On the other part the King the Legate and the Earle sware 1 That the King should restor to the Barons and others all their rights and inheritances with all the Liberties formerly demanded of his Father 2. That none of the Layty should suffer dammage or reproch for taking part on either side 3. That Prisoners should bee released c. Whereupon Lewis with his adherents was formally by Wallo absolued from the sentence of Excommunication and so they ranne on all sides into embracements and parted in the kisse of Peace The Welsh who had held with the Barons were left out of this Conclusion being thereby laid open to spoile Thus was Lewis driuen out of England whom the Earle of Pembroke brought to the Sea-side and the Realme was cleared 9 There are who write how that Lewis had a great summe of money paide him for restoring the Hostages but Mat. Paris whom some cite to that purpose affirms no such matter in any printed Copy Reason surelie is vtterly against it for when euen the life of Lewis was after a sort in King Henries hand with what sense can it stand that the King should set all the French free without ransom and yeâ—…â—…imselfe pay money for the Hostages which also were not his but the Hostages of his enemies the Barons so that if money were due it must haue come from them not from the King who both in honour and profite was rather obliged to the contrarie Writers of that very time doe in plain wordssay The Pouerty of Lewis was such that he was compelled to borrow fiue thousand pounds of the Londoners to set him out of England and therfore that other seemes nothing else but a vaine gloze to salue the honour of Lewis who was plainly driuen out of England after so high hopes with losse sorrow and eternall disgrace which the French are so sensible of that they scarse seeme to write of the whole action otherwise then laying the misfortune of Lewis vpon the Barons mutability 10 The Realme of England purged of those forraine dregges was not therfore presently freed from other manifold encombrances such as after so great a tossing of all lawes and things diuine and humane doe ordinarily flote vp and downe like the froth working of a troubled Sea For diuers men presuming vpon their former seruices to the State or thinking the old bad world would either continue still or soone returne if iustice grew confident against Trespassors or for what other corrupt motiues soeuer did dare intollerable things The principall Lords of this misrule were William Earle of Aumarl Falcasius de Brent with his Garrison Souldiers Robert de Veipont with others who hauing had the Castles and possessions of certaine Bishops and Great men either to keepe in trust or otherwise by iniquity of the times conuerted violentlie to their vses did still with-hold the same both against the minds of their lawfull owners and the Kings expresse Prohibition Among others Robert de Gaugi defended the Castle of Newarke being the Fee of the Bishoppe of Lincolne as was also the town it self against the Kings Armie conducted by the Great Marshall Earle of Pembroke for eight dayes and did not first yeeld the place before by mediation of friends the Bishoppe paid to Gaugi one hundreth pounds There was in that great Earle a perpetuall care to conclude things without bloud-shedde wherein shined his Christian piety and morall wisdome there being no other so safe way to settle disordered humors The greater was his losse both to the King and State by his death soone after ensuing whose monument yet remaining doth not so much eternize his memory as that well-deserued Epitaph the Epitome of his noble vertues Sum quem Saturnum sibi sensit Hybernia Solem Anglia Mercurium Normannia Gallia Martem Irelands Saturn Englands Sunne am I The Mars of France and Normans Mercurie He left behind him fiue Sonnes all Earles of Pembroke successiuely and dying without issue his fiue Daughters aduanced by great marriages brought as great aduantage to their husbands issue by the inheritances of their issuelesse brethren
11 The King gouerned after Marshals death by Peter Bishoppe of Winchester and such other whom the Bishoppe had procured to ioyne in administration of publik affairs seeming now to haue a setled and calme estate resolues for good hopes sake to bee crowned againe which was performed by Stephen Archbishoppe of Canterbury at Westminster with the attendance and confluence of all the Prelates Peeres and People Vpon the* Saturday before his Coronation the new worke of the Abbey Church at Westminster Paris calles it the Chappell of our Lady was begunne whereof the King himselfe in person laid the first stone as if hee ment the world should know his intention was to consecrate his future actions to raise the glory of God This calme but new beginning was almost as speedily distempered and disturbed by sodaine stormes by reason that while the King kept his Christmas with great royalty at Oxford in the company of the Prelates and Peeres of England William de Fortibus Earle of Aumarl incited by Falcasius de Brent and the like riotous Gentlemen sodainely departed frō the Court without leaue whither it were vpon discontentment because the King had against the Earles will the last yeere taken some Castles into his hands or out of an euill ignorance how to liue in quiet he mannes the Castle of Biham victuals it with the Corne of the Chanons of Bridlington spoiles the Towne of Deeping and vnder shew of repayring to the Parliament seiseth on the Castle of Fotheringhay committing many other furious riots in contempt of the King and breach of his peace many others in other places following his lewd example Yet at length the Earle comming in vnder the conduct of Walter Archbishop of Yorke was at the suite of Pandulph who succeeded Wallo in the place of Legate pardoned and the like hurtfull clemency was extended toward his Complices and Retinue whom the King in regard belike of some former better deserts set free without punishment or ransome And to preuent any further disturbances of that nature Hubert de Burgh Earle of Kent for his rare integrity and fidelity approued in all King Iohns troubles was also made gouernour of the Kings Person and Chiefe Iustitiar of England with the generall allowance of all the States What need the land then had of a seuere proceeding wee may iudge by this that Foulk de Brent held the Earledomes of Northampton Oxford Bedford and Buckingham with the Castles and Holds Philip de Marc the Castles of Peke and Nottingham Nottinghamshire and Darbishire and others detained other portions without any other right then that which the iniquity of the late tumults gaue 12 It was no small addition to the troublesomnesse of this time that certaine Lords of Wales and as some say Prince Lewelin himselfe desirous to ridde their Marches of the English rose in Armes laide siege to the Castle of Buelt which inuited king Henry to draw thither with an Armie but the worke was made easie by the voluntary departure of the Welsh vpon the fame of the Kings approch which appearances of some ensuing stirres moued the king to thinke of strengthning himselfe with faithfull alliances and not long after Alexander King of Scots came to Yorke who in the yeere before had met King Henry at the same place and there tooke to wife the Lady Ioan King Henries sister and Hubert de Burgh in presence of both the Kings married the Lady Margaret sister to Alexander Boetius saith that two great Lords of England married two sisters of King Alexander at that place About which time Isabel Queen Dowager of Englād without the leaue of her sonne the King or of his Councell crost the seas and tooke to husband the Earle of March in France The young King supposing his estate at home now somewhat setled and his eyes beginning to grow cleare-sighted by the benefite of experience forgets not to looke about his affaires abroad and first sends Sauarie de Malleon to bee his Lieutenant in Aquitaine where yet the English held the greater part and dispatcheth Ambassadors to Philip King of France for restitution according to the Articles with Lewis whereunto answere was made that nothing ought to bee restored which by right of warre had beene atchieued but as it seemes there was a Truce for fowre yeeres agreed vpon betweene the two Monarches concerning the County of Poictou 13 The State both of Church and Common-wealth in those troubled daies seeme to haue much resemblance euery man daring to attempt in either what his own audaciousnes would suggest or others conniuency permit But Stephen Archbishop of Canterbury who himselfe was lately the ring-leader of disorders both in State and Church is now beecome very diligent in his Prouinciall Synode at Ox to in rage of this vnexpected reuocation like a braue Romane threw the Popes letters into the fire yet durst not disobey the Contents And whereas the message it selfe had beene scanned and sifted to the very branne both here and in France and iudged to sauour of so vniuersall an oppression as might cause a generall discession from the Church of Rome the King in presence of his Prelates and Peeres turned off the Popes couetous demaund with this thrifty answere The things which the Pope would perswade vs vnto doe stretch themselues as farre as the Christian world is wide and because England is but an Out-Angle thereof therefore when we see other Kingdomes giue vs an example hee shall then finde vs the more forward to obey 21 That difficultie so auoided the King was earnestly bent to make a voyage in person to the aide of his brother Earle Richard who pursued the affaires of Gascoigne which though by the late Earle of Sarisburies death it receiued some maime yet by the fortitude and counsell of other noble persons it did still prosper This intention and desire was staide by the receit of letters out of France which declared the Earle his brothers health and the good successe of affaires The King some say among his Counsellors of State had one William de Perepound a great Astrologer who fortold that Lewis King of France should not preuaile and this affirmation did the rather withhold him at that present There is who writes that King Henry vpon the Popes letters forbare to attempt any thing in France at that time lest he should hinder Lewis who was then vpon an enterprise against the remaines of the Albigenses in Languedoc Prouince and the parts about These men were traduced for Heretikes and so condemned by the See of Rome but what their Heresie was a * Fryer who writes against them reports saying they were of all other the most pernicious Sect for antiquity some holding they were from the Apostles time for generality there scarse being any Nation where they are not and lastly for shew of piety in that they liue iustly before men and
with honor out of Gascoigne had seized into his hands a certaine Manour then in the tenure of one Waleran a Dutch-Gentleman to whom King Iohn for his good seruices had formerly giuen it which hee alleaged was parcell of his Earledome of Cornwall The King hereupon directs his letters to his brother commanding him to come immediately and shew a reason of his fact He doth so and without any pleaders helpe defended as iust the seisure which he had made concluding among other words that hee was ready to stand to the iudgement of the Kings Court and Peeres of the Realm When the King and the Chiefe Iustitiar heard him name the Peeres of the Realme they suspecting his bent that way were exceedingly offended and said the King eyther restore the Manour to Waleran or thou shalt depart out of the Kingdome neuer to returne at which peremptory sentence the Earle boldly but too rashly answered that hee neither would giue his right to Waleran nor without the iudgement of the Peeres depart the Realme The Earle in this heate returnes to his lodging thence vpon surmise that Hubert had perswaded the King to lay hold on him he posts to Marlebourgh where finding William Marshal the young Earle of Pembroke hee enters into a fast confederacy ratified by oath and Ranulf Earle of Chester is easily drawn to make another Letters thence flying about to all their friends at Stanford there assembled vnto them the Earles of Gloucester of Warrenn of Hereford of Warwicke Earle Ferrars many Barons and an huge multitude of armed men Their strengthes being in likelyhood able to beare out their darings they addresse a bold message to the King by which they require him in lofty Phrase to make presēt amends to his Brother for the wrong hee had done the fault whereof they imputed not to him but to the chiefe Iustitiar and that if he did not without delay restore the Charters of Liberties which hee had cancelled at Oxford they would driue him by dint of sword to giue them therein competent satisfaction The King seeing it no safe time to deny their requests appoints to meet at Northampton in August next where the Earle of Cornwall vpon his Associates resolute demaund of the King had large amends of any iniury sustained his Patrimony being augmented with large accessions The moderation and equanimity of the King terrified by his Fathers example peaceably finished this contention the matter of the Charters being for the time husht as seemeth which might otherwise haue cost many thousand liues and haue hazarded the ruine both of King and kingdome 25 That daunger was not a little augmented by the insurrections of the Welsh The King had giuen the Castle of Mountgomery to his most trusty Counsellor Hubert de Burgh the Garrison of which place issuing out meant to stocke vp the Trees and shrubbes which grew neere vpon an high-way leading through a great wood of fiue leagues long that trauailers ordinarily there spoiled might passe more safely The Welsh not suffering that waste violently assayled the Workemen and not without slaughter on both sides draue them into the Castle which drew the King who euen in litle matters vsed to make one to come thither in person who with a competent strength giues not ouer till hee had with fire and other force consumed the whole Forrest From whence hee peirceth farther into Wales and consumes with fire a place called Cridia where whiles the King is building a Castle to bridle them Lewelin drew thither his forces where many were slaine on both sides and a man of speciall worth William de Brausia or de Bruse by the Welsh intercepted as he went to forrage in the Country many great persons there in the Kings Armie being secretly confederated with Lewelin By which trecherous practise victualles grew so scarce that the king was compelled to yeeld to a very dishonourable peace the conditions wherof were that the King should raze to the ground the new Fort now almost finished that William de Bruce should still remaine Prisoner till the Welsh thought good that Lewelin should giue the King toward his expenses three thousand Markes 26 These home-bredde garboyles thus appeased whereas Ambassadors had formerly repayred to the king out of Gascoigne Poictou and Normandie to offer him their seruices for recouery of those his inheritances if himself would com in person with a royall Armie hee about Michaelmas is now ready at Portsmouth for the exploit whither all his Nobles were come with so great a multitude not onely out of England but out of Ireland Wales and Galloway as none of his ancestors euer had Many were the motiues which encouraged the king to this attempt but none greater then the busie workings of Queen Dowager his mother Lewis king of France had created his brother Alfonse Duke of Poictou commaunding the Lords of that Country to doe their homages to him one of these was Hugh Earle of March now husband to Queene Isabel who because shee had once beene the Wife of a King and now the Mother disdained that euen her present husband though but an Earle should doe homage to a Subiect and thereby her selfe bearing the stile of a Queene seeme inferiour to the Lady Ioan wife of Duke Alfonse The Earle was hereupon drawne to a refusall of homage and the like spirit shee had breathed into the hearts of the princely family of Lusinian whose Ancestors had been Kings of Ierusalem and Cyprus Nor thus contented to haue plotted a party for her Sonne among the French she is charged to haue sought by poyson to make riddance of Lewis himselfe and that her Agents for that purpose were discouered and executed But Aemylius shall pardon vs if we herein credit not his iudgement as also in thinking her the Author of suborning Assasines to murther the King for that wee find him singular therein the receiued opinion being that they were sent vnder-hand by the Sarazens out of Asia to take away the daunger which they foresaw was comming in regard King Lewis was so deuoutly addicted to Christian piety and the hatred of Mahomets Infidelity There were also at the same time great Diuisions among the French Nobility but the English saith Aemylius himselfe wrought not by treachery but after the manner of faire warre which they first by defiance denounced and then did openly prosecute with sword in hand 27 The King of England being thus prouided of men munition and other necessaries fitt for the field and now ready to embarke there was not shipping sufficient to transport halfe the Company Which enraged the King so farre that turning himselfe to Earle Hubert vpon whom hee charged the blame he called him ranke old Traitor affirming that hee had of purpose beene slacke herein as in other things in regard of fiue thousand Marks with which the Queene Dowager of France had as he said embribed him and withall ranne at
thought good for the defence of the Crowne and Realme and such and so many of them as might be able to compell his proud and rebellious people to due obedience When the Oracle would speake no otherwise they departed from Court greatly discontented firmely promising one to the other that in such a cause which did so touch them all they would like men stand together while anie breath was in their bodies 37 Those who were now most potent about the King nothing sorry for the discontentment of so great a Peere as the Earle Marshall but counting it a part of their strengthes to vse the regall power toward the weakning of the English nourish in the King his auersion The minds of men sufficientlie inclining of themselues to doubt the worst vpon such diuisions had their feare increased by sundrie prodigies of strange thunders and raines but especially of foure redde Parhelions or resemblances of the Sunne besides the Sunne it selfe appearing about the parts of Hereford and Worcester from morning till night in the Skies and indeed much trouble immediatly ensued aswell in England as Wales Ireland The Poictouins and other Strangers thus bearing the sway so as the Kings person went guarded with troupes of such the Earles and Barons being by the Kings commaund summoned to another Parliament at Oxford refused to come While the King was there one Robert Bacon who vsed there to preach before the King and Prelates freelie told him that if hee did not remoue from him Peter Bishop of Winchester and Peter de Riuallis he could neuer be in quiet The King did hereupon a little come to himself Roger Bacon a Clergy-man also of a pleasant wit did second Roberts aduise telling the King that Petra and Rupes were most daungerous things at sea alluding to the Bishoppes name Petrus de Rupibus The King therefore as he had the happines in his mutability to change for his more security taking that good aduise of Schollers which he would not of his Peeres summons a Parliament to be holden at Westminster giuing the world to know withall that his purpose was to amend by their aduise whatsoeuer ought to be amended 38 But the Barons considering that still there arriued sundry strangers men of warre with Horse and Armour and not trusting the Poictouine faith came not but presumed to send this traiterous message to the king that if out of hand hee remoued not Peter Bishop of Winchester and the Poictouines out of his Court they all of them by the common assent of the kingdom would driue him his wicked Counsellors together out of it and consult about creating a new Soueraigne The king whom his fathers example made more timerous could easily haue beene drawne to haue redeemed the loue of his naturall Liegemen with the disgrace of a few strangers but the Bishoppe of Winchester and his friends infused more spirite into him Whereon to all those whom hee suspected the King sets downe a day within which they should deliuer sufficient pledges to secure him of their loialty Against that day the Lords in great numbers make repaire to London but the Earle Marshall admonished of danger by his sister the Countesse of Cornwall flies backe to Wales and chiefly for want of his presence nothing was concluded The King not long after is at Gloster with an Armie whither the Earle and his adherents required to come refused the King therefore burns their Mannors and giues away their inheritances to the Poictouines 39 This Rebellion had not many great names in it but tooke strength rather by weight then number the known Actors were the Earle Marshal the Lord Gilbert Basset and many other of the inferiour Nobles The Bishoppes Arts 〈◊〉 â—…luckt from him the Kings Brother and the two Earles of Chester and Lincolne who dishonourably sold their loue for a thousand Markes and otherwise as it seemed secured the rest neuerthelesse these may well bee thought not to haue borne any euill will to their now forsaken confederate the Earle Marshall who tooke himselfe to handle the common cause certainely hee handled his owne safety but ill as the euent shall demonstrate The Earle hearing these things contracts strict amity with Lewelin Prince of Wales whose powers thus knit together by aduantages of the Mountaines were able to counterpoize any ordinary inuasion To the Kings aide Baldwin de Gisnes with many Souldiers came out of Flanders The King now at Hereford in the midst of his Forces sends from thence by Winchesters counsell the Bishoppe of Saint Dauids to defie the Earle Marshall how farre soeuer this word defie extends it selfe sure it seems that the Earle hereupon vnderstoode himselfe discharged of that obligation by which hee was tied vnto the King and freed to makâ—… his defence The King notwithstanding after some small attempts and better considerations did promise and assume that by aduise of his Councell all that was amisse should at a day appointed bee rectified and amended About which time Hubert de Burgo hauing intelligence that the Bishoppe of Winchester who was a Poictouine plotted his death escaped out of the Castle of Deuises where he was prisoner to a neighbour Church but was haled from thence by the Castle-Keepers The Bishop of Sarisbury in whose Diocesse it happened caused him to bee safe-restored to the same place from whence by the Earle Marshall and a troupe of armed men his friends hee was rescued and carried into Wales 40 The King at the day and place appointed holds his great Councell or conference with the Lords but nothing followed for the peace of the Realme it was not an ordinary passage of speech which hapned there betweene the Lords and the Bishoppe of Winchester For when the English Bishops and Barons humbly besought the King for the honour of Almighty God to take into grace his naturall Subiects whom without any triall by their Peeres hee called Traitors the Bishoppe offended it seems at Peeres takes the words out of the Kings mouth and answeres That there are not Peeres in England as in the Realme of France and that therefore the King of England by such Iusticiars as himselfe pleaseth to ordaine may banish offenders out of the Realme and by iudiciall processe condemne them The English Bishops relished his speech so harshly that with one voice they threatned to excommunicate and accurse by name the Kings principall wicked Counsellors but Winchester appealed then they accursed all such as alienated the heart of the king from his naturall subiects and all others that perturbed the peace of the Realme 41 The Earle Marshall this while had by force resumed a Castle which he had a little before surrendred to the King which stirred the King to gather his forces at Glocester and thence to aduance towards Wales But the Earle had politickly barred the Country of al Prouisions for man and beast that the King was faine to
strike aside to Grosmont Castle where the Earle with his Confederats and the power of Wales so awaited their time that assailing the Kings Campe vnawares there were taken about fiue hundreth horse with the Sumpters riches and carriages of the Armie vpon which losse his men also greatly scattered the King leauing two noble Gentlemen with the Poictouins to make good the Marches against the Welsh returned more empty and inglorious then before The Earle found them worke whom the King had left behind and as hee was a man of no lesse courage then deepe witte whereas Baldwin de Gisnes the valiant Flemish knight with a thousand Horsemen thought to haue surprized him who hauing but a tenth part of that number came to view the Castle of Monmouth the Earle alone defended himselfe against twelue of his enemies and when his horse was cowardly slaine by them he pitcht one of them by the legge out of the Saddle and leapt into it himselfe neuer giuing ground till his Arruie came to the rescue and obtained a faire victorie with the slaughter and captiuation of many Poictouines and others His other exploits in and about Wales were not few nor vnfortunate if it were not onely in this as what indeed could be more grieuous or vnglorious to a noble mind for that his Soueraigne was vpon the contrary side 42 The King about this time to strengthen his life and State with the prayers of Beneficiaries and other deuoted affections founded the house of Conuerts where such as forsooke the Iudaicall Superstitions had prouisions for maintenance vnder a sober rule and ruler he also erected and endowed a famous Hospitall at Oxfâ—…rd both for the entertainement of Forrainers and Pilgrimes who thither much frequented and for reliefe also of such as were diseased So that Leoline Prince of Wales the Earles chiefe Confederate when hee was threatned sore if hee would not liue in quiet did not speake more magnificently of charity then honourably of the King I more feare quoth hee the Almesdeedes which the King dooth then all the men of warre which hee hath and the whole Clergy put together 43 The Earle Marshall encreasing in strength and hatred against such as were the Kings reputed Seducers makes spoile and booty on their possessions and ioyning with the power of Leoline puts all to fire and sword as farre as Shrewsburie part whereof they burnt to Ashes and sackt the residue The King then at Gloster for want of sufficient Forces departed thence greatly grieued to Winchester abandoning those other parts as it were to wast and ruine It therefore seemes that he was not growne stronger or richer by the displacing of Hubert Earle of Kent and the rest and by taking new into their roomes who commonly bite and sucke hard till they haue glutted themselues if at leastwise there be any satietie in auarice whereas the old officers hauing prouided in a sort for the maine chance haue the lesse reason to be grieuous 44 Therefore the Lions skin not being large enough for the Bishoppe of Winchester and his factious purposes they piece them out with the Foxes case an ineuitable stratageme is deuised The Earle Marshall had in Ireland all the ample Patrimonies of his Grandfather the famous Strangbow To make that member of his strengthes improfitable if not also pernicious they deuise certain letters directed to Maurice Fitz-Gerald Deputie Iustice of Ireland and other principall men who held of the Earle In them they signifie that Richard once Marshall to the King of England was for manifest treason by the iudgement of the Kings Court banished the Realme his Lands townes and Tenements consumed with fire other his Hereditaments destroyed and himselfe for euer disinherited that if vpon his comming thither they did take him either aliue or dead the King did giue them all the Earles lands there which now were forfeited by vertue of his Attainture and for assurance that the said gift should continue firme and good they by whose aduise the King and Kingdome were gouerned faithfully vndertooke To these letters which the Monkes call bloudy they caused the King to set his Seale as they themselues also being eleuen did theirs vpon receite of which lines the parties signifie backe vnder the seale of secresie that if the Contents of those letters were confirmed by the Kings Letters Patents they would performe that which was desired The Letters patents bee made accordingly and hauing fraudulently gotten the Great Seale from Hugh Bishoppe of Chichester Lord Chancellour who knew not thereof they make them authentike with the impression 45 The Kings mind therefore being still exulcerated towards the Earle Marshall hee grieuously charged Alexander Bishoppe of Chester that he had too much familiarity with the Earle affirming that they sought to thrust him from his throne the Bishop to cleare himselfe from so hainous a scandall puts on his Episcopall habite and solemnly pronounceth all those accurst who did but imagine a wickednesse of so foule a nature against the Maiesty or person of the King and thereupon by the intercession of other Prelates hee was receiued into grace The King was then at Westminster where Edmund the Archbishop of Canterbury elect with other his Suffragan Bishops bewailing the estate of the kingdome present themselues before him telling him as his loyal Liegemen that the Counsell of Peter Bishop of Winchester and his Complices which now he had and vsed was not found nor safe but cruell and perillous to himselfe and his Realme First for that they hated and despised the English calling them Traitours turning the Kinges heart from the loue of his people and the hearts of the people from him as in the Earle Marshall whom being one of the worthiest men of the land by sowing false tales they draue into discontentment 2. that by the Counsell of the same Peter his Father King Iohn first lost the hearts of his people then Normandie then other lands and finally wasted all his treasure and almost England it selfe and neuer after had quiet 3. that if the Subiects had now beene handled according to Iustice and law and not by their vngodly counsels those present troubles had not hapned but the Kinges lands had remained vndestroyed his treasures vnexhausted 4. that the Kings Councell is not the Councell of Peace but of perturbation because they who cannot rise by Peace will raise themselues by the trouble and disinherison of others 5. that they had the treasure Castles Wardships and strengthes of the Kingdome in their hands which they insolently abused to the great hazard of the whole estate for that they made no conscience of an Oth Law Iustice or the Churches censures Therefore we ô King said they speake these things faithfully vnto you and in the presence both of God and man doe counsell beseech and admonish you to remoue such a Councell from about you and as it is the vsage in other Realmes gouerne
yours by the faithfull and sworne Children thereof The King in briefe answered hereunto that hee could not sodainely put off his Councell and therefore prayed a short respite till their accounts were audited Meanwhile the behauiours of the Marshalline faction hauing this backing at Court grew more and more intolerable for while the King was at Huntingdon the Lord Gilbert Basset and others set fire vpon Alekmundbury a Towne belonging to Stephen de Segraue the flames whereof were seene of the owner being then with the King at Huntingdon They also tooke prisoners vpon the Welsh Marches and according to the Law of VVarre which saith one is lawlesse did put them to their ransomes 46 Nothing had hitherto preserued the King more then that hee could without great griefe forgoe any fauourites if hee were neerely pressed the contrary quality whereof hath beene the cause of finall desolation to so many Princes For albeit the choice of Counsellors ought to bee free yet by common intendment they should bee good or howsoeuer they are or are not it is madnesse to hazard a Crowne or leese the loue of an whole Nation rather then to relinquish or diminish a particular dependant The rights of amity ought neuerthelesse to remaine inuiolable but in such distance that the publike be not peruerted nor interuerted for a priuate The King therefore in this point not vnfortunate commaunded Bishop Peter to betake himselfe to his residence at VVinton without once medling in affaires of State but against Peter Riuallis his Treasurer hee was so vehement that he sware hee would plucke out his eyes were it not for reuerence of holy Orders commaunding also their Poictouines to depart the Realme neuer to see his face more 47 Then are the Archbishop of Canterbury with the Bishops of Chester and Rochester sent into Wales to pacifie things there But the inuincible Earle Marshall had now crost the Seas into Ireland to take reuenge for the spoiles and disseisures which his hired enemies had made in his lands there by whose plots according to that secret agreement hee was finally taken and died of a wound giuen him in the backe as hee with admirable manhood defended himselfe His Body was buried in Kilkennie which pleasantly-situated Towne our Soueraigne King Iames erected into a City where himselfe in his life had appointed in the Oratorie of the Minorites in which Town as yet some small tokens of this great name are remaining for in the East window of the Abbey-Church of S. Iohn Baptist and in the Abbey of S. Dominicke the ancient Armories of Marshal Lord of Kilkenny are yet extant The Patrimony of this Earle was shared by the Contractors according to the purport of the Letters patents but when the King heard of his death hee to the wonder of all that were by brake forth into teares bewailing the losse of so braue a Knight affirming that he had left no Peere behind him in the Kingdome A blessed King saith Paris to loue euen those who had offended him 48 The Archbishoppe of Canterbury with the other Bishoppes repaired to the King at Glocester vpon their returne from Leoline Prince of Wales who pretended hee could not conclude till the King had receiued into grace such of the banished Nobility with whom himselfe had beene confederated during the late displeasures The King hereupon moued with Pittie sends forth his Proclamations that all such as were outlawed or proscribed should bee at Gloucester vpon a certaine day there to be receiued into the Kings fauour againe and to haue restitution of their inheritances but lest they might suspect any euill measure it was ordered that they should bee in the Churches protection and come vnder the safe-conduct of the Archbishoppe and the other Prelates Thither at the time and place limited doth Hubert de Burgo Earle of Kent and lately chiefe Iusticiar of England repaire vpon whom by mediation of the Bishops the compassionate King looks gratiously receiuing him in his Armes with the kisse of peace in like sort was the Lord Gilbert Basset and all others of that fellowshippe receiued into fauour their seuerall liuings and rights fully restored and both Hubert and Basset admitted to bee of his Councell And that nothing might bee wanting to make the ioy vniuersall Gilbert Brother to the late Earle Marshall had the whole Earldome conferred vpon him with all the lands and rights thereof wheresoeuer notwithstanding the foresaid treacherous conueyance whom also the King made Knight at VVorcester and deliuered into his hands the Rod of the Marshalship according to the custom Howbeit in all these points the King may seeme but to haue temporized as thereto driuen by ouer-bearing inducements or else greatly afterward to haue changed his iudgement because hee openly at one time called the said Richard a bloudy Traitour and caused this Gilbert to bee forcibly kept out of the Court vpon a Christmas day 49 Vpon this reconcilement the practise by which the late great Marshall was destroyed and his possessions dismembred came to light the copy of the letters which had beene sent into Ireland being by commandement of the Archbishoppe of Canterbury openly read in the presence of the King the Prelates Earles and Barons It moued teares in all of them the King with an Oath affirming that hee knew not the contents of the said letters though by the vrging of the Bishoppe of Winchester Riuallis Segraue Passeleu with other of his Councell hee had caused his Seale to bee put vnto them At the sound of Summons to make their seuerall appearances the Malefactors take Sanctuary the Bishop and Peter de Riuallis in Winchester Church Segraue in Leicester Abbey Passeleu in the new Temple and others otherwhere In the end vpon the intercession of Edmund Archbishop of Canterburie who piously endeauoured to extinguish all occasions of further dissention in the Kingdome and vndertooke they should haue a lawfull triall the delinquents appeared at Westminster before the King who sate in person with his Iusticiars vpon the Bench. Peter de Riuallis was first called for the Bishop came not whom the King shot through with an angrie eye saying O thou Traitour by thy wicked aduise I was drawne to set my Seale to these treacherous letters for the destruction of the Earle Marshall the Contents whereof were to mee vnknowne and by thine and such like counsell I banished my naturall Subiects and turned their minds and hearts from me By thy bad counsel thy Complices I was moued to make warre vpon them to my irreparable losse and the dishonour of my Realme in which enterprize I wasted my treasure and lost many worthie persons together with much of my royall respect Therefore I exact of thee an account aswell of my treasure as of the custodies of Wardes together with many other profites and escheates belonging to my Crowne Peter denying none of the accusations but falling to the ground thus
killing the King About the time of the Kings danger at Woodstocke the Legate was in very little better case at Oxford where being at first honourably by the Vniuersity entertained in Ousney Abbey the pride of his Romans there proued so intollerable that a troupe of the yonger Students prouoked therewith to arme themselues not onely slew the Legates owne brother but would haue done the like with the Legate himselfe whom they termed an Vsurer Symonist Rentraker Money-thirster peruerter of the King subuerter of the Kingdome enriching strangers with spoiles of the English but hee lurking in the Belfrey at midnight escaped ouer the riuer not without danger of drowning and fled to the King for his protection For which outrage the King sending the Earle of Warren with an armed band imprisoned about 30. of the offenders and the Legate interdicted the Vniuersity till all the Bishops of England purposely meeting in a Synode pleaded for the Vniuersity as being the second of Christendome to whose importunity the proud Legate would not condiscend vnlesse all the Bishops would yeeld to goe on foot with the Students from Paules Church to the Legates house which was about a mile who there vngowned and vnshod should humbly craue absolution which accordingly they performed 60 The Legate was not long after called home by the Pope vpon notice of the scandall daylie giuen in England by the vnsatiable auarice of the Romanes but by the earnest workings of the King who feared lest his great ones would rise against him hee was detained as a necessary euill to establish the good of Peace For it was in a manner taken vp for a fashion among the Lords to glorifie themselues with the senselesse multitude by seditiously disparaging and taxing the Kings discretion and gouernment being farre too gentle and amiable for spirites so peruerse and insolent which might well force his louing nature to seeke kindnesse and aduise among strangers seeing he could not haue it for any his deserts among the home-borne A great reason why perhaps he did some few things rashly and passionately enough it being a thing forceable to distemper a very wise man to haue so many imperious censors to obserue his actions and few to humble their abilities to obsequious seruices all bearing themselues rather like Tutors or Controllers then like Subiects or Counsellors About which time one William an ordinary Calumniator and accuser of great men to the King was for that impious practise condemned to die though hee sought to peece out his dayes by the helpe of new appeachments and false criminations but that being discouered he was hanged vpon a Gibbet in London Now also the King beganne to smell out the vndirect and false dealing of his beloued Legate whose familiar friend Peter Saracen being taken Captiue by the Emperour and to pay 10000 l. Sterling for his ransome the shamelesse Legate counselled the king to bind himselfe and his Crown for that payment Wherby the King perceiuing what toiles were laid to entrap him the Romanes not caring what losse happened to the Kingdome so they might be gainers wore in great rage that it repented him he had euer admitted the Legate into the land to dissipate the wealth thereof But the Bishoppes of the land meeting in Councell at London to redresse the oppressions of the English Church tolde the Legate flatly that the Romanes importunity had so long exhausted their Church-goods that they would no longer endure it These English repentances seeme somewhat too late but that prouidence which the King of Scotland soone after vsed was as more tempestiue so more commendable when meeting the same Legate for now into Scotland he is going to gather coine he denied him entrance into his Kingdome telling him he was the first Legate which euer entred that Kingdome yet by intreatie to saue the Legates credite hee was permitted first making a declaration that his entrance should neuer goe for a President of any after whereto the Legate should put his Seale at his departure but hauing gotten what hee came for he sodainly stole away without leaue of the King and carried his writing with him By all which vile and indigne vsages a man might thinke the Church of Rome did purposely striue to draw the hatred of all nations against her especially sith as we shewed the Greekes were fallen from the Romane vnion so now the Church of Antioch had both excommunicated the Pope the Church and Court of Rome and challenged the Primacie aboue the Pope and the Romane Church as being an ancienter See wherin S. Peter first sate Bishoppe for seuen yeeres and more excellent and deare sith there Peter liued with loue and reuerence whereas both he and Saint Paul were continually persecuted in Rome which Church was now also defiled with Simonie Vsurie Auarice and other hainous offences 61 But doubtlesse it was worthy of reproofe in the King that after so manifold trials of faith and constancy in Hubert Earle of Kent hee should now againe afflict his honourable old-age with reuiuall of accusations when hee rather ought to haue tendred him as a Father Among other the Articles engines of vexation which the King bent against him these were 3. new ones by which any reasonable man may take a scantling of the rest 1 That Hubert had taken the money out of the barrels which were sent for the reliefe of Rochel and Poictou and stuffed them with sand 2. That to dissuade a great Lady from marriage with the King he had said the King was a squint-eyd foole a lewd man and a kind of leper deceitful periured more faint-hearted then a woman only terrible to his owne friends and vtterly vnfit for any faire or noble Ladies company 3. That at Wodstocke when the King was alone he rusht in with a naked knife to murder him Which and many other accusations the Earle did modestly and cleerely refute But with the last being most wicked of all he was so greeued that making low obeisance to the King he could not forbeare to say that hee was neuer traitor to his father nor to him which by Gods grace did wel appeare in the King as if he should haue said quoth Paris That if the Earle would haue beene a Traitor the King had neuer obtained the Crowne This seemes to haue beene a publike triall vpon a Suit or Action of trespasse brought against the Earle by the King in the Kings Bench at which triall the King himselfe was also present But howsoeuer the Earle answered hee was condemned to giue to the King foure his dearest Castles Blanch Castle Grosmount in Wales Skenefrith and Hafeld and then also as it seemes hee was depriued of his Title of Earle 62 After so many mischiefes patiently brooked at last the King vpon receipt of letters from the Emperour whom as his brother in law hee was loth to offend commanded Otho the Popes Legate
in regard of the great enmities betweene the Pope and Emperour to depart out of England There was also strait commandement giuen to the Italian Vsurers to leaue the most pure earth of his Realme meaning that his owne people was most innocent and free from such a sinne but saith one who durst write any thing hee thought by giuing the King money which is too much vsed to iustifie the wicked they for a great part remained still as loth to forsake such fat pastures And the Legat himselfe also staied so long till the Pope by wily inducements and forged calumniations had drawne the King both to relinquish the Emperour his brother in law and to suffer the Papall Excommunication to passe here against him and money also to be gathered to his impeachment A briefe taste of all the Popes proceedings against this glorious Emperour we may take from the Nobilitie of France who when the Pope offered the Empire vnto Robert the French Kings brother in their grand Councell refused to accept it charging the Pope with the Spirit of audacious rashnesse for deposing the Emperour not conuicted of any fault and whom a Generall Councell onely ought to censure not the Pope to whom no credit ought to be giuen being his Capital Enemie For that themselues knew he was a vertuous and victorious Emperor and one who had in him more religion then the Pope had Our Legat Ottho who now at length is gone was no sooner departed but Peter of Sauoy the Queens Vncle arriued to whō the King gaue the Earldome of Richmōd and entertained otherwise most magnificently This and the like largesse to strangers drew on the King much euill will who also in fauour of his Queene procured her Vncle Bonifacius to be chosen Archbishop of Canterbury in place of Edmunde who weary of his life in England by reason that he could not redresse the Popes detestable exactions and oppressions made choise of a voluntarie Exile at Pountney in France where he died with the honour and opinion of a Saint 63 The Kings imploiments hitherto haue almost wholly been taken vp either in the impatiencie of ciuill disturbations or in the too-patient sufferance of some forraine greeuances nourished within his Kingdome which gaue him perhaps little leasure minde or meanes to pursue any transmarine designe But now better prouided with money then with men and yet not sufficiently with money he takes shippe immediatly after Easter towards Poictou where the Earle of March now husband to Queene Isabell his mother expected his arriuall Hee committed the Gouernment of the Realme in his absence to the Archbishoppe of Yorke Thirtie Hogsheads or Barrels fraught with sterling money were shipt for that seruice There also went with him Richard Earle of Cornwall who was returned with much honour out of the Holy-land not long before and seauen other Earles with about three hundreth Knights besides other souldiers To resist the English the King of France who had giuen Poictou to his brother Alfonse assembled an Armie royall of foure thousand men of Armes excellently wel appointed and about twenty thousand choise Souldiers with a thousand Carts to carrie their other necessaries King Henrie vnderstanding that the King of France lay before Frontenay a Castle belonging to the Earle of March seeking to force it by assaults sent a messenger of defiance to him as a breaker of Truce Lewis a most iust and valiant P◅ince denied that euer hee brake the truce but that the King of England by ma◅ntenance of his Rebe◅s did rather seeme to i◅ringe the Peace Neuerthelesse hee offered so as the English would not protect his enemies the Earle of March and others to giue him Poictou and a great part of Normandy in satisfaction of his Fathers Oath and moreouer to enlarge the last truce with a longer terme of yeeres These so honourable safe and profitable conditions by the practise of the Poictouines who feared the French Kings indignation would proue too heauie for them to beare if the English abandoned their cause were vnfortunately refused 64 When the French King heard hereof it repented him that he had humbled himselfe so farre telling his Lords that he neither feared his Cosen of England nor all his forces but onely that Oath for restoring of the lands in France which his father made when hee was in England This scruple did so trouble the Kings mind on the behalfe of his dead Father that hee would admit no comfort till one of his Lords told him that the King of England by putting Constantine Fitz-Arnold to death for hauing spoken some words in honour of King Lewis his Father had first broken the truce This satisfied the French That whole businesse is thus concluded by Tilius Hugh Earle of March ouercome with the pride and perswasions of his wife ◅sabel would not doe homage to Alfonse the French Kings brother for shee was a cause to draw the English thither where things thriuing on his part but meanely Hugh is constrained in the end to doe both homage and fealty vnto Alfonse This onely must be added that he did vnfaithfully prouide for his priuate safety without the knowledge of the King of England at such time as he pretended otherwise 65 This treacherie lost the King all Poictou for whereas he principally tooke care for money presuming vpon the Earle for men when it came to the point the Earle was not onely not prouided but sware by the throat of God he neuer promised any such matter and denied he had set his Seale to any writing concerning such promises and that if any such sealed writing were as the King and his brother the Earle of Cornwall affirmed their mother his wife had forged it They were now in sight of the French Host before Tailbourg in Xainctoing when this improuident expostulation was made The King of England manifestly seeing his perill and hauing by his brother Earle Richards mediation whom many of the French did greatly honour because he had by composition been a meane at his arriuall to free them from the Saracens in the holy-land raised his camp by night and retreated with much more hast then good speed Not long after this the faire Citie of Xainctes in Xainctoing vpon displeasure conceiued by the Cittizens against the King because he had giuen the same to the Lord Hugh his halfe-brother sonne to the Earle of March first contriued a perfidious reuolt so closelie that if first the said Lord Hugh and then Guy de Lusinian his elder brother had not in good time signified the danger the King and all the English had been surprized by the French There was none among all the mutable Poictouins found respectiue of honor and loyaltie but onely one called Hertold Captaine of the famous Castle of Mirabell who in great sorrow repaired to the King of England praying counsell and assistance where the King with a downecast looke gaue
Priest if such an election might stand by law or lawfull fauour But the Pope who meant to make his aduantage hereof as well as the King exacted of him for confirmation of the same election fiue hundreth Markes of Church reuenewes to be passed ouer vnto the Earle of Burgundies sonne a childe which makes the Monke to breake forth into this bitter lamentation O Pope the Chiefe of Fathers why dost thou suffer thus the Christian world to be defiled worthily worthily therefore art thou driuen out of thy owne Citie and See and like a runnagate and another Cham art inforced to wander vp and downe ô God thou God of iust reuenge when wilt thou drawforth thy sword to imbrue it in the blood of such oppressors Though in these vniuersall abuses the Pope would neither redresse himselfe nor others yet God raised vp a stout and learned Prelate Robert Grostest Bishop of Lincolne who vndertooke to reforme the Monks and Friars but they who knew Râ—…e was from the beginning Asylum Latronum appealed to the Pope Whereupon the aged Bishop going to his holinesse tolde him that all offenders escaped by his opening his bosome to such as brought him bribes who snapping him vp with angrie Countenance and speech sent him home with reproach The Pope was at this time at Lyons where not long after the CouÌ„cel breaking vp Cardinal Huge made a Sermon of farewell to the Citizens wherein amongst other benefites which the Popes lying in their City had brought them he told them this was a Principall that whereas at their comming there were three or foure Whore-houses in the Lyons now at their departing they left but one but indeed that reached from the East-Gate of the City to the West Whereby wee see France had some part of the Popes Almes as well as England 77 The King now whollie intent vpon encrease of treasure neither gaue any rich presents according to the ancient Custome of England and also shortneth yet more the allowances of his Househould and entertainements without any regard to Maicstie or rumor And to spare his owne charge the rather he inuites himself sometime to this man and sometime to that but no where contenting himselfe with his diet hospitage vnlesse both he his Queene 〈◊〉 sonne Edward yea and chiefe fauourites in Court were presented with great and costly gifts which they tooke not as of Courtesie but as due This was the vnhonourable face of the Kings estate at that time But in the depth of his wants and rigour of his Parcimonie he could not shut vp himselfe against the suites and aduancement of his Poictouines and Prâ—…ncois so that it was become a common murmur in England Our inheritance is conuerted to aliens and our houses to strangers The matter seemed the more grieuous for that their pride and violence were intollerable About this time the clause Non obstante brought in first by the Pope was taken vp in England by the King in his grants and other writings as Non obstante priore mandato Non obstante antiqua libertate c. This our ancient Author cals an odious and detestable clause and Roger de Thurkeby Iustitiar fetching a deepe sigh at the sight thereof cried out both of the times and it saying it was a streame deriued from that sulphureous fountain of the Clergie 78 Another of the Kings Iusticiars and a learned Knight Sir Henry de Bath whose Lady because herselfe was well descended filled him with pride was so confidently greedy the better to satisfie her ambition that in one circuit hee appropriated to himselfe aboue two hundreth pound lands Corruption in Iustice which must needs be suspected to be there where excessiue wealth is gotten by the Officers of Iustice is but a sandie ground-worke of a vainely-hoped greatnesse and may well bee reputed in the number of crying sinnes and this moued a Knight Sir Philip de Arci to appeach him before the King both for vnfaithfulnesse in his office and treason against the King The King had no hold of himselfe after hee was once throughly kindled Bath knowes it and therefore writes to his wiues friends to come strong in his defence that the King should not dare to call him to his triall yet withall hee seekes all secret meanes how to appease the King who vnderstanding of this combination was the more enflamed The Earle of Cornwall his brother could not appease him no not though hee knit vp his intercessions with these minatorie words Wee must not forsake Gentlemen in their right nor in preseruing the peace of the tottering Kingdome In March there was holden a Parliament at London there the King caused Bath to bee sharpely prosecuted Thither Sir Henry Bath repairs strongly attended with Knights and Gentlemen of his owne friends and his wiues to daunt the edge of Iustice which he deseruedly feared The accusations were many for all meÌ„ were called to say what they could against him and among all these two most hainous that he troubled the whole Realme and stirred all the Barons thereof against the King so that a generall rebellion was to be feared which one of his fellow-Iusticiars did openly testifie that hee had for reward discharged a conuicted Malefactor out of prison without punishment in preiudice of the King and to the perill of his associate Iusticiars The King was so enraged herewith that seeing no other way to punish him being so strongly backed hee mounted into an higher place then before and cries out Whosoeuer kils Henrie de Bath shall be quit of his death and I here doe acquit him and presently departs Neuerthelesse although hee left behind him many men who would haue readily executed the Kings terrible doome yet by the wisdome of Sir Iohn Mansel one of the Kings priuate Councellors they were restrained His wordes are worthy to bee remembred Gentlemen anâ—… friends it is not necessary for vs to put that presently in execution which the King hath in his anger commanded It may bee when his wrath is ouerblowne hee will bee sorry hee said it Moreouer if any outrage be done to Bath loe here are his friends who will take all sorts of reuenge Sir Henry escaping thus from so present a danger found meanes vpon promise of money and great mediation of friends to obtain his peace safety for at thiâ—…me Iustice and all things grew saleable The North-East part of Wales was committed to Alan de Zouch who had it in Farme for eleuen hundreth Markes yeerely whereas Iohn de Gray whom he supplanted in the place paid but fiue hundreth so miserable Wales was let out to such as would giue most 79 Alexander the third succeeding his Father in the Kingdome of Scotland comming in Christmas to Yorke there espoused though very young the Lady Margaret daughter to King Henry There were present the two Kings in person with a most choice multitude of either Nation the
face of profit and setled quiet 97 For the affaires of the realm thus strangely managed the King in person sailes ouer into France there to demand a peaceable restitution of such Signiories as Philip Lewis Father of this Lewis had iniuriously withdrawne from his father King Iohn The French replied that no restitution was due for many respects specially because the ancient grant made to Rollo the first Duke of Normandy was not voluntary but extorted by feare and force of Armes in the dayes of the weake state of France The King hauing no disposition to recouer his claimes by battell and destitute of money wherewith to wage an Armie but principally for that his owne Peeres and people stood on their guard against him did vnwillingly ratifie a conclusion the Articles whereof were that the King of France should quietly hold the Dukedom of Normandy and Earledome of Angiou Main also Tourain and Poictou for three hundreth thousand small pounds of Tourain and vpon promise to receiue other lands to the yeerely value of twenty thousand pounds Polydor saith that the reputed limits of the English Pale in France were from thenceforth the riuer of Charent in Xanctoing and the mountaines Pyrenaees and that hee should peaceably haue Angoumois Quercy and Limain being Countries marching vpon Gascoigne in lieu of the rest yet so as the King of England should hold them of the Crowne of France by homage and fealtie Vpon these Articles the king acquitted and for euer renounced all his challenge to Normandy the other lands and thenceforth abridged his Stile and changed his Seale vsing a Scepter in place of a Sword whereon these Monkish and mockish verses were written Est M. CCLIX vtinam concordia foelix Andegauis Picta-uis Neustria genterelictâ Anglorum dantur tibi France Sigilla nouantur Nomina tolluntur fugit Ensis Sceptra geruntur M CCLIX God grant firme peace thou fix Poictou Angiou Normans to France range yon New Seales are made old Styles forsaken Downe laid the Blade Scepters vp taken 98 The King at these vnworthy rates hauing secured himselfe from the French labours to vindicate the Regall power out of the vsurping Barons hands whose ouer-toppings at home had driuen him to those forraine indignities alleadging that the Oath which his sonne and hee had taken at Oxford was voide in regard it was compulsorie that the Barons also who pretended the profite of the Realme sought onely their owne honour and gain contrary to their decrees For his more security he takes the Tower of London preparing force by the helpe of his brother King of Romans There followed a grieuous perturbation of the Realm although at this time it brake not forth into the extremity Armes being laid downe for a little space Edward the Kings eldest sonne would not trauerse the oath he had made at Oxford but held with the Barons for the present The King the Queene and his selected friends still remaine vpon their guard in the Tower where hee in the yeere before had burst vp the locks of the ancient Depositum or dead stocke of the Crown to employ against the Barons Peace was notwithstanding brought about againe by the Queenes speciall diligence and Douer and Rochester Castles whither hee went in person are deliuered vnto him This makes him resolue to pursue the Barons the rather also for that the French King who much condemned the Barons vniust courses had promised his assistance Henry therefore thrusts out the Barons Chancellor Chiefe Iusticiar placing Walter Mertō Philip Basset men of much more loyall affections in their roomes The Barons hearing of this hasten in Armes to Winchester where the King was who hauing intelligence by his faithfull Clerk Sir Iohn Mansel got back into the Tower of London The King of France was made Vmpire in the quarrell The cause was heard at Amiens where hee gaue iudgement with the King of England against the Barons pronouncing all the Statutes and Acts made at Oxford to bee vtterly void prouided neuerthelesse that the Charter of Liberties which King Iohn had made to the English nation should in no sort bee thereby infringed This prouiso animated Simon Earle of Leicester and the Barons to maintaine all the Statutes of Oxford because they were pretendedly founded vpon that Charter notwithstanding that iust iudgement which King Lewis had giuen The secret confederacy with Lewelin Prince of Wales ministred to the Barons no little encouragement who about this time wasted the Dominions of Prince Edward in the Marches of Wales This iudgement of the French King did much disaduantage the Barons of whom diuers being drawne with perswasions gifts and promises reuolted from Simon Montfort There was now a taking of Townes and Prisoners on all hands Prince Edward who now was wholy for his Father in despite of the Barons takes the Castel of Bristol and fines the City at a thousand pounds Simon Montfort executeth his greatest reuenges vpon the Queenes friends which were Aliens not sparing the Kings Marching forward he recouers Gloster Castell enters Worcester and Bridgenorth lastly surpriseth the I le of Ely subduing that fastnesse or fenny strength to the Barons vse Sir Iohn Mansel the Kings Councellour fearing the euent of things flies secretly from the Tower where the King was Henry sonne to the King of Almain was after this taken by the Barons Meanewhile Prince Edward fortifies Windsor Castle with strangers Mutuall wearinesse at length begat a desire of peace and the King had yeelded that the Statutes of Oxford should stand but the Queene was vtterly against it not without cause for it did enfeeble the arbitration which the French King had made The Queenes opposition in this point was knowne to the Londoners which put the baser sort into so lewd a rage that shee being to shoot the Bridge from the Tower toward Windsor they with durt and stones and villanous words forced her to returne Prince Edward vnder the conduct of the Bishoppe of Worcester came from the Castle of Bristol by reason of quarrell betweene his men of warre and the Burgers and contrary to his promise entred into Windsor Castle but afterward going forth to meet Simon Montfort at Kingston vpon Thames with purpose to offer peace the said Simon got Windsor Castle would not permit him to depart At London yet in a Parliament matters were pieced againe and the Kings side grew stronger dayly 99 There were with him his brother King of Romans his sonne Edward William de Valence whom Prince Edward had brought out of France Iohn Comyn of Scotland with a multitude of valiant Scots whose King was Henries sonne in law Iohn de Baliol Lord of Gallway Robert de Brus c. with whom hee marcheth from London to Oxford where the Rendeuou of his friends and forces was appointed The King meaning to make that place where his chiefe blow was giuen him his
him to serue in the Flemish warres forsooke him and went to Paris 34 After his arriuall in England hee summoned a Parliament at Yorke giuing the Scots a day to appeare thereat which they not doing nor acknowledging that they ought to doe hee entred with a mightie Army into their Country his Nauy laden with victuals coasting along which by contrary winds being holden off for a time put the Scots the rather in hope of victory by reason of the scarsity of prouisions among the English but three dayes before the Scots appeared the shippes came and plentifully refresht the fainting souldiers Hereupon the king led forward his people and vpon the next morning a terrible showt being heard from the Scottish host the English ranne to armes but the kings horse affrighted with the sodaine tumultuous noise as hee was putting foote in stirrup threw him to the earth and striking with the hinder heeles brake two of his ribs who neuerthelesse vpon the same horse proceeded in person to the battell VVillam VVallace who had wonne to himselfe by many his hardy enterprises a singular opinion among the Peeres and people hauing set his Scots in array whose numbers far exceeded the English vsed euery where this short speech vnto them in stead of Orations I haue brought you to the King hop gifyee kun For their more security hee had fixed betweene them and the English certaine Pales or stakes bound together with ropes which the English Vauntguard brake downe and came to strokes The first which fled were the Scottish Horsemen leauing their Infanterie or battels of foote open to that great destruction which followed the victory resting clearely to the English 35 Our Scottish Author writes that by reason of emulation against VVallace the Scots burning in mutuall hatred made the enterprise easie to their enemies which as it may bee verie true so certainely there was scarse anie battell betweene the two Nations in which more Scottish bloud was spilt then in this for thereof Sebastian Munster seemes to meane saying that there were slaine threescore and ten thousand which though wee take not to bee the true number for some haue threescore thousand others not so many yet shewes it that the slaughter was vast as it could not otherwise bee the Scottish footmen valiantly fighting as it were to the last man Bloud worthy to haue beene shed on both sides against another kind of enemy then Christians the deformity of which effusions may iustly represent to vs the blessed estate of our now setled vnion This victory was obtained by the English vpon Saint Mary Magdalens day at a place called Fawkirke from which VVilliam Wallace opening his way with his Sword escaped The Welshmen deserued ill of the King at this iourney for that they foreslowed to charge vpon the Pallisado or fence of the Scots in hope the English being vanquished which by the inequality of their numbers they presumed would happen that themselues might ioyntlie with the Scots execute vpon King Edward the hatred which they bare him for the euils hee had brought vpon their nation After this victory the King tooke sundry places and returned into England by Carlile 36 The two yeeres truce formerly taken betweene the English and French was now by the interceding of Boniface Bishoppe of Rome turned to a setled peace who among other things brought it about that K. Edward should marry the French kings sister Margaret and Edward the kings sonne the same kings daughter though saith Walsingham hee aduanced not the good of his Realme by this match in any point To this affinity were added the greater strengthes of a domesticke quiet for the king whom wars had together made renowned aged graciously wisely yeelded to confirm such grants of laws and liberties as the Earles and Barons the pretended Conseruators of the Peoples interest did declare were by his promise to bee confirmed to them at his returne from Scotland and which hee accordingly did in a Parliament holden at London vpon prorogation in Quindena Paschae where for their fuller satisfaction hee left out this Clause in the end Saluo iure coronae nostrae sauing the right of our Crowne and what at this time was wanting he made vp afterward in a Parliament at Stamford 37 But that he might not seeme willing to deny the Pope any iust request or not to know the sweetnesse of an others freedome he deliuered to the hands of the Popes Nuntios Iohn the late King of Scotland vpon their assuming for King Edwards indemnity whom they conueied to his inheritance in France where vpon euery side vnfortunate he remained as vnder the note of a false seducer and of a periur'd person in king Edwards iudgement and with out anie part of his regall office ouer the Scottish nation who found that the peace which King Edward made in other places did but turne to their more grieuous affliction for albeit they had gotten Striuelyn by surrender of the English and began with an immortall desire of their ancient Liberty to assemble again vnder William Wallace yet the time was not come of their deliuerance for King Edward according as it was formerly appointed hauing accomplished his marriage with the French Kings sister at Canterbury made it his whole affaire to finish the annexation of Scotland to the Crowne of England 38 He therefore accompanied with his sonne and a dreadfull Army pursued the matter so close that whereas the Scots had gotten together againe in exceeding great numbers vnder their seuerall Captaines whose Enuie had caused Wallace to giue vp all such authority as the commonwealth of Scotland had formerly granted vnto him for preseruation of their freedomes and flying before King Edward whose fortune in warre had worthily made him terrible that day in Walsinghams iudgement had beene irrecouerably fatall to the Scottish name if the English had beene able to haue followed them in their Armour ouer their bogges and mountaines or that the Welsh had with their naturall nimblenesse supplied the same Sure it is that Edward held himselfe so fast in possession that hee neither would grant the Scottish Lords their Baliol to raigne ouer them which they requested saith Walsingham nor suffer them to redeeme such lands of theirs as hee had giuen to the English among them 39 Armes failing and the Scots hauing made their way in the Court of Rome procured inhibitory letters from the Pope which were brought by one Lumbardus into Scotland but the King swearing a terrible oath said that he would not desist Neuerthelesse the Scots after a few dayes requested the King to let them liue in peace till they had taken counsell of the Peeres and of the King of France threatning that otherwise the Pope would take the matter vpon him But the King with a disdainefull smile answered Haue you done homage to mee as to the chiefe Lord of the Kingdome of Scotland and now suppose that I
Lewis the French Kings sonne would haue had the Infant at his Baptisme named Lewis but the English Lords would not permit who therfore was after his Fathers and Grandfathers name called Edward This was hee who afterward raysed the honour of English Cheualrie to so high a point by his famous victories in France and elsewhere 17 The euill will which the King bare in his mind against the Barons for their ouer-ruling his affections and the death of Gaueston by sundry bad offices and sycophancies of the French at Windsor was rubd so hard vpon that it grew raw againe before it was halfe healed Therefore in a Parliament at London the king sharpely charged those presumptuous Lords with their contempt against him in the spoiles they had committed at Newcastle and which most afflicted his languishing spirit in taking and wickedly killing Peirs Gaueston To all which they stoutely answered that they had not offended in any point but deserued his roiall fauour for that they had not gathered force against him but against the publike enemie of the Realme c. How beit to preuent the feared mischiefe of ciuill Armes by the working of the young Queene of the Prelates and Earle of Glocester the Lords in open Court at Westminster humbled themselues to the King praying grace and the King granted to such of them as would desire the same his gracious pardon The whole house of Parliament seeing the kings wants of their own accord granted a Fifteenth al parts hereupon returned with ioy and peace but not long after the Lord Guy de Beauchampe Earle of Warwicke who in this Parliament was appointed to be of Priuie Councell with the King deceased being as by the Barons wel-willers it was said impoisoned by such of the Kings secret friends as did maligne him 18 The mischieuous effects of the Kings former misgouernment beganne now most perillouslie to discouer themselues For the Scots his neighbours who could not bee ignorant of all such griefes and maladies as festred in the heart and entrals of England had long since made their timely vse thereof adhering so to the vndaunted Bruce that by degrees hee had gotten a great strength and was againe publikely receiued and obeied for King of Scotland from most places whereof hee draue the English and in contempt of Edward committed great spoile by slaughter of People burning of Townes in Northumberland and other Acts of hostility The principall charge of Scotland for King Edward had beene entrusted to the Lord Iohn Cumin a Scot Earle of Bucquhan whom King Robert had vanquished in battell and was now while Edward sate bewitched with most vnworthy languishments grown potent sending his Brother Edward Bruce to besiege the Castle of Striuelin which was in the hands of the English 19 The King of England awakened out of his slumbers with these Alarums marched thereupon with a very great Armie toward the said Castle It pleaseth Hector Boetius putting off as it were the Historian to report maruellous thinges of the numbers of Souldiers which came with King Edward in this iourney for if he say true there were not fewer then one hundreth and fifty thousand horsemen and as many thousand footmen and that we may not suspect the multitude to bee far greater then either the cause required or the realm of England could well afford hee informeth vs that besides the English there were in his aid at this time Hollanders Zelanders Brabanders Flemings Picards Boloners Gascoignes Normans with much people of many other Regions and that besides these three hundreth thousand men of warre there were infinite families with their women children seruants and houshold-stuffe but because other Writers doe ingenuously grant and containe probable matter enough for the honour of the Scottish Nation in this iourney wee will as neare as wee can being things to vs neither vp nor downe in regard of the long time since these hostilities hapned truely and freely though briefly informe our selues hereof 20 The Earles of Lancaster Warren Warwicke and Arundel the greatest Peeres of the land refused to attend their King in this seruice for that hee had delaied to ratifie the points of their desired liberties and prouisions for the pretended better gouernment of England by himselfe so often consented vnto In which as their loyall affection cannot bee much admired so it is certaine that King Edward hereby vndertooke that voyage with farre the lesse force eyther of men or counsell Neuerthelesse his hoast was great enough if numbers did sway in such affaires more then religion discipline and valour to haue effected more then it selfe did suffer But King Edward and his people rather seemed to goe toward a Wedding or a Triumph then to a battell adorning themselues with all sorts of riches gold siluer and the like toies in a kind of wanton manner correspondent to the humour of the Prince whom they followed 21 In this iourney it was made manifest what true and sober valiancie could effect against light brauery and insolency King Robert lodged with his forces being inferiour in numbers to the English not farre off where was nothing but a religious deuout and modest care quickned after manifold calamities with a most noble desire to recouer the libertie of their Country and to settle the same into the hope whereof they were the rather erected by a fresh victorie which they had obtained that day vpon certaine of the English horsemen King Edward on the contrary part nothing esteeming so sleight a presage resolued vpon the very next being Midsommer or Saint Iohn Baptists day to take a terrible reuenge vpon the Scots but how to effect the same the care was not excessiue for in his Campe Wassaile and Drinkehaile were thundered extraordinarily as accounting themselues sure of the victory which kind of impiousselfe-trust if God Almighty did not sometime scourge with iust and terrible confusions what outrages would not bee executed 22 Farre otherwise the Bruces Army which by his commandement spent the euening in making humble confession of their sinnes that they might saith our Author bee ready on the morrow to receiue the blessed Sacrament as accordingly they did Moreouer to leaue nothing vndone which might aduance their cause the Scots had digged before their Battalions certaine trenches or dikes three foot deepe and three foot broad which hauing fixed sharpe stakes in them with their points vpward they couered so with hurdles that footemen treading warily might passe but not troupes of horse Next to Gods anger against the English whom courtly Pride and Sloth had now effeminated this stratageme was the cause of their ruine for whereas they reposed much vpon their Cauallerie in these Pit-falles the fury of their charge was intercepted and broken the riders being miserablie slaine by the Scots whom King Robert marching formost on foot had presented most couragiously to the enemy 23 The King of England not altogether
betweene the hammer and the anuile the Scots vpon the one side and these false English on the other all was lamentable and brought in a maner to nothing and this face of things continued there about foure yeeres 32 Neither did the King seeme to haue any will or power to relieue the common calamities but rather to conuert his whole both wits and forces vpon reuenges against the Lords who vnder pretence of their extorted prouisions manifestly withdrew their loues seruice and duties from him wherfore feeling himselfe thus weake and disfurnished he besought the spirituall assistance of Pope Iohn the two and twentieth who thereupon sent certaine Cardinals to set all things in quiet without bloudshed Betweene the King and Earle of Lancaster they established a peace who in a certaine plaine neere Leicester met embraced and kissed each other but when they could not worke the like with the Scots they put that Country vnder Interdict 33 For they as it is the manner of prosperity after the victory at Banocksbourne which clearely got them Scotland did beginne to bethinke themselues of gaining new Empire in Ireland Thither Edward Bruce Brother of King Robert had passed with an Army procuring himselfe to be crowned King thereof by fauour of some of the Irish Nobility whom neuerthelesse about three yeeres from his first entrance the English vnder the conduct of the Archbishoppe of Armagh and of Iohn Lord Brinningham Iusticiar of Ireland valiantly encountred where together with his late vsurped Kingdome hee lost his life There were slaine in that battell many honourable Scots besides the new King Edward and aboue fiue thousand others his head was cut off at Dundalke saith VValsingham but Hector Boetius writes that he was slaine in the battell it selfe Thus did God temper one with another and the iust reioycement which the Scots had conceiued of their so happie victory ouer the English at Banocksbourne was sowred with this losse 34 But King Robert as a most expert and vigilant Prince did not suffer this ioy to continue long to the English for by practise with one Peter Spalding to whom King Edward had entrusted the keeping of Berwicke hee recouered it from the English saith Harding By treatie with Peace Spalding and treason after it had remained twenty yeers in their possession which when King Edward thought to haue wonne againe the Scots diuerted him from the siege with incursions and slaughters of his people in other parts of England not failing much of surprising the Queene in a village not farre from Yorke where she soiourned during the siege at Berwicke the plot being laid and drawne between the Scots and some perfidious English whom King Robert had mouied for that purpose But Spalding after the treason done had the reward of a Traitour for King Robert put him to death 35 To giue some breathings after these so manifold troubles a truce was agreed vpon and confirmed betweene the two Kings of England and of Scotland for the space of two yeeres which brought forth confusion and not refreshment For thus it hapned The King vpon the commendation of the Lords themselues had made Hugh de Spenser Lord Chamberlaine who being at the least of equall insolence vices and ambition to Gaueston so wrought that hee succeeded in short time to all the graces of familiarity and power which euer Gaueston enioyed as in like sort to all his hatred and enuie Hugh his father an ancient Knight the better to strengthen his sonnes courses was likewise imploied and grew in speciall fauour with the King who afterward also created him Earle of Winchester but the father in manners vnlike to the sonne was ruined rather by a naturall tendernesse then any malicious will The sonne as hee was of shape most louely so the verie spirit it selfe of pride and rapine carried him to all sorts of intollerable behauiours and oppressions that Gaueston might with good reason seeme to be wished for againe Against these two who wholy swayed the vnfortunate King Thomas Earle of Lancaster and in a manner all the Barons of the Kingdome who meant the King should loue none but with their leaue did swell with such impatience that not contented with the wast of their lands they neuer rested till by the terror of ciuill Armes those two fauourites father and sonne were banished they thus reuenging vnder publike pretexts both publike iniuries and their owne 36 In all contentions which hapned betweene the King and his Lords Queene Isabel had euer hitherto beene a maker of Peace doing therein worthy offices but the euill starres of the Earles of Lancaster and Hereford would not suffer her to continue any longer so for the Queene being denied lodging one night at the Castle of Leedes in Kent which belonged to the Lord of Badlesmere one of the Earles faction she withdrew her good conceite and was an author to the King of presently reuenging that dishonour who vpon her complaint came in person with many thousand Souldiers before the Castle tooke the Captaine and put both him and all the men therein to shamefull death Moreouer longing to bee righted against the Lords for their late insolencies marched on to Circester taking many Castles and besieging others The Lords who little suspected any such sodaine assaults prouiding in the meane time for their defence 37 Thither repaired to him at his commandement Hugh Spenser the sonne who had houered vpon the Sea expecting from thence the successe of things vpon the land The Lords who had falne from their Soueraignes good conceit and wanting now their wonted Mediatriâ—… the Queene lay open to all the mischiefe which enemies could work them by the King who as taking his regall power and authority to be in danger resolued wisely and manfully to die in the quarrell or to bring the Lords to be at his commandement Meane time the iudgement giuen against the Spensers was reuersed as erroneous and their reuocation decreed at London by the Arch-bishoppe of Canterburie and his Suffragans 38 The Lords not all of a like temper began to misdoubt and many of them forsooke their Chiefe the Earle of Lancaster and rendred themselues to the King or were apprehended among which were the two Rogers Mortimers who were committed to the Tower of London and others to Wallingford Castle The faction weakened by this defection made head in the North vnder the Earle of Lancaster who now was to sight for his life Thither the King marcheth and with the onely shew of his Armie made the Earle to flie from Burton vpon Trent whose forces in their retreat or flight behaued themselues outragiously 39 But Gods heauie displeasure and the Arme of the Kings power left them not so for at Burrowbrigge Humfrey de Bohun was slaine by a Welshman who thrust him into the body with a Speare from vnder the Bridge and the Earle of Lancaster himselfe with other principall men
sonne the amiable and famous Edward by-named not of his colour but of his dreaded Acts in battell the Blacke Prince King Edward not long after with a small companie went into France and did homage to Philip de Valoys for his Dutchie of Gascoigne 21 Nemesis or rather Gods vengeance with swift pace did now approach and summon Mortimer to a bloudie account for the yong King addicting himselfe to serious thoughts and putting on the Man before his yeeres required easily saw his owne perill in the others potencie The Queene his mother to the common dishonour and griefe of the Kingdome being generally bruted to be with child by Mortimer hee vpon ripe aduise sodainely and aduenturouslie surprised the proud man at Parliament holden in Nottingham with whom were taken the L. Geofrey Mortimer his sonne and Sir Simon de Bedford who all three were sent prisoners to the Tower of London vnder a strong guard Which done the king by common consent of the Parliament tooke into his hands his mothers excessiue Dower put her to a narrow pension of one thousand pounds by yeer circumscribing her within as narrow limits for her abode but doing her yeerely the honour and comfort of once or twice visiting her though otherwise scarce thinking her worthy of life in regard of her priuacie with Mortimer and his many heinous practises 22 Oh what enchantments are Honour and Power to the minds of men how sodainely and how strangely doe they blow vp the same with the contempt of others and forgetfulnes of themselues Certainely the fraile estate of mans constitution is clearelie seene in this high Lord who drunken with felicitie and fearing neither God nor man fell into vtter confusion when least hee feared The probable manner whereof is worthy the relating There was in the Castle of Nottingham and at this day is a certaine secret way or Mine cut through a rocke vpon which the said Castle is built one issue whereof openeth toward the riuer of Trent which runnes vnder it and the other venteth it selfe farre within vpon the surface and is at this present called Mortimers hole through this the young King well armed and stronglie seconded was conducted with drawne swordes by some his trustie and sworne seruants among which was that braue Montacute whom his vertues vnder this King raised to the Earledome of Salisbury c. vp to the Queenes Chamber whose dore so feareles is blinded affection was vnshut and with her was Mortimer the kings Master as the rumor spred him readie to go to bed whom with the slaughter of a Knight and one or two that resisted they laid hold vpon This was not reputed a slender enterprise in regard that in Mortimers retinue were not fewer they say then one hundreth and fourescore Knights besides Esquiers and Gentlemen 23 The causes for which hee was condemned in open Parliament at Westminster these ragged verses following comprehend which without any disparagement to their makers iudgement might verie well haue beene in Prose but for breuitie and change wee haue here inserted them Fiue heinous crimes against him soone were had First that he causde the King to yeeld the Scot To make a peace townes that were from him got And therewithall the Charter called Ragman That of the Scots hee had bribed priuy gaine That through his meanes Sr. Edward of Carnaruan In Barckley Castle most traiterously was slaine That with his Princes mother hee had lain And finally with polling at his pleasure Hadrobd the King and Commons of their treasure But the most barbarous murther of the kings father and speciallie the dishonourable peace and contract with the then professed enemies of England were principallie insisted vpon as hainous treason He was after sentence ignominiouslie drawne to Tyburne the common place of execution then called the Elms and there vpon the common Gallowes was as ignominiouslie executed hanging by the kings commandement two daies and two nights a publike gladsome spectacle There died with him Sir Simon de Bedford Knight Iohn Deuerel Esquier aswell for expiation of the late King Edwards death as in complement as it were of so great a mans fall whose liues doe seldome or neuer perish single 24 Now came Scotlands turne about to suffer againe most grieuous losses and afflictions an ordinarie effect of Childrens gouernment whether Children in age or in discretion for the Lord Edward Baliol hearing of King Roberts death and the tender age of King Dauid as son and heire of that Baliol to whom king Edward the first had adiudged the Scotish crown with such voluntaries as hee could raise though his Father the Lord Iohn had released his claime to king Robert and though King Edward in fauour of his sister Ioan Queen of Scotland would not openly at first support him embarkt himselfe in Yorkeshire and inuaded that Realme where vpon his landing he slew Alexander Setoun at Kingorn and about nine hundred others putting the rest to flight Not long after that no mischiefe might come alone neere to the water of Ern at a place called Dupline where the Earles of Mar and March with two puissant armies of Scots for the defence of their yong King Dauid lay encamped the said Lord Edward whose small numbers not exceeding three thousand English the Earles as securely and as fatally contemned as the English vnder Edward the second had contemned the Bruce and his Scots obtained of them a wonderfull victorie Boetius who neuer or rarely leaues any ouerthrow purely to the manhood of the English will needs haue this discomfiture effected by a Camisado the Baliol and his English with others passing the water of Erne by a Foord in the night when the enemy little suspected it 25 The slaughter euen by his report was miserable for there were slaine saith he the Earles of Marre and Carricke and three thousand of the Noble beside Commons Our Writers agree that this Foord was passed in the night but that the fight endured from Sunne-rising till three of the Clocke afternoone and that besides the Earles of Marre and Carricke three other Earles Menteth Athol and Murrey twelue Barons eight hundreth knights and men of Armes beside aboue thirteene thousand other lost there their liues Of the English there were onelie slaine thirty and three Esquiers so that not without cause this victory was attributed rather to power diuine then humane 26 Yet this was but the beginning of farther calamities to the Scotish Nation which was in it selfe diuided into factions the one for Bruce the other for Baliol. The Lord Edward making vse of his good fortune got himselfe to bee crowned King of Scotland at Scone But king Dauid Bruce with his Queen fled into France to Philip de Valoys who raigned there entertained them with much compassion and honor giuing them Castle Galliard for the place of their abode till fairer fortune shone Meane-time the Scots sustained new
Musters taken throughout the Kingdom Armourers and trades of warre to be cherished euen in the securest peace were full of employment and the desire of battell waxt feruent euery where Meane while to hold the world in suspense of the successe God distributed the fortune of attempts diuersly Burdeaux the capitall City of Aquitaine and then English gaue an excellent testimony of her loyalty nor lesse of martiall witte and valour For the French Armie comming before her she to abuse their hope set open her gates and displayed vpon her Towers the golden Lillies as if shee were theirs but the French which securely entred found little good hospitality Sir Oliuer de Ingham was Captain and Lord Warden there for King Edward who with his Garrison-Souldiers and aide of the inhabitants slew of them great multitudes and preserued Burdeaux But in the opposite parts William Montacute Earle of Salisbury and Robert Vfford Earle of Suffolke after many honourable deedes performed for aduancement of King Edwards affaire were by the French taken Prisoners while presuming too much vpon their courages and fortune they * ran too far into their danger at the Towne of Lile in Flanders 56 But King Edward being ready now to repasse the Seas had certaine intelligence that the French lay in wait about Sluice in Flanders to intercept him with a mighty Nauie of 400. shippes who therefore prepared accordingly intending to open his way by force He set saile from Harwich vpon Saint Iohn Baptists Eue toward the Coast where his enemies attended strengthning himselfe with the Northerne Nauie of England which the I. Robert Morley brought vnto him so as hee had in all about two or three hundreth saile His battels hauing the aduantages of windes and sunne hee set on the French with incredible furie and force in the very mouth of the Hauen of Sluice vpon Midsommer day where beganne a most bloudy and terrible fight the end whereof set the Garland vpon King Edwards head Himselfe was wounded in that fight and lost foure valiant Knights Monthermer Latimer Boteler Poynings with sundrie other of his English slaine therein But the slaughters of the French party were lamentable for thirty thousand are confessed to haue perished not halfe of their shippes escaped vntaken or vnsuncke A greater glory then this the English are scarse found to haue atchieued at any battell at sea 57 The Crowne of France seemed already to bee placed vpon King Edwards Temples so much was attributed to this great victory but such a Conquest was not the worke of one day Which King Edward well vnderstanding refreshed his victorious Armie and augmenting it with his Confederates forces which repaired to him on all sides marched forth hauing one of the most puissant hosts that euer any King of England led as wherein were neere an hundreth thousand Souldiers English and Dutch Hee had also in his Company the Dukes of Brabant and Gelder and many other potent members of the Empire and as some write the imperiall Eagles displayed in the head of his Armie as hee that was Vicegerent of the sacred Roman Empire In this wise hee approached the Northerlie parts of France where exposing all to spoile fire he sate downe with his whole Forces about Turney meaning to take in the same aswell to bee a seate of Warre as place of sure retreat and refuge 58 Philip though iustly grieued with his wofull losse sustained at Sea yet to encounter and crush so great an euill in the first approaches therof had prouided such an Armie as beseemed the Maiestie and greatnesse of that renowned Kingdom Writers speake of an hundreth thousand fighting men assembled vnder his command and that besides Princes Dukes Earles and other illustrious Persons there was the valiant old King of Bohemia and Lewis king of Nauarre K. Edward hearing the same drew forth his people into the open field with purpose to giue battell 59 It may seeme a thing greatly tending to King Edwards glory to remember the offer which hee sent to King Philip before hee laid his siege to Turney In which without saluting him by any other title then of Philip of Valors hee challengeth him for auoiding the effusion of Christian bloud to fight with him hand to hand in single battell or if that misliked then each to bring an hundreth to the field and trie the euent with so small an hazard or otherwise within ten dayes to ioyne full battell with all their forces neere to Turney Whereunto Philip made no direct answere neither with his honour could alledging that the letters were not sent to him the King of France but barely to Philip of Valois Neuerthelesse hee gaue him to vnderstand that his meaning was to beat him out of France hauing hope in Christ from whom hee deriued his power so to doe 60 The honour of the warre in those ages cannot bee enough commended in which the noble old formes of hostility were put in practise by defiances Heraldes and publike assignations of day and place of fight and not by skulking surprises and vnder-hand stealthes more neerely resembling high-way robberies then lawfull battell 61 These two huge hoasts which had they beene vnited for the good of Christendome might haue worthily made the Turke looke pale being now in sight and the cloud of warre ready in a manner to dissolue it selfe into showers of bloud doe neuerthelesse without one stroke fall off and returne to their seuerall Countries not without the wonder and reioicement of peaceable men but not of the English and German Souldiers who propounded to themselues death with glory or riches by Conquest and victory who now had scarse their wages 62 It is not meet that the name of that person who did performe so blessed an office should bee concealed It was a woman of honour but at that time a professed Nunne in the Abbey of Fontenels the Lady Iane of Valoys sister to this Philip widdow of William late Earle of Henault and mother to King Edwards wife her charitable endeauors were strongly holpen by two Cardinals who sollicited peace together with her Great interest of mediation she had in either respect here a brother there a sonne in law and shee failed not to plie them both The Truce was concluded the rather for that King Philip was aduised from all parts not to set his whole fortunes vpon the Die and chance of a Battell And Edward on the other side meaning nothing lesse then not to haue prosecuted the war vpon the encouragement of his late Sea-victorie was so destitute of money through the fault of his Officers in England as hee was the sooner drawne if not enforced to embrace so honest a colour of returning from the siege of Turney which neuerthelesse did but deferre the miseries of France not determine them whereas that glory which the vpper hand in this iourney would haue brought could not haue beene pure and meere vnto him because
owners of such bodies as were beaten to the Earth vpon the first day these are worthily reckoned chiefe The King of Bohemia the King of Maiorca Charles Earle of Alanson brother-German to King Philip the Duke of Loraine the Duke of Burbon the Earle of Flanders the Earle of Sauoy both great Princes the Dolphin of Vi◅nois sonne to Himbert the Earle of S◅erre and Hareconrt whose brother Godfrey in pitty of his house his two Nephewes being slaine with their father forsooke the King of England after this battell and returned into Grace with the French the Earles of Aumarl Neuers c. sixe Earles of Almaine beside others of great account of all sorts Vpon the second day the Grand Prior of France who with his Archbishoppe of Roan had on the behalfe of their Prince and Country put on Arms. Of the Commons in both of these blacke dayes there fell about thirty thousand and some say foure times more in this last then in the other 101 We finde not one man of honour or note slaine vpon the English side so that this victorie may safely bee accounted among the wonderfull The spoiles of the Enemies bodies and carriages King Edward gaue wholy to his well deseruing souldiers The rule of their safety they being in a most populous enemy Countrie would not permit them to vse much curtesie to others as that which might haue proued cruelty to themselues but vpon the second day they tooke many prisoners though none of great name for they were spent in the day before It pleased the conquerour to proclaime a truce now for three dayes in the Country about that the people might come in to burie their dead but the bodies of the most noble hee himselfe caused to be conueied to Monstreal and there in his March towards Calais enterred 102 Thus by Gods fauour and the vnresistable force of the English Archers who in a manner did onely fight was King Edward put into a full and peaceable possession of a perfect victory which after hee had one night onely enioyed in the Forrest of Crescie hee dislodged with his conquering hoast marched straight toward Calais which hee presently inuested hauing decreed neuer to rise with his Armie from before it till without assault hee had carried the same For which cause he entrenched and fortified his Camp on all sides built vp Sheds couered with Reed and broome and other places and offices as to dwell in and stopping all reliefe by Sea whereof hee was Master with his Nauie There commanded in Calais for the French Sir Iohn de Vienne Marshall of France and the Lord Dandreghan with a very strong Garrison who concluded like good men of war to trie all extremities rather then to surrender the Piece which was so strong that to assault the same otherwise then with famine had beene friuolous These great Captaines seeing King Edwards resolution thrust forth of the Towne for sparing of food their poorer people aboue fifteene hundreth whom hee like a true Christian Prince turned not backe vpon the Towne but releeued for Gods cause with fresh victuals and two pence sterling each permitting them freely and securely to passe through his Camp to his great glory and vndoubtedly profite also hauing their hearty prayers for his happy successe and God for pay-master and rewarder of such his Beneficence 103 Many wayes were thought vpon by king Philip to raise this obstinate siege two principall an Army of French to fight with King Edward and a diuersion by inuasion wherein the Scots their perpetuall allies were forward Both in their seuerall times were put into execution That of the Scotish inuasion was first but with such successe as well declared it was Gods will all people hauing their encreasings zeniths and declinations that the English name should now be brought to the verticall point thereof without any thing being able to resist it 104 For Dauid the second King of Scots to grasand old Crownes The Pope sending a Messenger from Auignion with an ouerture to intercede for a peace had answere that the message must bee sent to the King his father for he co◅ not meddle without commandement from him Mean while hee disposed of things without impeachment and returnes laden with honor and spoiles to Burdeaux where the winter being spent he sets forth to new aduentures Hee had in his Armie about eight thousand braue expert and well disciplined Souldiers and with them aduanceth through Perigort Limosin into the bosome of France vp to the verie gates of Burgesse in Berie the terror of his name flying before to his great aduantage Thus satisfied for the present hee wheeles about with purpose to returne by Remorantine in Blasois which hee tooke and so through the Country of Iurain Poictou and Saintoin to his chiefe City Burdeaux But Iohn King of France hasting to goe beyond his father in misfortune hauing assembled a compleat hoast followed about the City of Poictiers ouer-tooke the inuincible Prince 115 When the Armies with the ods of six to one against the English were embattelled two Cardinals sent from Pope Clement laboured as they had done before to take vp the quarrell without stroke whereunto the Prince was with reason yeelding enough but King Iohn fatally presuming on his aduantage propounded such conditions as if in a manner the Prince of Wales had already beene at his commaund which with iust indignation were reiected It came hereupon to a most bloudy triall where if euer the Prince and English gaue full experiment of their valour for after long conflict and absolute discomfiture of al the 3. French battels the least of which exceeded al the Princes nūbers the King himselfe valiantly fighting and Philip his yongest sonne who with such boldnesse and zeale defended his distressed father as it purchased vnto him the Honourable surname of Hardie were taken prisoners 116 The English whose valiancy was most conspicuous were the Earles of Warwicke Suffolke Salisburie Oxford and Stafford the Lords Cobham Spenser Audley Berkley Basset c. of Gascoigne subiects to the Crowne of England the Capitall de Beuf the Lord Pumier Chaumont with others of lower title but not of vnequall valour Iames Lord Audley wanne immortall renowne at this bloudy battell where hee receiued many wounds and shared the Princes gift of 500. Markes land in Fee simple to his foure Esquiers who had continued with him in all the brunt and fury of danger It is the misfortune or glory of the French Nobles that in all great battels the losse fals heauily vpon them In this most disasterous ouerthrow there fell fifty and two Lords about seuenteene hundreth Knights Esquiers and Gentlemen bearing coates of Armes The chiefe Lords were Peter of Bourbon Duke of Athens high Constable of France Iohn Clermont Marshall George of Charney Lord great Chamberlaine c. and as many other
as the French would for their Kings deliuerance performe which put King Edward into a new resolution against France 121 King Edward houlding himselfe deluded by the French with a fleete of eleuen hundred Saile passeth ouer from Sandwich to a new inuasion Hee arriued at Calais from whence he set forward in three great battels whereof the first being least was vnder Henry Duke of Lancaster the second being greater vnder the braue Prince of Wales and the last which was greatest was led by King Edward himselfe They marched through Artois to the Citie of Rheims in Champain where the Kings of France vse to be crowned and annointed The City of Sens an Archbishops See and Neuers doe yeeld without resistance The Duke of Burgundy for two hundreth thousand florens of gold obtained that all Burgundy was spared from sackage or spoile It was told the King that the Normans had landed at Winchelsea in the time of diuine seruice and among other their most impious outrages a like execrable villanie as that which Gibeonites sonnes of Beliall are recorded to haue committed vpon the Leuites wife was more wickedly perpetrated by them in the Church it selfe where the woman being of singular beautie was by their insatiable violations murthered and they got backe to their Ships before the Countrey could rise vpon them to take due vengeance Hereupon King Edward presently raised his Standard and set forth out of Champain where not farre from the City of Rheins hee had kept his Christmas toward Paris 122 He came before it with his armie diuided into nine Battalions where hee honoured foure hundred Esquires and Gentlemen with the Order of Knighthood Charles the Dolphin Regent of France was within Paris with a great force but could not by any meanes bee drawne to hazard battell There were ample conditions in humble manner tendred to Edward but he was as yet inflexible and deafe against any other then such as himselfe like a Conquerour propounded Paris vp to whose very wals King Edward ranne not being fesible he retires into Britaine to refresh his Army but vpon his returne finding it stronger then before he turnes his wrath into the very bowels of France exercising hostile Actions vp as farre as Charters and Orleans and as yet continued inexorable God was displeased thereat and to let Edward know so much he caused the Minister of his wrath a terrible tempest to as◅aile his Hoast and to kill therein many both men and horses King Edward is said vpon this occasion to be so wounded with remorse that repairing to our Lady-Church of Charters he prostrated himself to God and sorrowing for the bloodshed and wast-full burning which hee had made vowed to giue quiet to the Christian world vpon equall conditions This and the Duke of Lancasters perswasions softned him so that finally by mediation of the Popes Legat one Simon de Langres a peace was concluded at Bretagnie neere to Charters vpon the eight of May and in Nouember following K. Iohn himselfe was transported to Caleis and there by King Edward according to the Capitulations of the Treatie set at liberty after he had been a prisoner aboue foure yeeres 123 Articles of this accord so necessarie for the distressed Estate of France were these 1 That to the intent these conditions which the French condescended vnto should be more forceable and not seeme to be extorted by aduantage ods or inquitie of the times the two Edwards Father and Sonne should for euer release to K. Iohn and to his heires all the right and claime which they had to the Crowne of France to the Dutchy and Estates of Normandy Aniou Turain and Main as also to the homages of Britain Armorick and the Earldome of Flanders 2. That King Iohn and his sonne for them and their heires should by a day certaine restore and release to King Edward and his heires c. the whole Countrey of Aquitain enlarged with the bordering and spacious Countreys of Santoin Poictou Pierregort Limosin Quercie Angolesm Rouergne c. with all the Cities Castles and appurtenances to be holden free without any dependencie but of God 3. That the County of Pontheiu the proper inheritance of Isabel late Queene Dowager of England mother of King Edward the Townes Countries and Lordships of Calais Guines Mountril Haim Wale Oye Merck S. Valary c. and all the Ilands which either the English then held or which lay before any of the Premisses with only certaine limitations concerning priuate mens interest should remaine in like freedome as the rest of the premisses to the Crowne of England 4 That King Iohn should pay for his ransome part thereof to be in hand and part vpon daies the summe of thirty hundreth thousand scutes of Gold euerie two of which should be sixe shillings and eight pence sterling And that for assurance there should be assigned certaine number of Hostages by King Edward named to remaine in England 5. That the French should not aid nor assist the Scots against the English nor they the Flemings against the French 6. That it should bee lawfull for either King notwithstanding to aid the Titlers for the Dutchie of Britaine at their pleasures There were sundry other Articles as in cases of so transcendent qualitie must needs happen but as these were principall so the most of them might haue beene well left out here vnlesse they had more exactly beene obserued by the French Yet were they ratified with hands seales and Oathes at Calais where the two Kings in stead of kissing the Pax at masse either hauing for honors sake refused to take it first saluted each the other with a most brotherlie embracement and louing kisse buse the King of Englands credulitie till hee had gotten before hand as farre as dissimulations could aduance hee Courts the good old Prince with louing letters and presents while in the mean time his plots ripen abroad and the County of Pontieu the king of Englands vndeniable inheritance was first surprised before King Edward heard thereof And whereas the Prince of Wales had at a Parliament in Gascoigne propounded a demand for fowage or of money to bee leuied by the chimney the Earles of Armignac and Cominges and other Lords the Princes subiects bearing no sound affections toward the English Empire the lesse for that by the pollicy of Glequin and the Chancellor of France Dourmauns all or most of the Countries and Townes which by vertue of the peace made at Bretigney were annexed thereunto were cūningly wrought to return to their old Lords repaire to the French Court at Paris there to pursue an appeale for redresse of this oppression against the Prince who was not so happy as to follow the counsell of Sir Robert Knols and other wisest Captaines who disswaded this imposition pretending that hee was to answere before King Charles as
reuenge was not without wonder prohibited so to doe by letters from the King that is from such as were about the King 16 But how coldly soeuer the publike affaires were followed the want of money for supplies was still pretended And therefore in a Parliament holden at Northampton was granted to the King a generall supplie of money the pretended occasion of monstrous mischiefe which followed by reason of a clause in that grant of Subsidie that euery one of ech sexe being aboue a certain age should pay by the head or per Pol as they call it twelue pence 17 The English Cheualry began now againe to display it selfe farre off to gratifie the priuate ends of Iohn Duke of Lancaster who claimed the Crown of Castile and Leon in right of Constance his wife For Iohn King of Portugal had a defensiue warre against Iohn then King of Castile who challenged the Crowne of Portugall in right of Beatrix his wife by whom hee had no issue the onely daughter of Ferdinand king of Portugall which this other Iohn a bastard sonne of Ferdinands had by faction vsurped There were sent to his aide the Lord Edmund de Langley Earle of Cambridge the Kings vncle and sundry Knights and others of good experience with an Armie These arriuing in Portugall valiantly defended the same for about two yeeres and were the chiefe cause of giuing the Spaniards an ouerthrow in battell where they lost ten thousand men At last the two Kings agreeing together bare the charges of conueighing home the English in common that their Countries might bee freed from them being both alike iealous of their puissance In this time Edward sonne to the Earle of Cambridge vncle to Richard king of England married the daughter of the king of Portugall but afterward neither would the Earle leaue his sonne behind as suspecting the Portugeses faith nor the other entrust his daughter to the Earle so as they remained disioined in body howsoeuer vnited by Ceremonie 18 Not long after the time of that Earles imployment into Spaine there fell out accidents which doe plainely conuince their error to bee great who thinke that any madnesse is like that of an armed vngouerned multitude whereof these times by a kind of Fate proper to childrens raigne gaue a most dangerous document The extreme hatred borne by the people to Iohn Duke of Lancaster calling himselfe king of Castile and Leon and the discontentment taken at an extraordinary taxe leuied per Pol vpon all sorts of people who were aboue sixteene yeers of age which as all other the euils of the time they imputed to the Duke the maner being to count them the authors of euils who are supposed to haue the greatest power of doing them moued the enraged multitudes vpon slight and small beginnings to runne together in so fearefull a Torrent that it seemed the King and kingdome were sodainely falne vnder their most wicked fury There were in this most rebellious insurrection the Commons and Bondmen who aspiring by force to a free manumission principally those of Kent and Essex whose example was followed in the Neighbour Shires of Surrey Suffolke Norfolke Cambridge and other places by incredible heards and droues of like qualified people who specially in Norfolke forced sundry principall Gentlemen to attend them in their madding 19 They of Kent embattelled themselues vnder two Banners of Saint George and about threescore and tenne Penons vpon Blacke-heath by Greenewich and from thence came to London where the generality of people inclining to them they are masters The Priory of S. Iohns without Smithfield they kept burning for about seuen dayes and the goodlie Palace of the Sauoy belonging to the Duke with all the riches therein they consumed by fire in a kind of holy outrage for they threw one of their fellowes into the flame who had thrust a peece of stolne plate into his bosome The Rebels of Essex came to Lambeth burnt all the Archbishops goods and defaced all the Writings Rowls Records and Monuments of the Chancerie as hauing a speciall hatred to the Lawyers little to their disgrace for that they shared herein with good men also whom they hated But their desperate wickednesse extended it selfe beyond the spoile of houses and substance laying bloudy hands vpon the most eminent and worthy men in the kingdome for that they had disswaded the King to put himselfe into their hands at Greenwich where hee talked with them out of his Barge and thereby had their maine designe disappointed Simon Tibald Archbishoppe of Canterburie and Chancellour of England a right worthy Prelate and Sir Robert Hales a Knight of high courage Lord Prior of Saint Iohns and Treasurer of England with others they without respect to the Maiestie of the King or priuiledge of their most honourable dignities most barbarously murthered by beheading them vpon Tower-Hill among infernall showtes diuelish yels For the Tower it selfe from whence they had haled them the young King being there in person was open to their execrable insolencies Neither doth the authority of Polyd. Vergil affirming that they were not haled forth but onely stayed by the Rebels to whom hee saith they were sent induce vs rather to credite him then Authors liuing about those very times There was no little store of other innocent bloud shed by them in these tumults Nor was the Kings own person without manifest perill against whose life they had damnably conspired It were long to reckon vppe the kinds of such villanies as they wrought but endlesse to recount the particulars The common Annals set forth this whole Tragicall businesse very diligently 20 They had many Captaines of mischiefe but two principall Wat Tyler of Maidstone in Kent whom Walsingham pretily cals the Idoll of Clownes and Iacke Straw who together had followers to the number as they were estimated of about one hundreth thousand and at one Sermon made to them by Iohn Ball Walsingham saith there were about twise as many Their Petitions were full of pride and malice but easily granted by the King the necessity of the times extorting them They had a Chaplaine as gracelesse as themselues one Iohn Ball an excommunicated Priest who with his wicked doctrine nourished in them their seditious furies to his own iust destructiō in the end but when a great multitude accepting the Kings mercy were gone Wat Tyler and his Campe departed not but vpon pretence of disliking the Articles of peace sought to winne time till he might put into full execution his incredible Treasons which as Iacke ◅traw at the time of his execution confessed were vpon that very night of the day wherein Wat Tyler was slain to murder the King and chiefe men and to erect petty Tyrannies to themselues in euery shire and already one Iohn Littistar a Dyer in Norwi◅h had taken vpon him at Northwalsham in Norfolke the name of the King of the Commons and Robert Westbroome in Suffolke to whom Iohn
Wraw another lewd Priest had assigned it 21 Neuer was the kingly race and common-weale so neere to an vtter extirpation as at this present which was wee may truly say miraculously preuented The yong king in these feares and dangers repairing to Westminster most deuoutly commended his Crowne Life and whole estate to God nor that in vaine For Wat Tyler with his Campe of Rascals esteemed to bee ten or twenty thousand according to the Kings Proclamation attending in Smithfield but cauilling of purpose vpon the conditions of peace as hee that meant a farther mischiefe though they of Essex were returned was entreated to ride to the king who also sate on horse-backe before Saint Bartholmewes in whose company was that renowned Lord Maior of London William Walworth with many other men of birth and place 22 Wat Tylar scarse at the last comming behaued himselfe so insolentlie offering to murther one of the Kings knights Sir Iohn Newton for omission of some punto of respect which he arrogated to himselfe in more then a kingly manner was vpon leaue giuen him by the king boldly arrested with a drawn weapon by the Lord Maior a man say Writers of incomparable courage which blow was seconded by the said Lord and others so speedily that there this prodigie of a Traitor was felde and slaine A death too worthy for that he died by the swords of honourable persons for whom the axe of an Hang-man had beene far too good 23 The Commons perceiuing the fall of their Captaine prepared to vse extreme reuenge when the most hopefull-young king with a present witte and courage it being for his life and kingdome spurred forth his horse and bad them follow him without beeing grieued for the losse of a ribauld and traitour for now hee himselfe would be their Captaine Hereupon they thronged after him into the field there to haue whatsoeuer they desired But the most worthy of all Londoners Walworth speeds with one man onely into the City raiseth a thousand Citizens in armour brings them being led in good array by Sir Robert Knolles and others with Wat Tylers head which the Lord Maior had commanded to bee chopt off from his dead carcase borne before him vpon a Speare to the king That verie head the cursed tongue whereof had dared to say That all the Lawes of England should come out of his mouth 24 This act restored the Crown as it were and Realme to King Richard for the Rebels seeing themselues girt-in with armed men partly fled partly fel vpon their knees and throwing away all hope in weapon they answerably to their basenesse begged their liues who but euen now reputed themselues masters of the field and of the king And albeit there was a generall desire in the hearts of loyall men to expiate so many villanies with the bloud of the Actors yet things abroad in the Realme being as yet vnsetled they had a generall Charter of pardon sealed and were so sent home into their Countries 25 Certainly although the Citie of London the most noble and able part of the English Empire hath otherwise deserued of the Kings of this land very well yet the honour of this seruice worthily stands highest in the many great praises therof Which the King did thankefully and publikely testifie by knighting Walworth and by bestowing vpon him when hee modestly excused his vnworthines 41 That which followed may giue vs iust cause to suspect the truth of that Fryers accusation for the Lord William la Zouch was also by the Fryer accused of hauing been the Inuenter broacher and prouoker of him to set downe all that which was comprehended in the accusation who thereupon sent for to Salisburie though then very sicke of the gowte repaired thither in an horse-litter where hee was compelled to answere to all such points as were obiected like a felon or a traytour standing bare-headed but the priuitie or least thought of any such matter as the Fryer affirmed against the Duke hee confidently forsware and was thereupon acquitted and dismissed Howbeit saith Walsingham La Zouch was from that time forward a professed enemie not onely of Carmelites but of al other orders of Fryers whatsoeuer But these disgraces came vnseasonably vpon the Duke whose head was vndoubtedly full of designes and of cares how to atchieue to himselfe the crowne of Spaine 42 There were then sundry incursions made by the English and Scots each into the others country the Earle of Northumberland being leader to the English with little aduantage to either But to take away the very cause of this continuall bad neighbourhood or to lessen it by an established peace with France the Duke of Lancaster sayled to Callis about the beginning of August there to treat with the Duke of Berrie on behalfe of the young French King Charles 6. but after he had in that voyage expended as was said fifty thousād Marks he brought into England nothing backe except onely a truce to continue till the first day of May next His desire to haue procured a surer peace both with the French and Scots seemes to haue beene great that so hee might the more freely pursue the conquest of Spaine which he intended 43 Whiles hee was absent in this Ambassage there ensued the arraignement of a great fauourite of the Dukes Iohn Northampton alias Comberton whom his aduersaries by-named Cumber-towne This man is by them reported to haue exceedingly troubled the City of London during his late Maioralty there nor lesse afterward for that being followed with many abettors hee publikely disturbed Sir Nicholas Bramble his successor but a bloudy minded man by report and wrought other maisteries till Sir Robert Knowls caused one of the busiest companions to bee drawne out of his house and as some say shortned by the head This Comberton was by his houshold Clerke accused as priuie to some practises in preiudice as well of the King as the City and when sentence was to bee pronounced in the Kings presence being then with great store of his Nobles at Reading hee durst as is said affirme That such iudgement ought not to proceede against him in the absence of his Lord the Duke This againe vnraked the burning coales of enuie and suspition against the said Lord Duke and perhaps malice to the Duke procured this hatred against his fauourite Whereupon hee was confined to the Castle of Tyntagel in Cornwall and all his goods seised vpon by the Kings Seruants whom Walsingham expresseth by calling them after the name of those Poeticall rauenous Birds Harpyes 44 That here which Polydor Vergil assigning causes to actions not alwayes such as are but such as seemed to him most probable not seldome confounding and changing persons times names and things telles vs concerning a combate within lifts betweene Sir Iohn Aunsley Knight and one Carton hath little ground so farre as wee can find in historie He saith they were teterrima capita both very wicked men that there was a real plot to
odious to the English died at Paris in exile bequeathing such goods as hee had there to Robert Duke of Ireland who also breathed out his griefes in banishment and died at last in Brabant 83 The Duke of Lancaster the meane while returnes into Gascoigne out of Spaine and not long after into England The successe of that voyage being made to claime the Crowne of Castile and Leon was briefly this Iohn King of Castile alledged that Constance the Dukes wife was not right heire but he For albeit the Lady Constance was eldest daughter and heire to Peter sonne of Alfonse whose father Fernand the fourth was sonne of Sanchez the fourth and he sonne of Alfonse the tenth all Kings of Spaine successiuely yet that neither Constance Peter Alfonse Ferdinand nor Sanchez had the right His reason was for that Alfonse the tenth chosen Emperour of Almaine had before he begat the said Sanchez an elder sonne called Ferdinand de la Cerda who married Blanch the daughter of Saint Lewis King of France from whom descended Alfonse de la Cerda who entituled himselfe King but died without issue and Fernand who had a daughter married to Iohn sonne of the Infant of Portugall Emmanuel mother to the Lady Ioane wife of King Henry the second father of Iohn King of Castile defendant 84 This Apologie made by the Castilian would not serue for kingdomes are not vsed to be pleaded for by Bil and Answere The English and Portugals ioine their forces To the Duke by reason of his wiues presence manie did voluntarily submit themselues all did not for Don Aluarez de Perez on the behalfe of his Lord the King of Spaine offred to stop the Duke in his march to Burgos and was ouerthrowne Other aduentures that warre afforded but sicknesse hapning in the English Armie consumed many of the principall and among them the Lord Fitzwalter with other Lords Knights Esquires and men of armes almost three hundreth Moreouer the penurie was such that sundrie reuolted to the enemy to get reliefe which being seene of the King of Portugal he told the Duke he would set vpon them as Enemies but hee said no for that he knew they did it onely for lacke of foode Thus hauing said he held downe his head as he sate on horsebacke and wept most bitterly secretly powring forth his praiers to almighty God and most humbly beseeching mercy From which time forward his affaires in Spaine succeeded happily 85 The warres had beene â—…harpe and tedious but the end acceptable For Don Iuan king of Castile a Prince of no euill conscience seeing the right which the Duke of Lancaster vrged and foreseeing what calamities might happen hereafter if as was feared the French should match with him sought and obtained a firme peace The Principall conditions were That the Lord Henry his sonne and heire should marry the Lady Katherine daughter and heire to the Duke and Constance his wife That the Lord Henry during his fathers life should be called Prince of Asturia and Katherine his wife Princesse That for default of issue betweene the young Princely couple the Crowne should come to the Lord Edward Duke of Yorke who had married the other daughter of King Peter That the king of Spaine should lade eight Cars with wedges of gold for the Duke or as some write pay two hundreth thousand nobles toward the defrayment of the Dukes huge charges That finallie he should giue sufficient Caution for an Annuitie of ten thousand pounds during the liues of the said Duke and Dutchesse to be duly paid to their vses at the City of Bayon in Gascoigne 86 The King at such time as the Duke of Lancaster returned was at Reading whither he had commanded the Peeres to repaire To that meeting the Duke makes hast aswell to present his dutie to his Soueraigue as to be an authour of loue and peace betweene the king and Lords against some of whom the King was not thought to be verie fauourably disposed Which he gratiously effected as seeming to addict his mind to offices of piety and publike benefit Certainely the wisdome and moderation of the Duke of Yorke his brother were such in all the late and other tumults that he is not so much as once named among the factious which Christian spirit if it had raigned in all the rest England had neuer beene polluted with such infinite bloodshed of her noblest Children neither had the goodlie fabricke of state laden with innumerable trophees falne vnder that most hideous Chaos which succeeding ages saw and sighed for 87 The King vpon the Duke of Lancasters returne whether hee felt the keeping of Aquitaine an vnprofitable burthen or the absence of his vncle the Duke a thing worthie to be purchased at anie rate certaine it is that in a Parliament held at London he vested in him that famous Dutchy by deliuering the Cap of State and Ducal Rod whither hee shortly went to take possession His sonne Henrie of Bullingbroke Earle of Derbie loath to spend his houres in sloath but desirous to pursue renowne by martiall Acts in forreine parts sailed ouer to the warres in Prussia where in sundry enterprizes against the Lithuanians he wan great honor which by comparison of King Richards Calmnes prepared a way for him in the Englishes affections to points more eminent 88 The Pope now vnderstood that the English State began againe to be sensible of Romish encroachments and as in a former Parliament they had enacted against all Collations of Bishoprickes and dignities by the Pope with banishment to all which did accept such Collations and death to al that brought in any excommunications from the Pope to hinder the execution of that Act so in this last Parliament another seuere Act was made against such as went to the Pope to procure any such prouisions A Proclamation also was made at London * that all beneficed men then being in the Court of Rome should returne by a day prefixed or loose all their liuings The Pope himselfe saith Walsingham troubled with so great a thunder-clap sent with all speed into England to perswade the King that such Statutes as had beene thus made in their preiudice who followed the Court of Rome and such other clauses as tended to the dammage of that See should be made void whereto the Kings answere was that the Popes Nuntio must expect till the next Parliament At which Parliament the King as also the Duke of Lancaster seemed to haue some respect to the Pope whose messenger was their Present but the Knights of the house would not in any wise giue their consents that such Rome-gadders should without due punishment pursue their wonted course longer then till the next Parliament To furnish the Duke of Lancaster into France to treat of a peace and vpon condition that the King should that yere inuade Scotland large contributions were there made
made by the English are notwithstanding obserued at this day But the Dukes eye could not looke so farre into the times to come Neuerthelesse wee that see these things must confesse that the best kingdome vnder heauen is not so worth the getting as that with the wilfull contempt of God and conscience any man should seeke to purchase it 94 But while the Duke was thus busied in Courting the Gascoignes good will who had sent into England to shew causes why they should not atturne to the Duke and yet were wrought at last to the point of yeelding he receiues a commandement from King Richard to returne that he might goe with him into France which he obayed The King keeping his at Langley in Hartfordshire the Duke was there entertained with more honour as it was thought then loue Being licenced to depart for a time he repaired to Lincolne where he a widdower married his old loue the Lady Katherine Swinford now a widdow Men did wonder at it but hee therein obeyed the remorse of a Christian conscience without respect to his owne vnequall greatnes for hauing had sundry Children by her in his former wiues time he made her and them now the only sufficient amends which the law of God or man enioineth And further in a Parliament held the yeere following the Duke procured an Act to passe by which such children as he formerly had by his new Dutchesse were legitimated and surnamed them Beufot being foure of them Iohn Thomas Henrie Ioane the second of which was by the Kings bounty created Earle of Sommerset 95 The King being specially accompanied with those his vncles of Lancaster and Glocester at a most sumptuous and chargefull enteruiew between him and Charles King of France in the parts of Calis and Gynes espoused the Lady Isabell daughter of the said Charles At the deliuery of her King Richard in the presence of all the greatest Princes Peeres and Ladies of either nation gaue the King his father in law great thanks for a gift so noble and acceptable adding he tooke her vpon the conditions made betweene the two nations to the intent that liuing in peace and rest they might attaine to the establishment of a perpetuall amitie for auoyding the effusion of Christian blood which would in likelyhood haue followed had not at that time affinitie beene contracted betweene them The young Lady was not aboue seuen or eight yeeres old but the truce was taken for thirty yeeres Her person therefore was committed to the Dutchesses of Lancaster and Glocester and other great Ladies who conducted her to Callis From whence after a short stay the King his young Queene with whom he had great riches and all the glorious companie came ouer into England Their persons arriued safe but the Kings gorgeous Pauilions and a great part of his stuffe was cast away by tempest in the transportation This iourney besides his losses at Sea cost the King aboue forty thousand markes 96 The outward felicitie of England seemed at this time verie great and the rather seemed so because it was likelie to continue In the Duke of Glocesters persō that bright prosperity was first ouershadowed He Vir ferocissimus pracipitis ingenij as Polydor censures him a most fierce man and of an headlong wit thinking those times wherein he had mastred the King were nothing changed though the King was aboue thirty yeres old forbare not roughly not so much to admonish as to checke and schoole his Souereigne The peace with France displeased him that therefore he calumniates The King had restored Brest in Britaine to the Duke vpon reembursements of the money lent he tels the King that hee should first conquer a Towne before he parted with any yet the King answeres that he could not in conscience detaine the same now that the Duke had repaid his loane There were other things which could not so well be answered For a vaine rumor that he should be chosen Emperour put him belike into such a vaine of spending as carried a proportion with that maiesty his coffers in a short time sounding like empty Caske there was no great monied man in whose debt he was not nor any in a manner so meane to whome hee was not burthenous 97 The King had heretofore complained of this vncle to the Earle of Saint Paul a French-man then in England whose iudgement was that such insolency was to be reuenged but complaining to his other vncles of Lancaster and Yorke they wisely aduised the King not to regard his words but his heart which he and they knew sincere vnto him Neuerthelesse partly to weaken the intollerable humor of their brother who like a constant Admirer of his owne waies thought nothing well done but what himselfe either did or directed and partlie to auoid the scandall of the Kings bad courses they withdraw their presences from the Court The King notwithstanding is the same man still as the Duke of Glocester thinks wherefore he breakes his minde to such as he durst trust Arundell in Sussex is appointed the Consultation-place where he the Archbishop of Canterbury the Earles of Arundell Warwicke Marshall and others take an Oath of Secrecy and conclude to raise a power to remoue the Dukes of Lancaster and Yorke and such other as they thought best from about the King so to enact a reformation 98 They are charged by some to haue plotted the imprisonment of the King and Dukes and the death of all other Councellours which howsoeuer it was perhaps no part of their intention might yet haue beene a necessarie consequent The blustring Duke had breathed out dangerous words as that he would put the King of whose courage he spake contemptiblie into some prison there to spend his daies in ease and peace as himselfe thought best His brethren hearing hereof brotherlie admonish him to beware but as it seemes they found him deafe on that side This though some of the late Authors write yet there are both old and new who mention no such matter but the contrary not obscurely teaching vs that the Dukes ruine was but an effect of old malignities 99 Thomas Mowbray Earle of Nottingham and Marshall a party in the reported plot though sonne in law to the Earle of Arundel reueileth the same to the King * The Duke of Glocester is hereuppon surprized by Mowbray lying in wait in the woods where hee was to passe sent to Callis where Nottingham was Captaine and there imprisoned the Earles of Arundel and Warwicke the Lord Iohn Cobham and Sir Iohn Cheiney are arrested Proclamation is then made that they were not committed for anie old matters but for hainous things newly contriued as in the next Parliament should be made manifest though the euent as Walfingham truly saith declared the contrarie But the Duke of Glocester and the two said Earles are endited at Nottingham The King to maintaine the accusation of treason obiected
indeed was his owne when sometimes in shufling he nothing was spared but bare away many knocks the lenders whereof hee would frankly reward when they complained vnto him of their losses receiued which euer were abated in the foot of their accounts 6 Our learned Knight Eliot setting his pen to portrait a perfect Gouernour recordeth a story retaining this Princes great fame the credit whereof let it lie vpon himselfe It chanced saith he a seruant of his to bee arraigned for felony at the Kings Bench-Barre where standing ready to receiue sentence of death the Prince had intelligence and posted thither where finding his seruant made sure for starting commanded his fetters to be strucke off the fellow arraigned to be freed the Court. All men amased at this his approach and speech the Chiefe Iustice stood vp and shewed the Prince that his seate was the Kings that lawes were the sinewes of the Common-wealth that himselfe was sworn to doe Iustice and must yeeld an account for all that he did that he honored him as the eldest sonne of his Soueraigne and Prince but to set free the prisoner hee could not hauing so apparantly endangered his life to the law and therefore desired the Prince if hee held him in such esteeme to saue him by pardon from the King and not to infringe the law which he told him plainely he should not doe 7 The Prince enraged to haue the deniall assaied himselfe to set free the Prisoner which the Chiefe Iustice forbadde commanding him vpon his allegiance to cease from such riot and to keepe the Kings peace whereat Prince Henry in a furie stept vp to the Bench and gaue the Iudge a blow on the face who nothing daunted sate still and with a bold countenance spake thus to the Prince Sir I pray you remember your selfe this seat of iudgement which here I possesse is not mine but your Fathers to whom and to his lawes you owe double obedience If his Hignesse be thus contemned and his lawes violated by you that should shew your selfe obedient to both who will obey you when you are a Soueraigne or minister execution to the lawes that you shall make Wherefore for this attempt in your Fathers name I commit you prisoner vnto the Kings Bench there to remaine vntill his Matesties pleasure be further known With which words the Prince greatly abashed stood mute by the Iudge and fixing his eyes vpon his reuerend face presently laid from him his weapons and with humble obeisance done departed to prison The King vnderstanding the whole circumstance greatly reioyced that he had a Sonne of such obedience to his laws and a Iudge so vpright to administer them without either fauour or feare of the person notwithstanding for this and other like actions of his youth he remoued him from being President of his Priuie Councell and placed in his stead Thomas Duke of Clarence his second brother to Prince Henries no little griefe and discontent 8 Howbeit his followers were nothing diminished but his Court frequented more then his fathers which bred some suspition in the crazie kings head lest among his other wild parts hee would attempt to play with his Crowne which was encreased by his domesticall flatterers who dayly buzzed new iealousies into his eares This made Prince Henry as Otterborne noteth to strengthen himselfe with his chiefest friends and well-willers and with such a troupe repaired to his fathers Court as a greater in those dayes had not beene seene The translator of Liuie reports the maner of his approch euen from him that was an eye witnesse and the same no lesse then the Earle of Ormond in Ireland whose relation is this 9 The King somewhat crasie and keeping his Chamber hearing newes dayly of his sonnes loose exercises too meane for a Prince and their constructions euer made to aime at his Crowne he both beganne to withdraw his fatherly affection and to feare some violence against his owne person which when Prince Henry heard of by some that fauoured him of the Kings Councell in a strange disguise hee repaired to his Court accompanied with many Lords and noble mens sonnes His garment was a gowne of blew Satten wrought full of Eylet-holes and at euery Eylet the Needle left hanging by the silke it was wrought with about his arme he ware a dogs-collar set full of S. S. of gold the Tirets therof being most fine gold Thus comming to Westminster and the Court of his Father hauing commanded his followers to aduance no further then the fire in the hall himselfe accompanied with some of the Kings houshold passed on to his presence and after his duty and obeysance done offered to make knowne the cause of his comming The king weake then with sickenesse and supposing the worst commanded himselfe to bee borne into a withdrawing Chamber some of his Lords attending vpon him before whose feet Prince Henry fell and with all reuerent obseruances spake to him as followeth 10 Most gracious Soueraigne and renowned father the suspition of disloyalty and diuulged reports of my dangerous intendmentes towardes your royall Person and Crowne hath enforced at this time and in this manner to present my selfe and life at your Maiesties dispose Some faults and mispent time with blushes I may speake it my youth hath committed yet those made much more by such fleering pickthanks that blow them stronger into your vnwilling and distastiue eare The name of Soueraigne ties alleagiance to all but of a Father to a further feeling of natures obedience so that my sinnes were double if such suggestions possessed my heart for the Law of God ordayneth that he which doth presumptuously against the Ruler of his people shall not liue and the child that smiteth his father shall die the death so farre therefore am I from any disloyall attempt against the person of you my Father and the Lords annointed that if I knew any of whom you stoode in the least danger or feare my hand according to duty shoud be the first to free your suspition yea I wil most gladly suffer death to ease your perplexed heart and to that end I haue this day prepared my self both by confession of my offences past and receiuing the blessed Sacrament Wherefore I humbly beseech your Grace to free your suspition from all feares conceiued against mee with this dagger the stabbe whereof I will willingly receiue here at your Maiesties hand and so doing in the presence of these Lords and before God at the day of iudgement I clearely forgiue my death But the King melting into teares cast downe the naked dagger which the Prince deliuered him and raising his prostrate sonne embraced and kissed him confessing his eares to haue beene ouer-credulous that way and promising neuer to open them againe against him But the Prince vnsatisfied instantly desired that at least his accusers might be produced and if conuicted to receiue punishment though not to the full of their demerites to which request
accesse was by the French committed to Prison whereat King Henry most iustly conceiued a grudge Paulus Aemilius their owne Story-writer saith that Henry King of England sent honorable Ambassadors to demand in marriage the Lady Katherine daughter vnto the French King which as he saith was neglected with this answere that the King had no leasure to thinke on that businesse whom Franciscus Rosienius doth further inlarge saying the King scornefully smiling answered that France was neither destitute of Dukes nor hee at leasure to thinke of the Proposition and being iealous lâ—…st Burgoigne would match his daughter with Henry sent him a command to the contrary and again at their Conclusion of peace expresly enioyned the said Duke and all other Princes of the bloud not to make any alliance of mariage with England wherby K. Henry was further exasperated against France And lastly by his counsell and conference vpon the Archbishops Oration sent a Summons and demand of the Dutchies of Normandy Aquitaine Guyen Aniou in derision whereof as Caxton recordeth the Dolphin of France sent him a Tunne of Tennis Bals as Bullets most fit for his tender hands who had spent his youth as he thought more among Rackets then regard of his person or matters of State so forward is man to be an Actor in common miseries when the Fates haue made the Subiect of the Scene Tragicall that hee drawes the hand of Destinie sooner to strike and heauier to fal vpon that proiect decreed to bee east downe for by these disdains and vnprincely dealings the Crowne of France was graspt by the English hard hand and that faire soile stained with her Natiues owne bloud for the Present receiued as it was sent had promise to bee repayed with balles of more force whose stroke should bee such as the strongest gates of Paris should not be rackets sufficient to bandy the rebound 26 Grudges thus growne and warres in preparing the French thought it fittest to make Scotland their friend whom they incited to molest the English Marches which accordingly was done and that with such violence as it was a question decideable whether of the Kingdoms was first to be dealt with Westmerland thought it safest to checke the Scots as the neerer and continuall backe-friends But Excester held it better policy to beginne with France the stronger especially now disquieted through the factions of Burgundy and Orleance and vnto this the most voices gaue way whose forwardnes was such that the Clergy granted a Tenth and the temporall Lords their aides to the King as followeth The Earles Northumberland 40 men at Armes 120 Archers a peece Westmerland The Earles Warwicke 20. men at Armes and 40. Archers a peece Stafford The Earle of Suffolke a shippe 20. men at Arms and 40. Archers The Earle of Abergaueny 20. men at Armes and 20. Archers The Lords Louell A shippe 20. men at Armes and 40. Archers a peece Barkley Powis Camois S. Iohn Burrell The Lords Fitzwater Halfe a shippe 20 men at Armes and 40. Archers a peece Darcie Seymour Rosse Willoughbie The Lord Morley 6. men at Armes and 12. Archers The Lords Scales Proffered to attend the King in their persons without entertainement Randolph The whole number thus granted and appointed amounted to of Men at Armes 346 Archers 552 Ships 9½ To put back the Scots Sir Robert Vmfreuile was sent who in a skirmish vpon Mary Magdalens day tooke 360 of them prisoners and with great spoile returned to Rocksborough Castell whereof hee had charge the news whereof K. Charles vnderstanding and the great preparation made against France being better aduised vpon the dangerous euent sent his Ambassadors into England whereof the Archbishoppe of Bourges was principall who at Winchester made offer of money and some other Territories but none of the best with the Princesse Lady Katherine to be giuen in marriage vnto King Henry so that he would dissolue his Armie and conclude a peace To this Oration the Archbishoppe of Canterburie made answere that his King demanded the Dutchies of Aquitaine and Aniou with the other Seigniories anciently appertaining to his Progenitors the Kings of England which as they were his most rightfull and lawfull inheritance so would hee with all possible diligence endeauour if not otherwise by fire sword to recouer which his assertion the King himselfe in presence confirmed 27 But Burges the Archbishoppe presuming more vpon his Prelacy then respectiue vnto whom hee spake with an vnreuerend boldnesse liberty obtained seconded his Ambassage with the termes of an Herauld and with bended browes thus spake to the King Thinkest thou ô King wrongfully to put downe and destroy the most Christian the most renowned and the most excellent King of all Europe both in bloud and preheminence or thinkest thou that our mighty Soueraigne Charles hath offered thee lands summes of money and possessions with his most beautifull daughter either in feare of thee of thy English Nation or of all thy well-willers whomsoeuer I tell thee no but moued in pitty as a louer of peace and to saue the shedding of christian bloud hath made thee these offers his cause being supported by equity and truth God and his good Subiects he trusteth will set a period soone to thy quarrell Wee therefore his Ambassadors demand thy safe conduct to passe out of thy Realme and that thou wilt write thine answere and send it vnder thy seale 28 Henry no whit daunted with his big looks and words answered the Archbishoppe with milder and better set termes My Lord said he I little esteeme of your gallant brauadoes and lesse weigh your imagined power or French bragges I know my owne right to your Region and so doe your selues vnlesse you will deny a most apparant truth the strength of your Master you dayly see but mine as yet you haue not tasted he you say hath many louing subiects and friends and God be thanked I haue both as well affected to mee with which ere long I hope to make the highest crowne in your Country to stoope and the proudest Miter to kneele downe And say to the Vsurper your Master that within this three monethes I will enter France not as into his land but as into mine owne lawfull patrimonie entending to conquer it not with bragging words nor flatteâ—…ing orations but by power and dint of sword through Gods assistance in whom I trust and I assure you I will not speake the word the which I will not write and subscribe nor will I subscribe to that to which I willingly will not set my seale Therefore your safe conduct shall bee dispatched and mine answere in writing deliuered which once receiued you may depart into your Country when I trust sooner to visite you then that you shal haue cause to bid me welcome 29 The Statute enacted the first of his raigne hee now put in execution and commaunded the French out of his land according to that made the
foureteene mitred Bishops attended his approach vnto Saint Paules where out of the Censers the sweet Odours filled the Church and the Quier chanted Anthems cunninglie set by note in all which the honour was ascribed only vnto God the King so commanding it And so farre was he from the vaine ostentation of men that he would not admit his broken Crowne nor bruised armour to be borne before him in shew which are the vsuall Ensignes of warlike triumphes The Citie presented him a thousand pound in gold two golden basons worth fiue hundred pound more which were receiued with all Princely thankes 30 And now to doe the last office of a souldier for those two noblemen slaine at Azincourt hee willed the body of the Duke of Yorke to be interred in his Colledge at Fotheringhay in Northamptonshire and the Earle of Suffolke at Ewhelme in Oxfordshire commanding most of his Bishops and Abbots to celebrate the Exequies in London whereunto likewise resorted his vncle Dorset the Gouernor of Harflew whom for his good seruice done he created Duke of Exceter and gaue him a thousand pound by yeere out of his owne Exchecquer but in his absence some attempts were made by the French against the said Towne whereby he was enforced the sooner to returne 31 The calamities of these times by the stirred schismes of the Church and these bloody warres among Christian Princes Sigismund the Emperour a man of great wisdome and integrity much lamented at the Councell of Constance as another Constantine sollicited the three stiffe stirring Popes vnto vnity but failing of that purpose from those farre parts he trauelled into France and thence into England seeking to make peace betwixt these two Westerne Monarchs the better to withstand the common knowne enemie of Christendome the Turke King Charles he sollicited first finding him in words very forward with many faire shewes to imbrace the motion whereupon taking with him the Archbishop of Rheims as Ambassadour from the French King came vnto Callis where he was most honourably entertained by the Earle of Warwicke Deputy of the Towne and diuers other Lords sent thither by King Henry to attend him as also thirtie of his tallest shippes to waft him to Douer gallantlie rigged and manned with a noble traine The Duke of Glocester accompanied with many of the nobility was appointed to receiue him at Douer where they attended his comming 32 The Emperour arriued and ready to take land Glocester and the other Lords with their drawne swords entred the water and thus spake to the Emperour that if his Imperiall Maiesty intended to enter as their Kings friend and a mediator for peace they would receiue him with all willingnes accordinglie but if as an Emperour to claime any authority in England which was a free Kingdome they were there ready to resist and impeach his entrance Which rough demand being most mildely answered by Sigismund he had present accesse and by them was attended towards London 33 This worthy Emperour King Henry greatly respected as well for his owne worths and the amity held euer with the house of Beame as also for that he had married Barbara the daughter of the Earle of Zilie the Kings Cosen Germane remoued His entertainement was Princely and charges altogether borne by King Henrie who the more to honor him at Windsore solemnly enstalled him Knight of the Order of Saint George or Gartar with a most sumptuous fest purposely prepared at which the Emperour sate in his Collar and Robes but not foreslowing the cause for which he came hee instantlie vrged the peace for France wherein he was gentlie heard by the English King but vpon new displeasures for some losse of men in the Territories of Roane the motion at that time was dasht and would not proceed least as King Henrie alleaged the French should suppose that a small losse had weakened his spirits yet the Emperour continuing his intercession for peace had brought it to that passe by his pithy perswasions as had not the French at that verie instant besieged Harflew both by Sea and land it had beene effected 34 For not long before Thomas Earle of Dorset hauing made a roade into the County of Caux was set vpon by the Earle of Armigrace Constable of France with other strong men at Armes neere vnto Vademont who so distressed the English that Dorset tooke into a Garden for defence and hauing had priuate conference there with the Constable early before day departed with the losse of foure hundred men Armigrace puffed vp by his got victory with his French powers followed the English in a hasty march toward Harflew and vpon the sands intercepted their passage where betwixt them a cruell conflict was perfourmed with the ouerthrow of the French and flight of the Constable who retired to Monstreuillier for safety 35 This his vnlucky attempt he tooke greatly to heart and therefore purposing to repurchase again his honor he determined for Harflew where hee set downe his land siege before the English Garrison within were well aware when also the Vicount Narbon Vice-Admiral of France with a Fleete of tall ships entred the hauen so that the Towne was begirt on euery side as we haue said King Henry hearing of these newes called home his Ambassadours which were the Bishop of Norwich and Sir Thomas Erpingham in commission then at Beauuois and in conference for a Peace and the Emperour well perceiuing that the French plaid vpon aduantage and that King Henry was not of temper to turne edge at their strokes saw it vaine to prosecute the peace for France further and therefore sought to enter league with the English himselfe vnto the which King Henry was so willing as he confirmed the same vpon these Articles following 36 That the said Emperour King their heires successours should be friends each to other as Allies and Confederates against all manner of persons of what estate or degree soeuer the Church of Rome and the Pope for the time being only excepted for he was the Master Bee that then lead the swarme 37 That neither themselues their heires nor successours should be present in Counsell or other place where either of them their heires or successours might sustaine dammage in lands goods honours states or persons and that if any of them should vnderstand of losse or hinderance to be like to fall or happen to the others they should impeach the same or if that lay not in their powers they should aduertise the others thereof with all conuenient speed That either of them their heires and successours should aduance the others honour and commodity without any fraud or deceit That neither of them nor their heires or successours should permit their subiects to leauy warres against the others That it should be lawfull and free for each of their subiects to passe into the others Countrey and there to remaine and make
merchandize either by Sea or land paying the Customes gables and duties due and accustomed according to the Laws and Ordinances of the places and Countreys where they should traffique That neither of the saide Princes nor their heires nor successors should receiue any rebell banished man or traitour of the others willingly but should cause euerie such person to auoid out of their Countreys Realmes dominions and Iurisdictions That neither of the said Princes their heires nor Successors should begin any other warres against any other person other then such as they had warres with at that present without the consent of the other his Confederate except in defence of themselues their Countreys and subiects in case of inuasion made vpon them That it should be lawfull for the King of England to prosecute his warres against France for the recouery of his right as should seeme to him expedient and for the Emperour for the recouery of any part of his right reteined by the French Lastly that either of them should assist other in recouery and Conquest of their rights lands and dominions withheld and kept from them by him that calleth himselfe King of France and others the Princes and Barons of France These conclusions and agreements bare date the 19 of October in Anno 1416. In the meane while the French that had felt the hard hand of the English and seeing that Henry had with-drawne his commissioners for peace King Charles made a league with the states of Genoua requiring their aide against this dangerous enemie who supplyde him with sixe hundred Crosse-bowes and eight tall ships of warre and as many gallies with munition and victuals These wafting the Seas with many brauadoes King Henrie in person meant to haue mette with himselfe but the Emperour disswading his purpose the charge of that Enterprize was committed to Iohn Duke of Bedford accompanyde with the Earles of March Marshall Oxford Warwicke Huntington Arundell Deuonshire and Salisbury these falling vpon the County of Narbon a fierce encounter was begun and long fought till at length the victory fell to the English so that the French Nauy was most of them battered suncke and taken amongst others three great Carricks of the Genoaes were sent to England with whom the bastard of Burbon was brought away Prisoner the Viscount de Narbon Le Sire de Montaine and Le Sire de Berrar chased into Britaine This victorie obtained the Duke past forward to the Towne of Harflew and refreshed it with victuals without anie impeachment for Armagnac the Constable hearing how his Consorts had kept tune on the Seas thought it not best to set to their note least his meane would not be heard the base of this musicke sounding too deepe and therefore he put vp his pipes and got him to Paris This seruice perfourmed was so commended by the Emperour as he openly said that Realme was happy that had such a King but the King more happie that had such Subiects and euer after held Bedford in a most speciall account 38 His affaires now finished and Princely entertainements thankefully receiued he prepares for his returne toward Germany and King Henry to doe him the more honour would needs accompany him to his Towne of Callis whither after their arriuals the Duke of Burgogne repayred to doe his homage vnto the Emperour which Burgogne some moneths before had concluded a peace with the Earle of Warwick in the behalfe of King Henry for the Counties of Flaunders and Arthois Henry therefore in hope of a further friendship with him sent his brother the Duke of Glocester and the Earle of March vnto Saint Omers to lye hostages with the County Charrolois for Burgognes passage and safe returne with whom hee sent Warwicke to conduct him to Callis 39 His entertainement was honourable both by the Emperour and King which as acceptably he receiued and vnto Sigismund performed his homage and with Henry renewed the truce for the time of two yeres both which were so distastiue to the French stomackes that the Emperour is taxed he came not with an intent to worke the good of France but rather to augment her miseries by animating Burgundy to bandy against Orleance and that King Henry was puft with an humor of pride his affaires so prosperous against a weake King But this busines ended Burgundy returned to Graueling Henry into England and the Emperour toward Germany being was ted into the low Countreys with the Kings Fleetâ—… 13. That none of the Captaines nor Souldiers nor any Burgesse should forsake the Towne vntill the second of Ianuary next and his maiesty of his grace and mercy was pleased that all such as would remain in Fallais should remain there in safety both in body and goods so as they would bee true subiects vnto him 14. That none of the defendants of the Castell should be receiued into the Towne nor their goods secretly kept by the Inhabitants vnder any pretence or Colour whatsoeuer 15. That during the treaty no assault or offence should be offered by the kings army to the Towne or to the Inhabitants so as they do not ayde assist or relieue the defendants in the Castells 1. That for the true perfourmance of the Articles twelue knights Squires should be deliuered hostage to the Kinge and to be set at liberty when the Couenants aboue mentioned were fulfilled These things concluded and subscribed with their names and seales the 20. of December vpon the second of Ianuary no succours appearing the towne of Fallais was acordingly deliuered but the Castle standing obstinate the king was as diligent till the defendants failing in their spirits the first day of February demanded a Parley Wherunto Henry consented making Clarence his brother his sole Commissioner The Articles acorded for the most part were as the former whereto were added these which ensue 51 That vpon the 16. of the said moneth of February if the King in person the Dolphin his sonne or the Earle of Armagnac Constable of France did not with force raise the siege then Sir Oliuer de Mauny Knight gouernour of the said Castell should render the same vnto King Henry 2 That the said Gouernour and all other within the Castell should at the day assigned submit themselues to the King and remaine his prisoners trusting to his Maiesties royall promise not to receiue offence either in life or goods Geoffrey Chasteaux only excepted who was left simply to the Kings mercy 3. That after the rendering of the said Castell Sir Oliuer de Mauny the Gouernour should at his owne charges repaire all the breaches and ruines made in the wals during the siege and leaue it in the same sort as it was before the same was besieged 4. That for the perfourmance of these Articles eight Gentlemen should remaine Hostages with the King 5. That when the Castell was prepared Sir Oliuer Mauny and al his Company should be set at
liberty and vntill then to remaine the Kings Prisoners Geoffrey de Chasteaux aboue mentioned only excepted These agreements concluded the Indenture subscribed and king Henries seale of Armes thereunto fixed at the prefixed day according to these Articles the Castell of Fallais was rendered vnto him which done he diuided his Army into manie parts vnde◅ the seuerall conducts of the Dukes of Clarence and Gloucester and the Earle of Warwicke who wan diuers Castels himselfe the while marching to besiege Rouen where he set downe his siege and began the assault in a furious manner the defendants as obstinately bent to hold him out so that to winne the Towne by force Henry found it very difficult aswell for the strength of Bulwarkes and Ramparts as for the number of hands within it to make resistance and therefore to reduce them by famine was his only designe 52 For Burgogne from King Charles had sent many worthy Captaines with a thousand selected Souldiers to defend the City and within it besides were fifteene thousand Citizens well trained and furnished and the Towne stored with victuals for ten months continuance notwithstanding K. Henry quartered about the Towne and for his safety cast vp a Trench betwixt the wals and his men the Riuer Seine hee blockt vp with three Iron-Chaines one of them layd two foote aboue water another with the leuell and the third two foote vnder the water to forbidde all reliefe vnto the Citty by Boats 53 With the English sixteene hundred Irish Kernes were enrolled from the Prior of Kilmainham able men but almost naked their armes were targets darts and swordes their horses little and bare no saddle yet very nimble on which vpon euery aduantage they plaied with the French in spoiling the Country rifeling the houses and carrying away children with their baggage vpon their Cowes backes Thus from Iune vnto December the siege had continued and now victuals failing and the Towne in distresse the Rouennois sent foure gentlemen and as manie Burgesses vnto King Charles and the Burgogne then at Beauuois to signifie their miseries fifty thousand already famished with hunger and twelue thousand staruelings put out of the Towne but not suffered to passe by the English died by multitudes in the ditches whose vnburied Carcases did infect the Towne with contagious diseases so that without present reliefe they must be inforced to render 54 Ayde was promised and earnestly expected but in steed of supplies the Bishop of Beauuois accompanied with others and the Cardinall or Vrsins sent from Pope Martin were dispatched to King Henry to entreat a peace for the better accomplishing thereof they brought with them the picture of the Lady Catherine according to life which King Henry well liked yea and as Serres saith fell in loue with but demanding a hundred thousand Crownes with the Dutchies of Normandy Aquitain Aniou and other Seignories for her dowry nothing was concluded or done 55 And now the Rouennois helpeles of succour and despairing of peace resolued to make a braue sally vpon the kings quarter to performe which resolution 10000. chosen mē with their leaders issued out of the Towne the vantgard which was 2000. being past and in fight by misfortune the draw-bridge with ouer-weight of men brake manie were drowned slaine and hurt neither was there any more passage that way to releeue their followers engaged in fight with the English whereupon they made hast to the other Gates but before they could come to giue ayde the vantgard was broken and most of them slaine and taken Prisoners Vpon this disastre the souldiers within mutined against Guy de Boutellier their General murmuring that he had contriued the breaking of the bridge 56 In these distastures King Charles returning towards Paris sent the besieged word to make what shift they could which vnexpected message stroake a sad feare into the miserable defendants hearts who weake in men and victuals knew no way to subsist and thereupon in Counsell concluded to send vnto Henry which presently they did For whose entertainement he caused two tents to be set vp at Port S. Hillarie Their Commissioners were two gentlemen two Clergie-men and two Burgesses of the Towne Commissioners for the King were the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Earle of Warwick the demands of the Rouennois were many but their answers were short that no conditions would be accepted but simply yeelding to the kings mercy whereupon the conference brake vp and these returned into the Towne bred sundry distractions some crying to yeeld and other some crying to die like men but Henrie desirous to be Master of the Towne and fearing it would be fired by themselues if he wan it by force made the Archbishop of Canterbury his Instrument whose vocation was fit for it to call again the Commissioners and againe fell into treaty of Composition which lastly was agreed vpon these Articles as follow 1. That the Burgesses should giue vnto Henry towards his expense in the siege three hundred fifty sixe thousand Crownes of gold 2. That Robert Li◅et vicar generall to the Archbishop of Rouen Iehan Iourdan who commanded the Canoniers and Alen Blanchart Captaine of the Common people should be left to his mercy without condition 3. That all the people should sweare faith and loyalty to Henry and his Successors 4 That Henrie should protect and defend them against all men and confirme vnto them their priuiledges franchises and liberties which they had enioyed euer since the time of Saint Lewis king of France 5. That all such as had desire to leaue the Towne might freely depart with his garments vpon his backe only and his goods to be confiscated vnto King Henry 6. That the souldiers should bring all their Armes to a place assigned and should depart out of the Towne vnarmed with a Cudgell in their hands first taking their Oath not to beare Armes against Henry for a twelue month next ensuing 57 This agreement was concluded the 16 of Iune Anno 1418. when as the hungry Citizens in multitudes came to the English Campe to buy victu al 's which so abounded with Prouisions as a fat mutton was sould for sixe souses of Paris money Vpon the next day following Henrie triumphantlie made his entry into Rouen the Ecclesiasticks of the Towne in their miters and vestures with their reliques singing of Hymnes conducted him to the Cathedrall Church where before the high Altar vpon his knees he gaue thankes to God for the Conquest of this Towne which had remained two hundred and fifteene yeeres in the possession of the French euen from the time when Philip King of France wan it from king Iohn of England The day following Alain Blanchart the Captaine of the common people was beheaded Robert Linet and Iehan Iourdan put to their high ransomes the French Garrisons pillaged vnarmed and put out of the Towne but safely were conducted ouer
Saint Georges-bridge to goe whither they would Guy de Boutellier who was Captaine generall of Rouen became King Henries leigeman vnto whom he gaue all his lands and a charge vnder the Duke of Gloucester Immediately after the rendering of Rouen sundry other places of note yeelded themselues as Caudebec Monstreuillier Diepe Feschamp Arques Neufchastell Deincourt Eu Moncheaux Vernon Mante Gorney Harflewr Ponteur-de-Mer Mollineaux le Treict Tancaruille Abrechier Mauleurier Valemont Neufuille Bellaucombre Fontaines Le Boure Preaux Nougonder-uille Logempree Saint Germain Sur Cuylly Baudemont Bray Villeterre Charles-Maisnill Les Boules Guillen court Fanifontaines Le Becque Crepin Backeuille and diuers other places wherein Henry placed his Garrisons France generally troubled and trembling at the losse especially of Rouen Henrie ready to pierce forward and Charles declining through his infirmities encreasing the Duke of Burgogne who bare all the sway vnder that infirme King and therefore much hated by the Daulphin whose reuenge he feared much doubting Henries rising fortunes held it best to vphold his own greatnes by mediating a peace betwixt the two Kings For which end he sent his Ambassadours to Henry praying personall Conference to which he assented and assigned the place which was at Melun where in a field well trenched and ramparted with strong Gates two pauillions were arreard the one for the Kings to repose themselues in and the other for their counsell to consult in 58 Charles Isabell Burgogne and Katherine the Count Saint Paul with a thousand horse garding them thether came first King Henry with his brothers of Clarence and Gloucester attended vpon with a thousand horse held the appointment and now met the two Kings embraced each others Henry kissed Isabell and Katherine who indeed became a precious pearle in his eye Burgogne a little bending his knee did his reuerence to Henry who tooke him in his Armes and the two nations though mortall enemies demeaned themselues so ciuilly as no cause of quarrell was offered on either side much conference passed but nothing concluded Henries demands seeming to the French to bee so vnreasonable The treaty thus dissolued and all ready to depart King Henry not well pleased spake thus vnto Burgogne Cosen I may not wel digest this refusall but be you assured that either I will haue your Kings daughter and all my demands or else I will banish both you and the cut of France You speake your pleasure said the Duke but before you shall thrust the King them and me out of the Realme you will be weary of the enterprize 59 The treaty thus broke and danger nothing lesse the Burgundian altogether French and in heart no friend to the English reconciled himselfe vnto the Daulphin which deed was soone after the cause of his owne death and Henry displeased with this combination quickened his thoughts full of reuenge to prosecute the warre more sharpely then heretofore the first enterprize he made was vpon Ponthois vnto which Towne the last day of Iulie hee sent three thousand foote which before the breake of day and not discouered by the Centinels set their Ladders to the Wals mounted vp crying Saint George and so opening a Port let in their Companions The Signeur de L' Isle-Adam Marshall of France and Gouernour of the Towne affrighted at the surprize fled out at another Port towards Paris after whose exam ple aboue ten thousand Inhabitants did the like so as the English without resistance were Masters of the Towne where in great riches fell to the souldiers shares When King Charles at Paris heard of the losse of Ponthois in great feare with his wife daughter Burgundy and many noblemen to be further from the fire so neere at hand went vnto Troyes in-Champagne leauing Paris vnder the Gouernment of the Count Saint Paul and Eustach de Lactre Chancellor of France whilst Henry went forward with his intended enterprizes 60 For his brother of Clarence by three weekes siedge wan the Castell Gizors by composition the Earle of Huntington sacked Preaux burnt Bretuiell Clermont and the Castell of â—…endueil and Henry himselfe besieged the Castell of Guillart and Rochguien two of the strongest holds in Normandy which vppon compositions were surrendred and further preuailed more then the French wished For the Daulphin the only man that stood for the publike defence of France was miserably poore and for want of pay could make no great shew of followers in the field whose chiefe Counsellor was the Constable Armagnac an old craftie foxe that had euer sided with Orleance against the Burgundian And now fearing least his owne esteeme should be lessened or that Burgundy should be the Archite to crosse him the wise Achitophel or rather indeed thrust forward by destinie to be the scourge and fall of France he counselled the young Daulphin to seize vpon his mothers money iewels and plate for his further supply to the publike vse which immediately he did to aduance the estate but Queen Isabell impatient of these wrongs receiued in a womanish splene studies the reuenge wholy neglecting the common cause which gaue the English surer footing in France but the Daulphin to make good what he had done leades the King in iealousy that the Queenes designes were dangerous and altogether set for the alienation of the Crowne which he weake man no sooner heard then beleeued being euer ready to take her at the worst and neuer ouergone in her loue at the best 61 These sparkes of sedition thus blowne in the Court suspitions increasing and maligners still working Queene Isabell with her sister in law the Dutchesse of Bauier were sent prisoners to Blois and from thence to Eours where they were kept with strait guard three Gentlemen in Commission to take care of their safeties till then her fauours had gone with Orleance and with him had contested euer against Burgogne but now to quit her imprisonment shee reconciled her selfe vnto him and sollicited his assistance for her deliuerance Burgogne well perceiuing how much it would aduance his part to draw the Queene to be of his faction brake vp his siege then laid before Corbeill and with certaine choise troopes repaired toward Trours from whence immediately he sent the Queene word of his comming Shee faining deuotion to the Abbey of Marmonstier seated somewhat without the Towne made it known to her keepers and they not daring to contradict so great a Princesse mistrusting no danger attended her thitherward with a competent guard as they supposed where Fosseux and Vergie two especiall men in the Dukes trust were laid in the Ambush neere vnto the Abbey and hauing notice the Queene was come to Church came to salute her and to signifie that the Burgogne was in person to attend her seruice Her keepers conceiuing their seconds were not farre off as men dismayed told the Queen of some fear that an enemie was neere at
had built 2. Barricadoes himselfe in armes stood there to receiue the Duke Burgogne approached kneeled downe vpon one knee and with an honourable reuerence saluted him most humbly the Daulphin neglecting all courtesies to him-ward chargeâ—… him with breach of promise for that the ciuill warres and his garrisons were not surceast and withdrawne the Dukes sword hanging too farre backe and somewhat troubling his kneeling he put his hand vpon the hilt to put it more forward whereat Robert de Loire standing by sayd doe you draw your sword against the Lord Daulphin at which words Tanneguy de Chastell with a battle-axe stroke him on the face and cut off his Chin and others with other wounds made an end of his life before he could arise from his knee or get out his sword 50 Queene Isabell another cruell Medea and vnnaturall mother hauing a double offence done her redoubled her wrath and continued her tragick passions against her sonne the young Daulphin who not only incites Philip now the new Duke of Burgogne to reuenge his murdered fathers death but torments her poore husbands spirits in perswading him to disherite Charles their sonne and to giue in marriage Lady Katherine vnto King Henry who now had set his foote farre into France Duke Philip for his part ready for reuenge sent the Bishop of Arras with other his Ambassadors vnto Rouen to King Henry to entreat a peace and againe not many daies after their returne sent backe the said Bishop whose message was so pleasing that Henry sent the Bishop of Rochester the Earle of Warwicke and Guien vnto Arras who were as welcome vnto Duke Philip so that betwixt Rouen and Arras messengers continually passed till a peace was concluded which was proclaimed to continue from that day then about the feast of the Epiphany vnto mid-March ensuing betwixt King Henrie King Charles and Philip Duke of Burgogne 51 King Henry thus farre gone in his affaires for that Crowne sent his Ambassadors vnto the new made Pope Martin the first such was the fate of Romes Apostolicall fathers in those faire Sun-shine and Golden daies that the greatest Monarch was but a vassal to attend vpon their stirrop their Crownes subiect to be spurned off with their feete Henrie therefore minding to stop the violence of these narrow Seas and to make the streame milde betwixt his two Realmes had now none to let but only him that was all in all and bare an Oare in euery mans boat and therefore from King Charles Burgogne and himselfe his Ambassadors sollicited his fatherlie consent to admit him his most Christian sonne of France and to giue his holy blessing for the confirmation of the marriage and peace concluded betwixt those two famous Princes King Henries right to the French Crowne they plainely laid forth what calamities France had felt in their resistance Agincourt Normandy and Aquitaine as they shewed him were most lamentable witnesses and the holde that the Lyon had got at that day of the Flower de Luce was not to be wrested out of his fast grasped pawes But his dull eare was deafe herevnto answering that this peace was preiudiciall to the right of Charles the Daulphin and therefore hee denied to confirme it 52 But with what quill these wines were vented from the setled Lees for the Daulphin vnlesse it was the golden vice a powerfull key indeed to vnlocke the Popes silent lips I know not most true it is the conditions went forward and the place for the confirmation of couenants was Troyes in Champagne where King Charles and his Queene then lay and whither Burgogne Guien the Lord Rosse and others attended with fiue hundred horse were sent Ambassadors from Henry In their way they besieged and after fifteene daies wan the Towne of Crespie that held for the Daulphin demolished the Castell razed the wals and departed vpon composition These comming to Troyes were honorably receiued and louingly concluded on a finall peace where Lady Katherine was attended as the Englsh Queene and some left to guard her by King Henries command His Ambassadors returned and affection enflamed himselfe attended with the Dukes of Clarence and Gloucester his brethren the Duke of Excester the Earles of Warwicke Huntingdon Salisbury Guienne and many other nobles his guard consisting of sixteene hundred Launces and Archers departed from Rouen to Ponthois to S. Denis and from thence into Prouins where he was met neere vnto Troyes by the Duke of Burgundy and many other French Lords and with all Princesse attendance was conducted into the Towne The ioy was great with which he was receiued especially of the King the Queene and Lady Katherine whom he found in S. â—…eters Church expepecting his comming where forthwith he and the Lady was affianced and falling effsoones into conference of the conditions of amity these were consented vnto by the French and King Henry 1. That K. Henry should take Lady Katherine to wife 2. That Charles Isabel should retaine the name of King and Queene and should hold all their dignities rents and possessions belonging to the Crowne of France during their naturall liues 3. That the Lady Katherine should haue her Dowry in England as Queens heretofore were wont to haue that is to say the summe of forty thousand sceutes that is two to a noble 4. That the same summe of forty thousand sceutes yeerely shall bee confirmed vnto Queene Katherine by our lawes according to our vsuall rights at the time of our death 5. That the said Lady Katherine so ouerliuing vs from the time of our death shall haue for her Dowry in the Kingdome of France the summe of twenty thousand francks yeerly out of the lands places and Lordships that Blanch sometime wife to Philip Beauisall held and enioied 6. That after the death of Charles our said father the Crown and Realme of France shall with all rights and appurtenances remaine vnto vs to our heires for euermore 7. And for as much as our said father is infirme by reason of sicknesse and may not entend in his owne person to dispose of the affaires of the Realme therefore during the life of our said father the faculties and exercise of the gouernment and disposition of the publike vtilitie of the Realme of France shall be and abide to vs so that thence forth wee may gouerne the Realme and admit to our Councell and assistance to the Councell of France such of the English Nobility as we shal thinke meete 8. That also we of our owne power shall cause the Court of France to be kept and obserued in as full authority and in all manner of places that now or in time comming is or shall be subiect to our said father 9. Also that we to our powers shall defend and helpe all and euery of the Peeres Nobles Cities Townes Cominalties and singular persons now or in time to come subiects
Duke of Orleance the Earle of Eu Guacourt and Guichard de Sisay should not be ransomed vntill yong Henry were of yeeres to gouerne 82 Thus said and drawing neere to the period of his short but glorious life he demanded of his Physitians how long in their iudgement he might liue wherunto when one of thē answered Sir thinke on your soule for your time is not aboue 2. houres he made his cōfession his Chaplains afterward kneeling in prayer when one of them out of the Psalms made mention of Ierusalem the king no sooner heard the name but with a loud voice he said Lord thou knowest that my purpose was to conquere Ierusalem from the Infidels if it had pleased thee to haue giuen me life then in a right faith assured hope perfect charity and sound memory hee rendred his soule to his Creator after hee had raigned nine yeeres fiue monethes and fourteene dayes leauing none like vnto him amongst all the Kings and Princes of Christendome for which cause his death was not onely bewailed of the English whom hee gloriously had ruled but also of the French whom hee had victoriously conquered This was the manner of this triumphant Monarchs end which moues men iustly to wonder at Hector Boetius who saith he was stricken by God for sacriledge and died miserablie Hectors friends haue occasion to wish that his Readers should not make that miserable iudgement the rule and measure of crediting or discrediting his other writings yet lamentable his end was indeed if he perished by poison wherof there was a vehement suspition as Polydor Vergill hath auerred and the carriage of the French affaires afterward makes it more then probable 83 His workes of pious affection were shewed in erecting the Monasteries of Bethlem Briget neere vnto his Manour of Richmond as also his princely gifts vnto the workes and furniture of Westminster Church besides the brotherhood of S. Giles without Creple gate London And which had surpassed all the rest hee intended such was his loue to learning and to the place where himselfe was a learner to haue founded in the great Castell at Oxford a magnificent Colledge for Diuines and Students of the seuen liberall Sciences the plot and ordinations of which foundation he had already drawne and resolued to endow it with all the lands in England belonging to Priors Aliens but his vntimely death preuented both that and many other noble workes To leaue a domesticke testimony of his affection to Armes hee first instituted Gartar principall King at Armes besides other augmentations to the Order of Saint George In a word neuer liued English King with more true glory nor euer died any in a more vnseasonable time nor more lamented for he was godly in heart sober in speech sparing of words resolute in deedes prouident in Counsell prudent in iudgement modest in countenance magnanimous in action constant in vndertaking a great Almesgiuer deuout to Godward a renowmed Souldier fortunate in field from whence hee neuer returned without victorie These with many other I might almost say all other vertues are attributed to this most renowned amongst English Kings the more to be admired in him in so short a raigne and in those yeeres hee being but of 36. yeers when he breathed forth his glorious soule 84 His bowels were interred in the Church of Saint Mauro de Fosses and his embalmed Corps was closed in Lead and attended vpon by the Lords of England France Normandy and Picardy was brought vnto Paris wherein the Church of our Lady solemne exequies were performed and thence to Rouen where it rested till all things were ready to set forward for England though the Cities of Paris and Rouen stroue and offered great summes of gold to haue Henries royall remains enterred amongst them His picture artificially was moulded of boiled hides and countenance painted according to life vpon whose head an imperiall Diademe of gold and pretious stones was set the body clothed with a purple robe furred with Ermine in his right hand it held a scepter royall and in the left a ball of gold in which manner it was carried in a Chariot of State couered with red veluet embroidered with gold and ouer it a rich Canopie born by men of great place Thus accompanied by Iames King of Scotland many Princes Lords and Knights of England and France he was conuaied from Rouen to Abbeuile to Hesdin to Menstruill Bologn Calais the Chariot al the way compassed about with men all in white garments bearing burning Torches in their hands next vnto whom followed his houshold seruants all in blacke and after them the Princes Lords and Estates in vestures of mourning adorned then two miles distant from the corps followed the stil lamenting Queene attended with princely mourners her tender and plerced heart more inly mourning then her outward sadde weedes should in any sort expresse 85 And thus by Sea and Land the dead King was brought vnto London where through the streets the Chariot was drawne with foure horses whose Caparisons were richly embroidered and embossed with the royall Armes the first with Englands Armes alone the second with the Armes of France and England in a field quartered the third bare the Armes of France alone and the fourth three crowns Or in a field Azure the ancient Armes of King Arthur now well beseeming him who had victoriously vnited three Kingdomes in one The body with all pompous celebrity was enterred in the Church at Westminster for so Henrie had by his last will commanded next beneath King Edward the Confessor vpon whose Tombe Queene Katherine caused a roiall picture to bee laid couered all ouer with siluer plate guilt but the head thereof altogether of massysiluer All which at that Abbeys suppression when the battering hammers of destruction did sound almost in euery Church were sacrilegiously broken off and by purloining transferred to farre prophaner vses where at this day the headlesse monument worthy to be restored by some more Princely and sacred hand is to be seene and with these verses written vpon his Tombe Dux Normanorum verus Conquestor eorum Hares Francorum decessit Hector eorum Here Normans Duke so stiled by Conquest iust True Heire of France Great Hector lies in dust His Wife 86 Katherine daughter to King Charles the sixt of France vpon an agreement of peace forementioned was married vnto King Henrie at Troyes in Champaine Iunij 3. A. D. 1420. and after Febr. 14. was Crowned at Westminster with all solemnities Shee was his Queene two yeeres and about three months and suruiuing him was remarried vnto Owen Theodore of Wales vnto whom shee bare three sonnes Edmund Iasper and Owen and a daughter who liued not long Owen tooke the habite of religion at Westminster the other two by King Henry the sixt their halfe brother were honorably preferred Edmund was created Earle of Richmond and marrying Margaret the sole
Nations The City is driuen to some miserie through the beginning want of all things for the siege had now endured about 60. daies not without much bloudshed on both sides The Earle of Salisburie impatient of such delay purposeth to giue a generall assault The better to consider vpon the course hee stands to take view at a window barred with Iron which ouerlookt the City toward the East Behold how God began to vncutte the knot of those bands with which the English held France bound a bullet of a great piece which lay ready leueld at that window discharged by the Gunners sonne a lad stroke the grates whose splinters so wounded the Earle and one Sir Thomas Gargraue that they both dyed of the incurable hurts within few dayes Heare now the common iudgement of Writers concerning this Earles losse Presently after the death of this man the fortune of the war changed Now both mortall and immortall powers beganne to looke fauourably vpon the State of France This to the English was Initium malorum for after this mishappe they rather lost then wanne so that by little and little they lost all their possession in France and albeit that somwhat they got after yet for one that they wan they lost three So that Polydor not without cause after many other great praises doth elsewhere call him the man in whom the safety of the English state consisted The vertue therefore of a fortunate Generall is inestimable 14 Howbeit the siege did not determine with his life William Earle of Suffolke the Lord Talbot the rest maintained the same all the winter The wants of the Campe were relieued from Paris by a conuoy vnder the guard of Sir Iohn Fastolfe and fifteene hundred souldiers who arriued safe in despite of all the attempts to distresse thē which the French made The City would yeeld it selfe but not to the English The Duke of Burgundie they were content should haue the honour A subtle stratagem rather then an offer of yeelding for there was likelihoode in it to breake thereby the amity betweene the English and him The Regent and his Counsell being sent vnto thought it not reasonable Aemylius erroniously makes the late Earle of Salisbury the Author of that refusall neither indeed was it theirs hauing beene the cost and labour The Duke of Burgundy construed this repulse sowerly which marred his taste of the English friendshippe euer after yet the Regents answere was iust and honest That the warre was made in King Henries name and therefore Orleance ought to be King Henries Among these difficulties stood the French affaires Charles of France vnderstanding the miserable straites of his deare City ignorant how to remedy so neere a mischiefe there presented herselfe vnto him at Chinon a yong maid about eighteene yeeres old called Ioan of Loraine daughter to Iames of Arck dwelling in Domremy neere Va◅caleurs a Shepheardesse vnder her father whose flockes shee tended bids him not faint and constantly affirmes that God had sent her to deliuer the Realme of France from the English yoake and restore him to the fulnesse of his fortunes Shee was not forthwith credited but when the wise of both sorts aswell Clerkes as Souldiers had sifted her with manifold questions she continued in her first speech so stedfastly vttering nothing but that which was modest chast and holy that honour and faith was giuen vnto her sayings An old woman directed her Ioan armes her selfe like a man and requires to haue that sword which hung in S. Katherines church of Fierebois in Touraine This demaund encreased their admiration of her for such a sword was found among the old Donaries or Votiue tokens of that Church Thus warlikely arrayed she rides to Blois where forces and fresh victuals lay for the reliefe of Orleance Shee with the Admirall and Marshall of France enters safe This did greatly encourage the fainting French Ioan the maide of God so they called her though some haue written that it was a practise or imposture writes thus to de la Pole Earle of Suffolke who succeeded Salisbury in the maine charge of that siege 15 King of England do reason to the King of heauen for his bloud royall yeeld vp to the Virgine the keyes of all the good Cities which you haue forced She is come from heauen to reclaime the bloud royall and is ready to make a peace if you bee ready to doe reason yeeld therefore and pay what you haue taken King of England I am the chiefe of this war wheresoeuer I encounter your men in France I will chase them wil they or no. If they will obey I will take them to mercy The Virgine comes from heauen to driue you out of France If you will not obey shee will cause so great a stirre as the like hath not beene these thousand yeeres in France And beleeue certainly that the king of heauen will send to her and her good men of Arms more force then you can haue Goe in Gods name into your Country bee not obstinate for you shall not hold France of the King of Heauen the sonne of S. Marie but Charles shall enioy it the King and lawfull heire to whom God hath giuen it Hee shall enter Paris with a goodly traine you William de la Pole Earle of Suffolke Iohn Lord Talbot Thomas L. Scales Licutenants to the Duke of Bedford and you Duke of Bedford terming your selfe ◅egent of the Realme of France spare innocent bloud and leaue Orleance in liberty If you doe not reason to them whom you haue wronged the French will doe the goodliest exploit that euer was done in Christendome Vnderstand these newes of God and of the Virgine Yet Charles had at this time no whole Countries vnder his obedience but Languede◅ and Daulphin against which both the Sauoyard and Burgundian prepared but miscarried the Prince of Orenge the third confederate being discomfited 16 This letter was entertained by the English with laughter Ioan reputed no better then a Bedlam or Enchantresse Though to some it may seem more honourable to our Nation that they were not to bee expelled by a humane power but by a diuine extraordinarily reuealing it selfe Du Serres describes this Paragon in these words Shee had a modest countenance sweete ciuill and resolute her discourse was temperate reasonable and retired her actions cold shewing great chastity without vanity affectation babling or courtly lightnesse Let vs not dissemble what wee finde written By her encouragements and conduct the English had Orleance pluckt out of their hopes after they had suffered the Duke of Alanson to enter with new force and with much losse were driuen to raise the siege Ioan herselfe was wounded at one sallie in which shee led being shot through the arme with an arrow Iudge what she esteemed of that hurt when shee vsed these admirable and terrible words This is a fauour let
Philip Duke of burgundy the Duke of Guelders the Earle of Nassau the Bishoppe of Cambray Count Vernambâ—…urg the Bishoppe of Leige fiue other great Earles besides the Deputies of many his best Townes sufficient to shew that though hee was in title but a Duke yet that his greatnesse was equall to a King When it came to communication the English being also in possession vrged farther for themselues the right of descent and the act of Charles the sixth father to this Charles by which act the Crowne of France was setled vpon Henry the fifth and the issue of the Lady Katherine his wife and therefore they propounded no other condition of peace but that Henry their King might haue all and Charles to hold of him The French offered Normandie and Guien There ended the hope of agreement betweene them for neither party would accept King Charles therefore resoluing to maime the English faction vpon any termes how base soeuer sends Duke Philip a blanke bids him therin to prescribe his owne conditions and demands he did so and his Conditions were so vnreasonable and so many euen a great volume full saith a French man as it is strange so great a Monarch should stoope so much to his subiect and vâ—…ssall but that necessity hath no law They ioine hereupon most firmely and the Duke a man wholy transported by profite declares himselfe a publike enemie to all the enemies of King Charles and friend to all his friends This was the first parting stroke which seuered the French Dominions from the English Soueraignty the euent declared that the English had done more wisely if they had accepted Normandy and Guyen but as the case stood then they could not in honour doe it and Councels are not to bee measured by euents for so the most foolish may sometimes passe for prudent King Henry not onely lost now hereby a most needfull friend but was compelled to relie vpon his single strengthes aswell against King Charles his naturall enemie as against the Duke of Burgundie who plainely seemed to haue betrayed the cause To set a glosse vpon this fact the Duke dispatcheth Ambassadors into England to King Henry who as Aemylius erroneously saith was present at this treaty of Arras to make known the reasons of his peace with King Charles and to perswade the King to entertaine the same This Ambassage was so odious to the English that they forbare not to call the Duke a deceitfull man a turn-seruer a periured person and a Traitor 24 The popular hatred also was such against the Dukes Subiects resiant in London that they were beaten and slaine many of them before the furie thereof could be stayed by Proclamation The Ambassadors returne with honest admonitions to their Master against which his eares and senses were strongly mured for King Charles had set about them as it were a Barricado of royalties priuiledges honours money Cities Townes and whole Prouinces which he confirmed to the Duke onely to withdraw him from vs. The whole Counties of Aâ—… Erre Ponthieu Bolein Artois the towne of Abbâ—…lle and other lands the Cities and Townes in Picardy vpon the water of Soâ—…e Amiens Corbie Perâ—…n S. Quintin but these last as it were in gage till foure hundreth thousand Crownes were satisfied Briefly what not the Charity of King Charles was so feruent to make the Duke of Burgundy a true Frenchman once againe hee paide so deare for it that wee may thinke him worthy to obtaine his desire yet was it worth his cost for Aemylius saith most truly that the ceasing of that indignation did redeeme the French from a forraine gouernment as the first assuming thereof had made the English Lords ouer France But howsoeuer the high and iust displeasure which this Prince tooke for the wicked murther of his father aboundantly satisfied-for by this treatie moued him first to embrace the English amity hee afterward most subtilely conuerted the reuenge by way of taking amends to the enlargement of his proper riches power and amplitude After his Ambassadors returned hee sends backe all contracts to the Duke of Bedford at Paris and renounceth the alliance of England with a watch-word that euery one should looke to himselfe 25 Each man hereupon saith Serres sharpens his sword and scoures his Armes to recouer that by force which they could not obtaine by reason Serres might better haue said reasoning All things certainly fauoured the French designes for this was the generall estate of the English affaires King Henry scarce out of his Child-hood and when he came to mans age not Man enough to manage so turbulent occurrents the Princes of the blood weakely vnited in loue for the common good the Protector vigilant ouer England the Regent carefull for France but both priuately enuied Richard Duke of Yorke whose strenghts daily increased which in time he meant nothing lesse then to vse for the benefit of King Henry ambitiously reseruing himselfe for a deare day most of the great warriours slaine and in briefe a great inability for want of a Soule willing and fit to looke so sterne and dismall aduentures in the face through the whole body of the English forces which though otherwise they might haue lingred out the warre and kept their footing yet the death of the great Duke of Bedford Regent of France doubled the difficulty or rather the impossibility In taking this triumphant Peere away God made it manifest that he held the English vnworthy and vnfit to continue their Empire among the French any longer This Prince not long after this reuolt of Duke Philip died at Paris vncertaine to some whether through griefe of the euils he foresaw or other malady But the Analogy and colour of his whole former life doth contradict their conceit who think that such a grief should determine his daies because it could not but proceed from a kind of feare and despaire an humor absolutely opposite to Magnanimitie wherein hee abounded How mighty a Prince he was this his style sheweth Regent of France Duke of Bedford Alanson and Aniou Earle of Maine Richmond and Kendale and Constable of England But which excelleth his greatnes he was one of the best Patriots and Generals that euer blossomed out of the roiall Rosiar of England His valour was not more terrible to the enemy then his memory honorable For doubtfull whether with more glorie to him then to the speaker Lewis the eleuenth being afterwards counselled by certaine enuious persons to demolish and deface his stately Tombe wherein with him * saith one was buried all the Englishmens good fortune in France which was erected ouer his body in the Northside of the high Altar in our Ladies Church at Roan vsed these indeed most Princely words 26 What honor shall it be to vs or you to breake this Monument and to pull out of the ground the bones of him dead whom in his life-time neither my father
so sharpe teeth nor so full engorgement as before Townes and people are taken on both sides The Countie of Amiens was spoiled by the English Lords Willoughby and Talbot The Regent and the Duke of Sommerset march into Angiou where they charged their carriages with much spoile and returned Then the Duke of Sommerset seuers himselfe and doth sundry exploits in and about Britaine Diep in Normandy being besieged was rescued by the Dolphin of France to our losse The contemplation of these mutuall violences touched all Christendome for the Turke common enemie thereof encreased Ambassadors are sent from all parts to determine these bloody differences William de la Pole Earle of Suffolke was chiefe for the English A truce was hereupon taken for eighteene months between King Henry and King Charles and an hope of perpetuall amity weakely grounded vpon a match which the Earle of Suffolke contracted for King Henry with Margaret the daughter of Renate titulary King of Sicile Naples and Ierusalem Duke of Angiou and Lorrain Prince of the blood To effect this the Earle couenanted that the English should abandon the possession of Angiou and Main to her father A strange purchase of a wife who though shee brought youth beauty and hope of a perpetuall peace with France the more profitable opportunity whereof the English had more brauely then happily neglected yet was shee otherwise without portion The Earle notwithstanding whose drift herein could not be without manifest ambition to make himselfe one of the greatest of England by this gratification of the French with his Masters charge and dishonour is not abashed to expect publike thanks for this high seruice and an whole fifteene for the charge of her transportation Sundry Lords of Councell and the King himselfe thought him worthy and according to his deuise and ouerture the whole affaire was carried Suffolke made Marquesse is sent ouer with many honorable persons both men and women to conduct the faire and goodly but most vnfortunate and fatall Bride into England Polydore giues vs no vnfitting Character of this Lady Shee was prouident enough very desirous of glory abounding in discourse counsell gracious behauiour and manly courage but not free from womens humour which saith he is vsually vehement and apt to change In England ye may easily suppose that shee was most roially entertained Humfrey Duke of Gloucester among others meeting her with a traine of fiue hundred horsemen in a liuery that worthy Poet Iohn Lydgate Monke of Burie deuising the speeches for such gratulatory triumphs as were made at her entrance into London The King being married lawfully enioyes her embracements from which he was often afterward violently separated by the miseries of a most crueil warre wherein shee had her piteous portion Suffolke in the meane time hauing the most assured fauour of the Queen pursues his ambitious purposes Shee in the meane time was solemnly Crowned Queene of England at Westminster vpon the thirtieth of May. 39 Would to God it stood now with the quality of this argument to turne our eies from the view of those actions which ensued for here the mournefull tragedies of our poore Countrey began But we cannot but open those olde and most execrable sores that in their example all true English blood may the rather be tender ouer their bowels beholding such effects as the diuell and all the furies of hell were by Gods seuere permission Actors in Fabian giues vs the causes and contents of those effects in these graue and few words 40 It appeareth that God was not pleased with that marriage For after this day the fortune of the world began to fall from the King so that he lost his friends in England and his reuenues in France For shortly after all was ruled by the Queene and her Counsell to the great disprofit of the King and his Realme and to the great mauger it is Fabians word and obloquie of the Queene who as since hath beene well proued had many a wrong and false report made of her All which miserie fell for BREAKING OF THE PROMISE made by the King vnto the Earle of Armenacks* daughter as most writers agree Which misery in this Story shall some-deale appear by the loosing of Normandy as all things else except Callais which the English held in France the diuision of the Lords within this Realme the rebellion of the comminalty against their Prince and Soueraigne and finally the King deposed and the Queene with the Prince faine to flee the land and lost the rule thereof for euer Thus he but all this farre short of the euils that were the brood and ofspring of the following times The Parliament in the meane time grants aides of money that vpon expiration of the truce there might bee present abilities to maintaine warre The Duke of Yorke is reuoked and the Duke of Sommerset in an euill houre is sent in his place with such prouisions as were reputed competent 41 Humfrey the renowned Duke of Gloucester Lord Protector felt the first stroke of the euill Angell which was sent to punish England and to roote out her Nobles This Duke was much hated of the Queene and her faction as the onely man who by his prudence as also by the honor and authoritie of his birth and place seemed to empeach that soueraigne command which they pretended to settle in the Kings owne person but meant indeed as the manner is vnder soft Princes to reigne themselus in anothers name Many great Lords were drawne on at the time of a Parliament then holden at Saint Edmunds Bury to concurre for his ruine not perceiuing that thereby they pluckt vp the floodgate at which the Duke of Yorke entered ouerwhelming all of them in a deluge of blood Whether they had any true or iust feare of Gloucester himselfe least perhaps he should take reuenge vpon some particular persons among them is doubtfull though it be probable enough that they had Heare some things that forewent this Parliament About fiue or sixe yeers before the Dutchesse of Gloucester Eleanor was conuented for witchcraft and sorcerie and afterward endited of treason in the Guild-Hall in London before the Earles of Huntington Stafford Suffolke and Northumberland and certaine Lords as Faâ—…hope and Hungerford with others and Iudges of both benches of which crimes shee was appealed by one Bâ—…lingbrook an Astronomer and Thomas Southwell a Chanon which Southwell was charged to haue said Masses ouer certaine instruments by which the Astronomer should practise Necromancy against the life of the King These being taken accused her as accessarie shee hauing desired the helpe of their Art to know what would befall her Some part hereof shee confessed for which shee was put to publike and solemne penance in London vpon three seueral daies with wonderfull shame to her person and after shee was committed to perpetuall prison vnder the ward of Sir Thomas Stanley in the Castle of Chester but from thence remoued
to Kenelworth Her pride falshood auarice and lechery were causes of her confusion saith Stow who hath set forth that businesse very diligently though not seeming to attribute much credit to that accusation of treason The Duke of Glocester her vnhappy Lord and husband whom shee by loue-cups and enchantments was said to haue enucigled vsing therein one Margerie Gurdmain a witch of Ey in Suffolke who was burnt in Smithfield stung with this reproach might reasonably be thought not vnwilling to doe somewhat Howsoeuer that was his destruction borrowed countenance from that opinion The Duke therefore being come to attend in this Parliament at Burie was arrested of high treason by Iohn Lord Beaumont high Constable of England the Dukes of Buckingham and Sommerset with others Certaine of the Kings houshold were appointed to guard him Not long after he was found dead His body was shewed to the Lords and Commons as if he had died of a palsey or an aposteme Of thirty and two of his seruants which were attached Sir Roger Chamberlaine Knight Richard Middleton Thomas Herbert Arthur Tursey Esquires and Richard Nedham Gentleman were condemned of high treason and had this vnexampled punishment They were drawne from the Tower to Tiburn hanged let down quick stript naked marked with a knife to be quartered and then a Charter of pardon shewed for their liues by the Marquesse of Suffolke But the yeoman of the Crowne had their liuelihood the executioner their cloathes Their pardons were thus obtained by the earnest diligence of Doctor Gilbert Worthington a famous preacher parson of S. Andrewes in Holborne Thomas Wilde Esquire the Dukes seruant also being condemned and pardoned among other had for a preamble in his letters patents words importing that hee had beene one among many other traitours against the King with Humfrey Duke of Gloucester who went about and practised to deliuer Eleanour late wife to the Duke from out of prison for which purpose he had gathered a great power and number of men to come to the Parliament at Berie there to haue contriued the Kings destruction 42 Such was the end of this great Prince who notwithstanding this open shewing of his body and these pretended crimes was by the people of England thought to be doublie murthered by detraction and deadly practise He was not only a true louer of learned men but himselfe also learned and saith our Author a father of his Countrey His maine opinion concerning the gouernment of King Henries French dominions was as mainely opposed by the Cardinall of Winchester and others who altogether perswaded Peace to which the noble Duke standing precisely vpon the honor and Maiesty of the English name was an absolute enemie From this troubled fountaine of diuided Councell many following blacke aduentures did flow The Duke thus brought to his end goodmen saith Polydore fearfull of their owne safeties did of their owne accord forsake the Court into whose roomes many succeeded who for the more part looking how to rise in dignity made open an easie way for new factions The Cardinall of Winchester the other halfe-arch of the Kingdome ouerliued not the Duke aboue fifteene or sixteene daies The whole frame of gouernment was thus drawne to repose it selfe vpon the Queene and such fauourites as the King by her commendation the rather liked 43 The Marquesse of Suffolke prime man in grace was created Duke which made him a more conspicuous marke of enuie then that any shadow of the King or Queene could shelter or protect After the Cardinals death the affaires in France where Sommerset was now Regent wereneither duelâ—…e looked vnto nor the gouernours of the Countrey well aduised But the King and Realme of England lay much more then France open to the ineuitable deepe and pernicious conspiracies of Richard Duke of Yorke Hee by the error of King Henry and the euill starres of our Countrey being of himselfe a great Prince and growne stronger by affected popularitie perceiuing the King to be a Ruler and not to Rule began secretlie to allure his friends of the Nobilitie and priuily declared to them his title to the Crowne as likewise he did to certaine Gouernors of Cities and townes which attempt was so politickly and closely carried that his prouision was readie before his purpose was opened The very state of things inuited this fatall conspiracie a milder King then England was worthy of a Councell out of fauour with the people manifold losses and dishonours abroad a turbulent and iealous condition of things at home Of all which and much more the Duke of Yorke hauing King Henrie the fourth the enemie of his house for a perillous example made his pretious vse cherishing the popular auersions without seeking to redresse any euils but representing them worse then they were thereby to ripen that breach of loialty in the hearts of men which his ambition wrought vpon His displacement from the Regency of France did not a little perhaps offend him at first because the Duke of Sommerset got it ouer his head but it will not be long before Sommersets euill carriage of that trust and the declining fortune of England will giue him occasion to reioice at the foile of his dreaded enemy Let vs not be long in the rehearsall of the publike shame and dammage of our nation 44 During the truce betweene England and France one Sir Francis Surien an Arragonois Knight of the Garter seruing vnder the Regent vnlawfullie surprized Fougers a towne of Britaine vpon the confines of Normandy Restitution is demanded The Duke of Sommerset a proud man saith Serres who thinking to dâ—…e better then the rest did absolutely ruine the English affaires contrary to good discipline cherishing his souldiers in their riots and disorders neglected the iustice of nations in that point The French make this their example and surprize Port del ' Arch and towne after towne so many and so fast that King Charles who that he might haue God on his side and wrong on his enemies conteined himselfe with great modesty till he saw all quiet restitution desperate recouered Roan Caen and all Normandie within a short space after 45 Thus Sommerset and the English are compelled to quit Normandy not only inglorious but also in England it selfe vncommiserated The next maine parcell of the English inheritance beyond our Ocean was Gascoigne King Charles and his people desirous against plaine right to make all that theirs whatsoeuer was comprehended within the French language inuaded that Dutchie also and within verie few yeeres after the fortune of warre and disloialty of the people euery where fauouring them extorted the same out of the English-mens possession after it had continued theirs about two hundreth fourescore and nine yeeres to the immortall dishonour and dammage of our nation The Duke of Yorke in the meane time who thirsted for the Crowne of England hath occasion ministred to impe more feathers into
their entrie was barred runne furiously to armes Cade endeauors to open his way by force but in despight of all his power the Citizens made good defended London-bridge against him though with the losse of many valiant and honest men for the conflict endured all night till nine in the morning Among such as were slaine on the Kings side were Iohn Sutton Alderman Mathew Gowgh himselfe and Robert Heysand Citizen This Gowgh an Esquire of Wales was a man of excellent vertue manhood and zeale to his Country and of great renown in the warre of France where he had serued with speciall commendations faithfully for the space of aboue twenty yeeres His deserts at this time deserued a Statue in the City for whose safety hee spent his last bloud To giue a quicke end to these miseries impunity is proclaimed for all offenders and sent to them in the Kings name by the Archbishoppe of Canterbury Lord Chancellour vnder the great Seale of England the rebels are scattred with this assurance of their safeties and euery man retires in peace from following so pestilent an Impostor A thousand Markes when Cade afterward attempted new troubles are promised to him who kils or takes this counterfeit Mortimer Alexander Eden a Gentleman of Kent had the happinesse to discouer and kill him at Hothfield in that County his wretched carkase was brought to London where his false head was set sentinell vpon London-bridge and his quarters were aduanced for terrour in seuerall parts of Kent There died also by the stroke of iustice twenty and sixe more whereof eight were executed at Canterbury and the rest elsewhere in Kent and Sussex The multitude it selfe came naked in their shirts to the King on Blacke-heath humbly praying mercy which they obtained 54 The Kentish rebellion thus pacified farre greater and farre more dangerous troubles ensued as it fareth in humane bodies which relapsing into sickenesses are shaken so much the more terribly These troubles had their fountaine and mediate Originall from Richard Duke of Yorke no degenerous sonne of that Richard whom King Henry the fifth had created Earle of Cambridge and enriched with much wealth honoring him aboue others in regard of his blood and parentage but no bountie nor benefits could change a treacherous disposition for as you haue heard before he conspired to murther his benefactor King Henry the fifth as the Duke of Yorke his true progenie labored to depose this King Henrie his aduancer The humors of the popular body were in the last commotion not obscurely discouered The Common weale had perhaps some few enormities through the abuse of Magistrates and men in place but yet such as the maladie was infinitely lesse pernicious then the remedy Vpon this intelligence the Duke comes sodeinely out of Ireland and to begin his vsurped censureship and dictature apprehends Iohn Sutton Lord Dudley Reignald Abbot of Saint Peters at Glastenbury and another whom he imprisoneth within his Castle of Ludlow Intollerable beginnings of more intollerable sequele Edmund Duke of Sommerset was the man who after Suffolks death most supported the Kings side by his vigilancie caresdangers and good Counsels endeuouring by all meanes to cleare the Realme from factions and to preserue the King and state in quiet 55 Yorke seeing this doth find that Suffolke perished in vaine if Sommerset held like grace against whose person he had a particular pretence of quarrell for that the City of Caen in Normandy which was the Duke of Yorkes charge was rendred vp to the French by him when the English affaires grew desperate in those parts Sir Dauid Hall Knight being at that time Captaine there for his Lord and Master the Duke of Yorke and not allowing it although the renowned Talbot himselfe was present at the render and became an hostage for performance of the Capitulations Yorke hereupon consults with his speciall friends Richard Earle of Salisbury and Richard his son who was afterward that most seditious great fighting Earle of Warwicke Thomas Courtney Earle of Deuonshire Edmund Brooke Lord Cobham and others how Yorke might get the Crowne of England and for that cause how to ruine or fret out the Duke of Sommerset who standing they were to looke for strong opposition In the end they conclude to take armes but yet to smother the mention of the Duke of Yorkes title giuing out to the world for the reason of their doings that they meant all honour and obedience to King Henry and only to remoue certaine bad men from about his person who afflicted the people and made a pray of the Common-wealth which to gaine the more credit and to blind the good King the subtile Duke declares by Proclamation wherein thus speaketh that Ambitious Hypocrite God knoweth from whom no thing is hid I am haue beene and euer will be his true liege man c. And to the very proofe it is so I offer my selfe to sweare that on the blessed Sacrament and receiue it the which I hope shall be my saluation at the day of doome c. In that it was the euill hap of the Duke of Sommerset that Normandy was lost during his Regencie his enemies had the more commoditie to incommodate him with the people who forbare not at his returne to offer to him sundry dishonours and iniuries till vpon paine of death they were restrained for breach of which Proclamation one had his head cut off in West Cheap London 56 The King notwithstanding all his Cosens arts and dissimulations seeing the hooke through the baite and the snake through the grasse by the aduise of his trusty friends chiefly of Edmund Duke of Sommerset thinkes not fit to relie vpon his enemies good nature but hauing a strong power and store of honorable men to conduct them he marcheth toward Wales against the Duke The King did herein wisely but not so much as the cause required Yorke hauing notice of the Kings approach turnes aside and with all speed marcheth toward London That City the vaine hope of all Rebellions would not harken Thereupon he slides with his people into Kent the nest of his hopes and at Brent-heath neere Dertford a towne about twelue miles from London encampeth meaning to fight The King is not slow but leauing his march toward Wales pitcheth vp his roiall pauilion vpon Black-Heath with a purpose to teach his cosen of Yorke more duty Behold the fortune of England God puts an excellent opportunity into the Kings hands of tearing vp the danger of his house by the rootes for the Duke was farre inferiour in numbers Such therefore as secretly fauoured him fearing his ouerthrow were willing to aduise a reconcilement Messengers goe betweene the hosts The Duke in his wonted manner pretends loialtie and particular iniuries as that the Kings seruants Sir Iohn I albot at Holt Castell Sir Thomas Stanley in Cheshire and others in other places were set to harken vpon him That by two
meant nothing vnto him but good faith vpon the morrow ride to London where in Iuly immediately following a Parliament is holden in King Henries name The fore-runner whereof was a Comet or blazing starre which appeared in the moneth of Iune the beams whereof extended themselues into the south The first popular act of this assembly was to restore the memory of Humfrey Duke of Glocester to honour declaring him to haue beene a true subiect to the King and Realme 65 The next prouisions which the Yorkists made were for themselues and their owne security willing and commanding that the Duke of Yorke his partakers should incur no blame by reason of the iourney at Saint Albans the whole fault whereof was laid vpon the dead Duke of Sommerset the Lord Chiefe Baron and one William Ioseph Esquier who say they kept from the King a pacificatory letter which the Duke of Yorke had sent It is a wonder and a shame to reade how officiously these violent Lords meaning nothing lesse behaued themselues to the King of whose maiesty they will needs seeme to be the onely Champions and conseruators The Duke of Yorke in the same Parliament creates himselfe Protector of England the Earle of Salisbury is made Lord Chancellour and the Earle of Warwicke his sonne Captaine of Caleis they spared as yet to touch King Henries life because the people did wonderfully honour esteeme and reuerence him for his singular holinesse and for that he had great friends left aliue and a sonne In the meane space that they might without trouble and at their pleasure vncrowne or kill him they by little and little displaced the ancient Counsellors and substituted their ass◅ed fauourites Another Act of that absolute force and fraud which they exercised in this dreadfull perturbation of all things was the drawing of Ionn Holland Duke of Excester out of Sanctuarie at Westminster conuaying him to Pomfret Castle in the North. 66 Henry Beauford Duke of Sommerset sonne of the former the Duke of Buckingham whose sonne and heire the Earle of Stafford was slaine at S. Albans and other the Kings friends perceiuing whereunto this faire shew tended consult with the Queene at Greenewich concerning her husbands danger and how to preuent it Hereupon the Duke of Yorke is displaced from the Protectorship a ridiculous title to be assumed where the king was aged about fiue and thirtie and had no other fault or vnfitnes but that he was too good to liue among them The Earle of Salisbury was also depriued of his Lord Chancellorship 67 The King hauing thus recouered his dignity and authoritie but not sufficient meanes to suppresse his dangers the French take courage at our intestine diuisions and landing at Sandwich with fifteene thousand men part of their forces they kill the Maior Bailifs and other Officers of that Towne with sundrie Gentlemen of the Countrey spoile all they could lay hand vpon and among all they rob two great vessels laden with merchandise which lay there bound for London and departed Another part of them burnes Foway and certaine other townes in Deuonshire On the other side the Scots hostillie entred into Northumberland but vpon notice that the Duke of Yorke approached with a power they returned hauing not as yet done any great harme 68 These indignities and losses might haue vnited the disioined affections of true English hearts which was greatly desired by such as loued their Countrey For which purpose the King Queene and their chiefe friends being at Couentrie the Duke of Yorke the Earles of Salisbury and Warwicke are sent for by the Kings letters vnder his priuie Seale to giue their attendance whither they come but they either warned of some plot contriued against them or fearing it or faining to feare sodeinely leaue the Court without leaue the Duke departing to Wigmore in the Welsh marches the Earle of Salisburie to his Castell of Midleham in the North-Countrey and the Earle of Warwicke to Calleis whose bodies though thus diuided their mindes continued most firmely factionated But the King a patterne of Christian goodnes being tender ouer the generall estate of his Countrey and wonderfully desirous to reconcile differences among his subiects that they might the better withstand their imminent forrein enemies returnes to London there to consult how to effect his holy wishes The great Lords are perswaded to meere there which they did but yet not without store of followers for the Duke brought with him foure hundred men the Earle of Salisburie fiue hundreth the Earle of Warwicke sixe hundreth The Dukes of Excester and Sommerset eight hundreth the Earle of Northumberland the Lords Egremond and Clifford fifteene hundreth This was the fashion of that swording age 69 In March the king and Queene with a very roiall company alight at Westminster to accomplish if it were possible this charitable and necessary worke of attonement and reconciliation Godfrey Bolein was at that time Lord Maior of London being the ancestor of two renowned and vertuous Queenes of England Anne second wife to King Henry the eight and Elizabeth their daughter through whose great vigilancie and prouidence the City stood so well guarded that the Kings peace was dutifullie kept notwithstanding the great Lords of both the factions Yorkists and Lancastrians were with so great troupes of followers lodged within and about the same for during the whole time of their abode he had fiue thousand Citizens in Harnesse himselfe riding daily about the City and suburbs to see the publike quiet preserued and for the night watch there were assigned to three Aldermen two thousand corslet-men 69 During this watch a great Councell was holden by the King and Lords where at length by the diligent trauaile good exhortation and prudent aduise of the Archbishoppe of Canterbury and of other learned and godly Prelates the parties offended were induced to a communication and afterward to a finall accord the points whereof considering they held so short a while for as one saith truly the dissimuled loue day hung but by a small threed it were friuolous to dwell in their rehearsall The King himselfe a singular testimonie of the opinion which all parties had of his integritie was whole arbitrator of their differences Certaine satisfactions were awarded to be made by the Duke of Yorke with the Earles of Warwicke and Salisbury for the death of Edmund Duke of Sommerset and others slaine at S. Albans And the same Duke of Sommerset the Earle of Northumberland and Lord Clifford slaine in that battell by the Yorkists are declared for true liegemen to the King at the day of their deathes aswell as the Duke of Yorke the Earles of Warwicke and Salisburie So both parts stand iustifide and recti in curia Many other articles and awards were made to solder and glue together their alienated harts and affections The reioicement caused by this seeming peace which on the behalf of the kings persō was
he had created Earle of Pembrooke to be his Generall in the North who partly to deserue the Kings liberality in aduancing him to such honour and partly in emulation he bare toward Warwicke being the sole obstacle as he tooke it why he obtained not the wardship of the Lord Bonuils daughter and heire for his eldest sonne did not a little reioice of that his imploiment And therefore accompanied with Sir Richard Herbert his brother and eighteene thousand well furnished Welshmen marched towards the enemie and after him was sent Humfrey Lord Stafford with sixe thousand Archers to second him in his warres These Lords meeting together â—…ad notice by espials that the Northern made forwards towards Northampton to intercept whom the Lord Stafford lately made Earle of Deuonshire was imploied and Sir Richard Herbert who with two thousand horse laid themselues couertly by the side of a wood and sodeinely set vpon the rereward the rest hauing passed but the Northern verie nimbly turned about and bad the Welshmen such welcome as few of them returned to tell of their entertainement 33 The King vnderstanding of this hard beginning mustred his subeicts on euerie side intending to cope with the Northern himselfe And Earle Warwicke as forward to forward his fortunes gathered his friends with purpose to encounter with Pembrooke and his Welsh But before any supplies came to either of both it chanced the Armies to meete at vnawares vpon a faire plaine called Danes more neere to the Towne Hedgecot three miles from Banburie and presently fell to a bickering wherein Sir Henrie Neuill Knight sonne of the Lord Latimer vpon a lusty courage venturing somewhat too farre was taken prisoner and notwithstanding he yeelded himselfe to his Takers was cruelly slaine which vnmartiall act rested not long vnrepaied with the losse of most of the Welsh the next day For the field withdrawne the Lord Stafford repaired to Banberie and there tooke his lodging where his affections were much enamoured vpon a faire damsell in the Inne But the Earle of Pembrooke comming to the same Towne tooke into the same Inne and commanded the Lord Stafford to prouide him elsewhere contrary to their agreements made before whereat Stafford was displeased and departing thence with his whole Band left the Earle naked of men in the Towne and disabled the field of the Archers whereby the day was lost vpon the kings part for which he shortly lost his owne head 34 The Northern enflamed for the death of young Neuill the next morning most valiantly set vpon the Welshmen and by the force of Archers draue them from their ground of aduantage which Pembrooke wanting supplied with his owne prowesse and Richard his brother with his Pollaxe twice made way through the battell of the Northern without anie mortall or deadly wound so that by their valours it was verily supposed the field had beene wonne had not Iohn Clappam an Esquire and seruant to Warwicke displaied his Lords Colours with his white-beare and from an eminent place cried a Warwicke a Warwicke whereat the Welsh were so terrified as they turned and fied leauing their General and his brother alone in the field who valiantly figh ting were incompassed and taken with the 〈◊〉 of fiue thousand of their men The Earle with hâ—… brother Sir Richard Herbert were brought to Banbery where with ten other Gentlemen they lost their heads Conyers and Clappam being their Iudges 35 This second victory thus got and the Northern now fleshed vnder the leading of Robbin of Riddisdale hasted to the Kings mannor of Grafton where the Earle Riuers father to the Queene then lay whom with his sonne Iohn they sodeinely surprized and in Northampton strucke off their heads without any iudgement The deathes of these Lords the King greatly lamented and sought to reuenge first therefore writing his Commissions for the apprehension of Lord Humfrey Stafford of Southwicke who by diligent search was found at Brentmarch and beheaded at Bridgewater as he worthily deserued next he prepared a mighty Armie and with the same marched towardes Warwicke his company increasing euer as he went 36 King Edward set downe his tents at Wolney foure miles from Warwicke where the Duke and the Earle of Warwickes host lay readie for Battell but by the mediation of friends a peace was intreated and letters written from either parties expressing the griefes and wrongs sustained with proffers of redresse in amending all and in shew so farre it proceeded as the King conceiuing a certaine hope of peace rested secure not fearing any foule-play which politique Warwicke by his spiall perceiuing thought it not wisdome to loose the aduantage and thereupon in the dead of the night with a selected Company he entred the Kings Camp killing them that kept the watch tooke the king in his bed and brought him his prisoner to his Castle of Warwicke and thence by easie iourneys in the night had him conueyed to Midelham Castle in Yorkeshire not farre from Richmond where vnder the custody of his brother George Neuill Archishop of Yorke hee was reteined 37 His vsage was Princely and according to his estate which he often acknowledged to the Archbishop with all kind thankes and complements of wordes whereby he wrought himselfe into such trust and fauour as he had the Forrests to hunt in and the parkes for his pleasure whose pales are well knowne vnsufficient wals to pen the lyon in as appeared by this King who being abroad and on hunting Sir VVilliam Stanly with Sir Thomas Burgh brought him fresh horse and such a crew of followers that his keepers more feared their owne liues then were forward to force him backe againe to prison and so let the game goe without further chase King Edward thus escaped VVarwicke like a wild man furiously raged but seeing no remedy made vse of necessity and gaue forth that himselfe so caused it hauing power to make Kings and to vnmake them againe 38 The King forthwith repaired to Yorke where with great honour hee was ioifully receiued and abode certaine daies which made him well hope of a further supply of friends and men but fayling thereof and fearing the Archbishops pursuite with a small traine he posted to Lancaster where he found the Lord Hastings his Chamberlaine well accompanied for his Conuey his spirits then reuiued and traine daily increasing with speedie iourneyes hee came vnto London where all his studies and consultations were how to be reuenged vpon these disloiall Lords his brother and Earle VVarwicke and they againe fretting at the Archbishoppes follie sought to make stronger their factions against the King 39 The Land thus rent by these vnnaturall diuisions and no estate sure to enioy what was theirs the Nobles anew began to sollicite the parties vnto a Peace hauing first obtained libertie to post to and fro without their impeachments and so effectually laid downe the state of the Land whose ruines now
a damsell belonging as shee said to the Dutches of Clarence who signified vnto Monsieur Vawclere that shee came from King Edward with a declaration of peace which hee fearing to impart the conditions to other had made her the instrument the better to passe without any suspect and he glad to heare for the Earles sake whom he entirely affected gaue her his safe conduct vnto the Duke of Clarence then at Amboys where hauing priuate accesse vnto him shee told that it was neither naturall nor honourable for him to take part against the house of Yorke that the house of Lancaster was not onely by the whole Court of Parliament debarred to bee the indubitate Heire of the Kingdome but that K. Henrie himselfe had discharged his Issue from claime as it standeth said she vpon Record to be seene contrary to which as he might well perceiue this marriage of Prince Edward with the Earles daughter did onely aime and intend to the vtter extinct of the house of Yorke whereof himselfe was one and in neere possibility of the Crowne Edwards Issue young and not many and the King very wanton a sinne commonly punished with want of posterity which if it so chanced then hee or his were the next These reasons wayed so ouer-wayed the Dukes further designes that hee promised thereafter a more brotherlike affection as saide hee Edward should find with which good newes shee returned into England Warwicke vtterly ignorant what was said or done 47 All now in a readinesse for the return ships money and men supplied by the French King the Admirall of France was sent to secure them from the Duke of Burgundies Fleet which with an extraordinary number and power lay in the mouth of Seyne to fight with Warwicke when he should loose out of Harborow but see how the heauens fauoured and frowned vpon the parties for the night before they should hoise saile such a stormy tempest tooke the Dukes Fleete lying more remote from the Lee that they were scattered asunder some into Scotland some into Denmarke and many of them drowned But the Seas calmed and the wind seruing faire the English set saile and landed at Dartmouth whence they had shipped into France almost six moneths before 48 King Edward relying vpon Burgundy abroad and thinking all friends who fawned at home gaue himselfe daily to follow the hound and the hawke and nightly to his court pleasures in dancings and daliances with damsels little minding their approach that meant to marre his mirth for Warwicke now landed proclaimed King Henry commanding all from sixteene to sixty vpon a great penalty to take Armes against Edward Duke of Yorke the most vniust vsurper of Henries rightfull Crowne and vncredible it was to see the confluence of them which came armed to him who ere-while applauded approued none but King Edward Thus making towards London his company daily encreased which the youthfull King seemed little to regard but verily supposing hee had now Warwicke in his trappe wrote to Burgundie to secure the seas lest he should escape againe into France and to his Lords of England to attend him in his wars but very many neglected his commaund and few or none made their repaire Which when Edward perceiued hee was strucke into a great feare and with his brother of Glocester the L. Hastings his Chamberlaine and the Lord Scales the Queenes brother hee hasted towards Nottingham there to determine what was to be done 49 In the mean while the bastard Faulconbridge in the west and the Earle of Pembroke in Wales euery where proclaimed King Henry and to forward the matter D. Godard preaching at Pauls Crosse declared by reading of Billes and diuers other proofes that King Henry was the vndoubted and true heire vnto the English Crowne Neither is the L. Montacute now the man that he was who hauing mustered sixe thousand in the name of King Edward and brought them forward almost to Nottingham on the sodaine drew backe his forces alleadging that Edward was vngratefull regardlesse of his friends as himselfe said himselfe was the example who hauing serued him in many bloudy battels was rewarded with a verball word Marquesse without any maintenance at al no not so much as Pyes poor nest therfore he had iust cause neuer to draw his sword in his quarrell any more and them that did hee assured them should receiue the like reward in the end 50 These with the like distastures diuulged among the rude multitude it was a world to see the face of this new World for in euery streete Bonfires were made in euery Church bels rung Ditties were sung at euery meeting and euery man cried K. Henry King Henry whose Eccho likewise redoubled a Warwicke a Warwicke and indeed all so applauded the passage now on foot as King Edward hearing the rumor thought it not safe any longer to stay therefore with those trusty Lords and some others hee fled from his hoast besides Nottingham passing the Washes towards Lynne with greater difficulties then was befitting a Prince to aduenture and thus without any order taken for his Realme in two Hulkes of Holland and one English shippe destitute of all necessary prouisions set sayle toward Burgundy and in the way was encountred by the Easterlings Englands great Enemies hauing much adoe to cleare himselfe from their surprise 51 In these times of misery the Queene whose marriage was the onely cause of all these stirres vpon the first of October had stolne out of the Tower and taken Sanctuary at Westminster where like a woman forsaken shee solitarily remained and on the fourth of Nouember following was deliuered of a sonne which without all pompe more like a priuate mans child then a Prince was there also baptized by the name of Edward who after his fathers death a while was King of England as shall be said other Sanctuaries were full of King Edwards friends that praied deuoutly for his prosperous health and well hoped the world would againe turne as shortly it did One King thus fled and the other in prison the Kentish whose conditions are mutable at the change of Princes came to seeke prey in London where they knew it was to bee had Ratcliffe S. Katherins and Southwarke they robbed and within the City did some hurt besides yea and surely more had done had not Earle Warwicke in good time come to the rescue which encreased his name that was great enough before 52 Earle Warwicke accompanied with his brother the Archbishoppe of Yorke the Prior of Saint Iohns the Duke of Clarence the Earle of Shrewsburie Bastard Faulconbridge Lord Stanley and other Gentlemen some for loue some for feare some to gaze at this wauering world vpon the sixt of October entred the Tower of London wherein King Henry had beene retained prisoner almost the space of nine yeeres and there again elected him for their lawfull King and
Needle both of them very short to supply her great wants This vnmercifull and almost vnhumane vsage was the more extremely followed for that Oxford himselfe his father and brother had euer sided with the Lancastrians And her selfe being sister vnto Richard Duke of Warwicke the Capitall obstacle against king Edwards proceedings was held either dangerous if her wealth ballanced her birth and estate or else vnworthy of his fauour whose good fortunes as was suggested shee euer maligned 86 But much more miserable was the estate of Lord Henry Holland Duke of Excester and Earle of Huntington who flourished so long as king Henries pillar stood crowned on his base and the Lancastrians of whose house himselfe was ouerswaid the times he being the sonne of Lady Elizabeth the second daughter of Iohn of Gaunt and hauing married the sister of Edward the then raigning King was notwithstanding driuen to such want as he may serue an example to all how vncertaine Adams sons are of any continuing greatnes For saith Philip Comines I once saw the Duke of Excester runne on foote bare legged after the Duke of Eurgundies traine begging his bread for Gods sake but he vttered not his name he being the neerest of the house of Lancaster and brother in law vnto King Edward and being knowne what he was Burgundy gaue him a small pension to maintaine his estate 87 But when King Henrie was againe restored the Title of the Crowne laid vpon the successe of Barnet-field this man Lord Henrie bare himselfe most brauely against king Edward and in fight was strucke downe and left for dead where in his bleeding woundes he lay most part of the day but yet recouering and got to Westminster he there tooke Sanctuary to saue his life for which he became Suiter vnto the king but his wife Lady Anne sister vnto king Edward sued as earnestly for a diuorce which with great instancy shee lastly obtained against him How he released himselfe from the wrath of the king is vncertaine and how he came by his death no man can tell for his body was found cast vpon the shoare of Kent as though he had perished by shipwracke vpon the Sea 88 Now Edward to finish all factions thought best to lop off both bough and branch that gaue any shadow to the Lancastrians designes to which end he rather picked then found occasion of treason in George Neuill Archbishop of Yorke whose goods lands and Lordships he seized vpon got possession of his rich plate and Iewels whereof one in his Miter was of such valew as the King caused it to be set in his Imperiall Crowne and the Archbishop to be sent ouer Sea to the Castle of Hames where he remained a Prisoner a long time after with no such curteous intertainement as himselfe had vsed to Edward when he was Prisoner 89 But the escape of Pembrooke and Earle Richmond troubled the King not a little the onely men now left to bandy against them and therefore were most followed with a suspicious eye In somuch as Edward wrote vnto the Duke of Britaine their receiuer with promises of heapes of gold to haue them sent backe and deliuered vnto his hands but the Duke that had giuen them his safetie before answered the English Ambassadors that it stood not with honour so to betray these distressed Princes fled to him for relief yet he faithfully vndertook that they should be so followed as King Edward should sleepe quiet from their molestations which being no better Edward notwithstanding made the best of it 90 All now in quiet and Edward raigning without any Competitor or malignant disturber caused a high Court of Parliament to be assembled at Westminster wherein he reestablished those Acts which Henrie had abrogated and abrogated those that were made against his fauourites at which season the Duke of Burgundie sent his Ambassadors vnto Edward crauing his aide against the French King which was the more willingly heard and granted as well for his fauors receiued of the Duke in time of his necessitie as for spleene against Lewis who had aided Warwicke 〈◊〉 dispossesse him of his Crowne And indeed this â—…s a sparke that was likely to set the hearts of the English on fire to recouer France lost by Henrie the last King 91 All things in a readinesse King Edward repaired to Douer and there embarked himselfe for Callis â—…with the greatest Army that euer from England set sailes into France for he had in his Companie fifteen hundred Noble-men and men at Armes all of them mounted and most of them barbed who with the Archers on horsebacke also made vp the number of fifteene thousand besides a great number of footemen and others to pitch Tents to attend the Artillerie and inclose their Campes Before the Kings departure from England he had sent Gartar King at Armes vnto King Lewis with a letter of defiance whose contents demanded no lesse then the whole Realme of France which if he refused â—…ee threatned to inuade his dominions with 〈◊〉 and sword 92 The letter receiued and read in secret by Lewis himselfe he priuately sent for and conferred with the Herald telling him that it was not Edward but Burgundy that raked abroad these dying sinders who as a man discomfited vnfurnished for warre would draw in the English by his slie dealings to their inestimable Charges to supply his defects that Burgundy being of the house of Lancaster hated most deadly the family of Yorke and more for feare then loue married Edwards sister As touching the Constable he told him though Edward had married his Neece yet hee would deceiue him as he had done his owne Master of France who had heaped manie and extraordinary benefits vpon him And lastly with the gift of three hundred Crownes and the promise of a thousand more he instigated the Herald to worke a peace Gartar very thankefullie tooke the French gold and counselled Lewis to send a Herault vnto his Master King Edward to demand a safe-conduct for conference and so openly rewarded with thirtie Elles of Crimson-veluet he departed 93 King Lewis nothing so pompous as other Princes are nor attended with Heraulds continually in his Court was therefore inforced vnto this present shift he caused a seruant of the Lord Hales to be arraied like an herauld in a trumpets banner and sent him in hast into King Edwards Camp where hauing audience he shewed the great desire the King his Master had of peace whose amity with England he had euer held excusing his receit of Warwicke with the necessity of time whom he aided not against Edward but against Burgundy who as he instantly alleaged had now drawne the English to this excessiue charges that he might thereby conclude a better composition for himselfe and to amend the broken state of his owne affaires lastly he desired that the King of England would grant a safe-conduct vnto the Ambassadors
of the French King his Master who should more fully informe his Maiestie and giue his safe-conduct for a further conference in these affaires and so wisely this counterfeit worded his message that the King and Nobles liked well the ouerture and thereupon granting a safe-conduct sent with him an English Herauld to receiue the like and other assignements from the French King 94 But when the Duke of Burgundy vnderstood that a peace was trauersed betwixt Edward Lewis he stormed not a little and with no small hast from Lutzenburgh accompanied with sixteene horse only came to his brother King Edward and in a great rage reproued him of breach of promise and vncourteous requitall of his former kindnes that thus would enter amity with his great foe and in outward semblance more ready to bite then to barke burst into these reproofes Haue you quoth hee brother passed the Seas entred France and without killing of a poore flie or burning of a silly Sheepecote taken a shamefull truce Oh S. George did Edward your noble Ancestor euer make Armie into France and returned without battell or Conquest That victorious Prince King Henry the fifth as neere of kinne vnto you as me whose blood you haue either rightfullie or wrongfully God knoweth extinguished and destroied with a small puissance conquered Normandy kept it and neuer would come to composition till he had the whole kingdome of France offrâ—…d him and was made heire apparant vnto that Crowne Contrariwise you without any thing done proffer of battell or gaine of honor haue now condiscended vnto a pâ—…ce as profitable for Englâ—… â—…s is a poore peascod haue I thinke you for my particular vse drawne the English forces into France which am able of my selfe to defend mine owne cause I tell you plainly no but rather to aid you to recouer your ancient Territories wrongfully withholden and that you shall wel know I need not your aide I will heare of no truce with the French till 〈◊〉 moneths after your arriâ—…ge in England at the least And â—…reupon furiously arising he threw downe the Chaire wherein he had sare and offred to depart 95 Nay stay brother Charles quoth K. Edward sith I with patience haue heard you speake what you would you shall now perforce heare from me what you would not First therefore for my thus entrance into France no man knoweth the occasion better then your selfe for mauger your owne great power you speake of you doe remember I know how the French King tooke from you the faire Towne Amiens and the strong Pile Saint Quintins with diuers other peeces which you neither durst nor were able either to rescue or defend since which time he hath gotten from you your best bosome friends and secret Counsellors so as your selfe stood in doubt determining to besiege Nusse whether the losse would be greater in your absence the French King waiting as a fox for his pray or gaine more in Germany by your power and presence and to keepe this wolfe from your fold was the principall cause why you so earnestly praied me and continually sollicited me to passe ouer the Seas promising mountaines but performing not a Mole-hill bragging a supply both of horse and foote but neuer sent me a hoofe nor a lackie Thinke you brother if wee had entred this enterprize in our owne quarrell we would haue expected your aide I assure you nothing lesse for if we had intended any such Conquest we would with Souldiers fire and sword haue so infected the aire with the flames and slaine of France as should haue annoied your Countreys of Flaunders and Brabant and giuen you leasure to sit still and tell of our euer atchieued great victories nothing doubting but to haue gotten and kept with like manhood and in as great glorie as any of our Ancestors before vs had done But the occasion of warre being yours and you wilfully I will not say cowardly neglecting the same I meane not to prosecute for â—…e French King neuer offended me nor my Subiects except in fauouring Warwicke against me nay I may say against you and now offreth such honorable ouertures of peace which I by Gods grace meane not to forsake but will obserue and keepe God send you ioy thereof quoth the Duke and so abruptly departed from the King 96 The peace thus resolued vpon betwixt the two kings of England and France the place appointed for conference was neere vnto Amiens and the parties assigned for the French were the Bastard of Bourbon Admirall of France the Lord S. Pierre and the Bishop of Eureux For the English were the Lord Howard Sir Thomas St. Leger and Doctor Mâ—…ton Lord Chancellor of England These meeting presentlie fell to a conclusion of peace the conditions whereof were That the French King should forthwith pay to the King of England seuenty two thousand Crownes That the Daulphin should marrie Lady Elizabeth King Edwards eldest daughter and that shee should haue for her maintenance the Dutchy of Guienâ—… or else fifty thousand Crownes yeerely to be paid in the Tower of London for nine yeeres space This peace was so acceptable to King Lewis as he sent sixteene thousand Crownes to bee distributed amongst the English Souldiers with plate and great presents to men of any sort indeed gaue them such entertainment in Amiens as was most bounteous whereof if any desire further to know let him read Comines vpon the same text 97 To graft which peace with a louing beginning the two Kings were desirous to see each others for which end Commissioners were sent to aâ—…gne the place and lastly agreed that the Tow ne 〈◊〉 about three leagues from Amiens seated in a bottome through which the Riâ—… Some ranne was the fittest ouer which a strong bridge was built and in the 〈◊〉 thereof a grate made ouer-thwart with barres no wider asunder then a man might well thrust in his Arme couered with boords ouer head to auoid the raine the bridge so broad that twelue might stand in a rancke on both sides 98 The day approched and the two Kings come to the place hee of France came first to the Grate accompanied with twelue personages as was the appointment wherof Iohn Duke of Bourbon and the Cardinall his brother were the chiefest King Edward entring the bridge on the other end with his brother the Duke of Clarence the Earle of Northumberland the Lord Hastings his Chamberlaine and the Lord Chancellor himselfe apparelled all in cloth of gold with a rich Iewell of precious stones in forme of a Flower de Luce aduanced forward and within fiue foote of the Grate put off his cap and bowed his knee within halfe a foote to the ground King Lewis as readily doing his likely reuerence vnto Edward Where after imbracements through 〈◊〉 Grate the Chancellour of England who was Prelate and Bishop of Ely made an eloquent and learned Oration which done he
threatning destruction if the match went not forward The Scottish Nobility considering the eminent danger put to death the wicked Counsellers of their King 〈◊〉 the Duke of Albany the Vicegerent of Scotland and promised to repay the money 〈◊〉 according to Couenants after which 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the strong Towne 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the English possession the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a generall 〈◊〉 was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 two 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with an 〈◊〉 Edâ—…burgh who had vndertaken to disburse the money to signifie King Edwards minde touching the marriage intended and to demand the said summe by a day assigned which accordingly was repaide 112 The marriage with Scotland thus broken off for the Lady Cicely by K. Edward himselfe that with France for the Princesse Elizabeth both he and his Queene greatly desired and daily sought after But Lewis the French King finding the daughter of Austrich more fit for his sonne dallied out Edward with shewes of firme faith till he had effected the thing he went about which musicke sounded so harshly in the English Kings eare as in no wise hee would suffer that string to be touched but euer beleeued that the French meant him faire play and although the yeeres of the parties themselues might beget some suspition shee being much elder then the Daulphin and the truth thereof confirmed by the Duke of Austriches Leger-Ambassadours residing in England yet Edward would not so much as suppose a suspect against the French King and therefore suffered Lewis to incroach vpon those parts of Picardie that ioyned to Callis and to gaine time till it was past recall for then the Lord Howard returning from France confidently told him that hee was present and saw the Lady Margaret of Austrich daughter to Duke Maximilian sonne to the Emperour Frederick receiued vnto France with great pompe royaltie and at Ambois contracted and espoused to the Daulphin 113 Edward mightily chafed to be thus worked by Lewis made great preparation for France but whether with anger griefe or melancholy hee fell into a dangerous and deadly sicknesse some say of a superfluous surfeit whereunto he was much giuen Commines saith of a Catarrhe which weake estate turned his minde another way for calling his Lords into his sicke presence and raising his faint body vpon his Bed-Pillowes these words vnto them hee lastly spake 114 My Lords my deare Kinsmen Allies in what plight I lie you see and I feele by which the lesse while I looke to liue with you the more deepely am I mooued to care in what case I leaue you for such as I leaue you such bee my children like to finde you Which if they should that God forbid finde you at variance might hap to fall themselues at warre ere their discretion would serue to set you at peace Yee see their youth of which I reckon the only surety to rest in your concord For it sufficeth not that all you loue them if each of you hate other If they were men your faithfulnesse happely would suffice but childhood must bee maintained by mens authoritie and slippery youth vnderpropped with elder counsell which neither they can haue vnlesse you giue it nor you giue it if you agree not For where each laboureth to breake that which the other maketh and through hatred of each others person impugneth each others counsel there must it needs be long or any good conclusion goe forward And while eyther party striueth to bee chiefe flatterie shall haue more play then plaine and faithfull aduise of which must needs insue the euill bringing vp of the Prince whose minde in tender youth infected shall readily fall to riot and mischiefe and draw downe with him his noble Realme vnto ruine but if grace turne him to wisdome which if God send then they that by euill meanes before pleased him best shall after fall furthest out of fauour so that euer at length euill drifts draw to nought and good plaine wayes prosper Great variance hath there long time beene betweene you not alwayes for great causes Somtime a thing right well intended our misconstructions turneth vnto worse or a small displeasure done vs either our own affections or euill tongues agreeueth But this woâ—… I well ye neuer had so great cause of hatred as you haue of loue That we be all men that wee be Christian men this shall I leaue for Preachers to tell you and yet I wot nere whether any Preachers words ought more to moue you then his that is by and by going to the place that they all preach of But this I shall desire you to remember that the one part of you is of my bloud the other of my Allies and each of you with other either of kinred or affinitie which spirituall kindred of affinitie if the Sacraments of Christs Church beare that weight with vs that would to God they did should no lesse moue vs to charitie then the respect of fleshly consanguinitie Our Lord forbid that you loue together the worse for the selfe cause that you ought to loue the better And yet that happeneth and no where finde we so deadly debate as among them which by nature and law ought most to agree together Such a pestilent serpent is ambition and desire of vaine glory and soueraintie which among states where it once entreth creepeth forth so farre till with diuision and variance hee turneth all to mischiefe first longing to be next the best afterward equall with the best and at last chiefe and aboue the best Of which immoderate appetite of worship and thereby of debate and dissention what losse what sorrow what trouble hath within these fewe yeeres growne in this Realme I pray God as well forget as we remember Which things if I could aswell haue foreseen as I haue with my more paine then pleasure proued By Gods blessed Lady that was euer his oath I would neuer haue won the curtesie of mens knees with the losse of so many heads But sith things passed cannot be gaine-called much ought we the more beware by what occasion wee haue taken so great hurt afore that wee eft soones fall not into the like againe Now be those griefes paâ—…ed and all is God bee thanked quiet and likely right well to prosper in wealthful peace vnder your Cosins my children if God send them life and you loue Of which two things the lesse losse were they by whom thogh God did his pleasure yet should the Realme alway finde Kings and peraduenture as good Kings But if you among your selues in a childs raigne fall at debate many a good man shal perish and happely he too and ye too ere this Land finde peace againe Wherefore in these last words that euer I looke to speake with you I exhort and require you al for the loue that you haue euer borne vnto me for the loue that I haue euer borne vnto you
the Earle of Lincolne and some others who knew the secret of that desperate enterprize But God the Lord of reuenges punishing their vniust malice with a suddaine whirlewinderising in the heat of the Battell 〈◊〉 as when Constantine fought against the enemies of the Church our souldiers who seemed vanquished became victorious For the Kings vantgard reenforced it selfe and gaue so furious a recharge in likelihood vpon this encouragement sent as it were from Heauâ—… that it vtterly brake the Enemies squadrons and giuing in among them with full randon slew first such Captaines as resisted and put the residue which yeelded not either to the sword flight Herewith the whole Armie shouted the trumpets sound victorie and the generall crie runnes King Henry King Henry When the battell and chase were ended so that there was time and leasure to view the field it then appeared what mindes the slaine bodies carried for all the chiefe Captaines the Earle of Lincolne himselfe though the King would gladly haue had him saued to come thereby to a greater light of his dangers the Lord Louell Sir Thomas Broughton Coronell Swart and Maurice Fitz-Thomas Generall of the Irish were like Catiline and his Complices found to couer those places dead which they defended liuing among foure thousand other souldiers which were slaine vpon that side The King at this battell lost almost halfe the People in his Vantgard and Surgeons had store of worke among the Suruiuers so that the Garland gained at this iourney was not vndipt in blood Howbeit there is no mention that any man of honor or speciall note fell vpon the Kings side 23 Among the Prisoners was the Counterfelt himselfe and the lewd contriuer of this wicked Stratagem Richard Sinon who with little change may most truly be called another Sinon The King who reserued himselfe in this battell as in others but neuer retired made both their persons examples of his clemency For Lambert being questioned how such a breecâ—…ing-boy as he was durst attempt so great a wickednes dinied not that hee was compelled thereunto by certaine bad persons who were of thâ—… conspiracie and as for his parents quality hee confest them to bee such as indeed they were altogether of base and despicable calling Siâ—… subtil or Sir Richard Sinon the Priest whether for discouery of some great secrets or the extraordinary reuerence borne to his function extraordinary say we for otherwise Priests had beene openly put to death was not executed but condemned to a dungeon and perpetuall shackles Lambert whom the glittering periwig of regall style did but lately so adorne was condemned to the Kings kitchen there to manage spits at the fire who if his wit and spirit had answered his late Titles would haue chosen much rather to haue beene turned from the Ladder by an hangman But hauing in this abiect condition giuen sufficient proofe that he was but a Puppet or a property in the late tragicall motion he was at length promoted wee cannot say made one of the Kings Falconers in which estate it seemes he liued and died inglorious This battell was fought vpon a Satterday a day of the weeke which is obserued to haue been fauourable and luckie to this Henrie His first care after the victory setled was that which most became a religious Prince the humble and ioyous acknowledgement of thankes to God in the very place From thence 〈◊〉 passeth to Lincoln where he spent three daies in 〈◊〉 supplications processions and thanksgiuings and 〈◊〉 his Standard to our Ladies Church at Walsingham in Norfolke there to remaine as a Monument of 〈◊〉 â—…orie and gratitude Such as were taken in 〈◊〉 â—…ell or chase are then executed From Lincoln 〈◊〉 progresseâ—… into Yorkeshire where hee tooke 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 aswell by execution as ransome for purging 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from such as were culpable or proâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…t Newcastle about the middle of 〈◊〉 hâ—… 〈◊〉 his experienced and 〈◊〉 Agent 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bishop of Excester and Sir Richard 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 into Scotland there to 〈◊〉 peacee 〈◊〉 King 〈◊〉 the third to emppeach the 〈◊〉 and protection which his enemias and 〈◊〉 found therein Himselfe hauing spent a great part of 〈◊〉 in this progresse or rather itinerary Iâ—…cing returnes by Leicester toward London Those prudent Ambassadors in the meane time negociating with the Scottish King wrought him to bee more inclinable to a perâ—…uall peace then it stood with his safetie to let his Subiects vnderstand who fauoured him not Seuen yeeres truce is consented vnto with a secret promise of King Iames to renew that terme as it began to expire with which assurance the Ambassadours returning gladded their wise Soueraignes heart who thereby found that the Bishop of Excester was no lesse industrious in preseruing his Regall state then he had beene prudent in furthering Him vnto it The firebrands and readiest fuell of Rebellion thus seemed to be quenched and the King beholds himselfe in the Grace and fauour of his people nor lesse of forreigne Princes Margaret Dulchesse of Burgundy his implacable Iuno excepted whom the newes of her Nephewes the Earle of Lincolnes death and the bloody blowing vp of all her late hopefull and costly contriuements did gall and wound extreamely but added fresh appetites of reuenge to her former immortall malice which neuer gaue ouer working till shee had vented another no lesse prodigy then Lambert was But the King being honoured and sought vnto aswell by a Nuncio from the Romane See who obtained leaue to publish a Croisado heere against the Turkes as also from the French after his many labours aswell Martiall as Ciuill susteined on behalfe of himselfe and the Common-weale makes a triumphall entrie into London which was adorned in the best maner And in the same moneth vpon Saint Katherines day his wife Elizabeth was Crowned Queene of England as if that then first hee had held himselfe assured of Roiall estate for he saw not what dangerous lifts would yet bee giuen by that vnquiet Ladies practises to heaue him out of authority 24 The next maine action which sifted the iudgement and tride the sinnewes of King Henry was a forraigne case of more difficulty and Arâ—… then of intestine danger as in which the high and paramount respects of Common-weale were intangled or encountred with offices most neerely concerning the honour of a Princes minde which neuer is more blemished then with the note of ingratitude A dispute and combate betweene wisdome and blood publike and priuate if any quality or action of a King may be said to be priuate which seemed worthy of so excellent cleare and considerate a discourse as that of Henries You heard what notable fauours and humanities when he liued a banisht Earle in the Continent he had receiued first of the Duke of Britaine then of Charles K. of France so that he stood equally as
it were obliged to them both could acknowledge no lesse Charles more ambititiously then iustly desired exceedingly to annex Britaine to the Crowne of France taking occasion of the time and other circumstances which all seemed to conspire with his affections The Duke old and the father of one onely daughter suruiuing till marriage Maximilian King of Romans and riuall of King Charles in the same desires aswell for the Dutchy as the daughter feeble in meanes and King Henry aswell obnoxious to the French for benefits as busied in his particular at home and the Duke of Britane by succouring Lewis Duke of Orleance and other French Lords whom King Charles reputed his aduersaries ministred to the French an occasion or colour at least of warring vpon Britaine and so by the apt concurrence of circumstances to annexe it by conquest if by treaty hee could not Henrie of England now knowne to bee victoriously setled seemes worth the Courting Ambassadors come from the French who lay open the wrong offered by the Britaines in succouring the enemies of France put Henrie in minde of passed benefits and pray his assistance or at the least a neutrality but altogether concealing the mystery of this warre which was to annexe Britaine to the Crowne of France Howsoeuer Henry though he well enough knew that a King must euer bee the best part of his Councell for what are others opinions if himselfe want the happinesse or iudgement to choose the best propounds the points to his priuy Councell whereupon he Christianly offers himselfe a Mediatour betweene the French and Britaine an office in which it was apparant he might best satisfie all obligations and duties both to God and them The French pretend liking but in the meane time follow their designe hard Henry sends his Chaplen Master Christopher Vrswicke a man * whom he very often imploied The French maske on Things come to some extremities It becomes manifest that King Charles abused the King of Englands credulity for the City of Nant's in Britaine was brought by siedge to point of yeelding while messengers and packets outwardly osled with the name of peace slide to and fro and the French doubt nothing so much as lest the English should stirre before their victorie had made Britain irrecouerable The Lord Wooduile as without the Kings will or priuity slips ouer into Britaine with three or foure hūdred choise men to assist the Duke and came time enough to bee slaine with almost all his Souldiers at the battel of Saint Albin where the French wanne the day notwithstanding that the Britains the rather to appall their enemies had apparelled seuenteene hundred of their owne Souldiers in white Coates with redde Crosses after the English manner and made thereby a shew of two Regiments of English The Britaines had a great losse in that battel wherein they were made fewer by sixe thousand The Duke of Orleance and Prince of Orange who then were British in faction were taken Prisoners in the same fight The French lost about twelue hundreth and their Generall an Italian So that the state of Britaine seemed ripe for a fall 25 But King Henry hauing long since suspected and foreseene what the vttermost marke of the French might be and seeming to haue enough suffered the interest which they might expect in him as a man to be abused by their practises to the preiudice of his other friend the Duke of Britaine who forgate not to sollicit and vrge that point had made the quality of this affaire known to the body of State in open Parliament for that purpose assembleb as meaning by authority thereof to purge himselfe from all imputation if as a King he did that which the reason of Gouernment required which would not assent that Britaine should be made French lest by that accession their Neighbourhood might grow intollerable Britaine hauing so many Sea-townes and Out-lets to mischiefe the English trafficke Himselfe was otherwise also sufficiently resolued that the general good ought to predominate the particular and that his priuate obligations ought not to entangle or preiudice the publike seruice The Parliament therefore considering that which stood for the Common-weale decrees aide of men and money on behalfe of the Duke of Britaine it being besides all other respects a perillous example to suffer the great to deuoure the lesser Neighbour States vpon pretences of iustice or reuenge Forces are leuied but for respect of King Charles and in hope that the shew of preparations would stoope him to equall conditions not yet so roundlie as the Britons necessities expected Meane while that no formality or Princely Ceremony should be vnaccomplished King Henry by his Ambassadours certifies King Charles of his Parliaments decree praies him to desist from farther Hostilitie otherwise that he must assist the Duke but yet for the French Kings sake with this reseruation of pursuing his subiects no where but in Britaine Charles made small account of these ouertures because hee truly perswaded himselfe that the English aides would not arriue in season which fell out accordingly for before that time the French had gotten that victorie whereof euen now wee spake at the Battell of Saint Albin Vpon newes whereof the English Regiments were immediatly sent ouer vnder Robert Lord Broke Generall Sir Iohn Cheiney Sir Iohn Midleton Sir Ralfe Hilton Sir Richard Corbet Sir Thomas Leighton Sir Richard Lacon and Sir Edmund Cornewall Knights and Coronels The whole Army contained eight thousand men These march toward the enemy who acquainted with the temper of the English whiles they are fresh as being then almost inuincible containe themselues within their Campe but yet molest the English with continuall skirmishes on horsebacke in seueral places at once smally to the profit of the French who were alwaies put to the worse the Archers receiued them with such perpetuall stormes In the meane space Francis Duke of Britaine dies leauing in effect one only daughter the Lady Anne for the other being the younger deceased not long after This altered the whole state of the case The British Nobility vnder their young Mistresse immediatly fall at variance among themselues and the English thereby were on euery hand in danger so that God as it appeared by the sequele had destined Britain◅ to bee annexed to the Crowne of France for the English after fiue moneths stay were in wisdome compelled to returne the rather for that Winter now was come vpon them and Britaine destitute of competent defence her Rulers disagreeing among themselues was finally by the marriage of King Charles with the Lady Anne made a parcell of the French Monarchy as heereafter will appeare 26 King Henry the while was againe in danger to haue had present vse of Souldiers at home Wee shewed what care was heeretofore taken by him to weede the North and free it from lurking enemies That notwithstanding when the Earle of Northumberland Lieutenant of
the North signified at an assemblie according as the truth was that the King though the Northern people had besought it would not remitte one penny of such Subsidy as was granted in Parliament for supportation of the warres in Britaine left the Acts of State should bee reuersed at the rude peoples pleasure but that on the contrary Commission and warrant was sent downe for him to see the same leuied by distresse or otherwise the desperate multitude falsely supposing that the Earle was the occasion of such an answere did suddenly set vpon him at the incitement of one Iohn à Chamber and furiously murdered him with certaine of his seruants in a place called Cocklegge by Thrusk eighteene miles from Yorke They to carry their wicked attempt through make head vnder Sir Iohn Egremond a discontented Knight of those parts openly declaring where they came that their meaning was to fight with the King in defence of their liberties as if the causelesse killing of a most noble Lord had beene one of them Thomas Howard Earle of Surrey sent from Court with some forces to represse their increase skirmisheth with a route of these Rebels beats them away and takes Iohn a Chamber prisoner The whole swarme flockes to Yorke where they roosted about three or foure daies when hearing of the Kings approach who was euer one of the first in the necke of such occasions they scattered themselues but the ring-leaders were hanged and quartered and Iohn a Chamber with some others were executed at Yorke after an extraordinarie manner Sir Iohn Egremond escaping fled to the common Center of all King Henries dangers and enmities Margaret Dutchesse of Burgundy so that though the colour of rising was about money yet Egremond at lest had reference it seemes to the generall perturbation of the Kingdome vpon the old ground of quarrell hatred of the Lancastrian Familie and this to bee but a sparke or flash of that great and troubleous fire which afterward brake foorth and blased so prodigiously The Earle of Surrey is left by the King hauing seuerely punished the murtherers Lieutenant of the North and Sir Robert Tonstall Knight as chiefe Commissioner for leuying the taxe or subsidie 27 The vnworthy death of the Earle of Nerthumberland was seconded by a more vnworthy of Iames the third King of Scotland so as King Henrie lost at home a most honourable stay of his Northerne affaires and a sure Ally abroade This vnfortunate Prince hauing by some irregularity of life and partialities and errors of gouernment amplified perhaps by the constructions and reports of his malignant Subiects incurred extreme hatred with many of the Nobility and people laboured with King Henry as also with the Pope and King of France to make an accord betweene him and his Mutinadoes for that they had compelled Prince Iames his sonne to be the titular and vnnaturall Head of those armes which traiterously as pretending to haue a right on behalfe of the Common-weale to depose an euill King they assumed against him The Kings accordingly interposed their mediations by earnest Ambassadors but could obtaine no other then this outragious answer That there was no talking of peace vnlesse he would resigne his Crowne King Henry and King Charles vehemently protested against these their whole proceedings declaring by their Ambassador that they thought the same to be as a common iniury done vnto themselues the example to be very wicked and pernicious and not sufferable by Princes that Subiects should be permitted to put hands vnto their Soueraigne Hereupon it came to a Battell at Banocksborn by Striuelin whereat K. Iames rashly fighting before his whole numbers were come was notwithstanding the contrarie commandement of the Prince his sonne slaine in the Mill of that Field whither he fled after the battel ended By reason of this infortunate precipitation of the Scotish King Hadrian de Castello an Italian Legate whom Pope Innocentius the eight had sent to take vp the cruell quarrell came too late for he arriued not in England till the battell at Banocksborne was passed but not too late to receiue honour at the hands of King Henry who respecting his wisdome and excellent learning vpon the speciall commendations first of Iohn Morton Archbishop of Canterburie but afterward vpon his owne experience of the man in sundry emploiments to the Roman Sea bestowed vpon him the Bishoprike of Hereford and after resignation thereof the Bishopricke of Bath and Welles who was also at the length created Cardinall by Pope Alexander the sixth But who is hee among many thousands saith Polyd. that vseth not to admire these outward honours which may alike be giuen to the vnworthy aswell as to the wel-deseruing and may alike be taken away from either But the praise of this Hadrian is of another farre more noble kinde and eternall for he was the man who first reuiued the glory of the ancient Latine eloquence and of all other sorts of abstruse and exquisit learnings as in which himselfe excelled Thus doth Polydor himselfe an Italian celebrate the learning of his Country-man of whose other qualities yet others write more harshly as that out of meere ambition to be Pope without any other grudge hee conspired with Alphonso Petruccio and other sacred Cardinals to murther Pope Leo the tenth induced thereto by suggestion of a Witch who foretold him that one Hadrian an old man of meane parentage of great Learning and wisdome should succeed in the Papacy The man thought it must needs be himselfe as being though of very base Parentage yet of some noble qualities but another Hadrian the sonne of a Dutch Brewer and instructer of Charles the fifth the Emperour prooued to be the man and this our Hadrian lost by depriuation all his promotions whatsoeuer for his nesarious attempt Into quch extreeme folly is learning and wisdome metamorphosed where it is tainted with Ambition or wants a Religious discretion to manage it aright 28 And albeit the King himselfe could verie gladly haue spent his time in the studies of peace as those which were farre more apt for the seruice of God and for attaining of knowledge then in martiall tumults yet the quality of his supereminent place enuied vnto him that felicitie for he was necessarily drawne into a warre with France vpon lesse occasions Anne the young Dutchesse of Britaine by their aduise who affected to preserue the liberty of that Dukedome which by vnion with France would be absorpt extinguished had so farre entangled and engaged her selfe with the Procurators of Maximilian King of Romans that shee was not only publikely cōtracted but cōtented for vttermost performāce of those rites whereof marriage by proxie was honorably capable to take vpon her the Bride and being solemnly bedded to permit Maximilians Deputie in the presence of sundry Noble witnesses aswell men as women to put in his legge stript naked to the knee betweene
Cobham c. But it is needlesse to weary our selues with long relations of a short voyage for King Henry before hee set forth out of England was secretly dealt with by the Lord Cordes Gouernour of Henault according to instructions on the French Kings behalfe to accept of conditions which till Boloigne was besieged as now by him it was was not knowne The ignorance of this mystery made many forward Gentlemen to morgage their lands and runne into much debt for their fuller and brauer furniture in hope to get great matters in this warre whereof to their griefe they found themselues deceiued In the mean time the L. Cordes hauing met at Caleis with Richard Fox Lord Bishoppe of Excester and Giles Lord Dawbeney the Kings Commissioners after iust and long debatement concluded vpon Articles of peace betweene the two Kings 31 Boloigne was brought to some distresse when by interuention of this agreement it remained safe and quiet King Charles was chiefly moued to buy his peace at a deare rate both for that the state of Britaine was as yet vnsetled and for that hee meant forth with to march into Italy for the conquest of the Kingdome of Naples and K. Henry on the other side was not vnwilling because Maximilian had failed and Britaine seemed clearely past possibility of euiction To which may be added a naturall noble and religious inclination in King Henry to liue in amity with his neighbours the inckling of new dangers then in brewing against him by the turbulent and vnappeaseable Dutchesse of Burgundy and cherished by King Charles and lastly the enrichment of himselfe by reembursing the charges both of this and the British warre out of the French elsewhere whereby he should farre the better bee able to withstand all forrain practises or domesticke outrages As for the preseruing of himselfe and his honour with his Subiects hee wanted not both true and honourable glosses Such as were the care to auoid vnnecessary effusion of Christian bloud the vses of his presence at home besides many other but his wisdome in the carriage of this right weighty action was chiefly eminent in this That hee would not enter into Treaty till he was in the field and that with such a puissance as was likely enough to force his owne conditions nor suffer the least signe of his secret willingnesse to peace or inward doubt of troubles at home to creepe out at any crany or chinke of his discourse or carriage whereby he as farre outwent the French fairely as they formerly seemed to haue ouerwrought him subtlely Had they truly beene informed in those points it is probable they might haue gone a cheaper way to work for besides what other Articles soeuer it was concluded That Henry should not quit his claime to France but that for a Peace which by the contract was only to continue during the two Kings liues Charles of France should pay in present to Henry for his charges in that warre seuen hundred forty and fiue thousand Duckets and twenty fiue thousand Crownes yeerely toward the expenses which hee had heretofore been at in aiding the Britons Which by the English called Tribute was duly paid during all this Kings raigne and also to Henry his son till the whole debt was run out thereby to preserue amity with England There were moreouer by Henries consent who was thus content to gratifie his Peeres at anothers cost not onely present rewards but also certaine annuall pensions allotted to the chiefe Lords of his priuie Councell A course of bounty which might otherwise haue proued preiudicious to the seruice of the King of England by engaging his Counsellors affections to the French The siege of Boleine lasted till the eighth day of Nouember Henry whom his Queens most tender frequent and louing lines did the rather inuite to speediest returne hauing setled all his transmarine affaires arriued at Douer from whence hee iournied to Westminster there to celebrate the Feast of Christmas This voyage into France affording no greater exploites then wee haue heard was celebrated by blind Bernard with hyperbolicall and well-borne verses not ordinary in which directing his speech in honour of Henry to the Howres he concludes Effugite igniuomos celeres coniungere Solis Quadrupedes Horae protinus ecce parant Non opus est vobis quia si priuatus Apollo Pauerit Admeti rursus ipse boues Principis hic nostri vultus Iouialis abundè Lumina crede mihi Phoebe recede dabit 32 The famous counterfeisance of Perkin Warbecke with which the braine of the Lady Margaret Dutchesse Dowager of Burgundie had long trauelled doth now beginne to disclose it selfe and make new businesses for King Henry The inglorious glorie of the first inuention in his raigne of this kind of vexation Lambert Simnels person had giuen to his Master the wily Simon so that our Dutchesse was but an imitatrix and yet perhaps shee gaue not place in any point to the first example or Archtype neuerthelesse the fortune of the first deuise being no more successefull then it was might reasonably haue deterred her from the edition of a second but whether it were an immortall enuie toward the Lancastrian race or a burning zeale of aduancing one that might at leastwise beare the name of a Plantagenet though by any sinister practises as if it had beene lawfull to attaine her ends admit them iust by any iniurious courses shee resolues to erect another Idoll as perceiuing by the first how notable an engine imposture was to trouble Henry being well assured that England was ful of corrupt humors and ill-affections to worke vpon not so much through the desert of her present King as for that the dregges which naturally reside in the bottom of mens hearts where most bloudy and barbarous factions haue for a long time weltered and wurried one the other with various euent were not clensed and auoided The Diuell therefore ready to furnish all attempts which may raise troubâ—… and mischiefe easily fitted her There was come therfore to her hands a youth adorned with such a shape as might easily perswade the beholders was worthy of a noble fortune he had thereunto a naturall fine wit and by reason of his abode in England in K. Edwards dayes could speake our language as also some other which hee had by a kind of wandring trauell obtained This youth was borne they say in the City of Torney and called Peter Warbecke the son of a conuerted Iew whose Godfather at Baptisme King Edward himselfe was The English in contempt and for a note perhaps of his forraine birth did afterward call him by a diminutiue of his name Peterkin or Perkin Him the Dutchesse as a fitte peece of timber out of which to carue a new Idoll moulds by degrees makes him take shape according to that Idaa which shee had prefigured in her working imagination before
the which the late honours of her house conspicuous in three Princes which altogether made not twenty and fiue yeeres of raigne did so perpetually houer as her soule could neuer take contentment but in the hope that the house of Yorke should againe be the dwelling place of Maiesty 33 Her offence against Henry wanted not many seeming reasons but none so great as that hee had slaine her own brother King Richard who albeit he was there reputed murtherer of her Nephewes yet were they a degree more remoued from her and so lesse deere in likelihood then a brother and howsoeuer shee might secretly detest or belieue the commitmēt of that parricide yet could she neuer brooke seeing they were gone that the reward of her brothers death and that euen to him who slew him should bee the Crowne of England whereby not onely her brother but the whole male-line of her family was for euer to bee excluded much lesse could shee a Plantagenet abide that Henry who brought to the Crowne the surname of a newly raised Familie These and other considerations in the breast of a Lady bred vp in a dominating Family her selfe a Dowager in such a fortune as in which shee was Paramount for the time and absolute without controlment being carelesse withall of sauing for posterity because shee was without a child and in that regard the more abundantly stored with treasure all which made her spirits ouer-boile with impatience and virulency so farre forth that hauing infused al her principles into Peter her creature vnder the Title of Richard Plantagenet second son of King Edward the fourth she most couertly sends him into Portugall from thence to take his Icarean flight as elsewhere is related Neuerthelesse there will not perhaps want some who in defence of the Dutchesse had rather referre it to Magnanimity and Noblenesse of Spirit in seeking the honour of her house which if it might passe for such among the heathen yet can it not among Christians much the lesse for that her duty to England the royall flourishing estate of her own Neece the right heire exacted at her hands a greater tendernesse 34 That Peter Warbecke should bee inflamed by her fauours and encouragements to dare in earnest the personation of a Kings sonne seemes not a thing to bee admired for there is in humane nature which ties not her self to Pedigrees nor Parentages a kind of light matter which will easily kindle being toucht with the blazing hopes of ambitious propositions He therefore vpon the first disclose of himselfe did put on so excellent a seeming as might iustly moue King Henry to bee iealous whereunto the pernitious practise might come at last for there wanted nothing in the whole forme of the young vpstart but onely the conscience of a truth and truth it selfe which makes me call to mind what one hath written of a goodly white Saphyr in Venice made by art so neerely to resemble a true Diamond that with much difficulty and but by one onely lapidary it was discouered which if it had beene graced with some great Princes wearing what could want to haue made it passable for a very Diamond of greatest value Perkin came such from out of the Burgundian forge and if his parentage bee respected assumed the image and resemblance of a king being otherwise not so much as a meane Gentleman Neither can it be maruelled at if such a Phantasme as this did abuse and trouble the common people of that time for euen to such as do write thereof it begets a kind of doubt which without some little collection of their spirits doth not easily vanish it seeming almost incredible that such a bloudy play should meerly be disguised and fained the discouery therefore was worthy such a wit as King Henries and the push it gaue to his soueraignty did throughly try his sitting being of force enough to haue cast an ordinarie rider out of sadle 35 Therfore it was the Dutchesses misfortune that her inuentions if they were hers had to encounter so politicke and constant a man as King Henry whose prudence searcht into the abstrusest secrets and whose diligence ouercame all difficulties Yet the Lady Margarets course to vent her Creature at the first was exquisite for she as in a Magicke practise hauing kept him secret till shee saw her time causeth him to bee closely conuayed into Portugall from whence attended with fitte associates and Priuadoes hee sailes into Ireland the Foster-place and nursery of immortall good will to the house of Yorke where notwithstanding their late calamities he so strongly enchanted that rude people with the charmes of false hopes and mists of seemings as he was sure of partakers in great plenty Charles the eight King of France hearing and perhaps beleeuing that the Duke of Yorke was aliue and glad to haue so probable an occasion of doing mischiefe to Henry of England in regard of these flagrāt enmities which as then remained vnquencht betweene them inuites Duke Richard most officiously to Paris and besides all other honours assigned him at his comming a guard for his person whereof the Lord Congreshall was Captaine Afterward there repaired to this new Duke Sir George Neuill Knight a bastard of the noble house of the Neuils Sir Iohn Taylor Rowland Robinson and about an hundreth English to whom as a principal wee may adde Stephen Frion French Secretary to King Henry himselfe all which together with the whole Strategeme was smoakt out of France with the first graine of incense sacrificed vpon the Altars of Peace at Boloign after the same was once made and ratified as you haue heard between the French and vs. The Dutchesse then seeing her artificiall creature thus turned againe vpon her hands pretends an extreame ignorance that euer shee had seene him before that present and an excessiue ioy for his miraculous escape and preseruation which seemed such to her as shee pretended as if hee had beene reuiued from death to life and that the fable might want no quickning which her personall countenancing or her Court could afford shee openly salutes him by the delicate Title of the White Rose of England and questions him of the manner of his escape with such like to beget a firme beliefe in the hearers that she neuer had seene him before that time and that he was indeed her Nephew Richard Duke of Yorke The Nobility of Flanders accordingly doe vnto him all honour and shee enuirons his person with a guard of thirty men in murrey and blew Neither was hee in any point wanting to his part but fitted such likely answeres to all questions and such princely behauiours to all occasions as made fame bold to publish him with the fullest blast of her Trumpet for no other then a true Richard Plantagenet and as it is so obserued of some that by long vsing to report an vntruth at last forgetting themselues to bee the Authors thereof beleeue it
assistance to recouer the Realme of England promising faithfully to beare himselfe towardes the said Scottish King no otherwise then as if he had beene his owne naturall brother and would vpon recouery of his inheritance gratefully doe to him all the pleasure which lay in his vtmost power 43 Perkins speech ended and his amiable person being fitted with so many countenancing circumstances of state and seemings by the recommendations of great Princes aide from the Irish assured hope of aide in England and his owne wel-appointed company made so strong an impression in the young Kings conceit that albeit there wanted not some who with many arguments aduised the King to repute all but for a meere dreame and illusion his person was honorably receiued as it became the person of Richard Duke of Yorke and his quarrell entertained which the more to grace in the Worldes eye he gaue his consent that the said Duke of Yorke should take to wife the Lady Katherine Gorden daughter to the Earle of Hantley being neere cosen to the King himselfe a young maide of excellent beautie and vertue By which marriage as the gentle King abundantly declared that he tooke him for the very Duke of Yorke so Perkin distrustfull of the Scots and desirous to gaine the loue and fauour of the Nobles of the Realme cunningly serued his owne ends for the present passing current for a Prince of high blood and roiall hope Vpon this ground a warre was presently vndertaken against Henrie and entred into the King of Scots in person and Perkin followed with great numbers specially of Borderers fell vpon sundry parts of Northumberland which they most grieuously afflicted burnt and spoiled publishing neuerthelesse by Proclamation made in the name of Richard Duke of Yorke much fauour and immunitie to all such as would adhere to his rust quarrell and a thousand poundes in money and one hundreth markes by yeere of land of inheritance to the meanest person that could either take or distresse his great enemy who he said was flying the land But King Henry by his diligence and wisdome had so setled the mindes of his people in those parts that there is no mention made of any one person which offered his seruice This vnexpected auersion so blankt and dampt the Scottish enterprize on Perkins behalfe that the King offended therewith retired with his armie laden with booty into his Realme and from thenceforth esteemed of his new Cosen the lesse But King Henry not minding to forgiue so vniust and causelesse outrages cals a Parliament opens his griefes and praies aide for an inuasiue warre against Scotland which was generally assented vnto there being scarce anie more gratefull propolitions to the English in those swording times then warre with French or Scots an humour vpon which this King did practise to enrich himselfe For the publike monies by these occasions came into his Exchecquer with a small part whereof he flourished out a show of hostile prouisions and the Remainder thereupon if peace ensued which he alwaies knew how to bring about with honour was cleerely his owne without account The summe assented to be gathered was sixescore thousand pounds and for collection thereof were granted two dismes and an halfe and two fifteenes But the leuie of this money so granted in this Parliament kindled a dangerous blaze in England in so much that the Lord Dawbney being sent Generall of the Forces against the Scots and vpon his way thither was recalled by occasion of intestine troubles 44 Which troubles had their Originall from the leuie of such payments among the Cornish as were assessed for the Scottish warres When therefore the Collectors came among them the People being a stout bigge and hardy race of men tumultuously assembled whom one Thomas Flammock a lawyer and Michaell Ioseph a blacke-smith or horse-farrier of Boduim like firebrands of rebellion inflamed and were followed as Captaines not without secret and silent relation as it may be suspected to Perkins pretences and that hope of redresse if he were King which by his Proclamations he had colourably giuen to the people at the time of the Scottish Inuasion where among manie other things tending to humour such as were maleuolent by making the person and gouernment of King Henrie odious this we find 45 Our great enemie saith the Proclamation to fortifie his false quarrell hath caused diuers Nobles of this our Realme whom he held suspect and stood in dread of to bee cruelly murdered as our cosen Sir William Stanley Lord Chamberlaine Sir Simond Montford Sir Robert Ratliffe William Dawbeney Humfrey Stafford and many other besides such as have deerelie bought their liues some of which Nobles are now in the Sanctuary Also he hath long kept and yet keepeth in prison our right intirely wel-beloued Cosen Edward Saint and heire to our Vncle Duke of Clarence and other withholding frō them their rightfull inheritance to the intent they should neuer be of might power to aid and assist vs at our need after the dutie of their leageances He hath also married by compulsion certaine of our Sisters and also the Sister of our foresaid Cosen the Earle of Warwicke and diuers other Ladies of the blood roiall vnto certaine his kinsemen and friends of simple and low degree and putting apart all wel-disposed Nobles he hath none in fauour and trust about his person but Bishop Fox Smith Bray Louel Oliuer King Sir Charles Sommerset Dauie Owen Rysley Sir Iohn Trobutuile Tyler Chamley Iames Hobert Iohn Cut Garth Henry Wyot and such other Caitiues and villaines of birth which by subtile inuentions and pilling of the people haue been the principall finders occasioners and counsailers of the misrule and mischiefe now raigning in England c. We remembring these premises with the great and execrable offences daily committed and done by our foresaid great enemie and his Adherents in breaking the liberties and franchises of our mother the holy Church to the high displeasure of Almighty God besides the manifold treasons abhominable murders manslaughters robberies extortions the daily pilling of the people by dismes taskes tallages beneuolences and other vnlawfull impositions and greeuous exactions with many other hainous effects to the likely destruction and desolation of the whole Realme c. shall by Gods grace and the helpe and assistance of the great Lords of our blood with the Counsell of other sad persons c. see that the commodities of our Realme bee emploied to the most aduantage of the same the entercourse of Merchandize betwixt Realme and Realme to be ministred and handled as shall more be to the Common weale and prosperitie of our subiects and all such dismes taskes tallages benenolences vnlawfull impositions and grecuous exactions as be aboue rehearsed to be foredone and laid apart and neuer from henceforth to be called vpon but in such causes as our Noble Progenitors Kings of England haue of old time beene accustomed to
haue the aide succour and helpe of their subiects and true liegemen 46 The tide of people being thus vp Flammock and the blacke Smyth hauing firme promise of the Lord Audleys personall helpe lead them forth toward Kent where they doubted not greatly to encrease their numbers and had in likelihood so done but that the singular diligence and wisdome of the King frustrated their hopes by sundry Princely Arts. Yet they flow on and to shew what they durst doe they slew in their way at Tauntford the Prouost of Perin one of the Commissioners for the Subsidie and marching forward without offering other violence Iames Tuichet Lord Audley ioines himselfe at the City of Wels vnto them according to secret agreement and becomes their Generall From Wels they proceed to Salisburie thence to Winchester and so toward Kent where the Countrey was setled and prouided But the King farther doubting that the Scots would take fresh occasion by these seditious vproares to inuade the borders of his Realme dispatched Thomas Howard Earle of Surrey a Peere of excellent vertue to defend those parts with the helpe of the Bishopricke of Durham and the Marches till these homecommotions were appeased that then the Lord Dawbeney might with a iust and full Army prosecute the warre against the Scots But Iames their King perceiuing the end of the English intestine warres would be the beginning of his troubles thought it best by way of anticipation to weaken his enemy before hand as much as hee could and thereupon fiercely inuaded Northumberland againe and besieged Norham Castell belonging to Richard Fox whom the King for his noble seruices and deserts had now aduanced from Exceter and Bath and Wels vnto the Bishopricke of Durham But the Scotish King hopelesse to winne the Castell though hauing done much hurt both to it and to the country withdrew his people before the Earle of Surrey could approach with his Army wherein was the Earle of Westmorland the Lords Dacres Strange Neuill Latimer Lumley Scrope Clifford Conyers Darcy the Baron of Hilton and many Knights as Percie Bulmer Gascoigne Penington Bigot Bowes Elarker Parr Wharton Strangwith Constable Ratcliffe Sauile Gower Musgraue Mallerie Loder Eueringham Stapleton Wortley Pickering Heron Gray Ridley Griffith Fenwicke Ward Strycland Bellingham Curwen Warcop Tempest Metcalfe and others who missing the enemy marched after into Scotland and tooke such reuenge as the shortnesse of their so daine prouisions would enable 47 The Rebels on the other side whom king Henry thought not good to encounter in their first heates but suffered them to tire their fury and surbate themselues with a long march the countries as they past being forelaide from ioyning with them comming neere to Kent found few or no partakers there but the Country strongly defended against them by the Earle thereof the Lords Aburgenie and Cobham with other principall men and their followers which made diuers of the Rebels secretly shrinke and abandon the enterprise But the Lord Audley Flammocke Michael Ioseph and the rest kept on their way and encamped vpon Blackeheath between Greenewich and Eltham from the top whereof they might behold the Citie of London the whole brauery of that Horizon Here they resolue to abide the King or to assaile London The King on the other side by the diligence of the Lord Maior and other the Magistrates secured the City which was full of feare and businesse himselfe enuironed with his Nobles the choice of the South hearing where the Rebell was encamped resolued by dint of sword to deliuer his people from tiring expectations and for that purpose marcheth out of London and encamps in S. Georges field where he lay that night The next day when he vnderstood that the Enemie had drawne forth his People and set them in Battell-ray he sends out Henry Bourchier Earle of Essex Edmond de la Pole Earle of Suffolk Sir Rice ap Thomas and others with certaine Cornets of horse and Companies of Archers to beset the hill and the descents thereof while Giles Lord Dawbeney with the strength of his Armie chargeth the Enemy in Front whom with some slaughter they draue from the Bridge at Deepford strand and then mounting the hill he and the Earles charge the maine squadrons on all sides and without much labour breake and defeate them The number of the Rebels slaine is vncertainely reported the ods being betweene two thousand and three hundreth The Kings armie returned fewer by three hundreth Fifteen hundred rebels were taken Prisoners the takers had their Prisoners goods granted them Iames Lord Audley Flammocke and the Smith were taken and executed To all the rest mercy was seasonably extended The Lord Audley led from Newgate to Towerhill in a coate of his owne Armories painted on a paper reuerst and torne there paid his head for being a Head to that heady Route Flammocke and the Smith were quartered Memorably strange was the comfort with which this Blacksmith is said to haue cheered vp himselfe at his being drawne to execution saying That yet he hoped thereby that his name and memorie should bee euerlasting Who could beleeue that the desire of a long-lasting name howsoeuer should take the affections of so meane a person Such therefore was the end of this insurrection but the times being queasy the King wiselie forbare to take any seuere reuenge vpon more then onely vpon the chiefe Leaders for he was trulie informed that this calamitie had not broken the willes of the Cornishmen who remained ready for any desperate sudden occasion and therefore he abstained from needlesse exasperations insomuch as that the quarters of Flammocke and the Smith being once appointed to haue beene set vp in Cornwall for terror were onely fixed about London the King thinking good to temper his iustice euen in such a circumstance 48 His next care was so to order the warre against Scotland that the Peace whose foundations he had laid a far off might bee made to his more honor because the iniuries sustained by the youthful errour of King Iames were too publike to bee altogether forgotten hee sent the Earle of Surrey the Lord Neuill and others to inuade the Scotish borders with an Army who pursued the reuenge with great vehemency Meane-while there arriueth in Scotland Peter Hyalus an Ambassador from Ferdinando and Elizabeth King and Queene of Spaine as from friends equally well affected to both parties to mediate a peace between the two Kings of England and Scotland which perhaps in their owne persons would not easily haue beene brought about the point of honour might thereunto haue giuen such empeachment But this was the way to a peace which King Henry foresaw there being not onely a strict bond of loue betweene him and Ferdinando but an ouerture if not a secret conclusion to match his eldest sonne Prince Arthur with the young Lady Katherine daughter of Spaine who for her excellent vertues was well worthy
English and the Duke of Burgundies subiects Shine also was burnt and being new builded called Richmund for which and the like it will be fittest to haue recourse to vulgar Annals 62 The Coast of State now seeming clearefrom al thickning weather Ferdinando and Isabella King Queen of Spain according to the points of agreemēt betweene them and King Henry concerning their fourth daughter the Lady Katherine borne at Alcala de Finari or Complutum sent her royally appointed in a goodly Flete to England there to fulfill in person what hitherto had beene onely treated of who after many difficulties tooke land at Plimouth in October Ferdinando her father was the sonne of Iohn King of Arragon and Sicilia and although he was vnlearned as being brought vp among armes and souldiers yet by vsing the familiarity of wisemen he also became very wise and proued that great Prince which first in these latter times recalled the old glorie of Spaine and reared it to such an enuious magnitude as that the iealousie thereof hath bred no small quarrels in Christendome For by his marriage with Isabella sole sister and heire to Henry the fourth King of Castile and Leon he raigned in right of his wife and iointly with her oner those two Kingdomes and their appurtenances who together saith Marineus of Sicilia did admirable things and workes most holy They recouered the huge City and Kingdome of Granada and part of Andaluzia from the Moores after they had beene in violent possession thereof seuen hundreth and fourescore yeeres and hauing purged those places from the filth of Mahomets superstitions built Churches to the honour of Iesus Christ by occasion whereof Ferdinando was surnamed the Catholike King The walles of the Citie of Granada at the time of the surrender which after about tenne yeeres warres was by V◅bdelis King thereof made to Ferdinando and Isabella had twelue miles in compasse and in the same twelue Gates and a thousand towres enclosing seuen Hilles couered with building innumerable people and inestimable riches the Spanish forces at this conquest were about 12000. Horse one hundred thousand foot The said King and Queene besides many other their mighty actions did also first discouer America by Christopher Columbus thereby brought a whole new world to the notice of Christendom Isabella her self descended of the blood roial of England being daughter of Iohn the second King of Castile Leon son of Henrie the third King of Castile and Leon and of Katherine his wife daughter of Iohn Duke of Lancaster third sonne of our Edward the third of triumphall and neuer-dying memorie was a Ladie whose like the Christian world had seldom any of that wisdome grauity chastity and of so laborious a deuotion that she did not onely day by day performe the Canonicall and howerly taske of prayers vsed by Priests but many other and brought vp her children accordingly 63 The Lady Katherine being about eighteene yeeres old and borne of so great so noble so victorious and vertuous parents is with iust maiesty and solemnity openly married in Paules Church to Arthur Prince of Wales aged about fifteene yeeres and eldest sonne to Henry the seuenth King of England and of Elizabeth his wife The Archbishop of Canterbury assisted with nineteene Bishops and Abbots mitred ioyned their hands and performed all the other Church rites vpon that great day The vulgar Annals can tell you the splendor and glorie thereof in apparrell iewels Pageants banquets guests and other princely complements the onely weighty businesse of many weaker braines A graue Lady as som haue written was laid in bed between the Bride and Bridegrome to hinder actuall consummation in regard of the Princes greene estate of body but others alleadge many arguments to proue that matrimoniall performance was between thē howsoeuer her self when that afterward came in question appealed to the conscience of K. Henry the eight her second husband if hee found her not a maide But Prince Arthur enioyed his marriage a very short while for in Aprill following hee died at Ludlow being vnder sixteene yeeres of age being a Prince in whose youth the lights of all noble vertues did cleerely beginne to shine His aptnesse to learn was almost incredible for by the report of his Master hee had either learned without booke or otherwise studiously turned and reuolued with his own hands eies these authors following In Grammar Garin Perot Sulpicius Gellius and Valla In Poetrie Homer Virgil Luc◅n Ouid Silius Plautus and Terence In Oratorie Tullies Offices Epistles Paradoxes and Quintilian In Historie Thucydides Liuie Caesars Commentaries Suetonius Tacitus Plinius Valerius Maximus Salust Eusebius Wherein wee haue beene particular to signifie what Authors were then thought fitte to bee elementary and rudimentall vnto Princes and by their example to all of Noble or gentle birth whose superficiall boldnesse in books in these frothy dayes is become most scandalous and iniurious to the honour and vse of learning 64 But before the vntimely expiration of this great hope of England King Henry weary of warres and tumults and desirous to lay the beginnings of a long peace by most inward friendship with all his great neighbours had concluded a match betweene Margaret his eldest daughter and Iames the fourth King of Scotland the assurance whereof was published in the February next before Prince Arthurs death at Paules Crosse in reioycement whereof Te Deum was sung and other signes of publike ioy declared The Bishoppe of Rosse saith that the Earle of Bothwell did openly handfast or espouse the said faire Lady in the name of King Iames at Pauls Crosse being Saint Paules day This contract was brought about in manner following After that the storme of warre had by mediation as before said beene throughly laid betweene the two sister Nations it chanced certaine of the Scots by their suspitious behauiour and rough Phrases to prouoke the Garrison of Norham Castle to issue who in the bickering slew and hurt some of them and droue the rest away King Iames expostulates this violence very sharply by letters with King Henry who returned most satisfactory answeres Richard Fox Bishop of Durham whose the men and Castell were wrote also many deprecatory letters humbly praying the Scotish King to accept amends wherunto hee in the end inclined and hauing some matters of farre greater moment to impart desired the Bishops presence in Scotland knowing his deepe wisdome and great grace with his Soueraigne which King Henry gladly assented vnto The meeting was at Melrose an Abbey of Cistertian Monkes where the King abode who hauing roundly vttered to the Bishoppe his offence conceiued for the breach of good termes at Norham Castell and yet being finally pleased to receiue satisfaction hee then secretly discouered his whole mind the summe whereof was That the king of England would be pleased to giue to him in mariage the
intended to lay the foundation of his Empire to vsurpe all Italy besought him for the pitty of our Sauiour and by the vertue of his famous ancestors for I vse the words of the Popes briefe that neuer forsooke the Church of God in distresse and by the filiall obedience the strongest bond to enter into the holy league they hauing elected him against Lewis Caput faederis Italici 6 And indeed to speake as it was Lewis much emulated King Henries greatnesse fearing that fortune would giue him occasions to make his claime by sword vnto the Kingdome of France which the sooner hee did by this holy fathers instigations and by his Herauld Clarentius roughly demanded the Dutchies of Normandy Guyen Anion and Maine and with them also the Crowne that king Lewis ware The Scotish king likewise in case of Andrew Barton slaine in his Piracies as the English alleadged by the Admirall of England accounted the truce broken and sought the reuenge vpon the Borders adioining Against these two nations yong Henry at once prepared and happily obtained faire victories against both but the successe of the one though not following precisely the time we meane to relate before wee enter discourse of the other 7 The enterprise great which K. Henry meant to vndergoe hee thought it good wisdome to ioyne amity with Maximilian the Emperour Fardinando King of Spaine and many other Princes holding also correspondency with Pope Iulius the second that busie Pontificall Prelate of Rome then propounding his purposes in Parliament sent ouer certaine Nobles before him into France and afterward followed them himselfe pitching downe his Tents before the Towne of Terwin where he raised his royall Standard of the Red-dragon and begirt the Citie with a strait siege 8 To this place Maximilian the Emperour repaired and to the great honour of Henry entred into his pay wearing the Crosse of Saint George with a rose the Kings badge as his faithfull Souldier and receiued wages by day for euery of his according to their degree The French seeing the Towne in distresse sought the reliefe with victuals and men but were so encountred by the king and his company as that many of their chiefest Captaines were taken and sixe of their Standards wonne the rest for safeguard of life so posted away that this conflict was called the battell of Spurres 9 Then was the battery broght so neer their wals that many breaches were therein made and the Towne by composition yeelded vnto the King whereupon the Earle of Shrewsbury was sent to see all things safe who stucke vpon the highest Turret the Banner of Saint George and tooke the oath of alleagiance of all the French Citizens to acknowledge King Henry their supreme Lord This done the King as a Conquerour entreth Terwine sent thence their Ordinance dismounted the Turrets cast downe the walles filled vp the ditches and fired the Towne excepting onely the Cathedrall Church and Bishops Pallace 10 Then was the siege remoued vnto Turnay about which City King Henry commanded diuers Trenches to bee cast and placed his Ordinance to such aduantage that none might enter in or come out of the same Into this Towne a great number of the French from the Countries adioining had lately fled relying much vpon the strength and safety of the place which indeed had euer beene accounted so inuincible that this sentence was engraued ouer one of the gates Iannes ton me a perden ton pucellage thou hast neuer lost thy maiden-head Notwithstanding it was yeelded vp vnto Henry with ten thousand pounds sterling for the Citizens redemption who to the number of fourescore thousand then tooke their oathes to become his true Subiects and foure of their principall bare vp the Canopie vnder which the King in triumph-wise entred hauing born before him his sword axe speare and other abiliments of warre euery Citizen holding a staffe-Torch for his light The safe keeping of this City the King committed to Sir Edward Poinings Knight of the Order of the Garter whom hee there made his Lieutenant and ordained Thomas Wolsey his Almoner the Bishoppe of Turnay The yeere now spent and season vnfit for the fielde a surcease from warre was determined vntill the next spring whereupon all were shipped for England with full payment and praise but Terwin and Turnay stucke heauily vpon the French mens hearts 11 King Lewis thus endammaged in his owne Dominions thought it best policy to pay like for like to which end at the first attempts against Terwine hee solicited Iames the fourth of that name King of Scotland though brother by marriage vnto King Henry of England to disturbe the peace of his Subiects that so hee might bee drawne out of France which Iames for his part put presently in practise for writing his letters to Henry in the French Kings behalfe charged him with breach of Truce both in the case of his Scots slaine at the sea as also against his Confederates the Duke of Gelder and King of France against which last he desired him to desist otherwise hee should bee forced to reuenge the Frenches wrongs vpon his English and to giue letters of Mart to recouer the losses of his Subiectes 12 King Henry a Prince of a Maiesticall spirite most highly offended at these his brothers requests and threates was so farre ouergone with fury and rage that Lions King at Armes the bringer was thereby somewhat daunted at his present answere which he desired might be sent in writing refusing to carry in words his reply to his Soueraigne This Heralds wise and weighty request was forthwith granted and letters framed to King Iames demands answering those imputations with rough and round words which notwithstanding hee neuer read or saw being slaine in the battell of Flodden before that Lions could come to deliuer the same 13 For Iames King of Scots preparing for war had in the meane while entred the borders and with his Ordinance battered and wonne the Castell of Norham making still forward vpon the English Against whom Thomas Howard Earle of Surrey made the Kings Lieutenant of the North at his going into France assembled an Army of twenty sixe thousand strong vnto whom came his sonne the Lord Admirall of England with a great supply of good souldiers well appointed for warre The Earle from Newcastell came vnto the water of Till and pitched his battell besides a little Towne called Brankeston vnder Flodden hill a mountaine lying in the North of Northumberland betwixt the riuers of Till and Tweed where vpon a rising banke the Scottish hoast had taken the aduantage of the ground vnto King Iames Thomas Earle of Surrey sent Rouge Crosse a Purseuant at Armes with proffer of battell to bee done vpon Friday the ninth of September if so it pleased his Highnesse who withall carryed this message from the L. Admirall that he was come in person to iustifie
his Act against Andrew Barton and would abide the last drop of his bloud in the Vant-gard of the field 14 King Iames most readily accepted the offer and by his Herauld Hay sent the Earle word that if he were as then in Edenbrough yet would hee most gladly come to fulfill his desire and withall sent his letters for the iust occasions giuen him to inuade England as hee did The day approached and the Scots keeping the higher ground the Earle marched vpward along the riuer and by two Bridges passed ouer with his hoast making still forward as thogh he ment either to haue taken into Scotland or else to circumuent K. Iames his returne which hee perceiuing hasted downe the hill putting from him his horse raised his roiall Standard and as a most valiant Chiefetaine encouraged his Souldiers to the fight 15 The Scotish Ordinance discharged from aboue ouershot the English with very small dammage and the ground of no difficult ascent gaue them the easier accesse so that Sir Edmund Howard who lead a wing to the Vant-gard whereof his brother the Admirall was Captain got almost to the height against whom the Earles of Lennox and Argile with their Battels of Speares on foot so violently encountred that they beat down and brake the wing of the English wherein many were slaine and the horsemen disbanded and put to flight but presently recalled ioyned themselues againe to the great battell which by this time had attained to the toppe of the hill King Iames that saw this first brunt performed made full account that the day was his owne supposing verily the English had fled and therefore most valiantly he aduanced forward not staying for the reregard to second his battel and encountring the Earles Battalion a bloody fight was performed with the losse and life of many a man but strength neere spent and the Scotish somewhat disioyned through force of a great shore of arrowes falling among them Sir Edward Stanley hauing three bands reserued for the like purpose with a fresh onset inuaded the open sides of the enemy whose force was so violent that the Scots no longer were able to stand but tooke downe the hill vnto flight which the Earles of Lennox and Argile perceiuing did their best to stay them and fighting most valiantly themselues were slain in the same place 16 King Iames then perceiuing the wings of his Battell distressed and gone and that the enemy began to enclose him about with a stout resolution incouraged his men willing thē to regard the person of their King their own honor their valiant Ancestors and now their present imploiments that their blood might bee bought deare to the English and the Scotish valours recorded for euer in the volumes of fame for this their one daies work thereupon rushing among the thickest began a most eager bloody battel and piercing through with a strong hand went so far that he had almost ouerthrown the Earles Standard thus busied in doubtfull chance the Lord Howard and Sir Edward Stanley hauing discomfited the enemy in either wing returned in the face of the maine battell and the Lord Dacres with his Horse-men came vpon their backes so that the Stotish were forced to fight in a round compasse but being ouer-laid the Kings Standard was strucken downe and himselfe most valiantly fighting slaine in the middest of his enemies with whom died three Bishops whereof one was Alexander Archbishop of Saint Andrewes the Kings base sonne two Abbots twelue Earles and seuenteene Lords Kent vnto Black-heath neere vnto Greenewich was there mette and receiued by the Duke of Norfolke many Knights but many more Prelates where in a Tent of Cloth of Gold he shifted himselfe into his Cardinall Roabes which was edged about with most rich Ermine and thence rode to London in more pompe and estate then Christ did to Ierusalem when Hosanna was sung 32 Eight Mules hee had laden with necessaries belonging but those made no shew in proud Wolseis eies therefore twelue more hee sent him to furnish his Pageants through the streets of London these either wanton or ashamed to bee wondred at plaied the skittish Iades indeed For in Cheape-side as this Triumph foorth passed these beasts by breaking their Collers and escaping their Leaders cast their Carriages and Coffers vpon the cold ground whose lids flying open laid most of their riches to the sight of the people For from some of them fell olde Breeches Bootes and broken shooes from others torne stockings tottered ragges olde Iron and horse shooes and for fainting by the way therein was bestowed and now cast abroad broken meate mary-bones rosted egges and crusts of bread ywiffe worth the keeping this Shipwrack made vpon the Shelues of Cheape-side no need it was to bid the muliters to bestirre them who like good thrifty marriners saued from spoile as much as they could and trussing vp their trinkets laded againe these wantons with the wealth of the Cardinal who good man was iogging on afore with his Crosses Pillars Gilt-axe and Mace vnto Pauls Church where hee was mette with many mitred Bishops and attended vpon to Bath place where we will leaue him and returne to the place where wee left 33 The vnity agreed vpon betwixt England and France a meeting was motioned for the two Kings and to that ende great preparation made aswell of the one as of the other But in the heate of this businesse King Henry had word that Charles his Queenes Nephew and new made Emperour would visit him in England which accordingly hee did accompanied with the Queene of Arragon and a most Royall Traine and was as Roiallie entertained by King Henry the cause of his comming was to hinder the peace concluded with France for although this Emperour were young and but newly established yet was hee wise and well foresawe the hurt that this amity with France would bring him and therefore came in person of purpose to disswade the Kings mind and to stay his entrance with the French if he could but finding Henry so forward in those proceeds he baited his hooks with golden gifts to the Cardinall and wanne him wholly to his deuotion 34 King Henry passing the Seas vnto Callis met with King Frances at a place appointed and for that purpose newly built betwixt the Townes of Guisnes and Arde where to describe the Iusts Banquets and Maskes were to fill vp with Hall Grafton and Holinshed whole sides of excessiue great Cost At Callis also the same time the Emperor with his Aunt the Lady Margaret Dutchesse of Sauoy landed whither King Henry and his Queene repaired to the no little grudge of the French King though he kept it to himselfe and consented vnto the ancient league tripertite betwixt these three Monarches which done the Kings returned into their owne Realmes 35 Displeasures shortly arising betwixt the Emperour and the French King King Henry assaied to bring thē to peace but
that failing fell himselfe from the French imputing the fault vnto Frances for suborning the Scots against him and King Frances againe laid all the blame in the Cardinall accusing him of dissimulation abhorted practises and what not but wheresoeuer lay the defect the Duke of Albany was sent into Scotland the French followed a Spanish ship fraught with the goods of English-Merchants vnto Margate and tooke her euen in the Kings streams in both which King Frances excusing himselfe with ignorance alleaged no breach of truce broken by him 35 Then was it thought best by the Cardinals aduice to repay like with like and therefore counselled his King to reare Charles Duke of Burbon against France and to perswade him to inuade the very heart thereof incouraging him with sufficient pay and making him his Champion generall of the Field whilest the Emperor likewise held him play against Millan And to that end was sent in way of loane to the Emperour a great summe of money and forreine Princes sollicited to take armes against France for effecting which King Henry sent his Ambassadors to the States of Venice and Swissers with these instructions as followeth 36 That whereas in a treatie of peace it was concluded betwixt the Emperor King Henry and Frances the French King that if any Controuersies should arise betwixt any two the Prince not inuading should giue aide and assistance against the inuader but now the Emperour being inuaded by the French Kings Captaines in the Realme of Nauarre and in his owne Countrey by Robert de la March and others by his procurement and our king said they being often called vpon by the Emperor hath often entreated the French King to surcease but hath nothing obtained besides faire words and detraction of promises Complaining likewise that in the intercourse of these businesses the French King contrary to his Oath had sent the D◅ of Albany into Scotland in contempt of King Henry and to the great danger of the yong Kings death or deposition he being the next in blood to succeed and to the dishonour of the Queene mother had caused a separation betwixt her and her lawfull husband the Earle of Angus That the French King had deteined the payment compounded for the deliuery of Turnay and kept backe the dowry of his sister Queene Dowager of France that he had entertained the rebellious Subiects of King Henry and spoiled his Merchants both by Land and Sea Neither was vnremembred the danger that the Venetians stood in if the Realmes of Naples and Sicilie the Seigniories of Ieans and Millane were lost from the Empire These therefore seemed faire proiects vnto King Henry for him to warre against France and to that end a generall Muster by Commission was taken of all able men from sixteene yeers and vpward of euery Hamlet Village Burrough Citie Hundred and Shire throughout England which seemed to many another Domesday Booke and yet was there neither peace nor warre against France 37 In this great and hasty preparation Charles the Emperour as he passed toward Spaine landed at Douer where King Henrie mette him and in great estate brought him to London which was so prepared with Ornaments and Pageants as if it had been the Kings Coronation and in the Blacke-friers the Emperour was lodged in a most Princely Palace new built by the King then was he feasted at Winsor where he sate in his state in his Mantle and Garter and by receiuing the Sacrament these two Potent Monarches tooke their Corporal Oathes to obserue the Couenants concluded betwixt them whereof one was that the Emperour Charles agreed to stay for and take to wife the young Princesse Lady Marie King Henries then onely daughter and in such golden bands of loue Charles and Henrie seemed to be linked as in London this sentence was set vp in the Guild-hall ouer the doore of the Counsell Chamber where it still remaineth Carolus Henricus viuant defensor vterque Henricus fidei Carolus Ecclesiae ◅ 38 Why the Titles defender of Church and Faith were attributed vnto these two Princes is no maruell for Charles chosen Emperour was scarsly confirmed but to purchase the Popes fauor he directed forth a solemne Writ of Out-lawry against Martin Luther who then had giuen a great blow to the Papall Crowne And King Henry likewise was renowned in Rome for writing a booke against the said Luther vnderpropping the tottering or downe-cast countenance of the Popes pardons which Luther shrewdly had shaken the Pope therefore to shew himselfe a kind father vnto those his sonnes gaue them these Titles which in truth were none other then the same which they sware vnto when the Crownes of their Empires were first set vpon their heades But with what acceptance his Holinesse receiued King Henries booke his owne Oration solemnely made at the deliuery thereof vnto M. Iohn Clarke the presenter and Kings Ambassador in his Consistory and in presence of his Cardinals sufficiently doth shew the translation whereof we haue inserted as we finde it in the Originall it selfe Wee doe receiue this booke with all alacrity it is indeed such as there could not bee any thing sent vs and our venerable brethren more acceptable then it is For the King himselfe a most mighty most prudent and most truely Christian Prince wee know not whether wee may more prayse or admire being the first that by warre with happy successe hath subdued the enemies of the Church of Christ that seeke to rend Christs coat and at last ouercomming the enemies hath restored peace to the Church of God and to this holy See But now against so soule a Monster both to vnderstand to bee able and willing to write this book hee hath shewed himselfe no more admirable to the whole world for his elegant style then for his wit We humbly giue thanks to our Creator for giuing such a Prince to defend his Church and this holy See desiring the same God to grant to this his King a happy life and all his desires and after this life in his heauenly Kingdome to keepe for him an euerlasting Crowne And we so farre as wee are able to entreat of God will neuer bee wanting to the said most wise King in the faculties granted to vs of God 40 To manifest which his readinesse himselfe among his Cardinals decreed an augmentation vnto King Henries royall Stile to bee annexed vnto his others confirming the same by his Bull which that it perish not by the deuouring teeth of Time wee haue here published from the originall Parchment and leaden seale it selfe as followeth 41 Leo Episcopus seruus seruorū Dei c. Leo Bishop seruant of the seruants of God to our most dearely beloued Sonne in Christ Henry King of England defendor of the Faith health and Apostolicall Benediction Wee by diuine permission the chiefe ouerseer for the gouernment of the vniuersall
gaged on their silence the life of a good hound much lesse mine owne I doubt not may it please your honors to appose them how they came to the knowledge of those matters which they are so ready to depose but you shall find their tongues chained to another mans trencher and as it were Knights of the Post suborned to say sweare and stare the vttermost they can as those that passe not what they say not with what face they say it so they say no truth but on the other side it grieueth mee that your good Grace whom I take to bee wise and sharpe and who of your blessed disposition wisheth mee well should bee so farre gone in crediting these corrupt Informers that abuse the ignorance of your state and Country to my peril Little know you my Lord how necessary it is not onely for the Gouernour but also for euery Nobleman in Ireland to hamper the vnciuill neighbours at discretion wherein if they waited for processe of law had not those liues and lands you speak of within their reach they might hap to loose their own liues lands without law You hear of a case as it were in a dream feele not the smart that vexeth vs. In England there is not a mean Subiect that dare extend his hand to fillip a Peere of arealm In Ireland except the Lord haue cunning to his strength and strength to saue his Crowne and sufficient authority to take theeues and variets when they stir he shall find them swarme so fast that it will bee too late to call for iustice If you will haue our seruice take effect you must not tie vs alwayes to these iudiciall proceedings wherwith your Realme thanked be God is inured Touching my kingdome I know not what your Lordshippe should mean thereby If your Grace imagine that a Kingdome consisteth in seruing God in obeying the Prince in gouerning with loue the common wealth in supporting subiects in suppressing rebels in executing iustice in brideling blind affections I would bee willing to bee inuested with so vertuous and roial a name but if therfore you tearm me a King in that you are perswaded that I repine at the gouernmēt of my soueraign or winke at malefactors or oppresse ciuil liuers I vtterlydisclaim that odious term maruelling greatly that one of your Graces profound wisdom would seeme to appropriate so sacred a name to so wicked a thing but howsoeuer it bee my Lord I would you and I had changed Kingdomes but for one moneth I would trust to gather vppe more crummes in that space then twice the reuenewes of my poore Earledome but you are well and warme and so hold you and vpbraide not mee with such an odious terme I slumber in a hard Cabine when you sleepe in a soft bedde of Downe I serue vnder the Kings Cope of heauen when you are serued vnder a Canopie I drinke water out of my skull when you drinke wine out of golden cups my Courser is trained to the field when your Gennet is taught to amble when you are graced belorded crouched and kneeled vnto then find I small grace with our Irish borderers except I cut them off by the knees At these girds the Lord Chancellor much fretted and finding Kildare to bee no babe deferred the hearing of his cause till more proofes were produced from Ireland then in a great fume hee arose from the Councell board and committed the Earle vnto prison against the minds of most at the Table who knew well that this his accusation was more of hatred borne by the Cardinall then any occasion giuen by the accused late Deputy Whereupon Thomas Duke of Norfolke stept to the King and craued that Kildare might bee his prisoner offering to bee bound in goods and body for his forth comming whom hee obtained though with no great liking of the L. Chancellor who daily entertaind new plaints against him till at last hee pressed him sore with letters sent to Oneale and Oconor to encourage their rebellions against Osorie the Lord Deputy which letters were brought them by his own daughter and their sisters the Lady Elice Fitzgirald wife to the Baron of Slane 59 This presumption being vehement the King suspitious the Cardinall eager and his friends faint Kildare was sent to the Tower where he committed himselfe to God and expected dayly his death but with such couragious resolution as hee being in play with the Lieutenant at slide-groat when the mandate was brought for his execution on the next morning and seeing the Lieutenant strucke into a suddaine sadnesse by Saint Bride Lieutenant quoth the Earle there is some madde game in that scrowll but fall how it will this throw is for a huddle and when the worst was told him now I pray thee quoth he doe no more but learne assuredly from the Kings owne mouth whether his Highnesse be witting thereto or no the Lieutenant louing his prisoner well repaired to the King and shewed him the Cardinals warrant who then controuled the sawcines of the Priest for those were his tearmes and gaue the Lieutenant his Signet for a countermand whereat the Cardinall stormed but Kildare deliuered from his eminent death and not long after from his imprisonment also was sent into Ireland where at his entrance into Dublin he was met with a solemne procession and so brought into the City so welbeloued was this Earle abroad and at home 60 But the French Kings fortunes were nothing so good who was straitly imprisoned at Madrill in Spaine and great suite made for his deliuerance which notwithstanding would not be heard The Queene mother then Regent of France wise of her selfe and forwarded by others saw no better means to free her sonne the King then to enter amity with England which to accomplish she solicited King Henry working vpon the occasions then ministred which was some vnkindnesse growne betwixt the English King and the Emperour the one of them more strange by the greatnesse of his fortunes and the other in iealousie of lessening renowne The sparkes of which Cinders were steared to flame by Wolsey that euer was in the eare of the King alleadging his potency so much esteemed of all Christian Princes a sound very tunable in Henries wide eare would bee lesse regarded by the Emperours late victory who now beganne to carry himselfe with another respect and neuer after that victory gotten subscribed his letters to King Henry according to his accustomed manner your Sunne and Cosen but to the draught of his Secretaries in fixed his hand with the word Charles and no more 61 These dislikes and other intercourses of State drew Henry shortly to a peace with France In the exemplification of which league the Venetians and other Princes were left to their choise whereof himselfe notwithstanding would bee stiled the Protector And to his leaguer Ambassadors sent these instructions to moue the States to consider the Emperours
Lord Cr◅mwell the Lord Chanceler and Sir Ryc Rych Knight to haue condigne ponysment as subuerters of the gudlawes of the Rea◅me and onetemers of the stese sect of this false heretykes fyrst inuenter and brengers of them Also that the Landys in Westmorland Comberland Kendale Dentsyd Furnes and the Abbeis lands in Yorke Worsaidyshire Kerbyshire Neuerdale mayne bee Tennant Right and the lord to haue at euery change two yeeres rent in the name of a agarsumme and no more according to a grant now made by the Lords to the Commens vnder their Seales and this to be done by Act of Parlement Also the hand-gunnys and Crosse-boys with the penaltie of the same to be repelled onles hyt be in the Kings forrests and Parkes to kyllers of Deere Also that Doctor Lee and Doctor Leyton may haue condigne ponyshment for their extortions in time of visitation in brybes of some religyous houses x. l. xx l. and for other summes besyde horsys vowsens leases vnder couent seallys by them taken and other abominable Acts by them committed and done Also to see reformation for the election of Knightes of shire and the B◅rgys and for the vse among the Lords in the Perlament after the ancient custome Also the Statute for inclosyng Intackes to bee put in execution that all Intacks Inclosys syth Anno quarto Henrici ◅eptimi be pullyd downe exceding Forests and Parkys to be dystrud of their qūition and tax now granted by Parlament Also to haue the Parlyament in a conuenient place as Nottingham or Yorke and the same to bee so moued shortly Also that it may be enacted by authority of Parliament that all recognisans stat◅tys penaltyes newly forfeyted during the tyme of the Commission may bee pardoned discharged aswell against the King as stranger Also the Priuilege of the Ryght of the Church to be confirmed by Act of Parlament and Prysts not to suffer onles they be degraded a man to bee saued by his Booke Sanctuary to saue a man in all causes in extreme need and the Church to saue a man for forty dayes and further according to the ◅wes as they were vsed in the beginning of the Kyngys dayes Also the libertyes of the Church to haue their old Customes as the County Palatine of Durham Beuerley Reppon S. Peter of Yorke and such other by Act of Parliament Also to haue the Statute that no man shall declare his will on his land to be repelled Also the Statute of treason for W◅ys made sith Anno xxi of our Soueraigne that now is to bee in like wise repelled Also that the common Law may haue place aswell as was vsed in the beginning of your gracious raign and that all Iniunctions be cleerely denied and not granted vnlesse the matter be heard in the Cha◅cery and there determined Also that no man vpon sub poena or Priuy Seale from Trent Northward appeare but at Yo◅rke or by Atturney vnlesse it be directed vpon pene of allegyance or for like matter concerning the King Also a rem◅dy against Exchequer for f◅ing of false Offices and extortions in taking of Fees for that which is not held of the King and against the Pr◅ters thereof These were the Instructions giuen to their Co◅ssioners to be c◅ferred vpon all which as it should seeme were drawne into foure Articles or heads as by the mynute of the Kings answere thereunto doth appeare which Originall in many places with his owne hand is interlined with so wise and learned additions as doe confirme his Kingly care both for the Church and common weale the true copy whereof to his great f◅e is as followeth his corrections and additions is varied from the rest by a seuerall Character Petitions An Answere to the demaunds of the Rebels in Yorkeshire by the Kings Highnesse for the premisses or anie of them by his heires or by anie his Officiaries Ministers or Subiects by anie manner of meanes or in anie manner of wise Prouided alwaies that you and euerie of you in token of a perfect declaration and knowledge that ye doe hartilie lame◅nd be sorrie for your said offencies shall make your humbly submission vnto his Highnes in the presence of his right trustie and right intirely beloued Cosens and Concellairs the Duke of Norforlke and the Earle of Shrewsburie his Lieutenants Generall or any of them or to their Deputy or Deputies of them or any of them or such other person or persons as the Kings Highnes shall appoint for the same Furthermore the Kings most roiall Magesty streitely chargeth and commandeth that you and euery of you shall from henceforth like trew and faithfull Subiects vse your selues in Gods peace and his according to the dueties of alleagance and that you shall in no wise hereafter attempt to make or procure any such rebellion intent vnlawfull Assemblies Riots Rowts and Conspirations nor at the Commandement nor by the Authority of any person of what estate or degree or for what cause soeuer it be shall arise in any forcible manner and array vnles it be at the speciall commandement of the Kings Highnes or his Lieutenant sufficiently auctorised for the same In witnes whereof the Kings most royall Magesty hath caused this his Proclamation to be made Patent and sealed with his great sayle at Richemounte the IX day of December in the XXVIII yeere of his Reigne 1536. Pexsall Notwithstanding this Generall pardon and mercifull dealings of the King a new Insurrection was raised in the North wherin many of the former were now againe Actors as by name Robert Aske whom the King had not onely pardoned but also highly rewarded the Lord Dacres Sir Robert Constable Sir Francis ◅ygod Pulmer Percy Hamilt◅n Tempest and Lumley all of them put to death as they well deserued 99 In which Commotions those men whose profession was onely the Booke and their ◅eades mistaking Christs meaning who bad his Disciples to sell their coate and to buy a sword came armed among the Rebels into the Field and with them were taken as Traitours against the Crowne for which offence many of them suffered death namely Iohn Paslew Abbot of Whaley in Lincolneshire Iohn Castegate and William Haydocke Monks of the same house Robert Hobs Abbot of Woborne in Bedfordshire Adam Sudbury Abbot of Gernaux with Astbeed a Monke of that house the Abbot of Sawley in Lancashire and the Prior of the same place William Wold Prior of Birlington the Parson of Pudington fiue Priests of Lincolnshire and with them their chiefetaine Captaine Cobler and Iohn Allen Priest 100 These stirres thus quieted and the Statesmen at leasure to preuent the like a Commission came foorth to purge the Churches of Idols and to suppresse the Monasteries to the Kings vse granted vnto him by Parliament the one of them the onely working cause through the gaine that was got by ignorant deuotion and gadding on pilgrimage and the other the Nest and very receptacle of all traiterous attempters against the peace
of Nouember at a place beyond Carliel called Solem-mosse where were taken Prisoners the Earles of Cassils and Glencarne the Lords Maxwell Flemming Summerwell Oliphant and Grey Sir Oliuer Sinclere and others to the number of one and twenty men of account who were conueighed to London and committed to the Tower For griefe of which losse and suspition of his Nobility King Iames fell into a melancholy Passion which the birth of his new borne Princesse rather increased then gaue him any coÌ„fort so as hee deceased the foureteenth day of December following foreshewing saith Leslie great troubles to follow in Scotland 119 Newes brought neere at one instant of the death of King Iames birth of the Princesse his daughter King Henry intended to doe that by the match of a marriage which long had beene assayed by the sword of Mars all things so consorting as it did he hauing one onely sonne then aboue fiue yeres of age and Scotland no heire beside this new borne daughter their yeeres suiting a consent for marriage the whole Iland offering both the ioynter and dowry and that which most moued their chiefe Nobility in his owne hands to be moulded for this designe as if heauen it selfe had bid the banes 120 Those Prisoners therefore which had remained in the Tower only two daies vpon the twenty one of December he sent for to Westminster the Earles and Lords all suited in Gownes of blacke damaske furred with Cunny whereafter some words of friendly reproofe they were bestowed among the English Nobility who vsed them according to their estates and the third day in Christmas were inuited to the Court at Greenewich where they went before the King to 〈◊〉 Chappell were royally feasted and the motion then made for the establishing of peace by the Coniunction of the two Princes whereunto the Scotish were as willing as the English proffered all forward assistance to haue it accomplished So that these Nobles were deliuered without other ransome and richly rewarded at their departure from Court 121 These returned into Scotland declared what they had done and so effectually followed the busines that in a Parliament assembled of the three Estates the marriage was confirmed and a peace proclaimed to continue betwixt the two Realmes the space of tenne yeeres which agreements were sent into England by honourable Ambassadors and there interchangeably sealed betwixt these Potent Estates But Cardinall Betâ—… Archbishop of Saint Andrewes fearing least Scotland would change the Church Orders 〈◊〉 England had done the Bible already read in their owne language and the Popes vsurped power called in Question as then it began to be by the feruent preaching of Friet Guiliam to the great liking of most of the Lord made some exceptions against the Earle Arraine the new chosen Gouernour and second person in the Land being neerest in blood to the young Queene And the French King not liking this vnion with England sought by all meanes to 〈◊〉 the same match to effect which he sent the Eaâ—…le of Lennox to perswade with the Gouernour with great proffers and promises of assistance but finding him faithfull vnto King Henry presently made faction for the French wherein hee drew the Queene mother the Earles Huntly Argile Mâ—…trosse Menteith and many more Peeres the Cardinall amongst them euer the chiefe 122 Earle Lennox thus growne into credite with the Queene mother 〈◊〉 made strong by her adherents that fauoured the French presently claimed to be Gouernour of Scotland being the second person of degree in the Realme and withall to haue the custody of the young Queene who with heâ—… mother were forth with taken from 〈◊〉 vnder the charge of the Gouernour Arraiâ—…e and brought vnto Striueling strongly guarded with the continuall presence of the Lords 〈◊〉 Erskâ—… Fleâ—…ing and Ruthwen least Queene Mary should be conueyed into England vnto King Henry These violent courses caused great Emulations among the Scotish Nobility each of them siding as their affections were setled but lastly agree to set the Crowne on their young Queenes head prepared for the solemnity whereunto all the Lords came excepting those that stood for England and from them the Gouernour with much adoe was drawne to be present at the Coronation but that accomplished and the state affaires consulted vpon it was agreed that the French Kings suite should be fauoured and that the Earle Arran should be Gouernour still whereat Earle Lennox conceiued such displeasure as he became wholy for King Henrie ioined himselfe with the Earles of Augus Gleâ—…carne and Cassils the Lords Maxwel Summeruell Gray and others that stood with the English for the match with Prince Edward 123 King Henry then hearing what was done and intended sent presently into Scotland to demand the Custody of the young Queene and that certaine Scotish Noblemen might be appointed to guarde her in England vntill shee came to yeeres of consent according to Couenants formerly concluded which no waies would be granted and thereupon he prepared an Army thetherward vnder the Conduct of Lord Edward Seiâ—…er Earle of Hertford Lieutenant Generall by Land accompanied with the Earle of 〈◊〉 and a Fleete of two hundred saile by Sea whereof Sir Iohn Dudley Vicount Lisle was Admirall 124 To the aide of the Scots the Peopes holinesse was very forward who sent them the Patriarch of Venice as his Legate Orator to perswade their Resolutions with whom the French King sent Monfieur la Broche and Monfieur Menager to lead them to fight and fifty thousand Crownes of the Sun to suâ—…taine the Charge with munition worth ten thousand Crownes more It seemeth by Lesly that part of this siluer fell into the Earle Lennâ—… his hand and that therewith he made head against the Gouernor but not able to match him sent vnto King Henry for aide with proffer of his seruice against the French side which so well was accepted of Henry as he made him his Nephew by giuing the Lady Margaret his sisters daughter to be his wife 125 Thâ—… English thus seconded with this vnlooked for Allyance Cardinall Beton thought good to binde all to the Gouernour who with the Authority of the Queene Dowager proclaimed Lennox an Enemy to the State But in the meane while the Admirall of England was entred the Frith and at new Hauen landed his men where ioining his to the land Seruice they altogether marched thence towards Lâ—…th himselfe leading the Vaward Shrewsbury the Rereward and the Lord Lieutenant the maine Battell These comming to Lieth spoiled the Town and thence to Edenbrough burnt the City and wasted the Country for seauen miles about this done they set fire vpon Haddington and 〈◊〉 and then the whole Army returned vnto Barwicke 126 Whilst things thus passed in Scotland and the maine purpose resting in suspence King Henry well knew where the greatest rub did lie in his way which was the French
King the chiefest A better of the Scots whom he euer vpheld to hold him tacke at home least otherwise he should 〈◊〉 with France for his owne right And therefore hauing ioined with the Emperour against the French sent his Herald Garter King at Armes to demand certaine couenants which if he refused 〈◊〉 proclaime defiance vnto open warres but he not suffered to doe his message to the King returâ—…ed and 〈◊〉 prepared an expedition into France wherein he imploied the Dukes of 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 the Earleâ—… of Aâ—… Oxfâ—…rd and Surâ—…ey the Lords Râ—…ssell Grey 〈◊〉 rers 〈◊〉 and Sainâ—…-Iohn besides many other seruiceable Knights and Sir 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 appointed high Admirall for the Seâ—… Of these some 〈◊〉 with the Emperials and shewed their value in the siege of Mattrell 127 The Duke of Suffolke in the meane while strucke downe his Standerds on the East side of Bolloigne and with many sharpe skirmishes entred the base Towne which siege King Henry himselfe in person seconded who hauing passed the Seas from England vpon the sixe twentith of Iuly encamped before Bolloigne on the East-side whence his Canons so rent the Wals and Bulwarke as their mounted tops lay vpon the Ground and his great morter peeces were discharged with so skilfull a Compasse that their bullets falling downe right beate all buildings downe vpon the Enemies heads Whereby saith Sleidane in short time he got that which neither his Father nor the Kings in former times could neuer winne For thereupon the Town was surrendred and cleared of the French souldiers women and children 128 The King like a Conquerour with his sword borne before him entred the Gate where the Duke of Suffolke presented him with the keyes of the Towne the Trumpets still sounding and nothing wanting that might applaud his fame The Towne thus wonne the English meant still to keep for the strengthening whereof the King commanded the faire Church of Saint Maries to be taken downe and in the same place a mount to be raised for the planting of Ordinance to annoy any siege But being thus busied in Bolloignes affaires the Emperour without his knowledge or consent came to a peace with the French King whereat King Henrie was sore displeased and the sooner left France leauing Sir Iohn Dudley Lord Lisle his deputy in Bolloigne and landed at Douer the first day of October to his great honor and ioy of his Subiects 129 The French King chafed with this late and great losse sought to trie fortune in further attempts and that not onely for the recouery of Bolloigne which with twenty thousand well appointed hee assaied but also in assayling the English dominions as the I le of Wight and those parts of Sussex that lay vpon the Seas though with losse of many Captaines and thousands of Souldiers that neuer returned to tell him what intertainement they had as likewise in sending aide vnto Scotland where Monsieur Mungumry of the Order of France with 5000 strong entred to maintaine the breach betwixt them and K. Henry which was so followed on both parts as the English making a Roade towards Gedworth got praise for their valour but reproch for their spoiles and the Scots renowne for killing the Lord Eure Lord Warden of the East-Marches with many other Captaines in defence of their Countrey 130 Hereupon an Army of twelue thousand strong was sent into Scotland whereof the Earle of Hertford was Generall with these he forraged the Borders before him and burnt many Townes in the Middle-Marches with Kelsey Coldingham Abbey the French not hastie to stay the incursion lay still and let them vnfought with depart for England 131 But the warres remoued againe into France the Reingrâ—…e with a great power came to victuall a Fort built neere vnto Bolloigne to impeach which the Earle of Surrey then Lieâ—…tenant of the Towne made forth but was discomfited in the enterprize and Sir Edward Poyâ—…ings Captaine of a Band slaine with fifteene other Captaines besides many Officers and Common Souldiers These Princes wars in these violent proceedings became very fearfull least they would grow to the Common hurt of Christendome and therefore many other potentates whereof the Emperour was first sollicited these Kings vnto a peace which the sooner was heard and imbraced for that they were both of them old and King Henry diseased in body Commissioners therefore appointed certaine articles were agreed vpon the first thereof was that the French King should pay vnto King Henry eight hundred thousand Crownes in eight yeeres space and then to râ—…nter vpon Bollâ—…igne but in the meane time it to remaine vnder the English to accomplish which peace Mounsieur Danebalt high Admiralâ—… of France was sent into England and Sir Thomas Cheynie Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports to be the Kings Agent at the Font for the Baptisme of the Dolphins new borne daughter 132 Notwithstanding these Complements the sight of Bolloigne was a great sore in the French mens eies insomuch that Monsieur Chatillon Captain of Mountplaisier beganne to make a new Bastilion neere vnto the Towne euen in the very mouth of the Riuer which the Lord Grey of Wilton perceiuing certified the King what inconuenience would happen if that were made strong and the same discussed at the Counsell-Table it passed with one voice that the Peace with France was not to be infringed notwithstanding this French attempt to which end a prohibition drawne whereunto King Henry also set his hand that no let should be made against Chatillon in his Fort. Howbeit the King commanded Sir Thomas Palmer imploied in this busines to bid the Lord Grey to impeach the new worke and to flat so much as was raised thereof vnto the Earth This commission read with the report of Command to the Contrary the Counsell of State thought it most meete to follow their instructions in writing least the words might either be mis-deliuered or mistaken But the Lord Grey causing the messengers words to be writ and subscribed with all their hands that were present at the report suddainely and vnlooked for came to the Fort and in foure houres space cast downe what had beene in raising three moneths before which when the King heard off he asked his Counsellors what they thought of this that Chatillâ—…-garden was cast downe amongst whom one of them answered the dâ—…er thereof was worthy to loose his head I had rather said the King loose a dozen of such heades as thine is then his that had done the deed and immediately sent the Lord Grey his pardon with many great thankes 133 But now the dâ—…te of his time almost run and he preparing towards the way of all flesh the great and faire Church of the Gray Friers London lately suppressed by himselfe he caused againe to be opened and to be made a Parish Church giuing the reuenewes thereof vnto the Citie of London towards the reliefe
was borne of the Virgine Mary and was giuen vpon the Crosse for our Redemption therefore we will haue Masse celebrated as it hath beene in times past without any man communicating with the Priests for asmuch as many rudely presuming vnworthily to receiue the same put no difference betweene the Lords body and other kind of meate some saying that it is bread before and after some saying that it is profitable to no man except hee receiue it with many other abused termes Item we will haue in our Churches reseruation Item wee will haue holy bread and holy water in the remembrance of Christs precious Body and Blood Item we will that our Priests shall sing and say with an audible voice Gods seruice in the Quier of the Parish Churches and not Gods seruice to be set forth like a Christmasse play Item for asmuch as Priests be men dedicated to God for ministring and celebrating the blessed Sacrament and preaching of Gods word we will that they shall liue chast without marriage as Saint Paul did being the elect and chosen vessell of God saying vnto all honest Priests be yee followers of mee Item we will that the sixe Articles which our Soueraigne Lord King Henry the eight set forth in his later daies shall bee vsed and so taken as they were at that time Item we pray God saue King Edward for we be his both body and goods 23 To these their Demands the King sent this answere therein pittying their ignorance and blaming their folly and therewithall his Generall pardon to as many as would desist whiles it was time First he reproued them for their presumptions thus contumeliously to rise against their dread Soueraigne to the disturbance of his loyall Subiects peace whose simplicity they had notoriously abused in vsing his name to draw them into action of Rebellion and no lesse likewise in the grounds of their demands As in their first Article for Baptisme where it was well knowne the same was admitted as necessity required or rather commanded by the Booke of Common praier published by authority of Parliament and as themselues knew in present practise But touching the Sacrament in their second Article how impudently they did belie the true receiuers thereof was manifest who make so much difference in that holy administration that they account no profit in Common bread besides the nourishment of their naturall Bodies but this blessed bread to be the food of their soules vnto eternall life And as you are seduced in these saith the admonition so in confirmation also they carrie your simplicities captiue for the truth teacheth no otherwise then themselues beleeue namely that a Child baptized and dying before confirmation is nethelesse in state of Grace else are themselues causers of their childrens damnation so the seruice of God brought from an vnknowne tongue cannot surely offend any reasonable man which is onely to make him vnderstand that which before he knew not and to giue his consent to those prayers whereof he hath most need and giueth the neerest touch to his owne feeling conscience for God requireth the heart onely which with an vnderstanding seruice we must sacrifice vnto him But most of all saith this good King we maruell at your demand for the sixe Articles restored to haue them in power as formerly hath beene Doe you know what you aske or in obtaining doe you know what you get They were lawes indeed lately made but quickly repented too cruell for you and too mercilesse for vs who would haue our Raigne written with milke and not with blood and because they were bloody we took them away with the same authority by which they were made least reteining them our sword should be too often drawne and rigour extended vpon our true and well-deseruing subiects We for our parts seeke no longer to liue then to be a father vnto our people and as God hath made vs your rightfull King so hath he commanded you vnto obedience by whose great Maiestie we sweare you shall feele the power of the same God in our sword which how mighty it is no subiect knoweth how puissant it is no priuate man can iudge and how mortall no English heart can thinke therefore embrace our mercy while it is offered least the blood spilt by your meanes cry vengeance from the Earth and be heard in the eares of the Lord in Heauen 24 All this notwithstanding the Rebels persisted in their traiterous attempts against whose seditions Sir Iohn Russell Lord Priuy Seale was appointed Generall of the Kings Army vnto whose assistance was ioined the Lord Grey of Wilton vnder whom serued a band of Italians intended against Scotland these lay at Bristow attending the comming of the Lord Generall who now was marched Westward to Honiton where daily looking for more supply those which he had began to shrinke away whereby the Rebels were emboldned to make towards him and came as far as Fenington-bridge within three Miles of Honiton and in a faire Meadow there spread their Colours The Lord Russell though weake in comparison of them holding it more honour to assaile then to be assaulted made forward euen vnto the Bridge at whose sight the Enemies prepared themselues to fight and with a strong guard maintained the Bridge besides which there was passage ouer the Riuer that held his course betwixt the two Armies 25 Great were the attempts the Lord Lieutenant gaue and manfull was the resistance that the Rebell made yet lastly the way was wonne and followed vnto the battell of the disloyals where presently beganne a most cruell fight and a while was maintained to the losse of their blood but the false hearts failing and the true subiects courage increasing the Cornish immediately gaue backe and fled whereat the Kings souldiers out of Order fell to the spoile minding nothing lesse then that which presently ensued for the Cornishmen perceiuing their disordered carriage suddainely returned and began a new fight when the Lord Russell likewise ordered a new his Army these furiously ioining a sharpe and cruell encounter ensued with the losse of much blood and the liues of three hundred Rebels who lastly tooke to their heeles and left the field the chase a while followed and the souldiers scattered a fearefull crie suddainely arose that all the Commons were vp which caused the Lord Generall to returne vnto Honiton whether shortly came the Lord Grey of Wilton hauing in pay Spiniola an Italian Captaine with three hundred shott 26 The Lord Russels forces augmented his greatest care was to releeue the City Excester whither vpon the third of August he hasted from Honiton being a thousand strong and passing ouer the Downes toward Woodbury lodged his Campe that night neere to the Wind-Mill whereof the Rebels hauing intelligence raised themselues from Saint Mary Clift and made amaine vnto the Downes thinking to surprise the Lord Generall before hee was ready but
West The Princes of Wales doe homage to William Math. Paris Henry Hunt Simon Dun. Will. Malmes Math. Paris Polydor. An D. 1077 Robert warreth for Normandy Will. Malmes Mat. Paris Simon Dun. King William wounded and vnhorsed He bandeth his sonne Will. Malmes An. D. 1708 The Tower of London built Iohn Stow. Regist Epist. Roâ—… Stephenide Will. Malmes Florentius Wigor England Suruaie and generall Iudgement Ingulfus Higden Stow calleth that booke Doâ—…us Dei. Ingulfus Geruasius Tilburiens Robert Glocestrens Englands exactions Iohn Castor Iohn Rowse Englishmens reproch Mat. Paris in Gâ—…d Conq. Simon Dunel Malcolme inuadeth England Cambden in Ottaâ—… Simon Dun. Danes prepare against William Mat. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 â—…ance of in â—…ame 〈◊〉 King Williams depopulations Cambd in Hantshire Gualter Mâ—… King William the father or wild Beasts Iudgements of God â—…n King Williams 〈◊〉 in New Forest Cambden Matth. Paris Calamities falling on the Land All things degenerate Roger Wendouer Marianus Pope Gregories Buls against maried Priests Matth Paris in Gâ—… Conq. Inhibiting of married Priests a new deuice and inconsiderate Popish Continency hypocriticall Odo King williams brother affecteth the Papacy King william condemneth his brothers Ambitions His sacrileges His Oppressions His Trecheries His imprisonment His Auarice Wil. Malmsb. Matth. Paris Some write King William tooke Physicke to take downe his great fat belly Higden William Malmes King Williams Oath Stow saith two Anchorits King Williams last Will and Testament Ex Libro Cadomensis Monast. His last Speecâ—… on point of death Of his Sinnes Of his Norman troubles Of his Normans qualities Of his friends Kindreds vnkindnesse Of his English Conquest Outward triumphes leaue inward horrâ—…s His workes of deuotion His Counsell to his Children The dispose of his States Of Normandy Of England King Williams Legacie to his sonne Henry He writeth into England King Williams death With such doctrine was good deuotion abused contrary to the prescript of God Isai. Chap. 33. 16. Princes friends His Corps forsaken of all sorts The qualities of Court-Kites His Hearse also abandoned of al. His buriall place denied him Annoiance at his funerall Hence Stowe notes their report for fabulous who wrot that his Body was found vncorrupt 500. yeeres after his death His description for lineaments and qualities Will. Malmes Rand. Higden Polyc. lib. 7. cap. 4. Stow ex libro Richmond King Williams Charter to Hunter Lambert Peramb Ingulfus Hollins Lamb. Peramb Iohn Leland Wil. Malms Roane Bartel-Abbay so called of a battell there sought against Harold Will. Newbery Math. Paris in Will Conq. Charta de Bello Selby Abbay Exeter Priory Iohn Stow. Saint Stephens in Cane William Malmes King William regardfull of matrimonial agreement Robert A cruell reuenge of one brother on another Henry slaine let his GraÌ„drathers New-forest Richard Richard slaine 〈◊〉 his fathers New-Foâ—…est William Rufus or the 〈◊〉 Henry 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Annales S. Augustus Cantâ—…ar M. S. Cecily She is vailed a Nunne Constanâ—… The Earldome of Richmond erected Alice Saint William Archbishop of Yorke Gundred Ela. Margaret William Rufus Monarch 40 An. D. 1087 William Rufus comes into England Ypodigma Neustria Simon Dunel The Peeres wish well to his Elder brother Mat. Paris Ypodigm Lanfranke and Wulstane sway the Peeres for Rufus William Gemit Matth. Paris His Coronation His disposition An. D. 1088 Rand. Higden in Polychr lib. 7. cap. 5 Robert possessed of Normandy His disposition Odoes emulation against Lanfrank Polyc. lib. 7. cap. 5. He conspireth against the King Inuireth Robert to try for the Crowne Duke Roberts hopes for England His wants His supply by morgage of his Land Odo the ringlealeader for Duke Robert Rob. Mowbray and other his associates Wil. Malms Simon Dun. Bristow fortified against King William Henry Hunt Duke Robert verie faire for the Kingdome Wil. Genetic King William promiseth to mollifie his Laws He waxeth strong Odo his great heart taken downe Simon Dun. An. D. 1089 * This Castle some lay was built by Odo but it appears to haue been built by William Conquerour Domesday-book Will. Gemet Niding a word of Reproch Camb. in Kent Matth. Paris Odo leaues England Rufus pretendeth submissiuenesse to his brother Polychr lib. 7. c. 3. Math. Paris William Rufus a cunning Time-seruer Faire words appease fooles and often deceiue the wise Lanfranke dieth King William an ill manager of Ecclesiasticall promotions Gâ—…rn Dor. Pope Vrbâ—… not at leasure then to remedy Church wrongs An. D. 1090 Ypodigma Neustria King William enters Normandy Peace made betwixt the King and Duke Will Gemet Matth. Paris Ypodig Neust. Math. Paris Both Brethren oppugne Henry the younger brother Willi. Gemet King William endangered in a Siege King William preferres him that ouerthrew him Williams Oath Edmerus saith his oath was By Gods face An. D. 1091 Ran. Higden in Polychr lib. 7. c. 5. A friendly Enemie An vn-brotherlie Brother Will. Gemet The three brethen reconciled Ypodigm Neustr. Chron. Wallia Warre bewixt Rise Prince of Southwales and 〈◊〉 Rob. Fiftz-hammon â—…ides 〈◊〉 Rob. Fitz. hammon and his followers possesions in Walles The Knighs who attended Fitz hammon An. D. 1092 Gemet Malcolme King of Scotland enters England with a power King William 〈◊〉 Malcolme meete enter League Ypodigm 〈◊〉 â—…stria Mat. Paris King William and Duke Robert at variance againâ—… Carleil reedified Peopled with a Southerne Colony Endowed with large Privilegio An. D. 109 King William falleth sicke and voweth 〈◊〉 Matth Paris Henry Hunt Polychron lib. 7. â—…p 6. Ger. Dorob Godwin in his Catalogue of Bishops Hic humâ—…lis diues res mira potens pausâ—… vltor Compatiensâ—…â—…itis cum pateretur erat Ypodigâ—… Neustri King William regaineth his health and loseth his good purposes Goodwin in the life of Anselme Polychron lib. 7. cap. 7. Rand. Higd. King Malcolme commeth to Glocester Will. Gemet Departeth discontent William Malmes Polydor. Raiseth a power William Gemet Is slaine with his son the Prince Simon Dun. Earl Mowbraies greatnesse suspected by the King Math. Paris Is taken and imprisoned Ypodigm Neustr. Hector Bâ—…s lib. 12. cap. 12. Malcolme slaine vnder shew of submission The name of Percyes ancienter theÌ„ Perceing of Malcolmes eâ—…e Uide Cambd. in Northâ—…m Gemetâ—…icensis Saâ—…nt Margaret Edgar Ethelings Sister dieth for griefe of her husbands death few such Saint-like wiues Hector Boetius Math. Paris The English Monarchs of Wales An. D. 1094 Wil. Malmsb. Ran. Hagd Simon Dun. A breach againe betwixt the two Brethren but made vp for a time King William refuseth the censure of his Arbitrators Bothparts againe in Armes King William preuailes by money Math. Paris The French King leaues his friend for money The warres for the Holy Land Theod. Biblian Duke Robert going to Ierusalem morgageth his Dukedome Henry Hunt Will Thorne Paul Aemil. Will. Gemet King Williams extreame exactions Math. Paris Not sparing Churches and Monasteries Aedmerus An. D. 1095 His expedition for Wales The Welsh fly to their Mountains An. D. 1096 Anglesey inuaded Mat. Paris An. D. 1097 Cruelty
there vsed Girald Cambr. Norwegians assault Anglesey An. D. 1098 Mountgomery kild in the Eye An. D 1099 Synodus Claromontana The Holy voiage Peter an Hermite the Captaine The number of the Army Math. Paris The Generals of the Army Henry Huns. lib. 7. Mat. Paris Their fortunate successes Th. Lanquet Ierusalem takeÌ„ by Christians An. D. 1099 〈◊〉 Math Paris Stowes 〈◊〉 Westminster Hall built The length and breadth thereof Rand. Higden Mayne in Normaney besieged Henry Hunt The Kings readinesse to releeue them Wil. Malms * Yes King Pharao was drowned if the Pilot durst haue so replied Wil. Genetic The courage of Helias a Prisoner King William releateth him His great valour Will Gemet lib. 4. His praises much impaired by partiall writers His opposition to the Romish Church Two Popes of Rome Mat. Paris No English B. subiect to the Pope 〈◊〉 Holinsh. The King of Enland hath as great priuiledges as the Emperour Matth Paris alibi except also Ranulphus Cestrinsis Episc. Pope Gregory was iustly by all mens iudgemeÌ„ts saith Paris deposed for Treason against the Emperour Amongst Lanfranks Epistles M. S. vetust The Pope would haue William Conquerour to sweare him allegeance This money was the Peter-pence or Romescot which Edward Confessor calleth Eleemosynas as giuen of Almes to the Church of Rome Lanfranke counselleth the King to subiect himself to the Pope Epist. Lanfran M. S. Will. Rufus prudently treads his fathers steps Eadmerus He denieth the Popes power Soluendi Ligandi Hodins Against praying to Saints Rand. in Polycbr lib. 7. cap. 9. Gemetâ—…ic l. 7. c. 8. A very wise reason Rob. of Glouc. Chron. S. Albans An example of Will. Rufus his wonderfull Pride Euery base knaue will now goe costlier His auarice Polydor Virg. Polych lib. 7. c. 11. A princely choice I would all Simoniacks might so be serued A preferment bestowed vnlooked for Of King Williams inconunency Math. Paris No Issue â—…legimate of his knowne An. D. 1089 Strange accidents of his time Earthquake Lightning Winde Iohn Stow. An. D. 1096 Vncouth Stars Deluge Goodwin Sands Hector Boetius A Well of bloud Wil. Malmesbury Mat. Westm. Henry Hunt Rand. Higd. Presages of his death Math. Paris ad Anâ—… 1100. Matth. Paris Gemeticensis King William slaine with an Arrow in hunting Math. Paris Yeeres of his age and Raigne Will. Malmes His description of minde and body * Boetius thence surnames him Red-face His works of deuotion Lib. Bermond Monarch 41 Henry I. An. D. 1100 Wil. Malms Iohn Rowse Annales S. Aug. Math. Paris * This was the first Earle of Warwicke from the Conquest so to continue onely ad plaâ—…um M. Thâ—… Miles Th Rudborne * A politicke but traiterous course of capitulating Math. Paris Henries helps to the Crowne Will. Gemet Idem Roger Houed Henry Hunt Ralpe Bishop of Durham imprisoned Math. Paris His Coronation Ger. Dorob William Malmes The fortaine Princes raigning in his time The reformation of his Court Rand. Hig. in Polychr lib. 7. ca. 12. * Houeden Wigorniens * Malmes lib. 5. de Regibus Publike Liberties by him granted Stowes Annales Math. Paris By losse of right hand saith Malmes Of Hand and Genitals Gometicons lib. 7. cap. 23. Of Eies and Genitals Houeden Malmes lib. 5. Simon Dun. Wil. Malms King Edwards Lawes reuiued againe His Charters sent to be kept in Monasteries Math. Paris Ger. Dor. Ypodigma Neustria His Mariage into the English blood Wil. Genetic cap. 25. Math. Paris 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Votary Gemetic cap. 10. Eadmerus Rand. Higden in 〈◊〉 lib. 7. cap. 16. Math. Paris Duke Roberts noble seruice in the Holy warres Duke Robert elected King of Hiâ—…salem Ran. Hegden in Polychr l. 7. c. 1â—… Math. Paris He returnes into Normandy Will Gemet cap. 12. His attempts for England Math. Paris Roger. Houed Wil. Malmsb. Henry Hunt King Henry strengthâ—…eth himselfe against Duke Robert An D. 1101 An. Reg. 2. The English â—…all off to Duke Robert Math. Paris The Duke landeth in England Will. Gemet cap. 12. K. Henry labours for a peace Henry 〈◊〉 Agreement made betwixt the Brethren The covenant of Peace Will 〈◊〉 Matth. West 〈◊〉 Dor. Duke Râ—…bert entertained in King Henries court Will Gemet Cap. 13. Rob. Beliasme against the King An. D. 1102. Simon Dunel An. Reg. 3. Roger Hâ—…uen Matth. Paris Henry Hunt Math. Paris * Goodwin in vita Anselmi Eadmerus Matth. Paris Contention about inuestitures Math. Paris in Will Ruâ—… The Archbishop goes to Rome An. D. 1103 An. Reg. 4. Will. Thorne Polydor. The King sends Ambassadors to Rome The King wil not loose his inuestures for his Kingdome Math. Paris The Pope will lose his head rather then suffer kings to haue inuestures Siluer and gold best mediators to the Pope Pariâ—…nsis Duke Robert entertained in England An. D. 1104. Will. Gemet Henry Hunt He remits 3000. markes a yeer to K. Henry An. Reg. 5. D. Roberts patrimony wasted William Gemet William Earle of Mortaign against the King Ypodig Neustri Math. Paris Rand. Higd. lib. 7. cap. 13. Wil. Malmsb. Math. Paris K. Henry allures the Normans to side with him An. D. 1105 Rog. Houeden An. Reg. 6. Henry Hunt Forts of Normandy yeelded to the King An. D. 1106 Duke Robert leaues force and trusts to persivasion An. Reg. 7. Math. Paris Henry Hunt D. Roberts submission K. Henry respects it not Math. Paris K. Henry resists the counsell of his owne conscience A presumptuous ground to defer repentance King Henry wins his Nobles with faire words Mat. Paris King Henries confidence of the English Math. Paris King Henry inuades Normandy * Yet he also long after was taken and cast into perpetuall prison Wil. Malmsbury Mat. Paris saith it was the 〈◊〉 Caend Maij. Wil. Geâ—… Mat Paris cals in Herâ—…ebray A fierce battaile betwixt the Brethren and their forces Mat. Paris Duke Robers taken prisoner Eadmerus Mat. Paris Normandy conquered Will. Malmes Wil. Geâ—… Roberts rashnesse ouerthrew 〈◊〉 An. D. 1107 Mat. Westâ—… An. Reg. 8. Math. Paris Duke Roberts 〈◊〉 puâ—…out Mat. Paris An. D. 1108 Flemmings placed in Wales An. Reg. 9. Giral Gaâ—…b The coâ—…mendation of the Flemmings The Flemmings great helps for restraining the Welsh King Rufus had little successe in Wales Will. Malmes lib. 5. King Henry disburdenâ—… England of the Flemmings The King violats his promise to the Peeres Math. Paris Ansel. stil molests maried Priests Eadmerus King Philip of France dieth and Lewis succee deth Polyder King Henrie strengthens Normandy An. D. 1109 His daughter married to the Emperour An. Reg. 10. Archbishop Anselme dieth An. D. 1110 An. Reg. 11. Appearing Chastity did breed secret impurity Eadmerus An. D. 1111 An. Reg. 12. King Henry goes into Normandy against Rebels Math. Paris Robert Reliâ—…sme an old Traitor taken A bloudy father and a cruell pastime Chro. Wallia An. D. 1112 An. Reg. 13. Regist. S. Frides Widâ—… Oxon. * Iames 5. 17. An. D. 1114 Floren. Wigorn. Math. Paris Mat. Westminst Iohn Castor Chron. Wallia The King goes with a power against the
Welsh Henry Hunt Flor. Wigorn. The Welsh subdued Math. Paris Henry Hunt * Lawyers cal this Ayde a file marrier Polydor. Hist. lib. 11. saith this was the first president but falsely for both this and that other at knighting of the Kings children are mentioned in the grauÌ„d Custâ—…mier of Normandy and was in vse amongst the Romane Emperours Suetonius in Caligula The English Kings Eldest Sonnes Dukes of Normandy Will. Thorne An. D. 1115 Math. Paris An. D. 1116 Polydor. lib. 11. Ger. Dor. The beginnings of our Parliaments The difference betwixt this and the Ancient vâ—…e of the State Campaigne Henry Hunt Offence and cause of debate betwixt King Henry and King Lewis of France Attempts to dispossesse K. Henry of Normandy Henry goeth to secure Normandy Math. Paris An D. 1117 Flor. Wigor An. D. 1118 An. D. 1119 A pitcht field betwixt the Kings of England and France An. Reg. 20. Malmes lib. 5. Math. Paris The Army of the French King The Army of the English King Heny Hurt The King dangerously assailed Ypodig Neustrl And as brauely acquits himselfe 〈◊〉 Earle of Flanders slaine An. D. 1120 Geâ—… Dor. Prince William marrieth the Duke of Anious daughter Roger. Houed Prince William doth homage for Normandy * Haresteer Prince William puts to Sea A most lamentable shipwrake William Malmes * Sodomiticâ—… labe insects 〈◊〉 omnes saith Paris Prince Williams pitty to his sister cost him his life Malmsb lib. 5. de Reg. Onely one of all his traine escapeth The chiefe of those who then perished Math. Paris Iohn Stow. Rand. Higden An. D. 1121 Eadmerus King Henry marieth againe Gemiticensis Geru Dâ—…ob Henry Hunt Mat. Paris Rand. Higd. in Polyc. lib. 7. ca. 15. A Cholericke Prelate * Math. Paris ad An. 1119. Eadmerus * Polyc. lib. 7. c. 15. * Paris An. 1113. Roma sub Vrbano Anno 1094. * Paris there cals it Their ancient Custome and An. 1112. it had con tinued 300. yeres and vnder 60. Popes Will. Malmes Goodwins Catalogue Math. Paris Will. Malmes Wil. Malmsb. Rand. Higden Corâ—… Walles New attempts in Wales An Army conducted against them The King struck with an Arrow King Henries vsuall Oath Malmes lib. 5. A Peace concluded Iohn Castor Chron. Wallia An. D. 1122 The Normans set vp Duke Roberts sonne He marrieth Sibyl daughter to the Earle of Aniou Rand. Higd. in Polybâ—… lib. 7. c. 16. An. D. 1123 Roger Wind. Math. Paris King Henry repaires the Castles of Normandie An. D. 1124 Henry Hunt Math. Paris Tankeruile takes the Traterous Earles in Normandy Mat. Westâ—… An. D. 1125 Cardinall Cremensis the Popes Legat to restrain Priests marriages Polychr lib. 7. cap. 16. Hen. Hunting lib. 7. Houed in Heâ—…r 5. Taken with a whore the same day hee celebrated the Sacrament Mat. Paris Huntingdon Rog. Higden * Viz. An. D. 1129. Polydor. Math. Paris Huntingdon Roger Houed An. D. 1126 Emperour Henrie the Kings Sonne in law dieth The Empresse comes into England The Peeres sweare fealty to Empresse Dowager the Kings daughter Malmes Nouel lib. 1. Huntingd. lib. 8. Antiq. Manuscr Giral Iâ—…iner Polych lib. 7. c. 16. Houed in Hen. 1. Henry the Emperour supposed not to be dead * Gemetic p. 680. * As being now called of God saith Treâ—…isa * Iohn Stow. The Empresse falsely suspected Math. Paris * Polyer lib. 7. c. 16 Will. Gemet The good esteem of the Empresse Malmes Nouel lib. 1. An. D. 1127 Matth. Paris Will. Gemet The Empresse married to the Earle of Anion Gemeticensis Ger. Dor. William sonne to Duke Robert made Earle of Flanders Mat. Paris Williams title to Flanders An. D. 1128 King Henry inuaded France Mat. Paris He vseth meanes to disturbe Flanders Earle Williams great valour Math. Paris He dies of a smal wound in his hand Huntingdon lib. 7. Will. Malmes in Nouella Historia Higden The Empresie departs from his husband A. Do. 1131 Roger Houed Houeden in Henric 1. Huntingdon Hist. lib. 7. Malmes nouell lib. 1. The Empresse to her husband Hen. Huntingdon lib. 7. An. D. 1131. Ger. Dor. Math. Paris An. D. 1133 Will. Malmes in nouel lib. 1. The Kings last voiage into Normandy presaged to be fatal Polychron lib. 7. cap. 17. An. D. 1134 Robert Curtoise dieth in prison Math. Paris Matth. West King Henry dieth in Normandy Houeden Wil. Malms Math. Paris An. D. 1135 Will. Gemet Math. Paris Polychr l. 7. c. 17. Math. Paris Henry Hunt l. 8. Mat. Westminst Math. Paris Simon Dun. Huntingdon l. 8. Houedâ—… Rand. Hig. in Polychr lib. 7 ca. 17. * His especiall preheminence * His especiall vices Princes vices come to light after their deaths Description of his person and qualities William Gemet cap. 10. Math. West 1. Cor. 11. 14. Higden l. 7. c. 12. Malmes lib. 5. Will. Gem. cap. 22. * Malmesb. lib. 5. in Hen. 1. * Rossus that Pallace he called Beau-mount where afterward King Richard the the first was born He built also the Castle at Woodstocke * Paris An. 1132 * Higden l. 7. c. 14 Goodwine Catologue of Bishops Malmes lib. 5. * Great head His first Wife Malmes lib. 5. Wil. Malms Ibidem His second Wife She was euer barren Maud. Richard Eufem Robert Richard Raynold Robert Gilbert William Henry Maud. Maud. Iulian. Elizabeth Monarch 42. Stephen An. D. 1135 King Henries Issue defeated of the Crowne by Stephen Malmes Nouel lib. 1. Wil. Walsingham Floriacensis King Stephen his descent * Some call her Adela others Alice Wil. Gem. Stephens brother his chiefe Agent Malmsb. Nouel lib. 1. Math. Paris Henry Hunt Archbishop of Canterbury Stephens abettor A traiterous position Rog. de Wendouer Math Paris Malmsb. Nouel lib. 1. Idem * Oâ—… high Steward Mat. Paris Tho. Wal. Ypodigma Neustria * Idem Fealty sworne to Stephen Malmes Nouel lib. 1. Mat. Westm. Stephens louely qualities Will. Malmes Ibidem Rand. Higden Roger Houed Will. Malmes lib. 1. nouel Allegeance sworne conditionally to the King Idem King Stephens faire promises Huntingdon lib. 8. Houeden Hen. Huntingdon * Malmes nouell lib. 1. Kings Stephens Charter * This Henry imprisoned the Pope * Dated apud Oxenford 1136 reg 1 Wl. Malmsbury Huntingdon Roger Houed Wil. Malmsb Houeden Geruas Dorob Math. Paris Malmes Nouel lib. 1. Castles generally raised in England VValsingham Ypodig ad Ann. 1151. Excester first resists King StepheÌ„ Hen. Hunting lib. 8. Flor. Wigorn. Polydor. A. Do. 1138 Ypodigm Neustr. Math. Paris Will Gemet Hect. Boetius lib. 12 cap. 17. Simon Dun. Math. Paris Henry Hunt lib. 8. Chron. Wallâ—…a Tumultuous attempts in Normandy Pariâ—…ensis Wâ—…lsingh Tpodig Malmb Nouell lib. 1. Stephens elder Brother laieâ—… claime Idem Stephen goeth into Normandy Will. Newb. Ger. Dorobor He makes league with France Huntingdon lib. 8. Houeden Math. Paris His son Eâ—…stace Duke of Normandy Stephen buieth his elder brothers Title Ypodigm Neustr. Roger Wend. Houeden Huntingdon lib. 8. Mat. Paris He stoppeth the Empresses husbands mouth with money An. D. 1138. Ann. Reg. 3. Geru Dorob England againe in
the King and Becket Nubrig loco cita Gul. Nubrig l. 2. c. 16. Idem Nubrig l. 2. cap 1. Houeden M. Fox M. Fox p. 264. Nubrig l. 2. c. 16. sine delectu Geruasius ad An. 1163. câ—… gestiret iura Cant. Ecclesiae reuocare Ibidem Roger Houeden ad An. 1163. Nubrigensis Ger. Dorobor Points which the Archbishop would not consent vnto * Ep. Tho. ad Alex 3. PP Ep. Th. ad Suffr suos apud Roge. Houed * See before in Henry the first Reasons mouing King Henry to vrge the Archbishop to assent * Act. Mon. pag. 265. Math. Paris * Houâ—…den * Epist. Th. apud Rog. Houed * Ep. ad Th. apud Rog. Houed An. D. 1164 A. Reg. H. 2. 10. Hâ—…eden Nubrig l. 2. c. 16. calls him Hominem Scrupulosum Rog. Houed The Councell at Clarendon * Mr. Fox Math. Paris The Archbishop violates his promise The Arch-bishop would not relent so farre as to subscribe Roger Houeden Ger. Dor. Idem Math. Paris Guil. Nubrig Houeden Geruasius Vide Geruasium where they are all verbatim recited Beckes againe starts from his word Ger. Dor. Ibidem The King dispatcheth Embassadors to the Pope * Mat. Paris Geruas Dorob Houeden The Arch-bishop called to account * Rog. Houed * Mat. Paris Rog. Houed Mat. Paris Geruasius Idem Idem Nubrig Houeden Dorobornensis Dorobornensis Houeden Geruasius Geruas Dorob Mat. Paris An. D. 1164. Another Embas. sage from the King to the Pope Rog. Houed Geruasius * Mat. Paris 〈◊〉 Rog. Houed alij The King sends Embassadors to Rome against Becket Geruasius Houeden * Isay chap. 42. ver 8. I am the Lord this is my Name and my glorie will I not giue to anyother c. Houeden Ger. Dorobor The incensed Kâ—…gs proceedings Math. Paris ad Ann. 1164. * The Originall 〈◊〉 selfe I haue seene in the custodie of Mr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 * Maâ—…h Paris Ann 1164. Rog 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Ger Dorob An. D. 1166 Rog. Houed Ep. Thom. * Ger. Dorob saith 〈◊〉 eâ—…isit * Geruasiâ—… saith vt 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. * Bale Ceâ—…t 3. * Geruasius * Auram aurâ—… 〈◊〉 Geruas Mat. Paris Acts and Monuments pag. 284. Col 2. Ibid. * Saluo honore Personâ—… suia salâ—… 〈◊〉 salâ—…d 〈◊〉 c. Math. Paris Roger. Houed * Ger. Dor. Ann. 1167. * Cardinal liter Fox p. 284. Geruasius Maximeâ—… propter Thomaâ—… vt crâ—…di potest Geruasiâ—…s 〈◊〉 1169 * Aâ—…ud montem 〈◊〉 * Tacita omni conditione Geruas ibid. Idem Idem An. D. 1168. Math. Paris The King goes about to forsake the Pope and ioine with the Antipape The Bishop of London commanded to admonish the King Rog. Houed The Bishop of Londons defence of the King to Pope Alexand. 3. The Bishoppe of London excommunicated An. D. 1169 Geru Dorob Comforted by the King Ger. Dor. Cardinals attempt to make reconcilement Dorobâ—…rnensis Math. Paris The King offers his causâ—… to bee iudged by the Diuines and Church of France Dorobornensis A strange deuise of Christs Vicar to forbid a whole Kingdome to liue like Christians Houeden The Kings Edict to match the Popes Interdict Geru Dâ—…r The King causeth his sonne to bee crowned King â—…p Alex Pap. apud Roge. Houed * Roger Houeden Polyd. Uirg in H. 2. Math. Paris The last meeting for a peace betweene the King and Archbishop The Archbishop publisheth new censures Math. Paris Roger Houed * Polydor. Virg. l. 13. Lib. Mon. S. Alb. MS. The kings wrath fatall to the Archbishop Ger. Camb. l. 1. c. 20. cals them Aulici Canes * The printed Legend saith he was 53 yeeres of age * In the festiuals of Christs Natiuity Scil. 〈◊〉 Natalâ—… Dominici Nubrigensis Erasmus Guil. Cambd. Stow in H. 8. * Erasm. in Dial. de Peregrinat Religionis ergo * Lambert Peramb of Kent in Harbaldowne Tâ—…per Thoma Sanguinem quem proâ—…e impendit Fac nos Christe scandere quo Thomas ascendit Guil. Nubrig l. 2. c. 16 * Galat. 2. Nubrig l 2. ca. 25. An. 1â—…20 * Caesarius Dialog l. 8. cap â—…9 â—…ale Script Brit. Cent. 2. Fox p. 289. * Monach. Cant. de miraculâ—… B. Thoma * MS. Pendendâ—… perhaps for Pudenda Malmesb. de Rog. l. 5. * The printed golden Legend in vâ—… Thom. Ibidem The kings sorrow for the murther and his difficulties thereupon Math. Paris Ypodig Neustr. Guil. Nubrigens l. 2 c. 25. Mat. Paris Nich. Triuet vowel and Holinsh. p. 99. Math. Paris saith it was granted to Cardinall Petro 〈◊〉 by King Hen. Math. Paris ad A. D. 1176. King Henry proiects the coÌ„quest of Ireland Girald Cambr. de expug H b. Annalib Hiber apud Cam. pa. 794. An. Dom. 1166. * Annalib Hiber Ibid. Girald Cambr. lib. 1. cap. 1. in Hiber expug * Poligâ—…mie c. Polydor. Vir. l. 13. * Girald Camb. Hib. expug l. 2. c. 7. Edmund Campians Hist. of Ireland l 〈◊〉 c. 2. M. S. Rossus Warwic MS. * Campian l. 2. c. 1. MS. Idem ibid. â—…lla Hadrian apud Mat. Paris Rossus Warwic MS. Gul. Nubrig l. 2. c. 26. Camb. pag. 730. Giral Camb. Giral Cambr. in Hiber Exp. cap. 1. * Mat. Paris Ann. Dom. 1155. Dermots suite for aid liked by Henry * Giral Camb. l. 2. c. 1. Hib. expug Dermots first succoures * Authors call him Stephenides Robert Fitz-Stephen * Camb. p. 518. * Annales Hiber apud Camb. Giral Cambr. Richard Earle of Pembroke * He is commonly called of his chiefe seat in Monmouth-shire Earle of Chepstow or Strigil The 〈◊〉 of Derâ—… persuasions * The Irish phrase to vse thou and thee * This seemeth to be spoken becaus his mother Isabel was Aunt by the mother to Malcolm King of Scots Cambd. Annales Hibern Ann. 1169. Earle Richard agrees Robert Fitz Stephen saild into Ireland * Trigâ—… Militiâ—…s Mâ—…sc Clonmel in Custod Patric white An. D. 1170 They were Souldiers of all sorts 390. Stowes Annals ad An. Dom. 1170. * Manuscr Cloâ—…mel ibid. * The name of Pendergast yet remaines in Ireland taken first as seemeth froÌ„ a Towne of that name in Penbrokeshire * Pendergasts coaâ—… Armour was Gules a Sâ—…ltoyr Variâ—… as my learned friâ—…nd M. Bolton whose notes haue giuen mee much light in this Kings life and diuers others himselfe obserued in the Friers Church at Clonmell * Girald Cambr. in expug Hiber * Camb. p. 748. The first English Colonie weisford 〈◊〉 * Camb. ibid. Earle Richard prepared for Ireland * Annal. Hibern apud Camb. p. 795. Raimund sent before with supplies * Annal. Hibern apud Camb. p. 〈◊〉 An. 1171. Câ—… Regâ—… 〈◊〉 apud Cambd. Mâ—…scr 〈◊〉 Annalib Hiber apud Cam. vbi perpâ—…am 〈◊〉 11â—…0 pro 1171. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ibid. ad An. 1185. Earle Richards first a â—…mpts Waterford taken He marrieth the Lady Eua. Earle Richard marcheth to Dublin * Câ—…d p. 75â—… Dublin taken Dermot King of Leinster dieth * Annal. Hiber prâ—…at * Will. Parâ—…us Nic. Trâ—…et Holinsh. p. 83. * Giral Cambr. cap. 13. lib. 1. * Idem lib. 1. c. 19. Giral Camb. An. D.
1172. King Henriâ—…s doings in Ireland Girald Camb. lib. 1. Hâ—…b exp Ca. 31. 32. c. Religion established by a Synode at Cashell * Idem cap. 33 34. * Easter day after noone saith Math. Paris Ypodigm Neustr. Giral Camb. Hib. exp lib. 1. c. 38. Math. Paris Sabellicus Ennead 9. lib. 5. Mat. Westm. Nic. Triâ—…es Holinsh. pag. 83. * Math. Paris * Ypodig Neustr. * Roger Houeden * Math. Paris Ypodig Neustr. * Th. Wals. in Ypodig Neustri An. D. 1173. * Roger Houed * Math. Paris * Polyâ—… 〈◊〉 * Ypodig Neustâ—… * Houeden * Math. Pariâ—… The outragious and disloiall behauiour of the Earle of Leicester * Roger Houed Hoâ—…rsh * Ypod. Neustr. The Kings victorie in England he beeing abâ—…ent * Polyd. Uirg Henry Hunt Holinsh. â—…n H. 2. * Gallos quidam vocat * Houeden and Polyd. Virg. saâ—…h 10000. were therâ—… slaine * Math. Paris * Polyd. Virg. Lewis King of France concludes a truce * Mat. Paris * Ypod. Neust. * Math. Paris Great new dangers against the King * Rog. Hoâ—…d King Henry sailes into Normandy * Vita B. Th. l. 4. c. 5. * Epist. adâ—… Archi. Rauen. apud Houeden * Rog. Houed iâ—… H. 2 p. 308. * Mat. Paris Ann. 1174. Walsingh Nubrigensis Capgraâ—… Geruas Dorob c. * Apud Baron An. Dom. 1174. * Math. Paris Rog Houed Ypodig Neust. Hector Boetius 13. li. c. 3. saith the King was taken 13. lul Ann. Dom. 1174. * Ypod. Neust. * Rog. Houed * Mat. Paris Ypod. Neust. * Rog. Houed The great felicity of King Henry An. D. 1175. * Mat. Paris Ypodig Neust. * Rog. Houe * Math. Paris * Roger Houede An. D. 1175. The Articles of Peace * Hâ—…eden Math. Paris Nic. Triâ—…et Walsingh c. * Polyd. Uirg Hist. Angl. lib. 13. * Hect. Boe. transla lib. 13. cap. 5. The points according to the Scotish Authors Math. Paris Rog. Hâ—…ed An. D. 1175. Constitutions at London the Kings beeing present Geruasius Rog. Houed Houeden in H. 2. fol. 310. Symonie was losse of Patronage for euer The Kings at Yorke * Polyd. Virg. Parliament at Northampton An. D. 1176. The first Iustiâ—…iars Itinerants Holinsh. 〈◊〉 Hen. 2. Houeden * Math. Paris Roger Wend. Maâ—…se * Rog. Houed Polyd. Virg. * Tho. 〈◊〉 in Ypod. Neust. Polyd. Virg. in Hen. 2 callâ—… her Aâ—…ela * Rog. Houed * Rog. Wend. Math. Paris Th Wals. in Tpodig Neustr. An. D. 1183. * Rog. Houe King Henrie the sonne dies in the flower of his yâ—…uth * Rog. Wend. MS. Math Paris Them Wals. Tpodig Neust. Rog Houed An. D. 1183 An. D. 1184. * Math. Paris Roger Wend. * Rog. Houed Mat. Paris * Roger Houed fol. 358. King Henry refis seth the kingdom of Ierusalem * Rog. Houed fol. 35â—… An Inscription vpon the Temple Church * Ran. Higden Polyd. Virg. in Hen. 2. Heraclius departs An. D. 1185. Roger Houed King Henry giues Iohn his sonne Ireland * Giral Camb. lib 2. exp Hib. c. 5. Houeden Ius Belli social is that right which accrews to Princes or States who aid one another * Beda * Cam. pag. 730. * Chr. Hâ—…b apud Camb. pag. 795. * Houed fol. 359. pag. 1. 2. * Houeden fol. 359. pag. 1. An. D. 1186. * Idem pag. 360. Militari conflictâ—… saith Houeden An. D. 1188 * Roger Houed fol. 365. Math. Paris * Epist 〈◊〉 2. ad Patriar 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rog. Houed pag. â—…7 An. D. 1189. An. Reg. 35. * Rog. Houed King Henries death Holinâ—… pag. 119. in 〈◊〉 2. An. D. 1189. Accidents after his death which was when he had raigned 34. yeers 7. monethes and 4. daies beeing 63. yeeres of age * Roger Houede He was buried at 〈◊〉 * Serrâ—… in Leâ—… the yâ—…ger * Paulus 〈◊〉 in Luâ—…ic 7. who callâ—… her Leoâ—…ra Rossâ—… Warâ—…ic alij Gerâ—… Dorob An. D. 1181. * M. Ferrers * Goodwin of the 〈◊〉 of Durham Iohn Stow in the life of King Iohn Monarch 44 Richard I. An. D. 1199 King Richard orders his estate * Râ—…g Hâ—…ed Mat. Paris c. Rand. Higdeâ—… in 〈◊〉 1. * Ger. 〈◊〉 Kingly power before Coronation Rog. Houed fol. 374. * Ger. Dorobor King Richards choise of friends and seruants * Radulp. de Diceto apud Too Wals. in Ypod. Neustr. Chiefe matters at the Coronation of Richard * Rog. Houed fol. 374. 〈◊〉 slaine at the Coronation * So Martiall cals the multitude Richard pâ—…rueis for the Holy Land * Gir. Caâ—…b * Rog Houed Math. Paris His proâ—…on for 〈◊〉 * Geruasius * Mat. Paris alâ—… Roger Houed * Rex Sacerdos Mat. Parâ—… * 〈◊〉 li. 〈◊〉 c. 〈◊〉 Rog. Houed Iustice is best where it brings Honour rather then riches Rog. Houed The agreement betweene the two Kings of England and Scotland Hector 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 13. cap. 7. Hector 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—…000 〈◊〉 Houeden The agreement betweene the Kings of France and England * Ger. Dor. * Hâ—… The agreement solemnely ratified on all parts * Math. Paris The Kings of France and Eng land set forward to the Holy Land * Roger Hâ—…d Matâ—… Paris The Citie of Mes sana in Sicilia the Rendeâ—…u of the Kings * Act Mâ—…n pag. 314. Roger Wend. Math. Paris Rog. Hâ—…ed King Richards Sicilian affaires Rog. Hoâ—…ed fol. 383. * Ideâ—… ibid. Act. Mâ—… in R. 〈◊〉 The accord betweene King Richard and King Tancred Arthur King Richards next heire * Râ—…g Hâ—…ed fol. 386. Threescore thou sand ounceâ—… of gold giuen to King Râ—…chard King Richards sureties or Sponsors The Pope King Richards surety * Ger. Dor. * Rog. Hou fol. 392 Act. and Mon. p. 316. * Iohn Stow. in Rich. 1. A Christian example of King Richard * Ro. Houed f. 388 Holin p. 12â—… col 2. * Ro. Hou ibid. Ro. Houed in Ric. 1 Paulus Aemilius in Philippo 2. Houed p. 388. No new opinion that the Pope is Antichrist * Houed p. 392. Psal. 82. v. 1. 6. Idem Houedens printed Copy hath 〈◊〉 as if the Pope had thrown doâ—…e the Emperour 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is more probable with relation to cor nâ—… A D. 1191. The King of France le ts â—…aile for the Holy-Land * Ro. Houâ—…f 392. * Ypod. Neust. Mat. Par. ad A. D. 1191. Yood. Neust. * â—…Houed King Richards Nauie scattered * Ypod. Neust. Math. Paris * Houed Ger. Dor. Hect. Boet. l. 13. cap. 7. * Houed fol. 39â—… King Richard subdues the Isle of Cyprus Ro Houed Mat. Paris Ypodig Neust. Ger. Dor. Act. and Mon. p. 320. Holin p. * Lusignian * Rog Houed pa. 392. Act. and Mon. p. 319. * Rog Houed Mat. Paris Ypod. Neust. * Ger. Dorob Act and Mon. p. 318. Rog. Houed The City of Acon rendred Mat. Paris Ypod. Neust. * Rog. Houed fol. 395. King Richard vpon certaine conditions permits the King of France to depart Roger Houed fol. 394. p 16. Râ—… Higd. in Polyer lib 〈◊〉 cap. 27. Iuâ—… 〈◊〉 Ger. Dorob * Rog Houed Math. Paris Disorders in England Guil.
* â—…er de Quincy Robert Fitz. Walter The policy of K. Henries friends in their march The feareful end of the Earle of Perch The Kings Army hath a strange victory called Lewis Fair. Rog. de Wend. M. S. * Mat. Paris * Walsingham Ypodig Neust. The perillous eâ—… state of Lewis * Wend. MS. Paris hist. * Ypod. Neust. Rog. de Wend. MS. Mat. Paris Eustace and the French succours defeated at Sea * Stow in Henry 3 London besieged Articles of peace between Henry and Lewis * Doct. Pow. hist. Cambr. p. 278. * Iob. Til. Chron. * Paul Aemil. in Phil. 2. * Hollinsh in H. 3. Lewis had no money granted to him by this composition Rog. Wendouer M S. Math. Paris The same Math. Paris at A. D. 1227. Saith that King Henry charged the Londoners for hauing giuen Lewis 5000 marks at his departure forcing them to giue him as much * Enguer de Mon. Gagwin Paul Aemil. Iob. Tili An. 1218. * Rog. de Wend. M. S. Mat. Paris * So ancient Writers call him and well might * An. 1219. * In the Temple-Church in London * Paris ad an 1214. saith Geruasius de Melkelâ—…y made these verses * Hollinsh p. 202 Ann. 1220. An. Reg. 5. King Henry crowned againe * Mat. Paris Walsingham Westminster Church enlarged by Henry 3. Ann. 1221. * Wend. M S. Paris hist. ma. * Ypodig Neust. Mat West * D. Pow. bist Camb. * Mat. Paris * Ro Wend. MS. Mat. Paris hist. ma. * Polyd. Vergil * Hâ—…t Scot. 13. * Tho. VValsing in Ypod. Neust. * Polyd. Verg. lib. 16. Hollinsh p. 203. Rog Wend. and Mat. Paâ—… place this Ambassage at An. D. 1223. * Ypod. Neust. * In Concilio â—…ituricensi Mat. Paris The King puts off the popes demaunds Mat. Paris * Polyd. Vergil l. 16. Mat. Paâ—…is What kind of Heretikes the Albigenses of Waldenses were Frater Râ—…ynerius de Ualdensibus * The Master herefie of the Albigenses * Apud Auentinum The holy warres denounced against Christian Princes * Math. Paris * Math. Paris The Popes crossings attended with few blessings * Mat. Paris * The Earle of Campaigne and the Popes Legate were publiquely charged of adultry with Lewis his Queene apud Mat. Paris * Ranalphâ—… Oâ—…terbourne alij Roger Wend. M. S. Math. Paris * Tilâ—…us Aemylius Walsing saith 14. Paris scarce 10. Likelyhoods for a warre with France * Paul Aemil. in Iud. 80. Aemylius An. 1227. The King begets enemies at home by raising mony to make warre abroad * Rog. de Wend. MS. Mat. Paris The King perhaps had this summe for the things which Fablan saith hee granted The Charters of liberties reuoked and cancelled * Mat. Paris Peace in France frustrates the English designes for France * Mat. Paris ad An. 1234. Scriptores Brit. apud Paul Aemil. in Ludou 9. * Rog. de VVend MS. Mat Paris at A. D. 1234. * Yet Walsingham names him Earle of Kent before that Ceremony of girding him with the Sword * Wend. MS. Mat. Paris The Barons in Armes at Stamford The Barons rebellious message to the King The Welsh in Armes * Quinque Leucâ—…rum Mat. Parâ—… * Rog. VVend MS Math Paris Ceri saith D. Powel in Hist. Cambr. * Mat. Paris * Hist. Cambr. * Rog. Wend. MS. Mat. Paris * This William was afterward hanged by Lewelin for lying with his wife as is reported iâ—… Mat. Paris ad An. 1230. though elsewhere he saith it was by reason of Hubert de Burghs letters to Lewelin Mat. Paris ad An. 1232. Queene Isabels practises for her Sonne against the French Queene Isabel falsly charged * Nich. Guilles Chr. Fran. The noble form of warre among the old English praysed by strangers Earle Hubert in the Kings displeasure * Mat. Paris cals him Henrie Earle of Britain Walsing Peter Duke of Britaine Ann. 1230. * The great humility and charity of K. Henry Ypod. Neust. * Rog. de Wend. MS. * Polyd. Vergil li. 16. Lib. Statuâ—… ad A. R. 20. Hen. 3 * Polyd. Vergil l. 16. saith but forty * Mat. Paris * Paul Aemil. * Roger Wend. M. S. Math. Paris Walsingham in Ypodig Neust. The Irish attempting to recouer their Country from the English miscarry An. 1231. * Math. Paris * Math. Paris * Idem ibid. * Rog. de Wend. M. S. * Mat. Paris Antiquit. BritaÌ„nica in vit Edmunds Mat. Paris in Hen. 3. * Paul Aemil. Three yeeres truce with France Ro. Wend. MS. Mat. Paris An. 1232. The memorable deiection of Earle Hubert The causes of the Kings wants seene into * Polyd. Verg. lib 〈◊〉 VVendouer MS. * Mat. Paris Pol. Verg. l. 〈◊〉 * Wend. MS. * Mat. Paris * Wendouer MS. * Mat. Paris The principall cords in the scourge prepared for the Earle of Kent The Earle of Kents defence disallowed Articles or cà lumniations of treason obiected A precious stone to make a man inuincible if you lâ—…st beleeue it The Earle takes Sanctuary * Wendouer Mat. Paris Other malicious Articles obiected The hanging of Constantine obiected The Earle of Kent takes Sanctuary * On Holyrood day 14. Sept. * Fab. Cone MS. The Earle again takes Sanctuary * Rog. Wend. M. S. Mat. Paris The honest and noble mind of a poore Artificer * Additâ—… M. Par. ad VVendou A pithy speech of that Artificer The Earle restored to the Sanctuary from whence hee was taken * Ro. Wend. M. S. Mat. Paris The Archbishop of Dublin a faithfull friend to Hubers The Earles treasure deliuered to the King The King relenteth towards the Earle and will not take his life * In Wiltshire An. 1233. An. reg 17. * Wend. MS. * Math. Paris ex Reg. VVend Iuditia commitâ—… 〈◊〉 leges ex legibus pax discordantibus institâ—… 〈◊〉 The king by aduancing strangers discontents his Nobles The English Peeres confederate against the strangers Fiue Sunnes in the skie in April Wend. MS. Mat. Paris The Barons contemne the kings Summons * Paris cals him Bacum The franke speech of a Preacher * That is Rocks and Stones * In Iuly The Barons second contempt of the kings commaund The trayteroâ—… errand to the king * In August next * Rog. de VVend MS. The Earle Marshal in Armes * Mat. Paris Confederates himselfe with Lewelin Prince of VVales * Rog. Wend. MS. Mat. Paris * The Sunday after Michaelmas Hubert de Burgo escapes into Wales * Thom. Westm. Roger Wend. Mat. Paris * Ypod. Neust. * Dâ—…ct Pow hist. Cambr p. 289. * Viz. Ioh. de Mâ—…nmouth Ralph de Thorney The Earles great courage and agility * Now the Rolles in Chancery Lane Stowes Suruay * Saint Iohns Hospital by Magdalene Colledge the first stone whereof was laid by the â—…ing himselfe Rossus Leolines opinion of K. Henries Almesdeedes Mat. Paris D. Powel hist. Camb. pag. 292. An. 1234. An. reg â—…8 * Rog. VVend The King giues way to the fury of the rebellious A practise to ruine the Earle Marshal The
* Tho. Wals. * 1 Februa King Edward prouided for warres with Scotland Mortimers high practises * Ypod. Neust. * Tho. de la More * Tho. UUals. * Grafton * Grafton Tho. de la More The late King Edward murthered * Annali * Hector Boet. â—…mnes A bloudie fallacy or Sophisme * Tho. de la Moor The Actors forced to flie the Country * Ioh. Stow. * Lanquet Grafton Fabian Tho. de la Moore * Tho. de la Moor Tho. Wals. The murthered Edwards bodie laid to view * Walsingham * Ranulp Cest. Tho. VValsing Fabian * Polyd. Verg. l. 18 * Tho. de la Moor. The Scots enuironed escape Adam Merimouth Holinsh. Act. Mon. * Froishard Ypod. Neust. Hector Boet. * Fox in Acts Mon. * Hect. Doct. * Grafton * Tho. VValsin A. D. 1328. Tho. Walsâ—…n Edw 3 Hect. Boet. writes that King Robert died 7. Iun. A. D. 1329. An. reg 24. whom wee haue therein reason to beleeue The peace with Scotland at the Parliament of Northampton * Act. Mon. Tho. Wals. * Geor. Buchan Hect. Boet. * Fox Fabian Grafton E. S. lib. 3. commentariol de rebus gestu Brit. * Vowels Holinsh. * Polyd. Verg. * â—…ex Saâ—…ca which law as their greatest Lawyers since acknowledge no whit concerneth the French Crowne Hoâ—…tomanni Francogallâ—…a cap. 8. * Chart. Original Ed. 3 de iure suo in Reg. Gal. * Ypod Neust. 〈◊〉 Eâ—…w 2. King Edward marries Philip the Earle of Henaults daughter * Tho. VValsing in fine Edw 2. * This worthy Prelate founded Exceter Colledge and also Hart-hall in Oxford Edmund Earle of Kent the Kings vncle put to death by practise * Tho. Wals. Harding An. D. 1329. The Blacke Prince borne Adam Merim The fall of Mortimer * Bedford saith Adam Merimouth Bereford saith Holinshead Burford saith Stow. * Adam Merim Ypod. Neust. * Holinsh. The manner of Mortimers surprise at Nottingham Uide Io. Stowes Annals * Mirr of Mag. * Hector Boet. Ypod. Neust. Hect. Boet. The Balliols two victories against the Scots The great slaughter of Scots at Dupline or the water of Erne * Adam Merim Tho. VValsing * Scutifers The Baliol crowned king of Scotland Hect. Boet. Georg. Buch. * Adam Merim Tho. UUals. Berwick besieged by the English Rich. Grafton King Edwards victory at Halydon-hill * Hector Boet. * Adam Merim Walsingham * Ypod. Neust. Berwicke rendred Fabian * Hect. Boet. * Hect. Boet. An. D. 1333. * Adam Merim Ypod. Neust. * Hect. Boet. Edward King of England againe in Scotland with an Armie * Hect. Boet. * Adam Merim The Lord Robert Stewart against the Baliol. * Hect. Boet. * Adam Merim King Edwards ouerture for the Holy Land The King of England once more with an Armie in Scotland * Ypod. Neust. * Lib. 15. Sacrilege punished * Hect. Boet. * Fabian out of the French Stories Grafton * Hollinsh A. D. 1334. King Edward the fourth time in Scotland with an Armie * Adam Merim * Hect. Boet. * Adam Merim Bellind trans of Hect. Boet. lib. 15. cap. 7. * In Iuly * Fabiaâ—… * Histor. lib. 19. The King of Englands prerogatiue Tâ—… Wâ—…lsin * Polyd. Ver. li. 19 An. D. 1338. The first quarteting of the French Armories with the English * Adam Meâ—…m Tho. Wals. in Edward 3. Ypod. Neust. * In Guliâ—…l 1. l. 9 The Armes of England set before those of France at the first Sir Robert Cotton hath such a seale of Q. Isâ—…bel * Adam Merim Tho. VValsing King Edwards pardons and grants in lieu of his Subiects contributions A Strategem of the loyall * Tho. VValsin Gagiun Serres Tho. Wals. A very great victorie at Sea obtained by King Edward * Serres Holinsh. * Rich. Southw * Serres * Pol. Virg. lib. 19. * Tho. VVals * Serres * Ypod. Neust. The chief points of the Truce * Walsingham The most noble order of the Garter instituted A. D. 1350. An. Reg. 24. The Patent of the foundation beares date 22. Reg. Edw. 3. saith Stow who neuerthelesse placeth the first feast thereof at this yeare * Cambd. Brit. in Barksh * 〈◊〉 cauillationibus Polyd. Verg. l. 19. in Edw. 3. * Peâ—…es D. Gulliel 〈◊〉 Dethick Equitem auratum oliâ—… Garter principalem Armorum Regâ—… Cambden in Brit. * Cambden * Vt militarem virâ—…em honoribus praemijs atque splendors decoraâ—…et * Camd. vbi suprâ—… * Stow in Edw. 3 * Polyd. Verg. in Edw. 3. * Hist. Angl. lib. 26. in Hen. 7. * In Concordiae symbolum saith Camden * Ioh. Cantaâ—…z Imperat. Constant. in Apolog. 3 * 23 Apr. * Camd. quà supra Folio 28. * Polyd. Verg. * Faer Qu. Câ—… 1 lib. 1. * Pol. Virg. in Ed. 3. * Epitha Thamis apud Cambd. * Serres King Edward in France with bloody colours Froissard * Giou. Villain * Serres * Polyd. Verg. omnes * Serres The great battel of Crescie Serres saith but 60000. The English put into battell Frolssard Holinsh. Graston * Grafton * Grafton Not an Englishman on horsebacke in this battel * Froissard The culpable ignorance and negligence of Generals * Poly. Verg lib. 19. * Grafton * Serres * Holinsh. * Serres The Auriflambe of France and Dragon of England * Sir Tho. de la More apud Iohn Stow. * Gagâ—… Elements of Armories * Serres * Hollinsh Froissard * Walsingham * Gio Villam The Genowayes defeated * Polyd. Virg. l. 19. The Earle of Alansons furious temerity * Serres The first confusion of the enemy * Grafton The French horse charge the English battalions Battell The king of Bohemias high resolution and death * Lanquet King Edward refuseth to aide his sonne the Prince * Paul Aemyl in Philip. 6. Serres Holinsh. His most noble answere * Paul Aemyl in Philip 6. Serres Holinsh. King Philips person farre engaged escapes by â—…light * Serres Ypod. Neust. Adam Merim Serres saith that King Edward came at last to the battell and vvith his comming made an end thereof The former words sent to his sonne which are also in Serres infinuate nothing lesse Hollinsh King Edward and the Prince meet The modest and wiâ—…e behauior of the English * Grâ—… * Ypod. Neust. Holinsh. The French are againe encountred and vtterly broken Paul Aemyl saith that the English set vp French Banners and by that stratagem drew them to destruction * Froissard * Wil. Northbrâ—…gh apud Rob. de Auesburâ—… * Ypod. Neustr. The field viewed by Heralds * Grafton * Wil. Northb. Serres * Serres Polyd. Virg. l. 19 * Sir Tho. de la More apud Iohn Stow. Harding * Serres * Iohn Stow. * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * Wil. Nortâ—… * Serres 〈◊〉 also reckonâ—… 〈◊〉 Earle of â—…ys 〈◊〉 at this batâ—… who was aliue sundry 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * VVil. Northb. * 26 27. Aâ—…g A. D. 1346. * Polyd. Verg. * VVil. Northb. * Polyd. Verg. Calais besieged * Serres saith 30 September A. D.
a peace Enguerrant de Mâ—…let Vpon an vnexpected assault by the French the King stâ—…eth further talke of peace A. D. 1415. March 14. * Nichol. Gilles Alain Chartier Secretarie an Roy Charles 7. * Hist. of Normandie saith 800. Rich. Grafton Harflew besieged by the French both by land and sea Enguerrant de Monstrel The Emperour out of hope to make attonement for France entreth league with England * Titus Liui. The Pope might not be opposed Agâ—…ino Giustiâ—…ano Vâ—…scouo di 〈◊〉 Paul Aemilâ—… Alain Charâ—…ey Secretarie French Nauy ouâ—…rthrowne History of Normandy La Mer des Histories The Emperour applaudeth the â—…city of England He prepareth for Germany Denis Sauage Chro. de Fland. The Duke of Burgundy doth homage to the Emperour and taketh a truce with K. Henrie Ioh. Serres in 〈◊〉 Charles 6. That no person should forsake the Towne for being true to K. Henry they should be safe Neither person nor goods of the Castels to be re ceiued into the Towne During the truce no assault to bee made on the Towne 12. Knights and Esquires to bee hostage to King Henry A. D. 1417. Fallais yeelded to the King The Articles agreed vpon That if they were not succoured by the French power to surrender That they should trust to the kings royall promise Geffrey Chasteaux excepted That the gouernour should repaire the wals 8. Gentlemen to be hostages The Castell repaired the Gouernour should be â—…et at liberty * Febru 16. The City of Roane besieged Polyd. Verg. Enguerrant de Monstreâ—… 15000. Citizens well trained within Roane The Riuer Seine blockt vp with Iron-Chaines Caxton Chron. Denis Sauage Roane besieged sixe monthes 50000. quite famished and 12000. almost starued put out of the Towne The Lady Katherines picture sent to King Henry to moue him to pitty Roane Iohn Serres Denis Sauage Enguerrant Ten thousand of Roane sally forth vpon King Henry and are ouerthrowne King Charles sendeth no succour The Rouennois desire a parley They returne vnsatisfied The Articles of the composition of Roane Denis Sauage Chron. de Flaunders King Henry requireth 356000. Crownes Enguerrant de Monstrel Two principall persons to bee left to his mercy All to sweare fealty to King Henry That their priuiledges should be confirmed to them That who so would might depart but their goods should bee forfeit The souldiers to resigne vp their armes and deâ—… part promising a twelue months truce The hungry Citizens plentifully relieued from Henries campe A fat mutton sould for 6. souses King Henry roially entreth the City Rouen 15. yeeres before the now winning of it was wonne by K. Philip from King Iohn of England Many Townes yeeld after the sorrender of Rouen Burgogne endeuoreth to make a peace betweene Charles and Henrie Polyd. Verg. The place of treaty was at Melun The French states came first Henry meeteth with a thousand horse Their followers on both parts though enemies demeane themselues ciuilly King Henry dis pleaâ—…d at their retuâ—…all The Dukes reply Burgogne sideth with the â—…ulphin who after ward slew him Ponthois besieged Enguerrant de Monstrelet The souldiers got great riches in the Towne King Charles vpon the loâ—…e oâ—… Poâ—… thâ—… flieth from Paris Enguerrant de Monstrelet Guillart and Rochguien two of the best Forts in Normandy A cunning plot of the Constable Armagnac 2. Sam. 17. Queene Isabell robd of her Iewels and plate The Daulphin drawes the King to suspect Queen Isabell. Aâ—…ls of Burgundy Queene Isabel and her sister imprisoned Shee solliciteth Burgogne for her deliuerance Burgogne sendeth to the Queene The manner of her escape from her keepers Shee is made Regent of France 10. Serres The causes why the French were the easier conquered by king Henry Eccles. 2. 19. The occasion of King Charles distemper Orleance newly married is in loue with another Câ—… dismist the Court for telling the Dutchesse of the incontinency of her husband King Charles pursueth Craon into Britaine Notwithstanding his sicknes he continueth his iourney Charles in the forrest at Noon-day seeth an apparition His followers thronging confusedly to helpe doe distemper him the more He runneth distractiuely at euery one with his sword Iohn Duke of Burgogne suspected of the State Charles the Daulphin seeketh his remouall Iohn Serres Burgogne repairing to the Daulphin is charged with breach of promise He is slaine by Tanneguy de Chastel and others Queene Isabel incites his sonne to reuenge it and moues Charles to disinherite the Daulphin and adopt King Henry Guil. Parradyn A peace concluded betweene K. Henry K. Charles and the new Duke of Buâ—…gogne King Henrie sollicites the Pope to confirme him King of France The Calamities of France for withstanding the right of the English La legende des Flamens The Pope stood for the Daulphin Alain Chartier Enguerrant de Monstrel Ambassadors from King Henry History of Normandy Ladie Katherine attended as Queene of England Henry goeth in person to Troyes History of Normandy The Articles agreed vpon betwixt the two kings Queene Katherines Dowry The Crowne of France intailed to England The gouernment of France assigned to King Henrie The subiects of France sworne to King Henry The tenor of the oath Churches Vniuersities and Colledges to enioy their liberties Normandy to be vnder the Crown of France Letter Grant gifts c. signed by King Charles And by King Henry King Henries stile duâ—…ing King Charles his life The vnion of the Crownes The vnion of the Subiects No peace with the Daulphin The punishment of the peace-breakers Holinsh. The testies of these Articles Wil. Parradin Annals of Burg. * Titus 〈◊〉 sets downe his Oath verbatim * Enguerrant Nicholas Vigneur Hollinsh King Henry married to Ladie Katheriâ—… History of Normandy Hollinshed but Polyd. 〈◊〉 aâ—…th this speech was deliuered before at their swearing of fealty Polyd. Verg. King Henries Oration vnto the States of France Polyd. Verg. The Daulphins counterplots to vphold himselfe Denis Sauage in Chro. de Fland. Enguerrant de Monstrel Monstreau beseeged and gotten Io. Millet Holinsh. Tis. Linius Melun beseeged and gotten Enguerrant King Henry fighteth in single Combat Translator of Liuie Enguerrant The French refuse to submit to their owne King Nichol. Giles Paris yeelded vp to King Henry * Dat. 23. Iuly An 1420. Denis Sauage Picardy sweares fealty to King Henry Enguerrant Enguerrant de Monstrelet Enguerrant A noble example of Iustice. Iohn Millet Iohn Millet The two Kings entred Paris The two Queens enter Paris Denis Sauage Millet Enguerrant de Monstr The two Kings sit personally in iudgement Processe against the murtherers of the Duke of Burgundy Iohn Serres The Daulphin cited to appeere and disinherited King Henry himselfe giues sentence iudicially Holinsh A quirke of Heraldy to ouerthrow a Iudiciall sentence A Parliament at Paris Holinsh. * Where they yet remaine saith Hollinsh p 578. King Henry returneth into England Enguerrant de Monstrelet Ex Antiq. M. S. D. Roberti Cotton Ex. Record Parl. 9. Hen. 5. The King pawneth his Crowne for money Pontus Herterm
of the battels Iâ—… Stow. A mistaking of the soulâ—…ieis which was the losse of the field Great Warwickâ—… slaine in fight Marques Montacute slaine in battell Nobles and others slaine at Barnet field Edw. Hast. Ioh. Stow. Rob. Fabian saith 1500. The Duke of Sommerset and the Faile of Oxford fled into Wales Rich. Grast Edward triumpheth and oâ—…eth his banner in S. Pauls Queene Margaret with Prince Edward landed at Weyâ—… The Lords comfort Queene Margaret Queenâ—… Margarets care for Prince Edward her sonne The opinions of the Lords King Edward prepareth against Queenâ—… Margaret King Henry committed to the Tower of London The ordering of Queene Margarets battels The ordering of K. Edwards battels The battell at Tewkesbury Edw. Hall This battell was fought vpon Saturday the 4. of May the 11. of K. Edwards raigne and yeere of Christ 1471. L. Wenlocke slain for not following Sommerset Lords slaine at Tewkesbury Prince Edward apprehended The Duke of Sommerset and others executed Prince Edward apprehended and 〈◊〉 answers Prince Edward most shamefully slaine Queene Margaret taken out of her Sanctuary The Northerne men submit vnto K. Edward Bastard Fanconbridge Captaine of the Lancastri Fauonbridge assaileth London The Citizens withstood his â—…ance Fauconbridge forced backe to his shipâ—… K. Edward with his Captiue Queene Margaret enter London King Henry â—…urthered in the Tower by Richard Duke of Glocester K. Henry carried bare-faced through the streetes of London Stowes Annals K. Henry bâ—…ied 〈◊〉 Chertsey and 〈◊〉 to Windsor The 〈◊〉 of K. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The vertues of K. Henry Holinshed Camb. Brit. in descript of Surrey Kings Colledge in Cambridge and Eaton in Barkshire found 〈◊〉 by K. Henry Queen Margaret ransoâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Bastard Fauconbridge with his vnruly crew yeeld to King Edward Bastard Fauconbridge pardoned of life and rewarded with Knighthood Rob. Fabian Bastard Fauconbridge beheaded A. D. 1472. Henry of Richmond fled into Britaine The storie of Iohn Earle of Oxford Waters brake out of the Earth Iohn Stow. Annals The Earle of Oxford sent prisoner into France The hard and inhumane vsage of the Countesse of Oxford The storie of Lord Henry Holland Duke of Excester Phil. Comines lib. 3. cap. 4. Ed. Hall The vnlouing parts of an vnlouing wiâ—…e Ioh. Sâ—…w The Lord Henrie supposed to haue been drowned The Archbishop of Yorkes goods seized vpon K. Edward sends into Britaine to recouer Richmond and Pembrooke K. Edward abrogates King Henries lawes Burgundie sends for aid into England against France A. D. 1474. K. Edwards expedition into France Phil. Comines lib. 4. cap. 5. The great preparation of King Edward King Edwards 〈◊〉 Lewis his conference with the English Herald Lewis his conference with the English Herald K. Lewis moneth Gartar to be a meanes for peace Phil. Com. lib. 4. cap. 7. A counterfeit Herald sent to K. Edward The Heralds perswasions An English Herald sent to King Lewis The Duke of Burgundy commeth to the King Edw. Hall â—…ol 231. Burgundies hot speech vnto K. Edward K Edwards reply to his brother of Burgundy Burgundy departeth displeased from King Edward The conference for peace 〈◊〉 Amiens Coâ—…ioners for peace Conditions of the peace Lewis his liberality for â—…oy of the peace Ph. Com. l. 4. c. 9. The kings of England and France dâ—… to see each others 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 place of the kings A. D. 1475. Aug. 29. The 〈◊〉 of the two kings The Kings swear the league K. Lewis loth that Edward should visite Paris A. D. 1475. Sept. 2â—… Henry Earle of Richmond â—…ught after by K. Edward An intent pretended which asâ—…r came to passe Ralph Holinsh. pag. 701. Henry â—…arle of Richmond taketh Sanctuary The English Ambassador complaineth to the Duke of Britaine His Answere Sir Tho. Moore King Edward beloued of his subiects and loueth his subiects Io. Stow. K. Edward sent for the Maior and Aldermen of London to his huntings K. Edward somwhat licention slie giuen K. Edwards three Concubines Thomas Burdet accused of treason Engâ—… Register of Gray-Friers Lâ—…don The story of George Duke of Clarence Tâ—… attainder of the Duke of Clarence Iohn Stow. A. D. 1478. Rich. Graft A false prophecie of G. E. Phil. Comin lib. 4. cap. 10. The Duke of Clarence is suiter vnto Marie the daughter of Burgundie Io. Serres Clarnce imprisoned by his brother King Edward George Duke of Claâ—…ce condemned by Parliament And drowned in a But of malmesay K. Edwards â—…pentance for his brothers death The Duke of Clarence his issue Edward and Margaret the children of Clarence beheaded King Edward deceiued in King Lewis 〈◊〉 Serres Lady Elizabeth called 〈◊〉 the Daulphin A. D. 1480. Io. Lesâ—… Lady Cicely motioned in matriage vnto 〈◊〉 Prince of Scotland Lewis King of France interposeth the contract betwixt Prince Iames and Ladie Margaret Iames King of Scotland much â—…dded to his 〈◊〉 will Alexander Duke of Albanie banished Scotland Iohn Earle of Marre bled to death K. Iames threatneth warre against England Richard Duke of Glocester made the Kings Lieutenant against Scotland The Duke of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Scotland 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the 〈◊〉 Holinsh. p. 707. Phil. Comines lib. 6. chap. 2. and 9. King Lewis dallâ—…th with King Edward King Edward vvould not beleeue vvhat was confidently tolde him A 〈◊〉 pretâ—… ded against France King Edward falleth â—…ke Thom. More King Edwards speeches at his death The perils of discord Tender youth is 〈◊〉 infected Great variance for small causes King Edwards good counsell What the nature of ambition is King Edwards vsuall oath King Edwards last request The raigne and death of King Edward Phil. Com. lib. 4 cap. 10. King Edward described Ph. Com. l. 6. c. 2. 〈◊〉 A. D. 1478. Stow. Edward 5. Monarch 55 King Edwards raigne vnfortunate and 〈◊〉 Aprill 19. A. D. 1483. Richard Duke of Yorke Richard Duke of Gloucester an vnnaturall vncle vnto the young King and his brother Richard Duke of Yorke was the father of Richard Duke of Glocester Women commonly maligne their husbands 〈◊〉 The description of Richard Duke of Glocester Richard Crooke-backe a good souldier He vvas the cause of Clorence his death Richard of Gloucester intended to be King eâ—…en whiles K. Edward liued The speech of Pottier at King Edwards death The vncle contriueth the destruction of his Nephewes Richards deepe pollicy King Edwards care to set peace betwixt the Queenes kindred and his The Queenes iealousie against the Lord Câ—…berlaine King Edward repaireth towards London The Queenes kindred only about the Prince The Duke seeketh to displace the Prince The crafty complaints of Richard Duke of Gloucester The effect that his pollicy took The conclusion of his designes Another crafty pollicy of Duke Richard The Queene yeldeth to the Dukes perswasion The Lords meet at Northampton The Keyes of the Inne kept by Richard Duke of Glaucester The L. Riuers much troubled at the sodaine action The L. Riuers imprisoned in Northampton The Dukes come to the King A quarrell picked in the kings presence Accusations against the Queens kindred
the crowne As bad his claim as his per on deformed but both made good by flatterers in Parliament Great pitie that so faire stemmes should being forth so bad a branch All promises were not kept as afterward it proued The Lord our God is a consuming fire Deut. 4. 24. A charitable minde in shew but in truth a crafty intent The effect of our English Parliaments The Crowne entailed to king Richard and his heires Prince Edward made heire apparant by Parliament What cannot the Parliament effect where all giue way to the sway of time Eccles. 9. 4. King Richard like vnto Galba a had Subiect but a good Prince King Richard accepteth the Crowne and beginneth his raigne with great applause The new Kings clemency and affability K. Richards dealings double construed The Northerne sent for to the Kings Coronation Iohn Harding Contâ—…er A. D. 1485. States 〈◊〉 by K Richard At Beere or Berry Ex Regist. Oxon. MS. A letter written for the Vniuersity oâ—… O â—…ra in the behalfe of D. Morton * Virgil. Paâ—…e Subiectâ—… c. Salust Dat. Oxâ—…ij in Eccles. S. Mariae Viâ—…g 4. Sexâ—… Bishop Morton committed to the custody of the Duke of Buckinghom The great estate of King Richards coronation Buckingham most richly attired at the kings coronation The order of the Kings proceedings to be crowned Rich. Groston The order of the Queenes proceedings to receiue the crown The King and Queene solemnly annointed and crowned Sir Thâ—… Mooe The time of King Richards raigne full of calamities 〈◊〉 made of the two Princes deathes King Richards progresse towards Glocester Remora a little fish iâ—… reported to haue such strength as it will stay the course of any ship vnder saile The feares of K. Richard King Richard complotteth the death of his Nephewes King Richard his letter to Sir Robert Brakenbury Sir Robert Brakenburies answere vnto Iohn Greene King Richards complaint of Ingratitude Iames Tirrell made the Instrument of murther The parts of Sir Iames Tirrel King Richard consuâ—…red vpon his Nephewes murders sitting on a homely seate Sir Iames ready to fulfil the kings mind in the murther of the Princes The words of Prince Edward when he heard that his â—…ncle should be King The faithfull seruants of the Prince remoued from him Sir Th. Moore Prince Edward and his brother murthered in a featherbed Their bodies were buried vnder a paire of staires The body of the two Princes remoued and buried no man knowes where Hardings continuer The murtherers confesse the deed and maner of their â—…th The report of Sir Tho. Moore The vnconstant state ofmans life Gods iustice and reuenge vpon the murtherers Io. Harding Ruenge of murder repaid The guilty conscience of King Richard Outward enemies arise against King Richard The forward affection of the Duke of Bckingham towards the Duke of Glocester The Duke of Buckingham fals in dislike of king Richard The occasions of the Kings and Dukes falling asunder Buckingham fained himselfe sick not to attend K. Henry The feares of the Duke of Buckingham No such suspition betwixt the King and the Duke as was said to be Sir Thomas Mores opinion of Buckingham The diuers opinions of the King and Dukes falling out The story of Bishop Morton Morton wâ—…d vnto King Edwards side The vnion of Lancaster and Yorke first set 〈◊〉 by Bishop Morton Morton made Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Chancellor and Cardinall His wisedome and experience The deepe polllicy of B. Morton The communication of the Duke and D. Morton Buckingham exciteth the Bishop to reueale his deepest secret It is dangerous to deale in Princes affaires A pretry tale pâ—…hily applied The desire of the Duke to know his meaning Edward â—…ll The Dukes protestation of secrecy The Bishop dealeth plainly with the Duke The dutie of all men towards their natiue countreys The change of state vnder the tyranny of the vsurper Blood cryeth for bloody vengeance The Bishop perswadeth the Duke to take the Crowne vnto himselfe The next dayes conference The Duke discloseth himselfe vnto the Bishop The Protector desired the crowne till the Prince came to the age of 24. yeeres The Protectors words to the Councell Change of State change of manners Why Buckingham fell from the Vsurper Margaret Countesse of Richmund The doubts of the Duke of Buckingham The great and waighty charge of a King Buckinghams resolution concerning the Crown The communication of the Countesse of Richmond with the Duke of Buckingham Henry Earle of Richmond and Ladie Elizabeth must make the vnion With whom and how to begin the intended desigues Reinold Bray the Instrument Bishop Morton escapeth from Brecknocke disguised Lewis a Phiâ—…tian another Instrument Lewis breaketh the intent vnto Queene Elizabeth The meanes to raise the Queens daughter to her right Queene Elizabeth readily receiueth the motion The Queene sendeth to the Countesse The two mothers agreede Vpon the vnion Many drawne into faction against K. Richard Vrswicke sent into Britaine Hugh Conway sent into Britaine Earle Richmund breaketh with the Duke of Dâ—…ine The Duke of Buckingham it sent for by the King The Duke of Buckingham refuseth to come to the Court. Commotions begun King Richards expedition towards 〈◊〉 The Duke prepareth against the King Great matters leâ—…ed that the complices could not 〈◊〉 The Duke of Buckingham â—…peth in sâ—…cres The 〈◊〉 dispersed Many fled into Brâ—…taine to Earle Henry A proclamation for the apprehension of the Duke of Buâ—…kingham Banister betraied his Lord the Duke of Buckingham Buckingham beheaded Banister looseth his reward but findeth punishments A Commotion in Kent King Richard sendeth to the Duke of Britain The Kings brother in law beheaded Earle Henry shipped for England A subtle traine laid for the Earl Earle Henry returneth into Britaine The Lords meet in Britaine The Lords svvear fealty vnto Henry Henry others attainted by Parliament William Collingborne executed for the time K Richard maketh peace with Scotland Iob de la Pole Earle of Lincolne proclaimed heire apparant Offers made to the Duke of Britaine Peter Landose Landose promised to deliuer the Earle Bishop Morton giueth Henry notice of his danger King Charles granteth his safe conduct to Henrie Earle Henry hardly escaped The Duke of Bri taine displeased at Landose The honorable dealings of the Duke of Britaine Iohn Earle of Oxford commeth to Earle Henry Iohn Earle of Oxford in great fauour with Henrie Bishop Fox in great fauor with King Henry The preferments of Bishop Fox Corpus Christi Colledge in Oxford founded by Bishop Fox King Richard intendeth to match with his Neece A subtill deuice Many faire promises intending foule ende Queene Elizabeth brought into 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 King Edwards fiue daughters deliuered to the Tyrant their vncle Queene Elizabeth sendeth for the Marquesse her sonne Queene Anne hindreth the purpose of the King King Richards fained sorrow * Of Canterbury King Richard refraineth his Queenes bed A report giuen foorth that Queene Anne was dead Queene Anne feareth her owne death Her death and buriall place
should aide the Britaines or no. Charles King of France practiseth to 〈◊〉 Britaine to his Empire Ambassadors out of France to King Henrie Iohn Nordeâ—…s Middlsex lit H. The Lord Wooduile slaine in Britaine * Paulus Acâ—…yl in Carol. 8. The Battel of S. Albine wherein the French preuaile King Henrie opens the cause in Parliament The Parliament grants aide of money to support the warre of Britaine Polyd. Uirg Eight thousand English sent tardie into Britaine Iob. Stow Annal. * Polyd. Verg. l. 26. * Polyd. Verg. * Hollinsh Iob. Daâ—… MS. * Polyd. Verg. The Duke of Britainâ—… dies and the English returne The beginning of new stirres in Yorkeshire Iob. Stow ex Iob. Skelton * Polyd. Verg l. 26 Iob. Stow. Annal. The Earle of Northumberland slaine by the people in a tumult The King in person in Yorkeshire Iob. Stow Annal. Sir Iob. Egremond Captaine of the Rebels escapes to the Dutchesse of Burgundy * Bern. Andr. MS. * 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 * Polydor. Uirg King Henry â—…n vaine seekes to reconcile the Scotâ—… to their King Io. Lest. Bish. of Rosse Iames the third King of Scotland slaine in battell by his Subiects * Io. Stow. Annal. K. Henries bountie to a stranger for Learnings cause * Polyd. Verg. l. 26 The first reuiuer in this age of pure Laâ—…ne and choise learning Godwins Caral of P. 〈◊〉 in Bath c. pag. 309. Paul 〈◊〉 * Hadriâ—… 6. Warre with France and the causes The yong Dutchesse married by proxie * Stowes Annal. * Bern. And. MS. The French carried the practise of marriage with the inheretirex of Britaâ—… most artificially * Polyd. Uerg. * Iob. Tâ—…l Câ—…n * Lu Marin lib. 20. de reb Hispan Britaine annexed to France Maximilian vnprouided to 〈◊〉 with Henry * Addit to Fab. Chron. The Londoners large contributions to the king King Henries popularities in London * The Merchant Taylors A. D. 1492. An. reg 8. The chief Lords names who serued in thiâ—… voiage Boloigne besieged by K. Henry * Polydor cals him Desquerdo * Bern. Andr. MS. Reasons mouing the Kings to a peace * Phil. de Com. * Arnol. Ferron Hist. ad A. D. 1492. Polyd. Vergil in Hen 7. * Stow. Annal. The high points of wisdome practised by King Henry in atchieuing his ends * Bern. Andr. MS. * One hundreth eighty six thousand two hundreth and fifty pounds English I. Da. of Her MS Holinshed * Polyd. Verg. Forraine pensions of what vse or hazard * Ber. Andr. Henry returnes * 17. Decemb. I. Sto Annal. 〈◊〉 Henry returned * Andr. Thol MS The Dutchesse of Burgundy addresseth a Pseudo Rochard against Henry * Polyd. Verg. * Bern. Andr. MS. * Polyd. Verg. Causes mouing the Dutchesse to beare K. Henry so mortal hatred * Infra 〈◊〉 prox sequent * Videinfia § prox Perkin Warbecke fits the Dutchchesses turne by exact representation of a Richard Plantagenet * Pancerollus * Holinsh. 10. Da. MS. A summarie relation of Perkins first fortune after he was published * Stow Annal. * Ber. Andr. M. S. Perkin in Flanders with the Dutchesse * Stow Annal. Sir Rob. Clifford signifies to his friends in England that Perkin was the true Duke * Bern. Andr. MS. * Stow Annal. * Polyd. Verg. * Iohn Da. of Her M. S. King Henries countermines and courses against this Pseudo Richard * S. Robert Clifford wun away from the Dutchesse * Proclam of Perkin as a King Rich. MS. penes Sir Rob. Cotton * Polyd. Uirgin Hen. 7. The maine argument prouing that King Edwards sons were both of them murdered * Sir Tho. More The Dutchesse of Burgundies tvvo monstrous birthes * Lambert and Perkin were about fifteen yeeres old saith Polydor at the time of their appearance * Bern. Andr. MS. * Stow Annal. Poâ—…ydor cals him but a knight K. Henry expects Sir Rob. 〈◊〉 in the Tower of London Sir William Stanley Lord Chamberlaine accused * Polydor. Uirg l * Ioh. Stow. Annal. * Illum tutari in regnum adduâ—… cere premiseras * Polyd. Verg. Stanley Lord Chamberlaine beheaded * Sir Tho. Moore in Rich. 3. Perkin vpon the Kentish Seas Polyd. Verg. Stowes Annal. * Bernard Andr. saith about 400. * Bern. Andr. MS. The Kings praier and speech to God Io. Stow Annal. Perkin sailes into Ireland * Bern. And. MS. * Stowes Annal. His great forraigne friends * Io. Lesl. Epis. Ross. * Bern. Andr. Perkin sailes into Scotland * Bern. Andr. Perkins successe in Scotland 1. Lâ—…a Epis. Ross. The effect of Perkins speech to Iames the fourth King of Scotland MS. Perkini proclam penes D. R. C. Baronet * Polyd. Verg. l. 26. * MS. Perkini Proclamati * Polydor lib. 26. * MS. Per. Procl * Epis. Ross. * Polyd. Verg. l. 26. Perkin credited and aided matrics into the blood roiall of Scotland * Pern 〈◊〉 * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Scots inuaâ—… Northumberland in Perkins quarrell and retaine * Procl Per. MS King Henry prepares for reueÌ„ge * Add. to Fab. The Cornish rebellion * Polyd. Verg. 〈◊〉 Stowes Annal. Holinshed Perkins Proclamation The Earle of Warwicks emprisonment obiected Popular insinuations by Perkin * Polyd. Verg. Principeâ—… 〈◊〉 virtute preditum * Episc. Rosse Polyd. Verg. The Scots inuade and retire * I. Stow Annal. A. D. 1497. Iun. An. Reg. 12. The King moued against the Rebels Blackeheath field * Polyd. Verg. Hall * Io. Stow. Annal. * Polyd. Verg. The Blacke-smithes comfort at his death Holinsse Stowes Annal. * Addit to Fab. A Spanish Ambassador procures a truce betweene England and Scotland * Cambd. in Deuonshire Imaginarius Scenicus princeps The Queene of Spaine troubled by a counterfeit * Franc. Tarapha in Hen. 4. Luc. Merinaus Sicul. Perkin Warbecke practised out of Scotland The Cornish call in Perkin Warbeck King Henry setleth peace with neighbour Princes * Idâ—… Mâ—…l Perkin stirres the Cornishmen * Bern. Andr. MS. The City of Excester assaulted by Perkin The Exceâ—…rians policy in defenting fire by site * Polyd. Verg. Perkin at Taunton * Polyd. Virg. The King and his people match toward him * Polyd. Verg. Perkin flies from his hoast Perkins wile take and honourably vsed by the king * Epis. Ross. The King at excester Polyd Verg. sine spâ—… 〈◊〉 sede sine fortune Perkin yealde himselfe to the King * Polyd. Verg. The king returne to London with Perkin * Ioh. Stow Annal. 28. Nouemb. * Bern. And. MS. * English voyage by Ricb. Hackl * Bern. And. MS. * Engl. Heroick Epist. * Io. Stows Annal. Perkin set openly in the Stocks c * Hollinsh Perkin maketh an anatomâ—…e of his descent or lineage Perkins education oâ—… bringing vp Perkin a notable land-loper The Irish would haue Perkin take vpon him to bee the Duke of Clarences sonne They beare Perkin downe vvith oathes that hee is King Richards bastard They call him Duke of Yorke A. D. 1498. An. Reg. 14. Perkin in the Tower and
courage Holinshed Hist. of Ireland Kildar receiued into Dublin with procession The French king imprisoned at Madril Gâ—…ard Queene mother soliciteth King Henry Dislikes 〈◊〉 the Emperour and K. Henry Peace betwixt England and France Signed with 〈◊〉 ovvne 〈◊〉 in Ann. 1526. The great Dominions of the Emperour Guicchard Rich. Turpin G. Câ—… A. D. 1528. The Kings Oration to his Nobility Edward Hall The Kings complaint The commendation of Queen Katherine George Couen Learned men assembled to decide the Kings marriage The testimonies of many Vniuersities sent vnto Rome Iohn Stow. pag 9â—…1 Cardinall Campeiu commeth into England The King and Queene summoned to appeare personally in the Court at Blacke Fryers Queene Katherines speech to the King Queene Katherine departed the Court. The Kings report of his Queene The King excuseth the Cardinall King Henries conscience and care The Bishoppe of Rochester contradicteth the Archbishop of Canterbury Cornelius Agrippa yeeldeth to the proposition The Popes vsurpation forbid by Parliament â—…x Parl. 24 H. 〈◊〉 K. Henries marriage dissolued by Parliament Fox Mart. 1197. Katherine Dowager Holinsh. pag 93â—… Pope Clement 7. adiudgeth the marriage lawfull The thunderings of Pope Clement 7. Sleidan com li. 9. The discent of Anne Bullen Sir Godfrey Bullen Lord Maior of London Anne 1457. Sanders in Schis Angl. Anne Bullen religion Sleid. com lib. 9. Anne Bullen Created Marchionesse of Pembrooke A. D. 1532. Octob. 11. K. Henrie complaineth of the dull Pope King Henrie allowed the Pope 60000. Angels monethly Iohn Stow pa. 946 Anne Dom. 1533. Nouâ—…mb 14. Vpon S. Erkenwalds day saith Hollinshd and Groston King Henry maried Anne Bullen * The Pope Elizabeth Barton the false Oracle or the Romanists The assisters of this false Propheâ—…esse Read Statue in Anne 25. of King H. 〈◊〉 The counterfetings of Elizabeth Barton Edward Hall Ioh. Stow. Holinsh. Cranmer Cromwell Latimer * Elizab. Barton Edward Bocking Richard Deering Richard Risby Richard Maister Henry Gould Two Monkes Iohn Stow. Edward Duke of Buckingham beheaded Holinshed The vaine feare of Prior Bolton The Pope inciteth Iames King of Scotland against England Iohn Lesly High treason The Pope giues England to him that could get it Queene Anne crowned Lady Elizabeths birth A. D. 1533. Fox Martyr 1366. Statut. Parl. H. 28. cap. 10. Queene Anne a great louer of the Gospell A. D. 1536. Ian. 29. Queene Anne deliuered of a deaâ—… Child Queene 〈◊〉 sent to the Tower Mâ—…ch Sandt The 〈◊〉 of Queene Anne Cromwels letter to the King vnder his own hand Archbishop Cranmers let 〈◊〉 to the King Sleidans Com. l. 10 L. Rochford Noâ—…is West 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Marks beheaded May 15. Queene Anne condemned and beheaded Robert Greene. Queene Annes speech at her death Ex MS. The audacious dealings of the Rebels Slanderous vntruths against the King The oath of the Pilgrims The Earle of Shrewsbury maketh against the Rebels Ex MS. R. Coe Thomas Duke of Norfolke Lord Lieutenant of the North. Pardon and peace offered to the Rebels Ex Original MS. The demands of the Commons The whole drift was to down with the Gospel An vncharitable and vnchristian motion Holinsh. pag. 944. Aske executed Luk. â—…2 36. Spirituall men Commotioners Monkes hanged for rebellion Idols and Monasteries suppressed by Parliament A. D. 1538. The Roode of Grace broken at Pauls Crosse. Lamb. Peram in Boxeley Our Lady of Walsingham and other Images burnt Cambd. Brit. 645. Monasteries in England 90. Colledges 110. Religious Hospitals 2374. Chaunteries and free Chappels Eras. Dialogue W. Lamb. Peram The state and opinion of Tho. Beckets Shrine Iohn Stow. The great riches of Beckets Shrine The great reuenewes of the Monasteries Supplication of Beggars The great reuenewes of the Friers 2. Cor. 12. 14. Dâ—…ut 25. 4. Apoca. 9. Iere. 13 26. Many suffered death for the Gospell before that Martin Luther wrote Queene Anne Bullen a fauourer of the Gospell staied the rage against the Professours King 〈◊〉 doings displeased many Chriâ—… Princes Camb. Brit. Lord Marquesse and others beheaded A. D. 1539. Ian. 9. Ioh. 〈◊〉 King Henry married Anne of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 6. An. 1540. 〈◊〉 Mart. 1296. The sixe Articles deuised 32. H. 8. chap. 10 35. H. 8. cap. 5. Lord Cromwell imprisoned In a letter writâ—… ten by himselfâ—… Ex MS. Anâ—… 32. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cap. â—…5 Queene 〈◊〉 diuorced by Parliament Cromwell affect his death 〈◊〉 ted by 〈◊〉 ment Ex MS. D. 〈◊〉 No such things as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 poseth 〈◊〉 Cromwell Nâ—… 〈◊〉 by 〈◊〉 well to cause 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Lady 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A. D. 1540. 〈◊〉 A. D. 1541. May 17. Margaret Coun tesse of Salisbury beheaded Lord Dacres hanged Stat. in 33. of H. 〈◊〉 cap. 21. Since the eight of August 〈◊〉 Queene Katherine and the Lady Iane Rochford beheaded The 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cted Sâ—…t H. 8. 28. c. 10. 〈◊〉 H. 8. 3â—… c. 4. The fixe bloody Articles enacted Iohn Fisher. Sir Thomas Moore beheaded Fox Mart. pap 1363. Anne Askew her story Io. Bale Cent. 8. â—…ol 669. Rom. 1. 16. Three conuersions by N. D. pag. 495. Anne accused by no rule of Christianity 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 compared The Counter Newgate and the Tower 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ned in Smithfield 〈◊〉 as 〈◊〉 suppose Three 〈◊〉 on s pag. 493. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Queene 〈◊〉 rines life laid 〈◊〉 Ibid. coâ—… p 494. 〈◊〉 three conâ—…ersions The Lord Chancellor lost his commission The Queene seeth the sentence of her death Queene Katherine visiteth the King who falleth in conference with her about 〈◊〉 Act. and Mon. Queene Katherines wise answer The Lord Chancellors purpose to apprehand the Queene Henry assumeth the name of King of Ireland A. 154 confirmed by Parl. 35. Hen 〈◊〉 Iohn 〈◊〉 The Kings of England and Scotland appoint to meet at Yorke A. D. 1542. An expedition into Scotland The Scotish noblemen refuse to inuade England The Lord 〈◊〉 of the Weâ—…-Borders yâ—…eld to the Kings perswasions * Williâ—… 〈◊〉 saith Stow. The mistaking of thâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Kings 〈◊〉 Generall The Scotish Noâ—… in 〈◊〉 of their generall 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Solem-mosse Graâ—…n saith foure and twentie The death of K. 〈◊〉 of Scotland A marriage intended betwixt Prince Edward and the young Queene of Scotland The Scotish prisoners honourably entertained The Scotish Prisoners released without Ran. some Ioâ—… 〈◊〉 The marriage of Prince Edward and Queen Mary concluded by Parliament Cardinill 〈◊〉 against the 〈◊〉 ringe with England The French King setâ—… faction in Scotland The Queene and Queene mother conueyto ed 〈◊〉 Queene Marie of Scotland crowned The Earle of Lennox falleth from the Queene mother King Henry dâ—… mandeth the young Scotish Queene An Army 〈◊〉 into Scotland Ioâ—…n Leslie Iohn Leslie The Pope and French King send aide into Scotland Math. Earle of Lennox marrieth Lady Margaret Earle Lennox proclaimed an enemie to the state The English enâ—… Scotland A. D. 1544. Defiance sent into France Ioâ—… Stow. Bolloigne besieged Ioâ—… Sleidâ—… 〈◊〉 Bolloigne wonne R. Graâ—…con Iohn Serres
read the Articles of peace and demanded the Kings whether these were done with their full consents Which granted by both either of them laying their one hand vpon the Missall and the other vpon the Holy-Crosse tooke their solemne Oathes to obserue the same And then falling into a more familiar and Courtly Complementall conference King Lewis told K. Edward that he would one day inuite him to Paris there to Court his faire French Ladies with whom if hee committed any sinne he merrily told him that Cardinall Bourbon should be his Confessor whose penance would be the easier for that Bourbon vsed to busse faire Ladies himselfe which no sooner was spoken or howsoeuer meant but Edward was as forward of thankes and acceptance and indeed so ready that King Lewis rounding Commines his bosome seruant in his â—…are told him flatly he liked not Edwards forwardnes to Paris too many English Princes hauing beene there before and â—…s the conference ended and king Edwards busines in France hee returned into England and into the City of London was receiued little lesse then in triumph-wise 99 But though Edwards fortunes thus outwardly flourished yet inward feares nipped his still troubled mind one branch hauing sappe whose growth hee much feared would shadow his Crowne which was Henry Earle of Richmond aliue and at liberty in the Duke of Britaines Court. To bring therefore his purpose to passe hee sent D. Stillington and others Ambassadors vnto Frances Duke of Britaine with store of gold and good words as that hee meant to match his eldest daughter Lady Elizabeth vnto the young Earle of Richmond whereby all cause of dissentions might at once be cut off the Duke thinking no danger where the water went smooth easily consented to shippe him thereon but ere the prey was embarked hee had knowledge that the voyage should cost young Henry his life wherefore in all hast hee sent his Treasurer Peter Lâ—…doys to preuent it who secretly told Richmond what marriageâ—…d Edward intended whereat the distressed Earle amazed was put to his shifts and for want of better tooke Sanctuary at S. Malâ—…s where the English his conductors lay for a wind 100 The Earle thus escaped the Ambassadors complained to the Duke imputing the fault as far as they durst vnto him who had not dealt liâ—… a good Marchant to take their money and to retain the warâ—… his answere was the deliuery was good but themselues negligent Factors that made not the commodity to their best aduantage And yet for the loue hee bare to their King hee vndertooke that Richâ—…nd should be sure kept either in Sanctuary or else in prison whence as hee promised hee should not escape And so with a 〈◊〉 in their â—…re they returned hauing cleared Edward of 〈◊〉 â—…ney and care for sure keeping of Henry who though hee weresore displeased with Stillingtons simplicity yet the promises that the Duke of Britaine had made much mitigated and eased his mind 101 And now the Realme quiet no warre in hand nor none towards but such as no man looked should happen hee framed himselfe so to the peoples affections and held their hearts not in a constrained feare but with as louing and ready obedience as any King attaining the Crowne by his sword euer had Nor was euer any Prince more familiar with his Subiects then this King Edward was who now hauing his tribute truly paid from France and all things prospering as was desired he set heart vpon pleasure which hetherto had beene afflicted with continuall turmoile yea and often laid from him the state of a Prince and would accompany and conuerse with his meane subiects a loadstone that doth naturally attract the English hearts among many others we of London remember this to our grace Vnto Windsore he sent for the Lord Maior of London the Aldermen and others vpon no other occasion then to hunt in his company and himselfe to be merry with them As also at another time he did the like in Waltham where he gaue them most familiar intertainment and sent to the Lady Mairesse and her sisters two harts sixe Buckes and a Tunne of wine which wanne more loue then manifold their worthes 102 Somewhat he was giuen to Court and conuerse with faire Ladies which fault was well noted and preuented by King Lewis for his French dames but in England he had liberty with very large scope for besides the Lady Lucy and others by whome he had issue three concubines he kept and those of three diuers and seuerall dispositions as himselfe would often confesse one the merriest another the wiliest and the third the holiest harlot in his realme as one whom no man could get out of the Church vnlesse it were to his Bed the merriest was Shores wife of whom hereafter we shall speake the other two were greater Personages but in their humility are content to bee namelesse and to forbeare the praise of those properties 103 This fault of the King did not greatly offend the people for one mans pleasure could not extend to the displeasures of manie it being done without violence and in his latter daies lessened and well left But a farre more greater sinne and reproach he fell into among his other Princely disports For being on progresse in Warwickeshire and hunting in Arrow Parkâ—… belonging to Thomas Burdet Esquire with the death of much Game he slew a White Bucke greatly esteemed of the said Burdet who vnderstanding thereof wished his hornes in his Belly that moued the King to kill the same Bucke whereof he was accused and condemned of treason his wordes being drawne to wish the â—…ornes in the Kings bellie for which beheaded hâ—… was at Tiburne and buried in the Gray-Fryers Church at London 104 But a more lamentable tragedie happened vnto the land by the death of George Duke of Clarence the Kings second brother who being accused of high Treason was committed to the Tower where he soone-after ended his life His attainder was that the said Duke had caused diuerse of his seruants to enforme the people that Thomas Burdet his seruant likewise was wrongfully put to death and further laboured through their reports to make the world beleeue tâ—… K. Edward wrought by Nigrâ—…cie and vsed to poison such 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And alâ—…o thaâ—… 〈◊〉 sâ—…id Duke vpon purâ—… to exalt himselfe and his heires to the 〈◊〉 digâ—… 〈◊〉 â—…sely 〈◊〉 vntruly pubâ—…d that the 〈◊〉 was a â—…ard and therefore not capable of raigne Moreouer thâ—… he induced diâ—…e of the Kiâ—…aturall subiects to be sworne vpâ—… the 〈◊〉 Sâ—…ent vnto him and his heires withâ—…â—…ny other reseâ—…ations of their allâ—…e for which intent as there was alleaged hee had gotten an exemplification vnder the great Seale of King Henry the sixt that if the said king and his sonne Prince Edward died without issue male the said Duke and his heires should inioy the Crowne For these in
mercifully * Holinsh. p. 523. Iohn Stow names also Sir Nicholas Lâ—…gford and cals the two Gausels not Gausels but Gentels and brothers The great destruction of Cheshire Gentlemen * August 10. The Earle of Northumberland pardoned of his life VVilford a Sea-captaine takes a thousand tunnes of good commodities A. D. 1404. The Earle of Northumberland restored The Country-men about Dartmouth kill the French General and present the King with honourable prisoners Owen Glendwr and the Welshmen waste the Marches A new false king Richard Serlo a spreader of that imposâ—…ure deliuered to the King * Parliamâ—… 〈◊〉 Tho. Wels. * Sir Iohn 〈◊〉 Ypodig Neust. pag. 563. An. 1405. Mowbray Earle Maâ—…all and Scrope Archbishop of Yâ—…ke 〈◊〉 to redâ—… 〈◊〉 and lose their heads * Sueton. lib. 3. cap. 59. The King pursues the Earle of Northumberland The first time that a gunne is vsed in England * Tho. VValsing In Hen. 4. The French with seuenscore ships arriue in 〈◊〉 to aid Owen Glendowr A. D. 1406. An. Reg. 7 A. D. 1407. King ' Richard spred to be aliue Sir Robert Knolls dieth An. D. 1409. Platina * Ypod. Neust. p. 566. * Antiq. Britan. ecclesia * Walsing Ypodig p. 569. * 〈◊〉 S. Theo. Oxonia saith Tho. Gascoigne MS. An. D. 1410 An. D. 1411. * Paul Aâ—…yl in Carol. 6. The Duke of Burgundie sends for aid to the King The Kings wise and Christian answere to the Dukes request Aides sent by the King to the Duke of Burgundie An. D. 1412 The Duke of Orleance sends to the King for succour * The words of the Dukes letter The great offers of the Orleance faction to the King Their demands The King forsakes the Duke of Burgundy and aides the Duke of Orleance * Pol. Verg. lib. 21. Iob. Tilius Chr. The English burne and spoile in Normandy till the Duke of Orleance came * homines de 〈◊〉 A. D. 1413. A. reg 14. The King dieth hauing reigned thirteene yeeres and sixe moneths wanting fiue daies â—…ith VValsing â—…ll â—…olinsh Cambd. Brit. in Glocest. Monarch 52 Henry V. Sutton in vit Tit. 1. 6. * Ti. 〈◊〉 Fâ—… Edw. Hal. Henry borne at Monmouth in Wales * Râ—…cor of Toweâ—… 4 Hen. 5. Ioh. Rosse 〈◊〉 in lib. 〈◊〉 regiâ—… Prince Henries Educatin Holinsh. Richard Grafton Edward Hal. Thom. Walsing Rich. Grafton Eccles. 2. Ioh. Rosse Sir Tho. Eliot Gouernour Rich. Grafton Tho. Otterborne Deut. 17. 12. Exod. 21. 15. Tho. Otterborn Ex Record Ioh. Stow. Rich. Grafton An. D. 1413. Tiâ—… Lâ—… Tho. Walsing Râ—…b Fabian Polycâ—…ron Vpon Trinity Sunday Nich Vigâ—…r in bist 〈◊〉 Eglise Fox in Acts and Monuments * Oper a Ioh. Hâ—…ssi To. 〈◊〉 Thom. Walsing 〈◊〉 and Monuments Ouldcastle pronounced an heretike Tho. Wals. Antiq. Britan. Ex libro Wigorn. Archbishop Arundels death * See it in Foxes Martyrologie The offers of the Lord Cobham Rob. Fabian Touching Ouldcastles innocency from Treason see Foxes defence against Cope in Martyrologie Iohn Stow Iohn Fox in Acts and Monuments * then called Thicket fields * See Fox at large Ypodig Neust. Tho Wals. Bishops of Saint Dauids Henry Chicheley made Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Walsing A complaint against the Clergies excesse Edw. Hall The Archbishop Câ—…ichleys oration Io. Serres The Law Salique touched the Germans but not the French Their claiming by the same title Numb 27. An addition 1. Chro. 2. 34. Lewis 〈◊〉 Iudg. 18. Io. Serres Io. Serres Ex Record apud Westm. P. 〈◊〉 Fr. Rosâ—…en Enguerrant de Monstrel Nich. Uegâ—… Will Parradin in Annal. de Burgoin Caâ—…ton Chron. 〈◊〉 Ex Record VVest An. D. 1414. Ypod. Neust. Ex Record Iohn Harding Roger VVals Enguerrant de Monstrâ—…l Holinsâ—… Ex Pâ—…l 1. H. 5. Alain 〈◊〉 in Aâ—…ls of Brit. An ancient Manuscript Tiâ—… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Stâ—… Holinsh. â—…o Stâ—… Annal. Liâ—… Original Harding 1500. Ioh. Stow. 1600. Holinsh. 1000. Grafton 140. Ould Manuscr 1500. Caxton 1500. Nichol. Giles Titus Liâ—…l 〈◊〉 de yllescâ—… Hist. Pâ—…tif Platina Nicol. 〈◊〉 in Theatrâ—…â—…sal de Prâ—… Sebastian Munster Francis Goodwin vpon the liues of the Bishop The French glorious in shew but the English conquerors Caxton Chron. The English discerned what was done in the French army P. Aemil. Alain Bâ—…chant â—…n les Annales de Bretagâ—…e The stratagem with stakes Guil. Parradyn Tho. Walsing The chiefe Leaders of each part of the English army The noble ablliaments of King Henry in the maine Battell Tiâ—… Liuiâ—… The admirable and glorious sight that both armies made 10. Serres King Henry seeketh to passe Callis Tho. Walsing Stowes Annal. Tho. Wal. Denis Saâ—…age in Cron. Flan. Enguerrant de Monâ—…reles The English proffer Battell Their Archers put the enemy to the greatest harme Ypodig Neust. Enguerrant The wings of the French battell discomfited Tho. Walsing The English Archers giuing back the French horsemen spill themselues vpon the sharpe pointed stakes Enguerrant de Monstrel Guil. Paradyn in les Annals de Burg. King Henry rescueth his brother the Duke of Glocester Alenzon encountring King Henrie putteth him in some danger Rich. Grafton The French maine battell put to flight Pyd Verg. Walsinghams description of the Frenches ouerthrow After some sharp execution the English shew mercy to the French Enguerrant de Monstrelet Ypod. Neust. Certaine French rob the Kings carriages They steale a Crowne and a sword and faine that King Henry is taken prisoner History of Normandy Pol. Verg. A new power of French appearing King Henrie causeth all his prisoners to bee slaine Enguerrant Tiâ—… Liâ—… 〈◊〉 de 〈◊〉 The Duke of Burgundy impriâ—…oneth the robbers of King Henries carriages but pardons their liues at Count Charolois request Ypodig Nest. King Henry acknowledgeth God the gâ—…uer of victory God deliuereth a nation into the hands of the destroier for their sinnes Enguer de Monstreles Nich. Gille Latiers volume de Cron. Franc. The small number of English slaine Tho. Walsing * Ex Manuscript The names of great persons either slaine or taken prisoners Enguerrant de Monstrelet Enguâ—… Iehan Tillet Bertrand de Argentre La. Mer Nichol. Giles Legend Fland. Chron. Fran. 3. vol. * Of Sâ—… The number of Dukes Earles c. slaine Denis Sâ—…g Bertrand de Argâ—…re in hist Bret. Iehan Tillet Alain Bouchart Annal. de Bret. Will. Parredin Annal. de Burgoin History of Normandy 5800. slaine French buried in one plat of ground Alain Bouchart Annal. de Bret. History of Normandy Stowes Annal. Grafton King Henry returneth into England He and his company in danger at Sâ—… Tho. Wal. The King is receiued oâ—… London with great state Caxton Chron. All sorts both Clergy and Laity shew their affection to the King and he to God Stowes Annal. The Duke of Yorke interred at Fotheringhay The Earle of Suffolke at Ewhelme Gonzales de yllesâ—… in la Hist. Pontif. May 7. The Emperour Sigismund commeth into England The sterne manner of entertaining the Emperour at his landing VVell liked of by the Emperor * Rich. Grafton * Paul Aemil. The King willinglie heareth the Emperour for