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A12738 The history of Great Britaine under the conquests of ye Romans, Saxons, Danes and Normans Their originals, manners, warres, coines & seales: with ye successions, lives, acts & issues of the English monarchs from Iulius Cæsar, to our most gracious soueraigne King Iames. by Iohn Speed. Speed, John, 1552?-1629.; Schweitzer, Christoph, wood-engraver. 1611 (1611) STC 23045; ESTC S117937 1,552,755 623

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shee was God knowes how farre guilty aduertised of her husbands dethronization shee outwardly expressed so great extremity of passion notwithstanding that at the same time shee was tolde of her sonnes surrogation as if shee had beene distraught in her wittes which the Prince her sonne then about fifteen yeers of age beholding hee made an oath neuer to accept of the Crowne against his fathers good will and thereupon it was saith Walsingham a Writer worthie of beliefe that the said Embassie was sent to Kenelworth Castle where the now no more a King remained to worke his assent whose answere thereunto saith another was by those Messengers related at full and fuller then in truth it was sent by the King but the Peeres then in Parliament made their vse thereof in procuring such a Prince to take the rule of thē whom they hoped by reason of his tender yeeres themselues should be able to rule and ouermaster His Wife 77 Isabel daughter to Philip the Faire King of France sister to Lodowicke Hutin Philip the Long and Charles the Faire all Kings of France was married to Edward the second at twelue yeeres of age in our Lady Church of Bulloigne the 22. of Ianuary 1308. Shee was his wife twenty yeers and his widow thirty and liued threescore and three yeeres Shee died at Risings neer London the two twētieth of August 1357. and was buried in the middest of the Gray-Fryers Quire in London the 27. of September following His Issue 78 Edward surnamed of VVindsor the eldest son of K. Edward and Queene Isabel his wife was born at the Castle of VVindsor the thirteenth of October the yeere of Christ 1312. and the sixt of his fathers raigne hee was created Prince of Wales and Duke of Aquitane in a Parliament holden at Yorke Anno 1322. and in the troubles of the Realme and absence of his Father in an assembly of Lords met at Hereford and in presence of the Queen was made L. VVarden of England by a common decree vnto whom all the Lords made their fealty in receiuing an Oath of Allegiance to be faithfull and loyall vnto him as to the Lord Warden of the Realm and shortly after the Father deposed hee was crowned King of England by the name of Edward the third 79 Iohn surnamed of Eltham the second sonne of King Edward and Queene Isabel his wife was borne at Eltham in Kent the 15. of August and yeere of Christ 1315. and at twelue yeeres of age was created Earle of Cornwall in a Parliament Anno 1327. and third yeere of the raign of King Edward his brother hee died in Scotland vnmarried in the flower of his youth the tenth of his brothers raigne and yeere of Christ 1334. 80 Ioan the eldest daughter and third child of King Edward and Queene Isabel was borne in the Tower of London shee was maried being a child at Barwicke the eighteenth day of Iuly in the fourth yeere of the Raign of King Edward her brother 1329 to Dauid Prince of Scotland sonne and heire apparent of King Robert Bruce whom he succeeded within one yeere after in the kingdome being but seuen yeares of age and was the second King of Scotland of the name of Dauid shee was his wife twenty and eight yeeres and being come into England to visite her brother shee deceased here without Issue in the two and thirtieth yeere of his Raigne 1357. and was buried at the Gray-Fryers in London 81 Elenor the second and yongest daughter fourth child of King Edward and Queene Isabel was the second wife of Reynald the second Earle of Gelder married vnto him with a portion of fifteen thousand pounds 1332. being the sixt yeere of the raign of king Edward her brother who being the Vicar generall of the Empire to the Emperour Lewis of Ban●…r created him first Duke of Golder shee had issue by him Reinald and Edward both Dukes successiuelie after their Father without Issue the later of them leauing his Dutchie and his wife to his Nephew William Duke of Gulik his halfe sisters Sonne EDVVARD THE THIRD KING OF ENGLAND AND FRANCE LORD OF IRELAND c THE FORTIE-NINTH MONARCH OF ENGLAND HIS RAIGNE ACTS AND ISSVE CHAPTER XII THe sicknesse and wounds which the commonwelth sustained by the raigne of the late deposed king vpon the change of her Leach and Physitian recouered not onely health and strength but beautie also and ornament and the elements themselues which in the former times seemed to suffer and sympathize with the publike grieuances of the English grew gratious and propitious to the vse of man the Aire becomming more healthfull the earth more fruitfull as if Nature herself were priuie to the worth of the succeeding Prince But this his worth did not display it selfe vntill hee had plucked the sway of things out of the hands of the Queene his mother and of that aspiring danger and tempest of England Roger Mortimer who wholy possessed her 2 This Edward of Windsor being not fifteene yeeres of age when without any guilty thought in him his throne was thus established vpon his Fathers ruine tooke the beginning of his raign by publike sanction at the twentith day of Ianuarie and by direction of such as sought to colour their treasons against their deposed Soueraigne proclaimed his peace in these words Edward by the grace of God King of England Lord of Ireland and Duke of Aquitaine to N. N. our Sheriffe of S. Greeting Because the Lord Edward our Father late King of England by the common Councell and Assent of the Prelates Earles Barons and other the chiefe men and the whole Comminaltie of the Kingdome did voluntarily remoue himselfe from the gouernment thereof willing and granting that we as his eldest sonne and heire should take vpon vs the rule and regiment of the same and we with the counsel aduise of the Prelates Earls Barons before said yeelding therin to our fathers good pleasure and will haue taken vpon vs the gouernance of the saide Kingdome and as the manner is haue receiued the Fealties and Homages of the said Prelates and Peeres Wee therfore desirous that our peace for the quiet and calme estate of our people should bee inuiolablie obserued do will and commaund you that presently vpon sight of these presents you cause our Peace to bee openly proclaimed through your whole Bailywicke forbidding all and euery one on our behalfe vnder paine and perill of disinherison and losse of life and limmes not to presume to violate or infringe our said peace but that euery one pursue or follow his actions and complaints without any manner of outrage according to the lawes customes of our Kingdome for wee are ready alwaies wil be to administer full right to all singular cōplainants aswel poor as rich in our Courts of Iustice. Witnes our selfe c. in the Calends of February vpon sunday being Candlemas Eue. 3 Vpon the Candlemas day it selfe the young King
of London doe notwithstanding stand wholy for the beautifull Earle of March and stand the more confidentlie because they had sure intelligence that he had vanquished the Earle of Pembrooke in the Marches of Wales and that the Earle of Warwicke escaping from S. Albans had met with the Earle of March neere Costwold and that both with ioint forces were marching toward London These newes made the King and Queene retire into the North and leaue that Citie and the Southern Countreys to their Enemie till they might recouer a fairer opportunitie or more sufficiencies Edward vpon notice of the Kings departure entreth London and giues period to Henries reigne which is accounted to take end after he had successiuely ruled this Land the space of thirtie eight yeeres sixe moneths and foure daies His Wife 94 Margaret the wife of King Henrie was the daughter of Reyner King of Ierusalem Sicilie and Arragon Duke of Andegauia Lorraine Barre and Calabria Earle of Prouince Cenomania and Guize Shee by proxie was espoused vnto King Henrie at the Citie Towers in Touraine in the Church of Saint Martin William de-la-Poole being Procurator to the king in the presence of the French king and his Queen which king was vncle to the Brides Father and the Queene Aunt vnto her mother Shee with great pompe was conueyed to South-hampton and thence to the Abbey of Tichfield where the yeere of grace 1445. and twentie two of Aprill shee was solemnly married to king Henry and honorably attended by the greatest Estates of the Land was crowned at Westminster the thirtieth of May following Shee was exceedingly beautified in face and of goodly feature of a great wit and deepe pollicie but of stomacke farre aboue her sexe as in the managing of those trouble some times did too well appeare Shee was his wife twentie sixe yeeres and twentie nine daies and after her husbands depulsion from his regall throne her forces being vanquished at the battell of Tewksburie in a poore religious house whether shee had fled for the safetie of her life was taken prisoner and so carried Captiue to London where shee remained in durance till Duke Reiner her father did purchase her liberty with great summes of money vnto whom shee returned and lastly died in her natiue Countrie His Issue 95 Edward the only Child of king Henrie and Queene Margaret his wife was borne at Westminster the thirteenth day of October the yeere of Christ 1453. and the 31. of his fathers Raigne and the next yeere following vpon the fifteenth of March by authoritie of Parliament was created Prince of Wales Earle of Chester For the title of Duke of Cornwal as it is noted by warrant of record is reputed vnto the Kings eldest sonne the very day of his natiuitie and by vertue of a speciall Act is presumed and taken to be of full and perfect age so as he may ●…ue that day for his liuerie of the said Dukedome and ought by right to obtaine the same hauing his roialties in the Stannary wrackes at Sea Customes c the first Duke thereof was Edward commonlie called the Blacke Prince whome his Father King Edward the third created in great Estate Duke of Cornwall by a wreath on his head a ring on his finger and a siluer verge He proued a Prince of great hope and forwardnes being skilfull in martiall knowledge matters of gouernment and Lawes of the Realme At the age of seuenteene the better to bandie against his Fathers Competitor King Edward the Maul of the Lancastrians claime a●…ianced in France Anne the second daughter of Richard the Make-king Earle of Warwick whose other daughter was married to George Duke of Clarence This Prince when the day was lost at Tewkesburie sought to escape thence by flight but being taken was brought into the presence of king Edward whose resolute answeres enraged the Conqueror so much as he dashed him an vnprincely part on the mouth with his gauntlet and Richard the crooke backe ranne him into the heart with his dagger His Body was buried without all solemnity among the poore and meane persons slaine in the Monasticall Church of the blacke Friers in Tewkesburie Anno Domini 1471. EDVVARD THE FOVRTH FIRST KING OF THE HOVSE OF YORKE KING OF ENGLAND AND FRANCE LORD OF IRELAND THE FIFTIE FOVRTH MONARCH OF THIS LAND HIS RAIGNE ACTS AND ISSVE CHAPTER XVII EDward borne at Roan in Normandy and bearing the title of March in England hauing ●…unne the battell at Mortimers Crosse though the Lords his Confederates had lost that of Saint Albans from Ludlow hasted towardes London on his way was seconded by Richard Neuill the stout Earle of Warwicke to the great encrease of his number and power which so terrified Queene Margaret now ●…dy to po●…se the South 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hus●… 〈◊〉 so●… i●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to the 〈◊〉 vpon which 〈◊〉 now 〈◊〉 Yorke pre●…ly p●…ed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pr●… 〈◊〉 ●…ry powerfull and the other in poss●… consulted for their safest estate when on the suddaine Edward with VVarwicke entred their gates whose warlike visages so daunted the aduerse affected that they beganne with the 〈◊〉 to make him way to the throne the Noblemen likewise made him offers of their seruice to establi●… 〈◊〉 claime neither were the Clergy to learne the obseruance of time or to sway with the man vpon whom the world smiled All these se●…n Counsell to confer of the 〈◊〉 Duke Edward made knowne his title to the Crowne and i●… well s●… 〈◊〉 ●…red how the body of the who●… Par●…ment formerly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●…d H●…ry ●…selfe sub●…●…ith hi●… 〈◊〉 h●…d whose 〈◊〉 though now 〈◊〉 through 〈◊〉 des●… y●… what right L●…er had they all 〈◊〉 and how 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 di●…our did wi●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●…gh his neglect who●… si●…ity euer 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his priuate deuotions then the potent managing of a Soueraignes command 2 These things vrged and most of them true their voices went current that Edward was the vndoubted King whereunto the Londoners the sooner yeelded for that his dreaded Northerne Army was then encamped in Saint Iohns field neither was any reseruation made as before of Henries naturall life but hee is now absolutely neglected as vnworthy of his Crowne how acceptable soeuer he had raigned till then whose following miseries were not so much lamented as his constant patience was admired in vndergoing the same Edward thus mounted before his foot had well touched the first steppe was vpon Sunday the second of March among his Northerne Souldiers proclaimed King William L. Fan onbridge Earle of Kent declaring his claime and disabling K. Henry of stile or Gouernement whose weake head as hee alleadged had ouer long blemished the English Crowne 3 Vpon the next day with all pompe hee was conueied to Westminster and set vpon the Kings seat in the Hall where holding the scepter of Saint Edward in his hand the voice of the people was againe demanded and againe granted such was
dayes lay naked and vnburied his remembrance being as odious to all as his person deformed and lothsome to be looked vpon for whose further despite the white Bore his cognizance was torne downe from euery Signe that his monument might perish as did the monies of Caligula which were all melted by the decree of the Senate Lastly his body without all funeral solemnity was buried in the Gray-Friers Church of that City But King Henry his Successor of a princely disposition caused afterward his Tombe to bee made with a picture of Alablaster representing his person and to be set vp in the same Church which at the suppression of that Monastery was pulled downe and vtterly defaced since when his graue ouergrowne with nettles and weedes is very obscure and not to be found Onely the stone chest wherin his corpes lay is now made a drinking trough for horses at a common Inne and retaineth the onely memory of this Monarches greatnesse His body also as tradition hath deliuered was borne out of the City and contemptuously bestowed vnder the end of Bow-Bridge which giueth passage ouer a branch of Stowre vpon the west side of the Towne Vpon this Bridge the like report runneth stood a stone of some height against which King Richard as hee passed toward Bosworth by chance strucke his spur and against the same stone as he was brought backe hanging by the horse side his head was dashed and broken as a wise woman forsooth had foretold who before Richards going to battell being asked of his successe said that where his spurre strucke his head should be broken but of these things as is the report so let be the credite Dead he is and with his death ended the factions a long time continued betwixt the Families of Lancaster and Yorke in whose bandings to bring set keep the Crown on their heades eight or nine bloudy set battels had beene fought and no lesse then fourescore persons of the bloud-royall slaine as Philip C●…ines the French Writer saith many of them being wel knowne to himselfe after which stormes and this Tirants death a blessed vnion ensued by ioining those houses in Henry of Lancaster and Elizabeth of Yorke 60 Hee was of Stature but little and of shape deformed the left shoulder bunching out like a Mole-hill on his backe his haire thinne and face short a cruell countenance in whose aspect might bee perceiued both malice and deceit When hee stood musing as hee would doe oft his vse was to bite and chaw the nether lip his hand euer on his dagger which euer hee would chop vp and down in the sheath but neuer draw it fully out Pregnant in wit hee was wily to faine apt to dissemble and haughty of Stomacke an expert Souldier and a better King then a man He founded a Colledge at Middleham beyond York and a Collegiat Chauntery in London neere vnto the Tower called Our Lady of Barking he endowed the Queenes Colledge in Cambridge with fiue hundred Marks of yeerely reuenew and disforrested the great Field of Wichwood which King Edward his brother had inclosed for his game he raigned two yeeres two moneths and one day and was buried as we haue said His Wife 61 Anne the second daughter and Coheire to Richard Neuil the stout Earle of Warwicke and Salesbury was first married to Edward Prince of Wales the sonne to King Henry the sixth and after his death was remarried to Richard Duke of Gloucester Anno 1472. afterwards by vsurpation King of England with whom in great State and solemnity shee was Crowned Queene the sixth of Iuly and yeere of Saluation 1483. She was his wife to the last yeere of his Raigne and then leauing her husband to choose another Queene was laid at rest in the Abbey of Westminster in this thing happy that she saw not the death of the Tyrant His Issue 62 Edward the sonne of King Richard and of Queene Anne his Wife and the onely childe of them both was borne in the Castle of Middleham neere Richmund in the Countie of Yorke Anno 1473. and being vnder foure yeeres of age was created Earle of Salisbury by his Vncle King Edward the fourth the seuenteenth of his Raigne but his father King Richard in the first of his vsurpation created him Prince of Wales the foure twentieth of August and yeere of Christ 1483. he then being about ten yeeres of age vnto whom also the Crowne was intailed by Parliament but this Prince dying before his father and much vpon the time of his mothers decease saw not the reuenge that followed the Tyrants Raigne whose bad life no doubt hath made doubtfull the place of this Princes buriall and other Princely offices done him in his life and at his death HENRIE THE SEVENTH KING OF ENGLAND AND FRANCE AND LORD OF IRELAND THE FIFTIE SEVENTH MONARCH OF THE ENGLISH HIS RAIGNE ACTS AND ISSVE CHAPTER XX. HENRIE of that name the seauenth hauing by such mixt meanes of valor and practise as are alreadie described obtained the possession of Englands Crown we must now present vnto you his actions in the person and state of a King maintained by him with like mixture of courage and skill as it was atchieued to the verification of that rule That things are kept by the same Arts whereby they were gained In describing whereof wee meane nothing lesse then for humoring the vaine admirers of phrase and conceit to mount vp into Panegyricall flourishes in honor of the man though his excellent vertues would worthily beare if not duely also exact them yet may wee not omi●…to obserue that as in his attaining to the Crowne there was through diuine prouidence a concurring disposition of all important Circumstances without which his attempt might haue proued disasterous so hee hauing now possessed the Soueraigne power and mastered the State in the maine pointes easily made circumstances waite vpon his wisdom and to take their forme from his directions Of the first kind wherein his felicity deserues to be celebrated were these That he by the Male-line a meere stranger to both the roiall houses as descended from the Welsh and French and by the female springing out of such a family of Lancaster the Beanfords as by the same law which enabled it to inherite in ordinary estates was made incapable of succe●…n in the Regalitie should so safely be conuaied away into forraine parts there to continue an head of expectation and reuolt during the intestine troubles and dangers to him ineuitable here at home Secondly that the Realme of England should bee so auerted from Richard though a very honorable wise iust and necessary Prince after hee was somewhat setled as for his sake to neglect in a sort so many naturall heires of the house of Yorke some of them in right preceding Richard such were the children of Edward the fourth and George Duke of Clarence Richards elder brethren and all of
1540. shee was his wife sixe moneths after which time certaine Lords of the vpper House of Parliament came into the nether and alleaged cause for which that marriage was vnlawfull whereunpon shee was diuorced and by Statute enacted that shee should no more be taken for Queene but should be called the Lady Anne of Cle●…e See remained in England long after the Kings death though small mention is made of her by any of our Writers only we finde that she accompanied the Lady Elizabeth through London at the solemnizing of Queene Maries Coronation 140 Katherine the fifth wife of King Henry the eight was the daughter of 〈◊〉 and Neece vnto Thomas Howard his brother Duke of Norfolke Shee was married vnto him the eight of August and yeere of ●…race 1540. being the thirtie two of his Raigne at Hampton Court and continued his Queene the space of one yeere sixe moneths and foure daies and for her vnchaste life was attainted by Parliament and for the same beheaded within the Tower of London the twelfth of February and her body buried in the Chauncell of the Chappell by Queene Anne Bullen 141 Katherine the sixth and last wife of King Henry was the daughter of Sir Thomas Parre of Kendall and sister to Lord William Parre Marquesse of Northampton shee was first married to Iohn Neuill Lord Latimer and after his decease vpon the twelfth of Iuly maried vnto the King at Hampton Court the yeere of Saluation 1543. and thirtie fiue of his Raigne Shee was his wife three yeeres sixe months and fiue daies and suruiuing him was againe married vnto Thomas Seimer Lord Admirall of England vnto whom she bare a daughter but died in the same Child-bed the yeere of Grace 1548. His Issue 142 Henrie the first sonne of King Henry by Queene Katherine his first wife was borne at Rich●…d in Surrey vpon the first of Ianuary and the first of his fathers Raigne whose Godfathers at Font were the Lord Cranmer Archbishop of Canterburie and the Earle of Surrey his Godmother Lady Katherine Countesse of Deuonshire daughter to King Edward the fourth This Prince liued not fully two months but died in the same place wherein he was borne vpon the two and twentieth of February and his body with all due obsequies buried in Westminster 143 A sonne not named was borne vnto King Henrie by Lady Katherine his first Queene in the month of Nouember and the sixth yeere of his Raigne who liued not long and therefore no further mention of him can bee made the deathes of these Princes King Henrie tooke as a punishment from God for so he alleaged it in the publike Court held in Blacke-friers London they being begot on his owne brothers wife 144 Marie the third childe and first daughter of King Henrie by Queene Katherine his first wife was born at Greenewich in Kent the eighteenth of Februar●… in the yeere of Christs humanity 1518 and the eighth of his Raigne Shee was by the direction of her mother brought vp in her Childe-hood by the Countesse of Salisbury her neere kinswoman for that as some thought the Queene wished a marriage betwixt some of her sons and the Princesse to strengthen her Title by that Aliance into Yorke if the King should die without issue Male. In her yong yeeres shee was sued to be married with the Emperour the King of Scots and the Duke of Orleance in France but all these failing and shee succeeding her brother K Edward in the Crowne at the age of thirtie sixe yeeres matched with Phillip King of Spaine to the great dislike of many and small content to her selfe hee being imploied for the most part beyond the Seas for griefe whereof and the losse of Calice shee lastly fell into a burning feauer that cost her her life 145 Elizabeth the second daughter of King Henrie and first childe by Queene Anne his second wife was borne at Greenwich vpon Sunday the seuenth of September the yeere of Christ Iesus 1534 and twenty fiue of her Fathers Raigne who with due solemnities was baptized the Wednesday following Archbishop Cranmer the old Dutches of Norfolke and the old Marchionesse of Dorset being the witnesses at the Font and the Marchionesse of Excester at the confirmation Shee succeeded her sister Queene Marie in the Monarchy of England and was for wisdome vertue piety and Iustice not onelie the Mirrour of her Sexe but a patterne for Gouernment to al the princes in Christendome whose name I may not mention without al dutiful remembrance and whose memory vnto me is most deare amongst the many thousands that receiued extraordinary fauours at her gracious and most liberall hand 146 Another man childe Queene Anne bare vnto King Henry though without life vpon the nine and twentieth of Ianuary and twenty seuen of his Raigne to the no little griefe of the mother some dislike of the King as the sequel of her accusation and death did shortly confirme 147 Edward the last childe of King Henry and first of Queene Iane his third wife was borne at Hampton Court the twelfth of October the yeere of Grace 1537. and twenty nine of the Kings Raigne being cut out of his mothers wombe as is constantly affirmed like as Iulius Caesar is said to haue been his Godfathers at the Font was Thomas Cranmer Archbishop of Canterbury and the Duke of Norfolk his sister Lady Mary being Godmother saith Grafton Sixe daies after his birth he was created Prince of Wales and at the death of his Father succeeded him in all his Dominions of whom more followeth heereafter His Naturall Issue 148 Henrie Fitz-R●…ie the naturall sonne of King Henrie the eight was begotten of the Lady 〈◊〉 called Elizabeth Blunt and borne in the Mannor of Black●…moore in Essex about the tenth yeere of his Raigne at the age of sixe yeeres he was created Earle of Nottingham and in the fiue and twentieth of his Fathers Raigne vpon the eighteenth of Iune in the Kings Pallace of Bridewell was made Duke of Richmond and Sommerset Lord Warden of the East West and Middle-Marches against Scotland and Lieutenant Generall of all the parts of England Northward he was a Prince very forward in Marshal Actiuities of Good literature and knowledge in the tongues vnto whom the learned Antiquary Leland dedicated a Booke He married Marie daughter of Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolke Earle Marshall and Lord high Treasurer of England with whom he liued not long but died at Saint Iames by Westminster the two and twentieth of Iuly in the yeere of Christ Iesus 1536. and was buried at Framingham in Suffolke THe tempestuous 〈◊〉 in the Raigne of this King Henrie the eight and the violent deluge raised against the Church-state of his times bare downe so many religious strong foundations and were the destruction of so many beautifull Monasteries as the onely relation of their numbers and names would haue much interrupted the narration of his history Wherfore to retein●… their memorials though their walles are laid
his memory blemished by the former error from the vulgar aspersion of sacrilegious impietie This King after the dissolution of the Religious houses erected these sixe Bishoprickes to witte Westminster Chester Peterborough Oxford Bristoll and Gloucester whereof the fiue last are in esse and at the same time he erected also these Cathedrall Churches here after mentioned wherein he founded a Deane and the number of Prebends following viz. Canterbury 12 Winchester 12 Worcester 10 Chester 6 Peterborough 6 Oxford 6 Ely 8 Gloucester 6 Bristoll 6 Carliol 4 Durham 12 Rochester 6 Norwich 6 The yearely value of which Cathedrall Churches so newly by him erected with the Collegiats of Windsor Westminster and Woluerhampton ouer and besides the Petti-Cannons and other inferiour Ministers amounteth by estimation to 5942. l. 8. s. 2. d. The Promotions Ecclesiasticall which for the most part except a little pared hee preserued entire are in a generall estimate by the Shires wherein they stand in the ensuing Table expressed The present Number and Value of the Spirituall Promotions in England and Wales Counties Promotions Value     l. s. d. ob q. Barkeshire 139. 2●…53 06 00 ob o Bedfordshire 116. 1506 05 05 oo o Buckinghamshire 172. 2236 02 06 oo q Cambridgeshire 151. 1902 18 07 ob o The Town of Callis and the Marches therof 26. 0590 06 10 oo o Cheshire 68. 1776 12 00 ob o Cornwall 161. 2706 16 02 oo o Cumberland and Westmorland 63. 1022 06 06 ob q Darby 106. 1017 11 10 ob o Deuonshire 394. 7466 01 04 oo o Dorsetshire 248. 3077 05 08 ob q The Bishopricke of Durham in the County of Northumberland 118. 2332 07 05 ob o Essex 378. 5347 06 11 oo q Yorkeshire 440. 4974 00 00 ob o Glostershire 288. 3296 06 04 ob q Huntingtonshire 79. 1097 02 06 oo q Hartfordshire 120. 1837 16 00 ob o Herefordshire 160 1364 19 02 ob q Kent 335. 3974 13 00 ob q Lancashire 30. 0789 10 01 oo o Leicestershire 199. 2564 14 08 oo o Lincolneshire 638. 6129 01 04 ob o The City of London 96. 3365 00 10 ob o Middlesex 58. 1074 19 06 ob o Norffolke 668. 6505 15 10 ob o Northamptonshire 271. 3884 08 11 ob q Nottinghamshire 168. 1640 07 09 ob o Oxfordshire 164. 1917 17 07 ob o Rutlandshire 52 0548 00 10 oo o The Archdeaconry of Richmond 105. 1841 11 08 ob q Shropshire 190. 1530 05 10 ob o Staffordshire 134. 0884 03 11 oo o Southamptonshire 158 3749 06 07 ob o Sommersetshire 385. 4910 13 07 oo q Suffolke 428. 4811 08 00 oo o Surrey 113. 1701 08 09 oo q Sussex 322. 3069 16 04 oo o Warwickshire 158. 1732 18 10 ob q Worcestershire 153. 2035 14 00 ob o Wiltshire 305. 3505 02 09 ob q   Number totall of the Benefices in England 8501. Value totall of the Benefices in England 16772. l. 5. s. 2. The seuerall Dioces of Wales Promotions Value The Bishopricke of Saint Assaph 312 1536 18 07 ob   The Bishopricke of Bangor 104. 1225 05 08 oo o The Bishopricke of Landaffe 166. 1204 11 10 ob o The Bishopricke of Saint Dauids 323. 2531 12 09 oo o   Number totall of the Benefices in Wales 905. Value totall of the Benefices in Wales 6498. l. 8. s. 11.   Number total of al the Benefices both in England and Wales 9407. Value totall of all the Benefices both in England and Wales 113 270. l. 14 s. 1. d. The value of these inferior Promotions in England which haue cure of Soules I haue suited into seuerall Proportions as they are rated in Record and distinguished the Vicaradges from Parsonages in the Table following Liuings vnder tenne pound 4543 Personages Vicarages Liuings of tenne pound and vnder twentie Markes 1445. Personages 905. Vicarages 540 Liuings of twenty Markes and vnder twenty pound 1624. Personages 1134. Vicarages 0490 Liuings of twenty pound and vnder twenty sixe pound 0524. Personages 0414. Vicarages 0179. Liuings of twenty six●…●…nd and vnder thirty pound 0206. Personages 0163. Vicarages 0043 Liuings of thirty pound and vnder forty pound 0248. Personages 0188 Vicarages 0060 Liuings of forty pound and vpwards 0144 Personages 0115. Vicarages 0029 To preuent any mistaking in the Reader I haue thought it not vnfitte to conclude this Table with the discouerie of my meaning by certaine letters before vsed viz. M. Monastery P. Priorie F. Frierie N. Nunnery C. Colledge H. Hospital EDVVARD THE SIXT OF THAT NAME KING OF ENGLAND FRANCE AND IRELAND DEFENDER OF THE FAITH c. THE FIFTIE NINTH MONARCH OF THE ENGLISH HIS LIFE ACTS AND DEATH CHAPTER XXII EDWARD the sixt of that Name and onely sonne liuing vnto King Henry the eight was borne at his Mannor of Hampton-Court in Middlesex the twelfth of October and yeere of saluation 1537. and sixe dayes after being the eighteenth of the same moneth hee was created Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earle of Chester his birth was ioyfull vnto the King and Commons but the death of his mother the vertuous Queen Iane brought immediat sorow vnto both whose womb was cut as some haue affirmed to the sauing of his but losse of her owne life vpon whose death these elegant verses were writ Phoenix Iana iacet nato Phoenice dolendum Sacula Phoenices nulla tulisse duas Here lies the Phenix Lady Iane whose death a Phenix bare O griefe two Phenixs at one time together neuer were 2 Nine yeeres and od monethes hee was vertuously trained vp in the life of his father and at his death appointed the first of his heires and for want of Issue if it so chanced Mary and shee failing Elizabeth to succeed in his throne for as Henry with Salomon was blame-worthy for women so left hee but one sonne and two daughters as the other in Scripture is said to haue done Salomon had Rehoboam a foole and vnfortunate his daughters but obscure and both of them Subiects but Henry much adoe lastly to little purpose these Articles were agreed vpon and sent to the King the Copy whereof was thus 22 For asmuch as man except he be borne of Water and the holy Ghost cannot enter into the kingdome of God and for asmuch as the gates of Heauen bee not open without this blessed Sacrament of Baptisme therefore we will that our Curates shall minister this Sacrament at all times of need aswell in the weeke daies as on the holy daies Item wee will haue our children confirmed of the Bishops whensoeuer we shall within the Diocesse resort vnto them Item for asmuch as we constantly beleeue that after the Priest hath spoken the words of Consecration being at Masse there celebrating and consecrating the same there is very really the Body and Blood of our Sauiour Iesus Christ God and Man and that no substance of Bread and Wine remaineth after but the very same Body that
The French inuade the I le of Wight and the coasts of Sussex A Roade made into Scotland Lord 〈◊〉 slaine A. D. 1546. A great losse of English in France 〈◊〉 Serres 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 lib. 7. Peace concluded betwixt England and France Holinshed Chasti●… raiseth a fort neere ●…nto Bolloigne King Henries comand against his own writing The Lord Grey fla●…teth Chatill●… ●…ort A. D. 1547. King 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Iohn 〈◊〉 in Suruey London 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 of December and 〈◊〉 of his raigne King Henries death A. D. 1533 A. D. 1532 A. D. 1536. A. D. 1540. 〈◊〉 p. 183. Iohn Stow. A. D. 1519. Iohn Stow. 〈◊〉 Thomas Mille●… Holinshed saith 〈◊〉 Thetford in Norfolke p. 1237. Monarch 59 Edward VI. A. D. 1547. R. Graston Edward created Prince of Wales presently after his birth Alluding to the Crest of her father a Phoenix in flames within a Crowne By his will dated the 30. of December A. D. 1546. Salomon and Henry compared in their sinnes and in their Issue Articles of the Rebels Sacrament of Baptisme Confirmation Consectation of the Lords body Holinshed Reseruation of the Lords Body consecrated Holy Bread and Holy water Priests ' not to be married The sixe Articles The Kings answere and generall pardon The first article answered The second article answered The third article answered Their other obiections answered Answere to the sixe articles King Edwards lawes written in mi●…ke and not in blood Spoken like a King Forces sent against the rebels Iohn Hooker in description of Excester The rebels make toward the Lord generall The valiant attempt of the Lord Russell The rebels put to flight The rebels returne and maintaine the fight And againe put to flight The Rebels againe ouer-throwne M. Fox in Act. and ●…on The Crucifixe brought in a cart into the field The Rebels againe ouer-throwne The Captaines of the Rebels executed The Maior of Bodmin hanged A Millers man hanged for his master Commotions for Inclosures A. D. 1549. Commotions in Norfolke Grene. Iohn Flowerdew and Robert Ket the caulers of the commotions Ket made Captains of the Commotion Sir Edmund Windam in danger Monshold the place of the randeuo●… The inhumanities of the Commotioners Supplies of the commotioners Many good subiects forced to attend vpon the Rebels The tree of Reformation The Kings pardon contemned Norwich 〈◊〉 by the Rebels * George Stradlon George Stradlon his Oration Iohn Stow The L. Protector committed to the Tower M. 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Articles dr●…wne against the Lord Protector The Protector released from the Tower Vlpian Fulwell A combate fought betweene two Scottishmen before the Lord Grey The English forced out of Scotland The French intend to surprise Bulloignoberge The good seruico of Carter an English souldier A great slaughter of the French The French assault the Isles of Garnesey and Iers●…e 〈◊〉 vpon composition de●… liuered to the French Iohn Caix●… A. D. 1550. The sweating sickenes A sained reconcilement Iohn St●… The Duke of Sommerset priusly armed Rich. Grafton The Duke of Sommerset sent to the Tower Stow. A. D. 1551. * S●…w saith the first The Duke of Sommersets inditement * Of 〈◊〉 William Herbert The Duke condemned of 〈◊〉 Rich. Graf Iohn Stow. Holinsh. The Duke of Sommersets speech at his death A great feare without any cause Ioh. Stow in Annales The Duke entirely beloued of the Commons The Dukes second speech vpon the Scaffold Duke of Sōmerset soone mist and sore lamented King Edward falleth sicke Rich. Grafton Three marriages entended to reuert the succession Lady Iane made successor by sicke King Edward Vide Stat. in an 35. de R. ●… ●… M. Fox in all M●… Sir Iames Halles refused to subscribe to K. Edwords Will. K. Edwards prayer The vertues of King Edward The report of Hieronymus Cardanus ex Fox His learning His Memory His Care His Mercy K. Edwards zeale to Christs Gospell K. Edwards letter to Lady Mary D. Ridleies sermon before King Edward The conference betwixt the King and Bishoppe Ridlay K. Edwards great care for the poor King Edwards 〈◊〉 deliuered to the L. Maior The Kings great liberality for the poore in London
him battaile and obtained the victory though bought with the liues of Ethelwald and Cochricus their Kings and losse of many English which made Edward the readier to enter a truce with them about the fift of his raigne 5 That the English were most expert for war in these daies is witnessed by their resistance of those sturdy Danes against whom the Commons many times with victory fought without either King or Captaine to guide them and they were likewise famous in other lands for about this time it was that the Englishmen at the perswasion of the Gothes besieged the great City Argilla in Barbary which they wanne with such slaughter of the enemy and spoile of the towne that for thirty yeares after it lay desolate without inhabitants whereby it was hoped that the Saracens would haue departed Europe as Ioannes Leo Afer hath told vs who according to the Saracens doth referre this siege to the three hundred and foureteenth of Mahomet Hegira which meeteth with the yeare of Christs Natiuity nine hundred and fiue 6 The truce yet lasting the Danes in Northumberland were nothing quiet to stay whose irruptions King Edward sent a great power who harried the Country before them and with much slaughter returned victorious These daliances of Fortune made the Danes very desperate and therefore to stay the rowling ball before it should passe their goale they gathered their powers entred Mercia where with victory and spoile they raged for a time But Edward to aid Ethelred his brother in law and Earle of that Prouince mustered his men and at Wodnesfield neere Wolfrune-hampton in Stafford-shire gaue thē battaile wherein the English so behaued themselues that the two Pagan-Kings Cowilfu●… Healidine the two Earles Vter and Scurfa besides other Nobles Commons innumerable they slew and now the clouds of these distemperatures being driuen backe King Edwards Monarchy ascended the Horizon and the Sunne of his power beganne to shine very bright therefore he seeking to hold what he had got set his thoughts to secure his towns with Castles and walles of defence 7 These his proceedings caused him to be both beloued and feared but his mind still free from any ambitious pride as may appeare by the intercourse betwixt Leolin Prince of Wales and himselfe wherof Wal. Mapaeus maketh mention as followeth What time Edward the Elder saith he lay at Austeline and Leolin Prince of Wales at Bethesley intending a Parly Leolin refused to come downe or to crosse the Seuerne Whereupon Edward tooke boat and entred the riuer towards him which when Leolin saw and knew who ●…hee was he cast off his rich roabe wherewith he was clad and which hee had prepared for that roiall assembly and entred the riuer breast-hie where clasping the boat with an imbrace submissiuely said Most wise and sage King thy humility hath ouercome my insolencie and thy wisedome triumphed ouer my folly come get vpon my necke which I haue foole as I am lifted vp against thee so shalt thou enter into that land which thy benigne mildnes hath made thine owne this day and after he had taken him vpon his shoulders he would needs haue him sit down vpon his roiall roabe and so putting his hands iointly into his did him homage 8 In the twelfth yeare of his raigne as Henry Huntington hath it Ethelred Earle of Mercia who had married Elfleda King Edwards sister departed this life she hauing borne him one onely daughter named Elfwen whose trauell in childbirth was so grieuous that euer after she forbare the nuptiall imbracements of her husband alleadging that it was an ouer foolish pleasure which brought with it so great paines and thereupon changing the wonted affection of her sexe from the bed vnto battaile gouerned Mercia eight yeares after her husbands decease as another Zenobia and did not a little assist her brother in his warres for the Welsh she pursued as farre at Breknoke which she tooke with their Queene from the Danes shee wonne the Connty of Darby and assaulting the towne vpon them put herselfe in great danger for enterprising to enter the Gate shee was resisted by whole multitudes of Danes notwithstanding she persisted got entrance in which encounter many died and foure of her chiefe men of war being Warders of her person-euen fast by her side were slaine The Danes in Yorkeshire she constrained to bee at her deuotion so that some of them became her subiects some vowed to attend in her aide and some promised to be prest at her dispose Her policie in warre proued euer the surest her counsell of State was regarded with the wisest and her prouidence in building and repairing Cities for the weale-publick or fortifying places for munition of warre exceeded others which shee extended vpon Chester Tamworth Lichfield Stafford Warwicke Shrewsbury Weddesb●…ry Eadsbury Finborow Rimcorne Brimsbery-Bridge and others This renowned Lady giuing place vnto Nature left the warres to bee continued by her brother her daughter at the dispose of her vncle and her body to be buried at Glocester in the Monastery of S. Peter which her husband and her selfe had formely built 9 The last battaile of this King against these vnsatiate enemies was in the Country of the East Angles whereof Edrick the Dane was King for hee intending new warres with the English sought to incite other Danes to his aide whereof Edward hauing intelligence preuented his purpose by his sodaine approch into those parts Edrick therefore hauing all in a readinesse rashly encountred with his enemy and fought a fierce battaile to the geeat losse of his Army and dammage of his life for returning to his Court after so foule a discomfiture became odious to his owne subiects who violently fell vpon him and murdered him and them selues brought low by ciuill dissention were shortly made subiect to the English King Edward and that Kingdome with Mercia ioined vnto his West-Saxons And now hauing raigned in great warres and honour the space of twenty foure yeares deceased at Faringdon in Barke-shire the yeare of Christs incarnation 924. and was buried in the new-Monastery of Winchester which his Father begunne and himselfe wholy finished His Wiues 10 Eguina the first wife of King Edward was the daughter of a meane Gentleman named Bercher whose eye-pleasing feature and alluring beauty made her to be educated aboue the degree of her birth and was brought vp by the nurse of King Edward in tender affection and great esteeme It chanced Prince Edward in kindnes came to visite his nurse where seeing the admirable beauty of the Maide fell so farre in loue that he tooke her to his wife without the consent or knowledge of his father In which regard she is reputed by some Writers rather his Concubine then his Queene no other cause mouing them but her meane parentage and secret making and keeping of this mariage although there bee some good histories and many
had done with the Conquerour whereunto hee gaue him his Oath as saith Mathew Paris 17 But as these two Kings of Enemies were made friends so the two Brethren of reconciled friends became againe enemies for Duke Robert well perceiuing that King VVilliam meant nothing lesse then performance of couenants protracting time vpon some secret purposes as his iealous head conceiued in great displeasure returned into Normandy taking with him Edgar Atheling whom he held in an especiall account 18 King VVilliam then repairing those Castles which the Scots had destroied new built in Cumberland the City Carleil which two hundred yeares before had beene spoiled by the Danes and hauing defenced it with walles built there the Castle Churches and Houses wherein hee placed a Colonie of Southerne Souldiers with their wines and children granting large priuiledges to the place which the City enioieth euen vnto this day 19 And hauing setled his affaires thus in the North returneth with triumph into the South where immediately hee fell dangerously sicke in the sixth yeere of his Raigne at the Citie of Gloucester whose sinnes beganne to sit so neere his heart not looking to continue to commit many more that hee sore repented him of the same making many promises to amend his life if God would be pleased to giue him longer life the hard lawes against the English he vowed to reforme as also his owne vices and to settle peace and good order in the Church then farre out of frame almost all the Monkes in England liued rather like Consuls being Hunters Hawkers Dicers great Drinkers saith Higden little regarding the rules of their profession Those Bishopricks Monasteries that were vacant and in his owne hand hee forthwith and much against his wont freely bestowed the Archbishopricke of Canterbury vpon Anselme a learned Norman Abbot the See of Lincolne hee gaue to Robert Bluet his Chancellour a man of meane learning and some other touches but otherwise of many singular parts 20 But the danger past and health recouered hee beganne to bee more sicke in mind soon repenting him of his too-soone Repentance for as in spending his owne wealth hee was very prodigall so was hee very diligent to enter into other mens estates and to gaine from them what he could and therefore tampereth with Anselme perswading him that the trouble of the Archbishops place was very burthenous especially for a man wholly brought vp within the walles of a Monastery deuoted to contemplation and vnexperienced in the mannage of great affaires of State But all this Art could not induce him to let goe his hold-fast of the Kings absolutely passed promise nor yet to satisfie his great desire with mony and therefore the King paid himselfe out of his Lands Likewise from Roger of Lincolne hee exacted fiue thousand pounds and the Commons hee fined for transgression of his penall lawes and in truth molested all for money None were rich but Treasurers and Collectors none in fauour but vnconscionable Lawyers and none rewarded but Promoters so that his ouer-haled subiects fled daily out of the Realme against whom he published Proclamations with an inhibition that none should depart without his safe Conduct 21 Soone after this Malcolme King of Scotland came vnto Gloucester to conferre with King William touching the Peace of both the Realmes but conceiuing a grudge for that hee was not entertained according to the Maiesty of his estate departed in displeasure without speech with the King and immediately raising a power against England destroied the Country vnto Alnewicke Castle Robert Mowbray then Earle of Northumberland a most valiant Souldier seeing his Countrey thus ouerrunne made head against him not staying for directions from his King and lying in Ambush for his returne so sore and suddenly distressed his forces that both King Malcolme himselfe and his son Prince Edward were there slaine 22 Heereupon Earle Mowbray growing proud and greatly suspected by King William began to fortifie the Kings Castles with Munition for Armes against the like inuasion and indeed against the Kings will who sent him word somewhat roughly to desist from his doings and presently to repaire to his Presence which whilest hee lingered and neglected to doe King William sent his brother Henry to spoile Northumberland and immediately followed after himselfe where without much adoe he tooke the Earle and committed him prisoner to Windsor Castle 23 These stirres in the North are diuersly reported for Walsingham in his Ypodigma Neustriae saith that Robert Moubray and William of Anco with others conspired to depriue the King both of crown and life and to haue set vp Stephen de Albamarle his Aunts sonne the issue of which treason was preuented by surprizing Mowbray who died a Prisoner William of Anco was punished with losse both of his eyes and his virility and William Aluerie the Kings Godfather Kinsman and Sewer cruelly whipped and all naked goared in bloud though guiltles was hanged Hector Boetius the Scotish Historian relates somewhat otherwise of the death of King Malcolme as that the English hauing gotten the Castle of Anwike King Malcolme with a strong siege enuironed it about when the English distressed and ready to surrender a certaine Knight amongst them attempted a very desperate enterprice for mounted vpon a swift horse vnarmed excepting onely a light Speare in his hand vpon the point whereof he bare the keyes of the Castle he rod directly to the Scotish Campe and was with great applause brought vnto their King where couching his staffe as though hee meant with submission to deliuer him the keyes suddenly ranne him into the left eye and through swiftnes of his horse escaped leauing the King there dead for which act King William saith he though erroneously changed the Knights name into Perceeye whence that Noble Family is descended Gultelmus Gemeticensis saith indeed that it was reported that King Malcolme was slaine by a guile declaring not the manner but by the hands of Morell Nephew to Earle Mowbrey where likewise died Prince Edward his sonne and the greatest part of his Armie with which dolefull newes saith Hector his Queene Margaret called the Saint within three daies after died of griefe But Paris hath set it downe as is said and in the same yeer makes William the Conquerour of Wales since which time the English Monarches haue beene accounted their chiefe Gouernors 24 Grudges now grown betwixt King William and Duke Robert his brother ech accusing other of breach of oath and of Couenants William from Hastings set saile into Normandy where some bickering fell betwixt the two Brethren but by the mediating of certaine graue persons their quarrels were comprimised and Princes chosen to be their Arbitrators which hearing indifferently all allegations adiudged King Rufus in the fault who thereupon as thinking nothing right but what went with him was so farre from
face of profit and setled quiet 97 For the affaires of the realm thus strangely managed the King in person sailes ouer into France there to demand a peaceable restitution of such Signiories as Philip Lewis Father of this Lewis had iniuriously withdrawne from his father King Iohn The French replied that no restitution was due for many respects specially because the ancient grant made to Rollo the first Duke of Normandy was not voluntary but extorted by feare and force of Armes in the dayes of the weake state of France The King hauing no disposition to recouer his claimes by battell and destitute of money wherewith to wage an Armie but principally for that his owne Peeres and people stood on their guard against him did vnwillingly ratifie a conclusion the Articles whereof were that the King of France should quietly hold the Dukedom of Normandy and Earledome of Angiou Main also Tourain and Poictou for three hundreth thousand small pounds of Tourain and vpon promise to receiue other lands to the yeerely value of twenty thousand pounds Polydor saith that the reputed limits of the English Pale in France were from thenceforth the riuer of Charent in Xanctoing and the mountaines Pyrenaees and that hee should peaceably haue Angoumois Quercy and Limain being Countries marching vpon Gascoigne in lieu of the rest yet so as the King of England should hold them of the Crowne of France by homage and fealtie Vpon these Articles the king acquitted and for euer renounced all his challenge to Normandy the other lands and thenceforth abridged his Stile and changed his Seale vsing a Scepter in place of a Sword whereon these Monkish and mockish verses were written Est M. CCLIX vtinam concordia foelix Andegauis Picta-uis Neustria genterelictâ Anglorum dantur tibi France Sigilla nouantur Nomina tolluntur fugit Ensis Sceptra geruntur M CCLIX God grant firme peace thou fix Poictou Angiou Normans to France range yon New Seales are made old Styles forsaken Downe laid the Blade Scepters vp taken 98 The King at these vnworthy rates hauing secured himselfe from the French labours to vindicate the Regall power out of the vsurping Barons hands whose ouer-toppings at home had driuen him to those forraine indignities alleadging that the Oath which his sonne and hee had taken at Oxford was voide in regard it was compulsorie that the Barons also who pretended the profite of the Realme sought onely their owne honour and gain contrary to their decrees For his more security he takes the Tower of London preparing force by the helpe of his brother King of Romans There followed a grieuous perturbation of the Realm although at this time it brake not forth into the extremity Armes being laid downe for a little space Edward the Kings eldest sonne would not trauerse the oath he had made at Oxford but held with the Barons for the present The King the Queene and his selected friends still remaine vpon their guard in the Tower where hee in the yeere before had burst vp the locks of the ancient Depositum or dead stocke of the Crown to employ against the Barons Peace was notwithstanding brought about againe by the Queenes speciall diligence and Douer and Rochester Castles whither hee went in person are deliuered vnto him This makes him resolue to pursue the Barons the rather also for that the French King who much condemned the Barons vniust courses had promised his assistance Henry therefore thrusts out the Barons Chancellor Chiefe Iusticiar placing Walter Mertō Philip Basset men of much more loyall affections in their roomes The Barons hearing of this hasten in Armes to Winchester where the King was who hauing intelligence by his faithfull Clerk Sir Iohn Mansel got back into the Tower of London The King of France was made Vmpire in the quarrell The cause was heard at Amiens where hee gaue iudgement with the King of England against the Barons pronouncing all the Statutes and Acts made at Oxford to bee vtterly void prouided neuerthelesse that the Charter of Liberties which King Iohn had made to the English nation should in no sort bee thereby infringed This prouiso animated Simon Earle of Leicester and the Barons to maintaine all the Statutes of Oxford because they were pretendedly founded vpon that Charter notwithstanding that iust iudgement which King Lewis had giuen The secret confederacy with Lewelin Prince of Wales ministred to the Barons no little encouragement who about this time wasted the Dominions of Prince Edward in the Marches of Wales This iudgement of the French King did much disaduantage the Barons of whom diuers being drawne with perswasions gifts and promises reuolted from Simon Montfort There was now a taking of Townes and Prisoners on all hands Prince Edward who now was wholy for his Father in despite of the Barons takes the Castel of Bristol and fines the City at a thousand pounds Simon Montfort executeth his greatest reuenges vpon the Queenes friends which were Aliens not sparing the Kings Marching forward he recouers Gloster Castell enters Worcester and Bridgenorth lastly surpriseth the I le of Ely subduing that fastnesse or fenny strength to the Barons vse Sir Iohn Mansel the Kings Councellour fearing the euent of things flies secretly from the Tower where the King was Henry sonne to the King of Almain was after this taken by the Barons Meanewhile Prince Edward fortifies Windsor Castle with strangers Mutuall wearinesse at length begat a desire of peace and the King had yeelded that the Statutes of Oxford should stand but the Queene was vtterly against it not without cause for it did enfeeble the arbitration which the French King had made The Queenes opposition in this point was knowne to the Londoners which put the baser sort into so lewd a rage that shee being to shoot the Bridge from the Tower toward Windsor they with durt and stones and villanous words forced her to returne Prince Edward vnder the conduct of the Bishoppe of Worcester came from the Castle of Bristol by reason of quarrell betweene his men of warre and the Burgers and contrary to his promise entred into Windsor Castle but afterward going forth to meet Simon Montfort at Kingston vpon Thames with purpose to offer peace the said Simon got Windsor Castle would not permit him to depart At London yet in a Parliament matters were pieced againe and the Kings side grew stronger dayly 99 There were with him his brother King of Romans his sonne Edward William de Valence whom Prince Edward had brought out of France Iohn Comyn of Scotland with a multitude of valiant Scots whose King was Henries sonne in law Iohn de Baliol Lord of Gallway Robert de Brus c. with whom hee marcheth from London to Oxford where the Rendeuou of his friends and forces was appointed The King meaning to make that place where his chiefe blow was giuen him his
marching hee laid siege together with the Prince his brother to the Castle of Rodolan doing many outrages and killing all such as they could reach yea som as it is said whose ransomes they had taken though against Lewelins mind And while King Edward spent his Easter at the Vises in Wiltshire and afterward visited the Queene his mother who liued in the Nunnerie at Ambresberie the Welsh vnder diuers Captaines had taken sundry of the Kings strengthes and Castles in diuers parts There are extant the Copies of certaine grieuances exhibited to Iohn Archbishoppe of Canterbury by the Welsh at such time as of his owne accord so say the said Copies hee interposed himselfe without the Kings leaue to settle their quiet which Articles in shew for the answeres of the English are not set downe containe indeed sundry great abuses but the fate of Wales had now inuolued them all in a desolating warre and made them vncapable of reliefe For after the Archbishoppe had trauelled in person to the Prince of Wales being then in Snowdon and returned without any Conclusion made comming vnto Oxford hee there sent out the lightnings of excommunication against him and his seduced adherents Wee say seduced because they did capitulate in such sort as if they had beene able to make their party good 14 But though the old Brittish Principality was now to expire yet it must bee confessed that as Lewelin had an end vnworthy of his bloud being rather vnfortunately slaine then otherwise so on the other side the same hapned not without reuenge for at one encounter in open field Gilbert Earle of Gloster lost William Valence a yonger Cosen of the Kings slaine in the fight and foure other Knights though at the same time also many of the Welsh left their bodies dead vpon the earth together with the victory to the English but the day certainely which they had of King Edward himselfe may not bee forgotten in which the Welsh slew the Lord William de Audeley and the Lord Roger Clifford the yonger and got foureteene Ensignes from the English Armie K. Edward being enforced to enter into the Castle of Hope for his safety These things though not contemptible but rather certaine deceitfull fauours vsuall when the ruine of a Nation is by God decreed could not vphold the cause For first the Prince hauing vpon some occasion withdrawne himselfe with some few others from his Army which then was in the land of Buelth was set vpon by two principall Gentlemen Iohn Giffard and Edmund de Mortumar with their Forces and there by the hand of one Adam Francton was runne through with an Horsemans staffe who at the first being vnknowne had his head strucken afterward off and presented to King Edward at whose commandement it was crowned with Iuie and set vp for a certain time vpon the Tower of London 15 This saith the History of Wales was the end of Lewelin betrayed by the men of Buelth who was the last Prince of Britaines bloud and with him whom one Versifier calleth the Captaine the praise the law and light of Nations and another defaceth with as many ignominious attributes the liberty of that people did also die For it was not long but that King Edward subdued in a manner all Wales reseruing to himselfe the Coast-Towns strengths toward the Sea distributed the In-land Countries to the Lords his followers therein prudently following the counsell of Augustus who thus vnder pretence of defence for the Prouinces had the brideling of all their forces at his pleasure Neuerthelesse the whole flame was not as yet extinguished for Dauid the Princes Brother and chiefest firebrand in this fatall combustion was at large who being taken brought to King Edward at the Castle of Ruthlan could not obtaine admission to his sight or speech but was amanded and sent Prisoner to Shrewsburie Thither the King hauing setled the State of Wales repairing to a Parliament which he had summoned there to bee kept after Michaelmas caused Dauid hauing first had a Legall triall before certaine Iusticiars for that cause appointed to bee seuerely put to death by hanging heading and quartering whose head was set vp at London and his quarters in foure other principall Cities of England to the terrour of all ingratefull and disloy all persons The Welsh line thus thrust from the Principality King Edward vpon Saint Marks day had a sonne borne vnto him in Wales at Caernaruon who also was called Edward and raigned after him and that with the birth of a new Lord the Welsh might bee inured to new lawes the King established by example of K. Iohn his Grandfather in Ireland the English lawes and offices among them 16 But the King that hee might not seeme forgetfull of his French affaires repayred into France where hee obtained sundry fauours though they continued not long and sate in person there with the French King in his Parliament at the City of Paris as a Lord or Peere of that Realme in respect of such lands as hee had in those parts Nor may here bee forgotten an Act of singular munificence and charity in this renowned King for the redemption of Charles Prince of Achaia sonne and Heire of Charles King of Sicilia who had some yeers before beene taken in a battell at Sea before Naples by the Gallies of Sicilia fighting on the behalfe of the King of Arragon for whose speedier enlargement K. Edward disbursed thirty thousand pounds sterling and gaue his owne Knights in hostage till Charles had sent in his two sonnes Robert and Lewis as pledges to Alfonse king of Arragon which done King Edward returned into Gascoigne and there tooke vpon him the Crosse in full purpose to finish the iourney which once he had vndertaken and had in part performed against the Sarazens 17 In the meane time to purge England whither hee was now returned from such corruptions and oppressions as vnder which it groaned and not neglecting therein his particular gaine hee banished the Iewes out of the Realme confiscating all their goods leauing them nothing but money to beare their charges And whereas they by their cruell vsuries had one way eaten his people to the bones his Iusticiars like another kind of Iewes had ruined them with delayes in their suites and enriched themselues with wicked corruptions hee like a father of his Country put all those from their offices who were found guilty and they were almost all and punished them otherwise in a grieuous manner being first in open Parliament conuicted The particulars whereof by reason of the most iust and commendable example we will not thinke needlesse the order of naming them only changed to recapitulate here Sir Ralph Heugham Chief Iustice of the higher Bench 7000. marks Sir Iohn Louetot Iustice of the lower Bench 3000. marks Sir William Brompton Iustice 6000. markes
that name and last of that house who died without Issue male she had also by him two daughters Elenor married to Iames Butler Earle of Ormond and Margaret to Hugh Courtney the first Earle of Deuonshire Shee was this Earles wife foureteene yeers liued thirty three deceased in the ninth yeere of the raigne of king Edward her brother A. D. 1316. and was buried in the Church of S. Iames at the Abbey of Saffron VValden in Essex 69 Beatrice the eight daughter of King Edward and Queene Elenor bare the name of Beatrice Dutchesse of Britannie her fathers sister she is by some Genealogists mentioned to haue liued till she was marriageable but yet no mention being made of her match it seemeth she died vnmarried 70 Blanch the ninth daughter of king Edward and the last of Queene Elenor is so mentioned by Thomas Pickering and some others but not at all by Thomas Ebraham a Monke who made a Pedegree of the Kings of England but shee is by the rest reported to haue died in her childhood 71 Thomas the fifth sonne of king Edward and the first of Queene Margaret his second wife was borne at a little village in Yorkshire called Brotherton Iune 1. in the nine and twenteth yeere of his fathers raigne Ann. 1300. hee was created Earle of Norfolke and Earle Marshal of England which Earledomes the last Earle Roger Bigod leauing no Issue left to the disposition of the King his father He had two wiues of which the first was Alice the daughter of Sir Roger Hayles of Harwich in Suffolk by whom hee had issue Edward who married Beatrice the daughter of Roger Mortimer the first Earle of March but hee died before his father without Issue and two daughters Margaret twice married first to Iohn Lord Segraue by whom shee had Elizabeth Dutchesse of Norfolke wife of Iohn Lord Mowbray from whom the Mowbrayes Howards Dukes of Norffolke and Earles Marshall descended secondly to Sir VValter Manny a Knight of Cambray and by him had Anne wife of Iohn Hastings the elder Earle of Pembroke and mother of Earle Iohn the yonger that died without Issue his yongest daughter Alice was married to Sir Edward Montacute and had by him three daughters Elizabeth and Ioan married to VValter and VVilliam two of the Vffords and Maud that died vnmarried The second wife of this Earle Thomas was Mary the daughter of VVilliam Lord Ros and widow of Sir Ralph Cobham who suruiuing him without Issue by him shee was married the third time to VVilliam Lord Brerose of Brember 72 Edmund his sixt sonne by Queene Margaret was borne at Woodstocke in Oxfordshire August 5 in the thirtieth yeare of the raigne of his Father A. 1301. Hee was created Earle of Kent and married Margaret daughter of Iohn and sister and sole heire of Thomas Lord VVakes of Lydel in the County of Northampton by her he had Issue two sonnes and one daughter Edmund his eldest sonne was Earle of Kent after his father and died vnder age without wife or issue Iohn the yonger was Earle also after his brother he maried Elizabeth the daughter of the Duke of Gulike and died like vise without Issue His daughter was Ioan for her beauty called the faire Maid of Kent first maried to William Mountacute Earle of Salisbury and from him diuorced and remarried to Sir Thomas Holland in her right Earle of Kent and by her father of Thomas and Iohn Holland Duke of Surrey and Earle of Huntington and lastly shee was the wife of Edward of Woodstocke the Blacke Prince of Wales and by him mother of King Richard the second This Earle Edmund was beheaded at Winchester the 1●… of March in the fourth yeere of King Edward his Nephew 73 Eleanor the tenth daughter fifteenth child of King Edward and the last child of Queene Margaret his second wife was borne at Winchester the sixt day of May in the fiue and thirtieth and last yeere of her fathers Raign being the yeere of our Lord 1306. shee deceased in her Child-hood and was buried in S. Peters Church at Westminster by her brother Iohn Henry and Alfons vnder the monument before named with her picture ouer it EDVVARD THE SECOND LORD OF IRELAND AND DVKE OF AQVITAINE c. THE FORTIE-EIGHTH MONARCH OF ENGLAND HIS RAIGNE ACTS AND ISSVE CHAPTER XI THat the Mind is not deriued from Parents certainely the second Edward called of Caeernaruon might if nothing else abundantlie shew being of a most valiant wise and fortunate father an vnlike sonne yet not to beginne our description of his courses with preiudice of his person we will so temper our stile that by his owne actions sincerely related rather then by any verball censures the man may bee iudged This cannot be denied that whereas from the Conquest till his time England though it endured by Gods iust iudgements many bitter sad and heauy stormes through some headinesse ambition or other sicknesses of mind in the Princes thereof yet had she Men to sway and gouerne her and those distempers were as the perturbations incident to vigorous dispositions whereas vnder this Edward who could neither get nor keepe it seemed to endure the leuities of a Child though his yeeres being about twenty and three might haue exempted him from so great infancie of iudgement as his raigne discouered 2 Neuer came Prince to the crowne with more generall applause then he so great hopes of doing well his Victorious father Edward of VVinchester had left vpon him besides the right of succession whose last warning and terrible adiurations you haue heard with the vtter contempt and breach whereof to the destruction of himselfe and his friends hee in a manner auspicated his gouernement 3 After that Edward had in his best maner prouided for the affaires of Scotland where at Domfrees many of the Scottish Lords did their homage to him as they had to his Father the first taske which hee gaue of his future behauiours at home was a rigorous reuenge taken by him vpon Walter de Langton Bishoppe of Chester Treasurer of England and principall Executor of the last Will of the deceased King whose body was not as yet interred but by the care of the Executors conueied with funerall pompe to VValtham and after sixteen weekes to VVestminster where vnder a plaine monument the same at this present rests The Bishoppes crime was a kind of good freedome which hee vsed in the late Kings daies in grauely reprouing the Prince for his misdemeanors and shortning his waste of coine by a frugall moderation and particularly for that he had complained of Peirs Gaueston wherupon ensued Prince Edwards imprisonment and the others banishment and therefore comming now to the Crowne hee arrested the Bishoppe by Sir Iohn Felton Constable of the Tower and imprisoned him in VVallingford Castle seising vpon all his temporall goods and credites there being not a man in the Realme who durst speake a word on his behalfe so
first thus ordered the Queen with her sonne and whole power pursues the King as it had beene agreede by the Councell of warre taking first her way to Oxford where the whole Vniuersity being called together in the presence of the Queene the Prince Roger Mortimer and the rest of that troope the Bishop of Hereford the Queenes bosome Counsellor preaching to them on this Text My head my head aketh deliuered to them the reasons of the Queens comming with her Army concluding more like a Butcher then a Diuine that an aking sick head of a kingdom was of necessity to be taken off and not to be tampered with by any other physicke 60 The Londoners in fauour of the Queene and hatred of the Spensers committed sundry outrages besides bloudy sacrilege in cutting off the Bishop of Excesters head and some others whom the King had made Guardian of London in their popular fury among the which one of them was a Citizen of their owne Iohn le Marchal who had beene of the yonger Spensers acquaintance The Tower of London they get into their possession placing and displacing the Garrison and Officers therein at their pleasure vnder the name of the Lord Iohn of Eltham the Kings second sonne whom they proclaimed Custos of the City and of the Land They also set at liberty all prisoners which by the popular Queenes commandement was done through the whole Realme and all banished men and fugitiues were reuoked who all flocking vnto London brought no small encrease to her forces 61 Whither in the meane space doth wofull Edward flie what force what course what way takes hee poore Prince O fearefull condition of so great a Monarches State when a Wife a Sonne a Kingdome are not trusted and those onely are trusted who had nothing strong but a will to liue and die with him The Queene passing from Oxford to Glocester onward to the siege of Bristow Castle grew all the while in her strengths like a rowled snow-ball or as a Riuer which spreades still broader from the fountaine to the Ocean vires acquirit eundo For thither repaired to her for the loue of the young Prince the Lord Percy the Lord Wake and others aswell out of the North as Marches of Wales But Edward hauing left the Earle of Winchester the elder Lord Spenser in the Castell of Bristol for the keeping thereof meditates flight with a few into the Isle of Lundie in Seuerne Sea or into Ireland while hee wandreth about not finding where to rest safe his roiall credite name and power like a Cliffe which falling from the toppe of some huge rocke breakes into the more pieces the farther it rolles are daylie more and more diminisht as they scatter till now at last they are come vnto a very nothing After a weeke therefore spent vpon the Sea Sir Thomas Blunt forsaking him and comming to the Queene he came on shore in Glamorganshire where with his few friends hee entrusted himselfe to God and the faith of the VVelsh who indeed still loued him lying hidden among them in the Abbey of Neath 62 Now had the Queene and her sonne for his name was abused to all sorts of turne-seruings taken the elder Lord Spenser at the Castell of Bristol who without any forme of triall was cruelly cut vp aliue and quartered saith de la Moore our Knight being first at the clamours of the people drawne and hanged in his proper Armories vpon the common Gallowes without the City but his grandchild Hugolin stood so valiantly in defence of himself within the Castell of Kerfilli that hee had his life and the liues of all his assistants saued 63 The King not appearing Proclamations were euery day made in the Queenes Armie declaring That it was the common consent of the realm that hee should returne and receiue the gouernement thereof so as he would conforme himselfe to his people This whether Stratagem or Truth not preuailing Henry Earle of Lancaster the late Earles Brother Sir William la Zouch and Rhese ap-Howell a Welshman who all of them had Lands in those parts where the King concealed himselfe were sent with coine and forces to discouer and take him The Queene and her people lay in the City of Hereford the Episcopall See of that great Arch-plotter of her courses Adam de Orlton where by aduise and consent of the Lords her sonne the Duke of Aquitaine was made High-Keeper of England and they as to the Custos of the same did sweare him fealty And here also the Bishoppe of Norwich was made Chancellor of the Realme and the Bishoppe of Winchester Treasurer 65 What will not money diligence and faire words doe with corrupt dispositions euen to euerting of all bands of either religious or ciuill duties By such meanes therefore the desolate sad and vnfortunate King came into his cosen of Lancasters hands and with him the yonger Lord Spenser Earle of Glocester Robert Baldock Lord Chancellour and Simon de Reding there being no regard had to the detention of any other The King was conueied by the Earle from the place of his surprise to Monmouth to Ledburie and so to the Castell of Kenelworth belonging to the Earle of Leicester who was appointed to attend him that is to keepe him safe The other three Spenser Baldock and Reeding were strongly guarded to Hereford there to bee disposed of at the pleasure of their most capitall enemies 66 Before whose comming to satisfie Roger Mortimer the Lord Edmund Earle of Arundel and two Gentlemen Daniel and Micheldene were beheaded at Hereford The Lord Mortimer was so high in the Queenes fauour that she could doe no lesse as weee may suppose then gratifie him with a few hated heades But Mortimer there will bee a time when the cry of this and other bloud sacrificed to thy priuate reuenge while thou abusest the publike trust will neuer giue ouer the pursuit till it hath deseruedly drawne thine in lieu thereof 67 The Lord Spenser and the rest on whom VVilliam Trussell the Iudge gaue sentence of death being now drawne to Hereford the said Lord being clad in his coat-armour was most despitefully dragged to the place of execution where being first hung vpon a gallowes fifty foot high hee was afterward headed and cut into quarters they who brought him to the Queene hauing the promised summe of two thousand pounds distributed among them for reward His head was set vp at London and his quarters in foure parts of the Kingdome Simon de Reding was hanged ten foot lower then hee in the same place 68 This Execution saith Walsingham was done vpon a Munday in reuenge of the death of Thomas Earle of Lancaster whose bloud was likewise shed vpon a Munday Robert Baldock late Lord Chancellor was committed to the keeping of the Bishop of Hereford who after a time caused him to bee brought vp to Hereford-house in London where the tumultuous people
as the French would for their Kings deliuerance performe which put King Edward into a new resolution against France 121 King Edward houlding himselfe deluded by the French with a fleete of eleuen hundred Saile passeth ouer from Sandwich to a new inuasion Hee arriued at Calais from whence he set forward in three great battels whereof the first being least was vnder Henry Duke of Lancaster the second being greater vnder the braue Prince of Wales and the last which was greatest was led by King Edward himselfe They marched through Artois to the Citie of Rheims in Champain where the Kings of France vse to be crowned and annointed The City of Sens an Archbishops See and Neuers doe yeeld without resistance The Duke of Burgundy for two hundreth thousand florens of gold obtained that all Burgundy was spared from sackage or spoile It was told the King that the Normans had landed at Winchelsea in the time of diuine seruice and among other their most impious outrages a like execrable villanie as that which Gibeonites sonnes of Beliall are recorded to haue committed vpon the Leuites wife was more wickedly perpetrated by them in the Church it selfe where the woman being of singular beautie was by their insatiable violations murthered and they got backe to their Ships before the Countrey could rise vpon them to take due vengeance Hereupon King Edward presently raised his Standard and set forth out of Champain where not farre from the City of Rheins hee had kept his Christmas toward Paris 122 He came before it with his armie diuided into nine Battalions where hee honoured foure hundred Esquires and Gentlemen with the Order of Knighthood Charles the Dolphin Regent of France was within Paris with a great force but could not by any meanes bee drawne to hazard battell There were ample conditions in humble manner tendred to Edward but he was as yet inflexible and deafe against any other then such as himselfe like a Conquerour propounded Paris vp to whose very wals King Edward ranne not being fesible he retires into Britaine to refresh his Army but vpon his returne finding it stronger then before he turnes his wrath into the very bowels of France exercising hostile Actions vp as farre as Charters and Orleans and as yet continued inexorable God was displeased thereat and to let Edward know so much he caused the Minister of his wrath a terrible tempest to as●…aile his Hoast and to kill therein many both men and horses King Edward is said vpon this occasion to be so wounded with remorse that repairing to our Lady-Church of Charters he prostrated himself to God and sorrowing for the bloodshed and wast-full burning which hee had made vowed to giue quiet to the Christian world vpon equall conditions This and the Duke of Lancasters perswasions softned him so that finally by mediation of the Popes Legat one Simon de Langres a peace was concluded at Bretagnie neere to Charters vpon the eight of May and in Nouember following K. Iohn himselfe was transported to Caleis and there by King Edward according to the Capitulations of the Treatie set at liberty after he had been a prisoner aboue foure yeeres 123 Articles of this accord so necessarie for the distressed Estate of France were these 1 That to the intent these conditions which the French condescended vnto should be more forceable and not seeme to be extorted by aduantage ods or inquitie of the times the two Edwards Father and Sonne should for euer release to K. Iohn and to his heires all the right and claime which they had to the Crowne of France to the Dutchy and Estates of Normandy Aniou Turain and Main as also to the homages of Britain Armorick and the Earldome of Flanders 2. That King Iohn and his sonne for them and their heires should by a day certaine restore and release to King Edward and his heires c. the whole Countrey of Aquitain enlarged with the bordering and spacious Countreys of Santoin Poictou Pierregort Limosin Quercie Angolesm Rouergne c. with all the Cities Castles and appurtenances to be holden free without any dependencie but of God 3. That the County of Pontheiu the proper inheritance of Isabel late Queene Dowager of England mother of King Edward the Townes Countries and Lordships of Calais Guines Mountril Haim Wale Oye Merck S. Valary c. and all the Ilands which either the English then held or which lay before any of the Premisses with only certaine limitations concerning priuate mens interest should remaine in like freedome as the rest of the premisses to the Crowne of England 4 That King Iohn should pay for his ransome part thereof to be in hand and part vpon daies the summe of thirty hundreth thousand scutes of Gold euerie two of which should be sixe shillings and eight pence sterling And that for assurance there should be assigned certaine number of Hostages by King Edward named to remaine in England 5. That the French should not aid nor assist the Scots against the English nor they the Flemings against the French 6. That it should bee lawfull for either King notwithstanding to aid the Titlers for the Dutchie of Britaine at their pleasures There were sundry other Articles as in cases of so transcendent qualitie must needs happen but as these were principall so the most of them might haue beene well left out here vnlesse they had more exactly beene obserued by the French Yet were they ratified with hands seales and Oathes at Calais where the two Kings in stead of kissing the Pax at masse either hauing for honors sake refused to take it first saluted each the other with a most brotherlie embracement and louing kisse buse the King of Englands credulitie till hee had gotten before hand as farre as dissimulations could aduance hee Courts the good old Prince with louing letters and presents while in the mean time his plots ripen abroad and the County of Pontieu the king of Englands vndeniable inheritance was first surprised before King Edward heard thereof And whereas the Prince of Wales had at a Parliament in Gascoigne propounded a demand for fowage or of money to bee leuied by the chimney the Earles of Armignac and Cominges and other Lords the Princes subiects bearing no sound affections toward the English Empire the lesse for that by the pollicy of Glequin and the Chancellor of France Dourmauns all or most of the Countries and Townes which by vertue of the peace made at Bretigney were annexed thereunto were cūningly wrought to return to their old Lords repaire to the French Court at Paris there to pursue an appeale for redresse of this oppression against the Prince who was not so happy as to follow the counsell of Sir Robert Knols and other wisest Captaines who disswaded this imposition pretending that hee was to answere before King Charles as
before his superiour Lord of whom they said he held by homage and fealtie This practise of the disloyall Lords for what could they bee else seeing King Edward and his heires were absolutely freede by vertue of the said Treatie from all manner of seruice for any of their Dominions in France King Charles did openly at last entertaine and vpon hope to recouer by surprise and plot what the English had won by dint of sword and perfect manhood proceeded to summon the Prince of VVales to Paris there to answere such accusations as his subiects made against him 137 To encrease the indignitie of these deuises you should hear the French kings Orators before the Pope and Emperour to whom king Edward had seuerally sent Ambassadors full of complaints against King Charles laying wholie vpon the French the blame of the new warre as vpon open breakers of faith and violaters of the league most confidently on the contrary part charge the English We had suffered the French hostages to visit their friendes at home vpon the French Kinges word that they should come backe by a day contrary to which word they nor any of them either were or are returned That not so much as the Law of Nations was kept with vs which ties Princes to demaund restitution by their Officers of Armes or vpon deniall to defie them but where say we are the Heralds which King Charles did send We say that without notice hee surpriseth by stealth the Earledome of Ponthieu King Edwards vnquestionable right and hath disseised vs in Aquitaine which doth no lesse belong vnto vs then Pontheiu That Margaret the Inheritrice of Flanders which had beene promised to the Lord Edmund one of our Kings sonnes was by their iniurious practise wonne away and bestowed in marriage vpon Philip Duke of Burgundie Finallie wee say that Lewis Duke of Aniou one of the pledges making an escape by that contrary to honour and the league was by them receiued and not returned which points being all of transcendent qualitie are say wee directly contrarie to the Treatie and sworne agreement at Bretigny The French hereunto answere and charge vpon vs to shew the fault of first breach not theirs but ours That we by vertue of the said Treaty were bound immediately to withdraw our Armie out of France which yet they said we did not during all the raign of Iohn their King That the peace was made thereby more noyous and hurtfull then the warre and that they were faine to purchase the departure of our Souldiers with a greater charge then would haue maintained a very gallant Armie That this breach was ours because the Souldiers were ours That King Edward was bound in an open assembly of the States of both Realmes to renounce his right in the Crowne of France when say they was this done Thus they and Serres ads that the Estates of those Countries which had beene assigned by the Treatie to the English asseuered that it was against the fundamentall laws of France to alien anie part that they neither could nor would cease to be members of that Crowne 138 So ye behold that the fortune of the great is neuer to want friends to speake for them nor occasions to slip out or in whensoeuer profit and aduantage doe inuite Memorable if true is that part of the Frenchmens defense in that polite and learned Italian P. Aemylius where it being obiected with what honour and clemencie King Iohn was vsed by vs they breake out and affirme that wee being their Beneficiaries or Free-holders for such Countries as wee held in France tooke more gold for the onely ransome of King Iohn then they paied to redeeme S. Lewis their king his brother the Peeres and whole French Army captiuated in the Christian warres by the barbarous Soldan But good Aemylius say that were so yet cannot you say that the summe wee tooke was worth the least Countrie in France and when all France was ours was it not great bountie to take so small a pittance If you replie that we had many Countries besides wee reioine and trulie say that wee quit more then we acquired But let vs proceed for now all claimes quarrels were as open as if no obstacle had euer beene interposed the ignominie of their late terrible foiles wounded all true French hearts and they desire king Edward growne aged not to seeme by sitting still vpon so many thornes of disgrace and losse to haue beene outwarred though ouer-warred and though in two or three battels inferior yet not to haue beene clearely debellated 139 What doth our King Edward now Hee cals a Parliament declares the breach praies aid obtaines it and claimes the crowne of France afresh Iohn Duke of Lancaster and Humfrey de Bohun Earle of Hereford are sent ouer to Calais with a great force to inuade France No great matter as then ensued Thomas Beauchamp Earle of Warwicke comming ouer in hope to haue worke for his Curtelax for the French affronted our armie vnder the conduct of Duke Philip le Hardy though at this time scarce shewing himselfe worthy that surname but rose vpon the Earles arriuall and retired accused the Lords for sloath and sware he would abroad among them to find fighting while English bread was as yet vndigested in his souldiers stomacks Somewhat he did but death by a pestilentiall dart preuented the rest This Earle had with him a learned man as Scipio had Polybius to register the acts which hee saw done A worthy example ill followed by posterity The Duke of Lancaster peirced vp with his armie so farre as Roan The same Polydor wondering why they of Pontheiu hauing for an hundreth and twelue yeeres that is euer since King Edward the first had it giuen to him with his wife been ours should reuolt only daring the greatnesse of the English can find no other reason for their doings but this pleasant one that as dispersed cattell gather to their owne heard so Frenchmen flocke to the French and English follow English 140 Stirring Princes cannot containe themselues within their owne quietly possessed rights Otherwise who sees not how much better it is for the people that their Princes should manage well that which they haue rather then graspe at more For King Edward notwithstanding his continuall manifold victories comes back to the Subiect who yet had gained hugely by the warres and therefore might the better doe it for supportation and they yeeld it but his age was abused for the money was not expended as the pretences were made Priuate turnes were serued with publicke loanes Neuerthelesse after Midsomer day that renowned Captaine Sir Robert Knols whom martiall vertue had raised from the lowest rancke to the highest reputation though some also affirme him borne noble was sent by King Edward into France with an Armie where while obedience lasted to his direction all things prospered But by the instigation of one Sir
Iohn Mensterworth the yong Lords Grandsonne and Fitzwalter and other vainelie scorning to be vnder Knols for that they held themselues his betters and thereupon diuiding themselues after they had done sundry exploits marching vp euen to Paris were beaten and foild by the French vnder Glequins conduct but Knols wintred safe in Britaine Mensterworth comes into England and knowing accusers haue the vantage complaines to King Edward of Knols but not altogether beleeued he ads treason to vntruth and turning French becomes a wicked enemy to his King and Countrey promising the French to procure the Castilian Nauie to inuade England for which being in the last yeere of King Edwards raigne taken hee by due course was condemned and cut in pieces dying the death he had deserued He was laid hould vpon in the City of Pampeline in Nauarre and from thence conueighed to London vpon whose bridge his wicked head stood Sentinell 141 Pope Vrban the fifth comming from Rome to Auinion with purpose to vnite these two mighty Kings their wils and mights against the common enemy of Christendome put off mortality at Marsils and so that holy intention ceased for the present but the same being continued by his next successor Gregory 11. yet tooke no effect no more then that which the Emperour to like cause would haue vndergone which the French impute to King Edward who confident by reason of his former atchieuements would trie it out by the sword Wherein he seemed to forget the mutable condition of warre the searnesse of his bodie and the greennesse of his Grand-Child yong Richard who was to succeed if the Prince of Wales died as shortly after he did Neither did God seeme to approue his opinion herein for that crosses came fast vpon him both at home and abroad There is no greater wisdome nor happinesse then to know when we are well and then to preserue without hazard or empairment that honour wealth or quiet which we already haue 142 Among the States and Townes assigned to the English by vertue of the treatie at Bretigny which had reuolted to the French was the Citie of Limoges in Limosin whither the Prince marcheth sits down with his armie before it Thither came vnto him out of England his brethren the D. of Lancaster the Earle of Cambridge with a fresh supplie of valiant Chiefs and Souldiers The City stood it out to the vttermost and was forceably entred where mercy had nothing to saue nor spare the sword and fire for terror to other killing and defacing in a manner all Hee who writes that the Prince flew vp neere to Paris and scarsely by reason of Glequins valour got backe to Burdeaux seemes to haue mistaken therein as in many other things concerning vs of great importance After this seruice the Prince health failing him more more leaues his Brethren in Aquitaine and sailes into England 143 The French in the meane time wonne towns and places in Aquitaine gathering new hopes after so long and perpetuall infelicities The losse of that expert Captaine Sir Iohn Chandoys vnfortunately slaine was a great aduantage to their desires whose whole care for warre rested vpon Glequin not long before aduanced for his military vertue from low estate to so great eminencie as to bee Constable of France the chiefest officer for warre which that Kingdome hath and he a man of much proofe in good and euill fortune so tempered his courage with discretion that he onely first bad his Country rise againe and endeauor in despite of euill fortune to reflourish 144 The Prince of Wales wanting health vpon comming to his fathers sight rendred vp the Dutchie of Aquitaine to bee disposed of as to his roiall pleasure seemed good While King Edward was at Clarendon there repaired to him the factious king of Nauarre whose errand was to make an ouerture of association against the French but as his offers were acceptable so his cautions not seeming sufficient hee returned after great entertainement without concluding 145 Iohn Duke of Lancaster and his brother the Earle of Cambridge doe now returne out of Aquitaine with the Ladies Constance and Isabel daughters of Don Pedro late King of Spaine whom they married The Duke thereupon instiling himselfe King and his wife Queene of Castile and Leon. Nor was the English name onely encreased in titularie honors for about this time the Flemings who had prouoked vs were vanquisht by the Earle of Hereford at sea in a sharpe fight about twentie and fiue of their shippes being taken and all the men slain The sweete of this victory was sowred not long after with a grieuous losse for the French hauing besieged the strong Citie of Rochel in Santoin with the aide by sea of Henry King of Castile to relieue the English Iohn Earle of Pembroke was sent with about forty shippes men victuals munition and mony to the value of twenty thousand marks forthe vses of the warre but being sodainely assailed with the Spanish Armado which consisted of many great shippes vnder the command of Ambrose Buccanigra and others the English after a long and cruell conflict were vtterly distressed the Earle taken prisoner and almost all the rest either taken or put to the sword Rochel held out notwithstanding to whose reliefe while King Edward himselfe in person with an extraordinary force set saile the wind alwayes till that time fauourable to his voyages for France came Easterly and draue him backe into England with great griefe and the waste they write of nine hundred thousand pounds sterling Neither did hee so giue ouer the care of that strong Peece which the English most manfully made good against the enemie 146 Rochel thus persisting in loyall resolution Iohn Duke of Britaine who had married the Lady Marie daughter of King Edward a Gentleman of much gratitude toward the English the authors of his fortunes resolues to aduenture his state in their quarrell ships away for England hath aide ministred vnto him hee returnes and warres with various euent But Iohn Duke of Lancaster with a very great Armie comes to Callis and from thence marcheth ouer the whole face of France and though with losse of many thousand horse in the desert countries of A●…ergn throgh famin came safe but with an almost-hunger-starued Army to Burdeaux Not long after hee drew into the field and a day was appointed betweene him and the Duke of Anion the French Kings brother to haue tried the quarrell of their Nations by set battell before the City of Tholouz in Languedoc but by an vntimely a pernitious short truce to which K. Edward yeelded because his son the Prince lay dangerously sick the hoped victory not onlie slipt out of the English mens hands but almost all aduantage also of doing any thing else seasonably The French boasted themselues as of a Conquest who notwithstanding did helpe out their valiancy with policie
of England whose glorious life and acts next insue 56 Thomas Duke of Clarence President of the Councell to King Henry the first his brother and Steward of England He was slaine at Beaufort in Anion without any issue He married Margaret daughter to Thomas Holland Earle of Kent the widow of Iohn Beauford Earle of Somerset 57 Iohn Duke of Bedford Regent of France in the time of King Henry the sixt Duke also of Anion and Alanson Earle of Cenomannia Harecourt of Kendall and Dreux Viscount Beaumont He married first with Anne daughter to Iohn Duke of Burgundy Secondly with Iacoba daughter to Peter de Luxemburgh Earle of Saint Paul And died without any issue 58 Humfrey was by his brother King Henry the fifth created Duke of Glocester was Protectour of the Kingdome of England for 25. yeeres in the time of King Henry the sixt in whose first yeere hee styled himselfe in his Charters thus Humfrey by the grace of God sonne brother and vncle to Kings Duke of Glocester Earle of 〈◊〉 Holland Zeland and Pembroke Lord of Friestand Great Chamberlaine of the Kingdome of England Protector and Defendor of the same Kingdome and Church of England Hee was a man who nobly deserued of the common wealth and of learning as being himselfe very learned and a magnificent Patron and benefactor of the Vniuersity of Oxford where hee had beene educated and was generally called the Good Duke Hee married first Iacoba heire to William Duke of Bauaria Earle of Holland who as after was knowne had first beene lawfully troth-plighted to Iohn Duke of Brabant and therefore was afterward diuorced from the said Humfrey His second wife was Elianor daughter to Reginald Baron Cobham de Scarborough Queene Margaret wife to King Henry the sixt repining at his great power in swaying the King state socretly wrought his ruine hee being murthered in his bed at Burie dying without any issue 1446. His body was buried at Saint Albans yet the vulgar error is that he lyes buried in Saint Pauls 59 Blaunch married to William Duke of Bauaria and Emperour 60 Philip married to Iohn King of Denmarke and Norway HENRIE THE FIFTH KING OF ENGLAND AND FRANCE LORD OF IRELAND THE TWO AND FIFTIETH MONARCH OF ENGLAND HIS RAIGNE ACTS AND ISSVE CHAPTER XV. AMongst the many Monarchs of this most famous Empire none is found more complete with all heroicall vertues then is this King of whose life by order and successe of story wee are now to write which is Henry of that name the fifth the renowne of England and glory of Wales Of whom what was spoken of Titus in the flourishing times of the Romans may for the time of his raigne be truly verified in him both of them being the-louely darlings and delightfull ioy of Mankind But as Titus is taxed by his story-Writers in youth to haue been riotous profuse wastfull and wanton for which as he saith with the dislikes of men he stept into the throne so if wee will beleeue what others haue writ Henry was wilde whiles hee was a Prince whose youthfull prankes as they passed with his yeers let vs haue leaue here to rehearse and leaue them motiues to our owne vse as hee made them for his 2 His birth was at Monmouth in the Marches of Wales the yeer of Christs assuming our flesh 1388 and the eleuenth of King Richards raigne his father then a Subiect and Earle of Derbie Leicester Lincolne afterwards created Duke of Hereford in ri●…ht of his wife then of Lancaster by the death of his father and lastly by election made the Soueraigne of England that vnfortunate Richard being deposed the Crowne His mother was Mary second daughter and coheire of Humfrey Bohun Earle of Hereford and Northampton high Constable of England as we haue said 3 His young yeeres were spent in literature in the Academie of Oxford where in Queenes Colledge he was a Student vnder the tuition of his vncle Henry Beauford Chancellour of that Vniuersity afterwards Bishoppe of Lincolne and Winchester and lastly made Cardinall by the title of Eusebius But his Father obtayning the Crowne and himselfe come to the age of twelue yeeres had the succession thereof entailed on him by Parliament and accordingly was created Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earle of Chester and presently had the Title of the Dukedome of Aquitaine conferred vpon him the better to effect the thing then intended which was to haue obtained in marriage young Queene Isabel late wife to the murthered King Richard daughter of Charles the sixt King of France 4 From Oxford Prince Henry was called to Court and the Lord Thomas Perey then Earle of Worcester made his Gouernour but being himselfe false to the Father could giue no good example vnto the sonne whose hostile attempts in the field of Shrewsburie cost that disloyall Earle his head and almost had done Prince Henry his life who in battell against him was wounded in the face with an arrow This marke of his manhood with the ouerthrow of Hotspur in that bloody conflict were hopefull signes of his following successe which presently were seconded with as fortunate proceedings against Owen Glendowr that scourge of his Country and Arch-rebell vnto Englands peace whom this Prince so pursued through the vast mountaines of Wales that from the Dennes of those deserts hee durst not shew his face but therein perished by famine natures other wants though the Prince had then scarcely attained vnto sixeteene 5 But growne from his tutors command or controll and come to the yeers for dispose of himselfe as his youth stood affected so were his consorts and those many times whose conditions were none of the best whether led by an inclination of youth which commonly lets the raine loose vnto Will or to know that by proofe which other Princes doe by report I will not determine yet vnto the latter doe I rather incline knowing that Salomon the wisest of Kings did so himselfe and rather by Rosse I am lead who writeth that Prince Henry in Oxford had in great veneration such as excelled in vertue or learning and among many two hee nameth Thomas Rodban of Merton Colledge a great Astronomer by him preferred to the Bishopricke of S. Dauids in Wales and Iohn Carpenter of Oriel Colledge a learned Doctor of Theologie whom hee aduanced to the See of Worcester But let vs heare how his wilde oates were spent and with what increase the haruest was got The translater of Liuie who wrote the storie of this worthy Prince and dedicated his paines to King Henry his sonne affirmeth for truth that many actions he did farre vnfitting his greatnesse of birth and among other doth taxe him with no better then theft who in the raigne of his Father accompanied with such as spent their wits vpon other mens spoiles laide waite in the way for his Rents receiuers and robd them of that which
deposed King Henry and with speed to bee crowned himselfe at Alhallontide next yet finding such amasement and silence hee sends them his pedigree and his claime in writing that they might the better consider yeelding as it seemes to be ordered therein according to their generall agreement during the treaty whereof he would not visite King Henrie alleadging himselfe was peerelesse in England The maine points of his Title were as followeth King Edward the third had issue Edward Prince of VVales VVilliam of Hatfield Lionell Duke of Clarence Iohn of Gaunt D. of Lancaster Edmund D. of Yorke Thomas D. of Glocester and VVilliam of VVindsor Edward Prince of Wales dyed liuing his Father and left issue Richard the second King of England who died without Issue as did also William King Edwards second sonne 85 Lionel the third sonne had issue Philip his daughter and heire married to Edmund ●…ortimer Earle of March who had Issue Roger Earle of March who had Issue Edmund Earle of March Roger Anne and Eleanor which Edmund Roger and Eleanor died without Issue Anne the heire of that house marrieth Richard Earle of Cambridge the sonne of Edmund Duke of Yorke fifth sonne to King Edward the third which Earle of Cambridge had Richard commonly saith the Booke called Duke of Yorke 86 Iohn of Gaunt the fourth son and younger brother to Lionel had Issue Henry who immediately after King Richards resignation vnrighteously saith the Booke entred vpon the same for that Edmund Earle of March sonne of Roger Earle of March and of Philip daughter and heire of the before said Lionel Duke of Clarence elder brother to Iohn Duke of Lancaster was then aliue and that aswell the said Henry eldest son to Iohn Duke of Lancaster as his descendents haue hitherto holden the Crowne of England c. vniustly for that himselfe the said Richard Plantagenet Duke of Yorke was the lawfull heire being the sonne of Richard Plantagenet Earle of Cambridge and of Anne before said 87 This was the effect of the Duke of Yorks title which for the points of the Pedegree was very true though in barre thereof the friends of King Henry without denying any part of the premises being all of them more euident then that they could be honestly denied had not a little to say for him for they could among other things alleadge that Richard the second resigned vp his Crowne and Regality at large and that none else making claime but Henry Duke of Lancaster hee was thereunto by the consent of all the three Estates admitted that Richard Earle of Cambridge was for high Treason attainted and executed and his Issue made incapable of any inheritance that this Richard his sonne now challenging the Crowne of England being restored by the meere clemency and goodnesse of this King Henry the sixt had voluntarily acknowledged him for his lawfull Soueraigne and sworne the same and that the said Richard was finally for treason attainted and adiudged vninheritable they could hereunto haue added sundry Acts of Parliament made to establish the right of the Lancastrian line the succession of three Kings all Henries that is to say the fourth fifth and sixth the politicke addresses of the first of those Kings the noble victories of the second and the holy life of the third which three Kings liues contained of raigne about threescore yeeres in which number this was the nine and thirtiethof King Henry the sixth who was descended of the male line and the Duke of Yorke but of a female of which female line none had euer been in possession of the Crown Great and weighty points if any and the rather to bee considered for that King Henries person beeing in very truth Prisoner no act of his to establish Yorkes title could bind in law or conscience and the lesse for that hee had a wife and by her a sonne who was at liberty and ready with Armes to free his father or hazard to destroy the whole English name But they who on Yorks behalfe abstractiuelie disputed these highest questions knew a rule of law which saith Iura sanguinis nullo iure ciuili dirimi possunt ' and the Lancastrians were not without their speculatiue and remote considerations to countenance the particulars of their cause Thus we see that in Monarchies though the noblest forme of Regiment where lineall succession is the rule of inheritance there sometimes fall out as great and as indeterminable difficulties as where Election designeth the Successor whereof the French tragedies which our Nation made among them and now these in England are without all exception the most fearefull instances For France had heretofore her time of affliction but now O dearest England it was thine 88 While this weighty controuersie was debated a Crowne which hung for garnishment in the middle of the roofe where the Knights and Burgesses of the Parliament met to consult and the crown which for like cause stood vpon the highest Tower of Douer Castell fell sodainely down which were vulgarly construed to portend That the raigne of K. Henry was at an end and that the Crown should be transferred from one royall line to another But the Queene her sonne Prince Edward and her fast friends in the North the seate of their hopes being nothing discouraged at their late ill fortunes prepare all the forces they can to recouer K. Henrie and the Kingdome which thing whiles they are pursuing the conclusion of the Parliament concerning the crown was That Henry the sixth should raigne and bee King during his life the remainder to rest in Richard Duke of Yorke and the lawfull heires of his body in generall tayle King Henries heires to bee excluded The Duke in the meane time is proclaimed heire apparant and called Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall Earle of Chester and Protector of England The agreement was engrossed sealed and sworn vnto The Queene will haue nothing to doe in this bargaine being so dangerous and preiudicious to her selfe her husband and her sonne and therefore when the King at the Duke of Yorkes instigation sent for her to repaire vnto him shee relying vpon the Dukes of Sommerset and Excester and other the Kings friends vtterly refuseth Henry continueth king The Armes therefore which she taketh for his deliuerance haue the more iustice The Duke of Yorke missing the prey hee expected leaues the king with the Duke of Norfolke and the Earle of Warwicke at London himselfe with the Earles of Salisbury and Rutland and certaine forces setteth forward to Wakefield to pursue the Queene and her sonne sending direction to the Earle of March that hee should follow with all his power The Castell of Sandall standeth pleasantly vpon a small hill in view of the faire town of VVakefield there the Duke of Yorke comming thither vpon Christmas Eue reposeth himselfe and expecteth the encrease of his numbers The Queene aduertised thinkes it wisdome to fight before the Duke grow too strong and thereupon marcheth forward hauing
were so eminent by these intestine warres that the Natiues lamented the Forrein reioiced and God they saw highly displeased whose sword thus giuen into their hands was to be feared would be the destruction of the English as Nabucaednezzars of Babell was of Iudea and indeed so effectually wrought that the Duke and Earle vpon perfect confidence came to London accompanied with a small number in respect of their great danger where falling into conference with the King he tasked them with disloialtie and they him with ingratitude so that their splenes were nothing appeased but much more increased and with high wordes departed the King vnto Canterbury and they againe to VVarwicke 39 The stout Earle whose stomacke must haue vent otherwise the Caske must needs breake caused new stirres to be raised in Lincolnshire vnder the leading of Sir Robert VVels an expert souldier and sonne of the Lord VVels who with thirtie thousand Commons disturbed the Countrey and in euerie place proclaimed King Henrie setting downe his battel not farre from Stamford meaning to abide the encounter of his opposers which when the King heard of he sent for the Lord VVels his father commanding him to write to his sonne to surcease the warres and so marching toward Stamford tooke VVels in his companie with a good hope that the sonne would not beare armes against his own father in field but howsoeuer he had writ or the King conceiued Sir Robert went on in his former designes which so sore moued Edward that he beheaded Lord VVels with Sir Thomas Dimocke that had married his daughter although he had giuen them promise of safety and life 40 Young VVels then hearing of his fathers death sought the reuenge vpon this vntrusty Prince and not staying for VVarwicke who was in preparing to come set manfully vpon the King and his power where betwixt them was performed a most bloody fight till at last Sir Robert was taken with Sir Thomas Deland and others whereat the Lincolnshire men were so terrified that casting off their Coates they all ranne away in regard whereof this battell to this day is called the battell of Loscoat field wherein were slaine ten thousand men at the least after which victory the King commanded VVels with many other of note to be put to death as the chiefe causers of these dangerous Commotions 41 This vntimely conflict and vnfortunate ouerthrow made Clarence and VVarwicke at their wits end who vnprouided to field against Edward gaue way to necessity and from Dartmouth in Deuonshire embarked themselues and wiues for France both to instigate king Lewis no friend vnto Edward and to secure themselues in Callis whereof VVarwick was captaine till fortune had changed the hand of her play These crossing the Seas cast Anchor before the Towne of Callis and gaue notice they were ready to land but the Lord Vawclere a Gascoigne whom VVarwicke had substituted his deputie discharged diuers peeces of Ordinance against them and sent word flatlie they should not come there meane while the Dutches of Clarence fell in trauell and was there on Shippe-board deliuered of a faire sonne which Child the Earles deputie would scarcely suffer to be baptized in the Towne nor without great entreaty permit two flagons of wine to be conueyd aboard to the Ladies lying in the hauen For which his good seruice King Edward by his letters Patents made Vawclere chiefe Captaine of Callis and discharged the Earle as a Traitor or Rebell against him 42 Charles Duke of Burgundie being then at S. Omers owing Earle Warwicke an old grudge for gainestanding his marriage thought now a fit time to requite the discourtesie and therefore sent many thankes vnto Vawcler with promise of a thousand Crownes pension by yeere if he stood firme for his wiues brother King Edward himselfe laying the Coast to impeach his arriuage But how Mounsieur Vawclere stood affected whatsoeuer shew he made Comines the French Kings Historian doth tell who sent Warwicke word the danger he stood in of the said Duke and of Duras the Kings Admirall so as to land would be his finall confusion His Counsell therefore was that he should make into France vnto whose King he should be most welcome and as for the town of Callis he willed him to take no thought but promised to make him a good reckoning thereof when time should best serue Whereupon the Earle waied anker for Normandy and in his way tooke many rich Ships of the Duke of Burgundies subiects which netled him not a little but yet found no docke to rub out the smart 43 King Lewis hearing of the arriuage of Warwicke and knowing his troubles to arise for his Ambassage to Bona and faith vnto France sent certaine Princes to conduct him to the Castle of Amboys where a supply was made against all necessities and himselfe and traine most honorablie intertained whereat the Duke of Burgundy sore repined and sent Lewis word that he disliked his doings with threats of reuenge if he aided him against his wiues brother This notwithstanding the French King gaue all comforts to these fugitues and prepared his assistance for their restorations and the raising againe of godly King Henrie 44 Queene Margaret hauing fled England and soiourning in France with her Father Reiner a King in name but scarcely able to beare the State of an Earle saw now the Iron hot and ready to be strucke therefore with her sonne Prince Edward Iohn Earle of Oxford and Iasper Earle of Pembrooke who latelie had escaped out of prison in England came vnto Amboyse where by meanes of the French King a combination of Alliance was confirmed betwixt the Prince of Wales young Edward and Anne the second daughter to the Earle of Warwicke then present with her mother and sister in France That King Henry should be againe restored the Duke of Clarence and the Earle tooke a solemne Oath neuer to desist whiles they had power and in the nonage of the Prince they iointly were to be deputed his Protectors and the Lands sole Gouernors 45 Edward in England hearing what Queen Margaret his brother Clarence stout Warwicke in the French Court had done was strucke into a sodaine dumpe being as doubtfull of friends as fearefull of foes and therefore such as were alied to the Lancastrians or fauourits of the down-cast K. Henrie he began somewhat roughly to deale with many therefore that were guilty daily tooke Sanctuarie or yeelded themselues to his mercie among whom Iohn Marques Montacute brother to Warwicke was one who with fairest words of promises was receiued into fauor and vpon whose example many others came in which notwithstanding meant to stand out if occasion should serue But no busier was Edward to keepe the Crowne on his head then these Lords in France were resolute to strike it off in midst of whose consultations behold how it happened 46 There came from England to Calleis
for the loue that our Lord beareth to vs all from this time forward all griefes forgotten each of you loue others which I verily trust you will if you any thing regard either God or your King affinitie or kindred this Realme your owne countrey or your owne surety 115 And therewithall the King no longer induring to sit vp layd him downe on his right side his face towards them who with weeping eyes words as fitted the time recomfited the sicke dying King ioyning their hands and outwardly forgiuing that which inwardly they meant not to forget The King ouer-ioyed to see their willing reconcilements spake not many wordes after but commending his soule vnto God in their presence departed this life at his Pallace of Westminster vpō the 9. day of April and yeere of Christs appearance 1483. at the age of forty one when he had worne the royal Diademe two and twenty yeeres one moneth and fiue dayes and was buried at Windsor in the newe Chappell whose foundation himselfe had layd 116 Of personage hee was the goodliest Gentleman saith Commines that euer ●…ine eyes beheld faire of complexion and of most princely presence couragious of heart pol●…ke in counsell in aduersitie nothing abashed in prosperitie rather ioyous then proud in peace iust and mercifull in warre sharpe and fierce and in field bold and venturous yet no further then wisedome would and is no lesse commended where he auoided then is his manhood when he vanquished eight or nine battels he won wherein to his greater renowne he fought on foote and was euer victor ouer his enemies much giuen hee was to the lusts of youth and in his latter time growne somewhat corpulent which rather adorned his grauer yeeres then any waies disliked the eies of his beholders His Wife 117 Elizabeth the daughter of Richard Wooduill Earle Riuers by his wife ●…aquelana Dutchesse of Bedford who was the daughter of Peter Earle of S. Paul and he the sonne of Peter de Luxembourg was first married vnto Sir Iohn Grey slaine at S. Albans where he was knighted the day before his death by King Henry the sixt vnto whom shee bare two sonnes and a daughter after whose death shee was priuately remarried vnto K. Edward the fourth the first day of May at his mannor of Grafton in Northamptonshire Anno 1464. and in the next yeere following vpon the sixe and twentith of May was crowned Queen at Westminster with al due solemnities Shee was his wife eighteene yeeres eleuen moneths and nine daies no more fortunate in attaining to the height of all worldly dignity then vnfortunate in the murther of her sonnes and losse of her owne liberty For in the beginning of K. Edwards raigne shee was forced to take Sanctuary at Westminster wherein her first sonne Prince Edward was borne and at his death did the like in feare of the Protector and lastly hauing all her lands and possessions seized vpon by K. Henrie the seauenth liued in meane estate in the Monastery of Bermondsey in Southwarke where not long after shee left the troubles of her life and inioied a quiet portion or burying place by her last husband King Edward at Windsore 118 Elianor Butler as we find it recorded vpon the Parliament Role was contracted vnto King Edward but how true considering the occasion and time of the Act we leaue for others to iudge onely this is most certaine that this Lady Elianor was the daughter of Iohn Talbot Earle of Shrewsbury and the wife of Sir Thomas Butler Knight sonne and heire to Ralph Butler Baron of Sudley which Elianor died the thirtieth of Iune the yeere of Christ Iesus 1466. and the eight of King Edward the fourth his raigne His Issue 119 Edward the eldest sonne of K. Edward the fourth by Queene Elizabeth his wife was borne in the Sanctuary at Westminster the fourth of Nouember and yeere of grace 1471. being the tenth of his fathers raigne at that time expulsed the Realme by the powerfull Earle Warwicke but fortune changed and the father restored the sonne the first of Iuly and yeere of Christ was ●…eated Prince of Wales Duke of Cornwall and Earle of Chester and had not the ambitious hand of his vncle beene defiled in his innocent blood he might haue worne the Diademe manie yeeres whereas he bare the Title of King not many daies 120 Richard the second sonne of K. Edward the fourth by Elizabeth his Queen was borne at Shrewsbury and in his infancy was created Duke of Yorke he was affianced vnto Anne daughter and heire to Iohn Mowbray Duke of Norfolke by which he was intituled Duke of Norfolke Earle-Marshall Warren and Nottingham but inioying neither Title wife or his owne life long was with his brother murthered in the Tower of London and in the prison of that Tower which vpon that most sinfull deed is euer since called the bloody Tower their bodies as yet vnknowne where to haue buriall 121 George the third sonne of K. Edward the fourth by Queene Elizabeth his wife was also borne in Shrewsburie and being a yong Child was created Duke of Bedford but liued not long after and lieth buried at Windsore 122 Elizabeth the first daughter of K. Edward the fourth by Elizabeth his Queene was borne at Westminster the eleuenth of Februarie and fifth of her fathers raigne being the yere of Saluation 14●…6 Shee was promised in marriage to Charles Daulphin of France woed and Courted by her vncle Crouchbacke when he had murdered her brothers and vsurped the Crowne but better destiny attending her shee was reserued to ioine the vnion and marriage with the onely heire of Lancaster which was Henrie of Richmond afterward King of England from whom is branched the roiall stemme that spreadeth his beauty in this North-West world euen Iames our dread Soueraigne and great Brittaines Monarch 123 Cicely the second daughter of K. Edward the fourth by Queene Elizabeth his wife was sought vnto by Iames the third of that name to be ioined in marriage with Iames his sonne Prince of Scotland and Duke of Rothsay which match was promised vpon conditions and choise of K. Edward who lastly brake off from further proceeding and the Lady married vnto Iohn Vicount Wels whom shee out-liued and was againe remarried but by neither husband had any issue and therefore lesse noted her body lieth buried at Quarrena in the Isle of Wight 124 Anne the third daughter of K. Edward the fourth by Queene Elizabeth his wife was married vnto Lord Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolke Earle Marshall and high Treasurer of England vnto whom shee bare two sonnes both dying without issue and her selfe without more fruit of wombe left her life and lieth buried at Fra●…ingham in Norfolke 125 Bridget the fourth daughter of K. Edward the fourth by his wife Queene Elizabeth was borne at Eltham in Kent the tenth of Nouember and yeere of Grace 1480. being the twentieth of her fathers Raigne Shee tooke the habite of Religion and became a
world with his feete forward as men be borne outward and as the fame runneth also not vn●…oothed Whether men of hatred report aboue the truth or else that nature changed her Course in his beginning which in the course of his life many things vnnaturally committed 6 No euill Captaine was he in the warre as to which his disposition was more inclined then for peace sundry victories he had and sometimes ouer-throwes but neuer in default as for his owne person either of hardines or politike order free was he of his dispence and somewhat aboue his power liberall with large gifts he gate him vnstedfast friendship for which he was forced to pill and pole in other places which gate him stedfast hatred He was close and secret a deepe dissembler lowly o●…countenance arrogant of heart outwardly familiar where euen now he hated and not letting to kisse whom he thought to kill despi●…efull and cruell he was not for euill-will alwaies but oftner for ambition and either for the surety or increase of his estate Friend and foe was much what indifferent where his aduantage grew he spared no mans death whose life withstood his purpose He slew with his own hands King Henrie the sixth being Prisoner in the Tower as men constantlie said and that without commandement or knowledge of the King who vndoubtedly if he had intended his death would haue appointed that butcherly office to some other then his owne brother 7 Some wise ●…en also iudge that his drift couertly conueied lacked not in helping forth his brother Clarence to his death which he resisted openly howbeit somewhat as men deemed more faintly then he that was hartily minded to his wealth And they that thus iudge thinke that long time in K. Edwards life he forcast to be king in case that his brother whose life he looked that euill diet should shorten should happen to decease as indeed he did while his children were young And they deeme that for this intent he was glad of the Duke of Clarence death whose life must needes haue hindered him so intending being his elder brother whether the same Duke had kept him true to his Nephew the young king or enterprized to be king himselfe But of all this point there is no certainty and who so diuineth vpon coniectures may aswell shoote too farre as too short Howbeit this haue I by credible information learned that the same night in which king Edward died one Mistlebroke long ere morning came in great haste to the house of one Pottier dwelling in Red Crosse street without Creeple-gate in London and when he with hasty rapping quickly was let in he shewed vnto Pottier that K. Edward was departed By my troth man quoth Pottier then will my Master the Duke of Gloucester be king what cause he had so to thinke hard it is to say whether being toward him knew any such thing intended or otherwise had any inkling thereof for it was not likely that he spake it of no ground 8 But now to return to the course of this History were it that the Duke of Glocester had of old foreminded this conclusion was now thereunto moued put in hope by the occasion of the tender age of the yong Princes his Nephewes as oportunity likelihood of speed putteth a man in courage of that he neuer intended certaine it is that he contriued their destruction with the vsurpation of the regall dignitie vpon himselfe and forasmuch as he well wist and holp to maintaine a long continued grudge and hartburning betweene the Queenes kindred and the Kings blood either part enuying others authority he now thought their diuisions should be as it was indeed a forward beginning to the pursuite of his intent and a sure ground for the foundation of all his building if he might first vnder the pretext of reuenging old displeasure abuse the anger and ignorance of the one party to the destruction of the other and then winne to his purpose as many as he could and those that could not be wonne might be lost before they were aware for of one thing was he certaine that if his intent were perceiued he should soone haue made peace between both the parties with his owne blood 9 King Edward in his life albeit that this dissention betweene his friends somewhat greeued him yet in his good health he somewhat lesse regarded it because he thought whatsoeuer busines should fall betweene them himselfe should alwaies be able to rule both the parties But in his last sicknes when he perceiued his naturall strength so sore infeebled that he dispaired all recouerie then considering the youth of his Children albeit he nothing lesse mistrusted then that that happened yet well fore-seeing how many harmes might grow by their debate while the youth of his children should lacke discretion of themselues and good Counsell of their friends of which either party should counsell for their owne commodity and the rather by pleasant aduise to winne themselues fauour then by profitable aduertisements to doe his children good hee called some of them before him that were at variance and in speciall the Lord Marquesse Dorset the Queenes sonne by her first husband and William Lord Hastings a noble-man then Lord Chamberlaine against whom th●… Queene especially grudged for the great fauor the King bare him and also for that shee thought him secretly familiar with the King in wanton company Her kindred also bare him sore aswell for that the King had made him Captaine of Callis which office the Lord Riuers brother to the Queene claimed of the Kings former promise as for diuers other great gifts which he receiued that they looked for These were the grudges which the king on his death bed sought to remoue and they in shew seemed to cancell as we haue said though the sparks of these displeasures burst afterward into a dangerous flame which consumed most of them as afterward shall appeare 10 For assoone as the King was departed this life his sonne Prince Edward drew towards London from Ludlow in Wales which Countrey being farre off from the law and recourse to iustice was become to be farre out of Order and growne wilde Robbers Rouers walking at liberty vncorrected for which cause this Prince in the life time of his father was sent thither to the end that the authority of his presence should refraine euill disposed persons from the boldenes of their former outrages To the gouernance and ordering of this young Prince at his sending thither was there appointed Sir Anthonie Wooduill Lord Riuers and brother vnto the Queene a right honorable man as valiant of hand as politick in Counsell adioined were there vnto him others of the same partie and in effect euery one as he was neerest of kin vnto the Queene so was he planted next about the Prince 11 That drift of the Queene not vnwisely deuised whereby her blood might of youth be rooted in the
Lady Margaret his eldest daughter as a pledge of indissoluble amitie The Bishoppe promised his best diligence and accordingly after his returne laboured therein with King Henry who most gladly hearkened thereunto Whereupon the Scotish King sent the Archbishoppe of Glasco the Earle of Bothwell and others to demand the Lady in marriage Their entertainement was hearty and princely But when the proposition came to scanning at the Councell table it had not currant passage at first for there were who obiected as an inconuenience That by this marriage the Crowne of England might come to the Scotish line by the issue of Lady Margaret Whereunto it is said King Henry made this answere What if it should for if any such thing should happen which Omen God forbid I see it will come to passe that our Kingdome shall leese nothing thereby because there will not bee an accession of England to Scotland but contrarily of Scotland vnto England as to that which is farre away the most noble head of the whole Iland seeing that which is lesse vseth to accrue to the ornament and honour of that which is much the greater as Normandy heretofore carue to be vnder the dominion and power of the English our forefathers When this was said the whole boord of councell receiued it as an Oracle it went cleare about That Margaret should be married to the King of Scotland With this answere and other instructions the Scottish Ambassadors were sent home who afterward returned into England with full authority satisfaction to all Henries propositions whereupon ensued the before said publishment of assurances at Paules Crosse. It was a principall Article in this agreement That no Englishman should enter Scotland nor Scot into England without commendatory letters from their Soueraigne Which Article was reputed a speciall meane to preserue the peace inuiolable 65 But ere the young Lady her selfe was conuaied into Scotland her brother Prince Arthur died and in * February next ensuing their mother also Queene Elizabeth as shee lay in Child-bed within the Tower of London The King to repaire his mind with fresh consolations in aduancing his onely remaining sonne Henry Duke of Yorke created him suddainely Prince of Wales Earle of Chester Flint within few dayes after his mothers decease Thus was Arthurs losse supplied howsoeuer Henry made Prince espoused soone after though with much reluctation the Lady Katherine his elder brothers widdow vpon the fiue and twentieth of Iune at the Bishoppe of Salisburies house in Fleetstreet And in this wise by prouiding so worthy a wife for him though to say truth her great Dowet was the chiefe motiue the king thought that the estate of England was sufficiently setled wherfore conuerting his cares to the accomplishment of affinity with Scotland hee most sūptuously furnished his deerest eldest daughter for her iourney himself in person trauelled frō Richmund as farre with her as C●…leweston beside Northampton where his mother the Countesse lay after certaine dayes spent in solace the King gaue her his blessing with fatherly counsell and exhortation and committed the guard and conduct of her person principally to the Earles of Surrey and Northumberland and to such Ladies and Gentlewomen as were appointed to that seruice a great company of Lords Knights Esquiers men of Marke attending them as farre as Berwicke At S. Lamberts Church in Lamer Moore within Scotland the King attended by the principall of his Nobles receiued her from the hands of the Earle of Northumberland and the next yeere after married her at Edenborough in the presence of all his Nobility The King gaue great entertainement to the English and shewed them iusting and other pastimes after the Scotish fashion The Scotishmen saith the Bishoppe of Rosse were not behind but farre aboue the Englishmen both in apparrell rich Iewels and massie chaines many Ladies hauing their habiliments set with Goldsmith worke garnisht with Pearle and Stone of price with gallant and wel trapped horses Diuerse Ladies also and young Gentlewomen of England attending Queene Margaret remained there and were well married to certaine Noblemen of Scotland whose progenie liues honourably there euen at these dayes The effect of this marriage is grauely described by the same Bishop in these words There was perfect peace and sincere amity betweene the two Realmes of England and Scotland a long time after And verily during the life of King Henry the seuenth no cause of breach was ministred by either of the Princes but they continued in great loue and friendshippe and mutuall societie contracting of marriages continuall enterchange of Merchandize betwixt the Subiects of both the Realmes as they had beene AL vnder the obedience of ONE PRINCE where through Iustice Policy and Riches did flourish and abound throughout the whole Isle of Albion And of this marriage is Iames the sixth descended being that ONE PRINCE vnder whose obedience AL are now gouerned as vnder the sole and lawfull lineall Monarch of great Britaine for this Iames the fourth had Issue Iames the fifth hee had Issue Queene Mary shee had issue our present Soueraigne the great grandchild of the said Queene Margaret eldest daughter of K. Henrie the seuenth 66 Which effects of peace and riches as they could not but bee comfortable to so wise a King as Henry they being the fruit as it were of his owne iust labours so let vs now obserue the last worldly cares of his raigne and vpon what obiects hee fixed his mind freede from the awe of open challenges of the Crowne and from throwes at his maine which with what art valour and felicity hee at first atchieued and with how great hazards troubles and bloudie businesses he brought it to such passe that neighbour Kinges reputed it safe to entermarry with his family wee haue already heard Two principall points tooke vp the last Scenes of his life for the rest of his time hee wholy employed either in the seruice of Almighty God wherin hee was so diligent that euery day he was present after the deuotions of those times at two or three Masses oftentimes hearing godly Sermons or in building wherewith hee kept his senses busied The one of the two chiefe points was to watch ouer the waies of his wiues kindred the remaining branches of the turbulent and vnfortunate house of Yorke whose growth and greatnesse hee supposed might at some time or other ouertoppe his owne the other was vnder opinion of iustice to encrease his treasure out of the common purses wherby he seemed onerous to many somwhat obscured the brightnes of his former glory at leastwise diminished his opinion with the generality Concerning his courses holden with his wiues kindred the laterall issues and staddles of the Plantagenets it fell out thus which by * occasion of the accidentall landing of Philip King of Spain at this time wherby the Earle of Suffolkes taking was procured we thought it best to handle here together
curious and exquisite building he and Bishoppe Foxe first as is reported learned in France and thence brought with them into England He died about the age of fiftie two yeeres vpon the two and twentieth of April hauing raigned twenty three yeeres and eight moneths A right noble wise victorious and renowed King and one whose piety would haue beene farre more eminent then all his other vertues if from the beginning the malignant quality of the times would haue permitted him to liue in quiet He specially honoured the remembrance of that Saint-like Man Henry the sixth the founder of his Family and Propheticall fore-teller of that fortune which now hee died seised of whom also he laboured to haue Canonized for a Saint but that Pope Iulio held that honour at two high a rate It is reckoned by some writers of that age among his principall glories that three Popes Alexander the sixth Pius the third and Iulius the second did in their seuerall times with authority and consent of the Cardinals elect and chose him for chiefe defensor of Christs Church before all other Christian Princes In his last will and Testament after the disposition of his soule and body hee deuised and willed Restitution should bee made of all such moneis as had vniustly beene leuied by his Officers A most pious and truly Christian care wherby also appeareth that hee hoped the wrongs done vnder him were not so enormous nor innumerable but that they might fall within the possibility of redresse The description of his whole man is had in the beginning of his life and the course thereof described in his Actions There remaine of his wisdome many effects and those as his fame likely to continue for euer His Wife 71 Elizabeth the first Childe Legitimate and eldest daughter of King Edward the fourth was at the age of nineteene vpon the eighteenth of Ianuarie and yeere of Christ Iesus 1485. married vnto King Henry the seuenth whereby was vnited the long contending Families of Lancaster and Yorke and the Roses red and White ioined into one to the great ioy of the English Subiects Shee was crowned at Westminster vpon the fiue-and twentieth of Nouember the third of her husbands Raigne and of Grace 1487. Shee was his wife eighteene yeeres and twenty foure daies and died in childe-bed in the Tower of London the eleuenth of February euen the day of her owne Natiuity the eighteenth of her husbands Raigne and yeere of our Saluation 1503. and is buried at Westminster in the most magnificent Chappell and rich Monument of Copper and gilt where shee with her husband lie entombed His Issue 72 Arthur the eldest sonne of King Henrie the seauenth and of Queene Elizabeth his wife was borne at Winchester the twentith day of September the yeere of Grace one thousand foure hundred eighty sixe and the second of his Fathers raigne In whose fifth yeere he was created Prince of Wales Duke of Cornewall and Earle of Chester and at the age of fifteene yeeres one month and twenty fiue daies vpon the foureteenth of Nouember in the yeere of our Lord one thousand fiue hundred and one espoused the Lady Katherine daughter to Ferdinando King of Spaine shee being then about eighteene yeeres of age in the Cathedrall Church of Saint Paul London and presently sent into Wales the better to gouerne that principality by his owne Presence enioyed his marriage bed onely foure moneths and ninteene daies departing this life at Ludlow the second of Aprill the yeere of our Lord one thousand fiue hundred and two of his Fathers raigne seuenteene and of his owne age fifteene yeeres sixe moneths and thirteene daies His body with all due funerall solemnities was buried in the Cathedrall Church of Saint Maries in Worcester where in the South side of the Quire he remaineth entombed in Touch or Iette without any remembrance of him by picture 73 Henrie the second sonne of King Henrie the seuenth and of Queene Elizabeth was borne at Greenwich in the Countie of Kent the two and twentieth of Iune in the yeere of Grace one thousand foure hundred ninety and one being the seuenth of his Fathers raigne In his Infancy he was created Duke of Yorke and Marshall of England and so trained vp in his youth to literature as hee was rightly accounted the best learned Prince in Europe and by the death of his brother succeeded his Father in all his Dominions whose Raigne and Acts are presently to be related 74 Edmund the third sonne of King Henry and of Queene Elizabeth was borne in the yeere of Christ one thousand foure hundred ninetie fiue and in his young yeeres was created Duke of Sommerset which Title hee no long time enioyed being taken away by death at Bishops Hatfield before hee attained fully to fiue yeeres of age the yeere of Grace one thousand foure hundred ninetie and fiue and fifteenth of his Fathers Raigne and his body lieth interred at Saint Peters in Westminster 75 Margaret the eldest daughter of King Henrie and of Lady Elizabeth his Queene was born the nine and twentieth day of Nouember the yeere of Christ 1489. and fifth of her fathers raigne shee at the age of foureteene was married vnto Iames the fourth King of Scotland the yeere of our Lord one thousand fiue hundred and three vnto whom shee bare Iames the fifth Arthur and Alexander and a Daughter which last three died all of them young and after the death of King Iames being slaine at Flodden Field in fight against the Engglish shee was remarried vnto Archibald Douglas Earle of Anguisse in the yeere of our Lord one thousand fiue hundred and foureteene vnto whom shee bare Margaret afterward espoused vnto Mathew Earle of Lennox Father by her of the Lord Henrie who died at the age of nine moneths and lyeth interred in the vpper ende of the Chancell in the Parish Church of Stepney neere London vpon whose Graue is engrauen in brasse as followeth Heere lieth Henry Steward Lord Darle of the age of three quarters of a yeere late Sonne and Heire of Mathew Steward Earle of Lennoux and Lady Margaret his wife which Henrie deceased the XXV III. day of Nouember in the yeere of our Lord God 1545. Whose Soule Iesus perdon Her second sonne was Henrie Lord Dernley a Noble Prince and reputed for person one of the goodliest Gentlemen of Europe who married Marie Queene of Scotland the royall Parents of the most roiall Monarch Iames the first King of great Britaine and of the Britaine World And her third sonne was Charles Earle of Lennox father vnto Lady Arbella 76 Elizabeth the second daughter of King Henry and Lady Elizabeth his Queene was borne the second day of Iuly one thousand foure hundred ninety two and died the foureteenth of September and yeere of Christ one thousand foure hundred ninetie fiue and is interred at Westminster 77 Mary the third blossome of the Imperiall Rose-tree of England was first wife to Lewis King of France who liued not
long after and died without issue by her Her second husband was that Martiall and pompous Gentleman Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolke 78 Katharine fourth daughter of this seuenth Henry and of Elizabeth his Queene was borne vpon Candlemas day in the yeere of our Lord one thousand fiue hundred and three and in the eighteenth yeere of her fathers raigne who was called to her part in a far better Kingdome within a short while after HENRIE THE EIGHT OF THAT NAME KING OF ENGLAND FRANCE AND IRELAND DEFENDER OF THE FAITH c. THE FIFTIE EIGHT MONARCH OF THE ENGLISH HIS RAIGNE ACTS WIVES AND ISSVE CHAPTER XXI THe rich and wise King Henry the seuenth gone as is said the way of all flesh his sonne bearing the same name a most magnanimous heroical Prince succeded in his Throne ouer al his dominions as the only true heir vnto the Crowne by both the houses of Lancaster and Yorke His birth was at Greenwich in the yeere of Grace 1491. the twentieth two of Iune and his youth so trained vp in literature that he was accounted the most learned Prince of all Christendome indued with parts most befitting a King both in lineaments of body and liberality of minde besides his ripe knowledge in politicke affaires and was made the more agreeable to the affections of men by the consideration of his flourishing age as hauing not attained vnto nineteen at his fathers death In his infancy hee was created Duke of Yorke at twelue yeeres his brother deceased Prince of Wales and at eighteene became sole Monarch of the land when at Westminster vpon Sunday the twenty fift of Iune euen the festiuall of Saint Iohn Baptist and yeere of Christ Iesus 1509. hee with his beauteous Queene Katherine receiued their Crowns at the hands of William Warham Archbishoppe of Canterbury no Prince giuing better hopes vnto iustice or seeking the wealth of his subiects more then himselfe 2 His Counsellors he chose of the grauest diuines and the wisest Nobility with whom hee not onely often sate to the great encrease of his politicke experience but would also yeeld his authority to their graue and farre inseeing wisdomes Of whom the plaints of Petitioners were so mouingly regarded that Proclamations went forth with promise of restitution to them that had beene wronged by Dudley or Empson two persons that had abused the authority of K. Henrie his Father by enriching their owne coffers with the vrter vndoing of many better subiects These men King Henry the seuenth had made his Instruments for the finding out of offenders in his penall Statutes themselues being learned in the lawes and apt inough to execute their Commissions to the full for by their daily informations and recouering of fines they digged and brought a filuer Mine into the Kings Exchequer some veines whereof by the way ranne also into their owne coffers to the great vexation of all and vtter vndoing of many whereat the Noblemen grudged the Gentility repined the Commons lamented and all of them felt the teeth of these rauening Wolues But the father King departed and his sonneset on his throne the complaintes of the oppressed so oppressed the King and his Councell that Dudley and Empson were sent prisoners to the Tower and both of them by Parliament attainted of Treason 3 Edmund Dudley by descent was a Gentleman and by profession a Lawyer hauing both wit and wordes at will had hee not abused both to his own destruction Richard Empson his inferiour by birth was the sonne of a poore Sieue-maker but yet had hee stepped before him to the degree of a Knight These night-sprung Mushrumps that sucked the earthes fatnesse from far better plants then themselues saw not the many hands ready to plucke vp them by the rootes when the season should serue to cleare the land of such weedes for albeit they had their discharge vnder the Kings owne hand to doe what they did and their seruice knowne Crowne seruice a matter impugnable yet no sooner were they left to stand vpon their owne basis but that they felt the weight of their done wrongs too importunable for them any longer to beare for so importune were all degrees against them that Dudley forthwith in Guild-hall London was arraigned and condemned to die and King Henry in progresse through the cry of the people could take no pleasure til he had sent for Empson into Northamptonshire where among them hee was arraigned and receiued sentence of death which was so desired and followed as to satisfie his Subiects the King sent a speciall writ for their executions which with great ioy of all was performed vpon Tower hill by taking from them their heades when they left their riches to be spent by others and their names to remaine vpon Record for the Caterpillers of those times whose like if any such liue shall leaue their hatefull remembrance to the like staines of reprochfull infamy how pleasing soeuer the promotion so gotten in their owne eyes shall seeme or the employments in their selfe conceites accounted profitable to the State 4 This iustice of King Henry wanne him great praise of his people and his charity extended towards London when that City was sore distressed with famine by sending sixe hundred quarters of corne great loue so that neuer any King entred his raigne with better hopes then himselfe That his person was tall is not to bee doubted though not like vnto Soules as some haue alleadged whose report is that at the siege of Bulloigne he was higher by the head then any in his Campe and euery ioint proportionable to so royall a stature but that hee was strong his many Iusts and Tilts and fights at Turnay most dangerously performed was manifested vpon them that vnderwent his heauy hand for at Tilt hee bare downe a man at Armes both horse and all and threw Sir William Kingston a Knight of great strength to the ground at Barryers with battell-axe he combated against one Giot a Germane very strong and tall and lent him better blowes then he could againe repay 5 His glorie thus mounted the Trophie of fame and young Henry the onely morning starre in this Westerne Orbe Pope Iulius the second fearing the further incroch of the French who then had entred into some part of Italy thought this Prince the strongest pillar whereunto to trust and the fittest Carde to trumpe the French King well knowing the Title that the English Kings had vnto France and the readinesse of his Subiects to forward that way wherupon writing his letters vnto King Henry complained against Lewis the French king and twelfth of that name who neither as hee alleadged esteeming of God good fame nor conscience detained the reuenewes of the Clergy supported the Cardinall William to aspire the Papacy aided in the siege of Bonen Alfonso of Ferrara and the Benteuoly both traitors to the Papal Sea where hee
th●… Tragicall effects * Polyd. Verg. A counterfeit Earle of Warwick executed * Addit to Fab. * Holinshed The true Earle of Warwicke designed to die * Stowes Annal. Perkin condemned executed A. D. 1499. An. Reg. 15. The Earle of Warwicks ruined by Perkins conspiracie Io. Sotw Annal. The Earle confesseth the enditement * Sir F. B. MS. Edward Earle of Warwicke last Male Plausage●… beheaded * Ioh. Stow. Annal. * Sir Fr. B. MS. * Polyd. Verg. A. D. 1501. An. Reg. 17. The Lady Katherine of Spaine landed in England Polyd. Verg. in Henirc 7. * Add. to Feb. * Res edmirabiles opera 〈◊〉 * Franc. Tarapha de Reg. Hisp. The briefe of 〈◊〉 and ●…bellas greatest actions * Luc. Marin Sic. Lib. 10. Isabella Queene of Spaine descended from our Edward the 3. King of England * Auton Hebri●… Decad I. lib. 1. * Polyd. Verg. 〈◊〉 Hen. 7. * Luc. Marin Sic. Prince Arthur married * Addit to Fab. saith on a Sunday the feast of S. Erkenwald * 10. Stows Annal. Prince Arthur dieth * Bern. Andr. MS. Prince Arthurs bookes and learning A. D. 1501. An. Reg. 17. * The cōtract betweene Iames King of Scots and Lady Margaret published * Ioh. Stow Annal. in Iac. 4. * Polyd. virg Episc. Ross. Bishop Fox his presence desired by the Scotish King * Episc. Ross. ex Polyd. verg King Henries answere to an obiection against the match with Scotland A. D. 1502 An. Reg. 18. King Henry a Widdower and Henry his sonne created Prince of Wales * See in the life of Henry the 8 * 〈◊〉 Stow Ananl K. Henry brings his daughte●… the Lady Margares on the way to Scotland * Epis. Ross. The Earle of Northumberl●… deliuers her to King Iames within Scotland * I●… Iac. 4. The immediate happy effect of this marriage * A. D. 1506 A. R. 21. * Addit to Fab. cals him Duke A Prince of the bloud roiall arraigned for murther of a priuate person The Earle of Suffolke causeth troubles Polyd. Verg. Edw. Hal. Hollinsh * Io. Stow. Annal. * Polyd. Verg. Apprehensions of persons for the Earle of Suffolkes cause * Polyd. Verg. The misery of great subiect and a lesson for thē Executions for the Earle of Suffolkes cause * Stowes Annal. * Add. to Fab. * Addit to Fab. The Earle or Duke of Suffolke and Sir Robert Curson others accursed Antiquit. Britan. in Mortons life names Innocentius and not Alexander * Polyd. Uerg. Antiquis Brit. in vita Morton Antiquit. Britan. Ibidem Philip the first King of Spaine and his Queene driuen by tempests into England A. D. 1506. An. Reg. 21. * Ioh. Stow. Annal. Polydor saith Way●…outh * Io. Sotw Annal. The Kings of England and Spaine at Windsore Polyd. Verg. The Earle of Suffolke deliuered vp and sent to the Tower The ominous fall of the weather cocke of Pauls * Suet. in Ang. cap. 97. King Henries gathering of treasure * N●…n tam seueritatis quam anaritia tela esse clamabant * Sir F. B. MS King Henry giues way to the needlesse molestation of his people * Sir Fr. B. MS Addit to Hard. The foule practises vsed to empouerish the subiect * Cor. Tacit. * Polyd. Verg. * 10. Stow Annals A. D. 1508. A. R. 23. The King falleth sicke Pol. Verg. King Henry seeks to assure his daughter Mary to Charles King of Castile The French King sends for aduise to the King of Scots * Epis. Ross. * Polyd. Verg. The Lade Mary promised to King Charles A. D. 1508. A. Reg. 24. K. Henry the 7. dies * Iohn Stowe Generall pardons granted by the King * Sir Fr. B. MS. Io. Stow. Annal. The yeere of his age and raigne A Saint lost for want of pay * Cambden in Surrey See more Supra in Edward 4. §. 79. 80. * Addit to Fab. King Henry saluted Defensor of Christs Church by three Popes Monarch 58 Henry VIII A. D. 1509. King Henry his birth place Polydor. The most learned King of Christendom●… King Henry and Queene Kathe●… crowned Edw. Hall King Henry vsed to sit often in Councell him selfe in person Dudley Empson Ioh. Stow. Hollinsh pag. 791. Edw. Hall In Yocester Northamptonshire Edmund Dudley condemned Io. Sotw Annal. K. He●…ies iustice and charity commended Holinsh. Henry a goodly man of shape and stature K. Henries great strength The Popes letters vnto King Henry K. Henry demanded France Iohn Lesly Bishop of Rosse A. D. 1510. K. Henry maketh league with many Princes Guiccardin King Henry entreth France An. Reg. 1. Edw. Hal. Sleidans Com. The Emperour serueth K. Henry Anglorum praelia Paulus Iouius Battell of Spurs A. D. 1513 August 24 Terwin wonne and the Cit●…zens sworne vnto Henry Edw. Hall Turnay befieged by K. Henry The strength of Turnay A. D. 1513. Octob. 2. King Henry in triumph entred Turnay Ioh. Lesly K. Iames of Scotland incited by the French King Edw. Hal. Holinsh. See the contents of this letter in Ioh. Leslie Bishop of Rosse dated at Edenbrough the twenty sixt of Iuly in A. D. 1513. Lions terrified at K. Henries answeres See the contents of this letter in Holinshed dated from the Campe at the fiege of Terwin the 12. of August A. D. 1513. Iames King of Scotland enters England Thomas Earle of Surrey King Henries Lieutenant maketh towards the Scots Lord Howard profereth battel vnto K. Iames. King Iames accepteth of battel Iohn Lesly The fight begun Paulin 〈◊〉 The Scots at the first encounter be at the English backe The battels ioin The Scots put to flight The valiant courage of K. Iames. 〈◊〉 king of Scots slaine with 12. Earles and 17. Lords The Honourable receiuing of Cardinall Campiut Matth. 21 9. The Cardinals rich treasures shewed in Cheap side Charles the Emperour cometh into England Iohn Stow. Rich. Turpin King Henrie goeth into France Rich. Grafton Edw. Hall A. D. 1521. An. Reg. 13. Variance betwixt England and France Iohn Stow. R. Grafton Taken out of the Cardinals owne letters dated Ianuary 16. Anno. 1524. Duke Burbon made King Henries Captaine General Instructions of King Henry dated in Anno 1524. Rich. Pace Secretarie The English Embassages into forraine States The wrongs done by the French vnto the English Iohn Lest. The Queenes Dowry vapaid A. D. 1522. A generall muster Io. Stow. Charles the Emperour commeth againe into England Holinsh. in Anno 18. Henrie 8. The Emperour affianceth Lady Mary Iohn Sleidan Com. K. Henry wrote against Martin Luther The Popes Oration at the deliuery of K. Henries booke Ex Original Troubles in Ireland Holinsh pag. 84. Discention betwixt the Lord Deputies of Ireland Kildare accused to the Cardinall The Cardinals speech at the Counsell Table against Kildare Kildare interrupteth the Cardinals tale The Lords tender Kildare He answereth the Cardinals obiection In what ease stand the Noblemen of Ireland with Rebels Kildare committed to prison Kildare accused for suborning of Traitors Kildar committed to the Tower Kildares noble
not learned the truth of things indeed he admitteth without discretion and iudgement the vanitie and vntruths of fables I forbeare to speake saith he what great matters this fellow hath forged of the Britaines acts before the Empire and comming in of Caesar. Thus farre Paruus But I know the answer to this so great an accusation namely that this William making suit vnto Dauid ap Owen Gwyneth Prince of north-North-wales for the Bishoprick of Saint Assaphs after the death of Geffrey and thereof failing falsly scandalized and impudently belied that most reuerend man Which surely had been a great fault and might of vs be beleeued had not others of the same ranke and time verified asmuch 17 For Syluester Giraldus commonly called Cambrensis that flourished in the same time with the said author made no doubt to terme it The fabulous story of Geffrey The like is verified by Iohn Weathamstead Abbat of Saint Albanes a most iudicious man that wrote in anno 1440. who in his Granarie giueth sentence of this history as followeth The whole discourse of Brutus saith he is rather poeticall then historicall and for diuers reasons is built more vpon opinion then truth first because there is no mention thereof made in the Romane story either of his killing his father or of the said birth or yet of banishing the sonne Secondly for that Ascanius begat no such sonne who had for his proper name Syluius by any approued Author for according to them he begat only one sonne and his name was Iulius from whom the family of the Iulii tooke their beginning And thirdly Syluius Posthumus whom perhaps Geffrey meaneth was the sonne of Aeneas by his wife Lauinia and he begetting his sonne Aeneas in the thirty eighth yeer of his raigne ended his life by course of naturall death The kingdome therfore now called England was not heretofore as many will haue named Britaine of Brutus the sonne of Syluius Wherefore it is a vaine opinion and ridiculous to challenge noble blood and yet to want a probable ground of the challenge for it is manhood only that enobleth a nation and it is the mind also with perfect vnderstanding and nothing els that gaineth gentility to a man And therefore Seneca writeth in his Epistles to Plato that there is no King but he came from vassals and no vassall but he came from Kings Wherefore to conclude let this suffice saith he that the Britaine 's from the beginning of their nobility haue been couragious and valiant in fight that they haue subdued their enemies on euery side and that they vtterly refuse the yoke of seruitude 18 Now that William of Newborough had sufficient cause say some to exclaime against the fantacies of Merline and the fictions of Arthur is made manifest in the sequel not only by the decree of that obtruded Councell of Trent wherein was inhibited the publication of Merlines books but also in effect by the statute enacted the fifth yeere of our last deceased Queene Elizabeth of blessed and immortall memorie wherein is forbidden such fantasticall predictions vpon occasions of Armes Fields Beasts Badges Cognizances or Signets such as Merline stood most vpon and likewise William of Malmsbury saith that Arthur being the only proppe that vpheld his country deserued rather to be aduanced by truth then abused with fables wherewith that story is most plentifully stored And also that Weathamstead had reason to account Brutes acts and conquests to be rather poeticall then any waies warranted by the records of truth appeareth by the silence of the Romane writers therein who name neither Brute nor his father in the genealogie of the Latine Kings and if any such were saith the contradictors how could they be ignorant of the vntimely death of their king slaine by the hand of his naturall though in this act vnnaturall sonne or what should moue them being so lauish in their own commendations to be thus silent in their Brutes worthinesse that with seuen thousand dispersed Troians warred so victoriously in Gallia conquered a kingdome of Giants subdued a most famous Iland raigned gloriously and left the same to his posterity none of them either in prose or poetry once handled but left to destiny to be preserued by a long ensuing meanes or to perish in obliuion for euer And surely this moued the whole senate of great Clerks to giue sentence that neuer any such Brute raigned in the world such as were Boccace Viues Hadrian Iunius Polydore Buchanan Vignier Genebrard Molinaeus Bodine and others 19 Yea and there are some Criticks that faine would take aduantage from the defenders of Brutes history themselues as from Sir Iohn Prys that produceth many vncertaine ensamples of the originall of other nations which granted say they doth no waies confirme the truth or certainty of our owne neither is it any honour to deriue these Britaines from the scumme of such conquered people as the Troians were Humfrey Lhuyd likewise denying absolutely the deriuation of the Britaines name from Brute and bringing it from two compounded words as we haue said doth thereby weaken the credit of his conquest of this Iland to their vnderstanding as also the catalogue of his successors which are said to raigne successiuely for many hundred of yeeres after him And another industrious British writer hauing the helpe of two most ancient British copies the collections of Caradock of Carnaruan their owne Bardies euery third-yeeres visitation and twenty seuen authors of good account all of them cited in the preface of his Chronicle besides his helps had in the offices of records for this realme yet ascending no higher then to the person of Cadwallader Prince of Wales whose raign was in the yeere of Christs incarnation 682. and no lesse then one thousand seuen hundred twenty and sixe yeeres after that Brute is said to come into this Iland doth not warrant say they the story that is included betwixt but rather euen the same is enterlaced with many doubtfull vncertainties and so left disputable by the said compiler himselfe as namely whether that this Cadwallader whom the Britaines claime to be their king be not the same Chedwald whom the Saxons would haue theirs both liuing at one time both in acts alike and names neere both abandoning their kingdomes both taking the habit of religion both dying in Rome both buried in one Church nay say they in one Sepulchre The like he bringeth of the Britaines Iuor and the Saxons Iue in the like coherences of names acts deuotions and deaths so that this history of Brute carieth not so smooth a current for passage as is wished nor is that Gordeons knot so easily vnloosed Againe the Reformer of the British history himselfe although he hath written one whole chapter in defence of Geffrey Monmouth and straineth to make his booke authenticall complaining often and accusing learned and vnpartiall Cambden seuerall
against excessiue drinking ordaining a size by certaine pinnes set in the pot with penalties to any that should presume to drinke deeper then the marke 5 His policie was no lesse prudent but much more successefull for the destruction of Wolues that in his daies did great annoiance to the land for the tribute imposed vpō the Princes of Wales by the English King Ethelstan as we haue said he wholy remitted and in lieu thereof appointed certaine numbers of Wolues yeerely to bee paid and Ieuaf or Iage Prince of north-North-Wales did for his part pay him yeerely three hundred which continued for three yeeres space but in the fourth was not a Wolfe to bee found and so the tribute ceased 6 His Nauie roiall containing three thousand and sixe hundred ships he diuided into three parts appointing euery of them to a seuerall quarter to waffe the Seas and secure the coasts from Pirats and forraine enemies wherein himselfe euery summer would saile with those in the East parts vnto those in the West and sending them backe to their charge would with the West saile into the North and with the northerne fleete compasse againe into the East whereby the seas were scowred and his Kingdom exceedingly strengthned 7 The like custome vsed he in the winter season in his ieysts and circuits throughout his Country so to take account of the administration of his lawes and the demeanour of his great men especially of his Iudges whom seuerely he punished so often as he found the execution of their places ballanced either with bribery or partiality so that there was neuer lesse robbery deceit or oppressions thē in the raigne of this worthy King 8 His state thus flourishing in peace and prosperity he caused diuers Princes to bind themselues vnto his allegiance but perchanceit may iustly be doubted whether in such performance of homage and seruice as Malmsbury Florentius Randulphus Marianus Houeden and other writers affirme to haue beene at the City Chester where they say Kennadie King of Scots Malcolme of Cumberland Maxentius an Arch-Pirate with the petty King of Wales Duffnall Griffith Hunal Iacob and Indithil did with oares row his Barge vpon the riuer Dee from his Pallace to Saint Iohns Church and thence againe backe to his Pallace himselfe the while steering the helme and saying in his glory that then his successors might trulie account themselues Soueraigne Kings of England when they enioyed such a Prerogatiue of sublimity and supreme honour although saith M. Fox he might much better and more Christianlike haue said God forbid that I should reioice but in the Crosse of our Lord Iesus Christ. 9 Warres he had none in all his raigne onely towards the end the Welshmen moued some rebellion which to preuent hee assembled a mighty Army and therewith entred into the County of Glamorgan sharply punishing the ringleaders thereof but his souldiers doing great harms in the country laden with spoiles for the returne the King out of his bounty commanded all to be againe restored whereby hee purchased singular loue and honour of the inhabitants 10 To his magnanimity was ioined much deuotion but most especially towards the Monks for whom and for Nunnes hee built and repaired forty seuen Monasteries intending to haue continued their number vnto fifty as himselfe testifieth in these words of his Charter The Monasteries aswell of Monks as of Virgins haue beene destroied and quite neglected throughout England which I haue now determined to repaire to the glory of God for my soules health and so to multiply the number of Gods seruants and handmaides and now already I haue set vp forty seuen Monasteries with Monks and Nunnes in them and if Christ spare me life so long I am determined in offering my deuout munificence to God to proceed to fifty euen to the iust number of a Iubilee And by this his Charter did not onely approue the enlargement of S. Maries Monasterie in Worcester and the restoring of Votaries in stead of married Priests but himselfe either new founded or repaired many others as the house of Ely Glasenbury Abington Burgh Thorney Ramsey Wilton Wenton Winchorne and Thumstocke with great cost and large endowments hauing the Clergie in an high and reuerent esteeme and most of all his Confessor Dunstan but with this wheate there were tares growing though the late Monkish Writers bind them vp for good corne for some men tell saith Randulphus Higden that Edgar in his beginning was cruell to Citizens and lecherous to maidens whereof these his actions ensuing beare sufficient witnes 11 The first was committed against the virgine Wolfhild a sacred Nunne as some affirme though others somwhat mitigating that sacrilegious offence haue reported that she to auoid his fleshly and lasciuious lust was forced to take the habite of a Menchion vpon her and in the same brought to his bed wherein the chast S. Edith was begot and for whom say they he vnderwent his seuen yeeres penance without the wearing of his Crowne 12 A like offence hee committed against the virgine Ethelfleda the daughter of Ordmar a Duke among the East-Angles who for her surpassing beauty was surnamed the White on whom he begat his eldest sonne Edward for which fact as M. Fox affirmeth hee did his seuen yeeres penance inioined by Dunstan and indeed by Osberne it appeareth that Edward was not legitimate where he writeth that the child begotten of the harlot he baptized in the holy fountaine of regeneration and so giuing his name to bee called Edward did adopt him to bee his sonne With whom agree Nicholas Trinet in his English story written in French Iohannes Paris in his French story written in Latine both of them calling Edward a sonne illegitimate as also doth Vincentius and Antoninus howbeit William of Malmsbury Mathew Paris Mathew of Westminster Randulphus and others will haue her his first and lawfull wife and Edward in true matrimony to haue descended from them 13 An other instance of his lasciuious life is produced by the forenamed Writers and thus both occasioned and acted It chanced Edgar to heare a Virgine and daughter to a Westerne Duke exceedingly praised for her incomparable beauty the touch of which string from his care resounded to his heart and as a bait it drew him presently into those parts where comming to Andeuer commanded the damsell to his bed The mother tender of the Virgins honour brought in the darke her maid but not her daughter who all as well pleased the King in his sinnefull dalliance the day approching this late laid maid made hast to arise but the King loth to part yet with his supposed faire Lady demanded why she made such hast who answered him that her taske was great and hardly would her worke be done if day should preuent her ere she rose but yet being staied aboue her howre vpon her knees she made this humble request that shee might be freed from her
a sudden gale arose which blew all the sailes spred for that winde into one Port. And that was Harold sonne to Earle Goodwine a man duly prizing his many worthy parts not vnmeet for a kingdom who first succeeding his father in his Dukedome and next Edward his brother in Law in his Kingdom in patience clemency affability bare himselfe most approuedly towards the vertuous but with a Lions courage and fierce countenance chastised the disordered and indeede became another Maccabeus vnto the distressed Land Whose kingly state before wee touch it shall not bee amisse to lengthen his short raigne with his Acts and Life as hee was a Subiect both with and against his Lord and Predecessor 2 That hee tooke part with his Father against Eustace of Bulloigne and King Edwards hasty commission wee haue shewed himselfe then enioying the Earledom of Oxford and so affected by those of Essex Suffolke and Norfolke Cambridge Huntington-shires that they sided in his cause against the King But these designes failing as commonly it is seene all attempts of Subiects against their Soueraignes doe hee learned by banishment what was the losse of true honour and by forbearance of battle when halfe the Kingdome stood for him his dutie obliged vnto the Common-wealth And growne againe into fauour with the King carried himselfe answerably vnto both 3 Some iealousy conceiued Edward without any cause banished Algar the son of Leofrike Earle of Chester who with the helpe of the Irish and Welchmen vnder the conduct of Gruffith ap Llewelyn Prince of north-North-Wales who had married his daughter did much hurt to the English putting Rodulph Earle of Hereford to flight with the slaughter of fiue hundred men spoiled the City burnt the Minster and became Masters of mis-rule in those parts Against these was Harold sent and with such manhood pursued his flying enemies that passing through North-Wales vpon the Snow-downes he pitched his Field The Earle and Prince Gruffith not daring to abide his presence fled thence vnto south-South-Wales and again tooke into Hereford whereof Harold hauing intelligence hasted thitherward leauing sufficient in the Snow-downes to mate the Welsh and recouering the City with a deepe trench and high rampire fortified it about where for the sauing of more bloud and not vngratefull to Algar who without grudge had resigned to him his Earldome and whole Reuenewes at his returne from exile a peace was concluded and at Harolds request Earle Algar and Prince Gruffith were pardoned 4 But Algar being again accused again aided by his old associate Gruffith recouered his Earledome by force whereat King Edward was highly displeased but most against Gruffith who euer was ready to assist any against him whereupon Harold the second time appointed Generall with a great host entred North-Wales without sight of enemy where he only burnt downe the stately Palace of Prince Gruffith so returned to the King But long the Welsh were not quiet nor the Prince pleased of the harms to him done Wherefore making his forces verie strong he again molested the English 5 To restraine whom once more was Harold set foorth who with such terrour burst into Wales that Prince Gruffith in secret stole from his Campe leauing his Souldiers if they would to fight for themselues whereupon his whole army yeelded themselues to Harolds mercy and hauing Prince Gruffith in their hands cut off his head and sent it to Harold giuing him pledges for assurance of p●…ce and the paiment of the ancient tribute which for a time had beene reteined yet euer after hee carried so heauy a hand on the Welsh that as Iohn of Salisburie in his Policraticon writeth he ordained a law that what Welsh-man soeuer should with weapon passe ouer Offaes ditch should haue hi●… right hand cutte off by the Kings officer 6 All now in quiet and Harold withdrawne to his Mannor of Boseham vpon the riuage of the sea in the confines of Sussex there for his recreation one day hee tooke into a Fishers boate with small attendants neither those very skilfull Mariners when no sooner were they lanched into the deepe but a contrary wind came about and droue the boat vpon the coast of Ponthieu in France where hee was taken by the Country people and presented to Guido their Earle who a while retained him his prisoner in hope of gaine by his ransom but Duke William requiring it he was conueied into Normandy where he cunningly perswaded the Duke that his secret comming out of England was purposely to enter a league of amity with him The Duke then hauing present wars with the Britaine 's in France tooke this his new friend and guest with him for his companion at Armes whose ready policies followed with forward practise wan him great estimation with the Duke whereupon betwixt them a couenant was made for the reseruation of the English Crowne to the Norman if it chanced King Edward to die without children and the same ratified by Harolds corporall oath with the affiancing of Lady Adeliza the Dukes fift daughter then a child and Harold a widower which afterwards fell to his owne destruction and the lands subuersion as shall bee said 7 His last imploiment by holy King Edward was against the tumultuous Northumbrians which had expulsed Tosto their Earle and Harolds owne brother where a peace was concluded without shedding blood but with condition that Tosto should lose his Earledom whereupō in great displeasure he with his wife children fled into Flanders and euer after hated the person and emulated the glory of Harold The originall of these two brethrens quarrels beganne at Windsor where in the presence of the King they fell from words vnto blowes and that in such manner as if rescue had not come Tosto had died for which disgrace hee secretly hied him into the Marches of Wales and neere the City Hereford at Portaflyth where Harold had a house then in preparing to entertaine the King he slew all his brothers seruants and them cutting peecemeale into gobbets salted some of their limmes and cast the rest into vessels of the meath and wines sending his brother word that hee had furnished him with poudred meats against the Kings comming thither which barbarous act caused deseruedly his name to be odious vnto his Northumbrians and was lastly repayed with his owne death 8 Now albeit some Heralds make Harold by birth but a Gentleman of one and the first descent which were it so should no whit blemish him who was more truely enobled with princely vertues yet therein also it may seeme hee is mis-esteemed seeing his Father was Goodwin a Duke by degree the son of Wolnoth and he the sonne of Egelmar who was the sonne of Egelricke surnamed Leofwine and brother of Edrick Duke of Mercia that married the daughter of King Ethelred of England of whom wee haue spoken The mother of Harold was Githa the daughter of Duke
Wolfe and sister to Sweyne the yonger King of Denmarke by Estrich his wife who was sister to Canute the great King of England and himselfe the second sonne of her borne whose elder brother was Sweyne that died on pilgrimage in his returne from Ierusalem and his yonger were Tosto Wilnod Grith and Leofrick 9 A former wife Earle Goodwin had whose name was Thira the sister of Canute a woman sold vnto wickednesse for making marchandize of Englands beauteous virgins into Denmarke shee solde them there at deare rates to satisfie her owne vnsatiate auarice and the lusts of the lasciuious Danes till a iust reward of Gods wrath fell on her by a thunderbolt falling from heauen wherewith shee was slaine to the great terrour of the beholders One sonne by her Earle Goodwin had who when hee was past childs age riding vpon a horse the gift of his Grandfather the King proudly giuing him the reine and spurre was violently borne into the riuer Thamesis and so sodainely drowned Thus much being premised of Harold before hee was King his raigne life and death wee will now addresse to declare 10 Edwards life ended and nothing determined touching his successor Harold the second day after being the day of his buriall made himselfe King none of the Nobility disliking what hee had done for courteous hee was of specch and behauiour and in martiall prowesse the onely man as Wales well witnessed more then once friended by affinity with many of the Nobles and by his new marriage with Edgitha the daughter of Algar sister of the Earles Morc●…r and Edwin and late wife to Gruffith ap Lhewelyn Prince of Wales hee expected to bee both sided and assisted if his cause came either to triall or voice 11 And the time hee well saw fitted his entrance for Sweyne King of Denmarke most dread by the English was entangled with the Sweden wars and William the Norman that made claime from King Edward at variance with Philip the French King the friends of Edgar in Hungarie and himselfe a stranger ouer young for rule all which concurrents made Harold without deliberation or order from the State to set the Crowne on his owne head regardlesse of all ceremony and solemne celebration for which his act as a violator of holy rites hee too too much offended the Clergy 12 The day of his Coronation was vpon Friday the fifth of Ianuary being the feast of the Epiphany and yeere of Saluation 1066 none either greatly applauding or disapprouing his presumption except onely for the omission of manner and forme to redeeme which and to re-gaine the good will of all no sooner attained hee the seate roiall but he remitted or diminished the grieuous customes and tributes which his predecessors had raised a course euer powerfull to winne the hearts of the Commons to Church-men hee was verie munificent and carefull of their aduancements and to grow more deepely into their venerable esteeme hee repaired their Monasteries but most especially that at Waltham in Essex which hee most sumptuously new built and richly endowed giuing it the name of Holy Crosse vpon occasion that such a Crosse found farre westward was brought thither by miracle vt tradunt and therefore hee chose out this place to powre forth his supplications before hee marched to meete Duke William in the field Moreouer to satisfie such Nobles as affected young Edgars iuster title he created him Earle of Oxford and held him in speciall fauour in briefe vnto the poore his hand was euer open vnto the oppressed he ministred iustice and vnto all men was affable and meeke and all to hold that vpright which on his head he had set with an vn-euen hand and depriued him of vnto whom hee was Protector 13 Three seuerall reports are affirmed of Edwards dispose of the Crowne the first was to the Norman Duke who made that the anker-hold of his claime the second was to young Edgar vnto whom hee was great vncle and the last vnto this Harold himselfe for so saith Edmerus and also Marianus who liued at the very same time and writeth that Harold thereupon was sacred and crowned by Aldredus Archbishop of Yorke so that hereby hee is freed by some from the imputation of intrusion and wrong 14 His State thus standing and his subiects contentment day●…y increasing presently it was somwhat perplexed by an Ambassage sent from the Norman putting him in mind of his couenant and oath aswell for the custody of the Crowne to his behoofe as for the solemnazion of the mariage contracted betwixt his daughter and him 15 Harold who thought himselfe now surely seated in the hearts of his Subiects and therefore also sure in his Kingdome answered the Ambassadors That he held their Masters demaund vniust for that an oath extorted in time of extremity cannot bind the maker in conscience to performe it for that were to ioyne one sinne with another and that this oath was taken for feare of death or imprisonment the Duke himselfe well knew but admit it was voluntarily and without feare could I said he then a subiect without the allowance of the King and the whole State giue away the Crownes succession to the preiudice of both surely a Kingdome is of a better account then to bee so determined in priuate onely betwixt two With which kind of answeres he sent the messengers away 16 The Norman who till then thought England sure to be his and had deuoted his hopes from a Duke to a King stormed to see himselfe thus frustrated on the sudden and in stead of a Crown to haue scornes heaped on his head therefore nothing contented with this sleight answere returned his Ambassadors againe vnto Harold by whom hee laid his claime more at large as that King Edward in the Court of France had faithfully promised the succession vnto him and againe afterwards ratified the same to him at his being in England and that not done without consent of the State but confirmed by Stigandus Archbishoppe of Canterbury the Earles Goodwin and Syward yea and by Harold himselfe and so firmely assured that his Brother and Nephew were deliuered for pledges and to that end sent vnto him into Normandy that hee had no way beene constrained hee appealed to Harolds owne conscience who besides his voluntary offer to sweare contracted himselfe to Adeliza his daughter then but young and now departed life vpon which foundation the oath was willingly taken 17 But Harold who thought his owne head as fit for a crowne as any others meant nothing lesse then to lay it downe vpon parley and therefore told them flatly that howsoeuer Edward and he had tampered for the Kingdome yet Edward himselfe comming in by election and not by any title of inheritance his promise was of no validity for how could hee giue that whereof he was not interessed nor in the Danes time was euer like to be And tell your Duke said he that our
fauour according to the prophesie of King William his Father This battaile was fought and Normandy wonne vpon Saturday being the Vigill of S. Michael euen the same day forty yeares that William the Bastard set foot on Englands Shoare for his Conquest God so disposing saith Malmsbury that Normandy should be subiected to England that very day wherein England was subdued to Normandy 23 Robert Curtuoise that now vnfortunate Prince and William Mortaigne that valiant but head-strong Earle were forthwith sent into England and imprisoned the Earle in the Tower of London and the Duke in Cardiffe Castle in Wales after he had gouerned the Dutchy of Normandy nineteen yeeres and was for esteeme in Chiualrie accounted among the best Captains that the world then afforded had hee not beene as commonly martiall spirits vse to be too rash and vnstaied in his other enterprises which headinesse did now draw vpon him a penance of twenty sixe yeeres continuance in the afflicted state of a forlorne Captiue And Henry now no longer as a brother receiuing the keyes of Normandy as a Conquerour returned into England 24 But long it was not ere Duke Robert weary of this vnwonted duresse sought to escape and hauing liberty to walke in the Kings Meadowes Forrests and Parkes brake from his Keepers without any Assisters or meanes for security who being mist was presentlie pursued and taken in a quag-mire wherein his Horse lay fast whereupon the King hearing of this his attempt considering that woods were no walles to restraine the fierce Lyon and that to play with his claw was to endanger a state commanded him not onely a greater restraint and harder durance but also a thing vnfit for a brother to suffer but most vnworthy for Beauclearke to act both his eyes to bee put out causing his head to be held in a burning bason to auoid the deformity of breaking the eye-bais vntill the glassie tunicles had lost the office of retaining their light 25 Hauing thus quieted all forraine oppositions King Henry set his minde to preuent Domesticke and therfore about this time those Flemmings whose Lands the Seas had deuoured some few yeeres before and place was granted them in Cumberland first by King Rufus and afterwards by Henry were now by the King vpon better aduisement remoued into Wales both to disburden his Inland of such guests and that so they might bee a defence betwixt him and those euer-stirring people Which proiect nothing deceiued his expectation for by the testimony of Giraldus They were a Colony stout and strong and continually endured the warres of the Welsh a Nation most accustomed to seeke gaine by cloathing by triffique also and Marchandize by Sea and Land vndertaking any paines or perils whatsoeuer A people of very great power and as time and place requireth ready by turnes to take plough in hand and till the ground as ready also to goe into the field and fight it out and that I may adde thus much more saith hee a Nation most loially deuoted to the Kings of England and as faithfull to the Englishmen 26 By the which his policy he attained that which his brother Rufus could not who many a time had but small successe in those parts though otherwise euer sped most fortunatly in all his aduentures of warres But it is thought by some that as the Mountanous cragginesse of the Country and sharpnesse of the Aire encouraged them in their rebellion so the same impeached Rufus his successe But King Henrie saith Malmesburie who with many a warlike expedition went about to force the Welshmen euer stirring vnto Rebellion for to yeeld and to submit themselues in the end resolued vpon this whole some policie for to take down their pride he brought thither all the Flemmings that dwelt in England a great number of which Nation in those daies in regard of his mothers kindred by her Fathers side flocking hither were closely shrouded in England in so much as they for their multitude seemed burden some vnto the Realme Wherefore he sent them all together with their substance their Wines and Children vnto Rosse a Countrey in Wales as it were into a common auoidance thereby both to purge his own kingdome and also to quatle and represse the desperate boldnesse of his Enemies 27 And now being free from all feare of subuerters King Henry growing disdainefull saith Paris refused to fulfil what he had so oftē promised to his Nobles heaping threats vpon threats for God had bestowed on him three bounties wisdome victory and riches aboue any of his Predecessors but for all these hee shewed himselfe to God most vnthankeful And of his Clergy wee may say too regardlesse in suffering Anselm newly reconciled to lay heauy punishmēts vpon the married Priests putting many from their places because they denied to put away their Lawfull wiues whereof great contention followed and grieuous sinnes in short time committed both against God and Nature 28 Among these proceedings in England Philip King of France deceased and his sonne Lewis surnamed Crassus succeeded in his gouernement which how he stood affected to Henry was doubted and therefore to make sure worke the King sailed into Normandy furnishing his Townes Castles and Fortresses with all habiliments of warre with prouisions befitting such suspected times and so returning he found attending his comming the Ambassadors of Henrie the fourth Emperour as suters from their Master to obtaine Lady Maud the Kings daughter in Marriage then not past fiue yeeres of age which was willingly graunted and the espousals by way of Proxy solemnized with great feasts and magnificent triumphes 29 About which time the death of Archbishop Anselme happening gaue no small hope to the Clergy as themselues conceited againe to enioy the liberty of matrimoniall society wherein they were not a little deceiued for the King seemed willing that the Ecclesiasticall Ordinance before made should bee more neerely looked into whereupon men for feare and in the sight of men carried themselues accordingly but if in secret they did worse saith Eadmerus let the charge light on their own heads sith euery man shall beare his owne sinnes for I know saith hee that if Fornicators and Adulterers God will iudge the abusers of their owne Cosens I will not say their own Sisters and Daughters shal not surely escape his iudgement 30 The Kings peace which seemed to be secured by his new affinity with the Emperour and his glory raised to the high began now to bee enuied and his brother Duke Roberts extremities greatly to be pitied both by some English and also Normans For Foulke Earle of Aniou both threatned the reuenge and by corrupting the inhabitants wanne the City of Constance from his obeisance To stay whose irruptions King Henry passed into Normandy where hee vsed great extremity and put to death Helia Earle of Cenomania who held that
County against him for which cause Godfrey Earle of Gaunt tooke such displeasure that hee entred into that Earledome and marrying the said Helia his daughter kept the County perforce against King Henries great power But Robert de Beliasme that had escaped at Duke Roberts ouerthrow was then taken and committed prisoner to Warham Castle too gentle a punishment for so blood-thirstie a man whose nature was such that he delighted himselfe onely in cruelty an example whereof hee shewed vpon his owne sonne who being but a childe and playing withhim the father for a pastime put his thumbes in the boies eyes and thrust out the balles thereof 31 These warres somewhat asswaged King Henry returned into England where the people conceiued much grudge at his importable taxes and the Clergy no lesse at his reseruation of Church liuings in their vacancies vnder pretence of keeping them for the worthiest but how vnworthily he oftentimes bestowed thē may be gathered by that prety reproof of Guymundus his Chaplain who grieuing to see vnworthymen for the most part aduanced to Bishoprickes and other dignities when on the Rogation day he celebrated diuine seruice in the Kings Chappel being to read that lesson out of Saint Iames it rained not on the earth III. yeares and VI. moneths hee purposely read it it rained not one one one yeares and fiue one monethes All men either laughing or wondring at his reading the King checkt him for it and askt him the reason marry quoth he I see you bestow your preferments onely on such as can read so which secret touch the King well weighing did both presently preferre him to the gouernment of Saint Frideswides in the Vniuersity of Oxford and afterward was more carefull in all other his choices 32 The King had not beene long in England after his returne from Normandy before the Welshmen then a restlesse people were in Armes against such English as had set footing in that Country which were Gilbert Strangbowe Earle of Strygil and others whose lands in the south part Owen ap Cadogan sore molested and spoiled the like did Gruffith ap Conan Prince of north-North-Wales vpon Hugh Earle of Chesters County and both of them denied King Henry either seruice or tribute These Earles so incensed the King touching these and other outrages of the Welshmen that in a rage he vowed not to leaue one aliue in al North Wales nor in Powys-land and straight repairing thitherward diuided his Armie into 3. parts The first was led by Earle Gilbert against South-wales the second band by Alexander King of Scotland and Hugh Earle of Chester against North-Wales and the King himselfe lead the third vnder whose Standard was the chiefe strength of middle England But the Welsh seeing themselues far vnable to withstand this present preparation tooke into the Mountaines and Woods their surest holds where being followed with great difficulty many of them were slaine and the rest yeelded to King Henry who now as a Conquerour in triumph returned to London 33 Whither immediately resorted vnto him the Ambassadour of his sonne in law the Emperour to haue his wife Lady Maud now marriage-able to be sent vnto him to which request the King most willingly condescended and to furnish her forth accordingly laid a taxe vpon his Subiects taking three shillings for euery Hide of land wherupon shee was presently conducted by his greatest Peares into Germany and at Mentz married to the Emperour Henry the fourth being there consecrated and crowned his Empresse 34 Shortly after King Henry tooke the Seas for Normandy and there created his sonne William about the age of twelue yeeres Houeden saith but eight Duke of that Country causing the people to sweare him fealty whereof grew a custome that thenceforth the Kings of England made euermore their eldest sonnes Dukes of Normandy which done he returned and nothing recorded of his next yeres aduentures but onely that the Sea gaue place to the Sands and by low Ebbes restored some part of her treasures that long had laien hid and buried in her depth the riuers likewise forgat their wonted swiftnes and as it were seemed vnwilling to pay their ancient tribute into that deiected Element and among them Thamesis not the least whose waters so failed for two daies that betwixt London Bridge and the Tower she became passable and scarse two foot deepe 35 King Henry free now from all forraine domesticall trouble onely Gruffith ap Rees somewhat vnquiet in Wales gaue his thoughts to assure the Crowne into his line and to ordaine lawes for the well gouerning of his people for calling an assembly at Salisbury caused the Estates both Spirituall and Temporall to sweare fealty to himselfe and to his sonne Willam the Hope of succession then reforming many abuses and ending certaine contentions both of his Nobles and Prelates laid here the first foundation of our High Court of Parliament for the English Kings in elder times ordered the affaires of the Common-wealth by their Edicts by their officers and by the Gouernours of euerie Country and seldome had the ioint aduice of their people sauing onely at beginning of their gouernment and in time of warre whereas now the Subiect best vnderstanding his owne grieuances hath both liberty in choice of their Knights and Burgesses as also free voice to complaine thereof in that honourable assembly 36 At this time Theobald Earle of Blessis Nephew vnto King Henry vpon occasion of displeasure rose vp in Armes against the French King to whose aid King Henry sent whereat Lewes found himselfe sore agrieued and drew to his side Baldwine Earle of Flanders and Foulke Earle of Aniou who together tooke oath to dispossesse Henry of Normandy and to make William the sonne of the Curtoise Duke thereof to whom it belonged by right and descent to which also many of the Nobles of Normandy consented pittying the wrong of the noble spirited Child and the wretched captiuity of the blind and ouer-borne Father 37 Henry as wisely wrought against their designes and leauying a great taxe vpon his Subiects passeth therewith into Normandy where vniting the aides of the foresaid Theobald as also of the Earle of Britaine with his English hee made a great shew in the field at which time King Lewes with the Earles of Flanders and Aniou being entred Normandy and hearing of King Henries approch and power staid scarsly one night but as mē without hart or courage returned and left the Country for him so that all things seemed well quieted for a yeare or two nothing disturbing King Henries peace excepting only the expectance of the Popes Legate whom hee prohibited to enter England and the death of his Queene Maud the very mirrour of piety humility and princely bounty 38 But coales of displeasure kindled betwixt King Henry and Lewes of France were not quite extinct though they
the right side of King Edward the Confessor 61 Ad●…licia or Alice the second wife of King Henry was the daughter of Godfrey the first Duke of Louaine by the daughter of the Emperour Henrie the fourth and sister to Duke Godfrey and Iocelin of Louain Shee was married vnto him the nine and twentieth of Ianuary in the twentie one of his raigne and yeere of Christ 1121. and was crowned the morrow after being Sunday Shee was his wife fifteene yeeres but euer childlesse and suruiuing him was remarried to William Daubeny Earle of Arundel and was mother of Earle William the second Rayner Godfrey and Ioan married to Iohn Earle of Augi c. His Issue 62 William the sonne of King Henry and Queen Maud his first wife was born the secōd of his Fathers Raigne and of Christ 1102. When he came to age of foureteene yeeres the Nobility of England did him homage and sware their fealties vnto him at Shrewsburie The third yeere after hee married the daughter of Foulk Earle of Aniou and the same yeere hee was made Duke of Normandy doing his homage for the same to Lewes the Grosse King of France and receiued the homage and oathes of the Nobility of that Country but in his returne for England hee was vnfortunately drowned neere vnto Barbfleet vpon the twenty sixt of Nouember the yeere of Grace 1120. and eighteenth of his owne age without any issue to the great griefe of his Father 63 Maud the daughter of King Henry and of Queene Maud his first wife was borne the fourth yeere of her Fathers raigne She was the second wife of the Emperour Henrie the fourth espoused at sixe yeeres of age and at eleuen with great solemnity was married and crowned his Empresse at Mentz in Germany 6. Ianuary Anno 1114. the ninth of her husbands and foureteenth of her Fathers Raignes Shee was his wife twelue yeeres and suruiued him without any issue of him comming into England a widdowe she had fealty sworne vnto her by the Nobility and was remaried to Geffrey Plantaginet Earle of Aniou sonne of Foulke King of Ierusalem vpon the third of Aprill and yeere of Grace 1127. by whom shee had issue Henry the Second King of England Geffery Earle of Nantes in Britanie and William who was called Earle of Poyto she was his wife twenty three yeeres and suruiuing him also continued a widdowe the last seuenteene yeeres of her life which she ended in the City of Roan the tenth of September 1167. the foureteenth of the raigne of King Henry her sonne and was buried in the Abbey of Bee in Normandy 64 Richard a second sonne to King Henry and Queene Maud by the testimony of Geruasius the Monke of Canterbury who maketh Maud their eldest Child William the second and lastly Richard and then saith he she left bearing but Malmsbury saith she had but two Children one of each sexe 65 Eufem also another daughter and fourth Child by Hector Boetius the Scottish Historian is said to be borne vnto the Beauclearke by Queene Maud the credite of the two last I leaue to the reporters who onely thus name them without any further relation His Naturall Issue 66 Robert the naturall sonne of King Henry was Earle of Gloucester and married Ma●…l daughter and heire of Robert Fitzhamon Lord of Glamorgan by whom hee had issue William Earle of Gloucester Richard Bishop of Bayon Roger Bishop of Worcester and Maud the wife of Randolph Gernon the mother of Hugh Keueliot Earle of Chester and Richard his brother Earle William married Auis daughter of Robert Bossu Earle of Leicester and had issue three daughters and heires of that Earledome which by Au●…s the second of them in the end descended to Clare Earle of Hertford This Earle Robert died the last of October in the twelfth yeare of King Stephen and was buried at Bristow in the Church of S. Iames which hee had founded and his body laide in the midst of the Quire vnto him William Malmsbury dedicated his Booke called Historia Nouella 67 Richard another naturall sonne of King Henry was as it seemeth by an ancient Register of the Monastery at Abington borne in the raigne of King William Rufus of the widow of Anskill a Nobleman of the Country adioining to the said Monastery and it seemeth hee is that Richard that was drowned in the Norman Seas neere Barbfleet among the rest of King Henries children 68 Raynold the naturall sonne of King Henry was borne of a daughter vnto Sir Robert Corbet Lord of Alcester in Warwickeshire by the gift of the King in fauour of her who was after married to Henry Fitz-herbert his Chamberlaine This Raynold was created Earle of Cornwall and Baron of Castle comb with consent of King Stephen and had issue foure Daughters of whom haue sprung many faire branches 69 Robert another of that name was borne of Edith the sister of Iue sonne and daughter of Forne the sonne of Sigewolfe both of them great Barons in the North which Edith afterwards King Henry gaue in marriage to Robert D●…lie Baron of Hook-Norton in Oxfordshire and with her gaue him the Mannor of Eleydon in the County of Buckingham by whom he had issue Henry Doylie Baron of Hook-Norton who oftentimes mentioneth this Robert in his Charters euer calling him Robert his brother the Kings sonne 70 Gilbert another naturall sonne of King Henry is named in the additions to the story of William Gemeticensis the Norman Monke in the Chronicle of that country written by Iohn Taylor being a Translator of that worke out of Latine into French and lastly in the Treaties betwixt England and France written in the French tongue by Iohn Tillet Secretarie to their late King Henry the second and yet in them not any other mention is made but only of his name 71 William also a narurall sonne of Henry the King had giuen vnto him the Towne of Tracie in Normandy of which hee tooke his surname and was called William of Tracie But whether he were the Progenitot of the Tracies sometime Barons in Deuonshire or of them that now be of the same surname or whether Sir William Tracie one of the foure Knights that slew Thomas Becket Archbishop of Canterbury were any of his posterity is not certainely reported nor any thing else of him more then that hee died a little after his Father which was in the yeere of Christ 1135. 72 Henry another naturall sonne of King Henry was borne of the Lady Nesta daughter of Rees ap Tewdor Prince of south-South-Wales who was the Wife of Sir Gerald Windsor and of Stephen Constables of the Castles of Pembrooke and Abertinie in Wales and Progenitors of the Families of the Fitz-geralds and the Fitz-Stephens in Ireland he was borne and breed and liued and married in Wales hauing issue two sonnes namely Meiler and Robert of which Meiler the elder married the daughter of Hugh Lacie Lord of Methe in Ireland
Against whom the Northren Lords prepared at 〈◊〉 command of Thurstan Arch-bishop of Yorke 〈◊〉 King Stephen Lieutenant in those parts who beeing by sickenes kept from the Field appointed Ralph Bishop of Durham his General whose Inuectiue Oration before their ioyning of battaile occasioned vpon the foresaid misdeameanors of some vndisciplined Scotish is at large set down by Houedon Huntingdon Wendouer and others in the close whereof he absolueth from punishment of sin all such of his side as should die in this battaile which made the English more desperate in fight who so sorely pressed vpon their enemies that they forsooke their King he notwithstanding valiantly persisting til his dearest friends ernestly vrged him to auoid But his son Henry esteeming more of glory thē life rushed in amongst his retiring souldiers and with vndaunted courage perswading them to regard themselus and his presence with threat of shamefull deaths to all such as fled he held them in for a time till at length ouer-laid with the maine-battaile of the English the magnanimous Prince Henry likewise quitted the field bitterly cursing the frowardnesse of Fortune and the mischance that hapned that day 15 With like fortunate successe proceeded Stephen against his disobedient Barons and wanne from them the Castles of Hereford Gloucester Webley Bristow Dudley and Shrewsbury whereby hee weakned Earle Robert so much that he was constrained to flie into France and there instigated his sister the Empresse to come into England 16 These domesticke opposites thus remoued out of his way King Stephen re-addressed himselfe for the North to prosecute that which Thurstan had begunne first therfore winning the Castle of Leids he went into Scotland where by the persuasion prowesse of Mars and Vulcan saith Paris a Peace was concluded betwixt the two Kings and Stephen thence returning brought Prince Henry whom he created Earle of Huntingdon with him into England and at the siege of Ludlow Castle the aduenturous Prince was almost surprised where the besieged with an Iron Grapple pluckt him from his horse and so had taken him but that King Stephen himselfe with great valour and honour recouered him who hauing wonne the Castle went presently to Oxford whither newes was brought him that the Empresse was preparing for England 17 To make all sure as he went Stephen thought it good to demolish and race those Castles lately built hauing had experience to what troubles they had brought him and to preuent the building of new and namely that of the Diuise now as hee surmised in fortifying against him hee therefore sent for Roger Bishop of Salisbury the Founder both of that Castle as also those other of Sherborn Malmsbury a man who in a bad cause had stood King Stephen in good stead howsoeuer some enuying his greatnes had incensed the King against him and other Prelates as if they were fallen from his side The Bishop standing peremptorily on his innocencie yet mistrusting the euent craued the company of Alexander Bishop of Lincolne and of Nigell Bishop of Ely so with a great and well appointed traine repaired to Oxford vnto the Court where Stephen had summoned a Grand-Councell of the States 18 The King who expected of Church-men humility seeing them now armed as men for the field commanded his attendants to take armour likewise and so entring communication of diuers matters with his Peeres and Prelates their Souldiers casually meeting fell at variance where the Bishops friends had the worse so that many of them were wounded and the rest forsaking their masters ranne away This great assembly thus disturbed the King required the Bishops to satisfie his Court for these outrages of their seruants which satisfaction should be to deliuer the keyes of all their Castles to the King as pledges of their fidelity which they refusing the Bishops of Salisbury and Lincolne were laid hold of but Ely escaped to the Castle of Diuise Alexander was imprisoned till hee had y●…ded him his Castles of New-werke and Slaford Roger the Castles of Sherborne and the Deuises accounted then one of the goodliest Castles of Europe besides forty thousand Markes in siluer which losses the Bishop did not long suruiue The King imployed the money to purchase Lady Constance sister to Lewis King of France to be wife vnto his sonne Eustace all which was to strengthen himselfe against the Empresse Maud whose comming he continually feared now before his expectation she was landed in England at a fitte time for her designes when all the great Prelates who formerly were his chiefest friends were highly incensed against the King for such oppression of their Brethren 19 The place of her arriuage was at the port of Arundell into which Castle shee was ioyfully receiued by William de Albeny who had married Queen Adeliza the late wife to King Henry whose Dowrie it was from hence Earle Robert diuerting his course onely with tenne horse-men and as many Archers for in all hee brought ouer but one hundred and forty with him for so great an exploit passed throgh the Land vnto Wallingford and Gloucester soliciting his Complices for the aid of his sister the Empresse A man who then liued holds him in this bold attempt with so small forces no way inferiour to Iulius Caesar whom Liuie reports to haue begun his ciuill war and to haue set himselfe against the whole world onelie with fiue Cohorts of Souldiers 20 King Stephen as then lay in siege of Marleburgh Castle but hauing intelligence of this more dangerous an enemy dislodged thence and with all expedition made towards Arundell whereat the Empresse wanting her Counsellor was wonderfully perplext yet wanted not a womans wit to helpe at need insomuch that by the report of Geruasius lest her dignity and right might any way be endammaged shee tooke an oath that none of these the Kings enemies by her aduice or consent had entred the land but with condition to carry themselues orderly without impeachment of the honour and allegiance due to the King by which policy to giue it no worse name she so satisfied King Stephen whom al do censure for too much credulity and facility towards his foes that hee caused her to bee conuaied honourably vnto Bristow where she remained the space of two monethes and then got thence vnto Wallingford 21 Earle Robert in the meane while dispersed the newes of the Empresses approch vnto whose aid so many gathered that the same Monke reporteth no man was able to set downe their multitudes in context of historie much lesse by way of Computation then beganne saith he both labour and dolour which brought the whole Realme to a most grieuous diuision and in a maner to an vtter ruine for those that fauoured the King what euill soeuer could be wrought or imagined they did against them that tooke part with the Empresse and contrariwise Earle
him for Normandy Aquitane Angiou Main and Tourain which partly were his patrimony and partly the inheritance of Elianor his wife 6 His domesticke enemies being subdued or appeased hee put his brother Geffrey by force to a pension the summe whereof if it be any thing to the purpose to know was 1000. l. English and 2000. l. Aniou by yeere wringing out of his possession all such territories as by their Fathers last Will and Testament were bequeathed to him in France But Geffrey did not long enioy the said annuity or his brothers friendship for in the third yeare death brought a discharge and Henry was disburdened of those paiments For his violence in taking away those lands King Henry might alledge he was eldest brother but that allegation might bee auoided with his owne consent which once hee gaue but the great Elixar called Reason of State though falsly so called vnlesse it bee seasoned with Iustice and Religion hath so transmutatiue a faculty as to make Copper seeme Gold right wrong and wrong right yea when all Pleas faile it will stand for good while there are forces to support it 7 This accord between the two brethren being thus howsoeuer established the King repaires into England and at Chester enters amity with Malcolme King of Scots on such termes as his Grandfather had done yet Saluis omnibus dignitatibus suis sauing to himselfe all his dignities and the said Malcolme restored to Henry the City of Karleol Newcastle vpon Tyne c. and Henry restored to him the Earledome of Huntington in England And so iustly dreadfull did the growing puissance of this young Monarch appeare to his greatest enemies that Hugh Bigod Earle of Norfolke who had potent means to doe mischiefe rendred his Castle to bee at his disposall 8 The Welsh notwithstanding forsooke not themselues but did some memorable matters vnder conduct of the valiant Prince Owen against the English in defence of north-North-Wales and their Countries liberty to the losse of the English and extreame danger of the Kings owne person whose Standard roiall was cowardly abandoned and the King reported to be slaine for which Henrie de Essex the Kings Standard-Bearer at that conflict was afterward accused by Robert de Montford his neere Kinsman and in single battaile within lists was vanquished at Reading where the said Henry de Essex was shorne a Monke and died Mathew Paris relates the whole voiage of King Henry summarily thus That Henry prepared a very great Army against the Welsh with full purpose to ouercom them both by land and sea that hee cut vp the woods and forrests and laid open a way that hee recouered the Castle of Ruthlan and other fortresses taken from his Ancestors that hee repaired the Castle of Basingwerke and that hauing brought the Welsh to his will hee returned with triumph into England 9 After this himselfe and his wife Queene Elienor beeing openly crowned vpon Christmas day some say Easter day at the Citie of Worcester they both at the Offertorie laid their Diademes vpon the high Altar vowing neuer to weare them after this beeing now the third time in which at three seuerall places Westminster Lincolne and Worcester he had beene crowned This deuout act of his did flow perhaps out of some such speculation as that of Canutus who thought none truly worthy the name of King but God alone or that vpon which Godfrey of Buillion refused to weare a crowne of gold in Hierusalem where our Lord and Sauiour had beene crowned with thornes For this King had at times the pangs and symptoms of mortification and piety and did heerein acknowledge the onely giuer and taker-away of kingdoms God-almighty putting himselfe and Realme vnder the protection of that Maiestie of whom hee held paramount and professing as it were that from thencefoorth hee would direct his actions to the glorie of his omnipotent Master which is indeede the only finall cause of all true monarchie 10 Not long after hauing established his affaires in England hee crost the Seas into Normandie where successiuely sundrie matters of importance fell out as the seisure of the City of Nants in Britaine after his brother Geffreis death his iourney to Paris beeing inuited thither by Lewis and his wife the Queene the vnprofitable siege of Tholouze laid by King Henrie where Malcolme King of Scots was in companie with him the vnripe marriage of his sonne Henrie to Margaret the French Kings daughter whom Thomas Becket then Lord Chancellor had formerlie conducted with verie great State from Paris by consent of parents for that purpose the offence taken at those spousals by Lewis for that the children were but infants and that himselfe was a looser thereby the warre heereupon attempted by Lewis fortifying Cha●…mount which the French hauing quit the Field by flight King Henrie recouered with aduantage the Armies of both these great Kings being afterward at point as it were to ioine dispersed vpon reconciliation of the two Kings by reason of a marriage concluded vpon betweene Richard King Henries second son and Alice the French Kings daughter All which and some other not drawing with them any extraordinarie sequell nor offording much matter for ciuill document must not preponderate the handling of things more rare and considerable 11 For after these accidents beganne the famous controuersies betweene the King and his Arch-bishop Becket a man of an inuincible stomack and resolution in his life and after death reputed by some for a great Saint or Martyr as is likewise noted of Henrie that he was the most politike martiall rich and honoured Prince of all his time This Prelate by birth a Londoner though his mother a Sarazen say some by profession a Ciuilian was by Theobald Arch-bishop of Canterburie both made his Arch-deacon and also placed about the person of Duke Henrie who beeing now King aduanced him in the verie first yeere of his raigne to bee Lord Chancellor of England in which high honor he carried himselfe like another King and afterward vpon the death of Theobald though the Monks obiected against Becket that neither a Courtier nor a Souldier as hee had beene both were fit to succeede in so high and sacred a function yet the King gaue him that Arch-bishopricke partly in reward and partly in further hope of his ready and faithfull seruice Which to be true a Legender of his Miracles can best relate Nonnullis tamen c. Many saith hee iudged his promotion not Canonicall because it was procured more by the importunity of the King then by the voices of Clergie or People and it was noted as presumption and indiscretion in him to take vpon him to guide the Sterne who was scarce fit to handle an Oare and that beeing skild onely in worldly affaires hee did not tremble to ascend vnto that sacred top of so great dignitie Whereto agreeth the reports of two
to such an enterprise which thus tooke beginning 50 Dermot Mac Murgh beeing in possession of his fatall Helen the adulterous wife of Rothericke was pursued so eagrely with the reuenging sword of his enemie who howsoeuer wounded in heart with the abuse of his Bed reioiced in the colour and occasion ministred therby for him to seise vpon the flourishing Prouinces of Leinster as hee was driuen to flie from place to place and at the length to quitte his kingdome also the subiects whereof his tyrannie and vices had vnsetled in their affections toward him Thus desperate of help at home his last deliberations were to draw in forreine aides the necessity of his case requiring it and for that purpose finally resolues to repaire to the court of the wise and potent Henrie King of England beeing then in Aquitain neither could Dermot but knowe that it had heeretofore beene in Henries designes at such time as hee ment to subdue it for William of Angion his yongest brother and also because his present Dominions did halfe as it were enuiron it In which hopes he was not deceiued for Henrie listened therunto verie willinglie as to a thing which hee had indeede some yeeres before proiected 51 King Dermot therefore was heard in his suite But because the thing as at that time neither seemed great enough for such a Prince as Henrie to vndertake directly nor as yet was held sufficiently discouered to his hand that therefore the Ice might be broken by inferiour meanes and aswell the conueniences as inconueniences sounded to the depth without engaging the roiall person name or power it was by the Kings letters permitted to Dermot the exiled Prince to draw what aduenturers or voluntaries either the commiseration of his estate or other respects of pietie profit or delight in armes could allure to the action Now whether it were for that he whose Countreis lay toward the coasts of Wales and within ken vpon a cleere day by commodity thereof might entertaine intelligence aswell as trafficke with the inhabitants of those parts or for that the fame of their Cheualrie did inuite or for that his acquaintance at his arriuall grew there first or for that these and many other circumstances mette in this accident sure it is that Dermot raised his first and principall succours from among the English Colonies there 52 The Welsh had then in their hands a valiant Gentleman of Norman race one Robert Fitz-Stephen who by Gilbert de Clare was entrusted with the defence of the towne of Cardigan but through treachery the Towne being surprised Robert was also deliuered vp to Rhese ap Gruffin Prince of South Wales who would hearken to no other endentments of his liberty but onely that he should for euer abandon his possessions in Wales Whereupon the oportunity of Dermots quarrel giuing hopes of new fortunes immediately hee entred into contract with the Irish king promising by a certaine day to come to his succour with as many Voluntaries as his remaining fortunes or the hope of the voiage could stirre which he did accordingly performe leauing it very disputable whether with more successe or courage But Dermot well knowing that the fortunes of this Gentlemā to whose valor nothing see med impossible were vnable to vndergo the whole weight of the vnknowne worke had formerly dealt with that renowmed Lord Richard of the house of Clare Earle of Pembrooke surnamed Strong-bow the man whom the Fate of Ireland did expect 53 Dermotes perswasions to the Earle were of this kind That the enterprise besides the facultie thereof was full of pietie honour Iustice and commoditie That it appeared so to King Henry himselfe by whose leaue hee was free to gather what forces he could That hee was driuen out by the cruell ambition of Neighbours treacherie of wicked Subiects That Leinster was a Kingdome and though but a part yet cleerely the best and richest part of Ireland That multitudes offered themselues to his aid but his cares were not onely for a Generall to lead them but for one to whom hee might leaue his kingdome also That the Earle was he as the onely man in whose person all the respects of birth honour bounty valour youth and fortunes did happily meete That the Earle in his conceit did dwell but narrowly considering what hee was worthie of pent-vp in the straights of an Earledomes title for whom a great Kingdome was not great That they who would not allow Leinster for a kingdome did forget that England once was broken into lesser states and if Dermot were not a King neither then were Ella Cissa Vffa Sigbert Crida and the rest in the Saxon seuen-headed gouernment that the quantity of Dominion made more or lesse strong but not more or lesse a King That he was rightfull King of Leinster as Sonne and Heire to Murgh King of Leinster that if hee must forgoe his inheritance it should be to such as had done him no wrong and were worthy of it to Richard Strong-bow and his followers and not to Rothericke and Rebels That hee was not vnking'd though vnkingdom'd that Eua his daughter Eua the pearle and starre of Ireland should indeed be Eua to his enemies to bring vpon them death and iust confusion that yet in defeating the Tyrant Rotherick of his hopes by plā ting Earle Richard and his Forces hee should prouide for his Country not destroy it That if it did fall out otherwise yet his disloiall people had their iust deserts who obiecting vices to their Soueraigne did themselues commit vile treasons Indeed quoth he I was neuer such a King as that I was not also a Man But for those matters betweene God and me here is now no place to account for though his iustice hath found me out yet his mercy hath left me more friends at home then the number measure of my sinnes deserue My quarrell is most iust as against most wicked rebels and vsurpers Restore me then my Lord by your puissance to my natiue soile and my lawfull rights therein restore with me Religion and Discipline to the ancient splendor thereof which was not greater in any Realme about vs then in Ireland reduce the stray enlighten our ignorance polish our rudenesse and let not such abundant matter of merite and immortall glory escape you God himselfe will prosper the enterprise holy Church hath long since approued it and vpon such Authors what can miscarry And though in thy noble and Christian courage nothing can weigh so much and these I see work mightily yet to satisfie all respects Thou shalt haue far larger territories then here Thou canst possesse and goodly lands to distribute for reward among thy friends and followers My last offers now shall not shew a more desire to vse thy forces then a loue to thy person vertues They are not trifles I propose but that of which God himselfe doth seeme to me to haue
of Bibulus but all of Caesar so did Long champ in a short time easilie make himselfe sole and absolute his sway burying in silence the name and endeauours of his Colleague 11 Thus the summe of commaund or the Souereigne power it selfe was in the Chancellor as Viceroy but for defence and preseruation of his iustice hee * did subordinate or associate to those Bishops William Earle of Arundell Hugh Bardolfe William Marshall Geffrey Fitz-Peter William Brunor Robert de Wh●…tfield Roger Fitz-Re●…rey wherein hee did shew his loue and care of the English Nation as also of Iustice it selfe for that many of these were of the most honourable Peeres of the Land and not men bred-vp or formerly enured to make Iustice or their owne Tongues venall for a fee honour beeing the rule of their proceedings and strength of priuate fortunes with their Princes fauour the pillar to susteine that honor 12 There remained to prouide for before hee left England the neighbour-hood of Scotland and Wales which might otherwise make vse of his absence to his preiudice But Rhese ap Gruffith of whom there is extant a short but elegant Panegyris Prince of south-South-Wales beeing already in amitie came as farre as Oxford toward him but because the King who was there came not in person to meete him as his father King Henrie had done the Prince notwithstanding Earle Iohn the Kings only brother had conducted him from the Marches with speciall honor tooke it in so high scorne and indignation for euen the meanest from whom seruice or loue is expected will againe expect regard that hee foorthwith returned into his Countrey without once saluting the King who by this neglect lost Rheses loue as vpon the like omission and vnrespectiuenesse Augustine the too supercilious Monke did leese the affections of the Monkes of Bangor Rheses owne countrie-men in another part of Wales 13 As for william King of Scots a verie worthie Prince hee iourneied hither to King Richard into England and heere concluded a firme friendship which hee kept verie religiously euen in the greatest troubles of King Richard to the glorie of himselfe and his Nation and as some write sent his Brother D●…d with 5000. Scots to serue him in the sacred w●…res The chiefe points of their ●…tion were 〈◊〉 That for ten thousand Markes Sterling then paid the Castles of Rockesbrough and Berwicke cautionarie Castles or g●…ge places for part of his ransome should be restored 2. That he should haue all such deedes instruments and charters made by him to the late King Henrie which had by constraint or duresse beene obtained and himselfe to be freed from all encombrances claimes or pretensions whatsoeuer 3. That he should haue all such dignities as his brother Malcolm held in England for which King William did there make fealtie and all such Lands as his Ancestors did hold of the English Crowne 14 The State of England being thus in the maine and other meane points established King Richard crost the Seas into France to Philip king therof according to appointment that from thence with minds forces vnited they might set forward vnder the Ensigne of the Crosse which after some stay occasioned by the death of the French Queen they did vpon these Christian and friendly termes 1. That each of them preserue the others honour and beare faith to him for life and member and earthly dignity 2. That neither of them shall faile the other in their affaires but that the King of France shall helpe the King of England to defend his land euen as hee would defend the City of Paris if it were besieged and Richard King of England shall helpe the King of France to defend his land euen as he would defend his City Roan if it were besieged This being fairely engroft and afterward ratified with oath and sent by the kings themselues in person the Earles and Barons sware in solemne manner that they would not trespasse against their fealty nor stirre any warre in either of the kings Dominions so long as they were in that pilgrimage on the other side the Archbishops and Bishops did firmly promise in verbo veritatis in the word of truth that they would accurse and excommunicate al such as did transgresse this agreement 15 Thus after some necessary staies these two the greatest Monarks of the West set forward ouer land toward the publike seruice of Christianity with such numbers as thēselues thought best which were so great that hauing aduanced not without some little losse of people by the fall of the Bridge ouer the riuer Rhene at Lions which brake by reason of the throng beyond the said violent streame they parted company Philip passing ouer the Alpes into Italy and Richard to the Sea-side at Marsilia there to meete with his Nauie which being compact of all the chiefe Ships in England Normandy and other his French Dominions was there appointed to attend 16 But the voiage being very long and King Richard comming to the Port before his Fleet after eight daies expectation there waxing impatient of delay embarkt himselfe in twenty hired Gallyes and ten great hulkes or Busses a kind of shipping as it seemes peculiar then to the Mediterranean seas and set saile toward Messana in Sicilia the Rendeu●…w of both the kings and of their Armies in which passage lying at Anchor on occasion in the mouth of the riuer Tyber not far from Rome * Oct●…ianus the Bishoppe of Hostia repaired vnto him desiring him in the Popes name that hee would visite his Holinesse which the King denied to do laying to the Popes charge many shamefull matters touching the R●…ish Simony and Couetousnesse with many other reproaches allcadging that they tooke 700. Markes for consecration of the Bishoppe of Mains 1500. Markes for the Legatiue power of William Bishop of Ely but of the Archbishop of Burdeaux an inf●…ite summe of money whereupon hee refused to see R●…e Thus after sundry accidents and commings on land hearing that his Nauy was safe he * staied for them by the way and then came to anchor not long after to wit 23. of September before the City of Messana with so great a shew of power and sound of Warlike Instruments and other signes of Maiesty in the sight of Philip and his French and of many other Nations there assembled that it stroke horror into the Inhabitants saith Houeden and moued no small enuy in the hearts of his confederates 17 From this time forward as it may seem the Enemy of Concord feeding the maleuolent passions of men with perpetuall matter of debate the king of France was neuer truly king Richards friend in heart but vpon the same day whither streightned in prouisions or otherwise hee left the king of England but by contrary wind was driuen backe before night where after many troubles and quarrels betweene the English and Sicilians the two kings peaced againe and setled
King Henry to whom he had beene sometime disobedient and God affording him gracious leasure till hee had thus disposed of all the venemous vapour ascended to his heart and draue the spirite forth with whom say * Authors the glory and honor of Militarie skill exspired 70 There hath been an opinion or fancy that this King was called Cordelyon because hee encountred a Lyon in prison at the Emperours Court but saith one very truly these are fables imagined by English tale-tellers to aduance their King Richard as the Britaines by the like aduanced their King Arthur The like deuice though more lofty and Mathematicall may theirs seeme who coniecture hee was called so of the famous Starre called Cor Leonis But how the conceite of killing of a Lion should come vp as i●… is not worth the while to enquire so certainely Hugo de Neuile one of King Richards speciall familiars is recorded to haue slain a Lion in the holy-Land driuing first an arrow into his breast and then running him through with his sword whence perhaps that atchieuement is transferred from the man to the master and the story applide to the by-name of King Richard whereof the true reason is that which * Thomas Walsingham mentioneth saying That for the magnanimity of his heart grossitudinem praestans saith an other meaning as it seemes that his materiall heart it self was bigge and massiue which another also saith was inexpugnable this King was both by the English Normans stiled Caeur de Lion His Wiues Alice the daughter of Lewis the seuenth King of France by Queene Alice daughter of Earle Thibald of Champaigne is by some reputed the first wife of King Richard though indeede she were onely contracted to him being both children and committed to his Father but when he demanded her his father refused to deliuer her or she to com to him or both Wherefore being King conceiuing displeasure against King Philip her brother and more then suspecting her continency with his owne father by whom he alledged she had a child he refused to take her yet gaue a hundreth thousand pounds to Philip pro quieta clamantia to be quite freed from her She became the wife of William Earl of Ponthieu and had issue Queene Ioan of Castile the mother of Queene Eleanor wife to King Edward the first Berengaria the second wife of King Richard was the daughter of Sanches the fourth of that name King of Nauarre sonne of King Garcie the fourth her mother was Beatrice daughter of Alphonso the seuenth King of Castile called the Emperour of Spaine She was conueied by Eleanor the kings mother vnto the king in Sicily and married to him in Cyprus whence she accompanied him to the Holy land The king vpon what cause we find not neglected her company for a while but vpon more setled thoughts he resumed her againe to his loue and society but had no issue by her His naturall Issue Philip the naturall son of king Richard seemeth to haue been begotten while he was Earle of Poytou of a Gentlewoman Poytouin and to haue had of his fathers gift a towne in Poytou named Sumac to haue taken also his surname and title of the same towne and to haue beene the Progenitour of a familie of Gentlemen of the same surname title in the same Country Isabel by * some who mention not Philip at all is reputed the Naturall Daughter of king Richard whose mother the Author nameth not and that she was married to Leoline Prince of Wales Three other Daughters Bastards no doubt he is said to haue of whose names and matches wee will report as we finde recorded Whiles hee was in France imployed in his warres against king Philip Fulco a French Priest came vnto him telling him he had three very bad Daughters which he wished him to bestow away from him in marriage or else Gods wrath would attend him when the king denied he had any daughter yes quoth the Priest thou cherisest three daughters Pride Couetousnesse and Lecherie The king apprehensiue of his meaning called his Lords there attending and saide My Lords this Hypocrit hath found that I haue three Daughters which I maintaine viz. Pride Couetousnes and Lecherie which he would haue me bestow forth in mariage and therfore if any such I haue I haue found out most fit husbands for them all My Pride I bequeath to the haughty Templars Hospitallers who are as proud as Lucifer himselfe My Couetousnesse I giue to the white Monks of the Cisteaux Order for they couet the Diuell and all But for my Lechery I can bestow it no where better then on the Priests and Prelates of our times for therein haue they their most felicity Doubtlesse these mariages proued so fruitfull that their issue hath now ouerflowed all kingdomes of the earth IOHN DVKE OF NORMANDIE GVYEN AND AQVITAINE c. THE FIRST STILED LORD OF IRELAND THE FORTIE-FIFTH MONARCH OF ENGLAND HIS RAIGNE ACTS AND ISSVE CHAPTER VIII THe lustre of Diadems and Soueraignety so dazeleth the eyes and bewitcheth the hearts of ambitious beholders that whiles they fondlie deeme the greatest content to bee in highest Titles running after a seeming Happines they often cast themselues headlong and whole Kingdoms into irrepairable ruine as the calamities which after the death of the noble Ceur-de-Lyon lighted on the Pretenders to his Crowne and on this miserably distracted State will yeeld vs too ruful a President To the full acting of which Tragedy for such it was and so we must now present it in this our Theatre concurred as principall Actors the two though these Patients rather as the issue proued vnfortunate Corriuals for the Crowne Iohn Earle of Moreton Brother to the late King and his Nephew Arthur the Posthumous sonne of Geoffry Duke of Britaine the Earles eldest Brother their two Female and therefore more emulous and restlesse Solicitors Queen Eleanor and Lady Constance each ambitious of their owne in their Sonnes aduancements their two reuengefull Abettors Otho the Emperour for Iohn and Philip King of France for Arthur thereupon the two vniust Intruders on the Crowne Lewis the French Kings Sonne and Innocentius the Pope the one by vnprincely forces the other by vnpriestlie fraud and lastly their two sorts of treacherous Instruments of the Laitie for the one and Clergie for the other all which like so many Tragicke fire-breathing Furies set this State in so horrible combustion as that the smoake is not as yet so many ages after quite allayed 2 Earle Iohn the very Centre in which those calamities met had from his infancy beene fedde with high and royall hopes as being his Fathers onely darling from whome hee had the possession of the Irish and intendment also of the English Kingdom and in his brothers time whose return from the holy warres all men despaired had by gracious deportment
that Pope Innocentius had not stood so hard with King Iohn in such a point as this was for contenting him with a person gratefull vnto him in that See And no maruaile they so wished seeing that was the graund cause of such infinite confusions factions and wrongs hurrying so indignely the Prince Peeres Clergy Commons the very contemplation whereof to all godly wise men must needes bee gastly and rufull yet welfare those Anathématizing Bishops the Instruments of al these euils who patiently endured vnder the name of Exile to liue the while abroad in all varietie of delights 41 Such perplexities in the People could not but breed as great hatred and hazards to the King who therefore to preuent the issue of such discontents which though causlesse yet kindling in the multitude proue often vnquenchable hee required of his Nobles new Oathes of allegiance pledges of such as hee most suspected and homage of all Freeholders euen of twelue yeers old whom he dismissed with a kisse of peace Misdoubting also the Popes further intent to absolue his Subiects from their due allegiance hee gathered about him by example of his Father Henry on the like ground a mighty Armie for all occurrents The terrour whereof hee first displayed in the North offended saith one with William King of Scotland for marrying his daughter to the Earle of Bulloigne for receiuing saith another Fugitiues and enemies of his State for throwing down saith a third a Castle built by King Iohn against Barwicke but whatsoeuer were the breach the cloze was amiable each accompanying other to York where King Williams two daughters were promised to King Iohns two sonnes and deliuered as pledges of vnited loue with a gift of nine thousand markes The dread of this his power so glyded out of the North into the West that vpon his return the Princes of Wales and others rich poor came to him at Woodstocke the like thing neuer heard of before to doe him homage But all these linkes of allegiance were soone crackt by another thunder-clap from Rome of Anathema on the King by Name with strict iniunction for all men to abandon his presence which sentence being sent to bee diuulged by the Bishoppes and Prelates in England al of them for feare or fauour of the King were content to neglect the Popes commaund and let the Apostolike processe escape without execution The fame yet thereof was in all mens mouthes but came first as seemeth to the Kings Eares by a seruant of his owne Exchequer Geffry Arch-Deacon of Norwich who secretly persiading his fellow-officers that they were boundin conscience to relinquish the Kings seruice gaue them example himselfe by leauing his duty and charge for which hote-braine tricke hee was put in a Coole of lead the weight whereof as a punishment of his leuitie soone hastned his end in prison but the greater and wiser sort both of Nobles and others continued their due attendance on their Soueraigns Court and person without regard of the censure 42 Those Romish furies thus infesting all at home gaue also courage oportunity to il-affected mēbers further off some of which in Ireland hauing surfeited long of the Kings Indulgence or absence beganne now to play the Kings themselues The noble spirite of this Prince in his tender yeeres made choice on bended knees to his Father in presence of Heraclius Patriarke of Ierusalem rather in deuotion to conduct an Army against the Turks then in Ambition to take possession of that goodly Kingdome But being now possessed thereof and intending by a kind of compensation for his losses in France to annexe and assure that Kingdome to the English Crowne hee resolues with a powerfull Army to quell the disturbers and reforme the disorders of his first and long vnuisited charge Whose approach such fame and dread did forerunne that more then twenty Petty Kings of that nation hastened to Dublin there to honour his arriuall with their submissiue attendance homage and oath of alleagiance others eyther vpon confidence of their good holds or diffidence for their ill desertes flying his presence and some of them the Country The two Lacies whose onely prayse was that they were the sonnes of a nobly-deseruing Father hauing beene through ambition of Soueraignety the fountaine of dangerous garboyles tyrannizing ouer the Commons and making away such of the Nobles as stood eyther in their light or in the Kings fauour fled into France where they liued in an Abbey as poore Gardinars vntill the Abbot descrying by their deportment some state aboue their habite vpon penitent humility reconciled them to the King The Lord William de Breuse a Baron lately of great commaund and wealth in the Marches of Wales shewed not the like penitence nor found the like grace who vpon refusall to deliuer his sonne as a pledge of his fidelitie spedde into Ireland to flie the Kinges wrath and now to auoid his pursuit fledde also into France then the common Sanctuary of all trayterous fugitiues but sharpe reuenge ouertooke both his Sonne and his Lady taken in a strong Castle of Meth whose virulent and rayling * tongue had more exasperated the fury of the King whom shee immodestly reuiled as a Tyrant and Murtherer then could be pacified by her strange present foure hundred Kine and one Bull all milke-white except onelie the eares which were redde sent vnto the Queene 43 But Catalus the vnquiet King of Connaught trusting to his owne Forces King Iohn subdued by strong pursuit and after all carried him captiued in triumph imprisoned the English Fugitiues tooke pledges both of English and Irish Inhabitants punished by death malefactors turbulent persons by ransomes established all their Lawes Coines and Officers to the English forme and deputed which was worth all a wise stout and vpright Gouernour ouer them the Bishoppe of Norwich Langtons competitor thus setling on that barbarous Iland so noble and ordered a face of gouernement as was the stay thereof in those tumultuous times and a patterne euen to more peacefull ages to imitate By which both glorious and speedy conquest and reformation hee better merited that Style of Irelands Lord then when it was confirmed to him by a Crowne of Peacockes feathers from the Pope at what time long before hee inioyed it by his Fathers gift as his Broad-Seale here not vnfitte to bee annexed will shew 44 The Banckes of King Iohns estate were not vnlike to those in Grounds ill-neighboured with an encroching Sea where before one breach is well made vp another no lesse dangerous is laid open which endles turmoils kept his Body still in Action his Minde in passions and his Prowesse in vre The vaste expenses of his Irish expedition were no sooner repayred by a great taxe charged on all the Conuentuall houses but
Lewylin Prince of north-North-Wales with his great spoiles on the English Marchers made new matter of charge and exploit for the King hauing to preuent due reuenge caused his Wallians to conuey all their cattell and better substance to the scarce-accessible refuges of Snowdowne Hill These difficulties much more whetted and excited the Kings resolution neither had the vertuall power of the Popes fulmination as yet so blasted his good fortunes but that hence also hee returned in great Triumph as Conquerour of all Wales where with wonderfull celerity and valour hee subdued all their Princes and Cheefes whom hee receiued vpon Oath homage and hostages with an absolute graunt of all their Inland vnto the King for euer Notwithstanding perceiuing that very many slipt away for dread at least for colour of the Popes curse from those his martiall and other ciuill seruices though hee punished by fine all such Reuolters whereby his person could neuer bee free from danger nor his State from trouble hee resolues seeing the Pope vnflexible vnsensible of so many Christians calamitie at length to relent from his vowed stiffenes against the Popes Elect in hope so to settle his owne and his Subiects tranquility though with vnsufferable indignity to himselfe In his returne from Wales two Nunces from the Pope Randulph a Subdeacon and Durand a Knight Templar meete him at Northampton to make the attonement whereto he was so propense that hee accorded to assure vnder his Seale that Archbishoppe Langton with the Bishoppes Monkes and others should bee restored both to his fauour and to their possessions that holy Church should haue all the Franchises as in Edward the Confessors time that hee would neuer take any thing of holy Church against the owners will but because hee would not also make full satisfaction for all confiscations and other emoluments receiued of the Clergie nay hee could not hauing expended all his treasure in his continuall warres the Cleargy and their Factors the Legates more prizing their priuate gaine then the weale publike of their Natiue Country contemned the sweet proffer of peace exposed all to the bane of a reuengeful contention For hereupon they did not onely denounce the curse vpon the King by name which the Prelates before durst not doe and vpon all other who conuersed with him but as if hee had most contumaciously contemned quietnesse by their relations they incensed the Pope too procliue of himself to set forth his own greatnesse to put on him a farre more indignous wrong and contumely then Interdiction by absoluing all Kings and People poore and rich hauing dependance on him from all Fealty and Subiection to him 45 This being the third steppe whereby both the Pope ascended to the height of his vsurped power and mercilesse reuenge and the Subiects daylie descended from their loyall obseruance made king Iohn more circumspect to strengthen himselfe both with an Army no lesse faithfull then powerfull also with the loue of his Neighbour-Princes King William of Scotland at this time infested with a dangerous rebellion stirred vp within his Kingdom by one Gothred laying claime vnder color of some antiquated title to his Crowne being himselfe infirme with age sent his sonne Prince Alexander into England to craue assistance of King Iohn who by his owne princely loue and readinesse to demerite theirs resoluing with his Army in person to chastice the disturbers of his trusty Confederate before his setting forth did on the Table in a solemn feast which hee kept in the Hospitall of Clerken-well adorn Prince Alexander with the belt Order of Knighthood and afterward with his hoast vanquishing the Rebels aduanced their Chiefe-leader farre higher then his owne Ambition expected and left that Kingdome in a setled peace But whiles he is thus kindly carefull in suppression of anothers Rebelles his owne at home are as vnkindly vigilant to vndermine his State the Popes Absolution like magicke spelles hauing let loose many tumultuating Spirits which will not easily be laid again For the Chiefes among the Wallians whom neither breach of their Oathes nor losse of their noble hostages * which soone after perished for their parents sinnes could deterre suddenly fell off from the King and fell on his Subiectes with much slaughter of men burning of Townes and surprizall of Castles whereof whiles the King meaning to take sharpe reuenge was on his way at Nottingham with an vnresistable Armie letters of great speed and secresie were deliuered to him as hee sate at meate from his faithfull and gratefull friend the Scottish King instantly others from his daughter Ioan Prince Lewylins Lady both giuing him intelligence of imminent Treasons plotted by sundry of his Peeres who meant eyther to murther him or betray him to the butchery of his foes Which dreadfull notices from so true-harted Informers could not yet affright his manlie heart till comming to Chester hee there vnderstood by sundry other Intelligencers that his Nobles held themselues quite discharged from his allegiance and knowing that they wanting fidelity he himselfe could not but want security hee dismissed his hoast tooke hostages of his Barons pursued the detected Conspirators and the three principal of them flying the land he prosecuted their persons demolished their Castles and confiscated their possessions But many of as vile and virulent affections they left behind them as that trayterous Act of those Nobles bewrayed who sent to Philip of France their sealed Charter promising to settle on his head the Crowne of England if hee would come to receiue it And that the mindes of the vulgar should not bee vnpossessed with like expectation of Iohns vn-crowning the prophesies of an Heremiticall wisard foretelling that on the day of Ascension King Iohn should bee no King were buzzed into their eares Whether by Gods inspiring or the Diuelles these were reuealed some doe doubt but hee that considers the quotidian impostures of these times and the secret machinations of the Pope the French King and the English Barons all for diuers ends complotting against King Iohn will easily perceiue both what vse there was of suborning such a Prophet to deterre the popular maynie from sticking to the King and to beguile their credulity as if the thing were to be done by Gods fore-appointment and ordinance and also that his punishment by death as a Traiterous Impostor was no other then he deserued 46 Neither is the Popes reuenge thus appeased some higher greeces yet remaine on which his Greatnesse and greatnesse of his holy rage must display it selfe the vnderprops whereof a thing almost incredible were not onely Englishmen but English Bishops also For Stephen Langton with the BB. of London and Ely thirsting after reuenge though with the destruction of their Country blood-shed of innumerable their Compatriots going to Rome with complaints on the
eldest Daughter and Child of K. Iohn and Queene Isabel his last wife was the first wife of Alexander the second King of Scots married vnto him in Yorke Iunij 25. Anno 1221. who returning into England to visite her Brother deceased at London and was buried in the Nunnery at Tarent in Dorsetshire 4. Martij in the 21. yeare of her Brother king Henries raigne in England and the 23. of king Alexander her husbands in Scotland Anno 1236. 70 Eleanor their second daughter was first married to William Marshall the yonger Earle of Pembroke and after his decease without issue and seuen yeeres Widow-hood remarried to Simon Montfort Earle of Leicester sonne of Simon Earle Montfort in France by Amice Daughter of Robert Blanchman Earle of Leicester who maintaining the Barons warres against King Henry her brother was slaine at the battaile of Euesham in the 19. yeere of her brothers raigne 1265 after whose death shee and ●…er Children were forced to forsake England she died in the Nunnery at Montarges in France Henry her eldest sonne was slaine with his father at Eueshan Simon the second was Earle of Bigorre and ancestor to a Family of Mountfords in those parts of France Almaricke her third sonne was first a Priest and Treasurer of the Cathedrall Church in Yorke and after a Knight and a valiant seruitour in sundrie warres beyond the Seas Guy the fourth Sonne was Earle of Angleria in Italy and Progenitour of the Mountfords in Tuscaine and of the Earles of Campo bachi in the Kingdome of Naples Richard the fift sonne remained priuily in England and changing his name from Mountford to Wellesborne was ancestor of the family of Wellesbornes in England She had also a daughter named Eleanor borne in England brought vp in France and married into Wales to Prince Lewellen ap Griffith 71 Isabel their yongest daughter was born An. 1214 when shee was 21. yeeres of age shee was married being the 6. and last wife to the Emperour Frederick the second at the City of Wormes in Germany 20. of Iuly 1235. Shee had issue by him Henry appointed to bee King of Sicily and Margaret wife of Albert Landgraue Thurin shee was Empresse 6. yeeres and died in Childbed Decemb. 1. of her husbands Empire 31. of her brothers raign 38. Anno 1241. 72 Iane or Ione the daughter naturall of King Iohn by Agatha Daughter of Robert Ferrers Earle of Darby marryed to Lewin Prince of Wales Anno 1204. her Father gaue with her the Castle Lordshippe of Elinsmore in the Marches of Southwales she like a most louing Child gaue her Father secret intelligence of the Treasons intended against him by the Welsh and English 73 Geoffrey Fitz-Roy a base son who transported some Souldiers into France when Archbishoppe Hubert forbad the King his father to goe thither 74 Richard who married the daughter heire of Fulbert de Douer who built Chilham Castle in Kent which Castle hee had with her and had Issue by her of which som families of good esteem are descended stant Lords at Newarke where the Generall assembly for that seruice was appointed The whole Army after the Musters rested there some dayes which they spent not in vanities but in deuotions receit of the Sacrament humbling themselues before the offended Maiestie of God and so all of them saith Paris being prepared resolue eyther to return victorious or to die in defence of their country their Soueraignes right and their owne Liberties and possessions all which seemed now to lie at stake To giue them the greater edge and spirite Wallo with great solemnity accurseth Lewis and his Coadiutors and thus the Army marcheth towards Lincolne and the Lewisians there in siege of the Castle the King himselfe being left with a strong guard at Stow about eight miles short of Lincolne accompanied with Wallo and others there without perill of his person to attend Gods pleasure in the euent of the enterprise Vpon their approch if the Counsell of some English Lords had beene followed the Lewisian Army had issued forth of the City giuen them battle in the opē field but the Earle of Perch the French Generall thinking the Kings party to bee greater then it was for that the Noblemen and Bannerets thereof had each of them two Ensignes the one born with themselues the other aduanced among the Carriages which doubled the shew of their numbers they did thereupon change that course closed the Gates of the City and plyed their endeauours against the Castle more fiercely then before The Earle of Pembroke therefore lets Falcasius slip in at the Castle-posterne with his Arbalasters whiles others breake vp the South-gate of the City at which the Kings Army most couragiously entring and they of the Castle sallying out in Flancke of the Enemy scattered and vtterly defeated the Lewisians The Earle of Perch their Generall being enuironed with the Royalists and willed to render himselfe sware that hee would neuer become Prisoner to any English vpon which refusall he was run through the sight of his helmet into the braines and so dyed without speaking any word In this conflict being on Saturday in Whitson-weeke the force of naturall propension was apparent for notwithstanding the fierie resolutions of the Kings People yet when they saw the faces of their kinsmen friends countrimen on the other side that fury relented so strōgly that the most part of the reuenge fell vpon the Horses and not vpon the Horsemen whom onelie they laboured to make their Captiues The whole riches of the Lewisian Campe of the City of Lincolne became the booty and spoile of the Kings Armie whereupon this discomfiture was called Lewis Fair Neither did the Clergy of the place escape for the Popes Legate had commaunded that they also should be rifled to a penny as persons excommunicated in partaking with Lewis The Chase was but coldly fainedly followed vpon the flying Barons otherwise not a man could haue escaped wherein yet the chiefest Barons were taken with about 400. Knights besides Esquiers and of other sorts without note or number though some say that this number of Knights were slaine matrons and women of the towne flying by boate which they had no skill to gouerne were drowned Such as escaped the fight were not therefore past the danger for the Country people fell vpon them as they fledde killing great numbers so that almost all the footmen tooke vp their last lodgings before they could reach to London where Lewis was The Marshal of France the Chastellan of Arras and about two hundreth Knights came safely thither but were not otherwise then sowerly welcome of the Prince who laid vpon their cowardise the losse of all the rest His feare of being taken Prisoner iustly encreasing hee fortifies London by the best meanes hee can and dispatcheth Posts into France for more reliefe This great victory was much the stranger if as some write the fame
him in great fury with his drawne sword but Ranulph Earle of Chester and others stept betweene and saued the King from so foule a blemish who soone after receiued him into grace againe But that assembly was dispersed by the arriuall of a great man out of Britaine a principal confederate with the English against Lewis who shewed the vnseasonable time of the yeare and other reasons and the enterprize thereupon adiourned to the Spring So after Easter hee transports from Portsmouth with a full Armie into Britaine The same day in which hee set saile from England himselfe did in person visite the poore and feeble and dealt large Almes not refusing to kisse the sicke and leprous The successe of this voyage is so diuersly reported that without preiudice to an obseruant Reader it might be all left out Much certainely was not done The King of Englands purpose was to haue marched through Britaine where many receiued him into Poictou and as some write hee did so and tooke homagein Gascoigne To empeach this passage the King of France lay with a great Armie at Angiers and the King of England at Nants in Britaine expecting the repaire of more force Fulk Paganel a noble Norman with about sixty valiant Knights perswaded the King of England it was easie for him to reduce Normandie to his obedience but Hubert de Burgh diuerted the King from acceptance of that enterprize The Normans therefore made an ill iourney and an vnlucky for they preuailed not with King Henry and for their conspiracy were disseised at home by King Lewis But whether it were by losse in battle wherin if any battle were at all some say the French had the better taking about foure thousand of the English or otherwise this is agreede on that after the wast of infinite Treasures and the great diminution of his numbers the King of England returned without accomplishment of his purpose leauing for the defence of Britaine the three great Earles of Chester Pembroke and Aumarl with forces answerable 28 It is not vnlikely that the dangerous rebellion of the Irish hastned his returne for the King of Connaught and his Irish seeing the King and the Earle of Pembroke who as Heire to the great Strangbaw had goodly possessions in those parts wholie embusied in the enterprise of Britaine had inuaded the Kings people with a purpose and hope vtterlie to expell and amoue our Nation from among them but their deuises proued mischieuous to themselues that rebellious King himselfe being taken Prisoner not without the losse of many thousands of the Irish The Welsh also soone after brake out againe whose Prince Lewelin in reuenge of those Welshmens heads which Hubert de Burgh had cruelly caused to bee strucken off in cold bloud and presented to the King had burnt certaine Churches and Gentlewomen in them for which at Oxford in the presence of the King all the Nobility and Clergy hee was solemnly excommunicated and the King there gathering a great Army in person went to represse the Welsh though not without losse 29 Another Garboyle thereafter no lesse disturbed the whole land the Insolency of the Romans who were charged to haue wrought innumerable confusions and infinite grieuances to the King his Kingdome Peeres and People stirring vp multitudes through the Land by a common consent to seeke by force to shake off the importable yoke of their oppressions It was alleadged by these reformers that they had vnder hand the Kings Letters Patents the Lord Chiefe Iustices assent the Bishop of Londons countenance and the Shiriffes aide in sundry Shires wherby the armed troupes took heart euery where violently to seize on the Romanes Corne and their other wealth which booties they imployed to good purposes and for reliefe of the poore the Romans the while hiding their heades for feare of loosing them And though the King on the Popes complaint thereof seemed to mislike the outrage yet had the King himselfe no lesse cause to bee moued with the insolency of the Pope then were his subiects of those Popelings For that very time the See of Canterbury being void Ralph Neuill Bishop of Norwich was elected by the Monkes and gladly approued by the King whose most faithfull Chancelour hee was an vnshaken pillar of truth doing right to all without delayes especially to the poore without declining to the right hand or the left But the Pope being told he was a Royalist and one that would ioine with the King and whole Kingdome who now all strugled to shake off the Popes seruitude and would to the death sticke to that law and those Appeales which Stephen Langton solemnly before the Altar in Saint Paules Church vrged against King Iohns submission to the See of Rome his Election as being a person very dangerous was presently pronounced void Whereupon the Monkes choose a second and him the Pope misliked for beeing too old and soft spirited then a third was elected a man of eminent learning a Student in the Vniuersity of Oxford and him also the Pope reiected neuer resting till they had chosen Edmund of Abington a man more pleasing to the Romane palate But the King seeing the Great Emperour Fredericke euen this very time whiles hee was winning the Kingdom of Ierusalem from Infidels so Turkishly in his absence deposed from his owne Empire by the Pope vpon a priuate spleene no maruaile if in this his vnripe age and distracted gouernment hee feared to draw on himselfe by any opposition so mercilesse an enemy So that for the time these indignities were winked at in these parts in France also by the wisedome of Queen Blanch and mediation of the Archbishoppe of Reims and Philip Earle of Bollein of one part and the Earles of Britaine and Chester on the other a three yeeres cessation from mutuall hostilities was ratified by oath betweene the French and English 30 Hubert de Burgh Earle of Kent Chiefe Iusticiar of England hauing with few rubbes hitherto enioyed the most inward loue and fauour aswell of this King as of King Iohn seemes now to haue run the Stage of his best fortunes For the King vpon occasion of such inrodes and spoiles as the Prince Lewelin continually made in the Marches of Wales being aduertised by Peter Bishoppe of Winchester and certaine other of the Councell once for all to giue an end to those braues and insolencies of the Welsh complained that hee was not able in regard of his wants saying that his Treasurers told him all the rents of his Exchequor would doe no more then scarce maintaine apparrell houshold and ordinary Almes-deedes This was not vnknowne to the Bishop and the rest of that faction who watched this opportunity of purpose to lift the Earle of Kent out of fauour wherefore they boldly answered the King that if he were poore hee might thanke himselfe who gaue away to others such Honours Custodies and Dignities
as were vacant alienating them from his estate that hee was onely to be called a King in name rather then for any riches which he had that his Ancestors magnificent Princes abounding in all sorts of worldly glorie and wealth heaped to themselues inestimable treasures out of no other meanes but the Rents and Profites of the Kingdom 31 The King stung with this iust reprehension beganne by their instructions to call the Sheriffes of Shires Baylifes and other his Officers to a strait account for all such receites as appertained to the Exchequor thrusting some out of their places and wringing out of all their full spunges store of coine till hee satisfied himselfe both for the arrerages and interest Out of Ralph Briton Treasurer of his Chamber hee screwzed a thousand pounds and also put him from his place into which by the Bishoppe of Winchesters suggestion who now predominated in Court hee substituted Peter de Oriuail a Poictouine the Bishoppes Nephew or Sonne if Paris say true and so saith hee the Kings coffers otherwise empty and leane were by these means stuffed againe though not to their full surfet For these were but preparatiues to a farther scrutinie and ransacke intended against the Earle of Kent whom vpon the Bishoppes suggestion the King remoued from the Proto-Iustitiarishippe or high office of his Chiefe Iustice and put in his place Sir Stephen Segraue a Knight onely in name Then is a strict and captious account demaunded of the Earle of Kent for all such things as he was in any sort chargeable with as 1. For such receipts or debts as were due to King Iohn or to this King Henry himselfe 2. For the meane profites of such lands as the King was seised of from the day of the death of the first great William Earle of Pembroke his Iustitiar and Marshall whither those lands were in England Wales Ireland or Poictou 3. For such Liberties or free Customes which the King had in Forrests Warrens Counties and else where and how they were kept or alienated 4. For such things as the King lost by Huberts negligence 5. For the wronges and dammages offered to the Romane and Italian Clerks and to the Popes Nuncios against the Kings will by authority of Hubert who would take no order to correct the misdoers as by vertue and nature of his place hee was obliged 6. For the many escuages comming by Carrucages gifts and presents or for the rents of Custodies belonging to the Crowne 32 To all which heades the Earle answered that hee had the Charter of the Kings Father by which hee was freed from giuing any account eyther for things passed or to come and that hee had giuen such proofe of his fidelity vnto King Iohn as he would not endure to heare him make an account Peter Bishoppe of Winchester replyed hereunto that such a Charter after the death of King Iohn had no force and therefore the Fathers Charter and graunt of Priuilege was no reason why he should not stand accountant to the Sonne This defence for money dangers in this sort trauersed or auoyded they labored to draw him in for his head by charging him with sundry Articles sounding treasonable as 1. That Hubert had disswaded the Duke of Austria from matching his Daughter with the King who sought it 2. that he had hindred the King from entring vpon forrain lands to him belonging whereby the King Peeres and People consumed their Treasures vainely 3. that hee had enticed the Daughter of the King of Scots whom King Iohn had entrusted to his custody meaning himselfe to marry her traiterously defiled the noble yong Lady whom he married in hope to bee King of Scotland in her right if shee suruiued her Brother 4. that hee had stolne out of his Iewel-house a precious stone of wonderfull value whose vertue was to make him who had it inuincible in Battle that he gaue that stone to Lewelin prince of Wales the Kings enemie 5. that he by his letters had caused Lewelin to hang William de Breuse 33 The Earle much preplexed with these accusations whither true or false could hardly obtaine a short respite to make his answere Thus that Hubert say the Monkes who for loue of the King and defence of the Kingdome had prouoked the hatred of all the great Lords now being forsaken of the King is left sole and solitarie without friends or comfort Onely Luke Archbishoppe of Dublin neuer fosooke him but with prayers and teares besought the King on his behalfe but could not bee heard against so great opposites on so great pretenses When the cry was thus vp and that the world saw it was no superficiall displeasure into which the Earle was faln with the mutable King there rise forth many accusations sauouring of much malignity round about vpon hope to oppresse bury Hubert vnder them for euer as 1. that he had poisoned the two noble Earles of Salisbury and Pembroke 2. that hee had also procured Falcasius de Brent and Richard Archbishop of Canterbury to be made away 3. that by Sorceries and Enchantments hee had drawne the King to fauour him aboue all other 4. that in the victory gotten against the French by Sea hee forceably tooke many Prisoners from the Kings Sailers and made his benefite of their ransoms contrary to right and that hee had spoiled and disinherited many 5. that hee had without triall vniustly put to death Constantine for which excesse the Citizens of London required iustice against the said Hubert The King hereupon makes Proclamation through the City that all such as could charge Hubert with any wrong should repaire to Court and there receiue immediate redresse This strange course of proceeding did so appale and terrifie the Earle that hee forthwith fled to the Priorie Church of Merton in Surrey where among the Chanons hee sheltered his head for a time 34 The King with his Prelates and Peeres meeting at Lambeth at the day appointed for Huberts answere hee being made to beleeue that the King would put him to a most soule death durst not appeare or peepe forth of his sacred refuge The Londoners were assembled in Armes by the Kinges commaund to the number of about twenty thousand vnder banners displayed to dragge the Earle out of Sanctuary but vpon the Earle of Chesters wiser Counsell the prey was taken out of the hands of a bloudy multitude who mortally hated him for Constantines death and they returned againe to their City The Archbishoppe of Dublin still performing the office of a true friend ouerslips not this occasion and by his importunity obtayned day for Hubert till about Twelfe-tide then next ensuing and the King for his assurance during the Interim giues him letters Patents Hubert thinking himselfe secure for the present is now vpon his way toward his wife at the Abbey of Saint Edmund in Suffolke but his enemies so preuailed by their suggestions
thought good for the defence of the Crowne and Realme and such and so many of them as might be able to compell his proud and rebellious people to due obedience When the Oracle would speake no otherwise they departed from Court greatly discontented firmely promising one to the other that in such a cause which did so touch them all they would like men stand together while anie breath was in their bodies 37 Those who were now most potent about the King nothing sorry for the discontentment of so great a Peere as the Earle Marshall but counting it a part of their strengthes to vse the regall power toward the weakning of the English nourish in the King his auersion The minds of men sufficientlie inclining of themselues to doubt the worst vpon such diuisions had their feare increased by sundrie prodigies of strange thunders and raines but especially of foure redde Parhelions or resemblances of the Sunne besides the Sunne it selfe appearing about the parts of Hereford and Worcester from morning till night in the Skies and indeed much trouble immediatly ensued aswell in England as Wales Ireland The Poictouins and other Strangers thus bearing the sway so as the Kings person went guarded with troupes of such the Earles and Barons being by the Kings commaund summoned to another Parliament at Oxford refused to come While the King was there one Robert Bacon who vsed there to preach before the King and Prelates freelie told him that if hee did not remoue from him Peter Bishop of Winchester and Peter de Riuallis he could neuer be in quiet The King did hereupon a little come to himself Roger Bacon a Clergy-man also of a pleasant wit did second Roberts aduise telling the King that Petra and Rupes were most daungerous things at sea alluding to the Bishoppes name Petrus de Rupibus The King therefore as he had the happines in his mutability to change for his more security taking that good aduise of Schollers which he would not of his Peeres summons a Parliament to be holden at Westminster giuing the world to know withall that his purpose was to amend by their aduise whatsoeuer ought to be amended 38 But the Barons considering that still there arriued sundry strangers men of warre with Horse and Armour and not trusting the Poictouine faith came not but presumed to send this traiterous message to the king that if out of hand hee remoued not Peter Bishop of Winchester and the Poictouines out of his Court they all of them by the common assent of the kingdom would driue him his wicked Counsellors together out of it and consult about creating a new Soueraigne The king whom his fathers example made more timerous could easily haue beene drawne to haue redeemed the loue of his naturall Liegemen with the disgrace of a few strangers but the Bishoppe of Winchester and his friends infused more spirite into him Whereon to all those whom hee suspected the King sets downe a day within which they should deliuer sufficient pledges to secure him of their loialty Against that day the Lords in great numbers make repaire to London but the Earle Marshall admonished of danger by his sister the Countesse of Cornwall flies backe to Wales and chiefly for want of his presence nothing was concluded The King not long after is at Gloster with an Armie whither the Earle and his adherents required to come refused the King therefore burns their Mannors and giues away their inheritances to the Poictouines 39 This Rebellion had not many great names in it but tooke strength rather by weight then number the known Actors were the Earle Marshal the Lord Gilbert Basset and many other of the inferiour Nobles The Bishoppes Arts 〈◊〉 ●…luckt from him the Kings Brother and the two Earles of Chester and Lincolne who dishonourably sold their loue for a thousand Markes and otherwise as it seemed secured the rest neuerthelesse these may well bee thought not to haue borne any euill will to their now forsaken confederate the Earle Marshall who tooke himselfe to handle the common cause certainely hee handled his owne safety but ill as the euent shall demonstrate The Earle hearing these things contracts strict amity with Lewelin Prince of Wales whose powers thus knit together by aduantages of the Mountaines were able to counterpoize any ordinary inuasion To the Kings aide Baldwin de Gisnes with many Souldiers came out of Flanders The King now at Hereford in the midst of his Forces sends from thence by Winchesters counsell the Bishoppe of Saint Dauids to defie the Earle Marshall how farre soeuer this word defie extends it selfe sure it seems that the Earle hereupon vnderstoode himselfe discharged of that obligation by which hee was tied vnto the King and freed to mak●… his defence The King notwithstanding after some small attempts and better considerations did promise and assume that by aduise of his Councell all that was amisse should at a day appointed bee rectified and amended About which time Hubert de Burgo hauing intelligence that the Bishoppe of Winchester who was a Poictouine plotted his death escaped out of the Castle of Deuises where he was prisoner to a neighbour Church but was haled from thence by the Castle-Keepers The Bishop of Sarisbury in whose Diocesse it happened caused him to bee safe-restored to the same place from whence by the Earle Marshall and a troupe of armed men his friends hee was rescued and carried into Wales 40 The King at the day and place appointed holds his great Councell or conference with the Lords but nothing followed for the peace of the Realme it was not an ordinary passage of speech which hapned there betweene the Lords and the Bishoppe of Winchester For when the English Bishops and Barons humbly besought the King for the honour of Almighty God to take into grace his naturall Subiects whom without any triall by their Peeres hee called Traitors the Bishoppe offended it seems at Peeres takes the words out of the Kings mouth and answeres That there are not Peeres in England as in the Realme of France and that therefore the King of England by such Iusticiars as himselfe pleaseth to ordaine may banish offenders out of the Realme and by iudiciall processe condemne them The English Bishops relished his speech so harshly that with one voice they threatned to excommunicate and accurse by name the Kings principall wicked Counsellors but Winchester appealed then they accursed all such as alienated the heart of the king from his naturall subiects and all others that perturbed the peace of the Realme 41 The Earle Marshall this while had by force resumed a Castle which he had a little before surrendred to the King which stirred the King to gather his forces at Glocester and thence to aduance towards Wales But the Earle had politickly barred the Country of al Prouisions for man and beast that the King was faine to
strike aside to Grosmont Castle where the Earle with his Confederats and the power of Wales so awaited their time that assailing the Kings Campe vnawares there were taken about fiue hundreth horse with the Sumpters riches and carriages of the Armie vpon which losse his men also greatly scattered the King leauing two noble Gentlemen with the Poictouins to make good the Marches against the Welsh returned more empty and inglorious then before The Earle found them worke whom the King had left behind and as hee was a man of no lesse courage then deepe witte whereas Baldwin de Gisnes the valiant Flemish knight with a thousand Horsemen thought to haue surprized him who hauing but a tenth part of that number came to view the Castle of Monmouth the Earle alone defended himselfe against twelue of his enemies and when his horse was cowardly slaine by them he pitcht one of them by the legge out of the Saddle and leapt into it himselfe neuer giuing ground till his Arruie came to the rescue and obtained a faire victorie with the slaughter and captiuation of many Poictouines and others His other exploits in and about Wales were not few nor vnfortunate if it were not onely in this as what indeed could be more grieuous or vnglorious to a noble mind for that his Soueraigne was vpon the contrary side 42 The King about this time to strengthen his life and State with the prayers of Beneficiaries and other deuoted affections founded the house of Conuerts where such as forsooke the Iudaicall Superstitions had prouisions for maintenance vnder a sober rule and ruler he also erected and endowed a famous Hospitall at Oxf●…rd both for the entertainement of Forrainers and Pilgrimes who thither much frequented and for reliefe also of such as were diseased So that Leoline Prince of Wales the Earles chiefe Confederate when hee was threatned sore if hee would not liue in quiet did not speake more magnificently of charity then honourably of the King I more feare quoth hee the Almesdeedes which the King dooth then all the men of warre which hee hath and the whole Clergy put together 43 The Earle Marshall encreasing in strength and hatred against such as were the Kings reputed Seducers makes spoile and booty on their possessions and ioyning with the power of Leoline puts all to fire and sword as farre as Shrewsburie part whereof they burnt to Ashes and sackt the residue The King then at Gloster for want of sufficient Forces departed thence greatly grieued to Winchester abandoning those other parts as it were to wast and ruine It therefore seemes that he was not growne stronger or richer by the displacing of Hubert Earle of Kent and the rest and by taking new into their roomes who commonly bite and sucke hard till they haue glutted themselues if at leastwise there be any satietie in auarice whereas the old officers hauing prouided in a sort for the maine chance haue the lesse reason to be grieuous 44 Therefore the Lions skin not being large enough for the Bishoppe of Winchester and his factious purposes they piece them out with the Foxes case an ineuitable stratageme is deuised The Earle Marshall had in Ireland all the ample Patrimonies of his Grandfather the famous Strangbow To make that member of his strengthes improfitable if not also pernicious they deuise certain letters directed to Maurice Fitz-Gerald Deputie Iustice of Ireland and other principall men who held of the Earle In them they signifie that Richard once Marshall to the King of England was for manifest treason by the iudgement of the Kings Court banished the Realme his Lands townes and Tenements consumed with fire other his Hereditaments destroyed and himselfe for euer disinherited that if vpon his comming thither they did take him either aliue or dead the King did giue them all the Earles lands there which now were forfeited by vertue of his Attainture and for assurance that the said gift should continue firme and good they by whose aduise the King and Kingdome were gouerned faithfully vndertooke To these letters which the Monkes call bloudy they caused the King to set his Seale as they themselues also being eleuen did theirs vpon receite of which lines the parties signifie backe vnder the seale of secresie that if the Contents of those letters were confirmed by the Kings Letters Patents they would performe that which was desired The Letters patents bee made accordingly and hauing fraudulently gotten the Great Seale from Hugh Bishoppe of Chichester Lord Chancellour who knew not thereof they make them authentike with the impression 45 The Kings mind therefore being still exulcerated towards the Earle Marshall hee grieuously charged Alexander Bishoppe of Chester that he had too much familiarity with the Earle affirming that they sought to thrust him from his throne the Bishop to cleare himselfe from so hainous a scandall puts on his Episcopall habite and solemnly pronounceth all those accurst who did but imagine a wickednesse of so foule a nature against the Maiesty or person of the King and thereupon by the intercession of other Prelates hee was receiued into grace The King was then at Westminster where Edmund the Archbishop of Canterbury elect with other his Suffragan Bishops bewailing the estate of the kingdome present themselues before him telling him as his loyal Liegemen that the Counsell of Peter Bishop of Winchester and his Complices which now he had and vsed was not found nor safe but cruell and perillous to himselfe and his Realme First for that they hated and despised the English calling them Traitours turning the Kinges heart from the loue of his people and the hearts of the people from him as in the Earle Marshall whom being one of the worthiest men of the land by sowing false tales they draue into discontentment 2. that by the Counsell of the same Peter his Father King Iohn first lost the hearts of his people then Normandie then other lands and finally wasted all his treasure and almost England it selfe and neuer after had quiet 3. that if the Subiects had now beene handled according to Iustice and law and not by their vngodly counsels those present troubles had not hapned but the Kinges lands had remained vndestroyed his treasures vnexhausted 4. that the Kings Councell is not the Councell of Peace but of perturbation because they who cannot rise by Peace will raise themselues by the trouble and disinherison of others 5. that they had the treasure Castles Wardships and strengthes of the Kingdome in their hands which they insolently abused to the great hazard of the whole estate for that they made no conscience of an Oth Law Iustice or the Churches censures Therefore we ô King said they speake these things faithfully vnto you and in the presence both of God and man doe counsell beseech and admonish you to remoue such a Councell from about you and as it is the vsage in other Realmes gouerne
yours by the faithfull and sworne Children thereof The King in briefe answered hereunto that hee could not sodainely put off his Councell and therefore prayed a short respite till their accounts were audited Meanwhile the behauiours of the Marshalline faction hauing this backing at Court grew more and more intolerable for while the King was at Huntingdon the Lord Gilbert Basset and others set fire vpon Alekmundbury a Towne belonging to Stephen de Segraue the flames whereof were seene of the owner being then with the King at Huntingdon They also tooke prisoners vpon the Welsh Marches and according to the Law of VVarre which saith one is lawlesse did put them to their ransomes 46 Nothing had hitherto preserued the King more then that hee could without great griefe forgoe any fauourites if hee were neerely pressed the contrary quality whereof hath beene the cause of finall desolation to so many Princes For albeit the choice of Counsellors ought to bee free yet by common intendment they should bee good or howsoeuer they are or are not it is madnesse to hazard a Crowne or leese the loue of an whole Nation rather then to relinquish or diminish a particular dependant The rights of amity ought neuerthelesse to remaine inuiolable but in such distance that the publike be not peruerted nor interuerted for a priuate The King therefore in this point not vnfortunate commaunded Bishop Peter to betake himselfe to his residence at VVinton without once medling in affaires of State but against Peter Riuallis his Treasurer hee was so vehement that he sware hee would plucke out his eyes were it not for reuerence of holy Orders commaunding also their Poictouines to depart the Realme neuer to see his face more 47 Then are the Archbishop of Canterbury with the Bishops of Chester and Rochester sent into Wales to pacifie things there But the inuincible Earle Marshall had now crost the Seas into Ireland to take reuenge for the spoiles and disseisures which his hired enemies had made in his lands there by whose plots according to that secret agreement hee was finally taken and died of a wound giuen him in the backe as hee with admirable manhood defended himselfe His Body was buried in Kilkennie which pleasantly-situated Towne our Soueraigne King Iames erected into a City where himselfe in his life had appointed in the Oratorie of the Minorites in which Town as yet some small tokens of this great name are remaining for in the East window of the Abbey-Church of S. Iohn Baptist and in the Abbey of S. Dominicke the ancient Armories of Marshal Lord of Kilkenny are yet extant The Patrimony of this Earle was shared by the Contractors according to the purport of the Letters patents but when the King heard of his death hee to the wonder of all that were by brake forth into teares bewailing the losse of so braue a Knight affirming that he had left no Peere behind him in the Kingdome A blessed King saith Paris to loue euen those who had offended him 48 The Archbishoppe of Canterbury with the other Bishoppes repaired to the King at Glocester vpon their returne from Leoline Prince of Wales who pretended hee could not conclude till the King had receiued into grace such of the banished Nobility with whom himselfe had beene confederated during the late displeasures The King hereupon moued with Pittie sends forth his Proclamations that all such as were outlawed or proscribed should bee at Gloucester vpon a certaine day there to be receiued into the Kings fauour againe and to haue restitution of their inheritances but lest they might suspect any euill measure it was ordered that they should bee in the Churches protection and come vnder the safe-conduct of the Archbishoppe and the other Prelates Thither at the time and place limited doth Hubert de Burgo Earle of Kent and lately chiefe Iusticiar of England repaire vpon whom by mediation of the Bishops the compassionate King looks gratiously receiuing him in his Armes with the kisse of peace in like sort was the Lord Gilbert Basset and all others of that fellowshippe receiued into fauour their seuerall liuings and rights fully restored and both Hubert and Basset admitted to bee of his Councell And that nothing might bee wanting to make the ioy vniuersall Gilbert Brother to the late Earle Marshall had the whole Earldome conferred vpon him with all the lands and rights thereof wheresoeuer notwithstanding the foresaid treacherous conueyance whom also the King made Knight at VVorcester and deliuered into his hands the Rod of the Marshalship according to the custom Howbeit in all these points the King may seeme but to haue temporized as thereto driuen by ouer-bearing inducements or else greatly afterward to haue changed his iudgement because hee openly at one time called the said Richard a bloudy Traitour and caused this Gilbert to bee forcibly kept out of the Court vpon a Christmas day 49 Vpon this reconcilement the practise by which the late great Marshall was destroyed and his possessions dismembred came to light the copy of the letters which had beene sent into Ireland being by commandement of the Archbishoppe of Canterbury openly read in the presence of the King the Prelates Earles and Barons It moued teares in all of them the King with an Oath affirming that hee knew not the contents of the said letters though by the vrging of the Bishoppe of Winchester Riuallis Segraue Passeleu with other of his Councell hee had caused his Seale to bee put vnto them At the sound of Summons to make their seuerall appearances the Malefactors take Sanctuary the Bishop and Peter de Riuallis in Winchester Church Segraue in Leicester Abbey Passeleu in the new Temple and others otherwhere In the end vpon the intercession of Edmund Archbishop of Canterburie who piously endeauoured to extinguish all occasions of further dissention in the Kingdome and vndertooke they should haue a lawfull triall the delinquents appeared at Westminster before the King who sate in person with his Iusticiars vpon the Bench. Peter de Riuallis was first called for the Bishop came not whom the King shot through with an angrie eye saying O thou Traitour by thy wicked aduise I was drawne to set my Seale to these treacherous letters for the destruction of the Earle Marshall the Contents whereof were to mee vnknowne and by thine and such like counsell I banished my naturall Subiects and turned their minds and hearts from me By thy bad counsel thy Complices I was moued to make warre vpon them to my irreparable losse and the dishonour of my Realme in which enterprize I wasted my treasure and lost many worthie persons together with much of my royall respect Therefore I exact of thee an account aswell of my treasure as of the custodies of Wardes together with many other profites and escheates belonging to my Crowne Peter denying none of the accusations but falling to the ground thus
him this answere Thou dost see ô Hertold that my forces are scarce sufficient to defend my selfe Our Lord and Sauiour was betraied by his Disciple Iudas and therefore who shall be safe Behold the Earle of March whom I tooke and reuerenced as my Father hath giuen a pernicious president I haue trusted in a staffe of reed and the splinters thereof haue wounded my hand Thou art the only man who hast behaued thy selfe honestly whatsoeuer therefore thou doest tossesse of mine by any iust title take it to thee as thine owne I giue it thee Prouide other want could make him forget his magnificence and bountie hee caused the East-part of the great Church at Westminster to bee taken downe and by aduise of expert Workmen newly to bee builded and ioyned to the West The effect of the Kings expedition into Wales was that after he had fortified the Castle of Gannocke in North-Wales vpon the passage into Anglesey and by the Irishmen wasted that fertile Iland hee was himselfe enforced by sharpenesse of the weather and for want of victuals to returne about the end of October hauing taken all courses hee could to sterue the Welsh forbidding the Irish vpon pain of death to bring any reliefe into Wales and left that they of Cheshire or the neighbour parts should giue them any succour hee so spoiled them of all their prouisions that they were scarse able to feed themselues and if the Welsh compelled by famine ventred out of their strengthes or fastnesses in or about Snowdon the Garrison Souldiers of Gannocke were ready to intercept and kill them and on the other side the Lords of Brumfield and Powys though Welshmen held with the King so that they were miserably straitned The King pawnd his Iewels to his brother Richard at this iourney for 3000. Markes which holpe to piece out the charge thereof Paris hath a long list of great names which dying about this time left neither name nor issue to preserue the memory of their Greatnes but none so strange as of the Marshals fiue brethren of them successiuely Earles of Pembroke and all dying issulesse which he attributeth to the iudgement of God for the iniquity of their Father and of themselues who would neuer restore certaine Manours which their Father in warre-time had taken in Ireland from the Bishoppe of Ferus an holy Irish man who often required restitution and for want thereof did put them vnder Gods curse and his One doth indeed obserue that the Irish Saints are vindicatiue but certainely the examples of punishments for Sacrilege and violent extortions are terrible in holy Scripture and most fearefull was the sentence it selfe which Gods Prophet pronounced against Ahab for Naboths vineyard agreeing with the very plague which this yeare fell vpon the house of Marshall 72 The Popes furie was now so much inflamed against King Henry and the English for so disgracing him publikely in the Generall Councell that hee vsed lofry threats if once the Emperour were quelled to tame England also and whetted on the French King to enter on the land promising him all the helpes of the Church and Papall power But the iust King not only refused so vniust an offer as hauing no title to England themselues also knit by kindred and by truce their Queenes being sisters the attempt bloody for Christians c. but further ratified the former truce and enlarged it with the addition of more yeers because King Lewis was prepared to make warre against the Infidels which voyage King Henrie would not hinder but aduance And that nothing might disturbe the peacefull life with which the King of England was most delighted Dauid Prince of Wales departed out of the vale of the dying as Paris elegantly saith into the vale of the dead The King seeing all things quiet and safe about him doth now conuert his whole cares to the reformation of the inward maladies of his dominions calling the estates of the land together for that purpose To whom he there deliuered in writing sundrie Articles of the greeuances and oppressions of his Kingdome and the Church 1. that the Pope extorts great Contributions of the Clergy without the Kings assent against ●…he rightes and liberties of the Kingdome 2. that Patrons cannot bestow Church liuings on fit men but the Pope giues them to his Romans who can speake no English ●…r celebrate diuine seruice nor preath nor keepe hospitalitie nor c●…e for soules c. but only begger the Land with carrying away the Coine 3. that the Popes Prouisions and Pensions are vnsufferable 4. that Englishmen are d●…awne forth of the Land to end their causes 5. that the Pope by his non obstante ouerthrowes Oathes Customs Charters Graunts Statutes Priuiledges Rights c. whereupon the King Bishops Nobles Abbots and Priors did all write their seuerall complaints to the Pope requiring speedie redresse of those infinite wrongs to the King the Kingdome the Clergie the Nobles and the People who would rather die then thus daily endure those oppressions Notwithstanding sundry Prelates either out of ambition or feare vnderhand furthered the Popes desires when secretly he craued an annuall tallage of the Clergie for maintenance of his Souldiers and that the State should take no notice thereof the Pope caused his Agents to make them swear not to reueale this their Contribution to any man liuing for the space of halfe a yeere Yet the King came to the knowledge thereof and sent forth his writs forbidding vnder great penaltie that the money should be carried forth of the Land This the Kings displeasure was much augmented vpon the returne of his messengers from the Councell of Lyons who related how proudlie the Pope reiected the iust complaints of the State saying the King himselfe did Frederize and holding his People as Schismaticks Which incensed the King to publish his Proclamation in Euery Citie and Towne that none of his subiects should dare to contribute any money to the Pope but it came to no effect for that some Popizing Bishops and ambitious Clerks of his Councell fearing the Papall threats where no cause of feare was drew him to leaue his purpose womanly which he manfully vndertooke 73 The Bishop of Worcester a principall worker herein was said to haue had authoritie from the Pope to interdict the land which perhaps was it which the King so greatly feared and which the Monke said was not worth the fearing The Earle of Cornwall also with others who fauoured not the Emperour Fredericks cause laboured to change the Kings minde so that the wonted extortions were as current as euer insomuch that a Cardinall truely told the Pope that England was to the Pope as Balaams Asse which being so often wronged spurgalled and cudgeld it was no maruaile if at length shee opened her mouth to complaine and for themselues and their Romane Court they were like Ismael euerie mans hand against
in the space betweene the Chappels of King Edward and Saint Bennet EDVVARD THE FIRST LORD OF IRELAND AND DVKE OF AQVITAINE c. THE FORTIE-SEVENTH MONARCH OF ENGLAND HIS RAIGNE ACTS AND ISSVE CHAPTER X. EDward who followed K. Henry in wearing the English Crowne but far out-went him in all regall vertues was abroad at the time of his fathers death still pursuing his high desires for the Holy Warres wherein what he performed being yet but a Prince against the publike enemies of Christians it shall not bee impertinent to touch before wee come to his actions as a King hauing already remembred with what valour and felicity hee had subdued his Fathers domesticke enemies setled the peace of his Kingdome and reestablished the raines of Soueraignty in his Fathers hands which those potent Rebels had formerly extorted 2 King Lewis of France whose perswasions had enflamed this noble-spirited Prince to associate him in this glorious quarrell hauing first set forth for the enterprise lay now in siege of Tunis in Africa where Prince Edward with all his forces arriuing the French King greatly reioycing in his wished presence together with the King of Nauarre and other Princes of his Army went forth to meet him and receiued him in the kisse of Peace This place which they beleaguered was as then not great yet by reason of the situation it greatly impeached the Christians in their passages through those Seas being built out of the scattered ribs and wasted ruines of that mighty and famous City Carthage riual once in Maiesty and Ambition with ancient Rome as contending with her about the Empire of the World Therefore to secure the Mediterranean Seas it was thought necessary to beginne that enterprise for Asia with this in Africa but not long after Lewis yeelding vppe his holy Soule to God at the siege and sicknesse by reason of the heates in those Regions for it was August raig of homage to seize vpon the whole Fee of the said Prince marcht with an Armie into Wales his good fortune there was accidentally augmēted by a prize which foure shippes of Bristol tooke about the Isles of Sillie wherein the daughter of Simon Montfort late Earle of Leicester who according to a secret contract betweene their friends went to be giuen in marriage to Lewelin and Aimericke her brother were surprised but shee found honourable vsage of the King her neere kinsman 11 Meanewhile Lewelines affaires by the manhood and diligence of Pain de Canusijs and others who had takē West-Wales in broght it to the Kings peace thriuing but poorely and the saide Prince feeling the foundations of his safetie beginning manifestly to faile and shrinke from vnder him sued for peace and had it vpon such termes which in likely-hood were not as Polydor Virgil would haue it seeme granted by King Edward lest he should leese his cost and care by warring against bogs and mountaines In the conditions of Peace which was procured with great difficulty the most remarkeable as carrying the shew of a farre greater riches in the possession of the Welsh euen at that time then some preiudicated can easily beleeue were these 1. That the Prince should pay to the King for his peace and goodwill fifty thousand pounds sterling the payment whereof should bee in the Kinges will and grace that is as wee conceiue it how much thereof the Prince should pay or not pay and when 2. That the said Prince should haue the Isle of Anglesey in Fee-farme of the King to him and to the lawfull issue of his body in generall taile for fiue thousand Marks readie money for gressom or a fine in hand paid the yeerly rent of a thousand Marks The rest of the articles being about eight amounted to so much as a plain Conquest or dissolution of the Principality of Wales after Lewelins death who was to enioy the same during his time vpon conditions 12 Now whereas the said Lewelin had three Brethren Dauid whom King Edward fauoured Owen and Rodericke it was enioyned to him at this conclusion made by the Lord Robert Tiptoft and certaine other Commissioners vpon eyther side appointed that hee should appease and satisfie his said Brethren but because Dauid was afterward a principall Actor in the calamities which fell vpon himselfe his house and his Country we must not neglect to speake somwhat particularly of him This Gentleman for some causes flying into England from his Brother Lewelin for his faithfull seruice to the State of England was there honoured contrary to the manner of his Nation with the order of Knighthood and receiued also by the bounty of King Edward for his maintenance the Castle of Denbigh with lands to the yeerly value of one thousand pounds and the Daughter of the Earle of Derby being then a Widow to wife with all which bounty the King did but entertaine a reuealer of his secrets as some not improbably doe affirme The State of Wales thus composed and the Castle of Aberistwith which seemes to bee the same that by another is said to haue beene built in West-Wales at Lāpader Vaur being built by King Edward for assuring those parts the King as he was munificent and roiall the more to tie Lewelins faith gaue vnto him the Lady of whose surprise at Sea we haue mentioned to be his consort honouring the Nuptials with his owne presence and his Queens And whereas Alexander King of Scots came about the same season into England to treat with Edward concerning important affaires and had formerly sent to the Welsh warres certaine aides of the Scots the said Alexander being iealous on his Countries behalfe that those aides might bee interpreted to haue beene sent vpon duty obtained letters testimoniall from King Edward declaring that they were not sent of duty or in respect of seruice due 13 Though King Edward were thus desirous to gaine the Welsh-Nation rather by his largesse then puissance hauing so honourably vsed Lewelin hee could not yet retain their hearts for whether it were which some to amoue the note of ingratitude turbulency from them affirme for that there was partiality vsed by the English officers in distribution of iustice vpon the Marches or which seems to some as likely for that they aspired in vaine to their ancient liberty being miserably seduced with certaine blind prophesies the Welsh betooke themselues afresh to Armes for Dauid himselfe whom the King had laden with so many benefites and graces became to them a principall leader and to giue them full assurance of his fastnesse to their cause reconciling himselfe to his brother the Prince he sodainely and treacherously vpon Palme-Sunday seised the Castle of Hawardin surprising Roger de Clifford a noble famous Knight whom the King had dispatched into those parts as Iusticiar of all Wales and slaying such vnarmed men as offered to resist that violence whence
can be terrified with swelling lies as if like one that had no power to compell I would let the right which I haue ouer you to slip out of my hands Let me heare no more of this for if I do I swear by the Lord I will consume all Scotland from sea to sea On the other side the Scots did boldly enough replie That in this cause they would shed their bloud for defence of iustice and their Countries liberty 40 About this time the King made his sonne Edward who was borne at Caernaruon Prince of Wales and Earle of Chester which so greatly contented the Welsh because in regard of his birth place they held him as one of theirs that when all friends did afterward forsake him as the following raigne will shew they alwayes stucke most loyally vnto him expressing wonderfull loue and affection and bewayling his heauy fortunes in wofull songs which neither the dread of his enemies nor length of time could euer make them to forget 41 But in the matter of Scotland the King not to seeme altogether to neglect the Court of Rome addressed thither the Earle of Lincolne and the Lord Hugh de Spenser with manifold complaints against the Scots and iustification of his owne proceedings how beit at the Popes request he granted them truce from Hallowmas to Whitsontide This very yeere Cassan King of Tartars gloriously slew one hundreth thousand Turkes in a battell vpon the plaine of Damascus and was baptized therupon as acknowledging the victory to come from the sonne of God the ioy wherof filled England as other the partes of Christendome 42 The iustice of the English Armes against the Scots being now againe directly impugned by the Papall letters comprehending sundry arguments on the behalfe of that Nation King Edward in a Parliament at Lincolne published their contents and by consent of the whole representatiue body of the Realme returned a copious defence of his whole proceedings with protestation first that hee did not exhibite any thing as informe of iudgement or triall of his cause but for satisfaction of his holy Fatherhoods conscience and not otherwise But whereas the Pope had required the King to stand to his decision for matter of claime hee writes that thereunto hee would make no answere as hauing left that point to the Earles and Peeres of his land who with one mind directly signifie that their King was not to answere in iudgement for any rights of the Crown of England before any Tribunall vnder Heauen and that by sending Deputies or Atturneyes to such an end hee should not make the said truth doubtfull because it manifestly tended to the disinherison of the said Crown which with the helpe of God they would resolutely and with al their force maintaine against all men So ceased that Action and the sooner also for that Bonifacius had much to doe at home by reason of some great controuersies between the French and him Meane time Sir Iohn Segraue Lord Segraue a renowned Souldier was sent Gouernour or Custos into Scotland with an Army after the Truce expired which at the French Kings instance King Edward had yeelded vnto for a time Iohn Cumin who had also beene a Competitor for the Crown was chosen by the Scots for their Gouernour 43 We may not here ouerpasse a victory at Rosselin which the Writers of that nation celebrate wherin the English were by them ouercome howbeit there is in our Writers much variety in that relation It is the saying of Hector Boetius that the English were about three for one our ancient and later authors say that the Scots had farre the more people he affirmes that it was in the plaine field ours that it was an Ambush he that the Scots did put to flight and tooke the spoiles of three whole battels in either of which were 10000. English ours that the Scots by reason of their multitudes did onely ouerbeare the Vauntgard from which the nearest of the other battels was foure miles off All agree in this that the Lord Iohn Segraue Ralfe Confrey saith Hector who had the point or voward of the English whose Generall he also was by diuiding his army into three parts for their better reliefe weakned so his whole force that thereby and his vnaduised forwardnes impatient to stay for his other powers he gaue occasion to the Scots of such a victory They had also taken the person of the said Lord Generall but Sir Robert de Neuilc who with others was at diuine seruice hearing therof came with his troups of horse rescued Segraue slew many put many to flight and brought away backe the rest of the prisoners without the losse of any one man of his owne The said Scottish Chronicle makes no mention of William Walleys at this discomfiture of the English but giues the whole glory thereof to Cumyn and to Simon Fraser whereas we attribute all to Walleys and make no mention of the other with farre lesse wrong to the immortall deserts of Walleys for he vndoubtedly was the only man who kept vp Scotland till neere the time of deliuerance 44 The Scottish Nation as Hector reports had for their warrant in conscience and iustification of resistance the Popes iudgement who vpon ripe deliberation in their matter decreed saith he that the Scots had iust action of battell in defence of their liberties against King Edward who not much esteeming the doome of that Oracle vpon the other side was perswaded hee might proceed to subdue them wholy to his dominion and therefore vpon report that the Scots were not only vp in Armes but encouraged to greater attempts by this late successe came in person with a dreadfull host piercing therewith through all Scotland from one end thereof to the other from Rocksbrough to Catnes which is the farthest point in the length of that Land being about three hundreth miles whither he marched by small iourneys not an enemie appearing with power to empeach him For they vnable to make head being so continually wasted did either for their safetie betake themselues to the woods and Mountaines with their Walleys or wholly submitted themselues swearing to be true to king Edward there being in al Scotland but one Castle the Castle of Striueling which stood out and that also vpon King Edwards returne from Catnes was absolutely surrendred to him and therefore no great cause why Hector should call King Edward false Tyrant for committing the Captaine and Garrison of that Castle to sundry Prisons So that had not God in his eternall prouidence fauouring the liberty of that people ordeined some inaccessible places and naturall strengths where no Armie could march nor be maintained the Scots had in all liklihood perpetually vndergone the same fortune which we the English were brought into for want of the like by William the first and his Normans 45 Therefore let prophane discourses with their Father Epicurus and Lucretius
blush and tremble as often as they shall dare to insin●…ate any thing against Gods wisdome in the Fabrick of the world as if the Craggy and desert places thereof had no vse in nature when omitting all other reasons of their being the conseruation of kingdomes and nations was thus by them effected We had an Herward in the Conquerours time as well as the Scots had a Walleys in this and we might perhaps at this houre haue beene without French mixtures if God had prouided our Country of such Wastes and deserts as either they or the Welshmen did enioy who for manie hundreths of yeeres after the ruine in Saint Peters Church at Westminster the twentieth day of Nouember in the first year of his Fathers raign Ann. Dom. 1272. in the same place and vnder the same Tombe where his brother Iohn lies with his picture also in the Arch aboue it 60 Alphons the third sonne of Edward and Queene Elenor was borne at the Towne of Maine in Gascoigne as his father and mother were in their returne towards England from Ierusalem Nouember 23. in the second yeare of his fathers raigne 1273. hee deceased at Windsor August 4. in the twelfth yeere of his age 1285. and was buried at Westminster in Saint Peters Church by Saint Bennets Chappell where his body lieth vnder the Tombe of his Brothers Iohn and Henry his Image also there portraied with theirs 61 Edward the fourth sonne of King Edward and Queene Elenor was borne April 25. in the thirteenth yeere of his fathers raigne 1284. at Caernaruan in Northwales and after the death of Lewelin ap Griffith in regard of the place of his Natiuity was by his fathers Creation with the consent of the Welsh made Prince of Wales the first of the sonnes and heires apparant of the Kings of England that bare that Title which afterward became ordinary to most of the rest hee was also Earle of Ponthieu and Chester and being made Knight by his father at London on Whitsunday in the thirty fourth yeere of his Raigne 1306. succeeded him the same yeer in the Kingdome of VVales 62 Elenor the eldest daughter of King Edward and Queene Elenor was borne at Windsor in the fiftieth yeare of King Henry her Grandfather shee was married with all Ceremonies of Proxie to a Deputy for Alphons King of Arragon sonne of King Peter who deceased A. Do. 1292. before the solemnization of marriage leauing his Kingdom to his brother Iames and his new wife to another husband who was married at Bristow in the two and twentieth yeere of her fathers raigne 1293. to Henry the 3. Earle of Barrie whose Earledome lay in the East-borders of Champaigne in France Shee had Issue by him Edward Earle of Barrie from whom descended the Earles and Dukes of that Country whose inheritance by Heires generall deuolued to the Kings of Arragon and from them again to the Dukes of Aniou that were Kings of Sicill Henrie another sonne of hers was Bishoppe of Troys in Champagny Helen her Daughter was marrird to Henry Earle of Bloys and Ioan to Iohn Warren Earle of Surrey she was his wife fiue yeeres and deceased 27. of her fathers raigne A. D. 1298. 63 Ioan the second daughter of King Edward and Queene Eleanor was borne in the first yeere of her fathers raigne 1272. at a City in the holy land sometime named Ptolomais commonly called Acon and Aker where her mother remained during the warres that her father had with the Saracens Shee was at eighteene yeeres of age married to Gilbert Clare called the Red Earle of Glocester and Hereford by whom shee had issue Earle Gilbert slaine in Scotland without issue Eleanor married first to Hugh Spencer in her right Earle of Glocester and after to William Zouch of Ricards castle Margaret first maried to Peter Gaueston Earle of Cornwal after to Hugh Audeley Earle also of Glocester and Elizabeth Lady of Clare married first to Iohn son and heire to Richard Burgh Earle of Vlster in Ireland mother of William Burgh Earle of Vlster and Grandmother of Elizabeth Dutchesse of Clarence secondly to Theobald Lord Verdon and lastly to Sir Roger Damary This Ioan suruiued her husband and was remarried to Sir Ralph Monthermere a Baron father to Margaret the mother of Thomas Mountacute Earle of Salisbury of whom the now Vicount Mountacute is descended shee liued thirty eight yeeres and deceased in the first yeere of her brother King Edwards raigne and is buried at the Fryer Austines in Clare 64 Margaret the third daughter of King Edward and Queene Elenor was borne at the Castle of Windsor in the third yeare of her fathers raigne and of our Lord 1275. When shee was fifteene yeeres of age shee was married at Westminster Iuly 9. in the eighteenth yeere of herfathers raign A D. 1290. to Iohn the second Duke of Brabant by whom shee had issue Duke Iohn the third father of Margaret wife of Lewis of Mechlin Earle of Flanders and mother of the Lady Margaret the heire of Brabant and Flanders who was married to Philip Duke of Burgundie 65 Berenger the fourth Daughter of King Edward Queen Elenor was born the 4. of her fathers raigne An. 1276. as Iohn Eueresden the Monke of S. Edmundsburie in Suffolke hath recorded in his booke of English Annales but other mention there is none but onely from him whereby it is likely that shee did not liue to be married but that shee died in her childhood 66 Alice the fifth Daughter of king Edward and Queene Elenor is by Thomas Pickering of the Monastery of Whitby who wrote the large Genealogie of the Kings of England and their issue reported to haue deceased without Issue 67 Marie the sixt daughter of king Edward and Queene Elenor was borne at Windsor April 22. in the eight yeare of her fathers raigne 1279. and at ten yeeres of age A. D. 1289. September 8. shee was made a Nunne in the Monastery of Ambresberie in Wiltshire at the instance of Queen Elenor her Grandmother who at that time liued there in the habite of the same profession although her Parents were hardly enduced to yeeld their consents to that course 68 Elizabeth the seuenth Daughter of king Edward and Queene Elenor was borne at the Castle of Ruthland in Flintshire in the thirteenth yeere of her fathers raigne An. 1284. When she was foureteen yeeres of age shee was married at London to Iohn the first of that name Earle of Holland Zeland and Lord of Freezeland who died within two yeeres after without Issue and shee was remarried to Humfrey Bohun Earle of Hereford and Essex Lord of Breknoke and high Constable of England by whom shee had Issue Iohn and Humfrey both Earles successiuely after their Father Edward that died in Scotland without issue and William who being created Earle of Northampton while his Brothers liued after their deceases was also Earle of Hereford and Essex Lord of Breknok and high Constable of England and father of Earle Humfrey the tenth of
the Order you shall finde intabled in our Mappe of Barkeshire 82 Our Edward hauing thus honoured S. Georges memory assigned to his Image mounted in Armour vpon Horsebacke a siluer Shield with a crosse Gules the deare remembrance of his dying Lord and appointed his Souldiers to weare white coats or Iackets with a red Crosse before and behind ouer their Armor that it was not onely a comely but a stately sight to behold the English battels like the rising Sunne to glitter farre off in that pure hew when the Souldies of other Nations in their baser weedes could not bee discerned The glory therefore of this Order seemed such to one no vnlearned Poet that in an Apostrophe to Windsor speaking of the Garter hee breakes forth into these scarse Hyberbolicall verses Cappadocis quanquam sis clara Georgicirc Militia c. Far spreads thy fame wherewith S. Georges knights Hath made thee glorious where rich-robed Peeres Whose manly legs the golden garter dights Combine that light which through all landes appeares That now Burgundians scorne their Fliece of Gold The French th' Escalopt Collar setwith grace Their Crossed weeds Rhodes Elba Alcala hold As worthlesse all macht with thy George are 〈◊〉 83 Let vs not dwell too long in the lesser things It was the moneth of Iulie and King Edward was now vpon the Sea with about a thousand Saile No man is said to know whether he bent his course so well he could trust himselfe and so wisely free his Councels from the possibility of discouerie He went not to warre by rote but by book Wisdome was Herbenger and marshall of his valour who shall say he knew not how to conquer It was not long but he came to anchor in the Hauen of Hogy Saint Vast in Constantine a great cape of land or penile in Normandy His land forces did muster twenty and fiue hundred horse and thirty thousand foote most of which were Archers The lights and glories of his Armie were the Prince of Wales then about sixteene yeers old who was then by his father knighted many braue Earles Lords Knights and expert Chiefs the English going cheerefullie as hauing gotten such a King as answered their warlike dispositions The Earle of Huntington had charge of his Nauy himselfe takes seuere reuenge for the blood of his friends vpon the Norman Townes and people protesting he sacrificed them to Clisson Baro Percie and the rest Their heads were set vpon the chiefe Gate of Carentine for which cause hee slew all that could be found therein and turning the whole town into Cinders gaue it to their funerall He tooke the populous and rich City of Caen with his dreadfull host burning and spoiling round about marched vp almost as farre as the very walles of Paris brauing King Philip so neere 74 Who had not slept all this while but was purueied of one of the fullest armies which euer were seene in France King Edwards people rich with spoile seemed not vnwilling to return They were now in the enemies Country between the two good riuers of Sein and Some for they had passed the Sein at Poissie whose Bridge as all other betweene Roan and Paris had beene broken downe by the French and now notwithstanding any opposition in a short space repaired It was thought fit to seeke passage out of these straights which could not be by Bridges for they were broken by the French This search for passage was by the enemy interpreted a kind of flight and Edward could not but be willing to nourish their temerity to draw them on securely to destruction by such a seeming feare 85 The riuer of Some betweene Albeuille and the Sea at a low water hath a passable and grauelile foord knowne by the name of Blanch Taque this was discouered to him by one Gobin a prisoner But the French King best acquainted in his owne Countrey to empeach this passage had before sent thether a Norman Baron of speciall note one Godmar du Foy and a 1000. thousand horse with at least 6000. foot but Edward whom as obstacles made impetuous so nothing could dismay enters himselfe into the Foord crying He that loues me let him follow me as one that resolued either to passe or die Who can tell the efficacy of such a Generals spirit but they who haue had the happinesse to follow vnder the conduct The passage wan and Du Foy defeated in a manner before he was almost fought with the incomparable courage of his enemies appalling him he brought to King Philip fewer by a paire of thousands then he carried forth besides terrour and an euill signe of that which followed The English who knew not what it meant to run away but were before resolued to liue die with such a Souereigne had reason now much more to resolue the same 86 King Edward was neere to Crescie in the County Ponthieu lying betweene the riuers of Some and Anthy which vnquestionably belonged vnto him in right of his mother there most vigilantly prouides he for his defence King Philip set on fire with this disaster precipitates to battell for accomplishment of Gods anger against France being the rather drawne by the vnruly vanity of his huge multitudes for by what other words doe * an hundred or six-score thousand men deserue to bee caled who neuer left ouer-taking one the other till the view of the English banners and battels put them to stand We professe that the nature of our vndertakings will not brooke descriptions at large you shall haue it as we may that is as remembring that innumerable great atcheiuements rest behind somewhat impatiently attending their relation 87 Therefore the holy name of God first ritely inuocated King Edward without shewing the least signe of perturbation but full of an Heroick assurednesse had ordered his people in three battels with their wings and succours The Vaward disposed into the forme of an Hearse where the Archers stood in front and the men of armes in the bottome was vnder the yong Lyon of Wales Prince Edward and with him many of the prime and sagest Captaines Beauchamp Earle of warwick Godfrey of Harecourt The Lords Stafford Laware Bourchier Clifford Cobham Holland c. In the second battell were The Earles of Northampton and Arundell the Lords Rosse Willoughby Basset Saint Albine Multon c. The third and last battell was commanded in cheife by King Edward himselfe with the residue of his Nobles and people In euery one of these battels beside the wings were a iust proportion of men at armes and Archers but nothing so thinne and few as some of our writers alledge who mention not aboue 9000. all together who were at least thrice as many in their whole numbers and not without need 88 King Edward closed his battels at their back as if he meant to barricado them from flying by felling and plashing of Trees placing his carriages
owners of such bodies as were beaten to the Earth vpon the first day these are worthily reckoned chiefe The King of Bohemia the King of Maiorca Charles Earle of Alanson brother-German to King Philip the Duke of Loraine the Duke of Burbon the Earle of Flanders the Earle of Sauoy both great Princes the Dolphin of Vi●…nois sonne to Himbert the Earle of S●…erre and Hareconrt whose brother Godfrey in pitty of his house his two Nephewes being slaine with their father forsooke the King of England after this battell and returned into Grace with the French the Earles of Aumarl Neuers c. sixe Earles of Almaine beside others of great account of all sorts Vpon the second day the Grand Prior of France who with his Archbishoppe of Roan had on the behalfe of their Prince and Country put on Arms. Of the Commons in both of these blacke dayes there fell about thirty thousand and some say foure times more in this last then in the other 101 We finde not one man of honour or note slaine vpon the English side so that this victorie may safely bee accounted among the wonderfull The spoiles of the Enemies bodies and carriages King Edward gaue wholy to his well deseruing souldiers The rule of their safety they being in a most populous enemy Countrie would not permit them to vse much curtesie to others as that which might haue proued cruelty to themselues but vpon the second day they tooke many prisoners though none of great name for they were spent in the day before It pleased the conquerour to proclaime a truce now for three dayes in the Country about that the people might come in to burie their dead but the bodies of the most noble hee himselfe caused to be conueied to Monstreal and there in his March towards Calais enterred 102 Thus by Gods fauour and the vnresistable force of the English Archers who in a manner did onely fight was King Edward put into a full and peaceable possession of a perfect victory which after hee had one night onely enioyed in the Forrest of Crescie hee dislodged with his conquering hoast marched straight toward Calais which hee presently inuested hauing decreed neuer to rise with his Armie from before it till without assault hee had carried the same For which cause he entrenched and fortified his Camp on all sides built vp Sheds couered with Reed and broome and other places and offices as to dwell in and stopping all reliefe by Sea whereof hee was Master with his Nauie There commanded in Calais for the French Sir Iohn de Vienne Marshall of France and the Lord Dandreghan with a very strong Garrison who concluded like good men of war to trie all extremities rather then to surrender the Piece which was so strong that to assault the same otherwise then with famine had beene friuolous These great Captaines seeing King Edwards resolution thrust forth of the Towne for sparing of food their poorer people aboue fifteene hundreth whom hee like a true Christian Prince turned not backe vpon the Towne but releeued for Gods cause with fresh victuals and two pence sterling each permitting them freely and securely to passe through his Camp to his great glory and vndoubtedly profite also hauing their hearty prayers for his happy successe and God for pay-master and rewarder of such his Beneficence 103 Many wayes were thought vpon by king Philip to raise this obstinate siege two principall an Army of French to fight with King Edward and a diuersion by inuasion wherein the Scots their perpetuall allies were forward Both in their seuerall times were put into execution That of the Scotish inuasion was first but with such successe as well declared it was Gods will all people hauing their encreasings zeniths and declinations that the English name should now be brought to the verticall point thereof without any thing being able to resist it 104 For Dauid the second King of Scots to grasand old Crownes The Pope sending a Messenger from Auignion with an ouerture to intercede for a peace had answere that the message must bee sent to the King his father for he co●… not meddle without commandement from him Mean while hee disposed of things without impeachment and returnes laden with honor and spoiles to Burdeaux where the winter being spent he sets forth to new aduentures Hee had in his Armie about eight thousand braue expert and well disciplined Souldiers and with them aduanceth through Perigort Limosin into the bosome of France vp to the verie gates of Burgesse in Berie the terror of his name flying before to his great aduantage Thus satisfied for the present hee wheeles about with purpose to returne by Remorantine in Blasois which hee tooke and so through the Country of Iurain Poictou and Saintoin to his chiefe City Burdeaux But Iohn King of France hasting to goe beyond his father in misfortune hauing assembled a compleat hoast followed about the City of Poictiers ouer-tooke the inuincible Prince 115 When the Armies with the ods of six to one against the English were embattelled two Cardinals sent from Pope Clement laboured as they had done before to take vp the quarrell without stroke whereunto the Prince was with reason yeelding enough but King Iohn fatally presuming on his aduantage propounded such conditions as if in a manner the Prince of Wales had already beene at his commaund which with iust indignation were reiected It came hereupon to a most bloudy triall where if euer the Prince and English gaue full experiment of their valour for after long conflict and absolute discomfiture of al the 3. French battels the least of which exceeded al the Princes nūbers the King himselfe valiantly fighting and Philip his yongest sonne who with such boldnesse and zeale defended his distressed father as it purchased vnto him the Honourable surname of Hardie were taken prisoners 116 The English whose valiancy was most conspicuous were the Earles of Warwicke Suffolke Salisburie Oxford and Stafford the Lords Cobham Spenser Audley Berkley Basset c. of Gascoigne subiects to the Crowne of England the Capitall de Beuf the Lord Pumier Chaumont with others of lower title but not of vnequall valour Iames Lord Audley wanne immortall renowne at this bloudy battell where hee receiued many wounds and shared the Princes gift of 500. Markes land in Fee simple to his foure Esquiers who had continued with him in all the brunt and fury of danger It is the misfortune or glory of the French Nobles that in all great battels the losse fals heauily vpon them In this most disasterous ouerthrow there fell fifty and two Lords about seuenteene hundreth Knights Esquiers and Gentlemen bearing coates of Armes The chiefe Lords were Peter of Bourbon Duke of Athens high Constable of France Iohn Clermont Marshall George of Charney Lord great Chamberlaine c. and as many other
had as some say suborned Edward Earle of Arundel Thomas Earle Marshall Thomas Holland Earle of Kent Iohn Holland Earle of Huntington Thomas Beaufort Earle of Somerset Iohn Montacute Earle of Salisbury Thomas Lord Spencer and Sir William Scroope Lord Chamberlaine 100 In September begins the Parliament at London where the king had a great guard of Chesshire men to secure his person and the Lords attended also not without sufficient numbers The Kings chiefe Agents were Sir Iohn Bushy Sir William Bagod and Sir Henry Greene knights In the first act after the liberties of the Church and people confirmed we find these words The commons of the Parliament haue shewed to our Souereigne Lord the King how in the Parliament holden at Westminster the first day of October in the tenth yeere of his reigne Thomas Duke of Glocester and Richard Earle of Arundell traitours to the King and his Realme and his people by false imagination and compassing caused a Commission to bee made c. and that the said Duke of Glocester and Earle of Arundel did send a great man and Peere of the Realme in message to our Lord the King who of their part said that if he would not grant and assent to the said Commission HEE SHOVLD DE IN GREAT PERIL OF HIS LIFE and so as well the said Commission as the said Statute touching the said Commission were made by constraint c. Wherefore the Commons pray their Soueraigne Lord the King that the said Commission c be vtterly anulled as a thing done TRAITEROVSLY c. 101 The sanctuary of former lawes and all particular Charters of pardon being now taken away from the Duke Earle and others they lay open to manifest ruine The Duke of Lancaster sate in iudgement as High Steward vpon Richard Earle of Arundel where for no other but for the old attempts though the other accusations seeme to haue been auerred by the eight Appellants by which as ye haue heard so many were displaced and put to death hee adiudged him to die that soule death of a common Traitor but the King satisfied himselfe with onely his head which was at one stroake taken of at Tower-hill That he was a traitour either in word or deede he vtterly did deny and died in that deniall The constancy of this Earles carriage aswell at his arraignement passage and execution as in which he did not discolour the honour of his blood with anie degenerous word looke or action encreased the enuie of his death vpon the prosecutors The Earle of Warwicke confessed with teares and as some say drawne by faire hope of life that in adhering to the Duke of Glocester in those ridings and assemblies hee was guilty of treason The same sentence was therefore pronounced vpon him The King neuerthelesse did only banish him into the I le of Man But the Duke of Glocester whom as the peoples darling it seemed not safe to bring to a publike triall was secretlie smothered at Calis with pillowes and feather-beds 102 The great Parliament for so it seemes to haue beene called by reason of the extraordinarie numbers of Peeres and their retinues which came thereunto was holpen by adiournment at Shewsbury In it those Iustitiars who were partly put to death and partly banished but all attainted at such time as the Duke of Glocester and the rest were in armes doe all of them stand thereby cleared from dishonor and such Articles as they subscribed being together with their answeres set downe in the Act are publikely ratified and the offendors against them pronounced Traitours Amongst these Articles one conteining these great Lawyers iudgements concerning the orderly proceedings in al Parliament is very obseruable That after the cause of such assembly is by the Kings commandement there declared such Articles as by the King are limitted for the Lords and Commons to proceed in are first to bee handled but if any should proceed vpon other Articles and refuse to proceed vpon those limitted by the King till the King had first answered their proposals contrary to the Kings command such doing herein contrary to the rule of the King are to be punished as Traitors But the King to content all parts and to kindle new lights in the place of such as he had extinguished hauing first created himselfe Prince of Chester made his cosen Henry Earle of Derby Duke of Hereford the Earle of Rutland Duke of Aumarl the Earle of Nottingham Duke of Norfolke the Earle of Kent Duke of Surrey the Earle of Huntington Duke of Excester the Earle of Somerset Marquesse Dorset the Lord Spencer Earle of Glocester the Lord Neuile Earle of Westmorland William Scrope Earle of Wiltshire Thomas Percy Earle of Worcester The King also saith Walsingham added to his Scucheon Royall the armories of Saint Edward King and confessor 103 The formost in this goodly ranke being Henry Duke of Hereford not long after accused Thomas Duke of Norfolke of certaine words sounding to the kings dishonour which hee should priuately vtter to the said Henry Polydor though very negligently hee makes Mowbray the Accuser and Hereford Defendant may yet be heard in reporting the effect of the words as That King Richard held the Peeres of the land in no account but as much as lay in him sought to destroy them by banishing some and putting others to death That hee neuer troubled his mind with considering how his Dominions were diminished through his Idlenesse Finally that all things went to wracke as well in peace as war But the Duke of Norfolke who vnlesse it had beene to feele how the Duke of Herefords heart was affected to the king had little reason so to complaine most constantly denying that euer he spake such wordes it should haue come to a combat within lists but the king to ●…uoid as hee pretended such deadly fewds as might rise in the families of two such potent Peeres but indeed to bee rid of an enemie with the losse of a friend banished Norfolke for euer and Hereford first for ten yeeres then for sixe Walsingham saith that this censure was giuen against Norfolke vpon that very day in which the yeere before he by the kings commandement had taken order for putting to death the Duke of Glocester at Callis whereof the said Duke of Norfolke had the Captaineship 104 Fearefull were the tragedies which ensued these times and heare now what is written of some Portents or wonders presaging the same The Bay or Laurell trees withered ouer all England and afterward reflourished contrary to many mens opinion and vpon the first of Ianuary neere Bedford towne the riuer between the villages of Swelston and Harleswood where it was deepest did vpon the sodaine stand still and so diuided it selfe that the bottome remained drie for about three miles space which seemed saith Walsingham to portend that reuolt from the King and the diuision which ensued 105 Roger Mortimer Earle of March
regalia qui violauit Fabians English of them The Church he fauoured casting the proud to ground And all that would his roiall State confound The said Author therefore Robert Fabian obseruing the scope of those lines to dampe their force doth vnderwrite and annex this Stanza with much greater discretion then elegancie But yet alas though that this meeter or rime Thus doth embellish this noble Princes fame And that some Clerke which fauoured him sometime List by his cunning thus to enhance his name Yet by his Story appeareth in him some blame Wherefore to Princes is surest memory Their liues to exercise in vertuous constancie More tart and seuere is the censure of Gower vpon this Prince one of whose verses Stow giues vs thus So God doth hate such rulers as here viciously do liue That beautifull picture of a King sighing crowned in a chaire of estate at the vpper end of the Quier in Saint Peters at Westminster is said to be of him which witnesseth how goodly a creature he was in outward lineaments 20 King Henry to diuert the humors and eyes of the people from the remembrance of this Tragedie prepareth now a puissance therewith to inuade Scotland some subiects whereof together with their Admirall Sir Robert Logon a Scotish Knight were taken at Sea by certaine English ships But K. Henry may seeme to haue done any thing rather then to haue made a warre for albeit hee did some hurt by wasting the Country yet did not the Scots offer battel and the rest will wel appear in these words of Boetius He did small iniuries to the people thereof for he desired nought but his banner to bee erected on their wals He was euer a pleasant enemy and did great humanity to the people in all places of Scotland where he was lodged Finally hee shewed to the Lords of Scotland that hee came into their Realme rather by counsell of his Nobles then for any hatred he bare to Scots Soone after hee returned into England Whether the remembrance of the curtesies shewed to his Father Duke Iohn or the feare of his owne great state so neere to an ouerthrow by the late furious conspiracy wrought these gentle effects it was not long before the euent shewed that his prouidence in not creating new acerbities was therein needfull 21 For albeit the face of England seemed smooth yet God thrust a thorne into King Henries side when and where he little expected for the Welsh whom former Kings of England had so yoaked and subiected did contrary to all mens expectation breake forth into open acts of hostility vnder the conduct of a Gentleman of that Nation surnamed Glendowr of the Lordship of Glendowr in Merionithshire whose owner he was the wrath and iustice of heauen is alwayes so well furnished with meanes to exercise the mightiest those chiefly at whose amendment God aimes by chastisement The originall of so great an euill was in the seed but little as but this Owen Glendowr whom the Welsh call the sonne of Gruffith Vachan descended of a yonger son of Gruffith ap Madoc Lord of Bromfield was at first a Student of the common laws and an Vtter Barister but not therefore an apprentise of law as Doctor Powell mistakes for an apprentise of the law is hee that hath been a double Reader did afterward serue the late King Richard in place of an Esquier was well beloued of him but in King Henries time retiring himselfe as it seemes to his Mannour of Glendourdwy the L. Gray of Ruthen entred vpon a peece of common which lay betweene Ruthen and Glendowr which Owen despite the Lord Gray while Richard continued King had formerly holden though not without contention Owen a man of high courage and impatient of force armes hereupon and encounters the Lord Gray in the field where he scattered the said Lords people and tooke him prisoner as hereafter will else-where bee touched 22 It seemes herein that hee had forgotten the lawes which he had formerly studied and wherin hee had been a licentiate for shortly after as hee had troden law vnder foot so did he also cast off loyaltie burning destroying the Lord Grays inheritances and killing sundry his seruants The King aduertised hereof passeth with an Army into Wales burnes kils and takes such reuenge as that time would permit Meanewhile Owen whom pride folly armed to the farther ruine of his Country with his trustiest friends which were not few withdrawes into the inexpugnable fastnesses of Snowdon where during this tempest he kept his head safe Shortly after the King with such riches and spoiles as those Parts had afforded returnes His next most noted action was peaceable For one of the house of Pa●…logus and Emperour of Constantinople came into England to pray some succour against the Turke and vpon the day of S. Thomas the Apostle was met at Blackeheath by King Henry highly feasted richly presented and his charges borne till departure But as Tilius saith of his successe in France verbis promissis tantum adiutus est so here his speed was not much better the point of armed aides being only therein assisted with words and promises 23 In a Parliament held the next yeere by reason of the numbers of Lolards so called encreasing the punishment for them enacted was burning And in the same yeere also the Articles of peace beeing first agreed vpon betweene the two Nations English and French notwithstanding that they had denied to match with the young Prince of Wales because the former marriage with Richard thriued so badly the Lady Isabel who had beene crowned Queene of England as Spouse of the late King was now sent backe into France after a most princely maner shee being not as yet twelue yeeres old had no dowrie allowed her in England for that the marriage was neuer consummated Before shee was restored to her friends the Lord Henry Percie before the Ambassadors of both the Nations where they were met betweene Caleis and Boloigne protested That the King of England his Master had sent her to be deliuered to her Father cleare of all bonds of marriage or otherwise and that hee would take it vpon his soule that shee was sound and entire euen as shee was the same day shee was deliuered to King Richard and if any would say to the contrary hee was ready to proue it against him by combat But the Earle of Saint Paul saying hee beleeued it to be true the Lord Percie tooke her by the hand and deliuered her vnto the Earle and then the Commissioners of France deliuered certaine letters of receipt and acquitall She was afterward married to Charles Duke of Orleance 24 Owen Glendowr persisting in his pride and disobedience made incursions vpon the English doing them great harme and returning himselfe without any but K. Henries danger was greater at home for treason had crept into his most secret Chamber In his
bed there lay hidden a Galtrop or Engine with three small yron pikes long slender and passing sharpe all of them with their points set vpward but God so disposing it the King before hee laid himselfe downe perceiued them and thereby auoided that hidden mischiefe but who was actor therein it doth not appeare 25 This appeares that the splendors of his new regality had drawne vp many thicke and poisonous cloudes of enuie and practise to darken if it were possible the farther brightnesse thereof Neither was it long before it grew to some extremity For Owen Glendowr vpon the causes beforesaid wasting the Lord Reynald Grayes lands was encountred by him as presuming that Owen and his friendes might easily be ouercome but the contrary hapned for there in fight hee lost very many of his companie and was himselfe taken Prisoner This fortune made the swelling mind of Owen ouerflow in vaine hopes who compelling the said Lord to marry his daughter yet obtained hee not his liberty the sooner but died say some in the power of Owen if perhaps our Author mistake not the Lord Gray for Edmund Lord Mortimer Earle of March who indeed did marrie so after hee was also ouerthrowne by the said Owen with the slaughter of aboue a thousand principall persons of Herefordshire assembled vnder his conduct to resist the Welsh inuasions and there also himselfe was by trecherie taken prisoner 26 Walsingham doth write that about this time sundrie conspiracies were discouered in the yolke as it were or embrion the whole hopes whereof rested vpon calumniations and forgery for by the first they traduced in libels Henries actions so to make him hatefull and by the second they diuulged that Richard was still aliue thereby to raise an head of separation Henry thus galled in his honour and endangered in the main resolued to spare none vpon whom the crime or concealement was found The first of them that fell vnder his iustice was a Priest of Ware with whom was taken a list or roll of names which hee had gathered supposing them such as in regard of benefites receiued would liue and die for King Richard which vanitie of his created trouble to many till it appeared that he had therein wronged them as persons who were vtterlie ignorant both of the man and matter Whereupon hee was drawne and hanged The like fate had Walter Baldocke Prior of Lawnd who confest that he had concealed others counsels against the King though himselfe had acted nothing A Frier Minor also being taken with some other of his Order for like intendments was asked What hee would doe if King Richard were aliue and present hee confidently answered that hee would fight for him till death against any whosoeuer which cost him his life being drawn and hanged in his Fryars weeds Neither did this hard fortune fall onely vpon the Clergy for Sir Roger Claringdon Knight reputed the base sonne of Edward late Prince of Wales together with an Esquier and seruant of his finished the affection which they bare to the deceased Richard by hanging Not long after eight Franciscan Fryars or Minorites were taken conuicted hanged and headed for the like causes which made the King an heauy Lord to that whole Order It is said that somewhat before this knot was discouered the diuell appeared in the habit of a Minorite at Danbury Church in Essex to the incredible astonishment of the parishioners for at the same time there was such a Tempest thunder with great fire-bals of lightning that the vault of the church brake and halfe the Chancell was carried away 27 But howsoeuer these out-branches were pared away the rootes of all the practise lay deeper out of sight for the Percies Henry Earle of Northumberland Thomas Earle of Worcester and Henrie Hotspur Lord Percy because perhaps they thought they had done wickedly in helping to set vp Henry beganne to imagine that bloudy mischiefe which afterward was prosecuted This malice the late successe of Owen Glendowr against the Lord Mortimer Earle of March taken prisoner as is said with no little slaughter of his Herefordshire men did perhaps nourish for that hee saw an enemie appeare who was not vnlikely to proue an able member of a greater rebellion Certainely the King hauing in September led an Armie into Wales to take reuenge vpon his Rebels was in great danger to haue perished with sodaine stormes and raines the like whereof none of his people had euer felt or seene so that after he had done some wasts vpon the Country hee returned The common fame went that Owen was a Coniurer and had raised those hideous tempests by hellish arts they seemed so excessiue which whether true or false did yet impart no little strength to the Welsh faction 28 The Kings fortune was happier in the North where his Lieutenants had two faire victories the one at Nisbet and the other at Halidowne-hill neere to a village called Woller And although the first was not a small one yet the other deserued the name of a iust battell and garland To the Scots hauing with aboue ten thousand men vnder conduct of Archibald Earle of Dowglas whom the Scots nick-named Tyne-man because he neuer wanne field though no sort of true manhood was wanting in his person made great spoiles in England as farre as to Newcastle and were now vpon returne Henrie Percie Earle of Northumberland the noble Henry Hotspur Lord Percie his sonne and George Earle of Dunbar who fled as you haue heard out of Scotland with the forces of the Countries there about not meaning to let them to passe in so slight a sort opposed themselues The chiefe feare was wrought by the English Archers who first with their stiffe close and cruell stormes of arrowes made their enemies footmen breake and when the noble Dowglasse descended to the charge with his choisest bands himselfe being in a most rich and excellently tempered armour and the rest singularly well appointed the Lord Percies Archers making a retreat did withall deliuer their deadly arrowes tam viuidè tam animosè tam grauitèr saith our Monke so liuely so couragiously so grieuously that they ranne through the men of Armes bored the helmets pierced their very swords beate their lances to the earth and easily shot those who were more slightly armed through and through There were taken prisoners the Earle of Dowglas himselfe who notwithstanding his armour of the best proofe had fiue wounds and lost an eye Murdake Stewart Earle of Fife eldest sonne to Robert Duke of Albanie George Earle of Angus the Earles of Murrey and Orkney the Lords Montgomerie Erskin and Grane with about fourscore Knights besides Esquiers and Gentlemen There were slaine the Lords Gourdon and Swyntonn Belindens Boetius cals them Knights with sundrie other men of honour and marke beside store of common souldiers The riuer Tweed to shew it selfe meere English did likewise fight for them by
swallowing about fiue hundreth in his vnknowne depthes as they who fled from the battell sought to passe This victory hapned vpon Holyrood in haruest The troubles which afterward hapned did not onely hinder the Lord Percie from farther prosecution of such a victorie but eclypsed the honour hee had gotten now and gaue his dayes a bloudy foule Catastrophe 29 The Lord Edmund Mortimer Earle of March next generall heire in bloud to the Crowne of England after the death of Richard the second hauing through feare of Owen whose prisoner hee was or hope of recouering his right or for reuenge because the King did not ransom him married Owens daughter by which hee must necessarily declare himselfe an enemie to King Henrie entertained intelligence with his neere kinsmen the Percies and sundry other his friends in Cheshire and elsewhere to what purpose will shortly appeare The night in which this Lord Mortimer though some referre it to Owens birth was born all the horses in his fathers stable are said to haue bin found standing Belly-deep in bloud A fearefull prodigie as euen then it seemed but verified afterward in the farre more fearefull euents when vpon the quarrell of Mortimers title by which the house of Yorke claimed the horses of warre did not onely stand belly-deepe in bloud but also swam therein The mischiefe was already begun for Henry Earle of Northumberland when now his owne and his houses strengths were mightily encreased by this late victory against the Scots which he vnder-hand seemes to haue conuerted to his secret priuate ends closely animated his brother the Earle of Worcester and his fiery spirited son against the King to both their confusions 30 The King tooke to wife the Lady Iane of Nauarre widdow of Iohn de Montfort Duke of Britaine named the Conquerour who died the yeere before by whom she had issue both sons and daughters but by the King none He met and married her at Winchester and crowned her Queene at Westminster The King was not trusted with the custody of any her three sonnes Iohn Richard Arthur who remained in France 31 Euents are the best interpreters of prophesies and prodigies Strange was that which Walsingham hath written of a fatall Spectrum or Apparitions in the summer time betweene Bedford and Bickleswade where sundry monsters of diuers colours in the shapes of armed men were often seene to issue out of the woods at morning and at noone which to such as stood farre off seemed to encounter one the other in most terrible manner but when they drew neer nothing was to be found Of another nature were the fiery attempts of the Percies The first of them who discouered in armes his mortall hatred was the noble Hotspur who vnder colour of the Scottish warre made head about Chester and the marches of Wales To him by the priuitie of Hotspurs father repaires the naughtie old man the Earle of Worcester leauing the young Prince of Wales and the Princes houshold ouer both which for their better Gouernment the King had placed him Now was the torch of warre lighted vp and began to blaze for though the chiefe plot-master the Earle of Northumberland was not ioined to them as hee did intend yet were their numbers growne mightily with which they meant to enter the Towne of Shrewsbury to make thereof a Seat of warre 32 Colourable causes of their armes were the ordinarie paintings of the like attempts Care of common-wealths reformation and their owne safeties for hauing first protested their intentions not to be the breach of loyaltie they pretend and by letters sent about doe signifie 1. That the publike monie was not employed vpon the pretended defence of the kingdome but vnduly wasted 2. That by reason of bad tongues about the King they durst not approach him to declare their innocency vnlesse the Prelates and Peeres of the Realme did first intercede for them 3. That they tooke armes onely to guard their owne heads and to see the Kingdome better gouerned These Articles had the place of the Huske but the kernell of the enterprize had principallie these 1. To thrust King Henry out of his seat and consequently to depriue him of life 2. To aduance the title of the Lord Mortimer Earle of M●…ch their neerest Allie for the Earle of Northumberland had married Elizabeth the daughter of the Lord Edmund Mortimer the elder Earle of March by Philip daughter to Lionel Duke of Clarence 3. To take reuenge of King Henry for seeking to drawe the chiefe benefit to himselfe of the victory at Halidow●… hill whose principall prisoners he required and for such other priuate grudges 4. To share the Kingdome betweene Mortimer Percy and Owen Glendower Concerning which partition it is in some found written that Indentures tripartite were sealed showing that South-England should remaine to Mortimer North-England to Percy and Wales beyond Seuern to Glendower But Archembald Earle of Dowglas who did his Countrey good seruice by making one in our Combustions by common consent was allowed for his share to be free from ransome and to haue Berwicke 33 This in our English Adages is called to reckon without our host or to count our chickens before they are hatched But though at this time God would haue it so yet who doth not easily see what a wild horse a kingdome so gotten is and how hard to sit and not to manage onlie Yet it seemeth that if Mortimer hauing so iust a title to the Crowne had openlie professed the cause of his attempt against King Henry it might iustlie haue beene exempted from all staine of disabilitie But this partition is said to haue beene wisely built vpon a sound Welsh prophesie of Merlins as if King Henry were the Mowldwarp cursed of Gods owne mouth and Mortimer Percy and Glendower the Dragon Lyon and Wolfe which should diuide this Realme betweene them Surely the Welsh hauing any hand in such a partition it is not likelie they could thinke it had the right feete if it stood not vpon the supposed Merlins his ridiculous cosenages and riddles The English not to be behind in leasings doe in the meanetime euery where spread that Richard was safe aliue and in the Castle of Chester Who can wonder that this name should be so gratious as if alone it were enough to haue shaken Henry out of his State when Nero himselfe had so many fauorites that twenty yeeres after his death an obscure fellow faining himselfe Nero was so backt and countenanced by the Parthians and others that not without much difficulty the Romans could get him into their hands 34 On the other side King Henry assailed with so vnexpected ieopardies defends his cause by letters and strongly puts the blame vpon the accusers saying That he maruelled exceedingly seeing the Earle of Northumberland and Henry his Sonne had the greatest part of the publike moneys deliuered to them for defence of the borders against
Scotland why they should make that a quarrell which was a meere calumnie And to take away all pretence of feare from the Conspirators hee sends to the Earles of Northumberland and Worcester and to the hot Lord Percie a safe conduct vnder his roiall Seale by which he secures their accesse but vnbridled rashnesse saith Walsingham despising the roiall clemencie did put on the rigour of rebellion Meane while the King armes with all speed against the enemie the rather at the counsell of George Earle of Dunbar who like a valiant man at Armes and a wise friend aduised him so to doe before their aduersaries numbers were too mightily augmented The King with his sonne the young Prince of Wales and a very noble fellowship was now aduanced within sight of Shrewsbury as the gallant Percie stood ready to assault the Towne But so soone as the roiall Standard was discouered that enterprise was left off and he drew out his people being about fourteene thousand choice and hardie bodies of men to try the fortune of war against a well tride warrior 35 Peace notwithstanding by the exceeding tendernesse of the King had ensued but that the mischeeuous Earle of Worcester by misreporting and falsifying his Soueraignes words did precipitate his Nephew into sudden battell If there were any praise or good example to bee drawne out of so detested bloodshed as that of ciuill warre we would willingly describe vnto you the order and actions but we cannot too soone passe ouer such mournfull obiects which are rather to bee celebrated with teares then triumphes There is no doubt but Percie Dowglas and the rest fought terrible Why should we admire that in them So doe Lyons Tygers Beares and yet wee admire them not Where was dutie where conscience where the other respects of which onely we are called men Let none of vs honour or imitate them in whose eyes the price of English blood is so vile as that for priuate fansies they can bee content to confound all regards and make sport for common foes with mutuall massacres Therefore wee will content our selues with the knowledge of Gods part in this daies worke who gaue the garland to the King though the first arrowes flew from the Percies Archers 36 The Kings courage was not small in the fight as neither was the danger the yong Prince of Wales also being then first to enter himselfe into the schoole of blood and battell gaue no small hopes of that perfection which afterward shone in him being wounded with an arrow in the face The Lord Percy and Earle Dowglas then whom the wide world had not two brauer Champions in steed of spending themselues vpon the multitude set the point of their hopes vpon killing the King as in whose person they were sure ten thousand fell For this cause they most furiously rushed forward with speares and swords but the noble Earle of Dunbarre discouering their purpose drew the King from the place which he had chosen to make good and thereby in likelyhood for that present saued his life for the Standard royall was ouerthrowne and among other valiant men the Earle of Stafford Sir Walter Blunt the Kinges Knight and the Standard-bearer himselfe was slaine such was the fury of these sodaine thunderbolts That day the Dowglas slew with his owne hands three in the Kings Coat-armour perhaps some in Heralds Coats though Boetius yet saw a fourth Sure it is that manie of the subiects thought the King was slaine and not a few ranne out of the field Who notwithstanding like a valiant Prince did reenforce the fight performing maruels in armes with his owne hands The slaughter could not be small on both sides the Archers shooting so continually and the men of armes doing their vtmost for about the space of three whole houres 37 That which gaue an end to this wofull worke was the death of Hotspur who ryding in the head of the battell in defiance of danger and death was by an vnknowne hand suddenly killed with whose fall as if his whole army had had but one heart the courages of all others fell into feete which now altogether they trusted to But the King abhorring to make farther execution of the misguided multitude suffered them to shift for themselues The Earles of Worcester and Dowglas Sir Richard Vernon the Baron of Kindlaton and diuers others were taken Of the Kings side was slaine besides the Earle of Stafford ten new Knights whose names as dying in an honest cause deserue immortality and were Sir Hugh Shorly Sir Iohn Clifton Sir Iohn Cokain Sir Nicholas Gausel Sir Walter Blunt Sir Iohn Caluerly Sir Iohn Massie Sir Hugh Mortimer Sir Robert Gausell and Sir Thomas Wendesley who dyed of his hurts not long after as most of the other did about the Standard all which fighting for their spurs as being knighted but that morning bought them with the honourable losse of their whole bodies there were also slaine many Esquires Gentlemen and about one thousand and fiue hundreth common souldiers besides three thousand sorely wounded On the other part omitting that second Mars the Lord Percy who drew a ruine after him sutable to his Spirit and greatnesse there fell most of all the Esquires and Gentlemen of Cheshire to the number of two hundred and about fiue thousand common souldiers This battell was stricken neere to Shrewsbury vpon a Saturday the one and twentieth of Iuly and the Eue of Saint Marie Magdalen 38 The Earle of Worcester the seducer and destroier of his noble Nephew Hotspur and therefore if but for that very worthy to haue dyed Sir Richard Vernon Knight and the Baron of Kinderton had their heads cut off vpon the Monday following Hotspurres body had beene buried by permission but vpon other aduise the King caused it to be drawne out of the graue beheaded quartered and the parts sent into diuers Citties of the Kingdome The Earle of Northumberland pretending to come with forces to the Kings aide was empeached by the Earle of Westmorland and Robert Waterton who had raised a great host Northumberland taking neither of them for friend wheeles about and returnes to his Castle of Warkworth But what can be secure to a subiect against the victorious armie of a martiall King The Earle knew as much manifestly feeling the irrecouerable maimes of his house in the losse of his sonne and brother and therefore shaped his course accordingly The King therefore being altogether as prudent as fortunate hauing setled the state ofthings in the Marches about Shrewsbury sets forward to the City of Yorke from thence to take order for such perils as he foresaw might happen He setled himselfe the more seriouslie and entirelie to this needfull worke for that his Ambassadors had effected an abstinence from warre with France till the first of March which pausing space though it might seeme little was not a little welcome to the King the Realme of England being then
so full of dangerous perturbations While hee was at Yorke he commands the Earle of Northumberland to come thither in person which he accordingly did vpon the morrow after the day of Saint Laurence and that also with a small traine in the nature of an humble sutor He could not in reason hope for the wonted familiar fauour of the King neither had he yet for it was accounted matter of grace that his life was pardoned though his meanes and liberty was abridged the King allowing only necessary maintenances The life of Princes is like a perpetuall motion The Northerne Countreys are now setled but hath the King therefore any the more rest Nothing lesse for Wales the troubles thereof call him thither What should he doe Money the Cement and soldure of all such actions for Armies cannot otherwise bee held together vtterly failes The Archbishop of Canterbury sees the needs and vses of his Soueraigne and like a Father supplies him with a Tenth which the Clergy at their Metropolitans motion consent to giue vpon the strength whereof the King knowes how farre hee may proceed against the Welsh in his good time 39 Toward the reliefe of these his necessities the valiant exploits of William de Wilford an Esquire who was in the meane time abroad for the King vppon the narrow Seas brought some assistance certainely store of contentation for he tooke forty lawfull prizes laden with yron oyle sope and Rochell wine to the number in all of a thousand tunne vpon the Coastes of Britaine and in his returne set fortie saile on fire and to make the Britains know that hee was not only a man of his hands at Sea he comes on shore at Penarch burnes Townes and houses about sixe leagues into the Countrey and afterward did as much for them at the Towne of Saint Mathewes which he consumed with flames and wasted the land for three miles about The French not to seeme slow to like mischiefes land at the Wight but were compelled with losse to betake themselues againe vnto their Fleet with farre worse successe then the Britons vnder the conduct of the Lord of Castell had not long before who landing at Plimmouth inuaded tooke and burnt it 40 The King hauing humbled the Earle of Northumberland in such sort as you heard lookes againe vpon him with an eye of compassion and fauour not without a secret respect to his owne safety and he had little appetite to augment enmities but to allay them rather whereas by this gratious vsage of that Earle for he restored him fully to all he now thinkes those North parts sufficiently secured This restitution was made to the Earle in the Parliament holden at London about the midst of Ianuary where the King obteined an vnusuall Taxe or Subsidy of which that it might not be drawne into example no record nor writing was suffered to remaine Some part of the gold which the king thus drew into the Eschecquor he had occasion to bestow at this time For there presented themselues vnto him a boisterous troupe of plaine Western-men who brought to the kings view three Lords and twenty knights of note These were prisoners whom the Countrey people about Dartmouth in Deuonshire had gotten in plaine fight The king was therefore giuen to vnderstand that the Lord of Castel the Briton who had formerly burnt Plimmouth thinking to doe the like at Dartmouth came on shore with his forces where these and the like people fiercely encountred him at which time their Women like Amazons by hurling of flints and pebles and by such other artillery did greatly aduance their husbands and kinsefolkes victory The Lord of Castel himselfe and many besides were slaine these other were saued as more of them might haue beene but that the ignorance of language alike confounded the cries of indignation and pitty They therefore in reward of this hazard and seruice doe pray they might reape some commodity by their Captiues It was but reason wherefore the King who tooke pleasure to talke with the lusty Western-men himselfe causeth their purses to be stuft with golden Coyne reseruing the prisoners to repay himselfe with aduantage out of their ransomes The like good fortune against Owen Glendowr and the Welsh would haue gladded him indeed but they burne and destroy the Marches they kill and captiuate the people and partly by force partly by fraud get many Castles some of which they rase and fortifie others Neither came these euils single for the Flemings and Britons tooke certaine Merchant ships of England and either slew or hung the Sailers 41 It is more strange that King Richard was not suffered to be dead after he had so long a time been buried Serlo who had beene a Gentleman of his Chamber hauing heard that King Richard his royall and gracious Master was secretly abiding in Scotland left the fauour of the French Court to see him but it was not worth his so much loue and labour for hee that bare the name was but an Impostor Loath yet to let the opinion die because it might do King Henry harme Serlo affirmes that Richard was aliue What cunning madnesse is so great which hath not some great fooles or other to support it The old Countesse of Oxford mother to the late Duke of Ireland will needs perswade her selfe and others in Essex that Richard was aliue certaine it is that shee desired it might be true To make others more firmly beleeue the same she secretly gaue siluer and gilt Harts the badges which King Richard vsed to bestow vpon his followers as tokens Hitherto the deuise held out for it had no great danger in it but Serlo seeing the necessity of greater friends which appeared not grew weary and knowing that Sir William Clifford knight Captaine of Berwicke had receiued sundry fauours from King Richard hopes by him to bee furnished with money to beare his charges out of Scotland into France Clifford farre otherwise minded seizeth vpon Serlo as a fit meanes to reconcile himself with the King in whose high displeasure he stood for that hee had continued his charge in Berwicke contrary to expresse commandement and carrieth him to the King who was then come to the Castle of Pomfret beeing weakened with these rumors and suspecting that the chiefe nest of danger lay in the North whither the Earle of Northumberland brought his grandchildren as pledges to assure the King of his loyalty thither also Sir William Clifford brings poore Serlo who both confesseth the practise as also that hee had a guiltie hand in the murther of the Duke of Glocester which made him farre more odious then the other forgery The crimes being manifest Serlo is drawn frō Pontefract beginning his pain where he had his doom at London knits vp the Tragedie in an halter The Coūtesse of Oxford for this falshood lost al her goods being moreouer committed to close prison To make this imposture the more probable passable Serlo had
August His fame grew principally by martiall deedes in the great warres of France vnder Edward the third but spred and setled it selfe by good workes among which the goodly stone-bridge at Rochester in Kent was one 46 In the meane space the wars of Wales were managed by Prince Henry who tooke the Castle of Aberistwith but Owen Glendowr soone after got it againe by faire fraud and thrust into it a Garrison of his owne Thus Owen prospered for a time but the Earle of Northumberland and Lord Bardolf forsaking Wales and seeking to raise a force in the North were encountred by the Sherife of Yorkeshire who after a sharpe conflict slew the Earle in the field and so wounded the Lord Bardolf that hee died thereof The Earles head was cut off which being first ignominiously carryed through London was fixed vpon the Bridge The King hauing thus vanquished his chiefe enemies went to Yorke where inquiries were made for the Earles adherents of which he condemned ransomed and emprisoned many The Abbot of Hales because hee was taken fighting on the Earles behalfe had sentence to die which was executed vpon him by hanging In fortaine and transmarine parts the Kings affaires had mixt successe for Edmund Earle of Kent at the siege of Briant in Britaine was strucken with a quarrell into the head whereof hee died but yet after he had first taken the said Castell and leueld it with the earth 47 The peace of Christendome hauing beene long tempestuously troubled by a Schisme raised by ambition of opposite Popes wherof the one was chosen at Rome the other at Auinion by contrarie factions of the Cardinals A generall Councel was summoned to bee held at Pisa in Italie whither the King of England sent his Ambassadors and the Clergy elected Robert Alum Chancellour of Oxford Bishoppe of Sarum to signifie that vnlesse both the Popes would giue ouer their Papacie neither of them should thenceforward be acknowledged for Pope The King in his letter then sent to Pope Gregory chargeth him as Platina likewise doth with Pertury and that this Papall emulation had beene the cause of the murther of more then two hundreth and thirty thousand Christians slaine in warres There assembled a great number of Cardinals Archbishops Bishops and mitred Prelates who elected a new Pope Alexander 5. a man trained vp at Oxford where hee tooke degree in Theologie reiecting the two others who long and bitterly had contended for the place The King also cals his Parliament to find out meanes for more money to the custody and charge whereof hee ordained Sir Henry Scrope creating him Treasurer as Thomas Beaufourt the Kings halfe brother Lord Chancellour In which Parliament was reuiued the sacrilegious Petition of spoiling the Church of England of her goodly patrimonies which the pietie and wisdome of so many former ages had congested But the King who was bound by oath and reason to preserue the flourishing estate of the Church detested their wicked proposition and for that cause denied all other their requests The Duke of Burgundies prouisions which he had made to reduce Caleys to the French dominions stored at Saint Omars were consumed with casuall fire to ashes 48 About these times the great and bloudy factions betweene the Dukes of Burgundy and Orleance brake forth The cause was for a murther committed vpon Lewis brother to the French king and father of the said Duke of Orleance as he came late one night from the Queenes lodging who at that time lay in of a child The murtherers to preuent pursuit strewed galthrops behind them The Duke of Burgundie iustified the fact for that Lewis had as hee said laboured with the Pope to put the King from his seat vpon pretence that hee was as vnfit to gouerne as euer Childericke was whom Pope Zacharie pronounced against This prepared the way for that scourge wherwith God meant to chastice the pride and sinnes of France Each partie sought to fortifie it selfe with friends aswel at home as abroad The Duke of Burgundie had the King and the Dolphin on his side the other had the Kings of Nauar and Arragon the Dukes of Berrie and Britaine with many of the mightiest Earles and Lords The Duke of Burgundie who together with the King and the face of gouernment kept in Paris perceiuing his aduersaries strengthes to bee more then his owne offers to the King of England a daughter of France in marriage with the Prince and many great promises so as hee would ioyne in defence of the King send ouer competent forces whereunto hee is said to haue answered Our aduise is that you should not in this case aduenture battell with your enemie who seems to prosecute a tust reuenge for the death of his Father but labour to asswage the displeasure and anger of the exasperated yong man by all the good meanes which are possible If that cannot bee then stand vpon your guard and draw into place of most safety with such force of men as may best serue for your defence After all this if hee will not bee appeased you may with the better conscience encounter him and in such case wee will not faile more fully to assist according as you request For the present he sent ouer the Earls of Arundel and Kyme and many men of Armes with plenty of English Bow-men who came safe to Paris where they in nothing diminished the ancient glory of their nation but behaued themselues valiantly 49 The Duke of Orleance and the Peeres of his faction seeing their successe consult how to draw the King of England from their enemie and thereupon send ouer one Falconet and others with solemne letters of credence whom they made their irreuocable Procurators to entreat agree and conclude on their behalfes with the most excellent Prince Henry by the grace of God King of England and his most noble sonnes c. for the restitution and reall redeliuerie of the Dutchie of Aquitain with all the rights and appurtenances which as is affirmed are the inheritance of the said most excellent Lord the King of England by them to bee made and done c. The Ambassadors hauing shewed forth this Proxie exhibited the points of their negotiation in these Articles by which wee may see how farre the desire of reuenge will transport great minds 1 They offer their bodies to be imployed against all men for the seruice of the King of England sauing their faith to their owne Soueraigne as knowing the King of England would not otherwise desire them 2 Their sonnes daughters nephewes Neeces and all their Cosens to bestow in marriage at the King of Englands pleasure 3. Their Castles Townes treasure and all their goods to be at the seruice of the sayd King 4. Their friends the Gentlemen of France the Clergy and wealthy Burgers who are all of their side as by proofe they said shall well appeare 5. They finally
offer to him the Dutchy of Aquitaine entire and in as full a manner as euer his Predecessors enioyned the same without excepting any thing so as they themselues will hold and acknowledge to hold their lands in those parts directly of the said King and deliuer as much of them as they can into his possession and will doe their vtmost to conquer the rest for him Vpon condition on the other side 1. That the King of England and his Successors should assist the said Lords against the Duke of Burgundy for the murther committed vpon the person of the late Duke of Orleance 2. That he should assist against the said Duke of Burgundy and his fauourers till they had repaired all the losses which they their friends and tenants had susteined through that ●…ccasion 3. That he should help to settle the quiet of the realme c. 50 These Offers being put into the balance with the Articles vpon which the Duke of Burgundy had obteined succours ouerweighed them so farre that about the midst of August before all those which had beene sent with the Earle of Arundel to the contrarie part were returned into England aydes were decreed to the Duke of Orleance to the wonder of all men who vnderstood not the secret so that Thomas Duke of Clarence Edward Duke of Yorke the Earle of Dorcet and very many other principall men with a competent puissance were sent ouer to ayde the Duke of Orleance the Earle of Angolesme remaining hostage in England for the sure payment of one hundred and nine thousand Crownes for performance of the other Articles They came on shore in Normandy but whither the confederates moued with the perill into which their Country Nation should by these meanes be precipitated or for some other causes though none indeed so iust as the sorrow and shame for their so disloyall a combination with the Capitall enemies of France the Duke of Orleance contrary to agreement came not at the appointed time and place whereupon the English burnt spoiled and tooke much riches in the Castles Countrey and good Townes therewith to satisfie themselues till the Duke of Orleance should see them payd At last yet the Dukes of Clarence and Orleance came to a treaty after which the English campe rose peaceably and marcht into Aquitaine there to winter it selfe the Duke of Orleance returning to his owne While these matters were in hand the Lord of Heyle Marshall of France with many other Lords and about foure thousand men of armes layd siege to a certaine strong place in Gascoigne which Sir Iohn Blunt Knight with three hundred souldiers not onely defended but draue them also from the siege taking prisoners twelue of the principall and about sixe score other Gentlemen * The King liued not to see the carriage and fortune of these warres for falling sicke at Eltham in the Christmas time at which our ancient authors begin to draw the circles of their yeeres but recouering himselfe a little he repaired to London about Candlemas there to hold a Parliament the end whereof he liued not to see but vpon the twentieth day of March finished his short but politicke and victorious reigne in peace and honour had not the iniustice of his first entrance left a dishonorable stayne vpon his worthiest actions 51 The vulgar Chronicles tell vs a strange Story the truth whereof must rest vpon the reporters The King say they lying dangerously sicke caused his Crowne to bee set on a Pillow at his beds head when suddainely the pangs of his Apoplexie seizing on him so vehemently that all supposed him dead the Prince comming in took away the Crown which his father reuiuing soone missed and calling for his sonne demanded what the meant to bereaue him of that whereto hee had yet no right The Prince boldlie replied Long may you liue Soueraigne Father to weare it your selfe but all men deeming you were departed to inherite another Crowne this being my right I tooke as mine owne but now doe acknowledge for none of mine and thereupon he set the Crowne againe where he found it Oh sonne quoth hee with what right I got it God onely knoweth who forgiue me the sinne howsoeuer it was got sayd the Prince I meane to keepe and defend it when it shall bee myne with my sword as you by sword haue obtained it Which the King hearing hee entered discourse of aduise shewing him that hee feared some discord would arise betwixt him and his brother Thomas Duke of Clarence who with better respect had borne forth his youth then Prince Henry had done and whose distemper was like to breed great troubles if it were not in time stayed If my brethren quoth Henry will be true subiects I will honour them as my brethren but if otherwise I shall assoone execute iustice vpon them as on the meanest of birth in my Kingdome The King reioycing at this vnexpected answere both prudently and Christianly charged him before God to minister the law indifferently to ease the oppressed to beware of flatterers not to deferre iustice nor yet to be sparing of mercy Punish quoth hee the oppressors of thy people so shalt thou obtaine fauour of God and loue and feare of thy Subiects who whiles they haue wealth so long shalt thou haue their obedience but made poore by oppressions will be ready to make insurrections Reioyce not so much in the glory of thy Crowne as meditate on the burthenous care which accompanieth it mingle loue with feare so thou as the heart shalt be defended in the midst of the body but know that neither the heart without the members nor a King without his Subiects helpe is of any force Lastly my sonne loue and feare God ascribe all thy victories strength friends obedience riches honour and all vnto him and with the Psalmist say with all thankes Not vnto vs Lord not vnto vs but to thy holy name be giuen the laud and praise 52 Vpon what soile these most Christian true and excellent Councels fell the following life will shew being nothing else but a full representation in act of such things as are here in precept only shewing to the world how diuine a beautie Christian goodnes hath His Wiues 53 The first wife of King Henry the fourth was Mary one of the daughters and heires of Humfrey de Bohum Earle of Hereford Essex and Northampton Constable of England c. Shee dyed An. D. 1394. before he came to the Crowne 54 His second wife was Ioane Queene daughter to Charles the first King of Nauarre shee being the widow of Iohn de Montford Sirnamed Streani Duke of Britaine and died without any Children by King Henry at Hauering in the Bower in the County of Essex 1437. the tenth day of Iulie in the fifteenth yeere of Henry the sixt and was buried by her husband at Canterbury His Children 55 Henry the Prince of Wales Duke of Cornewall Earle of Chester and afterward King
discontented shew The King as wary as Warwicke was cast no eye of dislike or of any suspition gaue him countenance in Court and in familiar conference heard him before others yet lest the stem of his greatnesse should ouertop his crown and his brethren the spreading branches shadow his designes hee tooke the Chancellorshippe from George Neuill the one of them then Bishoppe of Excester afterward Archbishoppe of Yorke and from the other Iohn Neuill Baron Montacute the Earledome of Northumberland bestowing the same at the suite of the Northumbrians set on by himselfe vpon Henry Percy whose father was slaine at Touton and himselfe at that present fled into Scotland for safety Whereupon Montacute was remoued and to auoid suspition was created Marquesse a greater name but farre lesse in power And to haue a stake in store howsoeuer the dice chanced to turne hee sought to ioine friendshippe with forraine Princes hauing offended France for the refusing of his Queenes sister so as hee sought and obtained the amity of Henry King of Castell of Iohn King of Arragon and tooke a truce with his neighbour the Scotish King for fifteen yeers following 27 But these confederates for the more part too farre to be called for by whistle fortune beyond expectatiō set him another euen at his elbow which was Philip Duke of Burgundy Prince of Flanders Brabant and Zealand whose onely sonne legitimate Charles Earle of Charoloys a widdower and without any sonne hee sought to conioine to King Edwards faire sister not so much for any loue hee bare to the house of Yorke himselfe being a Lancastrian by his mothers side as to bandy against Lewis King of France whom he had lately ouercome in a battell at Montleherry and as then stoode vpon his defence as hee was sure King Edward did This motion king Edward and his Councell well liked only Warwicke withstoode it in fauour of the French but the Lady Margaret sent ouer according to her estate and Warwicke left fuming with a discontented mind after some complements of mirth with his brethren the Archbishoppe and Montacute at his Towne of Warwicke brast forth into warlike consultations for the deposing of Edward and restauration of Henry whose wrongs as he alleadged did crie for right at their hands The Bishoppe lightly consented to side for King Henry but the Marquesse would hardly bee drawne from King Edward which Warwicke perceiuing laid his lime twigges yet another way 28 For being à man of a deepe reach and witte hee well saw that George Duke of Clarence the Kings second brother bare not the best liking to the sway of the times him therefore hee sought to allure to his fist which once mand Edward should loose the best Faulcon for his game him therefore by Problemes hee meant first to proue and according to their digest purposed to proceed So falling in familiar conference with Clarence beganne to complaine of some vnkindnes in the King both in breach of some promises and staine of his honour in the French Court The Duke as discontented as Warwicke interrupted his tale before it was told why my Lord quoth Clarence doe you looke that a Leopard should haue no spots in his skinne or a Camelion no colours but one in faith you are deceiued and loose but your labour to wash the naturall Blackamore for will you haue him kind that is by nature vnkind and to be respected of him that respects not his owne bloud or thinke you a Cosen and Allie to be raised by him that seeth if not seeketh his owne brethrens fals For the heire of the Lord Scales you see hee hath married to his wiues brother the heire of the Lord Bonuill and Harington to his wiues sonne and affianced the heire of the Lord Hungerford to the Lord Hastings marriages indeede more meete for his two brethren and kinne then for such new fondlings as hee hath bestowed them vpon But by my George I sweare if my brother of Glocester would ioyne with mee wee would make him know that wee are all three one mans sons and of one and the same mother 29 Earle Warwicke hauing that which hee greedily sought after seconded the resolution with his owne assistance imparting now boldly what confederates he had made and to ioine more faithfully in this his designe hee proffered Clarence his eldest daughter Lady Isabel in marriage faire and well qualified with the one halfe of his wiues inheritance she being sole heire vnto Henry Beauchampe Earle of Warwicke her brother and nothing inferiour to any of those whom Edward had bestowed vpon others which no sooner was spoken but was as presently embraced and the plotte conferred how to proceed which was concluded forthwith to saile vnto Calleis whereof the Earle was Captaine and where the virgine Lady lay aswell to confirme the contract betwixt them as to be absent whē the commotion should beginne as the safer from suspition and the surer to strike when the Ball came to hand to stir which the Archbishoppe and Montacute were appointed for the North. 30 The occasion pickt to make Malecontents was the abuse of Charity vnto an hospitall dedicated to Saint Leonard in the City of Yorke whose reuenew stood most vpon corne yeerly receiued from Farmers in the Country as an oblation of their first graine This the factious made their onely ground vnder a holy pretext forsooth that the poore were defrauded and the Master and Priests onely fed waxen fat To redresse which one Robert Hulderne entred in action and with fifteene thousand strong enterprised for Yorke in which City the Lord Marquesse Montacute was President for King Edward who with a small number but well chosen issued out against the enemy put them backe and stroke off the head of their Captaine before the gates of Yorke but whether hee did it in policie to grow more in trust with the King or else of duety of oblige not moulded throughly to the commotion is vncertain But certaine it is the Rebels were nothing daunted at Huldernes death but rather made resolute to continue what they had begunne 31 To which end they choose them two Chieftaines of greater account and eminent calling which were Henrie sonne and heire to the Lord Fitz-hugh and Sir Henrie Neuill sonne and heire to the Lord Latimer the one of them being Nephew the other Cosen-germane vnto the Earle of Warwicke these but young and not altogether experienced in Armes choose for their Tutor Sir Iohn Conyers a Knight of such courage skill and valiantnes as in the North-parts few were his like who meaning to strike at the head determined to march forthwith to London proclaiming in his way that Edward was neither a iust Prince vnto God nor a profitable King vnto the Common-weale 32 King Edward hearing of these Northern proceedings and that his brother and Warwicke were preparing against him sent for the Lord Herbert whom
therein though it be a childish feare yet is there at the least wise some feare and herein is there ●…one at all And verily I haue often heard of Sanctuary 〈◊〉 but I neuer he●… 〈◊〉 of Sanctuary Children A●… therefore as for the Conclusion of my mind who so may haue deserued to need it if they thinke it for their suretie let them keepe it but he can be no Sanctuary man that had neither wisdome to desire it nor malice to deserue it whose life or libertie can by no lawfull processe stand in ieopardie and hee that taketh one out of the Sanctuarie to do him good I say plainely that he breaketh no Sanctuary 28 When the Duke had done the temporall men wholy most part of the spirituall also thinking no hurt earthly meant towardes the young babe condiscended in effect that if hee were not deliuered hee should bee fetched how beit they all thought it best in the auoiding of all maner of rumor that the Lord Cardinall should first assay to get him with her good will And thereupon all the Councell came vnto the Starre-Chamber at Westminster and the Lord Cardinall leauing the Protector with the Councell in the Starre-Chamber departed into the Sanctuary to the Queen with diuers other Lords with him were it for the respect of his honour or that shee should by presence of so many perceiue that this errand was not one mans mind or were it for that the Protector intended not in this matter to trust any one man alone or else that if shee finally were determined to keepe him some of that Company had happily secret instructions incontinent maugre her mind to take him and to leaue her no respite to conuey him which shee was likely to mind after this matter broken to her if the time would in any wise serue her 29 When the Queene and those Lords were come together in presence the Lord Cardinall shewed her that it was thought vnto the Protector and vnto the whole Councell that her keeping of the Kings brother in that place was the thing which highly sounded not onely to the great rumor of the people and their obloquie but also to the importable griefe and displeasure of the kings royall Maiesty to whose Grace it were a singular comfort to haue his naturall brother in Company as it was both his dishonour all theirs and hers also to suffer him in Sanctuary as though the one brother stood in danger and perill of the other And hee shewed her that the Counsell therefore had sent him to require her the deliuery of the yong Duke that hee might bee brought vnto the Kings presence at his liberty out of that place which they reckoned as a prison and there hee should bee demeaned according to his estate and shee in this doing should both doe great good to the Realme pleasure to the Councell and profite to her selfe succour to her friends that were in distresse and besides that which he w●… well shee specially tendred not onely great comfort and honour to the King but also to the young Duke himselfe whose great wealth it were to be together aswell for many greater causes as also for both their disports and recreations which thing the Lords esteemed not slight though it seemed light well pondering that their youth without recreation and play cannot endure nor any stranger for the con●…e of both their ages and estates so meete in that point for any of them as eyther of them for other 30 My Lord quoth the Queene I say not 〈◊〉 but that it were very conuenient that this Gentleman whom yee require were in company of the King his Brother and in good faith I thinke it were as great commodity to them both for yet it while to bee in the custody of their mother the tender age considered of the elder of them both but speci●… the younger which besides his infancy that also needeth good looking to hath a while been ●…o fore diseased ●…ed with 〈◊〉 and i●… so newly rather a little amended 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 recouered that I 〈◊〉 put no 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his ●…ng b●…my 〈◊〉 ●…ly ●…ing that there is 〈◊〉 Physitians say and as wee also find double the perill in the recidiuation that was in the first sicknesse with which disease nature being sore laboured forewearied and weakned waxeth the lesse able to beare out and sustaine a new surfeit And albeit there might be found other that would happily do their best vnto him yet is there none that either knoweth better how to order him then I that so long haue kept him or is more like tenderly to cherish him then his owne mother that bare him 31 No man denieth good Madam quoth the Cardinall but that your Grace were of all others most necessary about your children and so would all the Councell not onely bee content but glad that you were if it might stand with your pleasure to bee in such place as might stand with their honor but if you doe appoint your selfe to tarry here then they thinke it were more conuenient that the Duke of Yorke were with the King honourably at his liberty to the comfort of them both rather then here as a Sanctuary man to both their dishonour and obloquie sith there is not alwayes so great a necessity to haue the child with his mother but that occasion may sometimes bee such that it should bee more expedient to keepe him elsewhere which well appeareth in this that at such time as your dearest sonne then Prince and now King should for his honor and good order of the Country keepe his residence in Wales farre out of your Company your Grace was well contented therwith your selfe 32 Not very well contented quoth the Queen and yet the case is not like for the one was then in health and the other is now sicke in which case I maruaile greatly that my Lord Protector is so desirous to haue him in his keeping where if the Child in his sicknesse miscarrie by nature yet might hee runne into slander and suspition of fraud And where they call it a thing so sore against my Childes honour and theirs also that hee abideth in this place it is all their honours there to suffer him abide where no man doubteth hee shall be best kept and that is here while I am here which as yet intend not to come forth and ieopard my selfe after other of my friends which would God were rather here in surety with mee then I there in ieopardy with them 33 Why Madame quoth another Lord know you any thing why they should bee in ieopardy Nay verily quoth shee nor why they should bee in prison as now they bee But it is I trow no great maruaile though I feare left those that haue not letted to put them in durance without colour will let as little to procure their destruction without cause The Cardinall made a countenance to the other Lord that hee should harpe no more
English and the Duke of Burgundies subiects Shine also was burnt and being new builded called Richmund for which and the like it will be fittest to haue recourse to vulgar Annals 62 The Coast of State now seeming clearefrom al thickning weather Ferdinando and Isabella King Queen of Spain according to the points of agreemēt betweene them and King Henry concerning their fourth daughter the Lady Katherine borne at Alcala de Finari or Complutum sent her royally appointed in a goodly Flete to England there to fulfill in person what hitherto had beene onely treated of who after many difficulties tooke land at Plimouth in October Ferdinando her father was the sonne of Iohn King of Arragon and Sicilia and although he was vnlearned as being brought vp among armes and souldiers yet by vsing the familiarity of wisemen he also became very wise and proued that great Prince which first in these latter times recalled the old glorie of Spaine and reared it to such an enuious magnitude as that the iealousie thereof hath bred no small quarrels in Christendome For by his marriage with Isabella sole sister and heire to Henry the fourth King of Castile and Leon he raigned in right of his wife and iointly with her oner those two Kingdomes and their appurtenances who together saith Marineus of Sicilia did admirable things and workes most holy They recouered the huge City and Kingdome of Granada and part of Andaluzia from the Moores after they had beene in violent possession thereof seuen hundreth and fourescore yeeres and hauing purged those places from the filth of Mahomets superstitions built Churches to the honour of Iesus Christ by occasion whereof Ferdinando was surnamed the Catholike King The walles of the Citie of Granada at the time of the surrender which after about tenne yeeres warres was by V●…bdelis King thereof made to Ferdinando and Isabella had twelue miles in compasse and in the same twelue Gates and a thousand towres enclosing seuen Hilles couered with building innumerable people and inestimable riches the Spanish forces at this conquest were about 12000. Horse one hundred thousand foot The said King and Queene besides many other their mighty actions did also first discouer America by Christopher Columbus thereby brought a whole new world to the notice of Christendom Isabella her self descended of the blood roial of England being daughter of Iohn the second King of Castile Leon son of Henrie the third King of Castile and Leon and of Katherine his wife daughter of Iohn Duke of Lancaster third sonne of our Edward the third of triumphall and neuer-dying memorie was a Ladie whose like the Christian world had seldom any of that wisdome grauity chastity and of so laborious a deuotion that she did not onely day by day performe the Canonicall and howerly taske of prayers vsed by Priests but many other and brought vp her children accordingly 63 The Lady Katherine being about eighteene yeeres old and borne of so great so noble so victorious and vertuous parents is with iust maiesty and solemnity openly married in Paules Church to Arthur Prince of Wales aged about fifteene yeeres and eldest sonne to Henry the seuenth King of England and of Elizabeth his wife The Archbishop of Canterbury assisted with nineteene Bishops and Abbots mitred ioyned their hands and performed all the other Church rites vpon that great day The vulgar Annals can tell you the splendor and glorie thereof in apparrell iewels Pageants banquets guests and other princely complements the onely weighty businesse of many weaker braines A graue Lady as som haue written was laid in bed between the Bride and Bridegrome to hinder actuall consummation in regard of the Princes greene estate of body but others alleadge many arguments to proue that matrimoniall performance was between thē howsoeuer her self when that afterward came in question appealed to the conscience of K. Henry the eight her second husband if hee found her not a maide But Prince Arthur enioyed his marriage a very short while for in Aprill following hee died at Ludlow being vnder sixteene yeeres of age being a Prince in whose youth the lights of all noble vertues did cleerely beginne to shine His aptnesse to learn was almost incredible for by the report of his Master hee had either learned without booke or otherwise studiously turned and reuolued with his own hands eies these authors following In Grammar Garin Perot Sulpicius Gellius and Valla In Poetrie Homer Virgil Luc●…n Ouid Silius Plautus and Terence In Oratorie Tullies Offices Epistles Paradoxes and Quintilian In Historie Thucydides Liuie Caesars Commentaries Suetonius Tacitus Plinius Valerius Maximus Salust Eusebius Wherein wee haue beene particular to signifie what Authors were then thought fitte to bee elementary and rudimentall vnto Princes and by their example to all of Noble or gentle birth whose superficiall boldnesse in books in these frothy dayes is become most scandalous and iniurious to the honour and vse of learning 64 But before the vntimely expiration of this great hope of England King Henry weary of warres and tumults and desirous to lay the beginnings of a long peace by most inward friendship with all his great neighbours had concluded a match betweene Margaret his eldest daughter and Iames the fourth King of Scotland the assurance whereof was published in the February next before Prince Arthurs death at Paules Crosse in reioycement whereof Te Deum was sung and other signes of publike ioy declared The Bishoppe of Rosse saith that the Earle of Bothwell did openly handfast or espouse the said faire Lady in the name of King Iames at Pauls Crosse being Saint Paules day This contract was brought about in manner following After that the storme of warre had by mediation as before said beene throughly laid betweene the two sister Nations it chanced certaine of the Scots by their suspitious behauiour and rough Phrases to prouoke the Garrison of Norham Castle to issue who in the bickering slew and hurt some of them and droue the rest away King Iames expostulates this violence very sharply by letters with King Henry who returned most satisfactory answeres Richard Fox Bishop of Durham whose the men and Castell were wrote also many deprecatory letters humbly praying the Scotish King to accept amends wherunto hee in the end inclined and hauing some matters of farre greater moment to impart desired the Bishops presence in Scotland knowing his deepe wisdome and great grace with his Soueraigne which King Henry gladly assented vnto The meeting was at Melrose an Abbey of Cistertian Monkes where the King abode who hauing roundly vttered to the Bishoppe his offence conceiued for the breach of good termes at Norham Castell and yet being finally pleased to receiue satisfaction hee then secretly discouered his whole mind the summe whereof was That the king of England would be pleased to giue to him in mariage the
they were gone to account to God and his feare for the maine quite banished the king did not let loose the reines to his immoderate desire of hauing which yet was not more sinnefull then the meanes vnder him practised were odious For Empson and Dudley that followed being persons that had no reputation with him otherwise then the seruile following of his owne humors gaue him way and shaped him meanes to those extremities whereby himselfe was touched with remorse at his death and which his successor disauowed And this we take to be a true iudgement To bee particular in the recitall of thinges worthy to die in forgetfulnesse is not onely to recite but in a sort to teach them also as some who by broad inuectiues haue as it were read a lecture of those vices against which they haue pretended to inueigh But publike and shamefull Arts may more safely be deliuered The instruments whome the King set on worke or who p●…aps set the King on worke were * two Lawyers Richard Empson afterward knighted and Edmund Dudley Esquier their emploiment was to cal the richer subiect into queon for breach of old penall lawes long before discontinued and forgotten whereby they brake in vpon the people as it were at vnaware like a kind of authorized robbers masked vnder the pretext of seruice for the King and the names of Delators or Promoters a familiar sicknesse in the times of ancient Tyrannies But the courses to execute their employment were voide of all conscience and colour For one of them was to outlaw persons secretly and then to seise their estates driuing them to chargefull compositions with the King and heauy bribes to the Authors of their trouble More detestable was another practise of theirs For there were false Iurors and ring leaders of false Iurors who would neuer giue any verdict against the will of their patrons the said Empson and Dudley so that if any durst stand out vpon triall the destiny of their causes was squared forth by the leaden rule of those fellowes consciences which to bee a truth the expiatory punishment which K. Henry the eight tooke of them in the first yeare of his raigne doth clearely conuince By these meanes many honest and worthy subiects were rigorously fined imprisoned or otherwise afflicted which filled the land with sorrow and repinings Among very many others thus abused Sir William Capell Alderman of London was eminent as from whom in the tenth yeer of the kings raign had beene scruzed vnder the colour of moth-eaten and vnreuiued Lawes aboue sixteene hundreth pounds sterling and was now againe plaide at afresh and another hand drawne vpon him for two thousand pounds which because he would not pay hee was by Dudley commaunded prisoner to the Tower but by the death of the King which ensued all such prisoners were released If any perhaps will slight the hard vsage extended to Citizens and to the like they are vnwise therein neither thinke as Patriots ought For though it may so fall out that the personall vexation of some few merits no great pitty yet the example is pestilent and it is a part of the cunning to choose out at first such for patternes as vpon whose persons least compas●…on may fall which examples may afterward bee extended to whomsoeuer These reuels and rages against the wealthier sort continued till it pleased God to sting the Kings heart with iust compunction toward the horror of his death who had the fauour from heauen as to lie sicke of a consuming disease which wasted him by such insensible degrees as gaue him the vse of his whole selfe as it were till the last gaspe whereby hee had meanes to recollect himselfe after those many soule-wounding assaults which attend regall greatnesse and to submit his thoughts to such ghostly admonishments touching another life whereunto in dayes of health the hearts or eares of great Princes are seldome attentiue 71 About the yeere of his death hauing vnderstood that Lewis King of France despairing of issue male had annulled the Contracts made betweene Charles King of Spaine sonne of the late King Philip and afterward elected Emperour by the name of Charles the fifth and the Lady Claudia his eldest daughter whom he newly betrothed to Francis of Valois Dolphin of France and Duke of Angolesme King Henry whose care for preseruation of the common quiet and good of his Country by forrain alliances was euer holy in him and awake thought it a faire occasion for him to match his younger daughter the Lady Marie The French King to haue the aduise of Iames the fourth King of Scots in the bestowing the said Madam Claudia his eldest daughter had before sent Bernard Steward Lord Dobignie and the President of Tholouz Ambassadors for that purpose who finally in effect receiued this answere That the said King Iames thought it best that his eldest daughter should be married within his owne Realme of France for if she were married vpon any forraine Prince it might giue colour to claime title to the said Realme afterward And if he did marrie her at home rather to him the said Francis whom he had appointed to succeed then any other Which resolution was very acceptable to K. Lewis because it iumped with his owne purpose and it was followed accordingly King Henry therefore hearing that King Charles might bee obtained so pursued the po●… by the prudent managing of Richard Fox now Bishoppe of Winchester his Ambassadour that King Charles his Ambassadors comming out of Flanders where h●… was educated and meeting him at Caleis the aff●… was opened disputed concluded and the Lady Mary then about ten yeeres of age as King Charles himselfe was by solemne contract assured to him for wife 72 Now therefore his sonne Henrie Prince of Wales being heire of the Crowne and married his eldest daughter the Lady Magaret Queene of Scotland the Lady Mary his youngest prouided for so highly though in the end it came to nothing all likelihood of perill by competitors or busie Factionists buried in the Tower by the emprisonment of Edmund Earle of Suffolke his people tractable and calme his coffers full and the state of things ripe for a successour death the executioner of the Almighties sentence was ready to discharge him of the prison of his flesh Before he departed well disposed persons tendering the health of his soule did both in sermons and otherwise informe him of the exclamations against informers Wherefore he of his blessed disposition granted to all men generall pardons certaine onely excepted In his life time hee founded the goodly Hospitall of the Saudy built sixe religious Houses for Franciscan Friers three of them for Obseruants and the other three for Conuentuals Of his building also was Richmund Pallace and that most beautifull peece the Chappell at Westminster the one the place of his death and the other of his buriall which formes of more
  M Our Lady William de Buckingham confirmed by K. Edward 3.           VVARVVICKESHIRE Places Dedication Founder and Time Order Ualue         l. s. d. ob q Warwicke P Saint Sepulchers Richard Neuill Earle of Warwicke 0049 13 06 oo o Warwicke P Peter de Mountford Blacke Canons           Warwicke F Friers Preachers 0004 18 06 oo o Warwicke Eccles. Colleg. 0247 13 00 ob   Warwicke H Saint Michael 0010 01 10 oo o Warwicke H Sancta Baptista 0019 03 07 oo o Warwicke Saint George Robert de Deneby William Russell and Hugh Cooke for the state of the King and Anne the Queene Michael de la Poole and all their Brethren and Sisters and for Enne Prince of Wales A Fraternity           Warwicke Hongingate Chauntry Thomas Beanchampe Earle of Warwicke           Warwicke H Saint Iohn Thomas Beanchampe           Couentree P Saint Anne Frier Iohn of Northerbury a Carthusian Prior. Carthusians 0251 05 09 o o Couentree P Saint Mary King Canute and Leofricke Earle of Mercians A. D. 1043. Blacke Monkes           Couentree F Sir Iohn Poultney Knight Anno Domini 1332. Carmelites or White Friers 0007 13 04 oo o Couentree H S. Iohn Baptist. 0083 03 03 oo o Alcetter or Alnecester P S. Iohn Baptist. Blacke Monkes 0101 14 00 oo o Asteley C Thomas Lord Astley Deane and Secular Canons 0039 10 06 oo o Atherston F Augustine Friers 0001 10 02 oo o Auecater A C●…to Mal●…rno Priorie in Worcestershire P 0034 08 00 oo o Babelacke C 0045 6 008 oo o Berdeslege M Beata Maria. White Monkes           Cadbury The Ancestors of Sir Ralph Botelar knight Baron and Lord of Sudley Treasurer of England           Combe M Saint Mary Camuils and Mowbraies White Monkes 0343 00 05 oo o Erneby or Erdebury P 0122 08 06 oo o Godscliffe C Richard Earle of Warwicke           Henwood N Saint Margaret Cethelbarne de la Laund Nunnes 0021 02 00 ob o Kenelworth M Geffrey Clinton Chamberlaine vnto King Henry the first Blacke Canons 0643 14 09 ob o Kingeswood N Blacke Nunnes           Knolle C Elizabeth wife to Iohn Lord Clinton 0018 05 06 oo o Maxstocke P 0129 11 08 ob o Meriuall M Saint Mary Robert Ferrars A. 1. H. 2. White Monkes 0303 10 00 oo o Nuneaton N Amice wife to Robert Bossu Earle of Leicester Nuns 0290 15 00 ob o Pollesworth N Saint Edith Modwena an Irish Virgin Repaired by R. Mar●… a Nobleman Blacke Nunnes 0023 08 06 oo o Pynley N Nuns 0027 14 07 oo o Stoneley M K. Henry the second White Monkes 0578 02 05 oo o Stratford super Anon. Eccles. Colleg. Iohn of Stratford Archbishop of Canterbury 0123 11 09 oo o Studeley P Blacke Canons 0181 03 06 oo o Thelford The Lucies Knights Poore folke and Pilgrimes 0023 10 00 oo o Wroxhall N God and Saint Leonard Hugh de Hatton Blacke Nunnes 0078 10 01 ob o VVESTMORLAND Places Dedication Founder and Time Order Ualue         l. s. d. ob q Sharpe M Thomas the sonne of Gospatricke sonne of Ormes 0166 10 06 ob o VVILT-SHIRE Places Dedication Founder and Time Order Ualue         l. s. d. ob q. Salisbury Epātus Saint Peter Osmond Bishoppe of Salisbury temp W. Rufi Anno Dom. 1091. Secular Canons           Salisbury C Saint Edith           Salisbury F King Edward the first and Robert Kilward by Archbishop of Canterbury Blacke Friers           Salisbury F Grey Friers           Iuxta Salisbury H Saint Michael Richard B. of Salisbury A. D. 1382. 0025 02 02 oo o Ambresbury M Alfritha King Edgars wife White Monkes 0558 10 02 oo o Ambresbury N King Etheldred Holy Virgins           Austy H 0081 08 05 ob o Bradnesioke P Saint Marie Walter the eldest sonne of Walter de Eureux Earle of Rosmar in Normandy Blacke Monkes 0270 10 08 oo o Bromhore or Bromere P Saint Mary S. Michael Banldwin Earle of Riuers and Deuonshire Blacke Canons           Brioptune P S. Mary Magd. Blacke Canons           Calne H 0002 02 08 oo o Crekelade H 0004 10 07 ob o Edoros P King Henry the second and after Henry the third Blacke Canons 0133 00 07 ob o Edindon P All-Saints William de Edindon Bishop of Winchester Bonis hominibus 0521 12 05 ob o Eston P Saint Trinity 0055 14 04 oo o Farleigh Monachorū P S. Mary Magd. The Earle of Hereford or Hertford Blacke Monkes Cluniacenses 0217 00 04 ob o Fishhart F Mary Countesse of Norffolke Friers Preachers           Heitesbury Eccles-Collegiat Robert Lord Hungerford and Margaret           Henton N Dame Ela Countesse of Salisbury Nunnes           Kynton P Saint Mary S. Michael Nunnes 0038 03 10 oo o Lacocke M Saint Mary Dame Ela Countesse of Salisbury An. D 1232 0203 12 03 ob o Malmesbury M Saint Adelme Madulph an Irish Scot. Adelme his Scholler King Athelstan Blacke Monks 0803 17 07 oo o Middleton P King Athelstan           Marleburgh P Saint Margaret Edmund Earle of Cornwall Canons 0038 19 02 oo o Marleburgh F Iohn Goodwyn William Rems●…ich A. D. 1316 Carmelites or White Friers           Iuxta Marleburgh H S. Iohn Baptist. 0006 18 04 oo o Maiden-Bradley P Manasses Bisset Confirmed by King Iohn 0197 18 08 oo o Maiden Bradeley One of the Inheritrices of Manasses Bisset Leprosi           Stanley M Saint Mary White Monkes 0222 19 04 oo o Wilton N Saint Mary and Saint Edith Weolsthan Earle of Ellandanum or Wilton Edith wife of S. Edward Blacke Nunnes 0652 11 05 oo q Iuxta Wilton H Sant Egidius 0005 13 04 oo o Westchurch P           VVORCESTERSHIRE Places Dedication Founder and Time Order Ualue         l. s. d. ob q Worcester M now Eccl. Cath. Saint Marie Saint Wolstan Saint Katherin Sexwulph Bishoppe of the Mercians Anno Domini 680. Oswald Bishop of Worcester Wolstan Bishoppe there also Anno Domini 1090. These continued 500. yeers K. Henry the eight in stead of these placed in it a Dean Prebends ordained to it a Grammer Schoole Blacke Monkes 1386 12 10 ob q Worcester F Grey Friers           Worcester F William Beanchampe Blacke Friers           Worcester H Saint Wolstan 0063 18 10 oo o Alcetur Cellula 0075 07 00 oo q Bordelege P Saint Mary K. Henry the second and Maud the Empresse VVhite Monkes           Bredon M Offa king of the Mercians        
  Brodesey M Saint Mary White Monkes 0392 08 06 oo o Cokehill N White Nunnes 0034 15 11 oo o Elnecester P Blacke Canons           Euesham M S. Mary S. Aedburg Egwin Bishoppe of VVorcester first Abbot there with king Kenred the sonne of Wolpher king of the Mercians and K●… Offa A. D. 700. Blacke Monkes 1268 09 09 oo o Places Dedication Founder and Time Order Value         l. s. d. ob q Stokekyrke Cella 0008 00 00 oo   Sutton Ecclesia Collegiata 0013 18 08 oo o Swinhey N The Ancestors of Sir Iohn Melton knight Nunnes 0134 06 ●…9 ob o Thy●…kehead or Thikenhead N The Ancestors of Iohn Aske Nunnes 0023 12 02 oo o Tickhill F Iohn Clarrel Deane of Paules Fricrs Augustines           Warter P Saint Iacob Galfridus Trusbut knight and William Rosse de Hamela About king Henry the firsts time Blacke Canons 〈◊〉 Augustines 0221 03 10 oo o Watton M Eustach the sonne of Fitz-Iohn with one eye in the raigne of King Stephen White Canons and Nunnes 0453 07 08 oo o Whitby M Saint Peter Saint Hilda Saint Hilda Enriched by Edelfleda King Oswins daughter and himselfe destroyed by the Danes it was reedefied by William Perey about the comming in of the Normans Black Monks 0505 09 01 oo o Woderhall Cella Sanct●… Trinitatis 0128 05 03 ob o Woodkirke A Cell to S. Oswald Earle VVarren 0047 00 04 oo o Wycham M The Kinges Ancestors White Canons and Nunne●… 0025 17 06 oo o Wylberfosse M The Ancestors of the Archbishop of Yorke Nunnes 0028 08 08 o o Yedingham N The Ancestors of the Lord Lati●…er Nunnes 0026 06 08 oo o N Saint Clements Nunnes 0055 11 11 oo o H Saint Nicholas 0029 01 04 oo o M Sancta Sepultura 0011 18 04 oo o Montis Sancti Iohannis Commendari●… 0102 13 10 oo o Chappell Sepulchers 0138 19 02 ob o S. ASAPH DIOCES Places Dedication Founder and Time Order Ualew         l. s. d. ob q Basingwerke in Flintshire M 0157 15 02 oo o Conway or Aber-conway in Carnaruonshire M Saint Marie Kenelme sonne of Geruaise once Prince of north-North-Wales 0179 10 10 oo o Hawston Commendarie 0160 14 10 oo o Lanllugen or Wanligan in Montgomereshire N Nunnes 0022 13 08 oo o Strata-Marcel la or Stratmarghill in Montgomereshire M Owen the sonne of Gryffin and confirmed by his sonne 〈◊〉 Ann●… Dom. 1202. 0073 07 06 oo o Valla de Cruce in Denbighshire M 0214 03 05 oo o BANGOR DIOCES Places Dedication Founder and Time Order Value         l s. d. ob q. Bangor F Blacke Friers           Bardesey in Carnaruonshire M Saint Mary 0058 06 02 o ob Beaumarys in Anglesey F Grey Friers           Beth●…ylhert M 0069 03 08 oo o Castr. Cubij Ecclesia Collegiat 0024 00 00 oo o Holyhead in Anglesey C           Kynner in Merion●…thshire M Saint Mary Lewellyne the sonne of Geruais 0058 15 04 oo o Penmon P 0040 17 09 ob o Siriolis M 0047 15 03 oo o S. DAVIDS DIOCES Places Dedication Founder and Time Order Ualue         l. s. d. ob q Abe●…guylly C 0042 00 00 oo o Alba-launda in Carmardenshire M 0153 17 02 oo o Brechon P S. Euangelist 0134 11 04 oo o Cardigan in Cardigansh P 0013 04 09 oo o Carmarden in Carmardensh F Grey Friers 0174 00 08 oo o Combehyre M 0024 19 04 oo o Iuxta S. Dauids in Pembrokesh C Saint Mary Iohn Duke of Lancaster 0106 03 06 oo o Denbigh in Denbighsh F Iohn 〈◊〉 Ann●… 〈◊〉 1339. Car●…elltes or White Friers           Saint Dogma●…lls in Pe●…brokshire M Marti●… de Turonibus Lord of Ke●…ys after by Willia●… Ualence 〈◊〉 H. 3. 0068 01 06 oo o Hau●…fordwest in P●…brokeshire P 0135 06 01 oo o Kydwelly in Carmardēsh Cella 0029 10 00 oo o Llanleyre in Carmardesh M 0057 05 04 oo o Newport F Austine Friers           Pulla P 0052 02 05 oo o Slebach in Bembrockshire Praeceptoria 0184 10 11 ob o Strata●…lorida o●… Stratflower in Cardiganshire M Griffith Rhese and Meredith 0122 06 08 oo o Swansey Gardianatus 0020 00 00 oo o Talleia M Saint Mary and S. Iohn Bapt. Restus 0153 01 04 oo o Tyronense Robert Martin tempore Hen.           LANDAFFE DIOCES Places Dedication Founder and Time Order Value         l. s. d. ob q Landaffe Eccles. Cath. Saint Telean German and Lupus ●…rench Bishops           Abergeuenny in Monmouth shire P 0059 04 00 oo o Brecknocke a Cell to Battell Abbey F S. Iohn Euang. Barnard de Newmarch Miles and Roger Earles of Hereford in the raigne of H. 〈◊〉 Blacke Friers           Cardiffe F Grey Friers           Cardiffe F Blacke Friers           Chepstow in Monmouthsh M 0032 04 00 oo o Gods-grace or Gratia Dei in Monmouth shire M Beata Maria Virginis 0019 04 04 oo o Goldcliffe in Monmouthsh P Chandos           S. Kynmercy with a Chappell P 0008 04 08 oo o Lanterna in Monmouthsh M 0071 03 02 oo o Malpas by Newport neer the Riuer of Uske Cel la. 0014 09 11 oo o Monmouth in Monmouthsh P S. Katherine Saint Florence Blacke Monkes 0056 01 11 oo o Morgan in Glamorgansh M William Earle of Gloucester 0188 14 00 oo o Neth in Glamorgansh M Beata Maria Virginis Richard Gran●…ils 0150 04 09 oo o Tinterna in Monmouthsh M Walt●…rus fili●…s Richards Comitis de Ogi frater G●…berti Comitis Pembrochia 0256 11 06 ob o Vske in Monmouthsh P 0069 09 08 ob o The Totall Number and Valevv of these and all the Promotions Spirituall certified at the Taxation in King Henry the eight his time of the first Fruites and Tenthes are by the Record as followeth Promotions Nūber particular Number totall Value totall Archbishoprickes and Bishoprickes 21.       Deaneries 11.       Archdeaconries 60.       Dignities and Prebends in Cathedrall Churches 394.   l. s. Benefices 8803. 12474. l. 320180. 10. Religious Houses 605.       Hospitals 110.       Colleges 96.       Chauntries and free Chappels 2374.       Taken from the possession of the Clergy by Henry the eight and conuerted to temporall vses out of the former summe 161100. l. 9. s. 7. d. q. Since in this precedent Table wee haue laide to the Readers view a great part of this Kings ill the waste of so much of Gods reuenewe howsoeuer abused let him not holde it in curiosity out of season since it may in charity fall well in sequence by setting downe the Churches either erected or restored by him or by him which is the now state of our Clergy continued to redeem
Marmodius a Welsh King Offaes ditch Chron. Wallis Marmodius treachery The Britain●… accessary to it Saxons assistance Offa●… ple 〈◊〉 Marmodius vanquished by Offa. The Ligger of 〈◊〉 M. S. King Charles congratulateth Offa. Ro. Houed ●…nal part 1. The second Councell of Nice * Alcuinm Offa●… last wars Offa went to Rome His repentance Off-ley Towne I 〈◊〉 S Al●…s M. S. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In the life of S. Albane prefixed before the Ledger booke of that Abbey Offa affectioned to Quend●…d Quend●…d her trechery Quendred rewarded with the like paines Egfrid the only son of Offa. Ethelburga the first daughter Cap. 7. Sect. 16. Polycbr ●…sted the second daughter Elfrid the third daughter Iohn Capgraue Burghard Egfrid Monarch 17. An. Do. 794. Egfrid restoreth antike priuiledger Fl●… Albinus The continuance of his raigne Monarch 1●… Kenwolfe An. Do. 794. Ke●…olfes praise Wil. Mal●…b Winchcombe Mon●…ry 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Elfrid●… 〈◊〉 vn●… Ken●… d●…th Chap. 10. ●…ct 14. Qu●…dred th●… eld●…st d●…ughter of K●…wolfe Burg●…ild 〈◊〉 younger daug●…ter Monarch 19. Egbert An. Do. 800. The seuen fold gouernment mutable west-Saxons ambition Egberts exigents and reliefes Simon D●…el saith 80●… Mat. Westminst●… saith 801. Iohn B●… Chap. 12. Chap. 10. sect 16. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Egbert the first sole Monarch An. Do. 819. Floren. ●…igorn Simon D●…n Henry Hunting Mat. W●…st 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 son●…e E●…an yonger sonne 〈◊〉 a daughter Monarch 20 Ethelwolfe An. Do. 837. Roger Houeden Iohn Brampton Henry Hunting Mat. Westminster Wil. Malmsb. Simon Dunelm Henry Hunt An. Dom. 838. Henry 〈◊〉 Ar●…●…iual Si●…on Dun. See Chap. 10. Sect. 20. Wil. Mal●…sbury Simon Dun. Wil. Mal●…s Ethelwolfes time of raigning Osburgs parents Iudith a second wife 〈◊〉 the first Sonne Ethelbert the second sonne Ethelred a third sonne Elfred a fourth sonne 〈◊〉 a daughter Ne●… a suppos●…d 〈◊〉 S. Need●…s Towne Monarch 21. Ethelbald An. Do. 857. Floro●… Wigo●… His wars against the Danes ●…l 〈◊〉 The time of his raigning 1. Cor. 5. 1. Monarch 22 Ethelbert An. Do. 860. Hen. ●…unting The Kentishmen compound for their peace Ethelberts ti●… of raigning Athelm the eldest sonne Ethel●…ld the second sonne He●…y H●…ing Monarch 23. Ethelred An. Do. 866. Hunger and Hubba The Danes march Northward Ing●…s An. Do. 870. Fl●…es Histor. Assendon battaile Scala Chronicon Basing battaile 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Scala Chr●…n Marian. Scot. Elfred the eldest sonne The Abbesse of Quedlingburg Oswald a yonger sonne Thyre a daughter Monarch 24. Elfred An. Do. 872. Marianus Florentius Asser. Speculum hist. Ricardus Cirencestrencis Mat. West Polychro lib. 6. c. 〈◊〉 An. Dom. 875. Elfreds composition Three Kings against Elfred An. Do. 876. Abington Seuen battailes in one yeare An. Do. 876. Simon Dunel Elfreds exigents Edelingsey Iland Asser. S●… Hist●… Ric. Cir●… Polydor. Virg. 〈◊〉 H●…y Hunt An. Do. 878 An. Do. 879 Asser. 〈◊〉 Danes send for peace Sl●… D●…lm 〈◊〉 Lambere in his booke of the old English lawes An. Do. 879 Mar●… An. Do. 889. Asserius Flo. Wigorn. Wil. Malmsbury An. Do. 892. Si●… Dun. Fernham battaile * Bea●…fles Hastings wife and children set at liberty Excester and Chester besieged An. Do. 895. Flor●… Wigorn. Marian. Scotus * Ware The riuer Lea deuided and ●…ade vnnauigable Henry H●…ting An. Do. 897. Seal Chr. Regist. Hyde Tho. Rudburne Reg. Hig. Asserim Men. wil. Malmsbury Elfreds good studies Alfred●… Ri●…essit 〈◊〉 in Apologia Oxen. Aserius Grimbald Iohn Scot. Annales of Winton Monast. Mal●…s de Reg. l. 2. 〈◊〉 4. Wigornensis Th. Rudburne Elswith Malcolme King of Scots Edward the eldest sonne Ethelward the second sonne Rudburne Annales 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Elfleda the eldest daughter Ethelgeda the second daughter Elfride the yo●…gest daughter Edward Monarch 24. An. Do. 901. Speculum hist. 〈◊〉 Ciren Iohn Stow. Ethealwld his minority Winborne taken by him Henry 〈◊〉 Ran. Higd. S. Edmunds ditch An. Do. 905. Ioannes Leo Aph●…r in Descrip●… A●…ric lib. 3. The Danes breake truce with the English An. Do. 910. Simon Dunelm Two Danish Kings slaine Wal. Mapaeus Leolin his homage to King Edward His admiration of King Edwards mildnes Hen. Hunting An. Do. 912. Elfleda dislike of wedlocke She winneth Brec●…k Darby Many towns planted by her Polydor. Edrick his doings The time of King Edwards raigne His death and buriall Eguina Prince Edward marrieth Sg●…inae Elfleda Stephen the sixt Bishop of Rome Edgina Two Kings her sonnes Ethelstan the first sonne Wil. Malmsb. Elfred the second sonne Crowned King in his fathers time Editha the first daughter Mat. Westminster Po●…dor Tamworth Castell Elsward the third sonne Buried at Winchester Edwine the fourth sonne Wil. Malms Iames Maier in his Annals of Flanders Elfleda the second daughter R●…msey Monastery Eguina the third daughter Her marriage with Herbert disliked Ethelhild the fourth daughter Edhild the fifth daughter Edgith the sixth daughter Elgiua the seuenth daughter Married to a Duke of Italy Edmund the fifth sonne Three yeere old at his fathers death Edred the sixt sonne A good Prince Edburg the eight daughter Ran. Higd. polic lib. 6. cap. 4. 〈◊〉 the ninth daughter Aquitaine belonging to 〈◊〉 Monarch 26 Ethelstan An. Do. 924. Crowned at Kingston vpon Thamesis Wil. Malmsb. Pope Iohn the tenth Parasites Edwins death The occasion of the founding of Midleton and Michelnesse Monasteries His Cup-bearer put to death Sithrick Wil. Malmsbury A law against Fellons Godfrey and Anlasse the sonnes of Sithrick * Ludwall saith Malmsbury An. Do. 937. Mat. West Rand. Higd. King Constantine assisteth Godfrey Wil. Malmsb. Simon Dun. Ran. Higden Anlafe King of Ireland Hector Boetius Anlafe his policy Anlafe his souldiers fidelity Wil. Malmsbury Fiue Kings and twelue Dukes slaine Polier lib. 6. cap 〈◊〉 Dunba●… Castle Beuerley The Princes of Wales tribute Corn. Wal. Wil. Malmsbury Ran. Higd. in Polier lib 6. cap. 6. The King of France his Presents to King El●…elstan Consta●… sword with 〈◊〉 naile of the Crosse sent into England Holinshed S. Swithens Abbey King Athelstans beneficence Iohn Stow. Ceolnothus coine An. ●…31 〈◊〉 vertues The ti●… of his raigne Iohn Rouse Papulwick Monarch 27 Edmund An. Do. 940. Si●… 〈◊〉 Wil. M●… An. Do. 942. Mat. Westminster Wil. Malms An. Do. 944. Simon Dun. King Dunmaile Wil. Lambert Marianus Wil. Malms Elfgine Edw●… Edgar Edred Monarch 28 An. Do. 946. Polier lib. 6. cap. 〈◊〉 Edred Malcolme Anlafe commeth into Northumb. Wil. Mal●… R●…nd Higd. S●… Dun. Wolstan Wil. Malms 〈◊〉 Elfred Bertfrid Monarch 29. Edwy An. Do. 955. Edwyes 〈◊〉 M. Fox Acts and Monuments Wil. Malmsb. Iud. 1. 11. Abbot Dunstan Iohn 〈◊〉 Monarch 3●… Edgar An. Do. 959. 〈◊〉 Ran. Hig●… W●… M●… Saxon 〈◊〉 Edgar the Peaceable Pol●…er lib. 6. cap. 9 Wil. Malmsbury cap. 38. Sect. 〈◊〉 Cron. Wald. Marianus Alred 〈◊〉 Ran. 〈◊〉 Edgars honest vigilancy Edgars league with diuers Kings Gal. 6. 14. Polychron Monastery bulk by King Edgar Ex chart Reg. M Fox in his Acts and Monuments R●… Higden Wil. Malmsbury Mathew Paris Mat. 〈◊〉 Policr lib. 〈◊〉 cap. 9 Osbern in vit●… Dunstan Nicholas Trinet Ioan. Paris
West The Princes of Wales doe homage to William Math. Paris Henry Hunt Simon Dun. Will. Malmes Math. Paris Polydor. An D. 1077 Robert warreth for Normandy Will. Malmes Mat. Paris Simon Dun. King William wounded and vnhorsed He bandeth his sonne Will. Malmes An. D. 1708 The Tower of London built Iohn Stow. Regist Epist. Ro●… Stephenide Will. Malmes Florentius Wigor England Suruaie and generall Iudgement Ingulfus Higden Stow calleth that booke Do●…us Dei. Ingulfus Geruasius Tilburiens Robert Glocestrens Englands exactions Iohn Castor Iohn Rowse Englishmens reproch Mat. Paris in G●…d Conq. Simon Dunel Malcolme inuadeth England Cambden in Otta●… Simon Dun. Danes prepare against William Mat. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 ●…ance of in ●…ame 〈◊〉 King Williams depopulations Cambd in Hantshire Gualter M●… King William the father or wild Beasts Iudgements of God ●…n King Williams 〈◊〉 in New Forest Cambden Matth. Paris Calamities falling on the Land All things degenerate Roger Wendouer Marianus Pope Gregories Buls against maried Priests Matth Paris in G●… Conq. Inhibiting of married Priests a new deuice and inconsiderate Popish Continency hypocriticall Odo King williams brother affecteth the Papacy King william condemneth his brothers Ambitions His sacrileges His Oppressions His Trecheries His imprisonment His Auarice Wil. Malmsb. Matth. Paris Some write King William tooke Physicke to take downe his great fat belly Higden William Malmes King Williams Oath Stow saith two Anchorits King Williams last Will and Testament Ex Libro Cadomensis Monast. His last Speec●… on point of death Of his Sinnes Of his Norman troubles Of his Normans qualities Of his friends Kindreds vnkindnesse Of his English Conquest Outward triumphes leaue inward horr●…s His workes of deuotion His Counsell to his Children The dispose of his States Of Normandy Of England King Williams Legacie to his sonne Henry He writeth into England King Williams death With such doctrine was good deuotion abused contrary to the prescript of God Isai. Chap. 33. 16. Princes friends His Corps forsaken of all sorts The qualities of Court-Kites His Hearse also abandoned of al. His buriall place denied him Annoiance at his funerall Hence Stowe notes their report for fabulous who wrot that his Body was found vncorrupt 500. yeeres after his death His description for lineaments and qualities Will. Malmes Rand. Higden Polyc. lib. 7. cap. 4. Stow ex libro Richmond King Williams Charter to Hunter Lambert Peramb Ingulfus Hollins Lamb. Peramb Iohn Leland Wil. Malms Roane Bartel-Abbay so called of a battell there sought against Harold Will. Newbery Math. Paris in Will Conq. Charta de Bello Selby Abbay Exeter Priory Iohn Stow. Saint Stephens in Cane William Malmes King William regardfull of matrimonial agreement Robert A cruell reuenge of one brother on another Henry slaine let his Grādrathers New-forest Richard Richard slaine 〈◊〉 his fathers New-Fo●…est William Rufus or the 〈◊〉 Henry 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Annales S. Augustus Cant●…ar M. S. Cecily She is vailed a Nunne Constan●… The Earldome of Richmond erected Alice Saint William Archbishop of Yorke Gundred Ela. Margaret William Rufus Monarch 40 An. D. 1087 William Rufus comes into England Ypodigma Neustria Simon Dunel The Peeres wish well to his Elder brother Mat. Paris Ypodigm Lanfranke and Wulstane sway the Peeres for Rufus William Gemit Matth. Paris His Coronation His disposition An. D. 1088 Rand. Higden in Polychr lib. 7. cap. 5 Robert possessed of Normandy His disposition Odoes emulation against Lanfrank Polyc. lib. 7. cap. 5. He conspireth against the King Inuireth Robert to try for the Crowne Duke Roberts hopes for England His wants His supply by morgage of his Land Odo the ringlealeader for Duke Robert Rob. Mowbray and other his associates Wil. Malms Simon Dun. Bristow fortified against King William Henry Hunt Duke Robert verie faire for the Kingdome Wil. Genetic King William promiseth to mollifie his Laws He waxeth strong Odo his great heart taken downe Simon Dun. An. D. 1089 * This Castle some lay was built by Odo but it appears to haue been built by William Conquerour Domesday-book Will. Gemet Niding a word of Reproch Camb. in Kent Matth. Paris Odo leaues England Rufus pretendeth submissiuenesse to his brother Polychr lib. 7. c. 3. Math. Paris William Rufus a cunning Time-seruer Faire words appease fooles and often deceiue the wise Lanfranke dieth King William an ill manager of Ecclesiasticall promotions G●…rn Dor. Pope Vrb●… not at leasure then to remedy Church wrongs An. D. 1090 Ypodigma Neustria King William enters Normandy Peace made betwixt the King and Duke Will Gemet Matth. Paris Ypodig Neust. Math. Paris Both Brethren oppugne Henry the younger brother Willi. Gemet King William endangered in a Siege King William preferres him that ouerthrew him Williams Oath Edmerus saith his oath was By Gods face An. D. 1091 Ran. Higden in Polychr lib. 7. c. 5. A friendly Enemie An vn-brotherlie Brother Will. Gemet The three brethen reconciled Ypodigm Neustr. Chron. Wallia Warre bewixt Rise Prince of Southwales and 〈◊〉 Rob. Fiftz-hammon ●…ides 〈◊〉 Rob. Fitz. hammon and his followers possesions in Walles The Knighs who attended Fitz hammon An. D. 1092 Gemet Malcolme King of Scotland enters England with a power King William 〈◊〉 Malcolme meete enter League Ypodigm 〈◊〉 ●…stria Mat. Paris King William and Duke Robert at variance again●… Carleil reedified Peopled with a Southerne Colony Endowed with large Privilegio An. D. 109 King William falleth sicke and voweth 〈◊〉 Matth Paris Henry Hunt Polychron lib. 7. ●…p 6. Ger. Dorob Godwin in his Catalogue of Bishops Hic hum●…lis diues res mira potens paus●… vltor Compatiens●…●…itis cum pateretur erat Ypodig●… Neustri King William regaineth his health and loseth his good purposes Goodwin in the life of Anselme Polychron lib. 7. cap. 7. Rand. Higd. King Malcolme commeth to Glocester Will. Gemet Departeth discontent William Malmes Polydor. Raiseth a power William Gemet Is slaine with his son the Prince Simon Dun. Earl Mowbraies greatnesse suspected by the King Math. Paris Is taken and imprisoned Ypodigm Neustr. Hector B●…s lib. 12. cap. 12. Malcolme slaine vnder shew of submission The name of Percyes ancienter thē Perceing of Malcolmes e●…e Uide Cambd. in North●…m Gemet●…icensis Sa●…nt Margaret Edgar Ethelings Sister dieth for griefe of her husbands death few such Saint-like wiues Hector Boetius Math. Paris The English Monarchs of Wales An. D. 1094 Wil. Malmsb. Ran. Hagd Simon Dun. A breach againe betwixt the two Brethren but made vp for a time King William refuseth the censure of his Arbitrators Bothparts againe in Armes King William preuailes by money Math. Paris The French King leaues his friend for money The warres for the Holy Land Theod. Biblian Duke Robert going to Ierusalem morgageth his Dukedome Henry Hunt Will Thorne Paul Aemil. Will. Gemet King Williams extreame exactions Math. Paris Not sparing Churches and Monasteries Aedmerus An. D. 1095 His expedition for Wales The Welsh fly to their Mountains An. D. 1096 Anglesey inuaded Mat. Paris An. D. 1097 Cruelty
* ●…er de Quincy Robert Fitz. Walter The policy of K. Henries friends in their march The feareful end of the Earle of Perch The Kings Army hath a strange victory called Lewis Fair. Rog. de Wend. M. S. * Mat. Paris * Walsingham Ypodig Neust. The perillous e●… state of Lewis * Wend. MS. Paris hist. * Ypod. Neust. Rog. de Wend. MS. Mat. Paris Eustace and the French succours defeated at Sea * Stow in Henry 3 London besieged Articles of peace between Henry and Lewis * Doct. Pow. hist. Cambr. p. 278. * Iob. Til. Chron. * Paul Aemil. in Phil. 2. * Hollinsh in H. 3. Lewis had no money granted to him by this composition Rog. Wendouer M S. Math. Paris The same Math. Paris at A. D. 1227. Saith that King Henry charged the Londoners for hauing giuen Lewis 5000 marks at his departure forcing them to giue him as much * Enguer de Mon. Gagwin Paul Aemil. Iob. Tili An. 1218. * Rog. de Wend. M. S. Mat. Paris * So ancient Writers call him and well might * An. 1219. * In the Temple-Church in London * Paris ad an 1214. saith Geruasius de Melkel●…y made these verses * Hollinsh p. 202 Ann. 1220. An. Reg. 5. King Henry crowned againe * Mat. Paris Walsingham Westminster Church enlarged by Henry 3. Ann. 1221. * Wend. M S. Paris hist. ma. * Ypodig Neust. Mat West * D. Pow. bist Camb. * Mat. Paris * Ro Wend. MS. Mat. Paris hist. ma. * Polyd. Vergil * H●…t Scot. 13. * Tho. VValsing in Ypod. Neust. * Polyd. Verg. lib. 16. Hollinsh p. 203. Rog Wend. and Mat. Pa●… place this Ambassage at An. D. 1223. * Ypod. Neust. * In Concilio ●…ituricensi Mat. Paris The King puts off the popes demaunds Mat. Paris * Polyd. Vergil l. 16. Mat. Pa●…is What kind of Heretikes the Albigenses of Waldenses were Frater R●…ynerius de Ualdensibus * The Master herefie of the Albigenses * Apud Auentinum The holy warres denounced against Christian Princes * Math. Paris * Math. Paris The Popes crossings attended with few blessings * Mat. Paris * The Earle of Campaigne and the Popes Legate were publiquely charged of adultry with Lewis his Queene apud Mat. Paris * Ranalph●… O●…terbourne alij Roger Wend. M. S. Math. Paris * Til●…us Aemylius Walsing saith 14. Paris scarce 10. Likelyhoods for a warre with France * Paul Aemil. in Iud. 80. Aemylius An. 1227. The King begets enemies at home by raising mony to make warre abroad * Rog. de Wend. MS. Mat. Paris The King perhaps had this summe for the things which Fablan saith hee granted The Charters of liberties reuoked and cancelled * Mat. Paris Peace in France frustrates the English designes for France * Mat. Paris ad An. 1234. Scriptores Brit. apud Paul Aemil. in Ludou 9. * Rog. de VVend MS. Mat Paris at A. D. 1234. * Yet Walsingham names him Earle of Kent before that Ceremony of girding him with the Sword * Wend. MS. Mat. Paris The Barons in Armes at Stamford The Barons rebellious message to the King The Welsh in Armes * Quinque Leuc●…rum Mat. Par●… * Rog. VVend MS Math Paris Ceri saith D. Powel in Hist. Cambr. * Mat. Paris * Hist. Cambr. * Rog. Wend. MS. Mat. Paris * This William was afterward hanged by Lewelin for lying with his wife as is reported i●… Mat. Paris ad An. 1230. though elsewhere he saith it was by reason of Hubert de Burghs letters to Lewelin Mat. Paris ad An. 1232. Queene Isabels practises for her Sonne against the French Queene Isabel falsly charged * Nich. Guilles Chr. Fran. The noble form of warre among the old English praysed by strangers Earle Hubert in the Kings displeasure * Mat. Paris cals him Henrie Earle of Britain Walsing Peter Duke of Britaine Ann. 1230. * The great humility and charity of K. Henry Ypod. Neust. * Rog. de Wend. MS. * Polyd. Vergil li. 16. Lib. Statu●… ad A. R. 20. Hen. 3 * Polyd. Vergil l. 16. saith but forty * Mat. Paris * Paul Aemil. * Roger Wend. M. S. Math. Paris Walsingham in Ypodig Neust. The Irish attempting to recouer their Country from the English miscarry An. 1231. * Math. Paris * Math. Paris * Idem ibid. * Rog. de Wend. M. S. * Mat. Paris Antiquit. Britānica in vit Edmunds Mat. Paris in Hen. 3. * Paul Aemil. Three yeeres truce with France Ro. Wend. MS. Mat. Paris An. 1232. The memorable deiection of Earle Hubert The causes of the Kings wants seene into * Polyd. Verg. lib 〈◊〉 VVendouer MS. * Mat. Paris Pol. Verg. l. 〈◊〉 * Wend. MS. * Mat. Paris * Wendouer MS. * Mat. Paris The principall cords in the scourge prepared for the Earle of Kent The Earle of Kents defence disallowed Articles or càlumniations of treason obiected A precious stone to make a man inuincible if you l●…st beleeue it The Earle takes Sanctuary * Wendouer Mat. Paris Other malicious Articles obiected The hanging of Constantine obiected The Earle of Kent takes Sanctuary * On Holyrood day 14. Sept. * Fab. Cone MS. The Earle again takes Sanctuary * Rog. Wend. M. S. Mat. Paris The honest and noble mind of a poore Artificer * Addit●… M. Par. ad VVendou A pithy speech of that Artificer The Earle restored to the Sanctuary from whence hee was taken * Ro. Wend. M. S. Mat. Paris The Archbishop of Dublin a faithfull friend to Hubers The Earles treasure deliuered to the King The King relenteth towards the Earle and will not take his life * In Wiltshire An. 1233. An. reg 17. * Wend. MS. * Math. Paris ex Reg. VVend Iuditia commit●… 〈◊〉 leges ex legibus pax discordantibus instit●… 〈◊〉 The king by aduancing strangers discontents his Nobles The English Peeres confederate against the strangers Fiue Sunnes in the skie in April Wend. MS. Mat. Paris The Barons contemne the kings Summons * Paris cals him Bacum The franke speech of a Preacher * That is Rocks and Stones * In Iuly The Barons second contempt of the kings commaund The traytero●… errand to the king * In August next * Rog. de VVend MS. The Earle Marshal in Armes * Mat. Paris Confederates himselfe with Lewelin Prince of VVales * Rog. Wend. MS. Mat. Paris * The Sunday after Michaelmas Hubert de Burgo escapes into Wales * Thom. Westm. Roger Wend. Mat. Paris * Ypod. Neust. * D●…ct Pow hist. Cambr p. 289. * Viz. Ioh. de M●…nmouth Ralph de Thorney The Earles great courage and agility * Now the Rolles in Chancery Lane Stowes Suruay * Saint Iohns Hospital by Magdalene Colledge the first stone whereof was laid by the ●…ing himselfe Rossus Leolines opinion of K. Henries Almesdeedes Mat. Paris D. Powel hist. Camb. pag. 292. An. 1234. An. reg ●…8 * Rog. VVend The King giues way to the fury of the rebellious A practise to ruine the Earle Marshal The
pestilent tenour of the letters * Ro. Wend. MS. Mat. Paris Alexander Bishop of Chichester cleareth himself from disloyaltie The English Bishops deale with the King about redresse of the common euils Obiections against the Bishop of Winton and the Poictouines The outrages of the Marshalline faction * Quae exlex est Math. Paris The King facile●… in taking and leauing fauourites Of Princes Counsellors and Fauourites The king remoues the Bishop of Winchester and others from his Councell England purged from Poictouines The Earle Marshal dieth in Ireland * Partie per pale Or vert ouer all a Lyon rampant gules The king laments the Earles death Ann. 1235. The king cals home his rebels Hubert de Burgh is reconciled Gilbert brother to the late Earle Marshal hath his brothers lands honours * Math. Paris ad An. 1239. The practise to destroy the late Earle Marshal openly read * Rog. de Wend. M. S. Math. Paris The king sits in Westminster with the Iudges on the Bench. The king himselfe giues sentence on the Bench. The Bishoppe of Winchester went to Rome for hee was in Pope Gregories Armie against the mutined Romans say both Wendouer and Paris ad An. 1●…35 The diuine vertue of charity actually commended by God * Of Alboldes●… a village in Cambridgeshire A miraculous conf●…sion of hard heartednesse toward poore Christians * Mat. 5. 7. * God hath a care of the liberall * An. 1235. An. reg 19. The Iewes conspire to crucifie a child The Emperour marrieth the kings sister The magnificence of the Nuptials * At Wormes in August * Rog. de Wend. MS. Mat. Paris Marriage consūmated by calculation of the Stars * Rog Wendouer in hist. MS. in Biblioth D. Roberti Cotton Baronetti * K. Henry 3 of * Richard king of the Romans * Ioan Queen of Scots * Isabel. * Quasi Capientes vrsi deuouring Beares quoth Paris * Mat. Parid. * Idem ad An. 1227 * Ibidem * Math Paris 〈◊〉 seth this word * Polyd. Virg. lib. 16. Armiger quidam literatus saith Par●… but pag 566 ●…hesame M. Paris a●…th his name was Clement and a Clerke * Margaret Biset The Traitor drawne in sunder with horses * Holinsh. p. 123. * Because Kings are annointed * Because in holy Scriptures they are called Gods * Mat Paris ●…d A. D. 1242. Paris Idem * In Walling ford Castle * 16 Iunij Lo●…ini Paris * Mat. Paris Ann. 1239. Great faults in the Lords towards the King Worthy iustice done vpon a Court-Rat or Promoter Math. Paris Allegations for Antioches Primacy aboue Rome Hubert Earle of Kent tost with a new Court-storme Strabo A strange description of a king * Ypod. Neust. * Mat. Paris * Cambden Brit. in Kent this man died An. D. 1243. An. 1240. England a most Christian Country * Mund●…ssimam terram Paris * Paris * Imperatoris liter●… apud Paris An. 1241. * Edmund a Saint thoughdying an Exile in detestation of the Popes oppressions An. 1242. A reg 26. The King goes to recouer Poictou * Cadum The French Kings preparations to resist * Vide s●…pra at his de●…ing from England A most Christian feare of the Christian King * Io. Tili Chron. * Math. Paris Isabel Queene D●…ger forgeth writings to draw her sonne the King into France Mat. Par. p. 570 Poictou lost by the Eng●…sh Xaincts also and Xainctoing The French Earle of March compared by the King to Iudas Hertold an example of loyalty The effect of the kings iourny into Wales * Hist. Camb. A iudgement of God on a withholder of church lands * Gyr●…ld Cambren * 3. Reg. cap. 1. vers 21. An. 1246. A. reg 30. * Mat. Paris The French King reiecteth the Popes motion as vnchristian Dauid Prince of Wales * Articuli super Gr●…amin a pud Paris * See their seuerall Letters in Paris * Math. Paris * 〈◊〉 Episcoporum Mat. VVest * Paris * Iohannes Anglicus England the Popes Asse * Genes 16. 12. Ann. 1247. * Mat. VVes●… Math. Paris Ioh. London c. * In Crasti●… Purificationis * Ibidem An. 1248. A. reg 32. The seditious Nobles exposlu l●…te their gree ●…ances with the King in stead of granting mony The king driuen to sell his Iewels and Plate to the Londoners A. D. 1249. An. reg 33. Simon Earle of Le●…cester returnes with honour out of Gascoign Hampshire purged of theeues by the King himselfe sitting in iudgement A. D. 1250. A. reg 34. Walter Clifford makes an officer eat the kings writ wax and all The king lesseneth the charge of his Houshold Thirtie thousand markes wrung from one Iew in a few yeeres The king prea●… cheth to the Couent * Paris * The pope was now fled from Rome for feare of the Emperour * Liuie * He calles i●… 〈◊〉 profitable Al●…s deed Paris An. 1251. A strange description of the Kings par●…mony or pouerty * Notwithstanding any former commandement * Or former priuiledge * Mat. Paris Sir Philip Darey appeacheth Sir Henry Bath a bribing Iudge of treason The disorderly weake and violent carriage of trial●… The King proscribe●… Sir Henry Bath Sir Iohn Mansel stayes the Kings seruants from killing Bath * Two thousand Marks * Additam ad Math. Paris An. 1252. Alexander the third King of Scots espouseth the Lady Margaret Six hundreth Oxen spent at one meale * Mat. Paris The young King of Scots a suter to the King for bringing Philip Louel into fauour againe * Circumsedentium The most witry and princely in●…inuations of the young king to the king his father in Law Philip Louel reconciled to the king Simon Earle of Leicester rather to be called Sinon as the Gascoigns said * Per Papa auarisia●… to●… 〈◊〉 infortunium Paris The Kings hope to recouer Normandie frustrated The common opinion of the Kings designe for the holy Land A perilous bolde Dialogue between the Countesse of Arund l and the King An. 1253. An. reg 37. The king of Spaine claunes Ga●…coign Simon Earle of Leicester refuseth high honour in France to auoid the suspition of disloialty to England Magna Charta confirmed help●… the king to mony The kings oath to obserue that confirmation The king requesteth the king of Spaines sister to be giuen for wife to his sonne Edward The King of Spaine quitteth his claime to Ga●…coigne The king of Spaines aduise to the king of England His most noble protestation The king of Romans what and who The English tongue in the dayes of Mathew Para agreeable to the Dutch The huge sums of ready money which Richard King of Romans had of his owne at his Election * 6. Cal Iun. di●… Ascension●… * Contra antiqua statut●… libertates Paris * Mat Paris in hist ma●…ori The Vniuersity of Oxford the second Schoole of the Church next Paris protected by the king The King commend●… the cause of his sonne Edmund for the kingdome of Sicilia Note that by this it appeares Edmund was not
deformed a●… Henry 4. did afterward alleage A. Do. 1258 A. reg 42. The practise of Londoners to engrosse corne forbidden by the king The Barons combine * Mat. Paris pag. 940. * Pontifices ne dicam Pharisai c. Mat. West The Barons take an oath among themselues Mat. West * Primos accubitus in canis c. Mat. West Ibidem The prouisions of Oxford * Mat. West Mat. Paris The City of London ●…oines with the Barons to red●…sse the kingdome * Mat. Paris p. 951. The King feares the Earle of Leicester more then thunder and lightning Commissioners to certifie what oppressions in euery Countie Officers put from their places The abuses of Sheriffes noted and prouided against A. Do. 1259 A. reg 43. The King of Romans suspected of the Barons arriues in England 〈◊〉 takes an oath The King not suffered to enter his own Castles * Then the Barons too * Polyd. Vergil lib. 16. The King sailes ouer into France to demand restitution of Normand●…e * Guil. Gemeticēs * Ypodig Neust. * Pol. Verg. l. 16. * Paul Aemil. Iohn Tilius Ypod. Neust. Mat. Paris * Polyd. Verg. saith 15 0000. Crowns in hand and 10000. Crowns yeerely in name of Tribute * Iohn Tilius A. D. 1260. A. reg 44. Ann. 1261. An. Reg. 45. * Polyd. Vergil l. 16. * Ypod. Neust. A. D. 1262. An. Reg. 46. The King seifeth the ancient stocke of the Crowne The Barons driue the King from Winchester * Addit ad Par. A. D. 1263. An. Reg. 47. Simon Montfort in apparant fault A. D. 1264. An. Reg. 48. * Additam ad Mat. Paru An intollerable villany offered by rascals to the Queene The Scots aide the King The king takes Northampton many chiefe 〈◊〉 * W. Rishāger MS. i●… Bibliotheca D. Rob. Cotton Baronetti * Chron. M. S. Fox in 〈◊〉 Hollinsh * Milites vexilliferos The Baron●… letters The kings letters The king of Almaines letter Prince Edwards The Barons send the second time Simon Earle of Leicester takes the kings of England and of Almaine in the battel at Lewis Monarch 47 Edward 1. Ann. 1273. Prince Edward at Tunis in Africa * Paul A●…yl in Lud. 9. 〈◊〉 Mat. Par. * Alias Cam●…rcijs A. D. 1278. * Lanquet in Epit. Chr ex Tho. Walsing * Hist. ●…ngl l. 17. * Fabian * Dauid Powel Pag. 334. 335. * Thom. Walsing in Edw. 1. and in Ypod. Neust. * Or in Garsuma as some vse the word * Da. Pow. p. 336 * Tho. Wals. * Fabian in Ed. 1. An. 1279. * Da. Pow. p. 336. * Tho. VVals Fabian Scottish aides protested not to bee sent of duty to K. Edward but of loue An. 1282. * Da. Pow. p. 336. * Poly. Verg. l. 17. * Tho. VValsing * Ruthlan Da. Pow pag. 337. * Arc●… of Cant. apud Da. Powel Pag. 339. * Tho. Walsing * Da. Pow. p. 336. * Tho. Walsing * Antiq. Brit. in vit Iob. Peckam * Polyd. Verg. l. 17 A. D. 1283. * Tho. Walsing King Edward repulsed by the Welsh * Dan. Pow. p. 374. * Tho. Walsing * Pag. 374. * Polych li. 7. Tho. Walsing Cambden in Comitat. Flint * Polych l. 7. c. 38. An. D. 1284. * Tho. Walsing ad A. D. * Ra●…l Cestr. in Polych l. 7. A. D. 1285. A. D. 1287. A. Do. 1289. Tho. VValsing Pol. Verg. l. 17. King Edward confiscates the Iewes and fines his Iusticiars An. 1290. An honourable way to enrich a King * Tho. Walsing Iohn Stow ex Adam Merius Chron. Dunst. c. * Stow in Edwa. 〈◊〉 Scottish affaires Hect. Bo. trans lib. 13. * Hect. Bo. lib. 13. A. D. 1291. * Walsing * As Charing Crosse and at Waltham S. Albans Dunstaple c. A. D. 1292. * He●… 〈◊〉 li. 14. * Marian. Scot. VV●… Mal. Henry Hu●… Ro. Houed c. * Tho. VValsing in Edward 1. Tho. Walsingh Ranul Higd. Polychr lib. 7. Bellendens transl of Hect. Boe. lib. 14. * Hect. Boe. lib. 14. * So Boniface cals 〈◊〉 in his letters to king Edward * Hect. Boe. lib. 14. A. D. 1293. A famous Sea-victorie of the English against the Normans * Thom. Walsingh ●…aith 1500. Hect. Boe. lib. 14. * Edwardi 〈◊〉 ad Pap●…m apud Tho VValsingh Iudgement gi uen by king Edward lib. 14. cap. 1. A. D. 1294. * Hect. Boet. transl lib. 14. Cap. 2. * Polychr A. D. 1295. * Ypod. Neustr. A. D. 1296. * Tho. UUals. * Hect. Boe. li. 14. * Tho. VVals * Tho. Wals. Polyd. Verg. lib. 17. saith but one hundreth A. D. 1297. * Tho. UUalsingh Berwick taken by king Edward lib. 14. * Fabian * Tho. VVals * Fab. Berwick the key of Scotland * Tho. Wals. * Tho. Walsingh Hect. Bo. l. 14. Fabian * Hect. Boet. l. 14. Polyd. Virg. lib. 17 Tho. VValsing * Bellind transl of Hect. Boe. lib. 14. Welsh aid against Scotland Irish aid against Scotland * Tho. VVals * Polyd. Ver. li. 17. * lib. 14. * Tho. VVals The Baliol resignes * Bellind transl of Hect. Boe. lib. 14. ca. 3. * Tho. Wals. * Fabian * Tho. Walsingh * Bellind trans lib. 14. cap 7. * Tho UUals. * Cambden in Scotland 〈◊〉 709. saith it was a stone inclosed within a woodden Chaire An. 1298. * Bellendens transl of Hect. Boet. l. 14. c. 4. * Tho. Wals. Polyd. Verg. lib. 17 * Tho. VVals Hect. Boet. lib. 14. Polyd. Vug. l. 17. A. D. 1299 * Tho. Wals. * Tho Walsingh The bloudy ourethrow at Pawkirke * Hect. Boet. l. 14. * Vniuers Cosin lib. 2. * Tho. VVals Ypod. Neustr. Reu. Cest. Polychr lib. 7. * Fabian Harding * Polyd. Ver. lib. 17. Hect. Boet. l. 14. * Tho. VVals A. D. 1300. * Tho. Wals. The Baliol set at liberty * Hect. Boe. lib. 14. The Pope interposeth his authority for the reliefe of Scotland * Per sanguinem Dei The constancy of the Welshmens loue to the first English Prince of Wales * Tho. UUalsingh A. D. 1302. * Polyd. Verg. lib. 17. A. D. 1303. * Hect. Boe. lib. 14. A. D. 1304. * Thom. VVals Abington Tolyd Virg lib. 17 * Thom. Walsingh * Bellind transl of Hect. Boe. lib. 14. cap. 6. * Pol. Virg. lib. 17. * Abington * Tho. VValsing * Bel●…endens transl lib. 14. Cap. 6. * Belindens transl●… lib. 14. cap. 6. * Hect. Boet. lib. 14. cap 〈◊〉 * Tho. VValsing * Mat. Par●… Monarch 48 Edward II. * Thom. de la Moor. * Tho. VValsing * Pol. Virg. lib. 18. * Hect. Boe. lib. 14 Bellind his tran lib. 14. cap 9. * Thom. Walsingh * Fabian A. R. 28. Edw. 1. * Wil. Packington apud Iohn Stow. * The Abbot of Saint Albans was compelled to pay great summes which hee ought to the Bishop and the king acquited him Lib. Monast. S Alban MS. A. D. 1309. The meeting of 5 Kings and 4 Queenes * Tho. de la More * Tho. Wals. Peirs de Gaueston described