who confers this Honor before we leave this Section It hath been thought by divers that no man can make a Knight unless himself be first Knighted and because that some have not given this Honor before they received it they thence would imply that no man ought for so Prince Edward of Carnarvan having been first Knighted by his Father King Edward the First forthwith Knighted a great number more in Westminster Abbey So Anno 20. E. 3. the King being landed at Hoggs in Normandy Knighted Edward his eldest Son and immediately the said Prince made Mortimer Monteacute Ros and others Knights And King Edward the Sixth being Knighted by the â—arl of Hertford in the Tower of London assoon as the Ceremony was over Knighted Henry Hoblethorn Lord Mayor of London with the same Sword wherewith himself received this Military Honor. But it is apparent enough that they who never were and others who never could be Knights have conferr'd this Dignity and we are to understand that necessity and custom hath in this case the force of a Law for anciently Bishops and Priests made Knights so also do the Popes and some Common-wealths nay Women in whom the supream Power is vested may and have done the like witness our Queens Mary and Elizabeth and we find it to be the ancient Law in Spain That the King or his Son and Heir though they be no Knights may nevertheless make Knights by reason that they possess the Kingdom and are therefore the Head and Chief of Chivalry and consequently all the power thereof is closed up and contained in the Kings command To conclude in all the instances and examples where the creation of a Knight hath been performed either with Ceremony or by Diploma of which we shall speak in the next Section it may be observed that the Dignity was always given by and received from the hands of another Person except only the Kings of Spain who time out of mind have made themselves Knights and this by virtue of an old Law written in the Aragonian Tongue as Ambrosius Morales reports which saith thus The whole night preceding the Ceremony viz. of Knighting the King shall watch in the Church in the morning he shall hear Mass and offer both Purple and some of his Money and after he shall receive the Sacrament And when they are going to raise him he shall ascend upon his Shield the Noblemen holding and supporting him Then shall all cry with a loud voice three times Real Real Real This done he shall command to scatter more of his Money to the quantity of one hundred shillings among the People and to shew that no man upon earth hath any power over him he shall gird himself with the Sword made after the form of a Cross and that day can no other man be Knighted One Example of this ancient Rite is remembred by the said Chiffletius at the Coronation of King Ferdinando the Third who took from the high Altar the regal Sword and with his own hand girt himself therewith to the end being so girded he might shew himself openly to the People and declare that he received the power of Governing and making War from none but God alone and that he owed not his Kingdoms to the gift of any mortal man And it seems this manner of Knighting was a thing of such remarque that it was sometime taken notice of and entred for a memorable note of time as for instance in the Teste of a Charter which this Don Ferdinando made to the Monastery of De solos alvos in the third year of his Reign and is reported by the said Chiffletius out of Colmenars History of Segovia c. 20. as also by another Charter wherein the Knighting Prince Edward eldest Son to our King Henry the Third by Alphonso King of Castile at Bruges anno Domini 1255. is remembred after the same manner SECT IX The various Ceremonies used at the conferring of Knighthood BEsides the donation of the before-mentioned honorary Ensigns there were several Ceremonies and Formalities begun to be used in the middle Ages at the investiture of Knights some of which we shall here set down by way of Instance The most ancient of these is the investing of the Knight with a Belt and Sword and this was performed either by putting the Belt loose over the shoulder or girding it close about the waste the Bend in Armory represents the one and the Fess the other Of this kind of Honor we have spoken before The first Christian Kings and Princes saith Favin at the giving of the Cingulum militare kissed the new Knight on the left cheek and used these words In the honor of the Father of the Son and of the Holy Ghost I make you a Knight And this was called Osculum pacis the kiss of Favour or Brotherhood Some think this to be the same with the Accollade or Ceremony of imbracing which was performed by Charles the Great who before his expedition against the Hungarians Knighted his Son Lewis the debonair at the City of Ratisbone for upon the girding him with the Military Belt and Sword he gave him the Accollade that is he imbraced him though it be rendred for kissing by the Translator of Favin and this was the first time we observe the Ceremony of the Accollade to have been used It was in the time of the same Emperor that the way of Knighting by the Colaphum or giving a blow on the Ear was used in sign of sustaining future hardships and indurances which is thought to have been derived from the manner of manumission of a Slave among the Romans where first the Praetor gently struck him on the head with the Vindicta a Rod so called after which the Lictor did the like and moreover struck him on the Face and Back with his hand in token of full liberty and freedom This Custom was retained long after both in Germany and France much like the Pescosada or blow on the neck given in Spain at the Creation of the Cavalleros de Espuela d' orada or Knights of the Golden Spur as appears from a clause in the Instrument of the Frizons Infranchisment to this effect That the â—otestate or Governor of the Country should gird the Sword about him who was to be Knighted and then give him a Box on the Ear with his hand with which Ceremony he was made a Knight he also gave him special charge and command that thenceforth he should go armed after the manner of Knights of the sacred Empire or of the Kingdom of France It is also said this Emperor ordain'd that no King should succeed to the Empire if he were not Knighted as aforesaid before his Coronation And there is an eminent example of this formality in William Earl of Holland who when he came to be chosen King of the Romans Anno Domini 1247. preparation was
decease of such Knight-Companion And yet besides these three Bodies most eminently known by the title of Statutes there was another drawn up and published anno 7. E. 6. the Reformation of Religion here in England giving the occasion but it being within few Months repealed by Queen Mary his Sister and Successor before it received the life of Execution and not since revived we suppose it not proper to rank it in the Appendix or make any use thereof in the following Discourse In the Month of December 1666. the Right Reverend Father in God Matthew Wren late Lord Bishop of Ely shewed me a Manuscript compiled by himself about the year 1631. being at that time Register of this most Noble Order wherein by way of Comment upon King Henry the Eighth's Statutes he briefly shews out of the Statutes and Annals of the Order what alteration there hath been in the Law of the Garter both before and since It is a work composed with a great deal of judgment and exceeding useful and had it been my good hap to have met therewith before I had so neer finished this Work the ready directions therein would have eased me of much toil whilst I was about the composing it SECT III. Several endeavours for Reforming the Statutes since the Reign of King Henry the Eighth AS the Kings of this Realm immediately at their attaining the Crown do become Soveraigns of this most Noble Order of the Garter and consequently the Supream Law and Interpreters thereof so is the regulation of the whole their undoubted Prerogative and this hath been evidenced in nothing more fully than from their constant course in exercising the power not only of making and establishing but changing and altering the Laws and Statutes thereof which upon interest of Religion pleasure of the Soveraign change of times or any other fit or necessary Occasion hath from time to time been done by them Upon this ground was it that King Edward the Sixth went about to alter and reform such things in preceding Statutes as seemed not consistent with the Religion he had established in England To which purpose at a Chapter holden at Greenwich the 23. of April in the 3. year of his Reign it was agreed That the Lord St. John the Earl of Arundel and Sir William Paget should peruse over the Statutes of the Garter and that the same should be reformed and made agreeable to the Kings Majesty's other proceedings by the advice of the Duke of Somerset Lord Protector and other Companions of this Noble Order This was seconded by another Order made also in Chapter at Greenwich on St. Georges day in the following year where it was agreed That the Book of Statutes should be reformed and thereupon the Soveraign delivered to the whole Company a Book wherein was contained certain Statutes by the same to be corrected and reformed as they thought best until the next Chapter But it seems nothing was as yet done in pursuance of either of these Orders for at the next Feast on the 24. of April anno 5. E. 6. another Order past impowering the Duke of Somerset the Marquess of Northampton the Earls of Warwick Arundel Bedford and Wiltshire to peruse over the Statutes and other Books of the Order and the same to be reformed as aforesaid This third Order it seems took more effect than the former for thereupon a new Body of Laws was collected together wherein some things were reformed others newly added but in effect the Laws of the Order very much altered and published March 17. anno 7. E. 6. But this King dying within four Months after the very first thing Queen Mary his Sister took care for in reference to the Affairs of this Order was to see these new statutes abrogated and made void To which purpose in a Chapter held at St. Iames's House the 27. of September next following her coming to the Crown it was among other things Decreed and Ordained That the said Laws and Ordinances which were in no sort convenient to be used and so impertinent and tending to novelty should be abrogated and disanulled and no account to be made of them for the future And for the speedy execution of this Decree command was then also given to Sir William Petre who that day was admitted Chancellor of the Order to see that they should be speedily expunged out of the Book of Statutes and forthwith defaced left any memory of them should remain to posterity and only those Decrees and Ordinances which her Father and his royal Predecessors had established should be retained and observed It may be also noted that in this particular of Reformation King Philip her Husband appeared no less zealous for on the 5. of August an 1. 2. Ph. Mar. which was the third day after he had been invested with the Habit and Ensigns of the Order himself being presâ—nt at a Chapter in Windesor Castle it was then Ordained That all Acts and Decrees being recorded in divers places of the Great Book to wit the Black Book of the Order which were repugnant and disagreeable either with the ancient and received Statutes of the Order or else with the Laws of the Realm should clearly be abolished and taken away by the Marquess of Winchester the Earls of Arundel and Pembroke and the Lord Paget And we no sooner see Queen Elizabeth ascending the Throne but shortly after on St. George's day in the 2. year of her Reign a view of the Statutes is committed by Commission to four of the Knights-Companions namely the Marquess of Northampton the Earls of Arundel and Pembroke and the Lord Howard of Effingham Who were thereby impowered to read over and consider those Statutes and being so read over and viewed to consider with a watchful care and diligence if any of them were disagreeable to the Religion Laws and Statutes of this Realm and if any such were found the same to be faithfully represented to the Soveraign to the end that She with the Knights-Companions might establish such Decree concerning them as she should think fit Whether any thing was done pursuant hereunto or not doth not appear in the Annals of the Order or any where else that we have seen nor do we conceive there was or that this Soveraign saw much cause to alter the frame of those Statutes which King Henry the Eighth had established and Queen Mary confirmed since the Books of Statutes delivered to the Knights-Companions at their Installations throughout her Reign were no other than Transcripts of her Father's Body of Statutes and besides the practice of her time was generally pursuant to the direction therein except in some few things now and then added or altered at future Chapters when there arose new cause for so doing of which we shall give an account as the matter occurs After her Reign King Iames her Successor observing the obscurity and disagreement of some passages among the Statutes
it should not be granted To this Mr. Thaine drew up his Answer which being taken into consideration by the Soveraign in a Chapter held at Whitehall the 20. of February an 13. Car. 2. as also the Decree in Chapter before specified which fixed the Office to one of the Gentlemen-Vshers daily-waiters The Soveraign and Knights-Companions adjudged and declared the said Thaine's Answer not satisfactory as to the right by him pretended to the said Office and thereupon confirmed the foresaid Decree and further Ordered That Iohn Ayton Esquire one of the Petitioners should be forthwith sworn Gentleman-Vsher of the Black Rod to execute the place upon all occasions hereafter which was done by the Register of the Order in the presence of the Soveraign and Knights-Companions the Chapter sitting The Oath as we find it given to this Officer in the Reign of King Henry the Eighth was Truly and faithfully to observe and keep all the points of the Statutes of the Order as to him belonged and appertained He hath the like Habit with the Register and Garter before described But his Ensign and Badge are somewhat different from Garter's for first it was Ordained That he or his Deputy should carry a Black Rod whence he hath his ordinary Title before the Soveraign or his Deputy at the Feast of St. George within the Castle of Windesor and at other Solemnities and Chapters of the Order On the top of which there ought to be set a Lion of England This Rod serves instead of a Mace and hath the same authority to apprehend such persons as shall be found Delinquents and have offended against the Statutes and Ordinances of this most Noble Order And if at the command of the Soveraign and Knights-Companions he should apprehend any one of the Order as guilty of some Crime for which he is to be expell'd from the Order it is to be done by touching them with this Black Rod in consideration whereof his Fee is 5 l. There is also assigned him a Gold Badge to be openly worn in a Gold Chain or Ribband before his Breast composed of one of the Knots in the Collar of the Garter which tye the Roses together and encompassed with the ennobled Garter being alike on both sides which honor is conferr'd on him and his Successors by Decree in Chapter held the 24. of April an 8. Eliz. 'T is as ancient as King Henry the Fifth's Reign that we find a House in Windesor Castle granted to this Officer by Letters Patent together with his Office during life and the like provision is made for him by the Constitutions of his Office It is scituate on the South side of the Castle in the middle Ward The said Constitutions give him Baron-service at Court and Livery thereto appertaining and besides these the keeping of the said Castle and the two Parks adjacent King Charles the Firsâ— having taken into his hands the Little Park of Windesor by the resignation of Sir William Hewyd who had it by Grant under the Great Seal of England and bestowed it upon the foresaid Iames Maxwell then Vsher of the Order He also thought fit with the advice and consent of the Knights-Companions at a Chapter held in the With-drawing Chamber at Whitehall 5. November 1629. to Order and Decree That as the Custody of the said Little Park was conferr'd on Mr. Maxwell in right of his Office pursuant to the institution so the same should for ever after be annexed thereto and not be disposed of but under the Great Seal of the Order and that only to the Vsher of the Order for the time being Lastly this Officer had anciently a Fee of 12 d. per diem allowed him which we find continued down in the Letters Patent whereby this Office was granted beside which the Constitutions of his Office allow him an annual Pension of 30 l. heretofore paid him out of the Soveraign's Exchequer but by King Charles the First assigned him out of the 1200 l. per annum setled upon the Order touching which we shall Discourse in the next Section SECT VI The payment of the Officers Pensions upon the new Establishment KIng Iames sometimes Soveraign of this most Noble Order well considering its Institution Nature and Constitution and that it was in the nature of a distinâ—t Soveraignty govern'd by Laws Statutes and Assemblies of its own and Himself as Soveraign in matters and things immediately relating thereto had sole and absolute power of altering changing adding or explaining And finding that the annual Pensions paid to the Officers of the Order as those to the Alms-Knights and some other its Expences had been anciently made payable out of his Receipt of the Exchequer either upon and by virtue of the Great Seals of England or otherwise by Privy Seals and conceiving it incongruous that the Officers should longer receive or challenge their Pensions by virtue of any other Seal than that of the Order and in some kind derogatory to the Dignity of the Order it self to permit other Seals longer to work within or upon the same He thereupon with twelve Knights-Companions in a Chapter held at Whitehall the 2â— of May in the 20. year of his Reign Ordered That all things concerning the Order should thereafter be passed under the Seal of the Order only and in particulâ—r That the Grants of Poor-Knights Places after their being signed by the Soveraign should be passed under the Seal of the Order only and none other And whereas at the Feast of St. George the following year the Chancellor had received from the Dean of Windesor a Note in writing of the Pensions given to the Poor-Knights and by whom and in what manner the same had been given it was also Ordered That he should take advice of the Soveraign's Attorney General how by virtue of the Seal of the Order the said Pensions might be paid and received His Majesties further pleasure being That all Grants and Payments concerning the Order should afterwards pass under the Seal of the Order only and by virtue threof As to the Alms-Knights Patents this Decree took effect but in the other generals referring to the Order how far it was pursued we know not for in some of them we find it not observed But in a Chapter held at Windesor on the 22. of April in the 10. year of the Reign of his late Majesty of ever blessed memory debate was had about setting a part from the profits of his Revenue to the peculiar use of the Order the annual sum of 1000 l. to be assigned out of the Receipt of his Exchequer and employed particularly in discharge of Expences towards the Feasts of the Order Legations to Foreign Princes payment of the Officers Pensions and all other Titles by which any thing should at any time be disbursed for the necessity or reputation of the said most Noble Order Afterwards at
9. Eliz. nevertheless the Feast of Installation was therein excepted and appointed to be solemnized at that place And this was again provided for among the before mentioned Orders an Iac. Regis 21. to wit That after an Election made of a Knight of the Order his Installation should be performed at Windesor according to the ancient Custom and Statutes of the Order When therefore the Soveraign hath been pleased to prefix a certain day for Installation in order to this great Solemnity several things are necessarily to be prepared as namely 1. a Commission to admit and install the Elect-Knight 2. Letters to each of the Commissioners and the Elect-Knight for their repair to Windesor 3. Warrants for the Soveraign's Livery 4. a Bill or Warrant for the removal of Stalls and Atchievements all which are to be obtained from the Soveraign under his Sign manual by the Chancellor of the Order and 5. lastly the Knights own Preparations among which his Atchievements are to be got in readiness for setting up so soon as he is Installed SECT III. Of Commissions for Installation IN the first place we are to note that no Elect-Knight can be Installed unless by the Soveraign of the Order himself or being present by such of the Knights-Companions whom he shall verbally authorize or if absent by his Commission drawn up in writing and past under the great Seal of the Order directed either to his Lieutenant or Knights-Commissioners We have met with but one Instance where the Soveraignâ—ath â—ath been pleased to honor a Knight by performing the Ceremony of Installation himself and that was in the case Philip King of Castile and Leon an 22 H. 7. yet it is probable enough that Sigismond the Emperor and anciently some other Foreign Princess of eminence and dignity might receive Installation from other of the Soveraigns though no memorial thereof hath been transmitted to us As to the Soveraign's verbal appointment we shall mention it by and by But in reference to Installation by Commission we shall speak of it here For it was Ordained by the Statutes of Institution That in case the Soveraign should be absent out of the Kingdom at the time of Installation of any of the Knights so that he could not personally perform those things his Office obliged him to it should be lawful for him to constitute as his Deputy in this affair whomsoever of the Society he should think fit and he to have power and authority in the Soveraign's name to perform and execute those things which it would have been his own part to have done had he been present By virtue of this Article the Soveraign's Deputy or Lieutenant in his absence performed the Ceremony before the Reign of King Henry the Eighth which was usually done at the Feast of St. George for the Celebration of which he had another Commission but in the Commission given out for Installation formerly the Lieutenant was first named and the Knights-Companions appointed for his Assistants at the said Feast were joined with him in the Commission for Installation to assist in that Ceremony also but of later times the Commission hath pass'd to the Lieutenant alone King Henry the Eight enlarged the powers given by the former Statutes to a Deputy to two or more of the Knights-Companions that should exercise the same by the Soveraign's Letters of Commission And therefore by the liberty and priviledge of this Article whensoever after the Soveraigns did appoint an Installation at other times of the year than at the Feast of St. George they then delegated their authority to such of the Knights-Companions as were thought most fit to perform this great Ceremony And the very next year after making this Statute we find such a Commission issued to the Marquess Dorset and Earls of Devonshire and Kent to Instal the Lord Ferrars of Chartley the substance of which hath been ever since and is yet retained though the form hath received some little Variation as may be seen by two other Commissions immediately following in the Appendix The particular powers granted by the Commissioiners are these to accept and admit the Knight Elect into the Order to receive his Oath and to Instal him and the general power is to do and accomplish every thing which belongeth to his due Admittance and full Installation as to the Statutes and laudable Usageâ— Rules and Customs of this Order appertaineth We shall only add this observation out of the Commission given to the Marquess Dorset and the Lord Cobham an 5. E. 6. for Installation of the Lord Darâ—y which else is the same verbatim with former Commissions that in the last clause of general power the word Vsage is put down instead of the words Statutes and laudable Customs which were generally inserted in the more ancient Commissions perhaps as restraining the Ceremonies of Installation to such as were in use about that time when many Ceremonies accustomably used were forborn not what the Statutes and laudable Customs of formerly days had appointed and pracâ—ised Howbeit shortly after these words were restored to the Commissions of Installation as appears from a and Lord Clynton an 2. 3. Ph. Mar. for the Installation of Anthony Brown Viscount Mountague SECT IV. Letters of Summons BEsides the Commission impowering the Soveraign's Lieutenant or Knights-Commissioners therein named to Instal the Elect-Knight it hath been usual for the Soveraign upon the Chancellors motion to issue out Letters of Summons under his privy Signet but of late under the Signet of the Order both to the Commissioners for Installation and to the Elect Knights Those to the Commissioners are directed severally to each nominated in the Commission the effect whereof is to give them notice of the Installation and to require their repair to Windesor against the day therein assigned to the end the Elect Knight might proceed to his Installation a Precedent whereof is also added in the Appendix But at the Installation of Algernon Earl of Northumberland an 11. Car. 1. a Clause to this purpose is inserted into the Commission it self Those directed to the Elect Knight pass likewise under the Soveraign's Sign manual and Signet of the Order by which he is required to repair to Windesor Castle at a certain day therein prefixt to proceed to his Installation according to the Statutes of the Order and of this kind we have also inserted a Form in the Appendix Where note that if there be two or more Knights appointed to be Installed on the same day the like Letter is sent to each of them the difference being only in the direction Besides these Letters sent from the Soveraign the Chancellor in case the Soveraign afford his presence in his Circular Letters to the Knights-Companions for their repair to the Feast of St. George gives them also intimation of the designed Installation And if the said Feast be held either by the Soveraign or his
early after the Institution in the case of Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster who as is before noted was removed from the seventh Stall on the Princes side wherein he was first placed to the Princes Stall it self this act is said to be done by the decree of the Soveraign and Knights-Companions and no doubt but as this was done by so good authority so upon no less inducements to the Soveraign and whole Society But there are few of these extraordinary cases which taking up little time we will remember here William of Henalt Earl of Ostervant was advanced by King Richard the Second from the eleventh Stall on the Soveraign's side to the Duke of Britains Stall it being the second on the Princes side Next Humfry Duke of Gloucester in the Reign of King Henry the Sixth having been first installed in the eleventh Stall on the Soveraign's side was when he came to be Lord Protector removed to the second Stall on the same side Afterward Richard Nevill Earl of Warwick by the consent of the Knights-Companions in Chapter an 39. H. 6. was translated to the Duke of Buckingham's Stall the Lord Bonvill to the Lord Scales his Seat Sir Thomas Kyriell to the place of the Earl of Shrewsbury and the Lord Wenlock to the Stall of Viscount Beaumont And lastly Ferdinand King of Naples and Sicily was removed to the third Stall on the Soveraign's side after he had been installed in the third on the Princes side yet this was an advance of so little honor as it is scarce worth taking notice of being but the very next above that wherein he was first Installed But King Henry the Eighth thinking it requisite for the Soveraigns of this most Noble Order to be impowered by a general Law to do that at pleasure which the former Soveraign's did not but by the power of particular Acts or Orders in Chapter after he had confirmed the ancient Law of succeeding in the Stall of the immediate Predecessor not to be changed without the Soveraign's License nevertheless excepting Strangers he in the next succeeding Article established this Priviledge upon Himself and Successors That if there were any Place or Stall void the Soveraign at his own pleasure might advance and translate any Knight of the Society into the void Stall so that it were higher than that wherein he sat before This in effect did vacat the ancient Law of succeeding in Stalls by him seemingly confirm'd to Knights-Subjects for afterward Translations preceding to Installations became so frequent that the right an Elect-Knight had to his Predecessors Stall was seldom enjoyed Howbeit hereby he setled a power to gratifie and oblige such of the Knights-Companions as should be thought worthy the honor of advancing without recourse had to a Chapter for a special and particular allowance and from hence the Custom began to issue out Warrants under the Soveraign's Sign manual for the Translation of Stalls some convenient time before the day of Installation approched and consequently the alteration and removal of such of the Knights-Companions Helms Crests Banners and Plates who should receive the honor of a higher Place their Atchievements being by virtue of such Warrants set up over the Stalls to which they were advanced there to remain during the time their owners continued therein And now that we may see in what manner King Henry the Eighth made use of the powers and priviledges setled by the foresaid Articles both as to the removal of Stalls and doing it by special Warrant which is Garters discharge we shall exhibit a few Examples first shewing in what order the Stalls were ranked shortly after passing this Law that by comparing some following years with these Schemes the alteration may with greater readiness be discerned Knights of the Order of the Garter as they stood ranked in their Stalls Anno 17. H. 8. The Soveraign's side The Princes side 1. The Soveraign 1. The Emperor Charles the Fifth 2. Duke of Richmond 2. Archduke of Austria 3. Marquess Dorset 3. Duke of Norfolk 4. Marquess of Exceter 4. Earl of Northumberland 5. Earl of Shrewsbury 5. Duke of Suffolk 6. Earl of Essex 6. Earl of Arundel 7. Earl of Worcester 7. Viscount Lisle 8. Viscount Fitz Walter 8. Lord Bergaveny 9. Lord Dacre 9. Lord Ferrars 10. Lord Dudley 10. Lord Darcy 11. Earl of Westmerland 11. Lord La Ware 12. Earl of Rutland 12. Lord Sandys 13. Viscount Rocheford 13. Sir Richard Wingfield Knights of the Order of the Garter as they stood ranked in their Stalls Anno 18. H. 8. 1. The Soveraign 1. The Emperor Charles the Fifth 2. Duke of Richmond 2. Archduke of Austria 3. Marquess Dorset 3. Duke of Norfolk 4. Marquess of Exceter 4. Earl of Northumberland 5. Earl of Shrewsbury 5. Duke of Suffolk 6. Earl of â—ssex 6. Earl of Arundel 7. Earl of Westmerland 7. Viscount Lisle 8. Viscount Fitz-Walter 8. Lord Bergaveny 9. Earl of Rutland 9. Lord Ferrars 10. Lord Dudley 10. Lord Darcy 11. Void 11. Viscount Rochford 12. Lord Mountjoy 12. Lord Sandys 13. Sir William Fitz Williams 13. Sir Henry Guldeford In the latter of these two Schemes drawn for the Translation of Stalls an 18. H. 8. it may be observ'd first that on the Soveraign's side the Earl of Westmerland was advanced from the eleventh Stall to the seventh being void by the death of the Earl of Worcester The Earl of Rutland from the twelfth to the ninth that being also void by the Lord Dacres death then Viscount Rochford from the thirteenth Stall to the eleventh on the Princess side where the Lord La Ware lately sat but then also deceased And lastly the three newly Elect Knights were thus disposed of at their Installation first the Lord Montjoy into the twelfth Stall then lately void by the removal of the Earl of Rutland next Sir William Fitz Williams into the thirteenth Stall from whence Viscount Rochford was removed and lastly Sir Henry Guldeford into that void by the death of Sir Richard Wingfield viz. the thirteenth on the Princes side but the Stall from whence the Earl of Westmerland was removed remained yet void An appointment for the Translation of Stalls upon admission of Francis the French King An. 19. H. 8. 1. The Soveraign 1. The Emperor 2. The French King 2. The King of Bohemia 3. Duke of Richmond 3. Duke of Norfolk 4. Marquess of Exceter 4. Marquess Dorset 5. Earl of Shrewsbury 5. Duke of Suffolk 6. Earl of Essex 6. Earl of Arundel 7. Earl of Westmerland 7. Viscount Lisle 8. Viscount Fitz Walter 8. Lord Bergaveny 9. Earl of Rutland 9. Lord Ferrars 10. Lord Dudley 10. Lord Darcy 11. Earl of Oxenford 11. Viscount Rochford 12. Lord Mountjoy 12. Lord Sandys 13. Sir William Fitz Williams 13. Sir Henry Guildford The setlement of Stalls made the 26. of Ianuary in the following year affords us these observations First by reason of the French King Election which past the
Homage of the Dutchy of Britagne and Earldom and Country of Flanders and all other demands that King Edward made or might make to the King of France for what cause soever except such things as by the said Treaty ought to be delivered to him and his Heirs It was also agreed that the King of France should be brought to Calais within three weeks after Midsummer following and should pay for his Ransom three Millions of Escuts of Gold two of which should be worth one Noble English And that there should be paid to King Edward 600000 Escuts of Gold within four Months accounting from the time of the King of France's arrival at Calais and within one year ensuing 400000 Escuts more and from that year every year following 400000 Escuts till the said three Millions were paid And it after appears in the same Roll that King Edward had received 400000 Escuts part of the first 600000 the 24. of October 1360. and for payment of the other 200000 he gave time till Christmas and Lady-day following Furthermore that certain of the Nobility of France aswel of those who were made Prisoners at Poictiers as others should remain Hostages in England for the King of France namely Lewis Earl of Anjou Iohn Earl of Poictiers both Sons to King Iohn the Duke of Orliens his Brother the Duke of Burbon the Earl of Bloys or his Brother the Earl of Alanson or the Lord Peter of Alanson his Brother the Earls of St. Pol Harecourt Pontieu Valentynois Brene Vandemont and Forest the Viscount Beaumont the Lords of Cousy Fienles Preaux St. Venaunt and Garenciers the Dauphin of Auvergne the Lords of Hangest and Montmorency Sir William of Craon Sir Lewis of Harecourt and Sir Iohn Ligny And the Names of the Prisoners were these Lord Philip of France the Earls of Eu Longuevil Pontieu Tankarvile Ieigny Sanceurre Dampmartin Ventadour Salebruche D'auceurre and Vendosme the Lords of Craon and Deruale the Marshal Dodenham and the Lord Daubyny Besides these the King of France was obliged to deliver at Calais within three Months after he departed thence in further pledge for the accomplishment of this Treaty four Persons of Paris two of each of the Towns here named to wit St. Omer Aras Amyens Beauves Lisle Douay Tournay Reyms Chaalons Troies Chartres Thoulouse Lyons Orliens Compeigne Rouen Caen Tours and Bourges and these to be of the most sufficient and best Burgesses of these Towns It was moreover agreed That the King of France and his Heirs Kings of France should quit the Alliances they had with the Scots and never give to that King Kingdom or Subjects present or to come any aid or assistance against the King of England his Heirs or Successors his Realm or Subjects nor make any alliance with the Scots in time to come against the King and Realm of England And the like Article was agreed to by the King of England in reference to his Alliance with the Flemmings There were divers other particulars agreed to on the behalf of both Kings and set down in this Treaty of Peace which we designing brevity do omit but these are the main and principal to our present purpose All things thus finished King Edward immediately left France and landed at Rye the 18. of May following in the Evening and thence the next day came to Westminster And shortly a Writ issued to Sir Iohn Beauchamp then Constable of Dover forthwith to arrest and fit up a sufficient number of Ships to carry over King Iohn and his Family to Calais within the time agreed on and whither he was conducted the 8. of Iuly after The 9. of October King Edward followed where the foresaid Treaty with some few alterations was there ratified and confirmed by Oath of both Kings and several Instruments relating to the full accomplishment of the several Articles thereof were drawn up and sealed with the Great Seals of both Kings all bearing date at Calais the 24. day of October an Dom. 1360. Here also were the Renunciations on either side both absolute and conditional to all the Towns Castles Countries c. to the Resort and Soveraignty c. comprehended in the Articles of Peace drawn up sworn to and sealed at the same time but not exchanged because the King of France was as yet in Calais and Prisoner to King Edward and the Towns c. not as yet delivered But it was then nevertheless agreed and promised that they should be surrendred to the special Deputies on both sides by Midsummer following if it might be and the Renunciations sent at the Assumption of our Lady next ensuing to the Church of the Augustine Fryars at Bruges to be delivered to those Deputed to receive them Or if they were not surrendred till Alhollantide after then the Renunciations were to be delivered in the said Church on St. Andrews day following at which time and place both Kings engaged to send thither and cause to be delivered to the Deputies on both sides theirs and their eldest Sons Renunciations likewise but if they were not accordingly mutually delivered then not any thing agreed on was to take effect But it seems things were not made ready against Midsummer the first of the appointed times for compleating these matters for the 15. of November following King Edward constituted Sir Thomas Vnedale Knight and Thomas de Dunclent Licenciate in the Laws his Agents whom he sent to Bruges with power to make request to the King of France for the effectual accomplishment of all things concluded on as aforesaid and to require that He and his Son should make the Renunciations and Transports according to all the foresaid Agreements made at Calais and upon reception of which he was thereby enabled to give Acquittance in King Edwards name But there was another Instrument dated at Calais the said 24. of Oct. 1360. whereby King Edward was obliged to deliver up to the French King on this side Candlemas an 35. E. 3. the Castles and Fortresses which he held in other parts of France than in those surrendred to him by the French King viz. as they are written in the Record In Champaigne and in Brie Bursant and Ioinville upon the Marn Bourt in Champaigne Ochie Sye upon the Seine the Mote de Triesreine Brugelemens and all other Fortresses taken in these Countries In Nivernois Cornallour Gueillons Anlesy Villers and Mont Epny In Anceurrois and Burgoigne Regennes Legny Malecorne and the Mote de Chauloye In Aurelenoys and Gastinoys The New Castle upon Loire and Mereau au Boys and all other Fortresses in Orlenois in Gastinois in Messien in Beause and in Wenguesin le Francois Within a month following the County of Ponthieu was to be surrendred to King Edward or else Hostages King Edward was also to deliver up the New Castle in Tynerois Beaumont le Choistif Nogent le Rotron and the Ferte de Ville Nevill and all other Fortresses in France and in the Country of Perche and
in Bretagne past through that Country to Angoulesme where the Prince lay with 3000 men and entred the Country of Piergort and over-ran it He sent also a Letter to the Nobility of Gascoigne wherein he acquainted them with the reasons why he re-assumed the Name and Title to the Kingdom of France as he used it before the Treaty of Peace to which he condescended not without a manifest diminution of his right Iohn Duke of Lancaster and several others of the English Nobility were sent with another Army into France about Midsummer who landed at Calais of which the French King receiving advertisement called back his Forces designed for the Sea to invade England to meet with whom as also to secure Southampton the Isle of Wight and Garnsey King Edward had set forth a considerable Fleet and sent them under the Command of the Duke of Burgoigne to oppose the Duke of Lancaster but upon report of the Earl of Warwick's coming by Sea to the Duke of Lancaster's assistance the French withdrew The following year the French King raised two Armies and sent them into Aquitaine one under the Command of the Duke of Anjou to enter Guyen by Reol and Bergerac and the other under the Duke of Berry to enter that Country by Lymoges and Quercy and both Armies to meet at Angoulisme to besiege the Prince then in those parts King Edward considering the unsetledness of these Countries raised likewise two Armies That for Aquitaine was Commanded by the Duke of Lancaster of which we shall make further mention when we speak of the Prince and the other designed for Picardie by Sir Robert Knowles In relation to which latter expedition Proclamation was sent forth That all Souldiers designed for Normandy and other parts of France under Sir Robert's Command being constituted the Kings Lieutenant in those parts of France should be at Southampton in the Octaves of St. Iohn Baptist following ready fitted to take Shiping there with him Nor was the King slack in strengthning himself by Allies from abroad and therefore Sir Iohn atte Wode and Mr. Robert de Wykford Archdeacon of Winchester and Doctor of Laws were sent beyond Sea having power to treat with Wenceslaus Duke Brabant and Lorraine Marquess of the Empire about furnishing the King with Men and Arms to serve him in these Wars He also secured the back Door to wit Scotland by a Treaty of Peace for 9. years in which nevertheless the Scots were at liberty to serve either English or French without breaking the Peace and lastly confirmed the Treaty with the Earl of Flanders and the Towns of Gaunt Bruges and Ipres Sir Robert Knowles with 12000. Men being landed at Calais and resting there 7. days forthwith took the Field and marching through the Country of Guynes and Fauconbridge came to Turwin and thence into Artois drawing near Arras and so to Vermandois wasting the Country all the way he went He thence marched to the City of Noyen and into Champaigne and turned to Bry and so on the 24. of September to Paris before which he stayed a day and two Nights After this Sir Bertrand de Guesclin having defeated a stragling party of his he marched to Dorvel Castle in Bretagne This Army so long as it submitted to their General prospered but towards Winter some of them growing disobedient and slighting his Commands became a prey to the French whilst his policy and prudence preserved those safe who stuck to him in his march into Bretagne This year the Flemmings set upon part of the Kings Navy under the Command of Sir Guy de Bryen at la Bay in Bretagne but he got the Victory and took 25. of their Ships with their Captain Sir Iohn Peterson and many other Prisoners whom he brought with him into England which caused the King to set forth a Navy against the Flemmings but the Towns of Bruges Ipres and Gaunt hearing of his preparations made such applications to the King that they obtained Peace The Fortune of the War in Aquitaine at this time standing fair on the English side the following Winter the King designed two fresh Armies to enter France yet indeavoured before upon the Popes request both by Letters and Messages to lay hold of an honourable Peace to which end power was given to treat thereon to Simon Bishop of London Guy de Bryene Roger de Beauchamp Bannerets Sir Arnold Savage Knight Iohn Appleby Dean of London and Iohn de Branketre Treasurer of York and the next day he granted Letters of safe conduct for the Ambassadors of France to come and treat about that Affair One of the foresaid Armies were designed for the defence of Aquitaine and the other to land at Calais whence the Duke of Lancaster and Earl of Cambridge were appointed to enter France by the Plains of Picardy But Iohn Earl of Penbroke constituted the Kings Lieutenant in Aquitaine was ordered to go into Poictou and in pursuance of that design took Sea and arrived at Rochell the 22. of Iune 1372. where he found the Spanish Fleet who fought him two days and at last took him Prisoner the Rochellers having refused to assist him and in that ingagement the Ship which carried a great Treasure to pay the English Army was unfortunately sunk The King designing also the relief of Thoâ—ars raised an Army of 3000. Men of Arms and 1000. Archers and with the Prince took Shipping at Sandwich on Monday the 30. of August about nine a Clock in a Ship called the Grace de Dieu directions having been given for making publick Prayers in all Churches for good success in this Voyage and so sailing towards Rochell the Winds and Tempests kept him at Sea 9. Weeks and when he saw he could not arrive in France by Michaelmas being the time limitted for relief or otherwise surrender of the Town he returned to England and had the Wind at will The consequence of this improsperous Voyage with the miscarriage of the Earl of Penbroke was the loss of all the Country of Poictou Xantoigne and Rochell After these misfortunes a Treaty of Peace was again set on foot and Simon Bishop of London Edmond Earl of March Richard de Stafford Roger de Beauchamp Rauf de Ferrieres Bannerets Simon de Molton Doctor of Law and Ioâ—n de Branketre Treasurer of York were constituted the Kings Commissioners for the management of this Affair and Letters of safe conduct granted the same day to the Cardinal of Beauvez and other Agents from France who with the Cardinal of Canterbury were by the Pope commissionated to be the chief managers of this Treaty The Duke of Lancaster publick Prayers having been made also for his good success arrived at Calais in Iuly an 47. E. 3. with 3000 men of Arms and 10000 Archers which he divided into three Battels and marched by Land
a Chapter of this Order in Madrid the 16. of April anno 1600. which ended the 30. of November following In which it was ordained that the Book Intituled La Regla y Establecimientos de la Cavalleriae de Santiago del Espadae c. should be printed This Book contains the Institutions whereby the Knights of the Order are to be governed together with all the Statutes Laws Rules and Ceremonies appertaining thereunto and now in use and at this Chapter many of the former Laws were abolished others amended and some new added The Order of Knights of St. Saviour in Aragon 15. About the year of our Lord 1118. was this Order erected by Don Alphonso called Emperor of Spain King of Navarr Aragon Leon Castile and Toledo who chose out of those Spanish and French Nobility that assisted him in his Wars against the Moors a certain number whereof he formed this Society and to the end he might be the better enabled to drive the Moors out of Saragosa and the whole Territory of Aragon he engaged them by this Honor to pursue the War against them to the utmost of their power Favin seems to place the Institution of this Order to the year 1120. but that was the year of King Alphonso's great Expedition against the Moors whom he vanquished and destroyed and for which Victory he had the Title of Conqueror given to him besides these Knights were Instituted upon design to engage with this King in that War of whose assistance he had not so great need as to give Institution to them if he had before overcome the Moors Some may possibly take this Order to be rather Military than Religious but if it be considered that these Knights succeeded the Templars in Montreall being by King Alphonso established in that place and had a Rule of living somewhat conformable to the Knights Templars save only the priviledge to marry which Rule Io. Mariana a Spanish Author of very great credit saith expresly was the Cistertian and for that Ios. Mich. Marquez another Spanish Writer informs 〈◊〉 that they profest conjugal Chastity and Obedience and were obliged to support the holy Church and Christian Faith against the Moors we need not scruple to place them in the ranks of Religious Knights Their Habit was a White Mantle on the breast whereof they wore a Red Cross Ancree but A. Mendo saith it was the Figure of our Saviour At length the like Fate attended this Order as did the Knights of St. Iames Alcantara and Calatrava for the Moors being driven out of Spain and the chief end for which they were instituted ceasing their rich Commanderies were at length united to the Crown The Order of Knights d'Avis in Portugal 16. Don Alphonso Henriquez first King of Portugal took from the Moors in the year of our Lord 1147. the City of Evora and to strengthen this Garrison he sent thither several gallant Commanders who assumed the Title of Knights of St. Mary of Evora as well from putting themselves under the protection of our blessed Lady as from the place where they were first seated Their first Great Master was Don Fernando de Monteiro Not long after they came to be called Knights d' Avis from a Castle of that name situate on the Frontires of Portugal which being conquered from the Moors by the said King Don Alphonso he gave it to Fernando de Yannes Master of Evora in the year 1161. but Fr. de Rades saith it was 1181. to which Castle he and his Brethren forthwith transplanted themselves from Evora This Order was confirmed by Pope Innocent the Third anno 1204. in the Reign of Sancho the First Son to King Don Alphonso under the Rule of St. Benedict and therefore in some Papal Bulls the Order is called of St. Benedict d' Avis but others say this Order had confirmation anno Dom. 1162. by a power which the Bishop of Hostia Legat in Spain for Pope Alexander the Third gave to Io. Zerita Abbot of St. Io. Tarroca The Knights profess Conjugal Chastity and Obedience In the year of Christ 1213. Don Rodrigo Garcez de Assa then seventh Master of Calatrava gave to the Great Master and Brethren Knights d' Avis their two Fortresses in Evora and some other lands possessed by them in the Kingdom of Portugal upon which Donation they submitted themselves to the Rule Statutes Visitation and Correction of the Order of Calatrava and their Successors but in the time of Don Iohn of Portugal natural Son of Pedro the Eighth King of Portugal seventh Great Master d' Avis after he had gained the Victory of Aljubarrato against Don Iohn the First of Castile he commanded this Order to cast off their acknowledgments to that of Calatrava which they thereupon did and afterwards refused to receive Don Gonsalo Nunez de Guzman Master of Calatrava who went to visit them Hereupon the Order of Calatrava complained to the Council of Basil who decreed that this Order d' Avis should continue subject to that of Calatrava and receive their Visits and Reformation to which purpose a Bull issued which yet remains preserved in the Archives of Calatrava but the Portugueses never submitted to it albeit those of Calatrava to preserve their preheminence have still nominated Visitors Nay afterwards when that Crown fell into the hands of Philip the Second King of Spain this Order d' Avis did nevertheless remain governed according to the Statutes of Portugal nor did the Council of the other three Orders of Castile take upon them to proceed in any Cause where this Order was concern'd The Badge of this Order is a Green Cross Flory such as the Knights of Alcantara wear and said to be given them by Don Pedro but before they used the like Cross with those of the Order of Calatrava two Birds being added at the foot thereof in allusion to the later name given to this Order as appears from the ancient Seal The Royal Council of Portugal make examination of the Extraction of such as are to be admitted into this Order that is of the Fathers and Grand-fathers Gentility both of the Fathers and Mothers side The manner of giving the Habit and making profession is agreeable to that of the Knights of Calatrava The Order of Knights of the Wing of St. Michael in Portugal 17. Don Alphonso Henriquez King of Portugal in whose Reign the Order d' Avi◠was instituted being very much opprest by Albara the Moor King of Sevil raised an Army to free his Country and being ready to give Battel he commanded all his Soldiers in a devout manner to address themselves to their particular Saints for the obtaining of good success himself imploring St. Michael the Archangel to whom he was greatly devoted When the Battels were joined St. Michael the Archangel appeared on the Kings right side and fought against the Moors
whence followed a very great and notable Victory over them Assoon therefore as the King was returned home he Instituted this Order of Knighthood in the year of our Lord 1171. but Mendo placeth the Institution earlier to wit in the year 1165. and Miraeus the year after which he called the Order of St. Michaels Wing These Knights had for the Badge of their Order a Red Sword crost with Flowers de lis and this Motto Quis ut Deus but more agreeable to the Name of the Order is that Badge assigned by Mendo to wit a Purple Wing irradiated with beams of Gold They were of the Cistertian Order and followed the Rule of St. Benedict The manner of their Investiture was the same as is used in the Order d' Avis Their Obligation was chiefly to defend the Christian Religion to secure the Borders of the Country against the inrodes of the Moors and to relieve the Widows and the Fatherless This Order is now grown out of use but the Mastership thereof hath since remained with the Kings of Portugal Knights of St. Gereon 18. This Order was instituted by Frederick Barbarossa the Emperor others say by Frederick the Second and consisted only of Gentlemen of the German Nation who followed the Rule of St. Augustine and wore a White Habit whereon was sewed a Black Patriarchal Cross set on a little green Hill The Order of St. Julian de Pereyro or of Alcantara 19. This Order of Knighthood hath assumed two appellations upon what occasion we shall here shew The first and ancient Title was of St. Iulian de Pereyro because at a Town so called in the Kingdom of Leon in the Diocess of Cividad Rodrigo upon a small branch of the River Coa a Monastery was built for these Knights by the favour of Don Fernando the Second King of Leon and Galicia who in his Diploma of Priviledges granted thereunto dated in December the Aera of Caesar 1214. which agrees with the year of our Lord 1176. stiled himself Protector of this Fraternity and Society of Knights An approbation thereof was obtained from Pope Alexander the Third the following year being the 18. of his Popedom at the supplication of Don Gomez Fernandez therein called Prior but Pope Lucius the Third confirming this Order anno Dom. 1183. stiled him Master of Pereyro This Bull of Pope Alexander the Third makes not any mention of the Habit these Knights of St. Iulian should wear nor is it known what it was more than that they used a secular Habit modest and grave and the Ecclesiasticks a clerical Habit Only to make a difference of these Knights from other Seculars and the Clergy from other Ecclesiasticks they wore a shred of Cloth and a Scapulary Nor doth the said Bull take notice of the Rule they were obliged to observe but by several other Bulls it appears that from the beginning of this Orders Foundation it was of the Cistertian Order and the Knights thereof observed the Rule of St. Benedict moderated and limited as it was convenient for the exercise of Arms against the Moors for which end it was instituted The ancient Badge of this Order was a Pear-tree vert assumed in allusion to the Name of the Order The occasion of altering the first appellation was upon changing their place of habitation For when Don Alphonso the Ninth King of Leon had taken from the Moors Alcantara a Town in Castile anno Dom. 1213. he afterwards gave it to Don Martin Fernandez de Quintana the twelfth Great Master of the Order of Calatrava which Town anno 1218. with the consent of the said King was given to Don Nunno Fernandez the third Master of St. Iulian de Pereyro and his Fellows as well Knights as Ecclesiasticks and to the end there might follow an union of these Societies in like manner as was between Calatrava and the Order d' Avis in Portugal some few years before they consented to become subject to the Order of Calatrava under the agreement and conditions following First that the Master and Convent of Pereyro should receive with all obedience the Visitation which the Master of Calatrava should make according to the Cistertian Order That they should not be obliged to receive a Monk for their Prior against their consent and will but rather when they were to chuse one it should be of their own House or of that of Calatrava or of any other Houses Daughters to Calatrava provided he were not a Monk That the Master and Convent of Calatrava should give to the Master of Pereyro the Town of Alcantara and all its Possessions with all their Charters and Priviledges and all the moveable Goods which they held in the Kingdom of Leon as well by royal gift as any other way That when it should happen that the Master of Calatrava should dye or be removed the Master of Pereyro should be called to the Election of the future Master Lastly that the Master of Calatrava should not have power to give away any thing belonging to Pereyro without consent of the Master and Convent thereof and in case he did then the King of Leon should have power to vacate such Donation These Conditions and Capitulations were made en Cividad de Rodrigo the 16. of Iuly anno Dom. 1218. and confirmed by King Don Alphonso and the Masters of both Orders Hereupon the Convent of St. Iulian transferred their Seat from Pereyro to Alcantara and Don Diego Sanchio the fourth Master of Pereyro assumed the Title of Master of Pereyro and Alcantara which Title his Successors held until the Church of St. Iulian de Pereyro was made an Encomienda and thenceforward the Masters used only the Title of Alcantara and the Fraternity in like manner relinquishing their ancient Name were afterwards called Knights of Alcantara from this their new place of abode And whereas the Masters of Pereyro did formerly bear for the Ensign of the Order a Pear-tree only they after this Union added two Travas to the Pear-tree But albeit this Order of Alcantara was by this agreement put under the subjection of that of Calatrava and accordingly visited and corrected by them yet nevertheless they have since pretended to be freed therefrom for that the Masters of Calatrava broke the agreement made between them by not admitting the Master of Pereyro to the Election of their Master as was contained in their Articles Whereupon this Order of Alcantara obtained a Bull from Pope Iulius the Second by which they pretend to be freed from that ancient subjection Though this Bull was given without knowledge of any cause or making any necessary mention of the subjection And therefore notwithstanding this Bull the Order of Calatrava doth still in all general Chapters nominate Visitors of their own Order to visit that of Alcantara as well as that of Montesia according to their ancient Capitulations but they of
way for the re-conquest of Ierusalem and the Holy places the overthrow and confusion of the Enemies of the Faith this Order was erected There are twenty causes reckoned up by this Author for the necessity of Instituting this Order of the Passion 1. To stir up the Soldiery to amendment of life by the example of so new and solemn a devotion 2. To renew the memory of the Passion of Christ among Christians by the example of this holy Order 3. For the speedy sending of relief and succour to the Christians of the East that stood in great need of it 4. For the regaining of the Holy Land out of the hands of the Enemies of the Faith 5. For the propagation of the holy Catholick Faith among the people of the East 6. For resisting of those that were disturbers of the Catholick Faith as Hereticks Tyrants and Schismaticks 7. That the rents and divisions of the Church through Italy might by the passage of this holy Order be healed and reunited under one universal Shepherd of Souls 8. That when the Kings of France and England should arrive in the Continent this Order might go before them as a valiant precursor to make way for and attend them in all things 9. To serve as a Life-Guard for the defence of the two Kings persons and a forlorn hope to give example and encouragement to the whole Army 10. That those Voluntiers that served in the Army being without head and not under Rule if they should venture extravagantly and rashly into the Battel without Guide might be regulated by the Cavaliers of this holy Order 11. That if the Victory should at any time incline to the adverse party these Cavaliers by reason of their expertness in the feats of Arms might serve for a reserve to recover the declining Fortune of the day and to rescue the dead and wounded out of the hands of the Enemy 12. That if at any time either of the two Kings should be left destitute of a Guard to their persons they might be attended by some of the most valiant of this Order 13. That if any Towns or Fortresses taken by either of the two Kings should be found dangerous and difficult to be kept that such should be committed to the Cavaliers of this Order who were to be ready to undergo all kind of dangers and difficulties 14. That by the vigilance and industry of these Cavaliers if they should be set as Spies upon the Enemies actions the two Kings might be informed of the secrets of the Enemies Camp 15. That if a Treaty should happen to be between the two Kings and the Enemy the Prince of the Chevalry in person or some of his chosen Cavaliers in his stead should labour indefatigably in this affair especially either of the Kings so commanding 16. That if either of the Kings should be at any Siege within the Enemies Territories certain of the Chevalry ought humbly to visit the Host to be watchful over it and to guard it by night from the attempts and Spies of the Enemy or of false brethren 17. That if any false rumors or tales should be spred in the Army of the Catholick Kings with design to raise dissentions or debates the Prince of the Chevalry in person or any of his grand Officers for him according to the dignity of the persons at odds should labour to the utmost of their power to take up the Controversie and bring the persons to a reconciliation 18. That if any of the Christians of the West should have any obligation to take upon them a passage into the Holy Land a certain number of the Chevalry might be ready to accompany them to the performance of their Vows or Obligations 19. That if any of the younger Sons or Brothers of Noblemen having little or no portions of their own should be willing to serve in the Chevalry they might so long as they behaved themselves well be nobly and handsomely provided for 20. That if either of the Kings should be hindred from passing into the Holy Land about the performance of any Vow or Obligation from their Forefathers the Chevalry might be ready at a speedy warning to perform whatsoever was committed to their charge in behalf of the Kings And although this Order was principally dedicated to the honor of our blessed Saviour yet saith our Author the blessed Virgin Mary was lookt upon as a principal Mediatress and Advocate of this holy Chevalry representing the passion of her Son and also guarding and defending the Cavaliers against the Enemies of the Faith as a Mother doth a Child As to the Government of this Order it is to be noted that in the principal Convent of the holy Chevalry all things of publick concernment were to be debated by five authentick Councils in the presence of the Prince The first was to be called the Quotidian Council consisting of four and twenty Councellors The second was the Particular or Singular Council consisting of about forty persons to wit four and twenty grand Councellors eight Executors of Justice four Commissaries of Trespasses and three or four Doctors of Divinity and Law The third the Grand Council consisting of fourscore persons viz. forty such as were mentioned in the second Council and other authentick Officers and a certain number of Brothers valiant and sage persons amounting in all to the abovesaid number The fourth Council was to be called the General Chapter and held every year consisting of all the above-named Officers with the Presidents and Deputies of Provinces The fifth Council was the Vniversal Chapter to be held from four to six years consisting of a thousand Knights of the Chevalry by which Universal Chapter any of the Chevalry or grand Officers were to be reformed or if occasion required punished according to the Statutes of the Chevalry The principal Officer of the Chevalry was the Grand Iusticiary to whom belonged the Judgment of all the criminal Affairs and the disposal of all chief Offices and Places The next chief Officer was called the Grand Bailiff that is to say only in the principal Convent to administer Justice both Civil and Criminal in that Convent to all sorts of persons In the principal City as also in every City and Castle belonging to the Chevalry one of the Order was to be chosen to administer all sorts of Justice in that place who was to go under the name of Potestate Also in the General Chapter there was to be chosen every year one of the Order who should be called the Senator of the General Chapter and four and twenty discreet persons of the Chevalry with him who should hold a general Chapter or principal Convent upon any Expedition of War In the Universal Chapter there was to be chosen one of the Order who should be called Dictator of the Vniversal Chapter and with him twelve Fathers Conscript with twelve Coadjutors who should hold an universal Chapter from four years to six Also in
Ferrys 16. William Palet Canon 12. Iohn Vaughan Canon 17. Henry Deane 13. William Lord Hastings 27. Iohn Oxenbrydge Canon 14. Brothers and Sisters of St. Anthony  21. King Edward the Third Founder  27. Will Askew Bishop of Salisbury  August September 4. Sir Reginald Bray Knight 5. Iohn Seymor Canon 8. Iohn Blount 13. Henry Hanslappe Canon 10. William Mychell Canon 14. Iohn Duke of Bedford 11. Robert Barham Canon 16. William Bohun Earl of Northampton 17. Philippa Queen of England Foundress 27. William Wykham Bishop of Winchest 18. Richard Surland Canon  31. King Henry the Fifth  It was an usual thing in former Ages especially for those of the Military profession after they had spent their youth and manhood in the service of their King and Country to bestow the remainder of their livâ—â— in Prayers for both and the salvation of their own Souls And therefore to cherish the piety of well disposed Knights-Companions of the most Noble Order of the Garter who for devotions sakâ— were induced to retire to Windesor permission was given then by the Statutes of Institution to make their continual abode there Nevertheless to maintain themselves out of their own Estates not at the Colledge charge This Article is confirmed by the Statutes of King Henry the Fifth to which those of King Henry the Eighth add That the Soveraign should assign them convenient Habitations within the Castle The like favour upon like occasion was afforded to other devout Knights though not of the Order but the Lodgings to be such as the Soveraign and Knights-Companions should decree We no where find that any of the Knights-Companions made use of the benefit of this Article hitherto but in another nature and for their better accommodation at the grand Feast of the Order and other Solemnities held at Windesor they moved the Soveraign in Chapter there 22. of May anno 14. Car. 1. That they might have Rooms for Lodgings assigned them in the great or upper Court which they offered to repair at their own charge since all the officers of the Order had Lodgings in the Castle but the Knights-Companions none This motion was not disliked by the Soveraign so it might be without exclusion of the Great Officers of State concerning whom He declared That he would not have them removed from him at any time and thereupon it was left to further consideration SECT III. The Foundation of the Colledge within the Chappel KIng Henry the First as he had erected a Chappel within the Castle so did he therein found a Colledge for eight Canons neither endowed nor incorporate but maintained by an annual Pension out of the Kings Exchequer King Edward the Second founded here a Chantry for four Chaplains and two Clerks to pray for his Soul and the Souls of all his Progenitors as likewise a Chappel in the Park of Windesor under the same Ordination for four more Chaplains whom his Son King Edward the Third by the advice of his Council removed and joined to those other before setled in the Chappel of the Castle and built habitations for their better accommodation on the South side thereof all which we shall pass over with this short mention as not directly relative to our present purpose But the Foundation that we shall treat of here King Edward the Third laid by His Letters Patent bearing Teste at Westminster on the sixth day of August anno regni sui 22. that being about three quarters of a year before He instituted the most Noble Order of the Garter for being inflamed with the zeal of a pious devotion and desiring by a good kind of Commerce to exchange earthly for heavenly and transitory for eternal things at his own Royal Charge He new founded the ancient Chappel in honor and to the praise of the omnipotent God the glorious Virgin Mary of St. George the Martyr and St. Edward the Confessor And by his Kingly authority and as much as in him lay Ordained that to King Henry's eight Canons there should be added one Custos fifteen more Canons and twenty four Alms-Knights together with other Ministers all under the Government nevertheless of the Custos and these to be maintained out of the Revenues wherewith this Chappel was and should be endowed But according to the opinion of those times his Kingly Authority extended not to the instituting therein men of Religion and other Officers to perform and attend the Service of God for that lay in the power and disposition of the Pope And therefore this King setting forth what he had profer'd to do in reference to the endowment of this Chappel requested Pope Clement the Sixth to grant to the Archbishop of Canterbury and Bishop of Winchester the authority and power of ordaining and instituting the Colledge and other things thereunto appertaining Hereupon this Pope by his Bull dated at Avignion pridie Calendas Decembris in the ninth year of his Papacy which answers to the thirtieth day oâ— November Anno Domini 1351. commending the pious purpose of the King in this affair granted to the Archbishop and Bishop and to either of them full power to Ordain Institutâ— and Appoint in this Chappel as should seem good to them a certain number of Canons Priests Clerks Knights and Officers continually to attend upon the Service of God of which Canons and Priests one should have the Title of Custos and preside over the rest On that day twelvemonth the Statutes and Ordinances of the Colledge bear date being made by virtue of the Popes authority the Kings Command the Consent of the Bishop of Salisbury in whose Diocess the Chappel is situate and of the Dean and Chapter of Salisbury By which Statutes the Bishop of Winchester one of the Popes Delegates for we find not the Archbishop's name used in them did Ordain and Institute a Colledge within the Chappel of St. George consisting of one Custos twelve secular Canons thirteen Priâ—sts or Vicars four Clerks fix Choristers and twenty six Alms-Knights beside other Officers And to this Custos and Colledge by the name of Custos and Colledge of the Free-Chappel of St. George within the Castle of Windesor for the most part but sometimes of Custos and Colledge of Chaplains or otherwise of Custos and Chaplains of the same Chappel were the Donations of Advowsons and other temporal Endowments commonly made and granted SECT IV. Of the Dean Canons Petty-Canons Clerks and Choristers SHortly after the Foundation of the Colledge by the Kings Letters Patent to wit the 14. of November anno 22. E. 3. the King constituted Iohn de la Châ—mbre Custos of the Chappel of St. George but he enjoyed this dignity not above half a year for the 18. of Iune ensuing the Letters Patent for constituting William Mugg Custos bears Teste so that in truth Iohn de la Chambrâ— was the first Custos though in the Preamble to the Letters
that the Custos should receive the Cure of their Souls from the Diocesan of the place And in consideratâ—â—â— of this Exemption and Priviledge the Custos was obliged to pay annually on St. Georges day one Mark in Silver to the Popes Chamber About two years before the date of this Bull we find that this Chappel had the title of the Kings free Chappel given unto it so also whilst under the former Foundation and still enjoys the same which title of Free Chappel is not only intimated but confirmed by its exemption from the Jurisdictions now mentioned It is subject to no power since the Supremacy in Ecclesiasticks became vested in the King by the Law of this Realm but only to the King of England as heretofore it stood divided to the King and See of Rome The Priviledge of Exemption by Pope Clement the Sixth is included in the Confirmation of Liberties made by the Founder in his Charter dated the 28. of February anno regni sui 47. and all Priviledges and Liberties granted by him are confirmed to the Colledge by Act of Parliament anno 8. H. 6. As this Colledge doth depend immediately on the King so is it visitable only by his Chancellor whose Visitations and accustomed Jurisdictions exercised by him in the Chappel Colledge and Persons thereunto belonging are reserved to him by the Statutes of the Colledge and himself called in the Kings Commission for Visitation of the Colledge anno 2. R. 2. Governor of the said Chappel as well in Spirituals as Temporals and under the King immediate Custos And so jealous were the Dean and Canons left the power of the foresaid Exemption should be infringed that when Sixtus the Fourth had granted a Bull to the Bishop of Salisbury and Dean and Canons with authority to make new Ordinances and to interpret the ancient Statutes they within few years obtained a Revocation of that Authority left the said Bishop in whose Diocess the Colledge is situate being so impowered might prejudice their Liberties new form their Statutes and by degrees bring them under his Jurisdiction in prejudice to the said Exemption And further to prevent any such design the same Pope commissionated the Archbishop of Canterbury the Bishops of Winchester and Worcester to see this Bull of Revocation take effect and enjoined them not to suffer the Bishop of Salisbury to intermeddle further in the Colledge Affairs or Statutes but that the Bishops of London Lincolne and Rochester and the Chancellor of England or any two or more of them with the Dean and Canons should review alter or new make such Statutes or Ordinances as might be for the utility and advantage of the Colledge This later Bull is dated at Rome 7. Cal. Aug. an Dom. 1485. It is an argument of no small priviledge that if the Archbishop of Canterbury be present in the Chappel of Windesor yet he sits below the Dean nor can he consecrate there without his License And the instance is no less remarkable that at the Solemnity of ratifying the Peace between King Charles the First of ever blessed memory and Lewis the Thirteenth of France the 6. of September 1629. in the Chappel of St. George at Windesor Doctor Matthew Wren then Dean gave the Oath as Dean of this Colledge to the Marquess of Chasteneaus the French Kings Ambassador and not the Archbishop of Canterbury though he was then present By the Statutes of the Colledge the Dean and Chapter are at their yearly Chapters diligently to consider and debate all things that shall fall out or seem fit to be dispatcht in reference both to the Spiritual and Temporal Affairs of the Colledge and whatsoever Ordinances or Determination shall be made at these Chapters not repugnant to the Colledge Statutes all persons belonging thereunto are firmly obliged to observe so far as they are concern'd in them until they happen to be altered by later Resolves of succeeding Chapters Other Notes and Marks of Exemption appears in the Deans taking no Institution from any other Bishop but that his Institution Investiture and Installation into the Custoship Canonship and Prebendship is received from such of the Canons-Resident to whom the King who Collates doth recommend him by his Letters As also in the constant proving of Wills before him or in his absence before his Lieutenant In using the power of Excommunication within their Juâ—â—â—diction which is the Precincts of the Colledge and dispensing with themselves for eating of Flesh in Lent Add to these that the Ordinations for the Chantry Priests were confirmed by the Dean and Chapter not the Bishop of the Diocess so also were the Statutes of the New Commons Nor doth the Dean who hath the cure of Souls as is before noted pay any Synodals or Procurations nor can any of the Kings Chaplains preach in the Chappel of St. George unless he be a Canon there without the Kings special mandate or leave of the Dean and Canons The Dean and Canons send no Delegates to the Synod and when this point fell into debate anno 1640. it was carried in the Negative as being a perfect Novelty and against their Liberties and might intitle them to the payment of Subsidies and consequently bring a new charge upon the Colledge Nor have they share in the Government of the Church as other Deans and Chapters have So that notwithstanding any alteration or dissolution of the Government of the Church here in England by Archbishops Bishops Deans and Chapters this Colledge cannot be concerned more than the Colledges in the Vniversities where there are many nominal Deans Lastly after the Act for Vniformity past an 14. Car. 2. whereby every Clergy-man was bound to subscribe before the Archbishop or his Ordinary the Canons subscribed before the Dean of Windesor he being the Ordinary of the place And though some of them in majorem cautionem subscribed also before the Archbishop of Canterbury yet was it with this Salvo saving the rights and priviledges of this Free Chappel Thus much in relation to the Ecclesiastick Priviledges of the Colledge As to the Temporal and Civil what the Founder granted to it being very large and beneficial in regard he was born here and toucht with a prerogative of affection to this place and hath been since confirm'd by several of his Successors we shall here insert First then the Founder King Edward the Third by his Charter dated the 6. of March in the 27. year of his Reign granted them several Profits Priviledges and Immunities to the effect following That the Custos and Canons and their Successors should for ever be free from payment of any Aid for making the eldest Son of any King of England a Knight and for marrying their eldest Daughter as also of all Aids to the King Contributions and Tallages That whensoever the Clergie of this Realm or of the Province of Canterbury or Tork should give
attempted something towards their reformation and in reference thereto the 14. of May in the 9. year of his Reign Decreed That Commissionary Letters should be made forth to the Earls of Nottingham Worcester Pembroke and Northampton whereby power should be given them to examine the Registers and other Monuments which pertained to the Order and where any thing should be found obscure to make it cleer where contrariety appeared fitly to reconcile it yet with no endeavour of innovating any thing but an intention of renewing all things as neer as might be to the first and most ancient Institution of the Order Saving always power to himself as Soveraign of the Order to add or change any thing according to the occasion as it should seem agreeable to his prudence for the honor of this most Noble Order What was done hereupon appears not but some few years after this Affair was revived and the following Commission issued forth Iames R. JAmes by the grace of God King of Great Britain France and Ireland Defender of the Faith and Soveraign of the most Noble Order of the Garter To our Right trusty and Right well beloved Cousiâ—s and Councellors Charles Earl of Nottingham and Edward Earl of Worcester and to our right trusty and right well beloved Cousin Henry Earl of Southampton and to our right trusty and right well beloved Cousin and Councellor Thomas Earl of Arundel and to our right trusty and right well beloved Cousins Philip Earl of Montgomery and Robert Viscount Lisle Knights and Companions of our said Order Greeting Whereas ever since our coming to the Crown of this our Realm of England We have had a special care to maintain and uphold the dignity and honor of our most Noble Order of the Garter whereof we are Soveraign as to the world hath well appeared both by our careful observation at all due times of all the Ceremonies and Solemnities belonging to the same and also by the choice we have made of Noble and Worthy persons whether Princes of Forreign Nations or Subjects of our own Kingdoms to supply the places which have been void of that Society Now forasmuch as We are not ignorant that in all humane Constitutions there may be not only Ambiguity suffering doubtful Interpretation but also defect for which addition is requisite the same best appearing in time which is the producer and tryer of truth We have therefore thought fit out of the knowledge and experience we have of your understanding and wisdom and the confidence we repose in your faithfulness and sincerity being men of honor and Knights and Companions of our said Order to nominate you six and to appoint you or any four of you to take an exact view of all the ancient Statutes and Articles of our said Order And do give unto you or any four of you full power and authority to call before you all such persons whether Officers of our said Order or others as can give you light or information concerning the same and after a serious consideration thereof had by you all or four of you We will and require that you set down in writing what in the said ancient Statutes and Articles you shall conceive meet to be explained and what to be added whereby our said Noble Order may be made more famous and illustrious that the same being presented to us the Soveraign and the Society at a Chapter holden may be resolved on in part or in all to be put in execution if to us it shall seem so good Given under the Seal of our said Order at our Palace of Westminster the 26. day of April in the sixteenth year of our Reign c. Notwithstanding the powers and directions given by this Commission the progress in this business was very slow paced but towards the later end of his Reign the Earls of Worcester Montgomery Arundel Surry and Leicester four of the six Commissioners above-named having had divers meetings and debated several things represented to them did at a Chapter holden at Whitehall the 19. of May anno Iac. Regis 20. present to the Soveraign certain Articles subscribed with their hands which for the Honor of the Order they thought necessary to be observed By the first of which they endeavoured to provide for a further progress and advance of the same in proposing that every year a Commission from the Soveraign should be given or continued to such Knights of the Order as in Chapter should be thought fit to consider of all things to the Order belonging and that the year following an account by the Knights in Chapter should be given of their proceedings by virtue of the said Commission This with 8 other Articles were confirmed by the Soveraign and twelve of the Knights-Companions the 22. of May following in a Chapter held at Whitehall And so happily and effectually went this work forward that on the Feast-day of St. George held at Windesor in the ensuing year the said Earl of Worcester being then the Soveraign's Deputy for that Feast with ten Knights-Companions more did agree to eight other Articles most of them concerning the Alms-Knights which the next morning were approved of by the Soveraign and that day before the celebration of Divine Service by the Soveraign's Deputy and Companions assembled in the Chapter-house the observation thereof was also Decreed And now to come neerer even to the Reign of his late sacred Majesty King Charles the First of ever blessed and glorious memory who while it lay in his power was and much more would have been had not the angry Fate of our late times opposed the greatest Increaser of the Honor and Renown of this most Illustrious Order He I say taking into his princely thoughts all things whatsoever which carried any shew or probability of adding lustre thereunto designed and endeavoured the most compleat and absolute Reformation of any of his Predecessors And first at the Solemnity of St. George held at Windesor the 6. day of October in the 6. year of his Reign He commissionated nine of the Knights-Companions namely the Earls of Molgrave Pembroke and Montgomery Arundel and Surry Salisbury Carlisle Dorset Holland Berkshire and Suffolk with command to assemble four times in a year to consult and handle the Affairs of the Order All these but the Earls of Molgrave and Dorset met at Whitehall the 2. of Ianuary following where some few things were considered of This Commission was seconded by one more ample about three Months after and directed to the before-named Knights-Companions or to any 8 7 6 5 or 4 of them thereby impowring them to meet consult and take an exact view and to peruse all the Statutes and Ordinances of the Order as well such as were established in the beginning as such as had been since made by Explanation or Addition and to consider advisedly whether any thing had been Ordered that had brought Doubt or Ambiguity or did stand in need
be done for the honor of the Order which was appointed to be held at London about Alhollantide after but what was then or after done doth not appear and the unhappy War coming on this matter wholly slept SECT VI. Of Collars in general THE Collar is an Ornament not of late but ancient invention and certainly could we not deduce its antiquity very high yet the wonderful consent of most Nations therein would sufficiently plead for it since such a consent can scarce be found unless in things most ancient As to its Antiquity the Author of the first Book of Sacred Writ setting down the Ornaments bestowed by Pharaoh on Ioseph mentions the Collar to be one and of Gold that being the Metal whereof it was in all times ordinarily made And it may be inferr'd the use of it in that was the same as in this Age viz. to be worn about the neck in regard Pharaoh put it about Ioseph's Neck Again the Draught of that most ancient Hierogliphical Table reserved of old in the Temple of Isis in Aegypt and most happily conserved till of late years when though it unhappily perished at the sacking of Mantua by the Spaniards an 1630. yet was fortunately set forth before in Picture by Laurentius Pignorius doth evidence the great antiquity of this Ornament among them for there are to be found incircling the Necks of the Images of Isis and Osiris such like Collars in a manner extending to their shoulders Their workmanship seems curious being intersected with various lines and divided with Tablets and precious Stones The Collar became first and principally famous among the Romans for having given a Surname of perpetual memory to one of the chiefest Families in Rome derived unto it from T. Manlius Torquatus who fought with a Champion of the Gauls neer the River Anio Anno V. C. 392. and having vanquished him cut off his Head then pluckt off his Collar and bloody as it was put it about his own neck Livy saith the Soldiers when they presented him to the Dictator were heard to Surname him Torquatus and from him that honorable name descended to his Posterity In further memory of this gallant action and to shew the original of this Surname the representation of the Collar of this Gaul is found stamped upon some Roman Coyns in particular that referring to L. Torquatus Consul with L. Cotta An V. C. 688. which we have here inserted to the end its fashion may be the better known And we shall herewith note that when one of another Tribe became adopted into this Family he also did assume this Badge of Honor as may be seen in another Coyn relating to D. Iunius Silanus sometime Pretor of Macedonia adopted into the Manlian Family of the Torquati though the fashion of the work be somewhat differing from the former In eldest times none but Kings and Princes wore Collars and therefore their first use seems to be a note of Dignity and Power as is evident out of Daniel where is noted that the Assyrian Kings used this Ornament Afterwards men famous for wisdom excelling in Counsels and thereby beneficial to their Country had Collars bestowed on them for tokens of Reward and this is plain as in the Example of Ioseph so likewise from the Proclamation of Belshazzar King of Babylon among the Rewards proposed to him that could read and interpret the Writing on the Wall But the Collar was bestowed as a Reward also upon those whose famous actions and military enterprises merited well and rendered them deserving of eminent recompences though otherwise persons of no great or extraordinary note Thus the Romans among the Dona Praemia Militaria those solemn Rewards wherewith they honored Virtue which upon occasion of merit and desert they bestowed among such of their Commanders and Soldiers as had gallantly exposed their lives to dangers for the service of that Common-wealth and no less to excite others to like performances than to recompence the deserving for great services done among these we say Collars were of the number and the honor of receiving them thought worthy to be preserved for the notice of Posterity in Marble Inscriptions of which sort there are many collected by the industrious Gruter out of whom for a specimen of this kind we have transcribed this that follows M. LICINIO MVCIANO c. DONIS DONATO ob vir TVTEM ET FORTITVDINEM BELLO DACICO AB IMP. TRAIANO CORONA VICTRICI PVRA HASTA TORQVIBVS ARMILLIS PHALERIS c. This custom of bestowing Collars as a peculiar Reward for military and memorable services was continued down to and used by the later Emperors as the learned Budaeus observes And we read of Investing a Knight of the Sepulchre with a Collar at his Creation where assoon as the Ceremony of his Ordination is finished the Padre Guardian kisseth the new made Knight and puts about his neck according to the manner of Ancients a Golden Collar with a Cross hanging thereat Most fitly therefore have the Soveraigns of Military Orders added this Ornament of the Collar to their Habit and bestowed it on the Fellows and Companions many of whom have meritoriously deserved it upon account of those ancient qualifications Wisdom and Valour SECT VII The Collar of the Order HEreupon also in addition to the Ensigns and Ornaments of this most Noble Order of the Garter there was instituted a Collar composed after a peculiar manner exactly relative to the name and title of the Order to the wearing of which the Soveraign obliged both himself and Knights-Companions and His and their Successors This Collar was Ordained to be Gold 30 ounces Troy weight but not above howbeit that Collar sent to Gustavus Adolphus King of Sweden weighed 34 ounces and a quarter and that belonging to the late Soveraign King Charles the First 35 ounces and a half which after his Sufferings coming into the hands of Thomas Harison sometime called Major General Harison was by him delivered to the Trustees for sale of this Kings Goods who Anno 1649. sent it to the Mint with the Regalia here particularized to set the Stamp on work for the first Gold that the upstart Common-wealth coyned viz. The Imperial Crown weighing 7 l. 6 ounces enriched with 19 Saphirs 3 of which were exceeding large 232 Pearls 58 Rubies 28 Diamonds and 2 Emeralds The Queens Crown weighing 3 l. 10 ounces 1 half enriched with 20 Saphirs 22 Rubies and 83 Pearls An ancient Crown weighing 2 l. 1 ounce enriched with one fair Diamond valued by the Trustees who rated such things far beneath their worth at 200 l. 13 other Diamonds 10 Rubies 1 Emerald 1 Saphir valued by them at 60 l. and 70 Pearls which Stones and Pearls weighed 3 ounces The Globe or Orb weighing 1 l. 5 ounces 1 quarter Two Coronation Bracelets adorned with 3 Rubies Ballas and 12 Pearls weighing an ounce in all 7 ounces 1 quarter
what occasion it received addition and enlargement First then the form of the ancient Oath which the Statutes of Institution appointed to be taken by the Elect-Knight was very short but comprehensive and was That he should well and faithfully observe to the uttermost of his power all the Statutes of the Order This was the full content of the Oath taken by the first Founders and to which they also affixt their Seals and so it continued without alteration or addition till towards the end of King Edward the Fourth's Reign But at a Chapter held at the Kings Wardrobe in London the 10. of February in the 19. year of the same King it was Decreed That all the Knights-Companions then alive and all such as were afterwards admitted into the Order and that before they took possession of their Stalls should be obliged to take this Oath also That they would aid support and defend with all their power the Royal Colledge of St. George within the Castle of Windesor as well in its possessions as all other things whatsoever In pursuance of which Decree there was a form drawn up wherein both Oaths were joined together and entred in the Black Book the Transcript whereof we have placed in the Appendix But when the Register of the Order pronounced the Oath he premising such compellation as was due to every Elect Knight by name it was altered to the form there likewise following This Clause relating to the maintenance and defence of the liberties of the Colledge we also find retained in the Oath drawn up for the Prince of Wales and entred for a Precedent in the Annals of the Order which we have also thought fit to subjoin to the former But when King Henry the Eighth new modelled the Statutes we observe this Clause to be omitted and some other particulars of another nature added to the general Oath for due observation of the Statutes as first instead of maintaining and defending the Colledge in its rights and possessions there is adjoin'd a Clause to defend the Honors Quarrels Rights Dominions and Cause of the Soveraign to augment the Honor and accomplish all the Statutes Points and Ordinances of the Order as may be seen at large in his Body of Statutes all which we find sum'd up together in that form of the Oath taken by the Earl of Cumberland at his Installation an 29. H. 8. In the third year of King Edward the Sixth at the Installation of the Earl of Huntington and other Elect Knights a new form was agreed on by consent of the Earl of Derby then the Soveraign's Lieutenant and the Knights-Assistants appointed for that Solemnity the alteration being such as the Reformation in Religion and the Soveraign's Interest thought fit to make and to the end the difference between this and former Oaths may be observed it is also inserted in the Appendix But an 1. Eliz. the Blue Book affords us a notable instance of a dispensation for taking the Oath at the Installation of the Duke of Norfolk and others in regard the Rites and Ceremonies of Religion were then altered and no new form of an Oath yet setled for which cause the Earl of Penbroke then the Soveraign's Lieutenant dispensed with their taking any Oath at that time upon promise they would observe such Statutes and Orders as the Soveraign and Knights-Companions should decree to be observed and kept in the next Council of the Order And accordingly within a short time after another Form was Ordained wherein the words of Obligation were put in the Negative And this is the form of the Oath taken by a Knight-Subject at this day it being recorded at the end of the Red Book of the Order both in Latin and English and thence transcribed into the Appendix As soon as the Knight-Elect hath taken the usual Oath he is led by the Knights-Commissioners or Knights-Assistants or Knights-Companions up to the Stall appointed for him through that entrance next beneath it and by them placed before it In the mean time Garter advanceth into the lower row of Stalls to the place where the Elect Knight stood when he took his Oath and from thence he presenteth to them with due Reverence the Mantle Collar and Book of Statutes who invest the Elect Knight first with the Mantle by putting it upon his shoulders But we have met with some Examples where Garter hath delivered the Mantle while the Elect-Knight remained in the lower row of Stalls and wherewith he was invested before he went up to his Stall and these were in the cases of the Earl of Northumberland an 5. Eliz. of Francis Duke of Montmorency and others an 14. Eliz. the Earls of Dunbar and Montgomery an 6. Iac. R. and the present Soveraign an 14. Car. 1. Whereto may be added that those Elect-Knights installed at the Grand Feast of St. George most happily celebrated an 13. Car. 2. were constrained to receive their Investiture below in the Câ—oire yâ—t direâ—tly under their proper Stalls But this hapned through the great câ—â—course of people which at that time had flockt to Windesor greedy to behold the glory of that Solemnity which for many years had been intermitted and rudely forced not only into and fill'd the lower row of Stalls but taken up almost the whole Choire But it is noted in the Red Book that the Investiture with the Mantle and Collar hath been sometimes performed by the Black Rod as at the Installation of the Earl of Northampton an 5. Car. 1. and of the Lord Treasurer Weston the Earls of Exiter and Lindsey and Iames Marquess Hamilton an 6. Car. 1. Nevertheless this is to be understood of this Officers asistance given to the Knights-Companions whose Office it only is and no otherwise Whilst the Ceremony of Investiture with the Mantle is performing the words of Admonition proper thereunto are pronounced and are these that follow Take this Mantle of Heavenly Colour in sign and token of the most honorable Order you have received and to the increase of your honor signed and marked as you see with a red Scutcheon of our Lords Cross to the intent that you being always defended by the virtue and strength thereof may pâ—sâ— through your Enemies and then also overcome and vanquish so that at the last for your worthy and approved acts you may after this temporal Chivalry come to eternal triumphant joys in Heaven But at the Installation of the present Soveraign the received some alteration and were put into this form Receive this Robe of Heavenly Colour the Livery of this most excellent Order in augmentation of thy honor enobled with the Shield and Red Cross of our Lord by whose power thou mayest safely pierce Troops of thy Enemies and be over them ever victorious and being in this temporal warfare glorious in egregious and heroick actions thou mayest obtain eternal and triumphant joy In the
after Dinner saw the Elector's Lodgings where only the great variety of rare Stags-horns is worth observation and so the Messenger being arrived I took my leave of the Governour and Monsâ—uer le Cane who brought me out of the Fort and through the Town returning by the same way and means Thus I came to Hamburg on Monday following and so returned to Amsterdam on Sunday night the 20. of April Shortly after the present Soveraign was most happily restored to his Kingdoms he took care to send over the rest of the Habit and Ensigns of the Order namely the Mantle Surcoat Hood and Collar to the said Prince Elector of Brandenburgh who had yet been invested but with part these were committed to the care of Garter who thereupon sent them to Prince Maurice of Nassau to be conveyed to the said Elector the Receipt of which with the Elector 's particular thankful acknowledgments to the Soveraign may be found in the Appendix SECT IV. Certificates of having received the Habit and Ensigns of the Order THE great and magnificent Solemnity of Investiture with the Habit and Ensigns of this most Noble Order being compleatly finished and the Ambassadors having fully performed their duties therein with all circumstances of honor as belongs to so great a Ceremony they are yet further to obtain from the new Invested Stranger before their departure a publick Instrument testifying the reception of the said Habit and Ensigns signed with his Hand and sealed with his Great Seal This we find anciently done as appears from that Certificate sent back by Charles Duke of Burgundy bearing date at Gaunt the 4. of February an 9. E. 4. and was generally demanded and obtained since that time as will fully appear from the several Certificates sent from those Stranger-Princes to whom the Habit and Ensigns of the Order have been presented Hereupon was a Clause to this effect usually added in the Instructions given to Ambassadors in such their Legations as appears from those to the Lord Howard and Garter in the Embassy to Iames the Fifth King of Scotland namely That Garter should remember after the Investiture was performed to purchase and solicite a Certificate from the said King of his reception of the Order and taking the Oath both under his Seal The form and substance of those Certificates which have come to our view are much alike for after a recital of all the powers given to the Ambassadors named in the Commission of Legation the Stranger-Prince first makes Certificate of his Receiving and Investiture with the Garter Mantle Surcoat Collar and other Ornaments of the Order and that they have been presented to him by the Soveraign's Ambassadors with due honor and all the Solemnities accustomed and generally where the Letters signifying Election and the Habit of the Order have been sent together the Certificate of receiving them hath also contained the Strangers grateful acceptation of the Order together with his due thanks in such cases necessary to be returned and an acknowledgment how acceptable the choice and assumption into this Society hath been to him And in some of these Certificates namely from Ferdinand Prince of Spain an 15. H. 8. from Francis the First the French King an 19. H. 8. and from Gustavus Adolphus King of Sweden an 3. Car. 1. we find the taking the Oath appointed by the Statutes to be also certified with such qualifications and under such conditions as had been advised and agreed upon between them and the Soveraign's Ambassadors beforehand Of the return of these Certificates the Annals of the Order sometimes take notice as in particular that of Frederick the Second King of Denmark which the Lord Willoughby brought back with him signed by that King and sealed with his Great Seal which he presented to the Soveraign in the Chapter-house at Windesor upon the finishing of his Legation as also that of the French King Henry the Third by the Earl of Derby Moreover by a late Decree an 13. Car. 1. care was taken to oblige the Ambassadors to produce these Certificates to the Soveraign at their return And besides the Certificates testifying the Investiture sometimes the Stranger-Prince hath been pleased to give therewith a particular testimonial of Garter's punctual discharge of his duty in the Legation or of the Officer of Arms employed in his stead as did Frederick Duke of Wirtemberg in a Letter to the Soâ—â—raign an 1. Iac. R. The like did Gustavus Adolphus King of Sweden in the preamble of his Diploma whereby he testifies the bestowing upon Henry St George Richmond Herald the honor of Knighthood Of those Gratuities given to Garter by Strangers after they had received their Investiture notice of some of them have come to our hands which we therefore think fit to mention here Ferdinand Arch-Duke of Austria gave him a Cup worth 22. l. and 100 Rhenish Guilders The French King Francis the First 250 Crowns Iames the Fifth King of Scotland 100 Crowns of the Sun Iohn Casimire Count Palatine of the Rhyne a Gold Chain and a Cup worth 30 Pounds Frederick Duke of Wirtemberg a rich Sword and Dagger a Chain of Gold with his Picture hanging at it and lastly 1000 Rix Dollars Maurice Prince of Orange a Chain of 6 pound weight and a Medal with his Picture thereat set about with Diamonds Charles Prince of Tarent a Diamond of 200 l. value William Prince of Orange 1200 Dollars Frederick William Elector of Brandenburgh 100 pieces of Gold each of the value of 10 Rix Dollars Iohn Gasper Count Marchin about 2â—0 l. in Gold Charles the Eleventh King of Sweden gave to Henry St. George Esq at his Investiture a Gold Chain and a Medal pendant thereto worth 200 l. And lastly Iohn George Duke of Saxony bestowed on Thomas St. George Esq a Silver Bason and Eure a Gold Chain and Medal and a Sword with a Cross Hilt of Agat adorned with Gold CHAP. XVI THE Installation OF A Stranger by Proxie SECT I. Touching the Choice and Nomination of a Proxie THE Invested Stranger of what Dignity State or Condition soeever is enjoined by the Statutes after such his Investiture to send hither a Proctor or Deputy for we find both Titles indifferently applied to one person to be installed on his behalf in the Seat assigned him within the Chappel of St. George at Windesor The time limited by the Statutes of Institution for sending him hither is eight Months after Investiture with the Habit and Ensigns of the Order Yet in King Henry the Fifth's Statutes it is but seven Months and those of King Henry the Eighth allow only seven Months and no more and that not only after Investiture but after the Stranger hath certified the Soveraign of his Reception of the Order The French King Francis the First was so earnest for the compleating this honor that he speedily after
mentioned in the Black-Book of the Order is an 36. H. 8. where the Soveraign constituted the Earl of Essex Locum tenentem during St. George's Feast albeit it is before in the same Book many times used in a way somewhat different as for Example such a one of the Knights-Companions naming him who is appointed to this Office Regiae Majestatis locum impleret or adimpleret occuparet suppleret obtineret and the like Lastly this Office hath been for the most part conferred under the Title of Lieutenant in all succeeding times and the other Titles of Deputy President and Vicegerent laid aside as is manifest from the Blue and Red Books and sundr◠original Commissions which we have seen under the Seal of the Order But besides the usage of these Titles of Deputy and Lieutenant severally we have met with them sometimes joined together in one person as in the Stile of Henry Earl of Essex proclaimed at the holding of the Grand Feast an 25. H. 8. as followeth Du noble puissant Seigneur le Conte d' Essex de Eu Seigneur de Bourgchir de Loveyn Lieutenant Depute de la Feste de Sancte George Chevalier Frere Compaignon de le tresnoble Ordre de la Jarretier As also in another of like nature when Henry Courtney Marquess of Exceter and Earl of Devonshire held the Feast an H. 8. wherein he amongst his other Titles is also stiled Lieutenant Depute de la Feste de Saint George And in the Blue Book also there is taken notice of the like conjunction of these two Titles for an 1. 2. Ph. Mar. the Grand Feast having been prorogued unto the 25. day of May it is there recorded that then the Soveraign appointed the Earl of Shrewsbury Deputy and Lieutenant To conclude the Titles of this great Officer are sometimes exprest not so much positively as by way of Periphrasis and that in several manners as Deputatus à Rege praesuit Assignatus ore Regio praesedit Virtute Regiae Commissionis Assignatus Cui Supremus eam potestatem commiserit Regiae sublimitatis commissione ac authoritate communitus Regias vices subiret gerebat praestabat suscepit cui vices ejus demandatae sunt Also Supremae absentis vice sufficitur Suprema absentis potestatem reserebat Supremus surrogatur Ejus viz. Supremi absentis Officio fungeretur with several other variations much of the same nature As to the third particular the Ceremonies used at the constituting the Soveraign's Lieutenant they were these three 1. The reading of the Commission 2. Delivery of it to the Lieutenant And 3. his taking an Oath For the Commission being ingrossed in Parchment and prepared ready by the Chancellor it is brought into the Chapter by him and there read in the presence of the Lieutenant and Knights-Companions before it be delivered for thus we find it recorded an 19. H. 7. The illustrious Lord Thomas Marquess Dorset was impowered to hold the Feast by the Soveraign's Letters of Commission which were read in Chapter And at the meeting in Chapter on the day prefixt for celebrating of the Grand Feast an 17. H. 8. by the Duke of Norfolk it is said that in the presence of the said Duke the rest of the Knights-Companions attending him on either side the Kings Letter was read wherein the power committed to the Duke was declared So also when the Earl of Penbroke Lieutenant for the Grand Feast held the 3. day of Iune an 1. Eliz. was arrived at Windesor with his Assistants and a Chapter being held the Soveraign's Letters were read wherein she conferred the Lieutenancy on the said Earl So an 3. of the same Queen the Earl of Arundel being Lieutenant and the Grand Feast kept at Windesor The Letters of Legation for so the Commission of Lieutenancy and Letters of Notice to the Lieutenants Assistants are here called were openly read in Chapter And sometimes we find the Officer taken notice of who reads these Commissions as when the Earl of Shrewsbury was constituted Lieutenant at a Chapter held in the Privy-Chamber at Greenwich on the Eve of the Feast an 27. Eliz. his Commission was read by the Dean of Windesor But an 37. Eliz. the Lord Cobham's Commission of Lieutenancy and the Prince's an 19. Iac. R. were both read in Chapter by the Chancellor of the Order which being finished in the next place the Soveraign if present in Chapter delivereth it propriâ manu to the Lieutenant who receives it upon his Knees as did the said Lord Cobham in the great Closet at Whitehall an 37. Eliz. Thirdly the Lieutenant is to take an Oath for the due Execution of his Office but the form thereof we have not hitherto met with before the Ceremonies of his Constitution are fully dispatcht This Oath the Lieutenant takes in Chapter upon his Knees when sometimes the Prelate and sometimes the Register have read the words whilst the Black-Rod held the Book in attestation of which the Lieutenant kisseth the same and then ariseth And we find that in the aforesaid 27. year of Queen Elizabeth the Lieutenant when he proceeded to Chappel after the Ceremonies of his Constitution were over gave his Commission to Clarenceux who then waited in the place of Garter to bear it before him thither And albeit it hath been the most usual way for the Soveraign to constitute his Deputy or Lieutenant for holding of the Grand Feast or any part thereof by Commission and to add thereunto the foresaid Ceremonies of Creation yet sometimes in great exigencies and sudden occasions he hath appointed this great Officer by word of mouth whereunto no other Ceremony hath been adjoined than that of taking the usual Oath as for instance an 32. H. 6. the Soveraign being then at Windesor and falling sick a little before the Feast the Duke of Buckingham was assigned his Deputy Ore Regio by word of mouth But before we take leave of this head we shall observe that in the Reign of King Henry the Eighth though in some one of the Chapters held during the observation of the day of St. George both the Grand Feast hath been prorogued to a further time and the Lieutenant nominated for holding the same yet upon just cause or for some reasons urged or excuse made which the Soveraign hath approved of some other of the Knights-Companions hath been appointed to the execution of this Office instead of him who had been first nominated Thus it chanced an 9. H. 8. when at the Celebrations of the day of St. George at Greenwich the Earl of Arundel was chosen the Soveraign's Lieutenant for holding the Anniversary of the Grand Feast at Windesor upon the 10. of May following but he not thinking himself able to perform the Duty humbly
an Altar to be therein erected and dedicated to that Virgin He further granted to those Nuns and their Successors 20 l. per annum out of the Issues of the Town and County of Berwick until Lands to that value should be conferred upon them to the end that annually on the Eve and day of St. Margaret for ever they should commemorate the goodness of God for his so prosperous success On the Morrow after this great Victory the King had the Town and Castle of Berwick surrendred to him and on the 19. of Iune in the following year did Edward Baliol King of Scots make Homage and Fealty to him at Newcastle as to his Superior and Chief Lord of the Realm of Scotland who then granted to the King and annexed to the Crown of England for ever the Counties next adjoining to England namely Berwick Roxbourgh Peples and Dunfres the Towns of Hadington and Gedworth with the Castle and Fortress of Silkirke Etherick and Gedworth By the assistance which King Edward afforded to Edward Baliol he gained the most part of Scotland nevertheless divers Castles refused to surrender which occasioned the King to make another expedition thither and about Allballontide he arrived at Newcastle upon Tyne and thence marched into Scotland towards the end of November and at Christmass entred Ethrick Forest but the Scots were fled whereupon having prosecuted his design as far as he thought good he returned into England The next year he raised new Forces and himself from Carlisle and Edward King of Scots from Berwick both entred Scotland on the 12. of Iuly burning and wasting the Country on both sides beyond the Scottish Sea This Expedition brought the Earl of Atholl and divers of the Scotch Nobility to a Submission upon which the King came back into the Northern parts where he wintered and kept his Christmass at Newcastle About Twelfth-tide he was provided to pass again into Scotland when Ambassadors from the Pope and King of France found him at Berwick ready to enter that Kingdom and by their earnest sollicitation about Candlemas obtained of both Kings a Truce till Midlent following but no Peace ensuing Edward King of Scotland and divers of the English Nobility at Whitsontide entred Scotland again and finding St. Iohns Town slighted by the Scots they fortified it Shortly after this King Edward followed them thither and thence passed with his Army unto Elgen in Murrey and Innerness In his return he took Aberdeen and burnt divers Towns and destroyed the Country About which time the Earl of Cornwal entred Scotland also and destroyed the Western parts and met the King his Brother at St. Iohns Town where the King stayed not long but marched to Striveling built the Fortress called the Pile and returned home About the Feast of St. Luke he marcht again with a fresh Army into Scotland and repaired Bothuill-Castle and returned into England before Christmas leaving Edward King of Scots at St. Iohns Town setled in the Government of that Kingdom The Affairs of Scotland being thus quieted for some years gave King Edward the leisure to look towards France which Kingdom afterwards became the Scene of all his Martial Glory For Robert d' Artois Earl of Beaumont in France being discontented at the Sentence wherein Philip King of France had given the Earldom of Artois from him to Maud Countess of Burgundy let fall some dangerous words and they being laid hold on forced him to fly into England where he was kindly received by King Edward who after he had been here sometime afforded him the use of the Castles of Guilford Wallingford and Somerton whensoever he pleased to retire thither for his recreation and afterwards assigned him 800 l. per annum for his support the one moiety to be received out of the Revenues of certain Priories Alien seised into the Kings hands and the other moiety out of his Exchequer Soon after his coming over he advised the King to set on foot his claim to the Crown of Franceâ— whereto the King was willing enough to hearken and to be perswaded by him but the Affair being of so great concern his Council advised him to take the opinion of his Father-in-Law the Earl of Henault before he attempted any thing therein Hereupon a Comet with long and terrible streams ushering in this grand Affair he employed thither with all privacy Henry Burghersh Bishop of Lincolne with two Banerets and two Doctors to gain him to his party with all other persons of note as they should find inclinable to assist the King who laying before the Earl King Edward's pretensions to the Crown of France he not only approved of his design but advised the King to contract other Alliances and gain to his party some of his neighbouring Princes thereabouts The PORTRAICTVRES of King EDWARD the 3. with the first 2â— KNIGHTS COMPANIOS in the HABIT of the ORDER and SVRCOATS of their ARMES In April following a like Commission was issued to Henry Bishop of Lincolne William Earl of Salisbury and William Earl of Huntingdon and they immediately dispatcht into Flanders where they found business so well prepared by the Commissioners before named that by the 24. of May ensuing they had fully engaged divers of the Nobility and others in Henault Geldres and the Marquisate of Iuliers to appear in the Kings assistance against the French and withall setled the proportion of Men and Arms each of them were to furnish the King with in that Service together with the stipends and wages to be paid them in lieu thereof This done the said Bishop went to Gaunt and there won so much upon the humour of Iaques Dartuell that he gained him also to the Kings party Within a few days after Renaut the Second Earl of Guildres and Zuitphen who had married Leonora the Kings Sister and William Marquess of Iuliers Husband to Ioane Sister to Queen Philippa entred into the Association and next Rupert Count Palatine of the Rhyne Duke of Bavaria signed an Agreement at Frankeford whereby he obliged himself to assist the King for the recovery and maintenance of his Inheritance against all persons whatsoever except Lewis the Emperor his Uncle which several Contracts made by the foresaid Ambassadors with these Princes were confirmed by the King under the Great Seal of England the 26. of August following Between this Emperor and the King and their Heirs past also an Union and Confederacy which obliged them to use all their power particularly against Philip de Valois who carried himself as King of France and his Successors in that Kingdom for the recovery and defence of their Honors Inheritances and Possessions The 13. of Iuly was Iohn Duke of Loraine Brabant and Lemburgh retained for the King and with the assent of the Emperor was the Confederation made with Lewis his eldest Son there stiled Marquess of Brandenburgh Count Palatine of the Rhyne Duke of Bavaria
and Arch-Chamberlain to the Emperor With these the King retained for his intended Expedition into France several other Noblemen of those Countries as namely Adolph Earl of Monte who having made Fealty and Homage to the King he in reward thereof setled on him a Pension for life of 1200 Florens of Gold per annum out of his Exchequer Everhard eldest Son to Thideric Earl of Lymborg Adolph Earl of Marlia Robert de Touburgh Lord of Warnich Theodorick Earl of Lossen and Heuseberg and Lord of Blatikenburgh and Theodorick de Montjoy Lord of Valkenborgh besides divers valiant Knights and Commanders of eminent note But Philip de Valois was so alarm'd at the report of these Alliances that he used all endeavours to interrupt the foresaid Ambassadors in their passage home both by placing a Garrison in the Isle of Cogaunt and setting out several men of War to Sea Of which the King having intelligene directed his Writ to Iohn de Ros Admiral of the Fleet from the River of Thames Northward to fit up a Convoy of 40 stout Ships well mann'd to be at Dort in Holland on Monday after Midsommer-day to secure their return where they lay ready for their coming And whereas these Ambassadors in making these Alliances and Retainers upon the Kings account had obliged themselves to pay sundry great sums of money the King indempulfied them their Heirs and Executors of all those sums and other things whereto they were so engaged This great Affair of strengthening the King with Alliances and Friends in Germany and Flanders was again set on foot and to that purpose another Commission was issued to the said Bishop of Lincoln and Earl of Salisbury to whom was added Robert de Vfford Earl of Suffolk and Iohn Darcy Steward of the Kings Houshould with power to any three of them to treat thereupon with Lewis the Emperor Another Commission of the same date was made out to them and to Richard de Winkele Iohn de Offord Paul de Monteflorum Iohn de Montgomery and Iohn Wauwyn impowering them to treat with and retain all persons aswell Nobles as others for the Kings Service And as the King did endeavour by these means to gain assistance for the recovery of his right to the Crown of France so did he not neglect all methods of Peace among which he thought fit to constitute the foresaid Bishop of Lincolne the Earls of Salisbury and Suffolk and Iohn Darcy his Agents to treat cum magnifico Principe Domino Philippo Rege Franciae illustri or his Deputies touching his right to the said Crown to wit whether it ought to remain to him or King Edward And by another Commission they were impowered to treat upon all Controversies and Demands whatsoever relating to the Dukedom of Aquitaine or other parts beyond Sea and also of a happy and perpetual peace The same day he constituted Iohn Duke of Brabant and Loraine his Lieutenant Captain and Vicar General in the Kingdom of France where it is worthy note that the King in this Commission challenging the Crown of France as devolved to him by right of succession and consequently become his lawful Inheritance did assume the Title of that Kingdom and stiled himself Edwardus Dei gratiâ Rex Angliae Franciae Dominus Hiberniae Dux Aquitaniae And by another Commission bearing even date made of these Officiary Dignities to the said Duke he put France in the first place thus Edwardus Dei gratiâ Rex Franciae Angliae c. but it was not long e're he voluntarily laid this Title of France aside nor did he solemnly assume it again till the 14. year of his Reign over England By several other Commissions of the same date wherein the Titles of England and France were so transposed did the King constitute into the same Dignities William Marquess of Iuliers William Earl of Henault his Father-in-Law and William Bohun Earl of Northampton and by another then dated and directed to the Archbishops Bishops Dukes Marquesses Earls Barons and all other persons in the Kingdom of France having therein the Titles of England and France transposed as before they are commanded to receive the said Duke as if it were the King in his own person as also the Marquesses and Earls And further the said Marquesses and the Earls were by other Commissions severally constituted the Kings special Ambassadors to make known his said Title to all whom it should concern to challenge and prosecute his right to require every unjust detainor to render to the King whatsoever he so withheld from him to displace and punish such as they should think meet and lastly to do and execute all other things which should be most necessary for the recovery and preservation of his right The King of France had in the beginning of this year sent Forces into Gascoigne and seised upon many of the Kings Castles and Fortresses upon notice hereof the King gave command to arrest 20 Ships in the Port of Southampton and thereabouts and to press men to be ready at Portsmouth to set forward for Gascoigne on Whitson-Eve following for he had raised a great Army to send thither It may not here be forgotten what is recorded of Reymond Cornely Lord of Abertha a Gascoigner who made an offer to the King of France to fight in defence of Edward's right to those Countries for which he sent him very great and particular thanks But withall made several applications by his Ambassadors to the Court of France for restitution of what had been seized on and prevention of a War His Offers were these 1. To marry his eldest Son the Duke of Cornwall to the King of France's Daughter without Dowry 2. The marriage of his Sister the Countess of Geldres to his Son with a great sum of money 3. The marriage of his Brother the Earl of Cornwall with any of the Blood Royal. 4. To make restitution for any dammage he tendered him as much money as he could in reason demand 5. He also proferr'd to take a Voyage to the Holy Land with the King of France if he would restore his Lands to him 6. To go the Voyage if he would restore but half or some of those Lands 7. To take the Voyage with him if he would make restitution after his return or lastly 8. To take the Voyage singly himself so that at his return he would restore him his right These Overtures with many others which the King or his Council could think off were offered to the King of France in order to a Peace with this general proposal beside That if any one could think of any other way tending thereunto he would be ready to accept thereof But all in vain for on the contrary King Philip excited and maintained the Scots against him and his Navy also did great mischiefs at Sea Whereupon the Pope perceiving that the War was likely to proceed sent
into England P. Priest Cardinal of St. Praxid and B. Deacon Cardinal of St. Mary in Aquiro to use their best endeavours to compose the differences now growing high between the two Kings Upon whose mediation with King Edward though Peace could not be obtained yet that things relating to Peace might the better be effected a Truce was agreed on to the Morrow after Candlemas day an 12. E. 3. and thence prorogued to the first of March and lastly a further enlargement of it to Midsummer following in case the King of France should consent to it and give Security that it should be observed but he it seems refusing the King was advised to revoke this later cessation which he did the 6. of May and to take a Journey into Flanders personally to confer with his Allies in pursuance of his design against France and thereupon he took shipping at the Port of Orewell the 16. of Iuly and went to Antwerp But before he went upon the Cardinals further importunity a Commission issued to I. Archbishop of Canterbury R. Bishop of Durham R. de Vfford Earl of Suffolk Sir Geoffry le Scrop Knight and Mr. Iohn Vfford Archdeacon of Ely with power to treat and agree touching all things in difference between them in reference to a full and final Peace And by another Commission bearing the same date the Duke of Brabant Earl of Hanow and Gueldres the Marquess of Iuliers and Sir William Dunort Lord of Oustrehout Knight are added to them These Commissions were double and of two several Stiles in the one the King calls Philip de Valoys Consanguineus noster Franciae only and in the other Excellentissimus Princeps Dominus Philippus Rex Franciae illustris Consanguineus noster charissimus At Antwerp the confederate Princes gave the King a meeting and here he expresly revoked all the powers he had given the forementioned Commissioners to treat with Philip de Valois as King of France At length it was resolved that the Duke of Iuliers should be sent Ambassador from the King to the Emperor which Embassy obtained a promise to the King of the Vicar-generalship of the Empire whereupon about the beginning of September he took a Journey to Colen where the Emperor publickly defied the King of France and constituted King Edward his Vicar-General who at his return into Flanders entred upon the execution of that Office In the 13. year of this Kings Reign at the instance of the foresaid Cardinals Iohn Archbishop of Canterbury Richard Bishop of Durham Henry Bishop of Lincolne the Earls of Derby Salisbury and Suffolk and some others were impowered to treat with Philip de Valois or his Deputies upon the Dignities Honors Lands and Rights belonging to King Edward and all other controversies whatsoever The Deputies on the other part were the Archbishop of Rouen the Bishops of Langres and Beauvais and the place for treaty Arras but nothing of Peace being thereby effected the King prepared effectually for War having some time before made an alliance with Albert and Otho Dukes of Austria Stiria and Karinthia and received Homage as King of France from Reiginald Duke of Gueldres and Earl of Zutphen for which he afterwards granted him 1000 l. sterling per Annum for his life He likewise made alliances with other Princes who were to furnish him with men to be imployed in his intended expedition into France as also with Lewis the Emperour after which he sent a Letter from Antwerp to the Pope asserting his claim to the Crown of France which is to be seen in Walsingham's History of England All things for War being now in readiness the King with the assistance of his Allies first besieged Cambray an Imperial City and then in the hands of the French but it being too well fortified and provided to be suddenly taken he raised his Siege and passed into France first sending his defiance to Philip de Valois then at Paris by the Bishop of Lincoln Sir Walter Many was the first who after the defiance made entred France with 40. Horse burnt Mortaigne took the Castle of Thyne garrisoned it and returned to the King at Mechlin The King having passed the River Skell entred France upon St. Matthews Day and burnt the Country before him And not long after at the request of the Duke of Brabant to admit of a Treaty of Peace the King at Markoyne grants the said Duke power in his name to give safe conduct to such persons as he should think fit to meet at any place within two or three Leagues from his Camp to treat of Peace the same to continue till Friday following and all that day but nothing was effected The Saturday before St. Lukes Day the King with his Army passed the River Oyze and marching forward till he came between Vyronfoss and Flamengery the two Armies drew near each other where the Day of Battel was agreed on to be the Friday after But in the interim a Letter of advice was brought to the French King from Robert King of Sicily a famous Astrologer to disswade him from fighting since he had by his Science found that if he fought with the King of England he should be vanquished and loose the day This Letter so prevailed with the King of France that though he had the greater power and that both Armies stood ranged for Battel yet was there not a blow struck on the appointed Day The Munday following intelligence was brought to the King that the French were dispersed and returning homewards whereupon he withdrew his Army and marched back into Brabant At his return to Antwerp he issued out another Commission to Iohn Archbishop of Canterbury R. Bishop of Durham H. Bishop of Lincoln W. Earl of Salisbury Sir Bartholomew Burghersh and Sir Geoffry le Scrop Knights and Iohn de Offord Archdeacon of Ely to treat of Peace with Philip de Valois or with Commissioners from him and a month after this Commission was renued upon adding Robert de Vfford Earl of Suffolk to the before-named Commissioners Here also the King was advised to ingage the Flemmings to his further Assistance who were willing enough for by the means of Iaques D'artuell he had gained a great influence upon them but considering they stood ingaged in the Pope's Chamber in two Millions of Florens not to make War against the King of France they proposed that the King would quarter the Arms of France with those of England and call himself King of France as he ought of right to do and then they would take him to be the rightful King of France and receive from him a discharge of that Obligation and afford him their assistance To this proposal the King agreed and solemnly assumed both the Arms of the Kingdom and Title of King of France He also caused his Great Seal to be changed and brought it with him at his return to
to treat by the advice of Iohn Duke of Brabant and other the Kings Allies in â—landers While the King lay at the Siege of Tournay the Scots excited by the French King invaded England and passing by Berwick marched into Northumberland and thence to Dâ—â—â—â—m foraging the Country still as they went and after returned home 〈◊〉 this incursion they recovered all the Castles formerly lost except those of Edeâ—â—urgh Strivling and Roxborough the first of which within a short time after was taken by stratagem But in the Truce made at Tournay the Scotch were by a particular Article included and so all hostility ceased during that Truce yet after the expiration thereof and some new provocations given the King he raiâ—ed an Army to enter Scotland but being engaged in the War with France could not go with it himself and therefore constituted Edward King of Scotland his Captain and Lieutenant of his Army and in another Commission of the same date gave him power nevertheless to treat with the Scots and to admit them to Peace and pardon their offences In these Commissions the King stiles him Magnisicus Princeps Edwardus Rex Scotiae fidelis consanguineus noster charâ—simus The following year he was again constituted the King's Captain and Commander in chief of the Army designed against Scotland for defence of the Kingdom of England and destruction of his Scotch Enemies and further commissionated to raise men in all the Counties beyond Trent aswell within Liberties as without for that Expedition Upon which preparation a Truce was made for one year before the ending of which the Truce concluded at Vannes in Britagne between the King and his Adversary of France took commencement being to hold from Michaelmâ—s 17. E. 3. for three years And in the mean time the Bishop of Durham and others were appointed by the King to treat and conclude with the Scots touching the manner form and conditions appointed by the said Truce and the mutual commerce of the Subjects of both Kingdoms as also to reform and punish the breakers of the Truce The Truce made with the French at Tournay and enlarged at Arras gave the King time to see his Allies in Flanders aimed chiefly at the accomplishment of their own designs by his hands rather than the advancement of his interest in France by their assistance and the two fruitless Expeditions in attempting to enter that Kingdom through Flanders shewed they would do little for him besides he now judged it a more easie and advantagious passage thither through Britagne which he hoped to gain by laying hold of the occasion offered him to protect and assist Iohn Earl of Montsort Duke of Britagne whose Title to that Dukedom and the occasion of the War between him and Charles de Bloys are set down at large by Sir Iohn Froissard This Iohn Montfort being taken Prisoner at Nants by Charles de Bloys whom the French King had assisted with an Army to enter Britagne was sent to Paris and there died in Prison his Widow Ioane of Flanders being of a manlike courage nevertheless maintained the War and to gain further aiâ— and supplies from King Edward proposed by Sir Emere de Clisson a Nobleman of Britagne to marry her Son to one of his Daughters which taking effect the King sâ—nt Sir Walter Many in November with 3000 Archers into Britagne who though they wandred 40 days at Sea by distress of weather yet came timely to her assistance The King in the 16. year of his Reign raised a great Army and by Proclamation made appointed his Souldiers in all Counties of England except Yorkshire Northumberland Cumberland and Westmerland to be in readiness by Midsummer following to go along with him and after directed his Letters to the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishops for publick Prayers to be made and the divine goodness sought to for a blessing upon his Armies which now he designed both against France and Scotland The 4. of October following he took shipping at Sandwich in a Ship called the George and sailing towards France met with the French Fleet where after a fierce Encounter they were separated by Tempest at length he landed neer Vannes in Britagne and laid Siege thereto and here leaving the Lord Stafford he marched to Remes and Nantes laying Siege to both Towns as also to Dynan and took it after which he returned to Vannes and then drew off his Forces from Nantes thither and there the Bishop Cardinals of Penestrina and Tusculan sent from Pope Clement the Sixth obtained of him 19. Ian. 1343. a Truce for 3 years which the King gave way to in hope of an honorable Peace This done the King returned into England and set forth a Proclamation to give publick notice of this Truce But the Truce expiring the War was again renewed between Charles de Bloys and the Countess of Montfort to whose assistance the King sâ—nt Sir Thomas Dagworth from the Siege of Calais with a supply of men and the English having Rochedaren surrendred to them Charles de Bloys laid Siege to it to relief of which the Countess sent Sir Thomas Dangorne and Sir Iohn Artwell who 20. Iune 1347. took Charles de Bloys with the Britagne and Norman Lords that were on his part Prisoners and raised the Siege which Charles was sent into England where he remained in custody a long time The 24. of February an 17. E. 3. the King summoned a Parliament to be held die Lunae proximò post Quindena Paschae wherein Sir Bartholomew Burghersh present at the making of the Truce neer Vannes declared that the King consented thereto provided it might be honorable and advantageous for his Allies and was content to have the Peace made before the Pope as before a Friend but not as a Judge otherwise he would pursue his Quarrel And that as the King did not undertake this War without the assent of Parliament so without it he would conclude no Peace and therefore it rested whether it were best for the King to take this Offer and send Ambassadors to the Pope instructed for this Affair before Midsummer or not Hereupon both Lords and Commons answered That it was good to pursue the Peace and to send Ambassadors as was proposed Those who were first sent to the Popes Court upon this Affair were Hugh le Despenser Lord of Glamorgan Ralph Lord Stafford William de Norwich Dean of Lincoln Sir William Trussel and Andrew de Offord a Civilian The Authority given them was to Treat in presence of the Pope not as a Judge but private Person and Friend to both parties with the Agents of his Cosin the Lord Philip de Valois upon the Kings Right to the Crown of France as also upon whatsoever Dominions Dignities Honors Lands Possessions Places and Rights appertained to him concerning which any controversy had
a new Governor of the Town before he went thence It having been agreed on at the last Truce that Commissioners on both sides should meet at Boloigne on Sunday in medio Quadragesimae following the King appointed William Bishop of Norwich William Bohun Earl of Northampton William Clynton Earl of Huntingdon Regnold de Cobham Robert de Bourghcher and Iohn de Carleton Doctor of Laws his Commissioners to Treat of and conclude a Peace or prorogation of the Truce and League of perpetual friendship between him and his Adversary of France But no final Peace could be agreed on while Philip de Valois lived nor after till King Iohn his Son and Successor was taken Prisoner at the Battel of Poictiers only several Truces were made from time to time and the last consented to in February an 28. E. 3. to hold till Midsummer following While these Truces were on foot endeavours were made for the Release of David King of Scots the Kings Prisoner and at length it was agreed that upon the coming into England of Iohn the Son and Heir of the Steward of Scotland and several other young Noblemen Hostages for the said King who when they came were disposed into the Castles of York and Notingham King David should be permitted to go into Scotland and upon his return back the Hostages should be delivered The Kings Letters as well of safe conduct to the Hostages as of power to receive them and to take King Davids Oath for his return and the Command for his safe Custody at Newcastle till the Hostages were come bear Teste the 5. of September an 25. E. 3. to continue unto the Quindena of the Purification next following and the 3. of November after were they renued to the Feast of St. Philip and Iacob ensuing It seems King David returned back into England about half a year after for the 28. of March an 26. E. 3. a Command was sent to the Sheriff of Yorkshire to conduct the Hostages to Berwick to be there in Quindena Paschae it being the day set for King David's return to that Town On the same 5. of October command was sent to Iohn Coupeland Sheriff of Northumberland who had then the Custody of the said King to deliver him to the Bishops of Duresm and Carlisle William Earl of Northampton Henry de Percy and Ralph Nevil or to any 4 3 or 2. of them and likewise another command issued to them to deliver him upon the conditions and under the form agreed on Whilst the foresaid Truce agreed on in February an 28 E. 3. was on foot the Pope undertook to do what he could to further the effecting of a Peace and to that purpose he sent again to both Kings to obtain their Authority to bring it about but it doth not appear that any thing was done before Midsummer while it was in being Nevertheless we find that whereas in the Treaty between them held at Guynes among other things it was agreed that Ambassadors from King Edward should be sent to Pope Innocent in Kal. Octob. following the King did accordingly impower William Bishop of Norwich Henry Duke of Lancaster and some others his special Ambassadors to treat with his Adversary of France or his Deputies touching a final Peace between them but they returned without effecting any thing all but the Bishop of Norwich who died at Avignion and was there buried Towards the latter end of the following Summer the King having intelligence that Iohn the French King was drawing down with an Army towards St. Omars in the beginning of November passed over to Calais with Lyonel of Vlster and Iohn of Gaunt his two Sons and a considerable Army where he arrived the 2. day of November and immediately marched against him but upon notice of his approach King Iohn retired breaking down all the Bridges behind him whom King Edward followed as far as Heyden and the Country being wasted by the French he for want of Provision for his Army returned to Calais and thence into England And whilst in his absence the Scots had broke out and taken the Town but not the Castle of Berwick he immediately marched thither and 13. Ianuary recovered the Town passing further into Scotland and on the 25. of the same Month being then at Roxbrough King Edward Baliol there made a solemn resignation of his Crown and Kingdom to him by his Letters Patent after which he marched with his Army to Hadington burning and wasting the Country on each side as he went and having laid it waste returned into England and took Edward Baliol along with him The King having notice in the precedent year that Iohn the French King had given to Charles Dauphin of Vienvois the Dukedom of Aquitaine constituted the Prince of Wales his Lieutenant in that Dukedom and sent him with an Army thither where he fought that memorable Battel at Poictiers and took Iohn the French King Prisoner whom he brought into England in May following King Iohn was lodged at the Savoy and there continued all the Winter and in the Spring after was removed from thence to Windesor Castle where he and his youngest Son spent their time in Hawking and Hunting and towards Winter returned to the Savoy And it appears that the 12. of December an 32. E. 3. He was again setled at this House under the Custody of Roger Beauchamp and several Knights Esquires and other Attendants appointed for his Guard The French King had not been long in England ere the Pope sent hither Talairand Bishop of Alba commonly called the Cardinal of Pyergort and Nicholas Priest Cardinal by the Title of St. Vital to assist at the Treaty of Peace to be held about Midsummer an 31. E. 3. the Kings Letters of safe conduct for them and their Train consisting of 200 Horse were dated the 3. of Iune that year The Bishop of St. Gean de Maurienne in Savoy came also hither to the Treaty having like Letters for himself and a Train of 30 Horse dated the 26. of May preceding and though a final Peace was not concluded yet several Truces were made one upon another in hopes of it till Midsummer an 33. E. 3. Before this there had been great endeavours used for the Release of David King of Scots the Kings Prisoner and several addresses made to the King from King David himself as also the Prelates Peers and Commons of Scotland seconded by the zealous sollicitations of Ioan his Queen Sister to King Edward But this affair though often treated of came not to an issue till the 3. of Octob. an 31. E. 3. when at a meeting of Commissioners on both sides at Berwick namely Iohn Archbishop of York Thomas Bishop of Duresme Gilbert Bishop of Carlisle Henry de Percy Rauf de Nevile Henry le Scrope and Thomas Musgrave deputed by King Edward on the one part and William Bishop of St. Andrews
of Chartain and of Drouais And then all the County of Montsort to be surrendred to King Edward within a Month after Or otherwise Hostages In Berry and Bourbonoys The Fortresses of Brisansoys of St. Torete le Priague also Chabries Espunell Beamein Briance Masbres the Abbey of Diverlaks Thos Bruyll Ameron Vierson Mausey Bourseront the Roche Tnay Blotueres Villers Montempny Beauuoirs Beau Ien Voderon In Tourrayne Lisle Bouchart the Roche of Fowsey Piry Milieres Roulet Piergu Veres de Desrubay the Pleyssers Dinone Langere Osem Palnau and all other Fortresses in the party of Auvergne of Bourbonoys d' Amascon of Lyon of Berry and of Touraine And within a Month after the French King was to deliver up the Country of Angoulesmois or Hostages In Normandy Anjou and Mayne The Fortresses de Donefront in Passais Neuim Mirebel upon the Loyre the Toures de Villers Saintwast the Brois Demaine Conde upon Noire and another Fortress thereby called Messe Tynchebray Annillers the new Boure the Ferte freswel the Roche Doryvall the Morle Racul the Tower of St. Christopher Villerais Husron Honnesfleth Trisenay the Vicount of Plessoys Buret la Rouche dire le Port Ioulein la Flesche Willie Viez Passavant Roussailes And within one Month the French King was to surrender Santes and the County of Santoigne or Hostages And all the Fortresses in Pierregort Coursin and Agenoys For the surrender of all which the King made forth Commissions to several persons bearing date as aforesaid at Calais The two Kings then also made a League for them their Heirs and Successors of perpetual friendship and alliance to become faithful friends to assist each other against all persons whatsoever except the Pope and the Emperor and moreover made a solemn Renunciation to all Wars against each other their Heirs and Successors Realms and Subjects to both which League and Renunciation their eldest and other Sons signed and divers of the Nobility on both sides were sworn A Proclamation then also issued from King Edward directed to Thomas Holland Earl of Kent and all other Captains of Towns c. held for the King in France to give notice to all places within their Command of this Peace and final accord made as aforesaid All things relating to this Peace being thus concluded and the French Hostages arrived at Calais King Edward entertained King Iohn at a great Supper in the Castle where the Kings Sons the Duke of Lancaster and other of the chief Nobility of England served the Kings bare-headed and when Supper was ended both Kings took leave of each other The next morning King Iohn and his Attendants went a foot on pilgrimage to our Lady of Bouloigne the Prince of Wales and his Brothers accompanied him thither where in the Church of our Lady they all made their Offerings and thence went to the Abby and having taken leave of King Iohn they returned to Calais the next day Soon after King Edward the Prince and French Hostages took shipping for England where they arrived on the Eve of the Feast of All-Saints The Peace thus setled endured all the life of King Iohn who took all possible care to have it entirely preserved and himself ever after kept good correspondence with King Edward to whom he gave all evidence of affection and love insomuch that about the end of the year 1363. he came into England only upon a visit to King Edward After his landing he rode first to Eltham and there dined with the King 24. Ian. 37. E. 3. and thence that afternoon to the Savoy in the Strand where he lodged and was entertained with all possible kindness but about the beginning of March following he fell sick and dyed the 8. of April an 38. E. 3. for whose death the King appointed solemn obsequies in divers places and conducted his Body out of England with a Royal magnificence About these times the Reputation of the King grew so great that several foreign Kings and Princes came hither to his Court either to visit him or congratulate his Victories or to obtain his assistance and relief and these were the foresaid King Iohn Peter King of Cyprus and David King of Scots an 37. E. 3. as also Wuldemer King of Denmark and Albert Duke of Bavaria his Letters of safe Conduct being dated the 6. of Dec. and to continue in force till Mid-summer after But Charles King Iohns Son and Successor who had sworn to and sealed the Treaty at Chartres was soon perswaded to violate the Peace though with great artifice he dissembled his intentions for some time For though he readily gave ear to the Complaints of some of the discontented Nobility of Gascoigne who quitting their Homage to the Prince fled to Paris and complained to him as their Supreme Lord of the Fouage imposed on that Country by the Prince pretending that King Iohn had not power to release them of their Homage to the Crown of France or deliver over their Country to the King of England Yet he forbore laying hold on this occasion at least for one year after their complaint But then all of a sudden King Edward not suspecting any fraud but thinking himself sufficiently secured by the Treaty of Peace made at Britagne the French King sent him a defiance and by the time it was thought to be delivered Guy Earl of St. Paul one of the French Hostages who had slipt out of the Kingdom without taking leave as had also the Duke of Anjou and some others of them and Sir Hugh de Castilion entred Ponthieu with an Army and were received into Abeville afterwards took St. Valery and Crotoy and immediately all Ponthieu revolted Hereupon the King assembled a Parliament at Westminster and about the end of May the Lords and Commons declared That whereas the French King had broke the foresaid Peace in not delivering the Countries nor paying the monies agreed on there and had usurped the Resort and Superiority which ought to appertain to the King of England and his Heirs in the Lands surrendred to him by the foresaid agreement by summoning the Prince and some of the Nobility of the Kings Allies to answer certain Appeals at Paris and surprised and taken divers Castles c. in Ponthieu and Gascoigne and was setting forth a Fleet to invade England contrary to his Oath and the form of the Peace therefore with their whole consent it was agreed That the King should resume the name of King of England and France as he had done before the Peace and for the future so call himself in his Letters and under his Seals Hereupon on Monday being St. Barnaby's day there were several new Seals provided in one of which was inscribed Edwardus Rex Angliae Franciae c. and in another Edwardus Rex Franciae Angliae c. Shortly after he sent an Army under the Command of the Earls of Cambridge and Penbroke into Aquitain who landing
through France to Bourdeux and there he arrived about Christmas in which Voyage though the French durst not fight him and all the way avoided the hazard of a Battel yet through the scarcity of Victuals many dyed not to mention the loss of 30000 Horse About the beginning of the following Summer at the Pope's instance a Truce was made by this Duke and the Duke of Anjou to continue till the last of August wherein it was agreed that in the beginning of September there should meet in Picardy on the English part the Duke of Lancaster and other Commissioners to treat of Peace with the Duke of Anjou and others on the French part where also the Popes Legate should appear as Mediatour and in pursuance thereof the Duke of Lancaster took Shipping the 8. of Iuly an 48 E. 3. after whose departure all Poictou and Aquitaine fell from their Allegiance except Bourdeux and Bajon In this year the Earl of Cambridge and the Duke of Bretagne were constituted the Kings Lieutenants in France after which Commands were sent forth to arrest Ships for their passage thither to be at Dertmouth and Plimouth with all speed But notwithstanding these preparations yet they went not till the following Spring having then in their retinue many of the English Nobility and for whose good success publick Prayers were appointed to be made In this Expedition the Duke recovered many of his Towns but being included in the Truce made by the Duke of Lancaster he was thereby obliged to lay down his Arms. For upon the mediation of the Bishops of Roan and Carpentras the Pope's Nuncios there had been a Treaty set on Foot at Bruges in Flanders this Year managed chiefly by Iohn Duke of Lancaster who with Simon Bishop of London William Earl of Salisbury Sir Iohn Cobham Sir Franke de Hale Sir Arnold Savage Mr. Iohn de Shepeye and Mr. Simon de Molton were commissionated to carry on that Affair on King Edwards part and by Philip Duke of Burgundy on the behalf of his Brother Charles the French King which though it brought not forth a compleat Peace yet in effect it put an end to the present War for it produced a Truce to hold for a year viz. to the last of Iune an 50 E. 3. to give notice of which to the English Subjects a Proclamation was set forth And a quarter of a year before its expiration at another meeting at the same place this Truce was inlarged to the first of April an 51 E. 3. and thereupon another Proclamation issued to make it known But it appears that the French were gotten to Sea sometime before the expiration of this latter Truce and had done much hurt upon the Sea-Coasts Of this design of theirs the King had timely intelligence and therefore he endeavoured to enlarge the Truce to which end he empowred Iohn Bishop of Hereford Sir Iohn de Cobham of Kent Iohn Monteacute Bannerets and Iohn Shepeye Doctor of the Laws to Treat with the Earl of Salebruch Monsieur Chatillon and Philebert le Spoit where the Pope's Legats were also present as Mediators But nothing was done thereupon only the Legate proposed a Marriage between Richard Prince of Wales and the Lady Mary Daughter to the French King which begot a private meeting shortly after at Montrevile by the Sea and there Sir Richard Dangle Sir Richard Stan and Sir Geoffry Chaucer Commissioners for King Edward with the Lord Coucy and other Commissioners for the French King spent the time chiefly to found one anothers intentions and so departed without any other effect saving that of Proroguing the Truce to May day following The 26 of April another Commission was made for the same purpose to Adam Bishop of St. Davids Iohn Bishop of Hereford William Earl of Salisbury Robert de Ashton the Kings Chamberlain Guichard Dangle Banneret Aubrey de Vere Hugh de Segrave Knights Walter Skirlow Dean of St. Martins le Grand and the foresaid Iohn Shepeye which gave them power to treat and compose all differences Wars and contentions They thereupon came to Calais and the Lord Coucy and Sir William Dormer Chancellor of France came to Montrevile but by reason of the suspicion the Commissioners had of each other they could not agree of an indifferent place to meet at and so the time limitted by the Truce spinning on absolutely expired And in this posture the Affairs relating to France stood to wit in open hostility till the Death of King Edward Thus we see that from the breach of the Treaty and Entry upon King Edwards Territories to the time of his Death he all along steered against the Tide of adverse Fortune and what with Invasions Revolts and disastrous accidents though no pitch'd Battel was fought nothing of his great Conquests remained to him but only Calais and the small Territory adjoining But of the strange unsuccessfulness of these subsequent years there might be three main causes First the loss of so many stout and well disciplin'd Souldiers as upon their disbanding after the Peace made near Chartres joyned themselves to the Companions and marcht into Spain Italy and Germany to which number may be added those who perished in the Princes expedition into Spain of whom scarce the fifth man returned a sort of people so inur'd to War and such as had gained so great experience therein that the very Common Souldiers among them were men of good conduct The French King knew well enough how much King Edwards power was weakned through the want of those men and that as to such as might be raised a-new few of them having been trained up in the former Wars he thought he might the better deal with them in regard that many of his own disbanded Souldiers were still within his Kingdom and lay ready at his service A second cause might be that the King declining in years and the Prince of Wales growing daily worse and worse of a lingering sickness without hope of Recovery the French King took the more heart and began now not to fear either them or their Fortunes which before had proved so terrible to France And therefore he supposed if he could make a shift but to keep his Forces on Foot against their declining power he might deal well enough with those who should succeed them none of King Edwards other Sons having given such proof of their success in martial affairs as to be feared by him and much less was any such thing to be expected when an Infant King was likely to succeed Lastly His supplies of Money from his Subjects who before had freely enough opened their Purses to carry on the War began to fail him For being tyred out with the prosecution of it they complained of Poverty and thence it came that the Forces raised to recover what was lost were inconsiderable in comparison of the former Royal Armies levied
Stile But intending to provide yet better for him the next day he gave him all the Corn as well in Granges as growing on the Ground as also the Arms Victuals Cattel Goods and Chattels in all the said Castles Lands and other places to him before granted together with the Debts Arrerages of Accounts and other Services due to himself In the Parliament held at Westminster an 11 E. 3. he was created Duke of Cornwall as appears by his Charter of Creation bearing date the 17. of March the same year and invested by the Sword only and this is the first Precedent for the Creation of the Title of Duke with us in England Herewith also the King setled on him divers Manors and Franchises expresly set down in the said Charter for the better support of the State and Honor of Duke all which though some lay in other Counties were thereby made part of the Dutchy of Cornwall And further by Letters Patent dated the same day he granted to him the Stannaries in Cornwall together with the Coinage of Tin and all the issues and profits thence arising as also the profits and perquisites of the Courts of the Stannaries except only 1000 Marks formerly granted to William Mountague Earl of Salisbury and his Heirs out of the Issues thereof till Lands were provided for the said Earl of that yearly value and afterwards granted That all the Castles Honors Mannors Lands and Tenements belonging to the Dukedom or Earldom of Cornwall which were held in Dower or for term of life or years whose Reversions belonged to the King should remain to this Prince as Duke still as they fell and to the eldest Sons of him and his Heirs as Dukes of the foresaid Dukedom In the Parliament held an 17. E. 3. the King created him Prince of Wales and invested him with a Coronet a Gold Ring and a Silver Rod and the better to support his State as Prince of Wales gave him several Lands which are all particularly enumerated in a Writ directed to William de Emeldon to deliver them unto this Prince or his Attorney with this Dignity The King also gave him all Debts and Arrears of Foreign Rents due to himself for what cause soever in North Wales and South Wales to the time of his being created Prince of Wales as also all Victuals Arms Horses Oxen Cows and other things in all the Castles and Lands which he held by the King's Grant He was constituted Custos Angliae divers times when the King had occasion to be absent out of the Kingdom to which the Title of Locum tenens Regis was sometimes added and in his younger years the King appointed the Archbishop of Canterbury to be the chief of his Council to direct him in all Affairs the powers belonging to this Great Officer being recorded in Rot. Pat. de an 14. E. 3. pars 2. m. 28. The first time this Prince entred upon the Stage of War was at the beginning of his 16. year of age at which time he accompanied his Father into France where at his landing at Hoges in Normandy he received the honor of Knighthood from that martial Kings hands Thence he marched in the body of the Army with the King toward Cressy at which Battel fought an 20. E. 3. he led the Van and after a fierce encounter with the French was somewhat distrest from the Enemies breaking in among his Archers but the rest of his men timely advanced to their Assistance nevertheless notice of his condition being sent to the King who commanded the Reer he asked if the Prince were dead or wounded the Messenger said no but stood in need of his Assistance well said the King return and bid them send no more to me so long as my Son lives for I will have him this day win his Spurs since I design him the honor of this Expedition and it cannot be denyed but the compleatness of the Victory then gained fully conferred it on him so also did his Fathers acknowledgment for after the Battel was ended he embraced the Prince and kist him and said fair Son God give you resolution to pursue Honor you are my dear Son and have acquitted your self nobly you are worthy to govern a Kingdom The following year a Truce being agreed on at Calais was spun on by several Prorogations but without effecting any thing of Peace till an 29. E. 3. in which year both Kings provided for War Hereupon the King constituted this Prince his Lieutenant in the Dukedom of Aquitaine and other places in France whither he should happen to march both for Reformation of the State of that Dukedom and other places in France and the recovery of his Lands and Right possest by the Rebels And by another Commission of the same date he gave him power to make Alliances with all persons of what Nation Dignity or Condition soever to retain men and pay them Wages and Rewards A third Commission gave him Power in the King's stead and name to receive Homage and Fidelity from the Nobility and others within this Dukedom and the Kingdom of France Armed with their Powers and accompanied by the Earls of Warwick Oxford Salisbury and Suffolk and a good Army attending him he took Shiping and safely arrived in Gascoigne for whose passage thither the King had before assigned Richard de Corteâ—hale and Robert de Baildon Serjeants at Arms to arrest array and equip all the Ships of 20. Tun and Upwards in all Ports and Places from the River of Thames unto Lynn as well within Liberties as without to furnish them with men and other necessaries and to bring them to Southampton by St. Barniby's Day at the furthesâ— as also to Press Mariners for the Voyage at the Kings Wages and had given Commission to Thomas de Hoggeshaw Lieutenant to Iohn de Beauchamp Admiral of the Sea Westward to carry him over with power to hear and determine all Crimes and Transgressions committed on Shipboard and to punish them according to Maritine Law and to do all other things appertaining to the Office of Admiral Having entred the River Garronne he marcht into the South-part of Languedock and burnt the Great Town of Carcassone scituate near the Mediterranean Sea thence passed to Narbon burning and wasting the Country after which he returned to encounter the French Forces which marcht out of Tolouse under the Command of the Marshall Cleremont and Earl of Armaignac but upon his approach they retyred and so in November after 8. Weeks he returned to Bourdeaux with great store of Pillage and Prisoners A more particular account of which Voyage with the Towns and Castles taken and destroyed and several other actions done after the Prince's Return to Bourdeaux to the 21. of Ianuary following are reported in Sir Wingfield's Letters Printed in Hollinshead's Chronicle Intelligence of the Prince's taking the Field the following Summer being
brought to King Iohn he resolved to fight him for now the Prince with about 8000. Men had entred the Country of Berry as far as Issoudun Bourges Vierzon and Remorentin which two last Towns and their Castles the Prince took by Assault and passing into Anjou and Touraine having wasted all the Country where he past intended to return for Bourdeaux But after this long and wearisom Voyage drawing near to Poicters he was informed that the French Army was not far from him and here the Cardinal of Poicters used means to have brought both sides to some composition but the French being high in their demands his endeavours took no effect The Prince thereupon fitted himself for fight and the Battels joining in the Fields of Beaumont and Malperteus after some space they broke the Van of the French Army when the main Body led by the Duke of Normandy coming on and finding the other routed fell into disorder also This incouraged the Prince to fall in upon the Rear led by the King at whose approach the main Body of the French Army left the Field as their Leader himself did with Charles Lewis and Iohn the Kings Sons the Earls of Poicters and Tourayne King Iohn behaved himself very valiantly and maintained the fight for some time but was at length taken Prisoner by Sir Denys Morbeck a Knight of Arthois to whom the Prince gave afterwards 2000. Nobles to support his Estate whilst the chace continued to the Gates of Poictiers and a compleat Victory obtained the particulars whereof are related by Froissard The French Kings Army consisted of 60000. fighting men whereof there were above 3000. Knights The Prince had but 8000. whereof 3000. were Archers though Froissard in one place saith 6000. in another 4000. The names of some of the Prisoners of Note and those that were slain are mentioned by Knighton in a word the Flower of France fell here and so many Noblemen were there slain or made Prisoners that there were but few left to manage the Affairs of France the Souldiers had twice as many Prisoners as themselves were in number nay divers of them 4. or 5. Prisoners a piece all which they put to ransom in the Field upon promise to return before Christmas with their Ransoms to Bourdeaux The spoil was exceeding rich so were also the Arms they took and whatsoever the Booty was it remained to him that took it The Prince bought of the Gascoigners for ready money those of the French Nobility whom they had taken And of these namely Philip Son to King Iohn the Earl of Sanceir and the Lord Craon he sold to the King afterwards for 20000 l. This Battel was sought the 19. day of September an Dom. 1356. it beginning in the Morning and ending at Noon but it was night e're they returned from the Chase. When it was ended the Prince who saith Froissard was therein couragious and cruel as a Lyon and took great delight in the Fight and Chase commanded his Standard to be pitched on a high Bush as a signal to the dispersed Forces to retire to him thither and then sent out the Earl of Warwick and Sir Reynold Cobham to make enquiry after the French King who in a short time brought him Prisoner to the Prince The Prince entertained this Noble Prisoner at a Supper at which himself with all respect served him nor could be prevailed upon to sit down at the Table The next day the Prince dislodged his Army and marched through Poicton Santonge and at Blaye passed the River Garronne and so to Bordeaux where in one part of the Abby of St. Andrew he lodged his Royal Prisoner and in the other himself and upon the News of this great Victory and Success the King appointed publick thanks to be given to God throughout England In April following the Prince took shipping for England and brought along with him the French King and divers other Prisoners of quality the 5. of May he arrived at Plymouth for whose reception there Iohn Dabernoun Sheriff of Devonshire was commanded to make provision of Victuals and Carriages and Horses and attend him in all parts through that County The 24. of May the Prince in a stately Cavalcade rode through London his Royal Prisoner by his side on a White Courser and himself on a Black Hobby and so proceeded to Westminster Hall where he presented King Iohn to his Father and from whence King Iohn was conducted to his Lodging but within a short time the Savoy was furnished for his entertainment After some few years the King an 33. E. 3. preparing for another Expedition into France this Prince went along with him so also his three Brethren and commanded the Rear of that Army which making its way through the Bowels of France at Bretigny neer Chartres a Peace was concluded in which this Prince and some other of the Kings Council on the Kings part having treated with the French Lords on the part of the Dauphin of Viennois Governor of France brought all controversies touching that Realm to a happy composure The King desirous to proceed to the effect and accomplishment of that Treaty gave him another Commission with authority to treat further upon any thing that concerned or was comprised therein either in general or special to demand and receive the Hostages Money Castles Cities and Fortresses and what ever else was to be delivered to the King by virtue thereof with a general Clause to add and supply the power granted if any solemn or substantial thing should be omitted through much business or otherwise or were expedient or advantagious as to the premises After the confirmation of this Peace and King Edward in possession of a considerable part of the Territories both of his own inheritance or invested in him by the said Peace which he was to enjoy without resort or Soveraignty to the Crown of France The Nobility of these Provinces desiring to be governed by a Prince of their own rather than by the Kings Lieutenants as before they addressed themselves to the King to confer the Government thereof on this Prince and send him thither where he had so great Possessions and Revenues to maintain his State and Dignity Hereupon the King Created him Prince of Guyenne and gave him Guyenne and Gascoigne by the name of a Principality during his life and also granted to him those other Countries Towns and Castles near adjoyning delivered into the Kings possession by vertue of the foresaid Treaty together with the Government of them also retaining nevertheless the Resort and Soveraignty over all thereby given and granted to himself This done he forthwith prepared for his Voyage thither taking along with him his Lady the Princess with whom being arrived at Rochel they were both joyfully received Thence he went to Poicters whither the Barons and Knights of Poictou and
of whom this Henry was one himself being then at Botheuill in Scotland so busied in the War that he could not be at the meeting appointed to treat on his behalf with certain Prelates and others whom he had commanded to meet at London on Wednesday after Newyears day following upon the defence and safety of the Kingdom repulsion of the Enemies and other things relating to the State of the King and Kingdom as also seriously and fully to acquaint them with the King's intensions to ordain and do all things referring thereunto and to his honor as if he were there personally present The following year he was created Earl of Derby and invested by girding him with the Sword his Father yet living by the Charter of his Creation did the King grant to him and his Heirs an Annuity of Honor of 20 l. out of the Farm of the County of Derby and to the end he might better maintain the State of an Earl he also granted him an annual Pension of 1000 Marks during his Fathers life out of the Customs in London St. Butolphs and Kingston upon Hull until the King should provide for him 1000 Marks per annum in Lands or Rents and in case the issues of the said Customs fell short of that annual sum then was it provided that it should be made up out of the Exchequer and for more surety out of the Custody of his Wards The third of October following the King granted to him the Manor of Wyghton and Hundred of Northgreneho with their appurtenances in the County of Norfolk as also the Mannor of Laghton in Morthynges with its appurtenances in the County of York which Ralph Earl of Eu had lately held and were then seised into the Kings hands to hold also during the life of his Father at the annual value of 72 l. 7. s. 6 d. q. at which rate they were extended in part of satisfaction of the said annual Pension of 1000 Marks But the Letters Patents of the 18. of March were resigned up to be cancelled the 24. of October an 13. E. 3. and the King thereupon by other Letters Patent dated the 20. of September preceding granted him during his said Fathers life all the Issues of the small Customs in London for the payment of 891 Marks 5 s. 9 d. ½ q. above the extent of the Mannors and Hundred aforesaid both which sums made up the foresaid annual Pension of 1000 Marks and in case the small Customs fell short of 891 Marks 5 s. 9 d. ½ q. then what they wanted was to be paid him out of the great Customs of the said City but if they exceeded that sum then the surplusage to be paid into the Exchequer which Lands and Pension out of the small Customs reverting to the King upon the death of this Earls Father were then granted to the Queen for the support and maintenance of her Children until the King should otherwise provide for them In the 11. year of King Edward the Third the King having sent over the Bishop of Lincolne and others into Flanders to make Alliances for him with Flemings the French King had laid a Garrison in the Isle of Cagaunt with design to take these Commissioners in their return home but they having notice thereof and the friendship and assistance of Iacques Dartuel took their way to Dort in Holland and so escaped that snare And the King resolving to clear that Island of this Garrison designed for this Service the Earl of Derby who raised part of his men in Staffordshire a Country where he was exceedingly beloved in which his Father had then great Possessions that after his death descended to him and of which for the better conservation of the Peace there the King made him high Sheriff during lifâ— These men levied by the King 's Writ he was commanded to have in readiness with hâ—â—self at London on the Feast of St. Margaret the Virgin next ensuing At the arrival of the English in the Haven they found the Town of Cagaunt well garrison'd and therein divers stout Commanders chosen by the Earl of Flanders for its defence well arm'd and ready to forbid their Landing so that with great difficulty and some loss they got ashore and here our Earl pressing on and fighting for his passage was struck down to the ground but relieved by the Lord Manny In fine the Town on Sunday before the Feast of St. Martin was taken by the English and above 3000 Flemmings slain after which they plundered and burnt it and brought their Prisoners to their Ships among whom was Sir Guy the Bastard of Flanders who after made Fealty to the King and sided with him in the War The 16. of February an 13. E. 3. he was put in Commission with others to array men in the County of Leicester against the Invasion of Enemies and the 3. of Iuly after made one of the 8 Commissioners to treat with Philip de Valois upon all Controversies between the King and him and also one of the 5 Commissioners constituted the second of Ianuary following to treat with the said Philip as also with the Cardinals of St. Praxide and St. Mary in Aquiro upon the same Affair The 6. of March an 14. E. 3. he had Commission given him to raise men in the Counties of Derby Leicester Staffordshire and Lancashire to pass over Sea with the King or himself at the Kings next Voyage beyond Sea This Earl attended the King in his first Expedition into France and had Command in the Battel ready pitcht to fight the French neer Vyronfoss as also at the Battel of Sluce an 14. E. 3. and the 10. of August the same year command issued to Robert de Morley Admiral of the Fleet from the Thames towards the North to send forth 10 Ships to Orewell to take in his Troops of Horse that were to pass over into Flanders after him In the following year He and Henry de Percy Ralph de Nevil and Robert de Dalton had Commission given them to treat with the Bishops Earls and all other persons as well Ecclesiastick as Secular in the Northern parts touching the defence of the Kingdom against the Scots and to sollicite them who had Lands in those parts to dwell there or otherwise to assign other persons there to remain in their stead He was again made the Kings Lieutenant in the North parts of England and in Scotland as also General of the Army sent against the Scots who had invaded England having power given him to defend the Marches to march into Scotland to create Stewards Constables Marshals and other Officers necessary for the Government of the Army and three days after had a Commission given him and power to treat and agree with the Scots about a Cessation of Arms to admit such of them as were willing to the Kings Peace to receive their Fealty to grant them
pardon and restore their Lands The 3. of April in the following year he and 6 other whereof he was to be one were commissionated to treat with David Brus and other Scotchmen his Adherents upon a final Peace or Truce as also upon all debates and differences whatsoever between the King and them and amicably to compose them And the same day he had power likewise given him to grant to Adam Bishop of Brechin to Patrick Earl of March Sir William de Douglas and Sir Thomas de Caruato Knights and William Bullock and other Scotch Men as he should see cause the the King 's special Letters of safe Conduct and Protection for so long time as this Earl thought fit to come into England with as many Horse as he should appoint to treat either of a Truce or Peace with this Earl and others deputed thereto by the King Having in this expedition undertaken upon certain conditions the Custody of the Marches of Scotland the King gave him in reward the 1000. Marks which Io. de Wesenham stood engaged to pay the King for Wooll He went over with the King in his Voyage into Bretagne having under his Command 5. Bannerets 50. Knights 144. Esquires and 200. Archers on Horseback The daily Wages allowed him for himself was 8 s. for each Banneret 4 s. each Knight 2 s. each Esquire 1 s. and each Archer 6 d. At the Siege of Vannes he was constituted one of the Kings Commissioners the other being the Earls of Northampton and Salisbury the Lord Stafford Burghershe Cantelowe Cobham Manneys and Berkley and Mr. Iohn Vfford Archdeacon of Ely where a Truce was concluded for three years The 24. of March an 18. E. 3. The King by his Letters Patent constituted this Noble Earl and Richard Earl of Arundel his Lieutenants in the Dukedom of Aquitaine and the Countries adjoining to govern and defend those Territories to demand and receive the possession of the Castles Places and Rights unjustly detained from him to recover and retain the same by force of Arms if need should be and to receive such as should return to their Obedience to the grace and favour of the King as also the Homage and Fidelity from whomsoever in those parts due and generally to do all things for defence and recovery of the Kings Rights and good Government of those Countries and his Subjects with Command to the Archbishops c. to yield Obedience to them And whereas the King upon false suggestions had been deceived in many of his Grants and Donations in that Dukedom He by other Letters Patents of the same date gave him power to seize into his hands all the Castles Lands Liberties and Profits formerly granted by him and those that should appear to have been obtained upon untrue suggestions to retain without Restitution but upon true to restore entirely A like Commission was given them which extended to the grants made by his Father King Edward the Second upon like pretences as well as by himself They also had a General Commission to treat and conclude with all persons of whatsoever state or condition Kingdom or Nation for the setling of Alliances and mutual Assistance between the King and them to retain men for the Kings Service and to agree about Fees Wages and Rewards to be paid unto them By other Commissions of the same date these two Earls had power to treat and conclude with Alphonsus King of Castile there stiled Alphonsus Rex Castiliae Legionis Toleti Galiciae Siviliae Cordubiae Murciae Gyennii Algarbiae Comes Molmae or his Deputies upon all differences arising between their Subjects especially Mariners and amicably to compose them as also of a perpetual League of Friendship between them c. their Subjects and to afford each other their mutual assistance with Power to make Substitutes in their stead The said Earls had like Commissions with the same Power to treat with the King of Portugal therein stiled Alphonsus Rex Portugaliae Algarbiae And with the King of Aragon stiled therein Petrus Rex Aragoniae Valenciae Majorcae Sardinii Corsicae Comes Barthon Sir Iohn Froissard tells us that some of the Gascoigne Lords came hither about this time to acquaint the King with the weak condition of that Country and City of Bordeaux and to desire relief and that in this Earls company went also the Earls of Penbroke and Oxford the Lord Stafford Sir Walter Manney the Lord Frank de la Hall and divers others of note being about 500 Knights and Esquires and 2000 Archers and having landed at Bayon the 6. of Iune 1344. went thence to Bordeaux His first attempt was upon the Town of Bergerac which surrendred to him and next Longo Castle and le Lake Mandurant he took by assault so also the Castle of Mountgyse Punache and the Castle de la Lewe Forsathe and Pondayre he won with little opposition and the great Town of Laylloyes after three days the chief Town appertaining to the Earl of Laylle who lived as King in those parts of Gascoigne was delivered to him after some dispute After this success he marched to Bonu this he assaulted and took he also took the Castle of Auberoche and the Town of Libourne yielded themselves to him Auberoche being presently after besieged by 12000 French this Earl on St. Laurence Eve assaulted the Enemy in their Tents with 300 Spears and 600 Archers and took the Earl of Laylle and 8 other Earls and Viscounts and 200 Knights and so many Esquires and other Soldiers that each Englishman had 2 or 3 Prisoners many of whom they let go upon their paroll to return to Bergerac or to Bordeaux on a certain day and others they carried with them to Bourdeaux and by this valiant Exploit having relieved the Castle he afterwards disposed of his Army into Winter Quarters and returned into England Upon these great successes the King made him his sole Lieutenant and Captain in the Dutchy of Aquitaine and the parts adjacent with power to do and execute all things that belonged to that Command and gave command to all Archbishops Earls Barons Viscounts Castellans and other persons throughout that Dukedom and adjacent Countries to yield obedience to him as the Kings Lieutenant Five days before the King gave him Commission with power to treat and conclude with all persons of whatsoever state or condition Kingdom or Nation for setling firm alliances and mutual assistance between the King and them as also to retain men for the King's Service and to agree about their Fees Wages and other Rewards The 11 of Iune following Command was sent to the Sheriff of London that forasmuch as the Earl had shipt most of his Horse at Southampton and was ready to depart to make proclamation that all the men at Arms Archers and others who were to go with him should march to Southampton with all possible
elsewhere in the Kingdom of France and therein power was given him to treat and agree with any of the Kings Adversaries or their Adherents or other persons whatsoever And after by a particular Commission he and William Bishop of Norwich the Earls of Suffolk and Huntington and others were impowred to Treat and agree with the Earl of Flanders and his Allies touching any difference between the King and them and it seems their Endeavours took so good effect that an Agreement was made with that Earl the 10. of December following whereupon he was sent to Denemere and there received the said Earls Fealty and Homage As to his transactions relating to France He with the Bishop of Norwich the Earl of Suffolk and Sir Walter Many agreed to the Prorogation of the Truce from the 18. of November to the first of September following Upon the Death of his Father which fell out an 19. E. 3. he succeeded him in the Titles of the Earldoms of Lancaster and Leicester and for that a great part of the Lands sometimes the Earl of Lincolns were come to his possession the King Created him also Earl of Lincoln He had by his Charter of Creation granted unto him the Creation annuity of 20 l. to be paid him by the Sheriff of Lincolnshire for the time being in lieu of the third penny of that County for ever as Thomas late Earl of Lincoln his Uncle had to enjoy whilst he lived About 8. days after the King renued his Commission for being his Captain and Lieutenant in Aquitain and the parts adjacent with all Powers requisite for the better Government of those Dominions whether he shortly after pass'd And by other Letters Patent he constituted him his Captain and Lieutenant in Poicters with full power to exercise all things which appertained to that Command But for further increase of Honor the King Created him Duke of Lancaster and granted that during life he should have within that Country his Chancellor and Iustice as well to the Pleas of the Crown as other Pleas whatsoever to be held according to Law and the Executions of them and likewise all other Liberties and Royal Jurisdiction to a County Palatine appertaining as freely and wholly as the Earl of Chester was known to enjoy in the County of Chester the tenths and fifteenths and all other payments granted by the Clergy or Canons and pardons for life and members to the King excepted The 8. of March ensuing he was constituted Admiral of the Fleet from the mouth of the River Thames Westward and two days after the King Assigned him several Lieutenants namely Reginald de Ferers on the River Thames and Medway Robert Ledred Serjeant at Arms within the Cinque-Ports Philip de Wetton and Walter de Harewell Serjeants at Arms in the Port of Seford and in every part and place thence by the Sea-Coast to Fowy Richard Lengles in the Port of Fowy and thence to Bristol and there and in the Port of Chepstow and River of Severn and Ralph de Lullebrock in all places and Ports from Chepstow to Chester and there and in all Parts and Maritine places in Wales Upon a Rumor that the French had provided an Army and Navy to invade England among the Maritine Counties on the South of England Hants Wilts Somerset and Dorset were committed to this Duke to secure and to resist the Enemy So also was the Maritine parts of Lancashire And because the King had occasion to raise men for Land Service he gave him Commission to array 300. Archers within that Dutchy before the Quindena of the Holy Trinity then next following to be ready to march in the Kings Service The Scots also designing to invade England the following year this Duke had Commission to array all able men in Lancashire between the Age of 1â— and 60 to march against them in case they should presume to enter the Kingdom The like Commission was given him the 26. of February an 29. â— 3. The 14. of September an 29. E. 3. this noble Duke was constituted Lieutenant for the King and Iohn Duke of Bretagne then under age And by other Letters Patent of the same date Command was given to Sir Thomas Holland the Kings late Lieutenant to deliver up to him all the Castles Forts Cities Towns and other Places Lands Tenements and Rents in the said Dukedom under his custody with all the Corn Victuals Money and Issues of the said Dukedom as also all Victuals Engines Arms and other Ammunition in the said Castles c. which belonged to the King in Bretagne The 8. of August an 30. E. 6. he was by the Kings Letters Patent constituted Lieutenant and Captain in the Dukedom of Bretagne and parts adjacent for the good Government thereof both for the King and the said Iohn de Montford Duke of Bretagne then under age and in the King's custody from Michaelmas following for one year Froissard saith this Duke was in Normandy and with him the Lord Philip of Navarre and the Lord Godfrey of Harecourt carrying on the War in that Country under the Title of the King of Navar at such time as the Prince was foraging of Berry and used all endeavour to have joined his Forces with the Prince at Poicters but the passages being so well kept on the River Loire he could not pass and having heard that the Prince had got the Victory there he returned into England In this Voyage being 4000 strong they marched to Lisieux to Orbeâ— to Ponteau and relieved that Castle besieged above two Months but the Enemy hearing of the approach of the English raised their Siege in such hast that they left behind them their Ensigns and Artillery This Duke then marched to Breteuil which he relieved next to Verneuil in Perche took both Castle and Town and burnt a great part of it Upon the information of which the French King raised a mighty Army with design to fight him but he withdrawing to Laigle and the King being come within two Leagues of it found the Forest so thick and hazardous that he thought it not safe to pass further and in his return took from the Navarrois the Castles of Tilliers and Breteuil and so marched forward towards the Prince then harrasing Berry About the middle of May an 31. E. 3. he took the Field in Bretagne with 1000 men at Arms and 500 Archers and laid Siege to Rennes which though well defended was at length surrendred and the 25. of Iuly his Commission of Lieutenancy both for the King and Duke of Bretagne was renued for another year to commence at Michaelmas following but the 8. of August before the expiration thereof Sir Robert Herle and Iohn de Buckenham Clerk were appointed to succeed him being jointly and severally constituted Captains and Lieutenants both to the King and Duke for the following year from Michaelmas then next ensuing
Viscount Benanges mentioned in the following Pedigree be the same person is some question For first in all those Records where he is remembred the Title of Capitow de la Bouch is not given him Secondly we cannot trace him beyond the 22. year of the Reign of King Edward the Third and the Order of the Garter was not Instituted till the following year Thirdly Iohn his Son is called Capitan de Bouâ—h an 5. E. 3. and so till he died And if he should prove the persoâ— as some do take him to be it is a strange mistake committed in the Engravement of the Plate which seems to be as ancient as any of the rest set up in the Chappel at Windesor Of this Iohn Capitan de Buch there are many things noted by Sir Iohn Froissard relating to both his taking King Edward's side against the French and his valiant actions in those Wars But in regard we doubt of his being one of the first Knights-Companions of the Garter we have thought fit for the present to wave the Historical account of him and intreat the Reader in lieu of it to content himself with that of some part of the descent whereby he may guess at the greatness yet unsuccessfulness of our pains in endeavouring to ascertain the person Iohannes de Greilly dominus Benanges Senescallus totius Aquitaniae Rot. Vasc. 6. 7. E. 1. m. 9. Claramonda filia haeres Galliardi de Mota domini de Laudirons Rot. Vasc. 6. 7. E. 1. m. 9. Petrus de Greilly miles Rot. Vasc. 14. E. 3. m. 2. Katherina de Greilly Domina Locorum St Blasii de Laudiron Rot. Vasc. 14. E. 3. m. 2. Petrus de Greilly Vicecom Benangiarum Castellionis Rot. Vasc. 14. E. 3. m. 2. 16. E. 3. m. 13. 22. E. 3. m. 25. Assalita soror haeres Petri de Burdegal Rot. Vasc. 5. E. 3. m. 24. Petrus de Burdegal dominus de Puypaulini Iohannes de Greilly ac Capitaneus de Buch. Rot. Vasc. 5. E. 3. m. 24.14 E. 3. m. 2.16 E. 3. m. 13. 29. E. 3. m. 6. Blanch de Loup Archambaud de Greilly Capitalis de Bogio ac Vicecomes Benangiarum Castillionis ac dominus de Podiopaulini Castri novi in Medulco Rot. Vasc. 7. R. 2. m. 10. 6. Ralph Earl of Stafford THis Noble Earl was Son unto Edmund Lord Stafford first summoned to Parliament an 27. E. 1. and Margaret Daughter to Ralph Lord Basset of Draiton His Father dyed an 2. E. 2. and and an 17. E. 2. being of full age he did his Homage and had Livery of his Fathers Lands The first military imployment that he undertook was an 1. E. 3. being summoned to be at Newcastle upon Tine on Monday next before Ascension day to go against the Scots The 12. of February an 10. E. 3. the King sent his Writ directed to him Philip Chetwynde and Philip Somervill to raise in Staffordshire Lichfield excepted 60 Hobelars and 200 Archers and to bring them to Berwick upon Tweed before the following Octaves of Easter In his absence it seems there was some attempts made to seize upon his Lady and carry her away but making his complaint to the King he received her under his protection and directed his Writ to the Sheriff to protect her so long as her Lord remained in his service I find this noble Lord was an 15. E. 3. Steward of the Kings House and one of those who went over into Bretagne an 16. E. 3. with Robert d' Artous to the assistance of the Countess of Montfort He behaved himself bravely in the Sea-fight near the Isle of Gernsey with the French and Genoeses who endeavoured to interrupt their passage thither but after they had been a while engaged a violent storm parted the two Navies and the English landed safely the first Town taken by them being Vannes and that by assault Soon after this Town was re-taken by Sir Henry de Leon and the Lord Clisson but the latter end of the Summer King Edward landed with an Army and laid a new Siege to it and perceiving the Country was much wasted he left the Earl of Arundel with this Lord before it and went to Rennes It hapned that one day upon an assault this Lord ventured so far that he was got between the City Gate and the Bars and there taken Prisoner but at another side of the Town Sir Henry de Leon and the Lord Clisson were both taken Prisoners by the English and so he was afterwards exchanged for the Lord Clisson In this Expedition he had Wages allowed him for 50 men at Arms viz. himself two Bannerets 16 Knights 31 Esquires and 50 Archers on Horseback An. 17. E. 3. was a year of much action for first this Earl with the Earl of Lancaster and other Noblemen went into Scotland to raise the Siege laid by the Scots to the Castle of Louhmaban and being returned was joined in Commission with Hugh le Despenser Lord of Glamorgan William de Norwich Dean of Lincolne Sir William Trussell and Andrew de Offord to treat in the Pope's presence with the Agents of Philip de Valois concerning the Kings right to the Crown of France but we suppose he went not on that Embassy for the 19. of August there was another Commission for that Affair made out to Henry of Lancaster Earl of Derby and others wherein he and Sir William Trussell were omitted and they the first of Iuly preceding with Philip de Weston Canon of York and Iohn Wawayn were sent to treat with the Noblemen Burgomasters c. in Flanders about the setlement of the Staple of Wool there and touching the Coyning of Gold and Silver such as might be current both in England and Flanders and whatsoever by any 3 or 2 of them should be agreed on this Ralph Earl of Stafford being one the King promised to ratifie They had another Commission wherein power was granted them to treat with the Princes Nobles and People of Almaine upon Alliances between the King and them and to gain their assistance for him The following year he went in the Expedition intâ— Gascoigne with the Earl of Derby and commanded the Party that assaulted Bergerac by Water who behaved themselves so valiantly that through their Valour the Town was forced to surrender to the Earl He was very active in this Gascoigne War and almost in continual Service and in sealing the Walls of Mountpesat Castle Richard Pennenort an English Gentleman that bare his Banner was slain For his Great Services in this War after his return into England he was made Seneschal of Gascoigne and had the Kings Letter sent to the Prelates and Nobility of that Country to obey and submit to his Authority while he continued in that Office Within a few days after the King directed his Writ
to Richard Earl of Arundel Admiral of the West-parts to arrest 13. stout Ships each of 80. Tun Burthen at least to bring them to Bristol before the Octaves of Easter for the passage of this Lord his men at Arms and Archers into that Country After a years enjoyment of this great Office he became desirous to resign it and to that purpose made an address to the King who sent directions to the Earl of Derby to confer with him about his continuance in it to which if he could not be perswaded to consent then he gave the Earl power to take his resignation and substitute some other fit person in his room to hold it during the Kings pleasure This Spring Iohn de Valois Duke of Normandy laid Siege to Aiguillon of which Town this Lord was Governor and then within it and though the Earl of Derby relieved him yet had the Duke so strongly intrenched himself that he could not raise the Siege so that it was continued by the Duke to the Decollation of St. Iohn Baptist in August at which time being called away to assist King Philip his Father against King Edward who had entred France with a puissant Army he raised his Siege Upon which the Lord Stafford sallying out of the Town fell upon his Rear cut off a great part of it and having joined his to the Kings Forces he had given him a Command in the Van of the Army under the Prince at the Battel of Cressy And after the Victory was sent with Sir Reignold Cobham and 3. Heralds to view the slain who made report of 11. great Princes 80. Bannerets 1200. Knights and above 30000. Common Souldiers When Calais was surrender'd he was one of those appointed to take possession of it for the King and had many fair Houses given him in that Town to place Inhabitants in Shortly after the rendition the Cardinals of Naples and Cleremont mediated a Peace between both Kings whereupon this Lord with Reignold de Cobham Io. Darcy and Robert de Bourghcher were nominated by the King to treat of a Peace or Truce between them their Subjects Allies and Adherents And for his good Services done to the King in France He gave him a Pension of 600. Marks for life out of the Customs of London and St. Butolphs The King also bestowed on him as a gift 573 l. towards his expences in his service beyond Sea He was with the King in the Encounter with Sir Geoffry Charney at Calais And went into Goscoigne with the Earl of Lancaster and other Lords to stop the Progress of the Duke of Normandy made there with his Army And growing more and more in the Kings favour by his meritorious Services he advanced him to the Dignity of an Earl and for the better support of that Honor and towards the defraying of his charge in attending the King with certain men at Arms both in Peace and War he granted him a Pension of 1000. Marks per Annum during life out of his Customs in London till he could settle on him the said annual sum in Lands or Rents The next day he was constituted the Kings Lieutenant and Captain in the Dukedom of Aquitaine and parts adjacent and the 3 d. of April following the King gave him power to appoint a Seneschal of Gascoigne and a Constable of Bordeaux and these to be such persons as he should think fit to enjoy those Offices during the Kings pleasure The next year the King empower'd him by a Commission to treat and agree with all persons of what Kingdom Nation or Degree soever upon a firm friendship and mutual assistance between the King and them and to retain them against all men to agree with them upon Fees Wages and rewards to receive security from them and give the like to them and what he did herein the King obliged himself and his Heirs to observe and perform Being ready to take another Journey into Gascoigne a Writ issued to Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick Admiral towards the West to arrest all Ships of 50. Tuns and upwards for this Earls passage thither and to bring them to Sandwich by Quindena Trinitatis following and upon his Entry into that Country he defeated the French that sallied out of the Fortress of Gagent and among them was taken seven Knights of the Star An. 29. E. 3. he went over with the King to Calais at the latter end of Summer and marched along with him in pursuit of King Iohn as far as Heyden And an 33. E. 3. he attended him in his Voyage into France which terminated with the Peace agreed on at Bretigny near Chartres Two years after he was designed for Ireland in the Company of several other persons of Quality upon the Kings Service But after this Voyage being much broken with Age and wasted with Sickness he became uncapable of publick Employments This Noble Lord Married Margaret Daughter and Heir of Hugh de Audeley Earl of Gloucester and Margaret his Wife who died the 7. of September an 21. E. 3. and by whom he had Issue Ralph his eldest Son who married Maud Daughter of Henry de Lancaster Earl of Derby but died about 21. E. 3. Hugh who succeeded him in his Earldom and Sir Richard Stafford Knight Beatrix the Wife of Maurice fitz Maurice Earl of Desmond Ioan of Iohn Charleton Lord Powes and Margaret of Iohn Stafford Patron of the Church of Bromhall in Staffordshire He died the last of August an 46. E. 3. and lies buried at Turnbridge in Kent 7. William Montacute Earl of Salisbury THis Earl was Son unto William Montacute first Earl of Salisbury of that Family and Katherine one of the Coheirs of William Lord Grantson He was born the Morrow after Midsummer day an 2. E. 3. for at the Death of his Father found to be the 30. of Ianuary an 18. E. 3. he was 15. years old the Midsummer before The 24. of May an 20. E. 3. the Wardship of his body was committed to Iohn de Somerton and Thomas Waryn until Christmass following and then renued till Whitsontide and thence till Michaelmas ensuing and being within Age he attended the King in that memorable expedition into France an 20. E. 3. So also did his younger Brother Iohn He was in the Sea Fight against the Spaniards near Winchelsey an 24. E. 3. and going into Gascoigne in the retinue of the Prince of Wales an 29. E. 3. he obtained Letters directed to the Seneschal there with Command that he should not be sued or molested for any of his own or Ancestors debts during the space of two years An. 33. E. 3. he attended the King in his Royal expedition into France and from that time to the 43. of Edward the Third we find little mention of his Martial employments
during pleasure But the following year these Dignities were committed to him alone He married Ioane Daughter of Edmund of Woodstock Earl of Kent Sister and Heir of Iohn Earl of Kent in whose right he sate in Parliament an 34. E. 3. as Earl of that County after whose death Edward Prince of Wales married her whose Widow she remained till an 9. R. 2. and then died By this Lady he had Issue two Sons Thomas Holland Earl of Kent and Iohn Holland Earl of Huntingdon and Duke of Exceter as also two Daughters Ioane and Maude the later was Wife to Hugh Courtney eldest Son to Sir Hugh Courtney one of the Founders of this Order an 39. E. 3. This noble Earl after the performance of many brave acts in the Kings Service died the 26. of December an 34. E. 3. Thomas his Son and Heir being then much about the tenth year of his age 15 Sir Iohn Grey of Codnore HE was eldest Son of Richard Lord Grey of Codnore in Derbyshire by Iane his Wife who had been Seneschal of Gascoigne in the Reign of King Edward the Second In that notable and famous Expedition made into Scotland an 7. E. 3. he had Command where his valour was so far taken notice of that not long after the King in part of recompence thereof and of his great expences in those Wars acquitted him of all such debts as he then owed unto his Exchequer Towards the end of the 9. year of E. 3. he went again to the Wars of Scotland being of the Retinue of Hugh Andley and two years after in another Expedition then made thither An. 12. E. 3. he attended the King into Flanders and an 14. E. 3. went over thither when by the way that famous Naval Fight hapned neer Sluce The following year he undertook employment in the Scotish Wars An. 18. E. 3. he with Nicholas de Langford and Edward de Chandos were assigned to Array all able men in Derbyshire from 16 to 60 years of age and to have them in readiness to march with them or others whom the King should appoint within three days warning against the Scots then ready to invade this Kingdom The following year he went in the Retinue of Henry Earl of Derby into Gascoigne and in regard he stayed there the next year in the Kings Service his Lands in Kent were exempted from finding men for guarding the Sea-Coasts With this Earl he returned to England and went to Calais in his Retinue an 21. E. 3. and stayed there the following year There being an Invasion threatned by the French an 26. E. 3. he was joined in Commission with the Lord Deyncourt to Array all able persons in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire and to conduct them to such places as might stand in need of them for defence of the Realm He went in the Expedition which the foresaid Earl made into Breâ—â—gne an 29. E. 3. And after attended the King in his Voyage royal into France an 33. E. 3. and the same year was constituted Governour of the Town and Castle of Rochester for life More of his Military Services we find not before he obtained the Kings License an 39. E. 3. to go on Pilgrimage And an 45. E. 3. being grown very aged and not able to endure Travel he obtained a special Dispensation wherein his many and great Services performed with much fidelity and valour are by the King acknowledged to exempt him from coming to Parliaments to which he had received Summons from the time of his Fathers death which hapned an 9. E. 3. and Councils and charging him with setting forth of Soldiers in the Wars for the future He married Alice de Insula by whom he had Henry his eldest Son who married Ioane Daughter of Reginald Cobham of Sterborough but died before his Father and Iohn his second Son who both went in the Retinue of Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster in his Expedition into France an 43. E. 3. and Alice a Daughter Wife of William Son of Sir Adam de Everingham of Laxton in the County of Nottingham 16. Sir Richard Fitz Simon WE have met with little concerning this Noble Knight but that he had command under Henry of Lancaster Earl of Derby in Gascoigne an 19. E. 3. The following year he went with Robert Vfford Earl of Suffolk when he attended the King in his Expedition into France An. 21. E. 3. he was imployed in the Kings Service beyond Sea and lastly he was in command under the Prince of Wales an 22. E. 3. and in these Expeditions he performed so great Services that he was thought worthy to be Elected one of the first Founders of this most Noble Order 17. Sir Miles Stapleton THis Sir Miles Stapleton was Son and Heir to Sir Miles Stapleton of Bedall in the County of York Knight His first employment in the Wars was when King Edward the Third made his Expedition into Bretagne He also attended the King in his Voyage Royal into France an 20. E. 3. and lay at the Seige before Calais An. 23. E. 3. about the Month of Iuly he was employed in the Kings Service beyond Sea and the like an 29. E. 3. In the 30. year of King Edward the Third Philip Brother to the King of Naevarre taken Prisoner by the French King the year before came over into England and obtained assistance for recovery of his Lands in Normandy whereupon the King joyned to him this Sir Miles Stapleton a man of great integrity and in martial affairs very skillful as Froissard Characterizeth him These two with 2000. men passed through Normandy and as they marched took and burnt several Towns and Fortresses till they came within 9. Leagues of Paris and did not retreat till they had forced the French to enter into Truce for a Year For this Expedition the said Philip of Navarre was constituted the Kings Captain and Lieutenant in the Dutchy of Normandy In consideration of the constant fidelity and eminent valour of this Noble Knights as also his great service in the Wars the King granted to him a Pension of 100 l. per annum out of his Exchequer for life until he had that annual value in Lands or Rents provided for him And shortly after Upon information that several injuries and damages had been done to the French by the English after and against the Truce taken near Chartres the King desirous that it should be kept without violation and the infringers thereof punished constituted him with Sir Nele Loring and Sir Richard Stafford his Commissioners to inform themselves of the way and manner how these injuries might be discovered and repaired and gave them power to arrest and imprison to seize and confiscate their Estates and to punish them according as they
to pay into the Exchequer for the Fee Farm of the Mannor of Bollestrade Next he granted him a Pension of 20 Marks per annum for his life out of his Exchequer until Lands of the yearly value of 10 l. should be setled on him The following year he granted him all the Lands and Tenements belonging to Iohn the Son of Henry de Morff in Alnetheley in Shropshire which by forfeiture of the said Iohn Escheated to the King to hold to him and his Heirs for ever Besides these the Prince having retained him in his service as well in Peace as for War granted to him for life a Pension of 50 l. per annum and that it might be more certainly paid he after granted to him his Mannors of Neuyn and Purchely in North Wales for life which the King confirmed Afterwards Henry Earl of Lancaster the Kings Lieutenant in Aquitaine for the good service this Knight had formerly done the King in England Scotland and elsewhere and also to himself in Gascoigne by Letters Patent dated the 12. of November an Dom. 1346. gave him for his life Pedalium Sancti Macharii with all the profits thereto belonging which grant the King confirmed to him an 22. E. 3. This noble Knight was Son and Heir of Roger Loring and Cassandrae Daughter of Reginald Perot He married Margaret Daughter and Heir of Sir Ralph Beauple of Cnubeston in Devonshire by Elizabeth his Wife Daughter and Heir of Alan Bloyho the relict of Stephen Tinterne Esq by whom he had Issue two Daughters and Heirs namely Isabel Wife to Robert Lord Harington and Margaret Wife to Iohn Peyvre of Tuddington in the County of Bedford He died an 9. R. 2. and was buried in the Priory of Dunstable to which he had been a great Benefactor 21. Sir Iohn Chandos THE first Martial Action of his was at St. Quintins for while King Edward in the 13. year of his Reign lay at siege before Cambray being the first Town he sate down before upon his first entrance into France the Earl of Henault made an assault upon St. Quintins where this Esquire so then called by Sir Iohn Froissard fought valiantly with Iohn de St. Dager an Esquire of Vermandois between the Bars and the Gate both manifesting great Courage and Gallantry And in this Expedition he was ranged in the third Battel led by the King which was pitch'd between Vironfosse and Flamengery to encounter the French For his Valour shewn in this Expedition the King bestowed on him the honor of Knighthood and at his return to Antwerpe granted him 20 Marks per annum out of his Exchequer to support that Dignity till he should settle on him Lands to that yearly value for his life When the King led another Army into Flanders designed also against the French he attended him and fought valiantly in the Naval Engagement before Sluce He was in the Voyage Royal made into Normandy an 20. E. 3. and in its march at Poisy he and Sir Basset preserved two of the Lord of Poisy's Daughters from violation and brought them to the King who caused them to be safely conducted to Corbe whither they desired to go At the Battel of Cressy he commanded in the Van led by the Prince of Wales and when this Prince was constituted the Kings Lieutenant in Aquitaine he attended him in that Expedition and by his command summon'd the Castle of Romorentine which held out a while but was at length forced to surrender Marching on with the Prince the Battel of Poictiers approached and on the day before a Truce for that day being obtained by the endeavours of the Cardinal of Piergort this valiant Knight coasted about to make discovery of the French Army as did also the Lord Clerèmont one of the French Marshals and as they returned they met and observed that both of them bore the same device to wit a Lady in blue irradiated with the Sun-beams Cleremont demanded how long he had born his device Chandos answered you bear mine I deny that replied Cleremont and did not the Truce hinder I would make it good To morrow said Chandos you shall find me ready to justifie it to be mine as well as yours and so they parted The next day the Fight begun during which St. Iohn never parted from the Princes side and when he perceived that the French Marshals was discomfited he advised the Prince to advance towards the Kings Battel telling him there was all the hazard and the glory which he accordingly did At the end of this famous Battel when no more French Banners were left in the field he prevailed with the Prince to set up his Standard in a Bush near him to give a signal to his dispersed Army to rally while he took some refreshment An. 33. E. 3. he attended the King in his Expedition into France and being at the siege of Rheyms he and Sir Iames Audeley and the Lord Mucident a Gascoigne with their Troops rode near to Chalons in Champaigne and drawing near to Chargny in Dormois where was a strong Castle they gave an assault to it at which the Lord Mucident being slain they in revenge made a resolution to take it ere they went away which they did putting all to the Sword and demolishing the Castle He was constituted Captain and the Kings Lieutenant in the Dukedom of Normandy and the parts of France and had power given him to grant Pardons for Treason Murder c. and whatsoever he did in this case the King promised to ratifie under his Great Seal After the Peace near Chartres Sir Iohn Chandos was constituted one of King Edward's Commissioners to take possession of the Dutchy of Aquitaine where Sir Iames de Bourbon delivered him the possession of divers Lands Towns Cities Castles and Fortresses whereupon he received the Fealty and Homage of all the Nobility and others Shortly after he was made Captain and Commander in chief of the Castle and Town of Rochel and all the Country of Xâ—ntonge and a command was therewithall sent to Iohn de Monte Ferandi Custos of the said Castle and Town to deliver them up to him with all the Arms Provisions and other the King's Stores in his possession And the following year when the Prince of Wales now created Prince of Guyenne took a Voyage thither he was made Constable of Aquitaine and Sir Guischard d' Angle Marshal When the King of Cyprus came into Aquitaine upon a visit to the Prince he was sent to receive and conduct him to Angolesme where the Prince kept his Court He also waited on him through Xantonge and Poictou to Rochell to view the Country whence he returned to Angolesme where having taken leave of the Prince he yet attended him to the confines of the Principality Charles de Bloys having gained new strength from
honoris in signaculum Ordinis accepti quâ munitus non vereberis pro fide Christi libertate Ecclesiae pro jure oppressorum atque indigentium necessariâ tuitione sanguinem etiaâ— fundere nedum fortiter ac strenuè dimicare Accipe Clamidem hanc coelici coloris in signum Clarissimi hujus Ordinis in augmentum etiam honoris tui rubeo clypeo Dominicoe Crucis uti cernis insignitam ut cujus virtute semper ac vigore protectus per hostes tutus abeas eos ubique superare valeas pro clarissimis denique meritis post egregiam hanc hujus temporis miliciam ad aeterna veréque triumphalia gandia pertingas Torquem hunc in Collo deferes ad augmentum honoris in signum quoque Clarissimi Ordinis a te suscepti cum imagine sanctissimi Martyris Christi Militis Georgii Cujus praesidio suffultus Mundi hujus tà m prospera quà m adversa sic pertranseas ut animae pariter ac corporis hostibus hoc strenuè devictis noâ— temporariae modò militiae gloriam sed perennis victoriae palmam denique recipere valeas Amen NUM XXXVIII The Oath taken by a Knight at his Installation in the Reign of King Edward the Fourth Lib. N. pag. 312. EGo N. nominatus atque Electus unus egregiorum Equitum illustrissimi Ordinis hujus Militaris promitto per Sacro-sancta Evangelia Dei quae tango hîc manifestè juro quòd omnia Ordinis istius Statuta Articulos in hiis contentos quatenus ad me speciabunt inviolabiliter observabo Nec non Collegii Sanctissimae Virginis Divi Martyris Georgii in quo praenobilis Ordo fundatus est pro virili libertates jura propugnabo The same Oath we find put into English and entred at the end of the Regist. Chartaceum under the 2. year of Hen. 8. IN chosen and named to be one of the honourable Company of the Order of the Garter promise and swear by the holy Evangelists by me bodily touched truly and faithfully to observe and keep all the points of the Statutes of the said Order and every Article in them contained as far as to me belongeth and appertaineth And all the liberties and Franchises belonging of right to this Colledge of our Lady and S. George I shall defend to my power as God help me and these holy Evangelists NUM XXXIX The same Oath as it was pronounced by the the Register YOV being chosen to be one of the Companions of the most honourable Order of the Garter shall promise and by these holy Evangelists by you manifestly touched swear truly and faithfully to observe and keep all the Statutes of the said Order and every Article in the same contained for so much as to you belongeth and appertaineth And further that you shall help to defend and maintain so much as in you lieth the rights and liberties of the Colledge of our blessed Lady and St. George the Martyr wherein the honourable Order of the Garter is founded NUM XL. The Oath formerly taken by the Prince of Wales Ex Lib. Nig. pag. 312. EGO N. Princeps Gualliae Dux Cornubiae Comes Cestriae primogenitus Excelentissimi atque invictissimi Dei gratiâ Regis Angliae Franciae Domini Hiberniae hujus Ordinis meritò Supremi jam nominatus atque elecius ad eundem Ordinem venerandum Promitto do fidem quòd verè fidelitèr pro viribus observabo cuncta Ordinis illius Statuta Statutorum Articulos quatenus ullo modo me contingent juxta vim formam effectum corundem nec non Collegii in quo is Ordo fundatur jura tuebor NUM XLI The Oath taken in King Henry the Eighth's Reign Ex veteri Codici MS. penes G.O.Y. f. 70. b. YEE shall swear that to your power yee shall help keep defend and suâ—tain during your lyfe and during the tyme that you shall be Companion of the Order of the Garter the honor quarels rights and Dominions of the King our Soveraign Lord Soveraign of the said Order you shall enforce you and do all your diligence to entertain and augment the said Noble Order and in case you shall have knowledge of any thing to be imagined or procured to the contrary with all your true power you shall resist thereunto Also you shall well and truly accomplish and keep and entertain all the Statutes points articles and Ordinances of the said Order as if they were read unto you from point to point so help you God and Hollydome and by these Evangelists by you corporally touched NUM XLII The Oath used in the Reign of King Edward the Sixth Ex Libro Nig. pag. 303. YOV being chosen to be one of the honourable Company of the Order of the Garter shall promise and swear by the holy Evangelists by you bodily touched to be faithful and true to the Kings Majesty and to observe and keep all the points of the Statutes of the said Order and every Article in them contained the same being agreeable and not repugnant to the Kings Highness other goodly proceedings as far as unto you belongeth and appertaineth as God help you and the holy Evangelists NUM XLIII The Form of the Oath setled in Queen Elizabeth's Reign QVum jam electus es in honoratissimam societatem nobilissimi ordinis Garteri tâ— promittes jurabis per sacrosancta dâ—i Evangelia per te nunc tacta quod sâ—ienter voluntariè non violabis aliquod praedicti ordinis statutum aut aliquos articulos in cis contentos praesertim si non scientes sint non repugnent Dei omnipotentis hujus regni legibus quatenus personam tuam concernunt seu ad te pertinent sicut te deus adjuvet per Jesum Christum hoc sacrosancto Dei Evangelio annuntiatum The same in English YOV being chosen to be one of the honourable Company of this most Noble Order of the Garter shall promise and swear by the holy Evangelists by you here touched that wittingly or willingly you shall not break any Statute of the said Order or any Articles in them contained the same being agreeable and not repugnant to the Laws of Almighty God and the Laws of this Realm as far forth as to you belongeth and appertaineth So God help you and his holy Word NUM XLIV Letter to obtain License for Installing a Knight-Subject by his Proxy Ex Lib. Nigro p. 60. JOannes Dux Bedfordiae cum caeteris in celebritate Georgianâ jam proximè conjunctis Regiae Majestati vestrae salutem obedientiam Quoniam invictissime princeps metuendissime Domine vestrae Celsitudinis ea magnanimitas est in suscipiendis Bellis in gerendis faelicitas ut ipsorum jam fama per orbem undique volitet nos id vestrae Majestati gratulamur Deo gratias nunc immensas agentes qui quicquid est boni ac faelicis eventûs solus concedit Vbi verò Regia Majestas vestra quia bella
defence of Mastricht then lately besieged by the Hollanders and remained faithful to the Spanish interest to wit to those of them that were Gentlemen the title of Knights and to others that of Gentlemen Having thus briefly shewed the various forms of Creation of Knights Batchelors if any be further desirous to know what were the ancient Rites and Ceremonies used at the making of Knights Banerets among us the Example of Sir Iohn Chandos in the Reign of King Edward the Third will give sufficient information which being at large recorded by Sir Iohn Froisard and from him by Cambden and Selden it will be needless to transcribe them hither With what Ceremony also the Duke of Burgundy made the Seigneur de Sans Baneret in Flanders is reported by Andrew Favin But in later times it appears that he that was advanced to this Honor in the Field went between two senior Knights with Trumpets before them the Heralds carrying a long Banner called a Penon with his Arms painted thereon and so was brought unto the King or his Lieutenant who bidding him good success commanded the end or tip of the Banner to be cut off that of an oblong it might become a square like the Banner of a Baron this done he returned back to his Tent conducted as before In the last place there are many and various Ceremonies performed at the Creation of a Knight of the Bath as appears by the Formulary thereof in old French inserted by Sir Edward Bysshe among his Notes upon Vpton and in English by William Dugdale Esquire Norroy King of Arms into his Antiquities of Warwick-shire to which we refer our Reader for a full view as we do in all other like Cases where things at large may be readily had purposely to avoid the swelling of this discourse beyond what is necessary We shall therefore close with this observation that the Knights of the Bath made by the present Sovereign of the most Noble Order of the Garter to attend him at his Coronation were created with the principal of all those Ceremonies noted in this Section and appointed to Knights Batchellors both in former and later times which to compleat their Honor were jointly united and placed upon them for they Watched and Bathed they took an Oath they were girded with a Sword and Belt and lastly Dubbed by the King with the Sword of State SECT X. Of the Dignity Honor and Renown of Knighthood BEfore we conclude this Chapter it will be necessary to subjoin something concerning the Dignity Honor and Renown appropriate to the Knightly Order whereunto though enough might be said to fill a Volume yet to avoid tediousness we shall touch only upon the principal and most material Of all Virtues those that have gain'd the highest honor and repute are the Military hereupon saith G. Acacius Evenkelius a Noble modern Writer It is not without great reason that in all renowned and famous Common-wealths which ever were great honors and profits have been proposed to military persons and in consequence we hear of several Prerogatives Priviledges and proper Rights granted to them above other men yea it will appear not only living but also after death having died for the Common-wealth they are still honored in a high degree and ever to be honored And to the great honor of Baldwinus Pulchrobarbus Earl of Flanders it is remembred that he conferr'd many Prerogatives upon the Knightly Dignity But of all the Titles of Honor Knighthood being a Degree above common Honor must be acknowledged the first and most principal derived from the field and military services whose very Name and Title as Mennenius affirms seemed to include somewhat of magnificence beyond what he was able to express and something more excellent than Nobility it self and which as it were mounting the Royal Throne becomes the assertor of civil Nobility and sits as Judge at the Tribunal thereof Our learned Cambden notes from some of our Law Books that Knight is a Name of Dignity but Baron is not so and he there adds the reason For if heretofore a Baron had not received the Order of Knighthood he was written simply and plainly by his Christian Name and the Name of his Family without any addition but that of Dominus which term is as much attributed to a Knight But the Title of Knight seems to be an adjunct of Honor since Kings Dukes Marquesses Earls and Barons have coveted the Dignity together with the Name And to this the aforesaid Mennenius for the greater Honor observes that in ancient Charters the Titles and Names of Knights may be seen to be set before Barons The Degree of Knighthood is of so great splendor and fame that it bestows Gentility not only upon a man meanly born but also upon his descendants and very much encreaseth the honor of those who are well descended 'T is a Maxim laid down by a learned Civilian That Knighthood enobles inasmuch that whosoever is a Knight it necessarily follows that he is also a Gentleman For where a King gives the Dignity to an ignoble person whose merit he would thereby recompence He is understood to have conferr'd whatsoever is requisite for the compleating of that which he bestows And therefore in some instances before where though this Honor had been conferr'd on Vassals no way capable thereof and for which both the Givers and Receivers were put to Fine the Knights were esteemed so enobled by the action as to be adjudged fit to keep and retain the Dignity and to remain free from Vassalage and Servitude Hereto also agrees the Common Law of England which saith If a Villain be made a Knight he is thereby immediately infranchised and consequently accounted a Gentleman And this is the same with the Roman Laâ— where the donation of a Gold Ring the Symbol of Knighthood to a slave enobled him with all the Priviledges belonging to one Free-born as hath been before observed It is manifest of what reputation and esteem the Equestrian Dignity among the Romans was with Maecenas who though his descent was great and high and though the Custody of the City was for a long time committed to him by Augustus whose Chancellor he also was and that he lived his chief Favorite yet would he not rise beyond that Dignity but dyed a Companion of that noble Order and is by Horace called the honor and glory of the Roman Knights In later Ages it hath been accounted so full and so compleat an Honor that men were not so often advanced from Knighthood as from a meaner degree to higher Titles and Dignities and that those of the chiefest quality and rank even Kings and Princes have been so far from taking it to be a diminution to their Honor that such of them as were invested with this Order took it as an accession thereunto their other Titles shewing more
their Dominion and Power this their Valor and Courage as may be properly instanced in Geysa King of Hungary who waging War with the Austrians was by the Bishops when he came into the field Armis accinctus girded with Arms that is Knighted and in like manner Leopold Marquess of Austria Ottacher Duke of Stiria and Frederick Duke of Austria and Stiria so also Godfrey Duke of Brabant with Henry his Son solemnly received the Order of Knighthood before his Expedition to Hierusalem So Peter King of Aragon was girt with the Military Girdle from Pope Innocent the Third anno Domini 1204. the Emperor Henry the Third was made Knight by the Bishop of Breme and our William Rufus by Lanfranke Arch-Bishop of Canterbury But to proceed yet a little farther in Examples of this nature Kings themselves have been Knighted not only by inferiour Princes but sometimes by their own Subjects as Lewis the Eleventh of France at his Coronation by Philip le bon Duke of Burgundy Francis the First immediately after the memorable Fight at Marignan neer Millan by Peter Baiarde Of our own Nation King Edward the Third by Henry Earl of Lancaster King Henry the Sixth by his Uncle Iohn Duke of Bedford King Henry the Seventh by the Earl of Arundel and lastly King Edward the Sixth by Edward Seymour Earl of Hertford afterwards created Duke of Somerset And though it is commonly said That all the Sons of the French King are Knights assoon as they receive their Baptism nevertheless Sir Henry Spelman from Goropus seems to contradict this opinion by informing us that they were not judged worthy of the Kingdom unless they had been first solemnly admitted into the Knightly Order And we elsewhere find that the Royal Heirs of Aragon were suspended from the Crown of that Kingdom until they had received the Honor of Knighthood To this purpose the usage and fashion of the time shortly after the Norman Conquest is considerable when our young Princes were sent over to neighbouring Kings that from them they might receive this Honor Thus was our Henry the Second sent to David King of Scots and Knighted by him in Carlisle and Edward the First at the Age of fifteen years to Alphonsus the Eleventh King of Castile for the same Dignity In like manner did Foreign Princes repair hither to receive the Honor from our Kings as Malcolne King of Scotland and Alexander Son of William King of Scotland Knighted by our King Iohn anno Domini 1212. So was Alexander the Third by our King Henry the Third on Christmas day at York anno 1252. and Magnus King of the Isle of Man by the same King All which sufficiently demonstrate the great Renown of Knighthood and the honor and esteem which was ever had for that Order The estimation of Knighthood may be yet further manifest from divers expressions in that part of an Edict transcribed by Mr. Selden out of Goldastus which Conrade King of the Romans sent to those of Palermo to give them notice he had received the Order of Knighthood which he did after this manner That although he ought not to want the Ensigns and Tokens of Military Honor considering the nobleness of his Birth and greatness of his Dignity he at that time swaying two Scepters yet because he had not as then received the Military Girdle established by venerable Antiquity he did chuse to adorn himself therewith in that Month of August wherein the said Edict passed to the end that from thence the â—lower of his victorious years might put on the Ensigns of greater valor and the excellency of this new Militia renew the lustre of original Nobility What peculiar respects Knights have had paid them in our own Nation Mr. Selden hath collected from our legal proceedings and set down in his Titles of Honor pag. 783 784 785 and 786. In the close of this Chapter we think fit to insert a few memorials of that additional favour in augmentation of the Knightly Honor which some of our Kings have pleas'd to afford those Strangers on whom they have conferr'd the Dignity of Knighthood and to make it more known and publick given Declarations thereof under the Great Seal of England where the person so honored made sute for the same whereby they have declared and attested that willingly and of their own accord they have given and conferr'd on them the Degree Honor and Title of a Knight as due to their Virtues and Merits to the end that those persons should be esteemed and ranked in the place and number of Knights aswell among their own Subjects as in their own Countries and also by all persons elsewhere no less than themselves should esteem any other honorable and worthy men adorned with the like Honor from other Kings and Princes The first that we have met with in this kind was given by King Henry the Eighth to Sir Gregory de Caalis born of a Noble Family in Rome on whom in consideration of his Virtues and Merits the King had bestowed the Honor of Knighthood as may be collected from a Warrant directed to the Cardinal Arch-Bishop of York his Chancellor to make out Letters Patents under the Great Seal as well of the said Order of Knighthood as of the Grant of an annual Pension of two hundred Crowns of Gold per Annum during his life for the better and more honorable maintenance of that Dignity His late Majesty of ever blessed memory King Charles the First having Knighted Sir Iames Cats Doctor of Law Syndick of Dort and Ambassador extraordinary to his said Majesty from the States General of the Vnited Provinces was also pleas'd 26º Ian. 1627. to give him a Declaration thereof under the Great Seal of England to notifie his being such not only with us here but in his own Country and elsewhere And sometimes there hath past in these Letters Testimonial a kind of Ennoblement to their Posterity where that hath been before wanting to the Family which the King in regard of the Knights great Virtue and Merits hath thereby rais'd into that Degree Title and Dignity of Gentleman as may be seen by those Letters Patents granted to Sir Lewis Van Alteren eldest Son to Simon Van Alteren Lord of Iaerâ—velt and Councellor in the Court of Admiralty of Amsterdam dated the twenty ninth of Ianuary anno 4. Car. 1. The like Letters Patents of Declaration of Knighthood and Ennoblement of Posterity were shortly after viz. 26. Feb. following given to Sir Peter Pau Son of Sir Adrian Pau Lord of Hemsted and then extraordinary Ambassador from the aforesaid States General But in some others this declarative Clause of having bestowed the Dignity of Knighthood hath been much more contracted then in the Precedent before remembred and the testimony of donation only and that briefly express'd as in those Letters Patents made forth to
risen between them or was like to arise After this another Commission issued containing the same powers to Henry of Lancaster Earl of Derby Thomas de Beauchampe Earl of Warwick Robert de Vfford Earl of Suffolke Hugh le Despenser Lord of Glamorgon Ralph de Nevill Bartholomew de Burghersh Iohn le Grey de Ruffyn Reginald de Cobham and Thomas de Brodiston Barons William de Norwich Dean of Lincoln Iohn de Offord Archdeacon of Ely Robert Herward Archdeacon of Taunton and Andrew de Offord Professor of the Civil Law or to any 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 or 3. of them But this Treaty had only the effect of continuing the Truce yet that so ill kept on the French side that the following year it occasioned a solemn complaint sent from the King to the Pope by Iohn Offord Dean of Lincoln Hugh de Nevill and Nicholas de Flisco to require reformation and security for the observance of the said Truce until the time it was to end and in case that were not done then they to surrender it into the Popes hands and defy Philip de Valois as the Kings Enemy It seems the desires of the King met with a dilatory answer for the 20 of October following William Bishop of Norwich Iohn de Offord Dean and Iohn Thoresby Canon of Lincoln Sir Hugh Nevil and Sir Ralph Spigurnell Knights and Nicholas de Flisco were commissionated to declare before the Pope in what particulars the Truce had been broken and to demand reparations but after all this no satisfaction being given to the King and the Truce manifestly and notoriously violated the King gave Commission to William de Bohun Earl of Northampton to defy Philip de Valois as a Violator of the Truce an unjust Usurper of his inheritance in France and his Capital Enemy And shortly after he set forth a Manifesto touching the dissolution of the Truce wherein the causes were declared at large being the same with the Letters sent from him to the Pope and four Cardinals the 26. of May preceeding This being done the King with all diligence provides an Army to enter France the following year and the 5. of Iuly in the 20. year of his Reign took Shipping at Southampton but instead of sailing towards Goscoigne whether he at first intended upon the advice of Sir Geoffry de Harecourt he diverted his course and made towards Normandy and landed at Hoges Saynt Wast in the Isle of Constantine not far from St. Saviours le Vycount the 12. of Iuly after Upon his arrival he ordered his Army in three Battels the one marched on his right hand along the Sea-side the second on his left both which exceedingly inriched themselves with the spoils of the Country and himself with the third in the middle This Battel consisted of 3000. men at Arms 6000. Archers and 10000. Common Souldiers The first Town he took was St. Lo in Constantine rich in Drapery and next Caen the plunder of it and other places consisting of Cloth Vessels of Silver and Gold Jewels and more than 60. Knights and 300. Burgesses made Prisoners were sent to the Ships and transported into England After this the King marched on wasting and burning the Country and entred Lisieux the Chief City of Normandy for Wealth and Merchandize and plundered it And hence he gave Letters of Protection and safe conduct to the Cardinals of Tusculan and St. Iohn and St. Paul sent from the Pope to mediate a Peace From thence he marched into the Country of Eureux and spoiled it and leaving Roan he passed to Gaillon and burnt it with Vernon Pont de Lache and all the Country thereabouts and went over the River Seyne to Poissy Hence having thus overrun and wasted Britagne and Normandy the English Marshalls rode towards Paris and burnt St. Germain en Laye Mountjoy St. Clou Pety Bolayne neer Paris and the Bourg la Reyne which caused the French King to retire to St. Denys Sir Godfrey de Harecourt encountred a considerable party of the Burgesses of Amiens going to the assistance of the French King of whom he kill'd 1200 and defeated the rest and took their Carriages and Baggage About this time the French King had sent notice to King Edward that he would give him Battel the Thursday Saturday Sunday or Monday after betwixt St. Germains de Preez and Valgirart de là Paris or between Franconville and Ponthoise in answer to which from Antes 15. Aug. the King sent him word that he was come thither to put an end to the War by Battel but that the said French King had broken down all the Bridges so that they could not come at each other That he had come to Poissy and repaired that Bridge and there stayed three days expecting him and that the French Forces might have come on either on the one side or the other at his pleasure But forasmuch as they did not he could not then give him Battel and therefore now resolved to pass further into the Kingdom and there stay till he had ended the War or advantaged himself and disabled his Adversaries Nevertheless if he would combat him to save those which he challenged for his Subjects upon notice of the Hour he should find him ready for the Encounter and this he principally desired for the benefit of Christianity since he had refused to accept of or propose any reasonable way for effecting Peace This answer was not liked by the French King therefore the King having stayed at Poissy and there kept the Feast of our Lady in August marched thence into the Country of Beauvosyn burning and destroying all before him One night having lodged in an Abbey and next morning after his departure looking behind him he saw it on fire but he hanged 20 of his Souldiers that had done the mischief because at his first entrance into France he had caused Proclamation to be made throughout his Army that no man upon pain of death should violate a Church or burn a Religious House As he passed by Beauvois he fired the Suburbs and went thence to Granvillers He also took and fired the Castle of Anger 's and the Town of Pork and the two Castles and drawing neer to Abbeville he endeavoured to pass the River of Somme but sounding several places found no Ford at length one Gobyn a Grace a Prisoner brought him to Blanch-taque This Ford was guarded on the other side by 12000 men commanded by Sir Godmar du Foy here the King forced his passage and defeated Sir Godmar and after he had passed his whole Army over he marched to Crescy in Ponthieu where he formed his Army into three Battels the first of which was led by the Prince of Wales accompanied with divers of the English Nobility the second by the Earl of Northampton and the third by the King himself And here before the Battels joined he created 50 Knights
speed Immediately after his arrival in Gascoigne he took the Field and laid Siege to Bosyll which surrendred to him The Castle of Rochemyllone being well fortified he took by assault and slew all but those that fled into the Church the next day he laid Siege to the Town of Mountsegur and battered it with great Engines for 15 days together and at length it was yielded to him upon Composition After this the strong Castle of Aguillon was yielded up to him and then he laid Siege to Reole which surrendred on mercy but the Castle stood out 11 weeks and then also surrendred After his taking of Reole he marched to Mountpesance Castle which he took by Storm and then he sat down before Mauleon and took it by the stratagem of an Ambush He took also the Ville Franche in Agenois with its Castle by assault after which he marched through the Country and took many other Towns and Castles with little difficulty At the end of three days Siege Myremont yielded to him and some of his Forces took Thomynes on the River Garonne and the strong Castle Damasan Last of all Augoulesme yielded to him after a Months Siege and thence he retired to his Winter Quarter at Bordeaux This Winter the Duke of Normandy entred Gascoigne with 100000 men and shortly after Christmas took the Field in this Expedition he regained several places from the English and sat down before Aiguillon but after the Battel at Cressy being sent for back by the French King he was constrained to raise his Siege Shortly after the retreat of the Duke of Normandy this Earl the King having sent to the Prior of the Order of the Friers Preachers in London to offer up Prayers that God would please to protect and defend him and give his Forces Victory over his Enemies with 1200 men at Arms 2000 Archers and 3000 Foot passed the River Garonne towards Xantonge and took Myrabel by Storm as also the Town and Castle of Alaay and Sargeres and Benon He likewise took Mortagne on the Sea side in Poictou by assault and burnt Lusignen and took the Town and Castle of Taillebourge at length he lay Siege to St. Iean d' Angely which surrendred to him upon Conditions after which he took Maxinent by assault and won the Town of Monstrevil Bonnin he thence marched to Poicters and that he took by Assault where 700 of the Inhabitants were slain and some Churches spoiled and more had been but that this pious Earl commanded the contrary on pain of death Nevertheless they plundred the Town and left it desolate and here the Soldiers got so great Wealth that nothing was of value but Gold Silver and Feathers for the Troops From hence he returned to St. Iean d' Angely and thence to Bordeaux and in this Expedition he gained so great esteem that he was reported to be the Noblest Prince that ever rode on Horseback Having behaved himself so gallantly and faithfully in prosecuting and recovering of the King 's right in these parts the first of Febr. an 21. E. 3. the King sent for him back to be near unto himself for the future upon all occasions and to direct and assist in his Martial and other Affairs whereupon he returned into England and because King Edward understood that the French King was making great preparations to draw down to Calais about Whitsontide he enjoyned him speedily to repair to his assistance in reference to whose passage Command was sent to Io. de Montgomery Admiral of the Fleet Westward to provide Ships in readiness at Sandwich and Dover for the Transportation of the Army he had raised with all speed and immediately upon his coming thither and consideration had of his victorious Successes and good Services done the King in the Dukedom of Aquitain and parts adjoining the King granted to him and his Heir Males by Charter the Castle Town and Place of Brageriac in Diocess Petragoriensis with the whole Castellany and all Iurisdiction high and low Royal Authority absolute and mixt as also the Coinage of Money there To which he afterward added a grant of the Examination of the Assay with both the Criminal and Civil punishment of all Offenders for coyning Money And because this Town and Castle stood upon the Frontiers of the Enemy the King granted that during the War there should remain in that Garrison 100 men of Arms and 200 Foot at the King's pay subject nevertheless to the Command of the Steward of Gascoigne to be drawn out upon occasion by him leaving sufficient strength to defend the same This Earl having taken divers Prisoners at the Town of St. Iohn d' Angely and reduced it to the obedience of the King he therefore granted to him all the Lands Tenements Vines and other Goods of those Prisoners until their Ransoms were fully paid And a little after granted unto him and his Heirs for ever the Houses Lands c. of Bernard Barram Burgess of that Town to hold by the Service of rendring to the King and his Heirs one Rose annually at Midsummer Moreover on the 10. of November following he had further granted the Castle of Horston with the appurtenances in the County of Derby and 40 l. per an out of the Farm of the Town of Derby to him and his Heirs Males then the same to revert to the King and his Heirs All these Grants were made to him upon the account of his good and grateful services formerly performed Upon the French King 's coming towards Calais in Iuly before with design to relieve it the King appointed him to keep Newland bridge for by securing that passage the French could not pass on that side unless through the Marches which were not to be attempted without danger His order in keeping this place was much commended by the four French Commissioners who passed by it when they came from their King to King Edward to demand a place to fight in At this time the Pope having sent two Cardinals to the King they obtained his condescention to treat with King Philip whose Commissioners were the Dukes of Burgoigne and Burbone the Lord Lewis de Savoy and the Lord Iohn of Henalt otherwise called Lord Beaumont and on King Edwards part were the Noble Earls of Derby and Northampton the Lords Cobham and Mannie but three days being spent without coming to any conclusion the Treaty broke up and the Cardinal Mediators departed He was after made choice of by the King and Ralph Earl of Eu and Guynes Constable of France by the French King to agree upon a Truce in hopes of a Peace to hold for 6. Weeks throughout Picardy Normandy Artois Boulogne and Flanders to commence the 13. of the same September The 25. day of September following he was constituted the Kings Lieutenant as well in the parts of Flanders and Calais as